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Updating my BIOS the PC hung and we shut it down. Now at startup the screen remains dark and three beeps (one long, two short) are emitted. Is it terminal?
Optional Information: Computer OS: Windows 7 Browser: Chrome Already Tried: Just restarting.
Hello and thank you for contacting JustAnswer, I would be happy to help you today. What is the make and model of your computer please?
Toshiba C660
Laptop, sorry I said it was a PC
No problem. Give me a minute and I will be right back.
The beep error code indicates a problem with the video processor. This may have occurred due to the interruption of the BIOS update. In order for you to reset the BIOS you will need to remove the bottom panel and find the BIOS reset jumper. Are you comfortable doing that?
Are you still with me?
My biggest issue with doing that is the removal of the panel and knowing where all the clips and screws are. Should i take it to a repairer?
I can try to walk you through it or possibly give you a link to show you how if you want to give it a try?
Here is a great link to check out to see how to reset the BIOS.
Just taking a look at the video. Be back to you soon. Thanks Dan ..
Okay. Let me know how you come out.
Hey Dan, you still around ?
We have a slightly different looking motherboard. I dont seem to have those two JCMOS contacts.
We have small contacts on the left labelled J1
No that won't be the right jumper. Can you give me the exact model and serial number of your computer please?
Satellite C660 Serial No. 3B150883K Windows 7 Home Premium installed.
Toshiba
A couple of things to try. While you have the bottom cover off, check to see if there is a small thin battery about the size of a nickel. If you find it, remove it as well as the main battery and leave them both out for about ten minutes or so then replace and restart and see what happens. If you don't find the battery then try restarting your computer while holding down the F2 button on your keyboard and see if that will bring up the BIOS. Let me know how you come out on both.
I just remembered something. If you try the F2 trick, make sure you are holding the F2 button down before you press the power button.
Hi Dan. Tried F2 no difference, cannot locate battery under main access panel. Any ideas? Have sent photo of what
is under the RAM socket.
Can get better or more photos if that would help.
Hi, I’m a moderator for this topic and I wonder whether you’re still waiting for an answer. If you are, please let me know and I will do my best to find another Professional to assist you right away. If not, feel free to let me know and I will cancel this question for you. Thank you!
Hi Lindie. I am still waiting on a response from Dan. There is a time difference of probably 16 hours between us so progress is slow but that's ok. I can wait for Dan or you can put me onto another expert, but he will miss out on the rating. Thanks.
Hi Lindie. I am waiting for Dan to respond to my most recent comments. We have a time difference of about 14 hours due to our locations but that's ok. If it needs to go to another professional then ok, but Dan will miss out on the rating won't he? Thanks.
Sometimes, finding the right Professional can take a little longer than expected and we thank you greatly for your understanding. We’ll be in touch again shortly
I am sorry to say that you have computer that cannot be made functional unless you send it back. This is a very tricky issue because the maker issues the updates and then when you install them if something goes wrong they usually absolve themselves of any liability. You might see about a warranty issue if the computer is newer. Other than that you could get a new motherboard or computer. I am so sorry.
Are there any other numbers after the model number?
Part No. PSCOLA-01C01H<ES5.0>
Can you see the make and model number of the motherboard or do you have any documents that might indicate what it is?
We are going to pull it apart and see if we can see the onboard battery and the motherboard. Just before we do that I would like to query that when we ran the BIOS Flash upgrade there was a step to backup the BIOS, which completed successfully. The next step said something like "erasing or deleting" and got to Block 11 out of 37 in reverse before it hung.
THe on board battery wont help you with this problem In older computers it would. Not todays models though.
The BIOS is the BASIC INPUT OUPUT SYSTEM.
What this means is the computer has a chip that has a set of instructions that it runs when you turn it on. These instructions tell the hardware to initialize and identify themselves and then perform functions that are very basic. When the bios hangs during a flash, and you interrupt it, it will be incomplete and will not be able to perform its basic tasks such as identification of devices and telling those devices to come on. So even though you have a back up of the old BIOS, you have no way to load it back on because the computer is not able to initialize its existing devices to read the back up. Shorting the jumper can clear the existing bios and tell it to load a backup that IS ALREADY PRESENT on another chip. However since you flashed the BIOS it may have begun erasing that information too and you are out of luck. If you send that into a factory authorized service center. They can hook up hardware to it that gives them direct access to the chips and they can reload the programming. In most cases though, they just replace the motherboard because it is faster for them to do that. I am sorry.
Experience: 20 + years, cert. Win NT, xp, vista Windows 7, Net sec
If you haven't alrady proceeded with Brad's suggestion please let me know. I have one more thing I would like you to try before you send it off.