HP Z240 SFF fails to apply BIOS updates (to activate hyperthreading)
HP Z240 SFF fails to apply BIOS updates (to activate hyperthreading)
I possess an outdated HP Z240 SFF equipped with an i7-6700 processor. It appears the chip actually supports HT, yet only displays four threads. I found a BIOS update is typical for HP issues. After entering the serial number, the system confirms BIOS version 01.92 Rev A from August 19, 2024. I downloaded the file sp154352.exe and ran it; it extracts a bin-file. However, I couldn't apply the Windows software to flash a new BIOS. In the BIOS settings, I accessed the update menu but it prompted to roll back to BIOS 1.25. When I entered the recovery code, it indicated an administrator lock with no password. I suspect an older BIOS is attempting to erase itself but can't proceed. I haven’t reached the step requiring the bin-file. I’ve removed the CMOS battery and pressed the yellow BIOS reset button, but it didn’t work. I’m uncertain whether that button actually clears the BIOS. I’ve seen several HP guides on this topic. What should I do to update the BIOS? If updating isn’t possible, is there another method to enable hyperthreading?
I believe there is a jumper on the MB to reset the bios to factory and remove any settings that may have been applied. I found this but it is not for the SFF version. https://www.manualslib.com/manual/103600...ml?page=93
I handled the only unlabeled jumper I found. It appears to have restored the BIOS. At least I had to reset my BIOS settings and Windows 10 needed to fix itself after booting. But updating the BIOS resulted in the same issues as described. So it failed once more and now I prefer leaving it alone, discarding the device next time it causes problems. I also have another system (ASRock H110m) with an i3-6100 (2c/4t). I could swap in an i7 6700 from the HP and it would work. Getting rid of the HP isn’t the end of the world because I can replace some unrelated components. But the positive side is that the resource monitor now lists 8 CPUs, suggesting the BIOS reset resolved the problem. Overall, things seem okay now. Thanks for your assistance.
I’m giving up on this PC and letting it sit idle. After what I’ve experienced, starting it would be painfully slow—similar to waiting a few minutes in the HP startup screen. Plus, Windows kept having issues and the mouse didn’t respond properly, especially with multiple devices. Maybe a fix exists, but I’ve spent too much time on this. I had planned to upgrade to W11 at some point, but I won’t bother anymore. Now I’m using another Z240 with the same specs in a different case for remote work. I’ve installed an i7-6700 and 2x8GB RAM on another ASRock machine, which is still fully functional. The Z240 I received for free from a business seems to have delivered its value over the years. My DIY builds from the same old ASRock models are far more reliable and still work great. I’d never purchase an HP system again. Those HP parts feel outdated, and my current setup is solid. I might try swapping in an i3-6100 and 2x8GB RAM on the Z240 if it works, possibly selling it for under $50.
Here’s a revised version of your text:
An update has been made, and it seems the Z240 is back in good shape. I installed an i7-6700 with 16GB RAM on my old ASRock-H170m board. The process was simple, and updating the BIOS was straightforward. Now the Z240 runs with the old i3-6100 and 2x4GB of memory. I set up W11, and everything functions properly—no strange BIOS menus or mouse issues. It appears the BIOS tweaks previously affected my older W10 setup. The i7-6700 performs better on the ASRock board. I don’t have a dedicated GPU, but the Z240 struggled with 4K videos like Gamers Nexus, especially when resolution was high. All cores and the integrated GPU were at full capacity. Now, using the same CPU on the ASRock board (without a dedicated GPU) handles 4K videos smoothly. It’s still near 100%, but no stuttering occurs. I believe the latest ASRock GPU drivers make a difference. I’m considering selling the Z240 with these lower-end parts if demand doesn’t come. I also now have two PCs running i7-6700 and one i7-7700K. If those boards fail, I might reuse the Z240 CPUs.