Failed Bios Update and Other Problems

A Dell laptop that I got around September worked fine at first, but about two weeks ago it stopped charging. I was meet with messages that said the charger adapter type and power could not be determined. Though my battery would not charge, it was still able to use energy provided by the adapter to run. After getting sick of not being able to unplug my laptop, I stumbled upon this post: http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/laptop/f/3518/t/19451836

The employee who responded to this post claimed there was a fix to this problem, that fix being a BIOS update. I followed the instructions given. I downloaded the system detect program as to not use the wrong files. After it detected what system I had, it gave me the appropriate files. Keep in mind, I am still on Dells website and following the advice of a Dell employee. After the files had downloaded, I double-clicked and ran it. I was given a prompt that I should close all other programs before a continued with the update. I did so. After that, things went down hill. It got through a small portion of the update before my mouse froze. The fans in my laptop were on full blast. I had no choice but to hard reset. Now my laptop is unable to boot. I am at a loss as what to do. I cannot afford a new laptop;  the money just isn't there. I can't repair it either, money still being a huge issue. I am taking very demanding courses in school right now; a computer is a necessity, not just a need if I wish to be successful. 

I would not have made this post if it were not for the fact that this was the advice of a certified Dell employee, and I followed the instructions of Dell and I used files that were provided by Dell. I was given no waning that doing a BIOS update could result in this. Because of this, I believe that Dell should be able to compensate me in some way.