sklaz

Hey guys, this is a fairly ridiculous problem.

So I updated my laptop bios to the most current version, 83.05, it's a Gateway MX3701, and after resetting it it POSTs fine and I can select boot devices etc, but then it sits at a black screen with a blinking cursor.

It's this 'trustedcore' pheonix bios and while the website said the windows flashing program i used was only for vista when it opened fine in XP i figured it was just part of gateway's labelling since all their XP drivers are gone from the site.

It's supposedly a 'Vista' bios so theres a chance it is looking for some vista security sector or something insane, it comes with a 'strongrom' feature that supposedly can tie the bios to a vista boot sector etc.

Anyhow anyone ever heard of something like this? I've reset the CMOS, taken it fully apart and there are no DIPS, tried booting via every type of device and pressing all the normal bios recovery shortcut keys to try initiating a flash mode. I doubt one exists on newer gateways.

Thanks again, cheers!

TriggerFinger

Hi sklaz,

I am not familiar on how Gateway laptops handle the BIOS update. But by the looks of it, it seems you got the wrong one. I am thinking you can only correct this if you get the right BIOS update and flash your BIOS again. Based on the blank screen blinking cursor symptom it looks like your BIOS is corrupt and if it cannot be re-flashed with the correct one, you may need to replace the motherboard.

If you can still boot into BIOS settings, do post BIOS details and the site where you got your BIOS update program.

sklaz

hey thanks for the reply,

http://support.gateway.com/support/d...pe=&mfg=&bios=

is where i got the update after searching my model (mx3701), which isn't listed on their website as supported by the bios i updated it with, but in the readme ->

http://support.gateway.com/support/d.../bios/8305.txt

it says "Applicable Part Numbers

1014142R - Gateway MT3705
1014201R - Gateway ML3706
1013971R - Gateway MX3701
2905898R - Gateway MX3702"

so i should be fine. the flash backed my old bios up and updated from XP perfectly and i can enter the bios and the version no checks out.

again it said the update was only for vista but it shouldn't matter what os you flash your bios with so that makes no sense..

the bios is soldered on, 48 pins in total so if worst comes to worst i guess i could go to a place that replaces them with a socket etc.

TriggerFinger

I checked the page and I did not see MX3701 under Supported computer and Parts. See attached image:

Attached Images

Gateway1.jpg (63.0 KB, 6 views)

sklaz

yeah again gateway are ridiculous, my laptop isnt listed there but if you hit the 'how to install' link at the top right there it opens the readme.txt for the download.

http://support.gateway.com/support/d...phlash1656.txt

again on the site it says only for vista but in the txt file it lists instructions for xp. hilarious..

and at the bottom:"
Applicable Part Numbers

MX3000 Series:

1009037 - Gateway MX3230
1009088 - Gateway MX3230h
1009130 - Gateway MX3231
1009049 - Gateway MX3410
1009086 - Gateway MX3410h
1009095 - Gateway MX3412
1009096 - Gateway MX3412h
1009050 - Gateway MX3414
1013920R - Gateway MX3416
1014114R - Gateway MX3417
1019145 - Gateway MX3422
1013971R - Gateway MX3701
2905898R - Gateway MX3702 "

the bios file itself claims to be only for vista which is the only thing i can guess at. maybe its supposed to tie itself to a vista bootsector or something, im going to install vista on a laptop HD and slip it in as my last resort to see if it is just waiting for one to be present. far fetched but this 'trustedcore' bios apparently can lock functions out.

TriggerFinger

Assuming it is for VISTA alone and is compatible with your model of laptop. I believe you can still boot via the CD/DVD drive using a bootable CD like an XP install CD or Vista install DVD. If you have not tried this yet, try booting from CD/DVD drive first. You must change boot sequence in BIOS settings to be able to do this.

I really doubt that it ties itself to a Vista bootsector otherwise you will be tied to Vista alone. That being said, you cannot even install Linux on it if ever. I do not think Gateway would do that.

Get a Vista installer DVD so you can try if it boots successfully and if it can prep your system for installation.

sklaz

again that's what sucks is even if i hit F12 and try a PXE boot or something, nothing happens once it goes to the blank screen. I've tried prepping bios flash boot cds, memtest cds, booting off a vista install disk, usb boot drives with dos on them, its like it just stops before even trying to boot any device.

the harddrive light stays on as well which it didn't before. but again ive stripped it down to bare bones and ram, then added the drive etc back in and no change. the bios picks up all my cd/hdd/usb devices when i add them.

it is a extremely unusual and frustrating problem, aggravated by gateway's ridiculous policies not providing any kind of support and having a terrible knowledgebase on their site that doesnt even cover anything bios related. thanks for your ongoing suggestions!

sklaz

also i know the vista stuff sounds far fetched but here's a bit from pheonix's writeup on the bios

"TrustedCore™ includes the embedded cryptographic engine, StrongROM, which allows authentication of the firmware itself. TrustedCore™ provides a secure root of trust that can authenticate operating systems, such as Microsoft Windows Vista. StrongROM can complement TPM 1.2 chip in a system to further enhance device security, or provide a level of cryptographic security by itself for systems that do not contain TPM 1.2 chip. Phoenix will also enable StrongROM to support pre-OS security functions via Phoenix TrustedCore Preboot Authentication with HDD Password Lock to support for of ASCII password and smart token support. There is also separate option to achieve TrustedCore Preboot Authentication support for biometric fingerprint sensors."

TriggerFinger

Looks like you have covered everything. I have encountered several corrupted BIOS updates and most if not all, you cannot enter BIOS settings anymore. In your case it is not true. I am hoping you can still reflash to the old version. Is there an option to do this in BIOS settings?

sklaz

haha i know i keep hoping i will find anyone with a similar issue but lucky my this seems to be completely unique. i had just replaced the lcd on it too and had it working great for only a day before i decided update the bios and have this happen.

there are no options for reflashing, the bios is really limited in options in classic notebook fashion. theres a place in toronto i can get the bios soldered off and replaced/flashed with the backup i made but if that doesn't solve it i will have wasted another 50.

just crazy that i have the machine up and running into the bios and it might be a writeoff still. high five gateway for absolutely no recovery options or key combinations on your laptops!

TriggerFinger

Just out of curiosity, have you tried asking Gateway support if this BIOS update would work on your model of laptop?

sklaz

i just did to double check since the previous two times they would not give me any info after confirming my system was out of warrenty.

but this time i basically asked them if that bios update was meant for my machine. once the tech linked me to the (same 83.05) bios file i told them i had flashed it and followed all the instructions perfectly and described the issue that resulted.

she told me to send it in for repair and gave me a number. i asked if this would be fine since my system was out of warranty and she said yes. im assuming it will be free, or just that i pay shipping which is fine since this was clearly the right update for my machine which means it is something on their end.

anyhow she had me save the chat log and im on hold with them right now, maybe there is some defect in certain models with the bios being flashed that they are aware of?

wish me luck!

TriggerFinger

There you go. From the way you posted it, it seems they are aware of this and yours was not the first time.

Good luck my friend. I really do hope they do something about it.

Btw if you have some personal files in your HDD, may be you can remove it before sending the laptop to Gateway (just a suggestion).

Thank you for the update and again good luck.

gajzar

HELP Have the problem with BIOS update 83.05 for ML3109 . Is someone have the previous version of the BIOS?

sklaz

as it ended up gateway lady just patched me through to generic repair and after spending 30 min on the phone i realized i would have to pay for the cost myself. completely insane, so i will wait until i'm in toronto and can get the bios soldered off.. *sigh*

anyhow attached is the dump of my bios file before the flash, it was backed up on my drive so hopefully this helps the guy above me.

cheers

Attached Files

mx3701 bios.rar (522.9 KB, 5 views)

gajzar

HI sklaz
Thank you for your post .
Did you by any chance managed to roll back the BIOS. From the last time I had managed to install OS on my notebook PCLinux 2007 you just need to use the option safe boot on the live cd which you can download here

http://www.pclinuxos.com/index.php?o...iles&Itemid=28

the OS is free so you will able to use your notebook. I also manage to install Mandriva Linux 2008 release but you need to change the boot line with noapic nolapic function. Works great with various programs included. I hope that this will change your mind for unsoldering the bios which is very risky business . I will try to roll back the bios. If works I will make a post if not I will use the Mandriva - It is better then windows anyway.

doughoist

how do you roll back the driver? I downloaded the file mx3701 bios.rar but cannot seem to make it reflash my bios. I am not that familiar with flashing bios as I use osx and ubuntu linux (nube). I am frustrated because 8305 came up as an update to my ml3109 but now compy will boot to bios but locks up when booting os vista. same with live cd ubuntu, does fine until boot to os then locks up. Gateway will not let me download original bios, they want me to send it in for repair which would cost more than a new comparable laptop. I am not pleased.