Ubuntu
linux-hwe-edge package

  1. Xenial (16.04)
  2. Bug #1734147
  3. Comment #408

Comment 408 for bug 1734147

Revision history for this message
Juan Felipe (hacktt) wrote : Re: Ubuntu 17.10 corrupting BIOS - many LENOVO laptops models

Good day guys,

I have a HP 14-r012la Notebook PC with the same BIOS problem..

It has installed Xubuntu 17.10 (x64) and I can't change any configuration in the BIOS nor boot any USB drive.

I have tried installing ukuu kernel software and tested some kernels to see if they can solve the problem: 4.14.8, 4.14.9, 4.14.10, but none of these has worked.

My HP laptop only let me boot with two option by default:
1. Boot From EFI File (posible solution here.. look below!)
2. Notebook Hard Drive (where is installed Xubuntu 17.10)

Posible solution? I don't know if I have a chance to format my laptop because I have created a booteable USB with LinuxMint 18.3 (x64) on it and I chose first option ('Boot From EFI File'), then hitting enter through a gray/blue screen it let me choose between either 'grubx64.efi' or 'bootx64.efi' files. I tried booting with either these two files and it booted LinuxMint live.. But I'm not sure if I can format my laptop doing it this way, I don't want to break my laptop anymore, at least it can boot to Xubuntu 17.10...

In the other hand, HP laptops has a built-in software called 'HP PC Hardware Diagnostic UEFI' that you can boot hitting the F2 key ('System Diagnostics') when you turn on your machine. This application allows you to flash the BIOS, but sadly it seems that the version of this software of my laptop it's too old and doesn't allow to make any changes to the firmware of the BIOS..

I share you some pictures below of what I'm talking:

F2 to UEFI app: https://sourceforge.net/p/veracrypt/discussion/technical/thread/5b859040/34c2/attachment/file%20%283%29.jpg

Into UEFI app: https://support.hp.com/doc-images/534/c04997168.jpg , but this is a newer version which has the 'Firmware Management' option that let you flash your BIOS with a file via a USB or even your local Hard Disk Drive.

I share this link of HP Support website where they explain how to flash your BIOS with a USB, scroll down until you see the section called 'Updating the BIOS when Windows does not start (Windows 10, 8, 7)' (don't mind about 'Windows' word).

https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c00042629

I share this because some of you may have an HP laptop with this problem and probably there is a chance you can flash your laptop BIOS via UEFI app built-in in your laptop.

I hope my comment can help some of you guys. If anyone is interested in share possible solution just ask me. Thanks in advance!