So I bricked my k52f by bios update.....what are my options

So...I figured I would update my bios because I was getting strange blue screen errors and when I looked up those errors, a BIOS update was one of the recommended fixes. I downloaded the latest version from ASUS' website and utilized the EasyFlash tool in the BIOS. The process went as smoothly as it could. It flashed the BIOS and then said "rebooting now". Of course, it went to sleep and now I can't even get it to power on (using the power button).

I'm wondering what options I have:

1) I have already called ASUS. I am out of warranty. Personally, I think it is their BIOS that bricked the machine so the best they can do is give me an RMA number. The best part is, despite numerous calls, they will not provide me with a cost estimate. So, I would have to ship it at my expense without knowing what the repair will cost. This isn't exactly an expensive computer so I fear it will be WAY too much to justify.

Does anyone know the cost to fix a bricked BIOS from ASUS?

2) Can I replace the BIOS chip? Looked online, I can buy one but it's soldered on. I can solder but I don't know about how well. I don't even know that I could find the right chip and how would I even remove it?

Has anyone replaced the BIOS chip before?

3) Is there someway I can fix this myself?

Thanks for any help!

 

Note sure why it won't even boot up. Are you sure the battery isn't somehow fully discharged?

I would see if you can buy a replacement motherboard. I doubt you'll be able to re-solder a bios chip as a novice.

 

I'm certain it's bricked. It won't power on at all whether plugged in/not plugged in/etc. I did take it apart and removed the CMOS battery to see if anything would reset.

I did look into a new motherboard online but it didn't seem that cheap and I'm a bit way of moving the processor from one board to another.

There are clearly reports around of ASUS BIOS updates bricking machines. This is the last ASUS I will buy.

For what it's worth, I only flash BIOS when I have to and I was getting all sorts of hardware errors and thought the officially posted BIOS on ASUS site installed using EasyFlash (built into ASUS BIOS) would make things better, not worse

 

I really feel for you.

Have a read of this Thread. Perhaps there's some nuggets of wisdom in there.

 

You would need a full BIOS dump and an SPI programmer. The BIOS image you can download is only half of what is on the chip and unfortunately the first part is what gets overwritten by a bad flash.

See if there is an ASUS ASP near you that you could go talk to in person: ASUS Notebook Authorized Service Provider

Otherwise, your only real option is to send it to ASUS and make absolutely certain that they know it is a bad BIOS flash. They may replace it for you for free, as long as you cover shipping.

 

If Asus insists on charging you for the repair, you do have other options. If they want more than $99 for the repair, you may want to contact aqstech.com as they about $100 for the repair.

 

Thanks for all the replies. I have decided against sending it to ASUS. Their customer service team seems a little bit incompetent and I am annoyed by the fact that I cannot get a price for the repair, even if it is a ROUGH number. By the time I pay shipping each way...it's just not going to be worth it.

I looked at AQSTECH. They look pretty good. $99 plus shipping is not terrible plus another 1 way ship. That being said, when you include all in I bet that it might be half the value of the laptop.

I can tell you this is my last ASUS. It was my second but I usually buy dell/lenovo. The fact that the official BIOS published on their website caused a brick is unacceptable and their customer service added to it. I was going to buy an ASUS transformer tablet, too. Oh, well.