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    BIOS Flash time to restart?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by JohnnyFlash, Mar 28, 2010.

  1. JohnnyFlash

    JohnnyFlash Notebook Virtuoso

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    I just flashed my buddy's hp dv6500 to the newest version, so we can swap the cpu. It's been 20 minutes now and it hasn't turned back on, how long does it usually take until it restarts? The power light at the plug is on, but the LED on the front is off.
     
    JohnnyFlash, Mar 28, 2010
    #1
  2. Amnesiac

    Amnesiac 404

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    A quick Google search turned up the information that a normal BIOS flash only takes about 30 seconds to a couple of minutes...
     
    Amnesiac, Mar 28, 2010
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  3. EntityX

    EntityX Notebook Evangelist

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    Usually a computer doesn't automatically restart after a bios install, at least on my previous hp hdx and my current alienware it didn't. I'm pretty sure its safe to turn it on.
     
    EntityX, Mar 28, 2010
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  4. naton

    naton Notebook Virtuoso

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    It all depends on the BIOS and how it has been designed. Sometimes the laptop will restart, sometimes it will only turn itself off, and sometimes the user is invited to turn it off. Another factor that comes into play is the environment where the BIOS is been flashed; DOS or Windows!

    A process of updating a BIOS takes a bout 2 minutes. If it is done under DOS, a message should show on the screen to tell you that the update is completed (often under the form of a progress bar).

    If the laptop switches itself off after the update it is safe to switch it back on after only few seconds. I usually wait at least 5 seconds.
     
    naton, Mar 28, 2010
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  5. JohnnyFlash

    JohnnyFlash Notebook Virtuoso

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    Thanks for the info guys, everything turned out ok. You were right, it was cool to turn it back on. (Although we left it sit for an hour first. lol)

    I bricked a toshiba on a bios flash a couple years ago and have been nervous ever since.
     
    JohnnyFlash, Mar 28, 2010
    #5
  6. newsposter

    newsposter Notebook Virtuoso

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    bios/firmware flashes

    never, EVER turn the machine off on your own.

    it is generally ok to turn a machine back on after the flash process turns the machine off.
     
    newsposter, Mar 28, 2010
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  7. sean473

    sean473 Notebook Prophet

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    Yes that is how long it took for me..
    Very true! God knows how many ppl brick their laptops when they don't do it properly!
     
    sean473, Mar 28, 2010
    #7