How to fix Product Information Not Valid error on HP G62-A19SA or EliteBook 8440p

I recently replaced the motherboard on an HP G62-A19SA laptop (part number 597674-001). Whilst the new motherboard worked correctly, every time the machine was started an error would appear during POST, and it could not be removed by clearing the CMOS or updating the BIOS. The error stated:



System Board OOA Product Information Not Valid
Product Name
Configuration
Serial number
Product Number
For help go to HP.com/go/techcenter/startup

There is a very useful thread about the problem here:

http://h30499.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-PCs-Pavilions-Presario/System-Board-OOA-Product-Information-Not-Valid/td-p/1122449

After a lot of trial and error, I was able to resolve the problem and get rid of the message with the following process:

PART 1: Create a bootable USB memory stick.

1. Download rufus_v1.2.0.exe from http://rufus.akeo.ie/.
2. Insert a USB memory stick (make sure it does not contain required data as it will be cleared) and run the rufus_v1.2.0.exe program.
3. Make sure the correct memory stick is selected under the Device heading
4. Make sure Quick Format and Create a bootable disk using: are ticked and select MS-DOS from the drop down menu to the right.
5. Click on Start, acknowledge the warning and click on OK.
6. Close Rufus by clicking the cross in the top right corner of the window.

Rufus was very useful for creating a bootable memory stick

PART 2: Download and extract the utility for reprogramming the system information in HP laptops.

1. Download the file HPDU.rar. There are probably various sources for this online but one that I found worked is: http://h30499.www3.hp.com/hpeb/attachments/hpeb/bsc-411/118745/1/HPDU.rar
2. Extract the file using WinRar. If this software is not yet installed it can be downloaded from www.rarlabs.com. To extract the file, right click on HPDU.rar and then click on Extract to HPDU\.
3. Double click on the HPDU folder and if necessary double click on it again. A list of files and folders should appear.

Files extracted from the RAR file

PART 3: Edit a batch file (this was necessary for the G62-A19SA laptop I was working with)

It seems that HP laptops (or at least the motherboards that are installed in) are made by different companies such as Quanta, Compal and Foxconn. These core manufacturers each require a different tool to update the system information that is necessary to get rid of the error. The file NbDmiFit.bat that is supposed to be run to start the process contains a typing error that prevents it running on a Foxconn based machine. As the G62-A19SA is Foxconn based, I had to manually edit this file to make it work:

1. Right click on NbDmiFit.bat and from the menu that appears, click on Edit.
2. Alter the line: Set     Foxconn_Uti_Name=HPBFO230.exe so that it reads Set     Foxconn_Uti_Name=HPBFO300.exe
3. Save and exit the file.

Editing the batch file

PART 4: Copy the files to the memory stick

1. Use the CTRL + A key combination to highlight all the files in the HPDU folder.
2. Right click on any of the files, point to Send To and click on the icon for the memory stick (in my case this was drive G).
3. Remove the memory stick and shut down the HP laptop if it is currently running.

PART 5: Update the information on the laptop and clear the error.

1. Remove the battery from the laptop and record all the information to be found. This includes all product names, numbers and other codes. These will be required when updating the information using the utility on the memory stick.
2. Reinsert the battery and insert the memory stick into the laptop before switching it on.
3. A black DOS screen should appear. If Windows starts the load as normal, the boot order needs to be changed to allow the laptop to start from the memory stick. There is information on how to do this here: http://bizsupport1.austin.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/Document.jsp?objectID=c00364979&lang=en&cc=us&taskId=101&prodSeriesId=4346237&prodTypeId=321957
4. Once at the DOS prompt, type in nbdmifit.bat and press enter.
5. Fill in all the information as prompted. If you are missing anything, check the very helpful post by kicker22004 on the HP forum link above (message 11).

After saving and rebooting, the error should now be cleared.