HFW 4.92.1 Refuses to *actually* installs

3011B 160 GB Slim

HFW refuses to install over 4.92. Itll go through the hoops and all that, but when it boots back into the system, it still says 4.92 in tht system info.

I've tried

2 different USB sticks

3 differet (MD5 checked) hfw files

Updating from dashboard

Updating from safe mode

Installing twice back to back.

How I know it's not actually installing , despite going through all the motions is that my browser bookmarks are still there. I have noticed at around 80% it speeds up to 100% really quick and is done. Again, multiple different .pup files have been used.

Has anyone seen this? Would taking the HDD out and just wiping it via my PC help? I'm at a loss here.

TIA