is my computer fucked?(computer hardwear geek callout!)

[shmoesmith]

I have a relatively new HP desktop computer(dec '06) HP has their auto update utility installed on it. I arrived at my computer a few days ago to see that HP had sent me a BIOS update for my chipset that was supposed to fix various issues and bluescreens of death etc on duo core processors. I have a duo core processor and have had bluescreens of death.

So I click on 'install now'. It starts its installation process. I leave the room...about 30 seconds later, the power goes off for maybe a minute then comes back on. Computer goes dead in the process. The computer will now not start/boot up. It doesn't even do the self test/power on test thing or get the HP bootup screen. I have tried entering the BIOS with the f10 that the userguide says to hit as well as F1 which the chipset says to hit....nothing. I have tried resetting the CMOS and the BIOS password via the jumpers on the motherboard.

I think the old bios got deleted by the update utility and the new one never got installed. I don't know what to do with the thing now. I can't seem to get it to boot to even try and flash a bios onto it. I called best buy's computer support line and they said that HP 'tattoos' their BIOS onto the chipset(whatever that means) and that I may have to get the whole mother board replaced. This computer has many important documents etc on it's hard drive and I can't afford a whole bunch of downtime while waiting on HP's manufacture warranty dept. to decide on whether or not to replace things....I also can't afford to lose any data off the hard drive(which I understand can happen if you install a new bios chip)

WWMD???

[kellen]

All the data is probably safe. Updating the bios does not mess with any settings on the hard disks.

Best bet may be to just get a new machine and put the drive from the HP into that one.

[belgian]

^^^ Screw that.

Call HP, tell them their update probably wiped your BIOS. If you did something wrong (which from what you're telling me you didn't, though I've never heard of a .exe which will update your BIOS) then they should either be able to tell you how to fix it over the phone or send you a new MOBO in the mail.

Hopefully you have a warranty, if you do then you're all set for this, if not then you may have some issues but probably not if they're at fault.

[icanseeformiles(andmiles)]

^^^ Screw that.

Call HP, tell them their update probably wiped your BIOS. If you did something wrong (which from what you're telling me you didn't, though I've never heard of a .exe which will update your BIOS) then they should either be able to tell you how to fix it over the phone or send you a new MOBO in the mail.

Hopefully you have a warranty, if you do then you're all set for this, if not then you may have some issues but probably not if they're at fault.

Ditto

DON'T TRUST BEST BUY TECH (sorry for the loud voice). Best Buy is like a lot of ski resorts; they hire the best techs they can for minimum wage.

[Free Range Lobster]

Best Buy is like a lot of ski resorts; they hire the best techs they can for minimum wage.

Nah, they just hire whoever will work for minimum wage, experienced or not.

[wi3dzmin]

Does it have a floppy drive?

[PearlJam09]

HP's BIOS updates, especially the Winflash ones are notorious for flaking out, which is why I have some experience here. The power outage definitely killed it. The best thing you can do is find a company that flashes bios chips (google search is probably best) and either remove yours and send it to them for proper reflashing or just order a bios chip with the proper flash already on there, wait for it to come in the mail and swap them. I got a new HP laptop bios chip for about 25 bucks.

BIOS (Basic Input Output System) has NOTHING to do with the hard drive. All of your stuff will still be there. If you need help tracking the proper bios down, let me know and I'd be happy to help you out.

^^^ Screw that.

Call HP, tell them their update probably wiped your BIOS. If you did something wrong (which from what you're telling me you didn't, though I've never heard of a .exe which will update your BIOS) then they should either be able to tell you how to fix it over the phone or send you a new MOBO in the mail.

Hopefully you have a warranty, if you do then you're all set for this, if not then you may have some issues but probably not if they're at fault.

Generally flashing your BIOS voids the warranty on that component. It usually says that they take no responsibility if something happens during flashing in the text where you download the executable.

[shmoesmith]

Well, I just finished talking to an HP tech. Looks like I went through their entire process of resetting the bios and it is fried. Since I registered the computer, they have me on record for being covered under the manf. warranty still and are going to fix it for free. They say they will send out a fedex box and packing material and that they will send it back within 7-9 days of receipt.