Question B IOS Update for HP MiniDeskTop

[Hutchins4292]

I've been trying to find out if a there are updates for my HP mini desk top system's BIOS (UEFI). I've tried jumping through all the hoops the HP folks put into their website to find out, but I was not successful. I kept running into software (theirs) that would hang and force me to reboot. I never found a simple, direct way to ask if there are more recent flash packs for my BIOS.

In the process I learned that running msinfo32 would give me information about the BIOS. I discovered that the BIOS is identified as AMF F.28 with a version date of 02/20/2023. Using that information I searched and got information on an HP web page stating that there is a version dated 06/20/2023. Because of the problems with HP pages, I no longer trust the information nor do I really trust that I can download the code version that needs to be flashed from HP.

Can anyone tell me 1) if the 06/20/2023 date is valid and the most recent flash for my BIOS, and 2) where I can safely download the update so that I can apply it?

I'm not really having any known problems but I've experienced some flaky things I can't explain. The HP page states that the update addresses a vulnerability but I cannot relate that to anything.

They system was bought secondhand and is no longer in warranty; so HP won't help me beyond what I can get from their help pages which I find to be far less than clear or direct.

TIA

 

[Darkbreeze]

In order to tell you ANYTHING about your situation, we would need to know the EXACT model, sub-model and if there is one, the express service code or tag number. This information should be on a sticker or decal somewhere on the unit or in your purchase invoice information if you purchased it new, maybe. Usually though, it's somewhere on the unit itself.

More important, firstly perhaps, is WHY are you wanting to update the BIOS? Even if that update IS applicable to your machine, the only thing it addresses is a potential code execution vulnerability, so if you are looking for an update to address some other issue, then it's not going to be helpful. If you are simply wanting to make sure that any UEFI vulnerabilities have been addressed, or more specifically, this particular one, then it may be worthwhile to update if it's applicable to your machine.

 

[Hutchins4292]

Thank you, Darkbreeze.

My system was purchased, used, from Woot.com. The label on the back names it an HP Slim Desktop PC with SN 2MO22732XK and Product number 577J7AA#ABA and Model number S01-pF2003wb. There is no Express Service Tag that I can find.

There is other information but I have no clue what it means. Starts BID= and goes from there for many characters.

As for why I want to update the BIOS, I don't want to leave vulnerabilities unaddressed when there is flash code to correct them available.

 

[Darkbreeze]

I understand. I will take a look at this for you later this evening and see what I can find. I'd do it now but I have an engagement this evening so I don't have time to at the moment, but I certainly will see what I can see later tonight.

 

[Darkbreeze]

What Windows version are you running?

 

[Hutchins4292]

I'm running Windows 11 Home V.24.H2.

Since posting here, I was able to break through some of the fog I was having with HP's web pages to discover a page that says there as many as 3 BIOS updates dated as recently as September 2024. The information that is supposed to educate my choice only confusing me further because I cannot find the ROM information they use.

ROM Family 8648 or 885F or 89B4 are the identifiers they use. The first and last ones are identifed as consumer system choices and the middle one as consumer/commercial.

I think my system might have come from a commercial installation, but I have no way of knowing.

Seems to me that flashing the BIOS is such a critical step that ANY possibility of choosing the wrong one might be catastrophic if applied.

Does this information mean anything to anyone who can explain it to me?