[syslinux] Problems PXE booting syslinux.efi on HP EliteBook 2560p / 8460p

Ady
Sun, 15 Mar 2015 20:23:26 -0000

> > Not being able to boot should probably qualify
> > as good reason for HP to  update the
> > firmware, IMHO.
> >
> I agree but considering the problem appears when
> PXE booting an EFI image requiring the Binding Services
> of the NIC well I'm not really sure if they would pay any attention.
> BTW the same failing hardware has not problem booting
> MS bootmgr.efi but analyzing its code I see bootmgr.efi
> performs the TFTP transfers not relying on Binding Services
> (probably using some PXE TFTP service)

When looking for updates for these particular HP EliteBook systems,
users must choose an OS before being presented with available updates,
even when the update is not supposed to be dependent on a particular
OS, such as firmware. The opposite though, could potentially be a valid
concern: updating to a newer firmware version while the (current) OS
might not be able to boot (e.g. having Windows XP already installed
while updating to a UEFI firmware version without CSM).

Under this procedure, when users select "Windows 8.1 64-bits", the
latest UEFI firmware version at this time is "F50" (year 2014), but
when selecting "Linux" as OS, then the respective latest version
available is "F21" (year 2011). Additionally, going back to a prior
firmware version is not possible (or at least not supported).

My guess is that HP is not testing the newer firmware versions with
anything but Windows' bootmgr.efi.

Regards,
Ady.

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