I learned a HUGE lesson this morning…beware of BIOS updates!
I had no problems with my Sony PCG-FX220 notebook, which I have owned since
July 2001, other than the fact that the hard drive has always been noisy
(buzzy/whiny). So yesterday I replaced its original IBM Travelstar 15GB
hard drive with a near-silent 40GB Fujutsu drive, reinstalled Windows 2000
and all my applications, and everything was working great.
Then, I stupidly went to Sony’s website to look for any updated drivers for
the notebook, and found several, so I downloaded them and started installing
them. One update was for the BIOS: I followed Sony’s instructions exactly,
which involved creating a bootable floppy disk containing the "Phoenix
Phlash" utility to update the BIOS automatically when I rebooted the
notebook. After booting from the floppy, "Phoenix Phlash" (an
archaic-looking DOS application) started doing its thing, and it appeared to
be programming the flash memory. Suddenly, in the middle of the update, the
notebook went dark, as if I had yanked the batteries and A/C from it (which
I didn’t do…it was running on A/C all the time). My jaw dropped. :-O
Since then, the computer won’t start or execute the POST. Apparently the
BIOS is trashed. The green power LED comes on, and the hard disk, DVD ROM
drive and floppy disk make subtle sounds to let me know they’re energizing,
but no BIOS software seems to be executing. There is no reaction to holding
down the ESC, F2 or F10 keys, and no beep of the PC speaker, and the screen
does not light up. I’ve removed the battery, unplugged the notebook,
pressed the tiny reset button a bunch of times, etc., with no positive
effect.
I received some free tech support by phone from Sony, and the Level 2
Technician was knowledgeable but told me the only way they can "help" is to
replace the motherboard, at a flat rate of US$699. (I had paid $1500 for
the notebook back in 2001.) Of course I’d buy a new computer before I’d
spend that much to fix this old one, but I wondered if there’s another
solution. This computer is perfectly fine except for the flash BIOS
programming!
Is there a way to reprogram the BIOS flash while it’s mounted on the
motherboard? I’m tech-savvy and would even consider trying to desolder the
chip to replace it with a known-good one. I read in some newsgroups that
the Phoenix BIOS in certain other brands of laptops can be put into
programming mode by using a special loopback connector that you plug into
the serial or parallel port. I’d be willing to try any such ‘tricks’ before
I toss this good ‘ol notebook in the trash!
Any ideas, help or sympathy will be appreciated!
David K.