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    VGN-Z: BSOD during BIOS upgrade, machine bricked?

    Discussion in 'VAIO / Sony' started by IHateMayonnaise, Sep 8, 2011.

  1. IHateMayonnaise

    IHateMayonnaise Notebook Enthusiast

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    So I noticed that there was an upgrade for the BIOS for my VGN-Z690 on the Sony eSupport website, so I downloaded their utility and proceeded to flash the BIOS. Vista then displayed the BSOD, and after dumping the memory the machine tried to restart, and could not. The computer tries to start, and shuts off after a few seconds, and recycles until unplugged.

    Now, I have the extended sony warranty, however I would prefer not to send it back to these guys without exhausting my own resources. Seeing as how this machine has not been sent back for service since purchased, it does not have the "warranty void" sticker, so the internals are free to be tinkered with (within reason).

    I haven't done a BIOS hot-swap since the last time I owned a desktop, and have never attempted fixing this type of issue on a laptop. Does anyone have any advice? I know that pulling the BIOS battery won't fix this issue - the chip itself needs to be reprogrammed. Whether this means pulling it out and doing it on another machine, or replacing the chip altogether, I am not sure what is possible.

    Thoughts?

    IHateMayonnaise
     
    IHateMayonnaise, Sep 8, 2011
    #1
  2. ngvuanh

    ngvuanh Notebook Deity

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    BIOS is soldered. You need right tools to remove and reprogram it.
     
    ngvuanh, Sep 8, 2011
    #2
  3. Nautis

    Nautis Switchable Graphics Guy

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    Nautis, Sep 8, 2011
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  4. dalamchops

    dalamchops Notebook Evangelist

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    I'd send it in. Should be a quick fix.
     
    dalamchops, Sep 8, 2011
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  5. MasterUMC

    MasterUMC Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hello, unfortunately, you don't have many options. A replacement BIOS chip may or may not resolve the issue. It is soldered to the motherboard as stated by NGV.

    You can try the recovery methods if the system stays power on long enough without rebooting.

    Sony won't be a quick fix, they will replace the motherboard. Hopefully you won't get a refurb board.
     
    MasterUMC, Sep 8, 2011
    #5
  6. pyr0

    pyr0 100% laptop dynamite

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    AFAIK, Sony removed the insyde BIOS recovery features from their BIOSes. So, I think the best way would be send it in for a repair as well, unfortunately.
     
    pyr0, Sep 8, 2011
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  7. IHateMayonnaise

    IHateMayonnaise Notebook Enthusiast

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    no more thoughts from anyone??
     
    IHateMayonnaise, Sep 14, 2011
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  8. beaups

    beaups New Jack Hustler

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    There's only 3 options. Try the bios recovery procedure above (which likely won't work), get a hold of a bios chip and try to swap, or send to sony for a new motherboard.
     
    beaups, Sep 14, 2011
    #8
  9. ngvuanh

    ngvuanh Notebook Deity

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    You still have another option if you are out of warranty.
    Find a computer repair shop and have them reflash the BIOS.
    Make sure you have BIOS file handy.
     
    ngvuanh, Sep 14, 2011
    #9