Blank screen on NP8660 after trying a Bios update. Help needed

So to start with my vista 32 bit showed only 2.5 gb of my total 4gb ram and as i do a lot of video editing i needed the ram.
I was suggested a bios update would fix the problem. That was my motivation

Here are the series of steps that i did (just to help trace the problem)
Step1. Downloaded the two files from rapidshare given in this thread by "zfactor"
Step2. I tried the hp tool for creating bootable usb but it gave the error "There are no valid DOS system files at the specified location"
Step3. I wnet for the alternative route, burning these files onto a bootable cdrw using nero9 (bootable cd option) and added the 5 files extracted from 86tu0808.zip (the files are ecm86tu.08;m86tu.08;ph1689.exe;step1.bat;step2.bat). The burn process was successful (verified too)
Step4. Restarted comp and booted using the rewritable dvd
Step5. Went to the dos prompt showing A:>
I tried "refresh" and "phlash16" both gave -'bad command or command not recognized'
next i tried dir and the files supposed to be there the command.sys etc were there(i dont remember exactly)
so i executed these series of commands exactly in the following order
> c:
> cd bootme /*that was the location to which i originally extracted the 86tu0808.zip files to
> step1 /* nothing happened
> step2 /* a bios screen asking me to proceed and i did as instructed, a series of beeps and some columns of scrolling dots and all sorts of symbols later (guess it was flashing the bios) i got a popup asking me to reboot by pressing any key. No errors were shown till here*/
After the reboot all i get is a black screen not responding to any thing.

I did all this while on ac power only!

I contacted powernotebook techical support and he asked me to remove the battery and hold the power button for 30 sec, still the same black screen. He also said he forwarded the problem to Sager tech supprot. As today is sunday it will atleast take another 24 hrs.
Right now i cant use my laptop and am totally depressed

So please some one help me out here. What was the blunder that i have comitted?
Is it even possible to correct it.
Sending back the laptop for repair is not an option as i am currently in India persuing my studies and wont be back in ca till late July09!
Is there any thing i can do to get my laptop working again?????


+rep for those who help me solve this problem

 

Sorry to say but sounds like a brick.
Look up some guides on how to fix what they call a Brick on your system.

 

for some reason step1 didnt work and step2 did. This means that you flashed the bios but not the kbc/ec firmware. There is a known problem that the new bios won't talk to the old kbc. This is why I always say to ensure you run step1 first. I think you'll have to send your laptop in to be fixed.

 

How can you tell if step 1 doesn't work?

darn, these bios updates sounds like russian roulette. Why are bios updates so much easier on other brand name systems?

 

Cause thats the same reason it happened to the other people that did that, step1 they messed up.

And heck yeah man, never know when your gonna get the bullet. I stay away from bios as long as I can lol

 

If step1 works, it'll have a screen showing the update procedure and you'll have to restart before step2

 

Same here. Until there is a more reliable way to make a BIOS update for these systems or unless I really need the update for something, I am not going to touch it even with a 10 foot pole. I rather have my system working with limitations than have an oversized paper weight.

 

Yeah that's the only time I'll update my BIOS, when It's messing up the daily stuff I use, if it's something I don't need to have running, I'm not updating.
But I'd paint the lid with a round red target and get the paintball gun out, instead of using it as a paper weight !

 

You can contact your reseller and tell them your issue (i.e. 2.5GB in x86 instead of ~3GB) and they should give you the BIOS update with the instructions and in case anything goes wrong, they will be able to support you or repair your unit.

 

the reason was simple i edit videos and video editing requires a lot of ram! that being said what should be the course of my action?
contacted powernotebook tech support, they forwarded my problem to sager.

Mean while i think step1 dint work as it dint do anything after i typed step1 but returned to command prompt while when i gave step2 i got a blue screen with text giving me some instructions to update my bios and finally after some beep sounds and some scrolling symbols later it said the bios was successfully flashed reboot to complete - something like that

So back to the first question any thing i can do,
If sager people can do it so it is a workable problem and hence i should be able to do something. Like i said my very last option would be to send it back for servicing and wouldnt be possible for the next 7to 8 months.

BTW what is brick??

 

Can you be more specific please and post me some references here. That would help me a lot. This is the case of a failed bios update

 

Looks like you flashed the SBIOS first than the KBC/EC Firmware...

You MUST always flash first the newer Firmware, reboot and then flash the new SBIOS. Your newer SBIOS is not compatible with the older KBC/EC/Smart Fan Firmware so thats why it´s not booting.

You will need do send it to RMA... there is no other way.

 

He tried to flash the kbc first, but for some reason, it didn't do anything and he went ahead and flashed the sbios...

Sending it back is afaik the only course of action

 

It's really a metaphor, meaning you just turned your notebook into an expensive paperweight.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brick_(electronics)

 

There was another guy who had a similar problem before in this forum.If you haven't changed anything yet,then the first boot device would still be CD/DVD.So if I were you before sending it for RMA which would take few days,I would try flashing the firmware again.

1)Try using HP tools.I think it couldn't find the files at the folder you pointed it to.You should point it to the folder where all the boot files exist extracted from the files from zfactor containing .sys and stuff.
2)I don't have the files that you have for 860TU,but open step1.bat with notepad to see if everything is pointing to the right file and there is no typo errors.
3)Reboot with the CD inserted and if it's in a folder,use command "CD {folder name}" and then type step1.If everything goes well you can hear some beeps and it should be good.If not you aren't going to loose anything anyway.

Hope this helps.

PS:BIOS flashing is risky and if you don't know what you are doing it could make your system brick.Please know what you are doing and how it works before attempting these.

 

well there is another way but im not sure how much you know to be able to do it. the crisis recovery method should work if you know how..you would want to use method 2 see below

 

Phoenix BIOS Recovery

Update: Boot-Block Jumper
http://rapidshare.com/files/14946637...ock_Jumper.pdf


This is the latest PHLASH16 I could find:
http://rapidshare.com/files/15674471...6.5.4.rar.html
Tool provided by @offon7544

Here is the Archive with all the files needed and How to for Phoenix BIOS Recovery.

Method 1.
http://www.box.net/shared/j2u98ci67f

How To:

1. Use HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool with MiniDOS files to make your Bootable: Flopy, USB Stick, USB Flopy.
When creating the boot Floppy, select from Folder Options to view the hiden and system files and delete or rename the file config.sys if present.
Couse we need DOS with no additional programs that are loaded, which could interfere with the operation of the BIOS flash application.
2. Copy all the files from Rescue to your: Flopy, USB Stick, USB Flopy.
3. Rename your BIOS file to bios.wph and copy it to your: Flopy, USB Stick, USB Flopy.
4. Remove the battery, unplug the computer from the power.
5. Hold down: Fn+B or WinKey+B (On some new Acer Laptop's Fn+Esc and on some new Fujitsu Siemens Laptop's Fn+F)and while holding plug the computer in to power (do not plug the battery) and pres the power button.
6. Now you should hear the flopy drive working, hold the keys for a while and then let go.
7. Leve the computer for at least 10 min. and if the computer does not restart it self turn the power down.
8. Plug the battery and the power sorce and if everything went OK the computer shold start normaly.
Note: This procedure is for Phoenix BIOS`es only and in some cases the USB Stick might not work.

Method 2.
http://rapidshare.com/files/105952250/Metod_2.rar

How To:

1. Click on the Phoenix_Crisis_Recovery.exe to make: Flopy, USB Flopy.
When creating the boot Floppy, select from Folder Options to view the hiden and system files and delete or rename the file config.sys if present.
Couse we need DOS with no additional programs that are loaded, which could interfere with the operation of the BIOS flash application.
2. Copy all the files from Rescue to your: Flopy, USB Flopy.
3. Rename your BIOS file to bios.wph and copy it to your: Flopy, USB Flopy.
4. Remove the battery, unplug the computer from the power.
5. Hold down: Fn+B or WinKey+B (On some new Acer Laptop's Fn+Esc and on some new Fujitsu Siemens Laptop's Fn+F) and while holding plug the computer in to power (do not plug the battery) and pres the power button.
6. Now you should hear the flopy drive working, hold the keys for a while and then let go.
7. Leve the computer for at least 10 min. and if the computer does not restart it self turn the power down.
8. Plug the battery and the power sorce and if everything went OK the computer shold start normaly.
Note: This procedure is for Phoenix BIOS`es only and in some cases the USB Stick might not work.

Method 3.
http://rapidshare.com/files/105952818/Metod_3.rar

How To:

1. Use HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool with MiniDOS files to make your Bootable: Flopy, USB Stick, USB Flopy.
When creating the boot Floppy, select from Folder Options to view the hiden and system files and delete or rename the file config.sys if present.
Couse we need DOS with no additional programs that are loaded, which could interfere with the operation of the BIOS flash application.
2. Copy all the files from Rescue to your: Flopy, USB Stick, USB Flopy.
3. Rename your BIOS file to bios.wph and copy it to your: Flopy, USB Stick, USB Flopy.
4. Remove the battery, unplug the computer from the power.
5. Hold down: Fn+B or WinKey+B (On some new Acer Laptop's Fn+Esc and on some new Fujitsu Siemens Laptop's Fn+F) and while holding plug the computer in to power (do not plug the battery) and pres the power button.
6. Now you should hear the flopy drive working, hold the keys for a while and then let go.
7. Leve the computer for at least 10 min. and if the computer does not restart it self turn the power down.
8. Plug the battery and the power sorce and if everything went OK the computer shold start normaly.
Note: This procedure is for Phoenix BIOS`es only and in some cases the USB Stick might not work.

Method 4.
http://rapidshare.com/files/105953337/Metod_4.rar

How To:

1. Click on the Phoenix_Crisis_Recovery.exe to make: Flopy, USB Flopy.
When creating the boot Floppy, select from Folder Options to view the hiden and system files and delete or rename the file config.sys if present.
Couse we need DOS with no additional programs that are loaded, which could interfere with the operation of the BIOS flash application.
2. Copy all the files from Rescue to your: Flopy, USB Flopy.
3. Rename your BIOS file to bios.wph and copy it to your: Flopy, USB Flopy.
4. Remove the battery, unplug the computer from the power.
5. Hold down: Fn+B or WinKey+B (On some new Acer Laptop's Fn+Esc and on some new Fujitsu Siemens Laptop's Fn+F) and while holding plug the computer in to power (do not plug the battery) and pres the power button.
6. Now you should hear the flopy drive working, hold the keys for a while and then let go.
7. Leve the computer for at least 10 min. and if the computer does not restart it self turn the power down.
8. Plug the battery and the power sorce and if everything went OK the computer shold start normaly.
Note: This procedure is for Phoenix BIOS`es only and in some cases the USB Stick might not work.

The HP Tool is located in the archive of the first metod.
Use the metods in order form 1 to 4, unless you think otherwise...
Hope you never use this and if you ever have to GOOD LUCK.

 

This is very helpful zfactor .Rep'd

 

thanks and lmk if i can help, also crisis will only work with a floppy drive NOT a usb stick. method 1 will usually work with either

 

Just one last thing
In step3 where it says "Rename your BIOS file to bios.wph and copy it to your: Flopy, USB Flopy"
What file should i rename to bios.wph.
First of all where is my BIOS file?? what is it named as? Is it located in 86TU0808.zip
and finally is the version compatible with the one listed in method1??
If possible i am going to try it out in that order so I would be glad if the how to could be re-written
or modified so that nothing is left out and is complete in itself. That would be a great favour.
Can some one help this poor guy out ?? :'(
I just dont want to do it wrong agian. Can some one tell me please???
I am a bit too hesitant. I absolutely want to be sure......
Thanks for the reply

 

Well, I don't think you'll be able to flash the .08 kbc, so you'll need an older BIOS. .07 should do the trick.

 

in that what file should i rename as bios.whp???
and are you sure taht .07 will work??

 

Hello everybody!

My notebook Sager Np8660 have a big problem after trying update Bios. The screen is black and black...I tried to turn on the laptop several time but the result is still same. Maybe the problem is the fail of Bios.
Please, someone give me some advice and the way to solve this problem.

I bought NP8660 from XoticPC
Email: [email protected]

 

where do i get just the bios file for sager NP8660. Is it located in the rar files mentioned or just tell me where to download the original bios file. I am stuck at the step where i have to rename my bios file to bios.wph and there are two files in the 86TU0808.zip and i cant decided which one i should rename to bios.wph Guys any advice here????????
Please some one respond quickly. I have been stuck here since 2 days and dont know how to proceed further (((

 

can some one answer my question???

 

Just one note... your BIOS and Smart Fan/KB Firmware are not corrupted...

They are only both incompatible because you are using an newer BIOS with an older KB/EC Firmware... your system may never be recuperable with these methods because you are not in a EPROM data corruption state...

Clevo is very clear about this:

Code:

1. BIOS 1.01.08 and EC 1.00.08.
2. Solve “system can’t identify BT device correctly when the BT cable exists” issue.
3. When system working temperature reaches fan on point but the system can’t receive normal fan speed information, it will alarm for one minute then shut down.
4. [B][COLOR="Red"]Run step1.bat to upgrate EC, run step2.bat to upgrate BIOS.[/COLOR][/B]
5. [COLOR="#ff0000"][B]It is necessary to upgrate EC firmware at first.[/B][/COLOR]

 

so what do u suggest me??
what can i do
is it not even possible ot recover my comp ever again????

 

can some one direct me to or post the link of bios files for sager np8660??
I cant find it any where and the link posted above for the clevo ftp lists no files in the directory!

So bios files for sager NP8660?

 

I linked you the proper bios in post #22.

 

Why can't you just as your reseller for that? Tell them the 3.2GB of RAM aren't showing up and there are supposed to tell you there's a bios fix for that problem, and they will provide it to you with all instructions you need.

 

He already bricked it trying to update to the .08 bios.

Racoon, you should've sent it in to be repaired a long time ago.

 

The link in that post takes me to the clevo ftp and there it doesnt list any files in that directory. Can you please verify that and in case it works can you please mail me the files at [email protected]

thank you

 

Well that was the whole point of this thread please read the first post or the link in my signature

 

Unfortunately for the rest of us, this is why Clevo generally doesn't leave BIOS updates laying around for all takers anymore.

 

Like i said again i am in india and will take a long time for me to return back

So trying out my last option
the bios recovery using the usb floppy drive. Any way of overcomming the 1.44mb limit of floppy drive?

 

Yes shyster1 but rit now i am only trying to minimize the damage already done. bios update every thing was fine except for the ram, but wats done is done. So about the link

 

Email has been sent with a rar of the bios attached.

 

try ^^^ that first and ill shoot you a pm if that doesnt work. i tried sending you a pm like 4 or 5 times and everything i try to send you a pm i get a 404 timeout

 

Ok ill try the .07 zip and post the proceedings here by the end of the day. I hope it works

 

I am trying it with a usb cd drive as the file is 4mb and there is no way it is going to fit onto a floppy drive. any suggestions here??

 

your bios may be borked.. but see my pm i have a few ideas we will go one at a time

 

ok i will only be updating your pms and i will finally post the method that woked for me here
thank you

 

Hello everyone!
I have same problem as Racoon. I tried another way but it's impossible.
I need the Original BIOS data to copy to BIOS memory. My friend, he have machine to do it. So, everyone who know about this, please help and send me this file.
Thank you very much
Merry Christmas!

[email protected]

 

Which BIOS were you trying to install? Give step by step of what you did.

 

Why you are guys doing this for the holidays? You are risking having a brick until January.

But yes, we need to hear exactly what you did and then we can help you from there.

 

Well i posted what i did step by step in the very first post in this thread or u can click on the link in my signature.

Well to be honest simply trying to utilize the full 3.3 gb ram which was supposed to be done by sager on the first hand. I paid for 4gb ram and am stuck with 2.5gb which sucks. But obviously a super costly brick is worse than that

 

I seem to have failed to read properly and skipped the EC firmware step and now the laptop will not boot at all. Does anyone know if there is any possibility of having this fixed without sending to the service centre?
Machine was bought from ebay, so I doubt there is any warranty on it.

 

Warranty is related with serial number, not person.

 

Solution would be to check the post on 'blind bios updating' and get yourself a copy of Windows 7 64bit. If you're serious about video editing, please don't be on a 32bit OS.