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HP PCs - 500, 501, or 502 Error Displays on a Black Screen

This document pertains to HP PCs with the HP Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) beginning in late 2008.

During startup, the system performs several checks of the computer's BIOS (Basic Input Output System). If an error in the BIOS is found during these checks, an error message might display on the screen. To resolve these errors, use the following steps and procedures to recover the BIOS.

BIOS Recovery Error (500)

During the startup process, the BIOS might need to perform a system recovery. The BIOS Recovery (500) message displays for 15 seconds before the computer automatically reboots. You have the option of pressing Enter to proceed without waiting 15 seconds.

To resolve the BIOS Recovery Error (500), update the computer BIOS to the latest version.

Download a BIOS update from the HP website. Go to the HP Customer Support - Software and Driver Downloads page.
Navigate to the product page for your computer.
Select BIOS from the list that displays, and then review any available BIOS updates.
caution:
Confirm that the BIOS update is more recent then the one installed and that it applies to your computer. Installing the wrong BIOS could cause your computer to stop working. For more information see the following:
- For desktop computers, go to Updating the BIOS (Basic Input Output System).
- For notebook computers, go to Updating the BIOS (Basic Input Output System).
- If you do not see a BIOS update listed for your computer, no update is currently available.
- If you find a BIOS update, click Download, and then click Save.
Browse to the folder or desktop where you saved the downloaded BIOS update file, and then double-click the file name (example: sp12345) to start the installation.
Wait for the computer to install the update. The computer might beep, turn off and on the display or cooling fans, or display a blinking power light. This is normal.

caution:
Do not turn off or restart the computer until the update process completes.
Click Yes on the User Account Control screen.
In the InstallShield Wizard window, click Next.
Select I accept the terms in the license agreement, and then click Next.
Select Update, and then click Next to prepare the update.
Click Restart Now to install the update.
On the HP BIOS Update screen, click Apply Update Now, or wait for the update to start automatically.
Wait while the BIOS update installs. The computer displays the installation progress.
When prompted, click Continue Startup, or wait for the computer to restart automatically. It might take a few minutes for the computer to restart.

note:
If the update fails, a failure screen displays with additional information. The system might run a BIOS recovery after restarting. Do not attempt to turn off the computer if this happens.

note:
If a '251' or CMOS Checksum error displays after the update, go to Error: CMOS Checksum Bad to resolve the issue.
When the lock screen displays, sign in to your computer.

BIOS Application Error (501)

During the startup process, the system performs an application test of the BIOS. If the BIOS application fails the test, the BIOS is assumed to be corrupt and the system installs a hidden copy of the BIOS to correct the problem, and the startup process continues. The BIOS Application Error (501) message displays for 15 seconds before the computer automatically reboots. You have the option of pressing Enter to proceed without waiting 15 seconds.

To resolve the BIOS Application Error (501), restore the BIOS.

Press Enter to restart the PC.
If the error displays after restarting, try to restore the BIOS using a USB drive. For more information, see the "Recover the BIOS using a USB recovery drive" section of the following:
- For desktop computers, go to Recovering the BIOS (Basic Input Output System).
- For notebook computers, go to Recovering the BIOS (Basic Input Output System).
If restoring the BIOS fails, contact HP.

CMOS Reset (502) The CMOS Checksum is Invalid

During the startup process, the system performs a checksum test of the BIOS. If the checksum is incorrect, the BIOS is assumed to be corrupt and the system installs a hidden copy of the BIOS to correct the problem, and the startup process continues. The following message displays for 15 seconds before the computer automatically reboots. You have the option of pressing Enter to proceed without waiting 15 seconds.

Identifying the CMOS Checksum Error (502)

To resolve the CMOS Reset Error (502), restore the BIOS.

Press Enter to restart the PC.
If the error displays after restarting, try to restore the BIOS using a USB drive. For more information, see the "Recover the BIOS using a USB recovery drive" section of the following:
- For desktop computers, go to Recovering the BIOS (Basic Input Output System).
- For notebook computers, go to Recovering the BIOS (Basic Input Output System).
If restoring the BIOS fails, contact HP.

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Examples: "LaserJet Pro P1102 paper jam", "EliteBook 840 G3 bios update"