S7700n bios upgrade failure

Question

have: hp pavilion s7700n, W vista 32bit, current bios:5.01
objective: upgrade bios
issue: bios upgrades 5.03 & 5.04 will not install. error reads...
'your system does not meet the minimum requirements for this update. update has been cancelled (9996)'
solution:?????????????
if a train comes to a stop at a train station then what becomes of work at a workstation?

Answer 1

question: is it possible one needs to install 5.02 first before installing 5.03? if so, could you please provide a link?
NO, one doesn't need to install all previous BIOS updates before installing the most current update. BIOS updates are cumulative and contain all previously released modifications.
"The only BIOS update listed for this model is...sp35113"... really? try this one on... sp35113 (5.03) and sp35154 (5.04)
Please see the list of BIOSes (with motherboard model, date, SP#, version #, and OS requirement) below;
A8N-BR
2007-09-14
sp35112.exe
Version:3.05
Microsoft Windows XP
A8N-BR
2007-09-14
sp35113.exe
Version:5.03
Microsoft Windows Vista
A8MN-BR
2007-09-12
sp35155.exe
Version:3.04
Microsoft Windows XP
A8MN-BR
2007-09-28
sp35154.exe
Version:5.04
Microsoft Windows Vista
Note that the A8N-BR has two distinct version series (3.xx and 5.xx) and that the OS requirement varies with the version. Note that extra BIOS update you listed, sp35154.exe, is for a different motherboard ... the A8MN-BR. Also, note that the A8MN-BR has two distinct version series (3.xx and 5.xx) and that the OS requirement varies with the version.
but what oh wise one might the other issues be? i've been at this for three days and i'm now at my wit's end
Without getting into too much detail, HP has the confusing habit of using the same or similar motherboard model numbers for different motherboards. To make matters worse, HP sometimes chooses to name the motherboard models with names that are the same but incremental or similar. Case in point... the M2N78-LA (4 diferent boards... Viola, Voilet, Violet3, Violet6)... the M2N68-LA (Narra, Narra2, Narra3, etc,)... the PTGD-LA/PTGD1-LA/PTGD2-LA series (Goldfish series, Grouper, Puffer, Piranha, etc.). Many times this cause BIOS update issues where there is a BIOS update listed on the support for a particular model but when you run the update, it is rejected.
This happened to me with a Violet based computer and a Violet6 based computer. HP listed the same BIOS update for both but it really only applied to the Violet based system. Trying to update the Violet6 board resulted in an error like yours. A call to HP and months later, they pulled the update.
I suspect some combination of errors is the reason you can't install the update. Honestly, the only one I would consider installing is sp35113.exe. And if it doesn't install, I would stop while ahead. The only reason to install a BIOS update, is to correct an issue that affects your system or to add support for something specific that you need. If the update doesn't address those items, there is no reason to attempt a potentially dangerous BIOS update and risk turning your computer into a BRICK.
Please send KUDOS
Frank
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