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Botched BIOS Upgrade

  • 13-02-2010 08:54AM
    #1
    CptSternn
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,530 ✭✭✭


    Hi. I have a Compaq Presario C350EA (part of the C300 series) that I recently tried to upgrade the BIOS on and failed.

    I patched the BIOS with Winphlash, and it said it took ok, but then after powering down it would not power back up. I though at first it would be easy enough to fix this by using the Phoenix Crisis Recovery system, but have not been able to restore it thus far.

    I have a recently copy of the Crisis Recovery disk, a previous BIOS from the HP website (BIOS.WPH), and am able to put the disk in a USB floppy and get it to read ok usng the Windows key + B key combination. It reads for a couple of minutes, then I let it sit for another 30, just to make sure, but after that still nothing.

    I then tried to disperse the battery to make sure old settings in the CMOS were not causing a conflict. I removed the CMOS battery and held the power button down for a minute, per the service manual instructions. No joy.

    Is there another trick to get the crisis recovery to work on these models? Could it be I did fix the BIOS and this is something else? Any help would be appreciated.
    Tagged:


Comments

  • #2
    Johnny Storm
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,003 ✭✭✭Johnny Storm


    No clue here. But if you can't get it fixed yourself you can buy a new programmed BIOS chip. Google up bios replace or bios repair. I had to do this myself about 5 years ago.


  • #3
    cherryghost
    Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 17,151 Mod ✭✭✭✭cherryghost


    take the CMOS out for 20 minutes, as well as any power going to the system. see if that works.


  • #4
    CptSternn
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,530 ✭✭✭CptSternn


    Took out the battery, unplugged the adapter, and removed the CMOS battery for an hour, no luck.


  • #5
    CptSternn
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,530 ✭✭✭CptSternn


    Johnny Storm wrote: »
    No clue here. But if you can't get it fixed yourself you can buy a new programmed BIOS chip. Google up bios replace or bios repair. I had to do this myself about 5 years ago.

    I was looking into that, but the cost for a laptop chip is around 70-100 quid and you need an SMD station and proper equipment to do the job, else you have to ship it there and back for another 70-100 quid. A new motherboard is only 90 and can be don by anyone with a screwdriver in about 20 minutes.

    Also this laptop is only valued at €200. A new better laptop would only be €300. Paying over half the price to fix the BIOS seems silly - I wonder how those BIOS guys make any money these days considering the price of a new laptop (or on ebay a used one) is about the same as fixing the BIOS.

    I just wanted to get this one working if possible. If I can't find any fixes I'll just get a new motherboard sure.

    I found a thread on MyDigitalLife.Info about fixing BIOS and found three other lads with HP laptops and the same issue. I'm hoping one of them figured out a solution. I'll keep ye posted.


  • #6
    Johnny Storm
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,003 ✭✭✭Johnny Storm


    CptSternn wrote: »
    I was looking into that, but the cost for a laptop chip is around 70-100 quid and you need an SMD station and proper equipment to do the job, else you have to ship it there and back for another 70-100 quid. A new motherboard is only 90 and can be don by anyone with a screwdriver in about 20 minutes.

    Also this laptop is only valued at €200. A new better laptop would only be €300. Paying over half the price to fix the BIOS seems silly - I wonder how those BIOS guys make any money these days considering the price of a new laptop (or on ebay a used one) is about the same as fixing the BIOS.

    I just wanted to get this one working if possible. If I can't find any fixes I'll just get a new motherboard sure.

    I found a thread on MyDigitalLife.Info about fixing BIOS and found three other lads with HP laptops and the same issue. I'm hoping one of them figured out a solution. I'll keep ye posted.
    Sorry, I didn't realise that it was a laptop.


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  • #7
    CptSternn
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,530 ✭✭✭CptSternn


    Johnny Storm wrote: »
    Sorry, I didn't realise that it was a laptop.

    I apologise for not mentioning it above. Your right on the mark though, it does need a new BIOS and that would fix the problem, its just these days the price of getting a new one put into a laptop costs as much as a new laptop.


  • #8
    PogMoThoin
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13,874 ✭✭✭✭PogMoThoin


    Know anyone with an identical one?
    http://www.overclock.net/faqs/102206-how-hotflash-your-bios-chip.html

    Finding someone isn't the hard bit, its convincing them to let You open it :D

    Edit, does a laptop even have a removable bios chip? Most new mobo's don't, instead they have an eeprom on the board


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