Cannot boot after BIOS update

[Skrae]

I'm (or rather was) running on an HP Pavilion dv9920us laptop. Today, I decided since it had been about a year since I updated drivers to do so. So I got to the BIOS update to F.32 (from F.30) and ran it (Note: The update flashes the BIOS from within Windows). Upon restarting, after the POST, I got a message saying "No physical memory is available at the location required for the windows boot manager. The system cannot continue."

Seeing as I was hoping to either wipe and install XP or Linux, this normally wouldn't be a big deal, but the problem is that I can't boot from CD to do anything at all, so I essentially have a bricked laptop. If anyone has any advice on the matter, it would be greatly appreciated.

[technical.angel]

Stupid question, but have you tried reseatting the RAM?

EDIT: It was suggested to try this... if you're brave enough.. Clearing BIOS Settings But if you're faced with a bricked lappy, you don't have much to lose.

Heh, I ran across the same post of your on the HP forum while research this...

[Skrae]

I'd be brave enough to do it even if I did have something to lose. Something else that I may try before hand is to maybe install an OS onto a hard drive and slap it in there and see if it works.

A bit of additional info, I can get into the BIOS settings, but that's all I can do.

[MrTim]

If you can get into the BIOS, does it show the current version? I'm curious to see if it is showing your old version still.
Also, is your boot sequence still the same (HD0, CDROM, etc.)?

[Skrae]

It shows the new version, and I've tried flipping the boot order around so that the Optical drive is the first priority, but no luck.

[RestaurantDude]

It sounds to me like the BIOS update failed somewhere along the way, thusly corrupting the system BIOS.

If all else fails, try the BIOS reset procedure, as you haven't much to loose at this point.

[Skrae]

5 hours later with myself fist deep in laptop, there are no jumper pins with which to reset the BIOS...

Also, cannot boot from flash drive either.

[technical.angel]

This is starting to get out of my realm, but would unseating the CMOS do anything?

The other option, only if you're considering replacing it, I know that HP charges $398 for a out of warranty repair. That covers any and all problems.

[Skrae]

Unseating the battery you mean? I tried that. Nothing. Aside from blanking the date and custom BIOS settings.

Honestly at this point, I'd rather just get a new one. I've found one I like for about twice the cost for the Out of Warranty repair. I've just had enough of this laptop's gremlins (shuts down due to overheat within 5 min if I take it out of power saver, always has done that). Was trying to hold off on this decision but I've done everything I can do.

Thanks for all your suggestions.

[RestaurantDude]

...I can get into the BIOS settings, but that's all I can do.

Try this: go into the BIOS settings, go to the last page, and select Load Setup Defaults then save.

[Skrae]

I've tried that.

[RestaurantDude]

Bugger.

[MrTim]

Heh, I ran across the same post of your on the HP forum while research this...

Me too!
Now for the task at hand.
Ok, earlier you mentioned that you could access the BIOS screen and its showed the old BIOS. What else did it show? Anyway you can take a picture and post it? Does it give the hard drive info, memory, etc?

Also, what OS were you using? I don't know if you threw in the towel yet, but if you are willing to go further I will do my best to help.

[Skrae]

It shows the new version, as I said.

On the main screen this is all of what it says:

Correct time and date

Notebook Model

(blank)

Product Number

(blank)

System Board ID

30D1

Service ID

00000

Processor Type

AMD Turion(tm) 64 X2
Mobile Technology TL-60

Processor Speed

2000 MHz

Total Memory

2048MB

BIOS Version

F.32

Serial Number

(blank)

UUID Number

00000000000000000000
00000000000000000000

Factory installed OS

non-Vista

That last one is odd considering I was running Vista which was factory installed...

[Eric the Grey]

Honestly at this point, I'd rather just get a new one. I've found one I like for about twice the cost for the Out of Warranty repair. I've just had enough of this laptop's gremlins (shuts down due to overheat within 5 min if I take it out of power saver, always has done that). Was trying to hold off on this decision but I've done everything I can do.

Thanks for all your suggestions.

I hate to say this, but I've had almost the exact same experience with an HP. My sister's old Vaio would suddenly shut down for no apparent reason (and it didn't appear to be heat as it would do so soon after a cold (as it it had been sitting powered down all-night) boot for no apparent reason.

After doing everything else we could think of, and a couple of suggestions from forums, a BIOS update seemed to be the only thing left to do. I warned her that if it powered off during the update, she could end up with a brick, but she was ready to just go out and buy a new one, so I tried. Mid-way through the update, it shut down. One bricked laptop. It wouldn't even get tot he bios screen any more.

From your last post, it looks as though the machine specific information is missing, which could be the problem. Not that I know how to fix it mind you..

At this point, it could very well mean out of warranty repair, or a new laptop.


Eric the Grey