I cycled the power with a flash drive loaded with an older BIOS version inside the yellow USB port as mandated. With the computer's entrails still exposed, I popped both hard drives out of the motherboard. Apparently, the latest BIOS update was causing some SSDs to become unrecognized. The forum offered one more suggestion that appeared to work. The computer was dead, and perhaps in a few weeks I’d get it back without having to purchase a new one. Despite my misguided rescue attempts, they agreed this was initiated by the Intel Driver and Support Assistant and issued a return merchandise authorization. Intel support quickly concluded I’d need a replacement. It wasn't until I tore my computer apart that I discovered it might still be under warranty. At this point, it was clear I’d need a new computer, or at the very least would need to replace the motherboard. Even if the BIOS update hadn’t turned my beloved computer into a defunct brick, I most certainly had done so with my Frankensteinesque manipulation of the internal components. I was suddenly aware of my lack of attention to detail and precision as I set to work. This maneuver felt extra challenging with the ultra-small form factor NUC and its tightly compacted components. The plastic needed to be removed from a few delicate metal prongs and placed on two different, just as fragile spikes. This process involved removing the case of the computer to find the minuscule CMOS battery as well as a near-microscopic yellow piece of plastic, both on the motherboard. I gathered my miniature screwdriver set to attempt the update via security jumper.

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