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How To Upgrade BIOS without a current OS ?

(8 posts)
  • Started 8 months ago by djhull3917
  • Latest reply from djhull3917
  • Topic Viewed 460 times

djhull3917
Posts: 112

Hi there;

Recently I was installing windows 7 on a vista computer, halfway through the installation i had a powecut ruining the installation process, i now need to do a clean install on my pc using a usb stick, When i run through the BIOS the option "Boot From Removable Devices" does not appear- i do not have a cd. I Am Operating On A Phoenix AwardBios ---HP Slimline ., How do i update the BIOS when i do not have an OS ? I need to update it so i can use the "boot from removable devices" option.

Thanks Guys !!

HP SlimLine 3000 series

Posted 8 months ago #
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Lighthouse
Lighthouse
Posts: 13598

djhull3917 hi. Where did you see that a BIOS update would even give you that option ?

Posted 8 months ago #
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djhull3917
Posts: 112

From various websites---- they indicate that updrading bios allows the pc to reconise hardware to boot from...?

Posted 8 months ago #
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Lighthouse
Lighthouse
Posts: 13598

Can you post your Service Tag please.

http://www.ehow.com/how_502229.....os-os.html
May not be F12 for your machine.

Posted 8 months ago #
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djhull3917
Posts: 112

well im running on phoenix award bios v.5.08 if that helps?

Im Currently in I.T class but will check when i get home....

Posted 8 months ago #
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Kelen
Kelen
Posts: 283

Fisrt you should just try using either F9 or Esc while booting and already have your usb plugged in before you power up. Those two keys are often used by HP for there boot menu options.

Second you could try going into the BIOS setup menus and seeing if you can enable the option from there. F2 or F10 will get you there most times.

If your gonna try a BIOS update first find out what revsion you have(i see v.5.08 is posted), then check hp's website for a newer one, review every bios update that came after yours to see if such a feature was placed in as new or fixed. If not then flashing the bios would be pointless for the most part.

If you still want to anyways, just download the file, look through for insructions or readme files before you attempt for specific instructions. Some will allow you to make a bootable cd/usb but alot of them now run through windows.

HIGHLY RECCOMEND that you be plugged into a known good battery backup before you try a bios update.

Posted 8 months ago #
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oldgeezer
Posts: 211

Exactly what files do you have on the USB drive? Have you thought abut getting the files burnt to a DVD and then boot from that ?

I'm guessing it's a Win7 Pro upgrade download that you have - this may not work anyway as it really needs a working Vista installation to run from. Have you still got the Vista recovery partition on the computer?

Posted 8 months ago #
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djhull3917
Posts: 112

yes how do i boot up recovery vista?

Posted 8 months ago #
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