is my 8170 bricked? :(

hey guys, so i went ahead and requested for the latest bios update as i was having usb3 problems from sager and went ahead and flashed it as per the instructions on the email by the support rep (817bv05s.zip)

the flash i believe was successful as it shuts down the computer automatically after its done. when i went ahead and turned it on again, the led lights started flashing for 2-3 seconds and the machines shuts down after. i cant even get to POST screen

any help wld be much appreciated.

Ps I tried removing the cable and batt for a couple of mins to see if it helps. That didn't help

 

Have you tried booting on battery?

 

yes i have, it gives the same response, power and hdd light comes on for a couple of seconds, and the whole machine shutsdown

 

radagus I thinkt you are really in trouble. What this 817bv05s.zip file contains? I never saw this file related with P170HM, maybe it was misunderstanding.

If it's possible try to reflash to BIOS 1.01.02 ( ftp://cftp.clevo.com.tw/ALLBIOS/P170HM/P17HM_0202.zip)
I just planning to make instructions for everybody who had freezes and problems with USB 3.0 , I solved it. BIOS 1.01.02 dated on 24/10/2010 is the best, combined with EC firmware 1.00.03 ( ftp://cftp.clevo.com.tw/ALLBIOS/P170HM/EC_03.zip) it's stable like a rock and also Intel RST must be properly installed to avoid any lock ups (Disable any Power Management functionality in registry and in Power options) .

I'm worried that maybe it will be necessary to replace motherboard or BIOS unit (but you need to do it some service tools).

 

the 817bv05s.zip is the latest bios revision by sager. Apparently the support guy told me that it fixes the usb3.0 issues. instead it bricked my laptop :O, ill prolly return the thing really. ill contact support and my reseller on monday and see how it goes.

 

can you send me this file I will look on it closer? I think they send you not proper file for P170HM it's only one explanation. Personally I'm only installing any files from CLEVO from notebook manufacturer ftp.

 

Hiya,

Sager are a manufacturer not a reseller, there is a vital difference.

It sounds like you have screwed up the BIOS flash in one way or another, if that is the case its new motherboard Territory for you im afraid as these machines can not be blind flashed.

Depending on sager this may not be covered by warranty though so be aware.

Pman

 

Was there a kb/ec that needed to be flashed first? Skipping that is usually what causes the brick, in my experience.

If Sager or Xotic sent you the BIOS, your warranty should be good.

 

Yes EC schould be flashed first, i did in this order first EC then BIOS.

 

I did ask the sager support rep before I flashed if the EC i was using was current. And he said I had the latest release. wldnt have flashed otherwise. and i was only sent the bios file
I just feel crappy, it seems like ill have to send in back for repairs, thing is im an international customer. and ill prolly have to pay for shipping both ways :/

 

Sorry to hear about your problems. I was a international buyer of Sager sometime ago. If you have to send it back in you'll have to pay shipping (and maybe insurance) both ways on their warranty I'm afraid, unless they feel responsible for causing the bricking and make an exception. You should be able to argue for that.

It wouldn't be the first time they have sent the wrong file. When I had a BSOD problem they initially sent me a vBIOS file for flashing my graphics cards. It was only after several error messages during a few flash attempts that the guy realised that he sent me the wrong file. Fortunately the errors didn't allow flashing so it didn't screw up the original vBIOS, if it did go through I'm sure it would have bricked one or both cards.

I'm surprised you can't blind flash the BIOS on these new models. Why is that Pman?

 

We have attempted it for a couple of customers in the past who have bricked their machines and never been able to get it to work correctly. It seems that they just screw up and refuse to even boot to a thumb drive.

If it was the wrong bios normally they wont even flash it will just give an error message, I would be surprised if there is any cure other then a new mobo

As for warranty, I think Sagers website says it all

Pman

 

you may wanna look thru this:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/sag...-your-phoenix-bios-bios-recovery-methods.html