Chastity@ASUS wrote:
Let me guess, you loaded the rom file from your hard drives using Easy Flash. Loading the file from NTFS seems to be a good way of bricking.

Hi guys,

I downloaded a bios file (v203) from official asus website, uzip it. Then I entered in my G74sx bios settings, and have used "EasyFlash" with prepared bios file, by using it from one of G74 HDD. Now my laptop is 100% dead, but I need it in my business trip soon!

So why if this bios update way is so dangerous I haven't seen any warnings about that? What kind of solutions do I have?

Thanks!


UPD:
I decided to update the bios coz when I run any game and watching 3D video I was getting a very low performance with huge swaps. My laptop is worked just 3rd day from day I bought it. System was new and clean. I have installed only new Nvidia GF drivers and DirectX 9...

It's G74sx with:

i7-2670QM (2.2)
17,3 3D (1920x1080)
GeForce GTX 560M (3Gb)
8Gb of DDR3
500+500 HDD WD scorpio black (7200)
Win Home Premium 64bit

dstrakele wrote:
Sorry to hear of your BIOS Flash failure, Tony. Unfortunately, the only 2 options are 1) exchange your G74SX for a new unit if you are still within your retailer's exchange period, or 2) send or take your laptop to the nearest ASUS Repair Center to have the BIOS chip overwritten. Call ahead if you plan to bring it there yourself to decrease.the turnaround time.

The BIOS chip must be overwritten with a special programming tool. There are no recovery options for a BIOS Flash failure on ASUS laptops.

If you should attempt a BIOS Flash in the future, follow this guide: http://rog.asus.com/forum/showthread.php?11080-BrodyBoy-simple-but-effective-.pdf-guide.-on-quot-Upd...

All these stories make me think its time that ASUS and perhaps other notebook manufacturers consider putting dual BIOS chips on the mainboards (like so many desktop board manufacturers do; in fact its hard to find an enthusiast desktop board without them) to prevent bricking from failed flashes. On my Gigabyte desktop boards the second ROM chip takes up all of 0.5 cm^2 of board real estate, so its not like it can't be squeezed on to notebook boards. One would think it should save the company a flood of bricked notebooks shipped back to them for reprogramming, and therefore $$, while it would increase owner confidence.

Thanks for your replies!

dstrakele wrote:
Sorry to hear of your BIOS Flash failure, Tony. Unfortunately, the only 2 options are 1) exchange your G74SX for a new unit if you are still within your retailer's exchange period, or 2) send or take your laptop to the nearest ASUS Repair Center to have the BIOS chip overwritten. Call ahead if you plan to bring it there yourself to decrease.the turnaround time.

The BIOS chip must be overwritten with a special programming tool. There are no recovery options for a BIOS Flash failure on ASUS laptops.

If you should attempt a BIOS Flash in the future, follow this guide: http://rog.asus.com/forum/showthread.php?11080-BrodyBoy-simple-but-effective-.pdf-guide.-on-quot-Upd...

Thank you for your advice! I'll check this FAQ out.

But I am interested, why ASUS is not preventing such kind of mistakes on end users' side... mistakes that makes my laptop is dead 😞

End user (like me) don't have to search a special information on all related ASUS/BIOS forums etc., to find one right way of bios updating.

If I have noticed that my bios is need to be updated, and I see needed file on the asus.com official website... and, it's most important - i see the function in my BIOS to flash the new BIOS... and no any warnings about using internal HDD. So, I decide to flash my BIOS, thinking that ASUS engineers is good enough, and I doing all in right way.

Agreed?

fostert wrote:
All these stories make me think its time that ASUS and perhaps other notebook manufacturers consider putting dual BIOS chips on the mainboards (like so many desktop board manufacturers do; in fact its hard to find an enthusiast desktop board without them) to prevent bricking from failed flashes. On my Gigabyte desktop boards the second ROM chip takes up all of 0.5 cm^2 of board real estate, so its not like it can't be squeezed on to notebook boards. One would think it should save the company a flood of bricked notebooks shipped back to them for reprogramming, and therefore $$, while it would increase owner confidence.

Yes, you're right. Dual BIOS is good option, especially for laptops! And I think that we (end users) must have simple and safe way to update BIOS, and not only BIOS... I don't need to know all details. I need to see that my BIOS is need to been updated, and to have one simple way to update it.

I was in the same boat a while back when I tried to update my bios. I did the same thing you did and posted on the forums seeking suggestions. I will tell you 3 things that i learned.

1. Asus will NOT ship you a new motherboard to replace yourself

2. If you bought the machine from any other retailer (best buy), you can take it to them and they will fix it.

3. There is nothing you can do exept for take it in for repair.

I feel for the situation you are in, as I was in a similar situation. One thing you should also note, do not let asus tell you that updating your bios voids your warranty, because it DOES NOT. They seemed to have the idea that if you want to make an update to your machine, you should call them first, and get it cleared with them for the install. so again, dont let them push you around by having them say your warranty is void.

That is my message.