This evening I thought I'd install the most recent firmware update A09 for my new Dell XPS 1645 laptop. I downloaded the installer and ran it, and it automatically started the update.

Then it got stuck.

I left it for a fair while, but the progress bar was not moving, and then I discovered the mouse and keyboard were also not responding. Holding down the power-button had no effect, so the only way to power off was to remove the battery.

A call to Dell support revealed that as it is a hardware problem I need to talk to their hardware support line which is only open 8am – 8pm (and it was already past 8pm).

So tomorrow morning I'll be on the phone to see what can be done. Very frustrating.