Phoenix WinPhlash utility: error -144
Putting this up there in case anyone else runs into this weird error. Also trying to write the text using all the search terms I used.
The BIOS for my Dell MIni 9 was at A04, and Dell have just released a newer version A05. So I downloaded it onto my machine from their support center and started the flashing process. The update uses Pheonix' WinPhlash program to flash the BIOS.
Actually let's back up. You download an executable, sure, but what it does is to unpack itself in some folder or other and then execute the WinPhlash program. This pops up the main window/dialog for the app but auto-executes it. You don't have to click the Flash Bios button at all. All great until, wham, I got an error dialog stating that the BIOS was not flashable. Exclamation mark. Error -144.
The error dialog said to view the help file for troubleshooting (and there was the button for it in the dialog underneath), but on clicking the OK button for the error dialog, the program just went away. Nice.
So I went to find the folder into which the app had been unpacked (by default, C:\Windows\Temp\WINPHLASH) and ran the WinPhlash.exe app manually. And then went back and ran it as Administrator, for of course it wouldn't run otherwise. Clicked on the Help button to view the help file. Said help file of course had absolutely no troubleshooting page, let alone a list of error numbers and descriptions. I know, because I viewed every page in the help. Completely useless. Thanks, Phoenix Technologies.
So I googled for a while, varying my search terms, and eventually came across a hint that the error meant that you shouldn't flash while on battery power. You should only flash the BIOS when plugged into a power socket.
And, by gum, it was right. I plugged my fully-charged Mini 9 into a power socket and the flashing process went off without a hitch. So error -144 means "Plug your laptop in to flash the BIOS". The BIOS is flashable, just not on battery power.
Now playing:
Queen - Flash
(from Greatest Hits)
Apart from that, an ex-pat Brit, atheist, microbrew enthusiast, Pet Shop Boys fanboy, slide rule and HP calculator collector, amateur photographer, Altoids muncher.
8 Responses
kunmoni said...
many thks. i spent 2h after upgrading my mini on win7 and got the same issue...quite easy solution but not logical at all.
Alex said...
Tks!!!! I spent a lot of time before reading it!
Kyle said...
I have an alienware m17x , and i am trying to get to A05, but i get this error... thing is... my laptop is plugged in...
julian m bucknall said...
Kyle: Can't help you there I'm afraid, apart from asking whether the laptop actually recognizes that the power adapter is plugged in and supplying juice. Maybe there's an intermittent physical/hardware problem?
Cheers, Julian
Leon Romeeo said...
thanks you very match!
Edwin Mary said...
Like Kyle, my power adapter will not charge the notebook when switched on. It only charges while the notebook on on sleep mode on when switched off. So I'm in a quagmire as to how to update the BIOS. Suggestions will be appreciated.
Regards
hai said...
My laptop runs on AC adapter, battery has been detached, this solution does not fix mine.
what else?
julian m bucknall said...
All: I have one machine which has a Phoenix BIOS that is flashable with WinPhlash. The solution to the scenario I described above worked for me 18 months ago. I offer no guarantee that it will work for you with anything other than a Dell Mini 9, flashing from A04 to A05. I can't generalize to any other BIOS, any other machine, any other configuration, any other manufacturer, because I just don't own them. Heck, I haven't even used the Mini 9 for over six months anyway.
So, if this solution doesn't work for you, I really can't help. It's pointless asking me; you should be asking your PC manufacturer or Phoenix.
Cheers, Julian
Leave a Response