5102WLMi BIOS update?

My 5102WLMi has BIOS v 1.4. The Acer drivers download page has a BIOS flash available for v 2.0. Of course the Acer site doesn't have any info regarding the BIOS update.

I'm wondering if anyone has flashed their BIOS on this notebook, and if so what were the results? What additions, if any, did you see in the BIOS?

I know that upgrading to the latest software version isn't always the best thing. I'd like to not be the guinea pig on this one.

TIA

 

Look at the release notes to find out exactly what improvements the latest BIOS will bring.
Download the file and there should be at least a readme or a text file showing what's changed.

off topic: maybe you should just open one topic with all your problems?

 

Has anyone else found the Acer web site severely lacking as far as a technical 'frequently asked questions' section and help menus?

True, you can download the latest Bios, but (unless the release notes say anything), there is no step by step procedure for performing the actual Flash.

Perhaps for people who know a lot about notebooks, the procedure is very basic. (I've done it many times on desktops and it's probably the same or similar).

Still, I would be afraid to do it on my notebook until I knew precisely what the step by step procedure was....a bad flash is bad news, and perhaps there is a subtle difference when flashing a notebook as opposed to a desktop.


Some manufacturer's websites have VERY extensive model specific help menus....I'm afraid Acer isn't one of them.

They don't even have my specific model (5102) listed yet. (I realize the 5100 DL's would be basically the same).

Still, step by step basic procedures for how to install new Ram, flashing Bios, and other common solutions to basic questions would certainly be nice.

Their site is about as basic a site as I have ever come across when it comes to the software/hardware support, or the frequently asked questions section.

For that matter, even the .pdf help document that came with the laptop doesn't answer basic questions about how to install memory, type to use, etc.

Again, for the Notebook savvy, no problem...but for the new user theses are questions that should be readily available.

 

Yeah, I hear ya, however that would be on LONG topic .

Seriously, I don't want to clog up one thread with multiple issues. I think it's easier for people to respond to individual issues than try and cover them all in one.

Thanks for the info re: the bios. I'll look for some release notes.

 

off topic: gtoddh, nu problem. T'was just a thought.
still off topic: Acer's site DOES su*k. Verry little info. Also, I couldn't seem to find some official forum where Acer techies reply to clients' questions/problems.

 

Nicolin there isnt a site where Technicians respond to your questions. (mainly because it would take so long).
However there is a Acer Texas Technician on NoteBookFourms (in the Acer section)
I found that NoteBookReview and NoteBookForums have large bodies of knowlagable people who can help.
Indeedy I'm here all the time and can help

 

Looked for release notes with the BIOS flash download, there aren't any. I haven't been able to find any info on the Acer site about the BIOS update.

Again I ask - has anyone done the BIOS flash update, and if so what changes did you see?

 

:/
I downloaded the Bios from the Acer site.. Opened it.. guess what i saw a .TXT document with RELEASE as its title... Hrmm that may just be the release notes there.
Here are the updates from V1.4 to V2.0
01. Update VBIOS for real graphics clock with M62 and M66.
02. Correct CPU brand name from ML-36 to MK-36.
03. Improve C3 State for Single Core CPU of UMA Platform.
04. Fix "CPU Type" & "VGA BIOS Version" string in Setup will error
05. To stop charge whne flash BIOS to solve Panasonic battery issue.
06. Add Workaround for CMOS Load Default HDD String Lost Issue
07. Include ATI-M62P/M66P VBIOS and take off ATI-M52PG/M54P VBIOS.
08. Modify JP K/B matrix.
09. Solved post code stop at 38h for SMT line.
10. Fix "system will throttle on idle mode with 4 cells battery".
11. Modify UMA VRAM Share Memory Code for S4 Resume Stop Issue
when First Boot into Windows OS after Flash BIOS.
12. Fix Discrete ATI RegCheck Fail when First Boot into
Windows OS after Flash BIOS. (Warm Boot Hang Up)
13. Remove EC version in Setup Menu
14. Fix the wrong string display on SATA Hdd password input when
ESC key pressed (HDD password OIL V1.53).
15. Fix FIR Yellow Mark Issue, Fix FIR Resource at IRQ3/DMA3
for Match ACER BIOS Spec.
16. Fix Discrete M56 Platform play DVD has garbage on LCD and CRT
when into powerplay mode.
17. Workaround for ODD Lost Issue
18. Fix Discrete Platform BlueTooth Communication cause BlueScreen.
19. Fix Discrete Platform Camera Delay Issue

Enjoy

 

Interesting...

What was the name of the file you downloaded, and from which area of the site did you download it, and for which model notebook?

The name of the file I got(from the panam site, for the 5100 series notebook) is:

AS31-51-5110_Flash_v200.zip

It contains the following 3 files:

cw51200.ROM
cw51200.WPH
flash32.exe

There is no RELEASE.TXT file in this download.

Anyway...thanks for the info. Have you seen any more explicit directions besided 'run the executable'?

Thanks.

 

Flashed mine. Xpress 1100 video is still using plain PCI bus, and so is still the slowest card I've owned since my GeForce2

 

Am I the only with a 5102 that understands this is an onboard system memory shared video card??? I would think it would use a PCI bus because that's what the system sees it as because IT'S ONBOARD! If it was a stand alone video card with it's own memory, and it was plugged into a PCI-express 16x slot, then I could understand your issues. If it's slow, look into the reason why it would be slowing down. The slowest thing on these laptops are the hard drives RPM's. Then try and get more RAM, so that you have more system ram available after your video card sucks 128mbs of it.