Graphics and Bios Problem in HP Pavilion dv2601tx

Hello mates,
I have HP Pavilion dv2601tx Special Edition Entertainment Notebook PC and i am getting a annoying problem. My display color become blue then green and then hangs. I need to restart the lappy... This happen mostly when i use to transfer some data or when i try to update my window experience index score.
I formatted my lappy and installed all drivers but it didnt fix the issue. I am using windows vista ultimate...
and yes some time during boot screen show 6 cascade windows of small sizes...
and behave very strangely, I thought it was due to some virus so i formatted my whole hard drive.
Mates i need a fix soon please help... Checking HP website for my issue i find that i MAY need to update my BIOS. But i heard that BIOS update is not recommended until its strongly needed.
Well i have to update this BIOS, can anyone tell me how to update my BIOS?

Code:

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareDownloadIndex?softwareitem=ob-64640-1&lc=en&dlc=en&cc=in&product=3545116&os=2093&lang=en

Please help...
regards

 

Bios are updated like installing most downloads nowdays, just download to file (User/Downloads is good) and run them following the prompts, (Using pluggin power) very easy.

 

Since you're using Vista, right-click the BIOS application and click "run as administrator" to make it install correctly.

 

dv2601tx specifications

Uh-oh, it's another NVIDIA time bomb...

Odds are your NVIDIA GPU is in the process of going bad, but flashing in the current BIOS should run the fan more aggressively and help slow the damage.

The very incomplete List of Pain:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&docname=c01087277

 

thanks mates,
updated my BIOS but still getting that blue screen
what i should do now?
brianstretch, mate could you please help me in fixing my issue...?
i am now downloading the latest geforce from nvidia...also not able to update my chipset driver saying "your system dont meet minimum system requirment".
i installed BIOS version F.2D but ur given site link saying to update with "F.39 for dv2000/V3000, and version F.3D for dv6000/dv9000/V6000."
tell me which bios version i have to download and install,coz dv 2500 series dont come under enhancement warranty

please help me...
regards

 

HP has been very good about repairing AMD notebooks with defective NVIDIA chipsets but not Intel notebooks with defective NVIDIA GPUs. The BIOS revisions listed on that page are for the AMD notebooks, you found the correct version (F.2D) for Intel.

Install the current NVIDIA drivers from hp.com too, if you haven't already.

Other than that, verify your memory with MemTest86+ for at least half an hour, run the HD test in the BIOS, maybe try clean installing Vista... but if I'm right and the GPU is going bad you're left with attempting to talk HP into repairing it or replacing the notebook (preferably with something with an ATI GPU).

 

brianstretch,
hummmmm mate already installed the latest driver from nvidia website.earlier i updated from HP website that too dont fixed the issue.well formated whole hard drive and installed vista again. but the problem is again as it was.
I am not under warranty anymore, can u help me more on this issue
regards

 

If MemTest86+ comes up clean and the HD is good... best guess is failing GPU. If you're very lucky HP will cover it under their enhanced warranty even though your machine isn't listed because it's the exact same problem. Every single NVIDIA chip for a few years ago up until July or so of this year is defective, and if you didn't get the BIOS update that keeps the fan running 24x7 and keeps thermal stress in check your NVIDIA chip will fail sooner rather than later. Awful mess. Not HP's fault, not completely at least, but not yours either.

 

brianstretch,
I chat with HP executive and told him about my problem and all i have done untill now. I also gave him the link which you posted. But he is saying although my symptoms are same but due to my model is not listed in not dere so my lappy dont come under warranty enhancment program.
What i can do now? he is saying to visit service center and i have to pay for it..
please help mate.

 

not sure but it could be a ram issue. i only say it becasue when my dad had problems with his sony (intermittent instability and screen issues) sony told him to return it. he needed it for work, so i tried everything i could think of. the following (for some strange reason) worked:

take out the battery, and hold down the power button for 30 seconds to a minuter, then put the power back in. turn on and test.

we had been told this by a Dell tech help guy after our old desktop failed to boot, saying something about failing at checkpoint VINI. he said remove the power cable, and hold the power button in. he said it cleared residual charge in the ram, which may have been corrupt. that worked too.

this method worked when a mates desktop was shutting down randomly too, and when my sisters compaq froze after loading a DVD. seems to be a good cure for a variety of problems.

worth a try. nothing lost.

 

Give what roosta said a try, but odds are you're out of luck.

Well, one more thing: try "Email Mark Hurd" at hp.com. Explain the situation. Sometimes that gets results.

 

Thanks roosta, but ur suggestion dont work for me
well brianstretch i am really thank full to u for ur precious help regarding my issue.
Today i talked with Customer care executive,They registered a complain for my issue and told me to visit near service center for a diagnose of lappy.When service center find similar issue as mentioned in warranty enhancment then they for sure give me free service. lets see what they say...
will update after service center visit.
regards

 

Hi Indyan,
I have the same laptop,hp 2601tx special edition and im facing the same problem now..while searching as "bios and nvidia problem on 2601tx" i found your post here and read everything and also tried to apply the suggestions that mates has given..i updated my bios bios but all these didnt work out..so what happened after all,did you find a solution, ill be glad if you share that with me,
thanks,

emre

 

Hi Indyan, Brianstretch....
Here's a new guy with the same problem in my HP pavillion dv2601tx laptop.
I get a junk display all the time. even if I get into the BIOS setup I find my display junk. It also heats up unusually. Sometimes the laptop comes up quite normal but doesnt remain stable for long. There's a message popped up as "display driver has stopped working" And then the display goes dark completely. I have to try restarting it several times. I have carried out BIOS update but the rpoblem persists. When went to the hP service centre they said the motherboard has to be replaced. They didnt even diagonise it properly..
As my laptop is not in warrany its been 1yr 10 months now.
They sent me a quotation instead to replace the motherboard and its too costly.....
I would like to know from Indyan and Brianstretch was this rpoblem be solved or what was the fate of your laptop.

Do answer me I am waiting eagerly...... I dont see any way out !!!!

 

To put it simply, your GPU is toast. But let's talk about what happens technically.

There has been a known issue with the mobile 8400 and 8600 series nVidia graphics chips. The solder they used to coat the chips before sending them to the board manufacturers is bad, and cracks upon excessive temperature differences. And this is mostly the case with notebooks. The chips are not faulty themselves, the way they are attached to the board is.

I have a DV9700 and i get the "screen broken in 4" issue upon boot after the laptop has been kept in a cold place, but on the 2nd boot it fires up and has no problem keeping up with anything i throw at it. So i am careful to not shut it down if it's cold.

If yours is mostly not working, your best bet is to disassemble the notebook and put the board in the oven for the solder to reflow. This may sound crazy, but actually that's the way they are built at the factory. You will find all the info you need here: http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1421792 Oh and make sure you put it GPU side up.

I have never tried this procedure on a notebook, but i have used it on the board of a N73 cellphone that would shut down randomly, and it works fine since. If it works after the reflow, don't shut it down again. Just keep the thing running at all times and it will be fine.

 

Thanks for the suggestion buddy.

I will surely try solder reflow method with my hP pavillion motherboard and getback on it.

Thanks a lot dude for the reply.

Bye
TD