random BIOS issue HP 820 G3

[vince59]

I posted the question in another thread but believe the right one is this. I am experiencing a random issue.
I replaced the bios password blocked chip (W25Q128) with a flashed one I got on the web. The notebook updated FW and worked for quite some time then suddenly did not not started anymore. I think something crashed into the BIOS (spinning fan...no screen). So I took the original chip, flashed with cleared original FW (unlocker tool did a good job). PC back to work, FW updated...then again a couple of months...same issue. Spinning fan and no screen. Again took the other chip, flashed with saved dump...updated FW and back to work.
After last update I flashed both chips with same dump and they are ok. PC works with both chips. So chips are fine and dump is fine (I swapped many times to check them).
The chip is not soldered on the MB as I soldered a specific clip adapter to easily replace the chip. I wonder what the issue could be of this random crash from the bios. Any suggestion?

[RethoricalCheese]

Re: random BIOS issue HP 820 G3

Bad batteries might cause random issues. Both main battery and clock battery.

[vince59]

Re: random BIOS issue HP 820 G3

Hi, thanks for your kind reply. I am pretty sure both batteries are ok. And it happened just after switching on the PC while connected to home AC socket.

[RethoricalCheese]

Re: random BIOS issue HP 820 G3

Hmm, did not read the last line. When did you solder on the clip adapter? If before the issues started, that might be the problematic part. I have had problems with those before.

[vince59]

Re: random BIOS issue HP 820 G3

Hmm, did not read the last line. When did you solder on the clip adapter? If before the issues started, that might be the problematic part. I have had problems with those before.

As long as the original chip (pw blocked) was soldered I never had the issue.
The issue started after installation of adapter. I thought about this being the problem. But again I checked the soldering with the motherboard and they looks very good. The adpater is a good quality and good connections between pads and adpater are in place. I will check again the chip pads, clean and smooth pads wit very fine sandpaper. I will not solder back the chip as it is a wson package with large center pad and took me a while to remove it and I donot want to ruin the motherboard. I will check again and report.

[RethoricalCheese]

Re: random BIOS issue HP 820 G3

With adapters like these, it always seems to have a good connection but... Not really. I would ditch the adapter and solder that bios chip.

Just rethink about what you can do to make it easier.

That board handles plenty of heat. I have 400-420C with max airflow on my hot air station and the solder heats up in quick. Maybe 10 seconds max, no problem. Just remove the bios battery while you do it.

[vince59]

Re: random BIOS issue HP 820 G3

Thanks a lot for your suggestion and to encourage me to solder back the chip.
I have the hot air station but I am always scared about giving too much heat
BTW I cleaned with extrafine sandpaper the pads...sprayed with some electrical spray. Let us see what happens.
If it happens again ...chip will be soldered.