Hi there everyone,
1st post so here goes!
Few days ago I tried to update the video bios on Geforce 4200 to go 64Mb on my Inspiron 8500. I was using the latest available bios from the Dell Europe support Web site. I was trying to apply the update from within WinXP. I know after reading in these forums that was a big mistake.
Went to apply the update, the window was showing that the bios was in the process of flashing. It seemed to be doing it for a long time so as you do I started to get a little concerned! Anyway after a good while 15 minutes or so I looked and it was still saying that it was flashing!!! Knowing this could/should not be possible seeing the eeprom is not that big a memory space I hit Ctrl+Alt+Del for Task manager. Task manager was showing that the process had stopped responding. Now I am starting to get really worried. Anyway I went away for another 15 mins to see if it would right itself. Came back still showing not responding. I thought at that point I'll just stop the process and try install after reboot. Did that and 8500 not booting at all. Now devastated! On trying to power up hard disk spins up then you hear a click like when you shutdown, no bios at startup, no option to go into bios, no display, nothing.
Stuff I have done so far:
i. checked memory chips - reseated etc.
ii. checked suspend key not sticking on keyboard.
iii. removed button control panel from top of keyboard (one with power buttons, volume control etc) to check the lcd display dip switch was not stuck down (as when closed lid).
iv. checked hard drive (as above) removed/reinstalled.
v. while button panel I noticed the copper heat pipe was getting warm. If I left the 8500 powered on it would get hotter and hotter and processor fan would start up so i'm guessing the processor is OK?
vi. totally disassembled unit to check for loose connections. None I could see!
Don't know what else to do! I'm considering buying a new Graphics card and seeing if that solves the problem but don't want to keep buying new parts if I'm just stabbing in the dark. Could end up v/expensive.
Any help much appreciated and desperately needed!
Best regards, Dan UK.
P.S. I'm out of warranty, and Dell Euro support were no help!
1st post so here goes!
Few days ago I tried to update the video bios on Geforce 4200 to go 64Mb on my Inspiron 8500. I was using the latest available bios from the Dell Europe support Web site. I was trying to apply the update from within WinXP. I know after reading in these forums that was a big mistake.
Went to apply the update, the window was showing that the bios was in the process of flashing. It seemed to be doing it for a long time so as you do I started to get a little concerned! Anyway after a good while 15 minutes or so I looked and it was still saying that it was flashing!!! Knowing this could/should not be possible seeing the eeprom is not that big a memory space I hit Ctrl+Alt+Del for Task manager. Task manager was showing that the process had stopped responding. Now I am starting to get really worried. Anyway I went away for another 15 mins to see if it would right itself. Came back still showing not responding. I thought at that point I'll just stop the process and try install after reboot. Did that and 8500 not booting at all. Now devastated! On trying to power up hard disk spins up then you hear a click like when you shutdown, no bios at startup, no option to go into bios, no display, nothing.Stuff I have done so far:
i. checked memory chips - reseated etc.
ii. checked suspend key not sticking on keyboard.
iii. removed button control panel from top of keyboard (one with power buttons, volume control etc) to check the lcd display dip switch was not stuck down (as when closed lid).
iv. checked hard drive (as above) removed/reinstalled.
v. while button panel I noticed the copper heat pipe was getting warm. If I left the 8500 powered on it would get hotter and hotter and processor fan would start up so i'm guessing the processor is OK?
vi. totally disassembled unit to check for loose connections. None I could see!
Don't know what else to do! I'm considering buying a new Graphics card and seeing if that solves the problem but don't want to keep buying new parts if I'm just stabbing in the dark. Could end up v/expensive.
Any help much appreciated and desperately needed!
Best regards, Dan UK.
P.S. I'm out of warranty, and Dell Euro support were no help!
