5 Posts
0
786
June 7th, 2021 01:00
Laptop BIOS update
I have a Dell Inspiron N5010 that the client has been using for many years.
Someone installed Windows 10 on it, which he didn't like, so he wanted me to install Windows 7 Home Premium again.
I did so and after running Dell's updates, the last thing I saw the laptop doing was updating the BIOS from version 10 to version 15.
Then I heard the fans spin up, which is normal, but then the fans stopped and the screen just showed black.
I know not to interrupt the BIOS process and I even later saw on the website that the screen might "briefly" show black.
I then left the laptop for 2 full days.
Now I see the screen is still black...
Please take note that I did run tests on the RAM & the HDD beforehand and they showed no faults.
Can Dell please provide a solution, seeing as how it was their BIOS update that caused this?
What if the laptop bricks? I can always try to remove power and clear the CMOS, but what if it doesn't work?
0 events found
warriorwolf
5 Posts
0
June 8th, 2021 03:00
Fixed.
So it was the BIOS update (straight from Dell) that caused it.
I stumbled upon this link that worked:
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/solved-recover-dell-inspiron-laptop-corrupted-bios-how-roland-ihasz
Lots of people with the exact same issue with the exact same events leading up to it.
Thank you for your help.
warriorwolf
5 Posts
0
June 7th, 2021 01:00
Just got a DM from Dell saying it's out of warranty, so it's up to community members to help.
Are they SERIOUSLY not going to take responsibility or at least TRY to help?
YOUR SOFTWARE caused this and yet there's not even a sliver of an attempt to try and sort this out, beyond Dell's standard protocols.
Disgusting service.
ejn63
10 Elder
•
30.8K Posts
1
June 7th, 2021 04:00
There are two options: replace the system board (the less expensive one) or have a shop remove the BIOS chip, flash it in an EEPROM writer and re-solder it (the more expensive option).
Carefully evaluate whether spending upward of or over $100 on a ten year old system likely worth less than that makes economic sense.
warriorwolf
5 Posts
0
June 7th, 2021 04:00
I ended up restarting the laptop, since it was unresponsive even after 2 whole days.
As I half-expected, the laptop no longer boots. It switches on (screen stays black), but the laptop just beeps every 3 seconds, continuously. I tried to reset the CMOS and tried switching the laptop on with just the bare minimum of components, to no avail.
Upon researching this online, I see that it's an issue that others have also experienced (ESPECIALLY with the Inspiron 15 series, like this laptop), but some of them managed to get it working again after they kept trying to turn it on and on again until it boots; some with some keyboard combos. I have not been so fortunate.
Does anyone have any advice?
Thank you.
warriorwolf
5 Posts
0
June 7th, 2021 04:00
I was fearing that it might come down to that.
I am going to try and at least find out if someone around here would be able to do just that.
I am going to get quotes for a replacement board as well, just in case that's the only option.
My big issue is just explaining to the client that Dell's own update software bricked the laptop, as well as the consequences thereafter.
Thank you
ejn63
10 Elder
•
30.8K Posts
1
June 7th, 2021 04:00
On a ten year old system, anything could have caused the issue - not necessarily the update. The bottom line is that any notebook that's survived more than five years of use has done well.
I can't imagine advising anyone to repair a 10 year old notebook any more than I could see putting a new engine or transmission in a Hyundai Accent that's 10 years old with 250K miles one it.