[Request]HP Elitebook 8560w F.03 unlock

[romzu]

Hello,

I have an Elitebook 8560w (model lg661et), which came with F.26 bios version.

The problem is that the CPU (i7-2630qm)is able to reach 2.80 Ghz, but that bios version limits it to 2.00 Ghz. HP disabled TurboBoost because of "overheating problems" and SATA-3, too.

So I'm searching how to get this F.03 to be applied on my machine, I had successfully applied F.20 by going into MS-DOS mode, but I cannot roll back to F.03 with ordinary methods.

Is there any way I can do this ? I've also tried the usb and win+B / 4 directional keys trick, but did not managed to get things right ... it seems that F.20 "blocks" this bios version.

edit : link to F.03 : http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/Tec...8-1&mode=3

Thanks very much !

(PS : bad english, sorry)

[romzu]

someone, please .....

[romzu]

anytime ...

[romzu]

I guess everyone's dead here .. ?

[ntty]

Hi, I just received my 8560w yesterday, same CPU as yours. I did not have time to unpack and therefore don't know what BIOS it has.

I see numerous posts about this issue and some report boost working on quad with F20 or above. Sounds weird, and I'll have a lot to read before I touch this PC!

Did you try F27 BIOS?:

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/Tec...6-1&mode=3

I can't find a reference to reactivation of boost in the release notes, but never know. Might be worth trying.

I'm sure I saw a link to F28 on the HP's site, but can't find it now,I remember a release date in September (or I need to stop Whiskey).

What tool do you use to verify boost is activating?

Sorry for not helping more than that...

Cheers

[romzu]

Hi, thanks for the answer

I had tried F27 and F28, and same issue, there is no turboboost, all 4 cores have a maximum frequency of 2.00ghz.

--> The problem is that it's impossible to roll back before the F20, which has turboboost enabled ; HP did that for "preventing overheating issues"

I used CPU-Z and the Intel Turboboost monitor , which shows actual CPU frequency ; it is always at 2.00ghz ...

Using ThrottleStop allows it to reach 2.8ghz. But not under Linux, and it's annoying to use everyday.

I tried to roll back under dos mode, now it is running under F20. But not under, it's locked.

I suggest that you disconnect any network connection at first boot of your EliteBook, to prevent any automatic Bios update. And disabling any HP's update tool under Win7.

Then, you could take a look in the bios menu. Here are the keys :
F10 - bios menu
F9 - boot selection menu
ESC - show those keys

It has an Insyde bios. As of today, I did not find any way to fool the bios update program, for applying the F.03.

So I think applying F27 or F28 could be worse.

Could you check what bios version you got ?

Thanks again.

[ntty]

Ok, I see you tested lot of things

I checked mine and it has the F.03 BIOS. I'm lucky. Thanks for the advice, but there's no OS, it's a used PC and previous owner wiped the HD. I'll install windows and not the HP update tool then.

Let me know if there's anything I can do to help (such as run some specific tests,...), I'll be happy to help.

Cheers

PS: I finally found the link to F.28:

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/Tec...de=4&idx=4

[romzu]

You got F.03 ! how lucky.

Mind I ask you to make a copy of this Bios ?

You could backup the bios with this program : http://forums.mydigitallife.info/threads...up-Toolkit

I tested it with success. Just press "read", wait for finish, then "backup" to write the file somewhere on the hdd.
(I'll send you a message with my email)

And I insist ... never-ever-ever upgrade your bios, or you will lose Sata-3 capabilities too ...

You can verify if you CPU reaches 2.8 ghz by installing some simple tools like CPU-Z, Intel TurboBoost monitor ... you just have to make it work hard. Or under a live cd of Linux, add an applet to a panel that monitors its frequency (I did it).

[ntty]

No problem, I'll do a copy of the BIOS once windows is done with installing the one zillion updates, and once my daughter is in bed

I usually use CPU-Z too and prime95 to load my PCs when needed. I didn't know the intel one though.

SATA-3 not working with the newer Bioses either? What are they doing at HP? Amazing.

I'll run HD-tune to perform some tests on the Hard Drive. Is there another tool to verify SATA-3 is activated?

Cheers.

PS: thanks for all your advices

---

Edit: Ok, I sent the ROM file I hope it will work.

Cheers

[romzu]

You're welcome.

I'm not aware of a software solution that can tell how to find if there's SATA-2 or SATA-3, but I mounted an SSD (Corsair Force3 240GB), and it's supersonic ; however, I'm limited to approx. 250~300 Mb/s (read), since that SSD could reach ~500 Mb/s.

Maybe with Aida64, but It would only show the model of the controller.

When you have time, could you have a glance at the temperatures ?
I use CPUID HWmonitor, it shows an average temp of ~50°C on the cpu case when doing nothing. I think that's pretty good.

I also removed a little piece of plastic sheet underneath the service cover, under the laptop, just near the system fan. Just cutting it leaved the fan grid more exposed (not the aluminium!), and it brings extra airflow.

OK, I'll be waiting