Bricked Z11 - advice needed

I just performed the BIOS update on the Z11 and now my notebook is completely inoperable. It will not power on, period.

My Z11 is bricked. It's now a 2500 dollar paper weight.

Everything went well at first. Started the BIOS update, let it run its course, and when it prompted that it had successfully updated the BIOS and instructed to be turned off, I obliged. But once it exited windows and shut off, I noticed the power light was still on. It stayed on for a quite a while so I tried to assist it by pressing it down to perform force shut down. This did nothing so I took out the battery and unplugged it. When I tried to power it back on again, it failed to respond.

If you have any idea how to fix this problem, I would appreciate it very much if you can share that here. I am hoping that it's something I can fix. I would like to avoid sending it in for repairs.

 

Chatting with a Sony tech support right now...

So far, not getting anywhere... just asking me basic questions like if it powers on with adapter plugged in and/or with battery. He doesn't seem to know much. Must be lowest level tech support.

 

Well, idiot me. I just found out why my Z bricked itself.

I just got off the phone with a Sony tech support and she pointed out that I flashed the notebook using a US model BIOS on a non US model Z11.

I am so awesome.

On the bright side, I will be able to get the notebook serviced in US since my Z11 is covered under the Sony's international warranty program. I didn't know if it was or not, but apparently it is according to the tech support lady after she ran my notebook part number through the database.

Turns out there's a Sony international service center right here in my city as well so turnaround time should be minimal.

 

I am glad you were able to find a way to get help, but something does not sound right: the BIOS for the Japanese, US or other Z11 is identical as far as I know. What BIOS did you try to flash?

 

I downloaded the BIOS from US SonyStyle website. According to tech support, there is different BIOS for non-US model. You know, you could be right though, it may all be the same and my computer just shat itself.

There were couple of Windows updates that were running when it shut down. I wonder if that conflicted with the BIOS update at all.

 

I flashed mine with the Austrailian model on a Canadian Z with no problems.
Chill anyways you have warranty for this kind of problem.

 

The only wrong step that you have done is removing the battery.

Anyway there should be nothing wrong with your Z. This also happened to my Acer Aspire 8920G when updating the bios...

After taking to the Acer Outlet, they open and i am not sure what they did but the process only take less then 7 minutes...

All newer notebook than 2003/2004 will do this i believe...

 

Its probably some kind of CMOS reset that you can do by changing a jumper position in the laptop and then turning it back on. It reverts to the initial bios version whatever the state of the laptop.

 

Might want to search "insyde bios recovery" on google.
What happens when you turn it on? Any Lights? Backlight come on on LCD?

 

i think he can't even turn it on, like you press the power button but nothing happen, no led no nothing...

 

Yes I can personally confirm that the US BIOS works for certain international models. I just flashed my Japanese Sony Z today with the US BIOS and everything was fine, for what it's worth.

 

from what i see bios update for asia pacific VPCZ129GG model and us VPCZ112GX model have the same file...

 

No lights come on, led or lcd. Computer does not respond at all. I can keep the power button depressed for couple of minutes and I get nothing.

I guess something else went wrong with the BIOS flash. At this point, not sure what I can do other than sending it in for service.

I recently sold my backup notebook so I'm without a notebook now. Awesome timing on my behalf.

 

Anyone seen this CMOS reset on the Z11? I know a few of you guys opened this up already as so have I. I guess I can open it up and take a look at it...

 

i guess you can just take out the cmos battery (a small litium battery) for that.

 

Doubtful. I think you are confusing BIOS settings with the actual BIOS. The flash that holds the BIOS can be replaced though. Some MBs have them socketed. There are some desktop MBs that will hold two BIOSs at a time so that you can revert to an earlier one. Back in the day when we wrote our BIOS flasher, we held the exiting BIOS in case things cratered so that we could restore the last working one.

 

this is why I wait for the bios updates to hit the VAIO UPDATE program before updating.

Glad you've got your problem sorted though.