[maxorbit]

I have the same problem with my Aspire 4535 . Which USB port did you use? I tried them all but nothing worked. I can't see power coming on to light up the thumbdrive. I hold fn+esc and when I plug in the power cable the power button flashes once then the fan comes on high and it stays that way until I unplug th epower.

 

[maxorbit]

its a hardware problem

the bios update routine is just pure coincidence

Well, that very well could be but I'll try the the process as a last resort. Thanks for th ereply.