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SecretMethod70 · 08-01-2009, 10:48 PM

So, I formatted and reinstalled the OS on my laptop (HP Pavilion dv9930us). While downloading the various necessary drivers from the HP website, I saw that there was a BIOS update available. I installed everything else, restarted to complete the installations, and then downloaded the BIOS update. I ran the update - it used WinFlash - and I followed the instructions: closed everything else (even the Windows Explorer window I had open) and made sure the laptop was plugged into an external power source the whole time. It automatically restarted after finishing the update and then... nothing.

The hardware powers up (fans, optical drive), the lights above the keyboard (volume, various quickplay buttons) light up, but the screen is just blank. Nothing.

I called tech support and was told my laptop's warranty ended July 2009. They had me take out the laptop battery, disconnect the external power, and hold the power button for 30 seconds. Afterwards, I put the battery back in and plugged in external power, and tried to boot it up: still a black screen. The best part is, when that didn't work, I was told that I needed to pay in order to get more phone support (I think it was $30 for 14 days or $99 for a year). If I wanted to send it in to get fixed, it would cost somewhere between $300-400.

Now, this laptop is pretty much exactly a year old. It's not a hardware failure that I face, the problem was caused by the software I got on HP's own site.

Anyone here familiar enough with laptops that you can walk me through how I might fix this on my own? It's really not worth the shipping and $300-400 it would cost to have them do an hour or two of work when it's probably something I could accomplish in the comfort of my own home.

I'm really annoyed, because this is the first time I've ever had a botched BIOS flash, and I did everything like I was supposed to do! Just reminds me why I prefer desktops.

08-01-2009, 10:48 PM	#1 (permalink)
SecretMethod70 Human Administrator Location: Chicago	Botched BIOS update on my laptop So, I formatted and reinstalled the OS on my laptop (HP Pavilion dv9930us). While downloading the various necessary drivers from the HP website, I saw that there was a BIOS update available. I installed everything else, restarted to complete the installations, and then downloaded the BIOS update. I ran the update - it used WinFlash - and I followed the instructions: closed everything else (even the Windows Explorer window I had open) and made sure the laptop was plugged into an external power source the whole time. It automatically restarted after finishing the update and then... nothing. The hardware powers up (fans, optical drive), the lights above the keyboard (volume, various quickplay buttons) light up, but the screen is just blank. Nothing. I called tech support and was told my laptop's warranty ended July 2009. They had me take out the laptop battery, disconnect the external power, and hold the power button for 30 seconds. Afterwards, I put the battery back in and plugged in external power, and tried to boot it up: still a black screen. The best part is, when that didn't work, I was told that I needed to pay in order to get more phone support (I think it was $30 for 14 days or $99 for a year). If I wanted to send it in to get fixed, it would cost somewhere between $300-400. Now, this laptop is pretty much exactly a year old. It's not a hardware failure that I face, the problem was caused by the software I got on HP's own site. Anyone here familiar enough with laptops that you can walk me through how I might fix this on my own? It's really not worth the shipping and $300-400 it would cost to have them do an hour or two of work when it's probably something I could accomplish in the comfort of my own home. I'm really annoyed, because this is the first time I've ever had a botched BIOS flash, and I did everything like I was supposed to do! Just reminds me why I prefer desktops. __________________ Le temps détruit tout "Musicians are the carriers and communicators of spirit in the most immediate sense." - Kurt Elling