ENVY 15 bricked, what to do now

i ran into a problem on my own. I edited the bios (turn off turbo mode, dts on and northbridge at 1333 with ezh20). The setup crashed at the middle. Restarted and laptop is bricked. I tried HP's method, also tried putting the bios file 7009.fd in to the usb dir and make other copies with .rom .bin extension.
I followed this trigger method for Crisis Bios Recovery:
1. remove battery
2. remove power adapter
3. insert USB pendrive
4. hold Win+B
5. plug-in power adapter
6. while holding Win-B hold down Power button...it boots and after a few seconds it goes off again
7. press simultaneously power + win + B and it reboots with a BEEP
8. I release the win-b and the laptop beeps, then usb blinks, another four beeps with four blinks, then no sound and the usb flash stays on.

I suppose the files i put in does not have the correct name. Therefore the laptop doesn't reflash the bios

 

It happened to me before - hence why i gave up for a while. I never got it working again - believe me i tried all sorts of file names. And i know others have tried without success. Sorry, i know its no help to you - but i went through the same thing and in the end just ended up buying a new motherboard.

 

This is what you need to do.
1. Download this file : http://www.hangebi.com/cq43biosrecovery.rar
Credit and More details here: [test, sp55088] Compaq Presario CQ43-200TU BIOS mod request
2. In the current, previous and new folders replace the .bin and .sig files with your sig and bin files. If you dont have a backup, connect your hdd to another computer and fetch it from HP_TOOLS Partition. Alternatively, go to the website mentioned above and ask for recovery files. camilo should help you.
4. Copy the contents of the archive to usb formatted to fat32.
5. Flash drive SHOULD HAVE LABEL HP_TOOLS, without it, nothing happens.
6. Plug in the USB and power on the laptop.
7. DO NOT PRESS ANY KEYS during startup, it should recover now.

Cheers!

 

The BIOS covers three different motherboard models, so you need to try each one....

7009.fd
1522.fd
147D.fd

.... and as a last resort you can try D.fd.

BTW, always a good idea to check the motherboard model using a hardware info program before you start playing around with BIOS.

 

Thanks akshysh, I'll try.
And h8isgr8. I tried those already, none worked
I have three choices:
1. Try all possible recovery methods
2. Send to HP (oh no)
3. Get a new second gen motherboard (last resort, alibaba lists it for 120-150$ from China, parts sites list it around 400-500$, trusted ebay sellers have it for 170-250$) - gen 1 motjerboard listed for 60$...

How much would it relatively cost if I send it to HP for a repair (incl shipping and repair fee, out of warranty already) ? Trusted ebay repair service already list it for 150$ excl shipping

If I replace a new motherboard. Would I be able to boot normally back to my W7 on the hdd or I'd have to reinstall everything ( i don't have a usb cd rom now, and i'd hate to reinstall everything) ?

I'm picking up a Kingman SATA to USB enclosure at Fry's to back up data (hope it works flawlessly)

 

to try and answer your questions:

1. I've had a look to see if any progress has been made since i messed up my bios - doesn't look promising i have to say.... although i hadn't come across akshysh's suggestion before so give that a go.

2. No. Just no. Too expensive IMHO.

3. Getting an i7 second gen motherboard is an idea - usb3+ hd5830.... has been done before by others on this forum as you probably know. If you do go down that route, you may need to reinstall windows - someone who's done the swap will be able to give you a certain yes or no on that front.

A first gen i7 motherboard will work fine out of the box - no need to reinstall windows but you will need to reactivate.

If you do go down this route, you may as well tattoo your motherboard (ie program your model number, s/n etc...) so that it is identifiable to the hp tools. I have done this and it is easy - will be more than happy to talk you through it if you decide to get a 1st gen motherboard.

 

Give it a go, wild05kid05 and brt02. It worked for me after a tense 12 hours.
I spent hours to figure out the semi-brick on my Envy 14 and was able to recover the bios after following the steps outlined.
I did not try renaming the .fd file to .bin. I got the recovery files from someone on bios-mod (the link is in my previous post). You should be able to get them as well if you haven't already. Helpful chaps there.
Hopefully it works for you as well.
Do come back and let us know.

EDIT: I forgot to mention, if you have HP_TOOLS partition on your hdd, try and delete/rename that first. The method might not work without doing this. I encountered a similar situation. However, I had an ssd (system drive) and an hdd. Removing the SSD with HP_TOOLS partition did the trick for me.

 

To brt02:
just to get my mind prepared just in case I have to replace the hardware. Since I may have to replace the mobo, I am contemplating going for the second gen mobo (usb 3.0+5830). Although the spec differences are not much, but the Envy is still great and I don't see myself going to buy any newer laptop for the next 3 years (I'll be done with school and still there's nothing I'd complain to get rid of the envy). The first gen envy is already 3 years outdated. I'd feel sort of let down if I pay almost 100$ to be in the same spot again.

From this thread. The guy said he ordered 597597-001 motherboard. While the one I found for good price (it's manufacturer refurbbished, do I need to worry?) is 580125-001 still second gen mobo with PM55. I am clueless what is the difference.
And for reinstalling the W7, can I just grab a USB (is it 8 or 16GB) load W7 on it to either repair if I can or proceed with a fresh install (going to take the whole day !). I'm just not sure a bootable usb always work better than a boot cd.

Btw, I think the problem I had was forcing northbridge to run at 1333mhz. My 6GB ram is only 1066mhz. Just correct me if I'm wrong. Because turning turbo mode off and dts on should do no harm


To akshysh: thank you again for sharing the info. I have some confusions though. The files and link you posted are for other HP model. Secondly I have a HP_Tools partition and I am not sure if I can find the .sig + .bin files.


And as I am going to pick up the Kingman SATA to USB enclosure, would the hdd work when I use it externaly like I am assuming, the enclosure doesn't have power supply (need it asap because my half done paper is due in two days) . And if it works like an external usb hdd, where should I and change the name (it's been two years since I partitioned my hdd..).

And while the HDD is disconnected from the Envy, can I just try recover the bios with just the usb and no hdd connected inside

 

Fair enough, I'd actually do the same thing if i was you.

You can install win 7 from a USB stick 8gb is more than fine for the job. First try to boot off the hard drive as it is.

If that doesn't work, try a repair, but if you have the time a full install on new hardware is always best.

If you decide to re-install windows 7 from USB this link is a great guide to doing it http://forum.notebookreview.com/win...-7-download-links-just-like-vista-before.html

So HP used 1066 ram on some envies and 1333 on others.... had no idea - yeah that could cause the laptop to fail post, but surely then would you not get beeps? Also if that is indeed what happened, would putting in 1333 ddr3 ram fix the laptop?

With regards the hard drive, its 2.5 inch so i would assume it doesn't need a separate power supply. Good luck with your paper as well - it sucks that your laptop had to conk out now.

 

It is for another HP model, hoever the outlined process and all files are the same (beside .bin and .sig files). The bios files placed in current,new & previous folders in Hewlett-Packard/Bios/ are to be replaced by your files (.bin and .sig. You can delete the other bios files). The rest of the files are used to recover bios.

You might find your .bin and .sig files in the previous folder of your HP_TOOLS partition. If not, camilo at bios-mod should be able to provide you with the same or someone with envy 15.

You can use the hdd as you would an external usb hdd on another laptop or desktop (I'm guessing, the enclosure will have a power supply if needed). And, you can rename the HP_TOOLS partition to anything you seem fit and delete everything from it (ofcourse, take a backup somehere). It wont work on your bricked envy 15.

In theory it should work. I did not try that as I had a dual hdd setup. If it works, you needn't worry about renaming partitions or getting an enclosure.

 

What do you mean the beeps ?

Replacing the ram wouldnt help, because the bios setup actually crashed and automatically exit when I flashed it in windows.

Regarding the mobo part mobo I stated above, is a manufacturer refurbbised mobo ok , this one is has the best price ? The 580125-001 is compatible with:

HP Compaq Envy 15-1111tx, 15-1150nr, 15t-1100 CTO, 15t-1100se CTO Beats Limited Edition, 15-1105tx

While the 597597-001 is compatible :
Envy 15-1102xx
ENVY 15-1106tx
ENVY 15-1107tx
ENVY 15-1108tx
ENVY 15-1109tx
Envy 15t-1100se CTO Beats Limited Edition
HP ENVY 15-1103tx
HP ENVY 15-1104tx
HP ENVY 15-1109br
HP Envy 15t-1100 CTO Notebook PC

And brt, do you happen tp have the files ashysh menrioned in your HPTOOL partioon, if you do can you upload it ? Or you have deleted it

 

you want 597597-001. the other is for i5 machines so won't work with your i7. Source: http://forum.notebookreview.com/hp-...d-replace-my-gen-1-motherboard-usb-3-0-a.html. Refurb is fine.

I don't have a HPTOOL partition, got rid of it when i installed my SSDs. So i can't help there. Sorry

 

If you ever need to install Windows from a USB drive, Novicorps WinToFlash makes it dead simple.

WinToFlash - Install Windows from usb - Home page

 

i have hp partition but i cant access files on it if theres a safe way to do it ill help you my model is envy 15 1067nr

and mine its recovery not hp tools its the same i supose??

 

did you try to get the files unpacking bios from hp support site for your model specifically??? the folder is swsetup and spxxxx

 

They don't have it chris, have you try getting the files in safemode

 

try use other kind of explorer or in safemode. i hope it's the same

 

If you need the files from the HP_Tools partition, I can send you a copy of mine. I have the 1060ea version of the 1st gen Envy. PM me if you need the copy.

 

I notice that when I put the file as .bin the laptop beep blink beep blink, 4 beeps and 4 blinks then the mute led and usb led go off. But with .fd it beep blink beep blink then only two beeps and blinks and mute led and usb led stay on

Tried ashysh method, envy 15 is not rsa signed so there is no .sig file and i couldn't find any files in the bios folder of HPTOOLS partition. So I put the files from original bios and rename it to .bin to directories in your instruction. wait two minutes and nothing happens

 

ill try it and reply toyou if it works

 

As far as I am concerned now, it's seemingly impossible to unbrick this.
My mind is getting prepared to for a motherboard change with possibly reinstall the windows.

Meanwhile I manage to use the HDD to get important documents back.

And as I'm prepare to change the motherboard, how do I remove the CPU, there is a lock and I turned it but I couldn't figure how to lift it or remove it..

edited: is it possible if I replace the current intel wifi link 5100 with Intel Wifi Link 6200 AGN 622ANHMW PCI-E Half Size ? I believe the bios I posted has whitelist removed already

edited 2: purchased second gen mobo for 200$ incl shipping via dhl (expected arrival in 5 days)

 

the wifi card wil work fine with the bios if like you said, the whitelist has been removed.

I'm gonna swap my i7-720 with an i7-840 (got one cheap) so i'll be in a better position to talk you through the cpu swap it when it arrives. I think there's a screw you need to turn before the cpu will lift off

 

Nice seeing someone else updating dtheir outdated Envy haha. Why not mobo brt ? Do you need that much horsepower for a laptop ?

I am clueless about which wireless card to go (no idea about the size, real life differences..)

 

Too bad it didn't work. But it was worth a try. Was your envy on a restart loop while trying any of the recovery methods?

 

Don't tempt me mate... I bought the envy in the first place because of its power. I wouldn't have bought the 840qm but for the fact i got it cheap. Once i've sold the 720, i should have made some money out of this....

As for the wireless card, i wouldn't bother unless you have performance issues with the one you have. Spend the money on an SSD instead. Best upgrade you can make IMO.

 

No......

And @ brt, i would get ssd but fact that i need to get a 1.8 hdd together with another1.8 ssd kind of hold me back. Otherwise it costs nearly the laptop to have the desired capacity. I found the wlan 6200 for only 10 bucks incl. expedited shipping that's why.

Btw do you have any experience/tip on applying thermal paste on laptop. Last week I tried re-paste with artic MX4 using my finger wrapped but the pastic wrap. Yesterday when I opened it, the paste did not cover all the surface..

 

Applying paste - Everyone has a different opinion oh how to do it. Some spread it over the CPU, some put a big blob on the CPU and get the heatsink to spread it.

Advantage of spreading it yourself - you can make sure that the entire CPU is covered and that there is a thin even layer of TIM on the CPU.

The blob on the middle - is far easier and quicker, especially if you use a thicker TIM that is harder to spread (e.g. ICD7).

I've done it both ways - and to be honest haven't really seen a difference.

 

Silver paste makes a horrible mess and has been proven to be no more effective than ceramic-based compounds.

When I apply it, I use a thoroughly cleaned bare finger. I apply a VERY thin layer on both the CPU and heatsink; rubbing it in to make sure it gets worked into the surface.

If you don't mind doing the proceedure twice, you can remove it after the first attempt to see if it made full contact over the entire surface. If not, add a little more the area that didn't touch (or better yet, find out why it didn't touch and fix it).

 

what in the world, HP just announced Envy line refresh after I bought second gen mobo !!!!

 

Hey BRT, I just check my RAM again (samsung m471b5673eh1-ch9). It's 1333mhz. Can you check if yours are the same. So it was not forcing northbridge to run at 1333mhz that bricked my bios. And by the way, any benefit from forcing it to run at 1333mhz ?

 

Mine is 1333 too. Didn't make any noticeable difference.

Just got my envy back up and running. Tried underclocking the gpu to see if it would have any effect on temperature. I went too far, made my laptop froze and corrupted my windows installation. And because i changed the setting for the boot menu from normal to advanced i couldn't get the option to boot from any usb device. Who would have thought that the advanced menu was even more restrictive than the normal menu.

So to sum up i don't think this bios has been 'owned' as you put it. Actually if we're honest it has owned us lol.

 

Haha yeah I suppose, costs me 200 bucks. Did underclock with amdgpuclocktool ? (150 core 250 mem is the most stable profile for low usage) i got 35 celsius with the low profile after applied mx-4. What happened to your machine anyway ?

 

No with ATI tray tools. Think i went lower than 150/250 that but am not sure anymore.

I had to swap my raid array out with a spare 2.5 inch drive i had lying around. Used my other PC to restore a backup i had made earlier onto the 2.5 drive and booted off that into windows to flash the official hp bios. After that everything worked as it should, so i put my raid array back in and booted off the CD to restore my image back onto my windows partition.

 

I see. So I got my envy back online. replaced the motherboard and guess what ? IT BOOTS BACK TO WINDOWS 7 !!!

 

Mine is back as well with the 840qm in it... Temps are lower than before surprisingly enough. Must be the new stepping. Time to continue playing about with my bios settings....