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General discussion

Bios Flash

by esampadian Aug 1, 2005 9:07PM PDT

I own a compaq model 3200 laptop with window xp pro installed. It is about 2 years old and gets a lot of exposure to field work that is usually a pretty nasty environment. Recently the machine started running hot and would go into a blue screen stack dump and shut down. After allowing the machine to cool down, I could reboot and work for about an hour and it would again overheat. I took it to a repair shop and asked them look into the overheating problem. They called me the next day and said the computer had died and would not boot. After questioning the tech, he advised me he had downloaded a bios upgrade from the Compaq web site and reflashed the bios. This killed the computer. His only solution to the problem, and the only one that Compaq tech service offers, is to replace the main board at a cost of about $1200.00. My question to any of you is what can be done to revive the machine without having to go the board replacement route? Seems to me that a 1200 dollar repair is no repair at all but a replacement situation. Can anyone help?

Discussion is locked

6 Posts
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BIOS chip...
by ikenfixit Aug 1, 2005 10:41PM PDT

You have another option and it requires pulling the BIOS chip and reprogramming it or replacing w/new one. They should NEVER flash a machine with known thermal issues, Power issues, Or shutdowns.. Your R3K series most likely needed the DC jack reworked and the dust blown out. Wonder if they were Compaq authorized? Not that it matters they recommend people "flash" for their cars not starting.(Not knocking them they just need to elevate technical phone support to somebody qualified)..

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Bios Flash
by esampadian Aug 7, 2005 7:43AM PDT

I have responded once before to this thread but don't know what happened to it. I'll try again.

Thanks to ikenfixit for the reply. I was told by the repair shop that tried to reflash the bios on my machine that they were Hp/Compaq certfified and all techs were A+ certified (as a minimum) but how do you know for sure? It is interesting that the Compaq tech service people say the same thing - replacing the main board is the only fix. I have talked to several other repair shops in this area and cannot find anyone willing to replace the chip. Seems nobody is willing to take a soldering iron to the chip even after I have agreed to "hold harmless" anyone willing to try.

If I could get into the case, I'd try it myself. At this point I've got nothing to lose. It has occured to me that if I was in the business of selling computers, I might have the same attitude as the Compaq folks.

Anyway, thanks for your reponse and advise. I appreciate it.

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Chip replacement..
by ikenfixit Aug 7, 2005 11:01PM PDT

I think I have an R3k series BIOS chip here if you want to send it in we can change it for you. These utilize an SST39VF040 series IC and they are tricky to do.. High risk of washover as the leads are closley spaced.. Anyway no problem on the info and good luck!

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Bios Flash
by esampadian Sep 20, 2005 10:00PM PDT

Sorry to have been delayed in responding to your last comment. I've been away on a job and am just getting back and caught up.

If you are still willing to change and reflash the bios on my laptop, let me know where I should send it and approx. what you charge for this service.

Thanks for the input and I'll wait to hear back.

Ed

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Web address
by ikenfixit Sep 22, 2005 9:24PM PDT

If you check our profile you will see the web address.(I dont want to look like I'm "adverse"- tising)..This is one of the best forums on the web IMO For people needing help and such... I'll hold the R3k chip here for your machine and this should not be an issue replacing.

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Bios Flash
by esampadian Oct 9, 2005 5:52AM PDT

To: Ikenfixit
I have sent a couple messages via the link on your profile page but haven't heard back from you so I thought I'd try it this way. I'd like to have you take a look at my laptop and re-flash or replace the bios chip if you can do it. Frankly, I've about given up trying this done anywhere. Let me know if you want to go this and if so, how to proceed.

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