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    More details on flashing the BIOS?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by pixelot, Mar 11, 2008.

  1. pixelot

    pixelot Notebook Acolyte

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    Ok, so I flashed my BIOS the other day; downloaded the .exe from Dell and the utility took care of the rest. But I realized there's a lot more to it sometimes.

    So I have a question. :cool:

    When people refer to "bricking" the motherboard, does that mean it actually destroys the motherboard circuitry, or does it simply corrupt the BIOS, or even the boot-block?

    Because I've heard it's recoverable if the boot-block is intact; otherwise you have to replace the chip (is this only possible on a desktop?). But obviously this wouldn't help if the mobo was fried. So what is it? :eek:

    TIA, pixelot.
     
    pixelot, Mar 11, 2008
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  2. flipfire

    flipfire Moderately Boss

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    Corrupt the bios/firmware that it wont even startup.
     
    flipfire, Mar 11, 2008
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  3. pixelot

    pixelot Notebook Acolyte

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    So I'm guessing that the boot-block may remain intact when the motherboard is "bricked" by an unsuccessful flash? Thanks for the reply, btw.
     
    pixelot, Mar 11, 2008
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  4. flipfire

    flipfire Moderately Boss

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    Yes its all software, nothing blows up or goes in smoke. without the bios you wont be able to boot up at all.

    Bricking is mostly used these days as a term for psp/ipod's that get screwed up on a firmware update which render it useless and turn it into a paperweight
     
    flipfire, Mar 11, 2008
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