Acer 1714SMi Spin Down Solution

I don't want to get peoples hopes up just yet, but I think I have found an updated BIOS which seems to correct a common annoyance for other Acer 1714SMi users.

The hard drive has a nasty habit of keep powering down when you are using the laptop; it could be a game, application, whatever the hard drive spins down to cause the laptop to pause for 5 seconds or so before spinning back into life again and carrying on where you left off. This was a right pain in the neck.

The updated BIOS can fe found at the following address:

ftp://ftp.support.acer-euro.com/notebook/aspire_1710/bios/as1710-3a19.zip

The following comments were found in the Revision notes contained within the zip file:

BIOS Changes:
1. Fix issue: HDD auto spin down when OS setting is 'NEVER'.
Solution: Disable S.M.A.R.T. feature of HDD.

Fingers crossed this will solve the problem for a lot of you out there.

Regards,
Gary Sheldon
Iglooweb Ltd

 

I am have now taken this BIOS update with ACER and they have stated that the upgrade will invalidate your warranty.

If your laptop is under warranty; you can send it back to them free or charge and they will up date the BIOS for you. The process will take approaximetly 5 working days.

Regards,
Gary Sheldon
Iglooweb Ltd

 

I just go my new Acer Aspire 1714SMi and I thought what the hell so I used WinPHlash from the Acer website along with the new BIOS and Robert's your fathers brother it worked like a charm and no sign of the spindown in two days.

Yeeehaaaa!!

NB:
I must stress that this can invalidate your warranty if it goes wrong.

Regards,
Gary Sheldon
Iglooweb Ltd

 

Hi Gary,

Just so I understand what you did ....
Could you explain how you upgraded the BIOS when the 1714SMi doesn't have a floppy drive ? Did you put one on ?
I downloaded the as1710-3a19.zip file from the ACER site.
What shall I do with it ?

Many thanks for a hint in that silly remark

Pascal
Dynamic Graphics Ltd

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by Iglooweb Ltd

 

Hi Pascal

Please note the following instructions worked for me perfectly but I cannot guarantee they will work for you, please take care when following these instructions and backup any important data from your system first before attempting this update procedure.

This process may invalidate your warranty and if it goes wrong could render your system inoperable.

Any way enough of the saving my arse, on with the procedure:

Download WinPhlash from the following location and install:

ftp://ftp.support.acer-euro.com/utilities/winphlash/winphlash-utility.zip

Download the new bios from the following location and extract the file contents to the c rogram filesphoenix technologieswinplash directory:

ftp://ftp.support.acer-euro.com/notebook/aspire_1710/bios/as1710-3a19.zip

Restart your system them click WinPhlash to start the process.

Once WinPhlash is open ensure that the option Backup BIOS and Flash BIOS with new settings is selected, then under the BIOS Settings Location section do the following:

First you need to specify the location to backup the current BIOS which should default to the installed WinPhlash directory so you don't really need to do anything here.

Second you need to specify the location and filename of the new BIOS, just click browse and the DT33A19.WPH should be in the same directory as where WinPlash has been installed, double-click the file to select.

Now double check that you have all these settings correct and click the Flash BIOS button and keep your fingers crossed.

Regards,
Gary Sheldon
Iglooweb Ltd

 

Hi Gary,

Hourra ! as we say in French ![ ]

It works!! I followed all your instruction carefully and it all worked fine and took 2 minutes to do !
Many many thanks for this quick and easy solution. no more spining down.
You're a star and hats off for you !

Pascal

Pascal
Dynamic Graphics Ltd.