Hello everyone,
I need guidance about editing UEFI variables and possible BootGuard/HP protections on my HP Omen laptop. Specs and current state below:
Model: HP Omen 16-wf1070nw (B82PLEA)
CPU: Intel 14th Gen (HX 700 series)
GPU: NVIDIA RTX 4070 Laptop
BIOS vendor: Insyde (InsydeH2O)
BIOS version: F.18 (08C77)
Intel ME: 16.1.38.2676
Embedded Controller: 09.39
What I want to achieve
1. Disable Undervolt Protection (so I can undervolt with ThrottleStop/XTU)
2. Disable CFG Lock
3. Disable Overclocking Lock / enable Overclocking Feature
Ideally I want full CPU control (undervolt + OC).
What I will do:
I will dump the full SPI flash with a CH341A programmer and verify the backup.
I will open the BIOS image with UEFITool and IFRExtractor to locate the relevant setup variables (VarStore / VarOffset). I plan to edit only the variable bytes (e.g. flip 0x01 ↔ 0x00) in the VarStore/NVRAM region in the dump.
Note: attempts to change these variables from the EFI shell / tools on the running system return write-protected, so I’m using a programmer to edit the dump.
I will run MEAnalyzer on the full dump to check ME and BootGuard status.
My key questions:
1. If I only hex-edit the BIOS dump to flip the Undervolt Protection byte in the VarStore/NVRAM (e.g. 0x01 → 0x00), will BootGuard or HP_BBUpdate reject the image on boot? Or is editing a VarStore byte effectively the same as toggling that option inside the BIOS setup?
2. Are there known cases on recent HP Omen (Insyde, 13th/14th gen) where even simple VarStore edits were detected and rejected (by BBUpdate / SureStart / other checks)?
3. Which variables are strictly necessary to unlock for full CPU tuning (undervolt + OC)? From IFR and other threads I currently target:
CFG Lock
Overclocking Lock
Undervolt Protection
Overclocking Feature
BIOS Lock (PCH / RTC related locks)
Am I missing anything important?
