Acer Laptop with Phoenix BIOS: Enable Virtualization (Test Machine: Acer Aspire 9420)

i will do it.
And test it tomorrow.
By the way i think it would be better to change bios version or you already made it?

cheers
carlos

 

well just finished phlashing the bios and all went well. I flashed it with winphlash.(also i have prepared a crisis disk on a diskette in case anything went wrong, but didn't needed )
Slic 2.1 inserted and running
If you want to download
6930G modded bios and with slic 2.1

cheers
carlos

 

bad news (at least for me)
I had to revert to previous unmodded bios because my media keys didn't worked :cry:

cheers
carlos

 

hello guys
this thread is awesome :]
i have an acer aspire 7730G with an T6400 CPU which is not IVT comptible
but yesterday I bought a P8600 cpu which is said to support IVT and according to intel it is supported by my intel pm45 express chipset. i'm running a nvidia 9600m-gt in my laptop and 3 gb ddr2 ram @ 667 mhz

unfurtunately i'm german and my english is not so good to follow your tutorial..
but i need that hardware virtualization thingy for running windows on a linux hypervisor...

can anybody create an extended bios for me?
i'm still student and i can't effort a new notebook *sad*
please help me i would fall on my knees and kiss your feet if anybody could help me

 

Hi audiocore,

I can build the BIOS for you. Have you put the P8600 on your Aspire 7730G? It does works, doesn't it? I will post here the modified BIOS when it ready.

kizwan

 

This is the screenshot of the modified BIOS (Main menu). It is based on BIOS ver 3636 for Acer Aspire 7730G.


This is the modified BIOS file:-
Aspire 7730G BIOSv3636 Mod VT.rar

The BIOS flash tools for your computer (phlash16.exe for DOS & winplash.exe for windows) already included in the package. By the way, virtualization already enabled in the original BIOS ver 3636 but the VT menu is hidden.

I will not responsible for failed BIOS flash.

Translated to German:-
"Dies ist der Screenshot des modifizierten BIOS (Hauptmenü). Es basiert auf BIOS-basierte Version 3.636 für Acer Aspire 7730G.


Dies ist das modifizierte BIOS-Datei: -
http://www.mediafire.com/?mimjqqymzjm

Die BIOS-Flash-Tools für Ihren Computer (phlash16.exe für DOS & winplash.exe für Windows) bereits im Paket enthalten. By the way, Virtualisierung bereits aktiviert in der ursprünglichen BIOS Version 3636 aber die VT-Menü wird ausgeblendet.

Ich will nicht verantwortlich für gescheitert BIOS-Flash."

FYI, I'm not german. I just translate it using Google Translate.

EDIT: I check at Intel website for both of your CPUs (T6400 & P8600). Both CPUs supported Intel Speedstep Technology. So, I build another modified BIOS image with "Intel SpeedStep" menu unlocked. If you only want modified BIOS image with only VT menu unlocked, please use above BIOS image. This is the modified BIOS image with VT & SpeedStep menu unlocked.

http://www.mediafire.com/?fijzojvo0no

I will not responsible for failed BIOS flash.

kizwan

 

Today tried to phlash (again) the 6930g bios in dos with phlash16 and the same happens, no media keys working, so definitly i must revert to normal bios (but with slic 2.1).

@Darkening - Does your media keys work?

 

Can you revert to the original DSDT?

 

I reverted to a bios that i modded only with slic2.1(was installed before and running well) phlashed with winphlash and all went to normal behaviour, media keys are now working well.

cheers
carlos

 

Ö_Ö

thank you so much kizwan :]

I just did this post at school at 'bout 10 o clock and now its 14:33 and you have it already finished
thats just great man.. where did you get so much knowledge from?

Before school I did the money transaction for the ebayer who sold me the p8600

I think on thuesday the cpu arrives at my home.
then i'll rip my 7730g apart and change the cpus and flash the bios to test it

i just could repeat it a hundred times thank you so much

 

hayho.. its me again :]

i flashed your bios on my notebook cause I couldn't wait for the cpu being delivered
it looks something different to your screenie ._.
the advanced section is missing and the intel vt switch is missing...
the only change are the four switches from the keyboard section ._.

do I have to wait for my cpu that the bios can work correctly?

i've also found a VERY VERY huge libary of "modded" bioses...
BoerseBZ - Einzelnen Beitrag anzeigen - SLIC-BIOS-Modding - Liste fertiger BIOS (getestet und ungetestet) - Beitrag #1867117
i looked for my notebook.. downloaded the "correct" version
flashed it.. did a reboot..
well..
nothing happened exactly the same bios than the original one ...
what do I do wrong? I don't get any errors on winphlash...

 

Hi audiocore,

I believe the VT menu only visible when the CPU itself support it. That is why you didn't see it after flashing the modified BIOS image. I believe it will appear when you change the CPU with your new CPU, P8600.

As for the Advanced menu, does it visible with the original BIOS? I don't think so. For some reason, the Advanced section is not visible. That is why I put the unlocked menu in Main section. The screenshots in the post is only BIOS menu emulation using Phoenix BIOS Editor (software to modify & rebuild Phoenix BIOS image).

The modified BIOS image you downloaded from the website only for Windows 7 OEM offline activation. SLIC 2.0 is for Windows Vista while SLIC 2.1 is for Windows 7.

I have rebuild another modified BIOS image for your computer. This time Intel Speedstep menu unlocked. Intel Virtualization Technology menu also kept unlocked. Your current CPU (T6400) support Enhanced Intel Speedstep Technology, so you should see it in the Main section. Please go to post #156 to download the new modified BIOS image.

If you want your BIOS also included the SLIC 2.1, please let me know.

kizwan

 

oh i should read before post something i didn't know that those bios roms are just for unlocking

*wuh* speed step sounds great
is it this autoclock feature? that underclocks the cpu automatically?

hmm I don't really need slic my school is part of the microsoft academic alliance we get nearly every microsoft product for free x] its something like a reduced msdn (I would like it more if our school would be part of a organisation where you can take assessments on those linux LPI exams )

but many thanks to you again :]

i hope my cpu arrives soon.. i can't wait any longer

 

It is OK to flash the modified BIOS now or whenever you want. You don't have to wait your new CPU to arrive. If you flash it now, the virtualization menu will not appear but it will appear when you change the CPU to the new one when it arrived.

Intel Speedstep control the voltage & frequency. It will adjust the voltage & frequency to appropriate levels according to processor load. It is not for overclocking. When processor load is low, it will lower the voltage & frequency. So, you can say it underclock the CPU automatically. The power-conservation needs of mobile systems. Hence the battery run longer. Your current CPU (T6400) support Intel Speedstep Technology. The new CPU (P8600) also support it.

kizwan

 

hmm
I used winphlash (the bundled version with the speedstep modded bios)
now my screen is black..
it should reboot according to the shutdown screen :/
now my powerbutton lights blue like it runs normally.. i hear the harddrive like it would read or wirte since 30 minutes now...
is it normal? cause i know this from flashing my windows mobile phones roms.. on some phones it takes a long time.. depending on the rom not really on the phone.. is it the same on bios flashing?


is that normal?

 

Is this happen after or while flashing the BIOS image? It is not normal. If the BIOS flashed successfully but it failed to restart automatically, try turn OFF & ON again.

 

I think you should use a crisis disk to restore bios.

cheers
carlos

 

Yeah all the media keys work fine here. Have you installed Launch manager for your version of windows? Loaded Bios defaults?

Edit: I've just flashed your SLIC 2.1 version and the media keys are still fine.

 

ahm think this happened 'bout the time it was flashing block three or two... then the display went black

yeah i've heared of this crisis disk but somehow i do not really understand in which way a 2,080kbyte bios image And this tool can fit on a disk with 1,44MB
argh i have to look for a windows pc in this house i cant find one maybe my mothers one...

 

Hi darkening
can you please modify this 6930g bios file?. This one is the only that make my media keys work, (it has allready the slic2.1) although i don't know why.

thanks
carlos

 

All of the information about the best way to flash BIOS & how to recover failed BIOS flash already available at post #2 in this thread. It is obvious that your BIOS image wouldn't fit in floppy disk. You will need to use USB flash drive to recover your BIOS. Download the Crisis Recovery Disk package at post #2 & create your Crisis Recovery Disk using USB flash drive. Remember to replace BIOS image file with BIOS image file for your computer. Follow step-by-step instruction on how to recover your BIOS at post #2.

Please let me know if you need any further help.

kizwan

 

hmm only one question...

can i recover my bios using your VT modded bios?
or do I just need an original acer bios?

cause this VT modded one worked fine for me ^-^

 

humm I'd follow your instructions, but

i tried a floppy drive.. it didn't work as you already said
I tried a floppy drive using the "compressed binary" option.. still too large for a floppy disk

then i searched for a usb key.. i chose the smallest one (256MB) and formatted it to FAT (not FAT32)
then i used the standard settings of wincris and made this recoverystick
followed the next instructions you made.. but everytime i start a new try it doesnt work..

after 5 seconds the usb keys led stop blinking and i could wait dozens of minutes... nothing happens.. the power led blinks the power button blinks no beep sounds...

maybe the usb key is still too large?

 

The modified BIOS with VT menu unlocked can be use. The modified BIOS with Speedstep menu unlocked also can be use.

When you create the Crisis Recovery Disk, just accept the default setting. Did you rename the BIOS image to BIOS.WPH? Make sure you do like this when creating the Crisis Recovery Disk:-
1) Plug-in USB flash drive
2) Execute "WINCRIS.EXE" & create Crisis Recovery Disk. If it ask to format the drive, just say yes & format.
3) Delete "BIOS.WPH" file in the USB flash drive.
4) Copy your BIOS image file, "ZY2_3636.WPH", to the USB flash drive.
5) In USB flash drive, rename "ZY2_3636.WPH" to "BIOS.WPH".
6) Replace "phlash16.exe" in the USB flash drive with "phlash16.exe" taken from the BIOS package file (from the original or modifed BIOS package).

Continue with the recovery. Please let it run 15-20 minute to be sure.

kizwan

 

YourBios
I've quickly had a look at this in PBE and I think it's okay menu wise. Let me know.

 

I did it exactly the way you said...
nothing happens *sad*
I left it running for 27 minutes now... still black screen, still blinkin power leds and so on..
is there absolutely no other way to get a working bios on the machine?

I'm depending on people like you.. cause my warranty ran out 3 months ago.. and acer wants to be paid for support.. even for EMAIL support >_< i swear you I'll never buy an acer again >_<

but I read on the homepage of the man who created wincris, that wincris doesn't work and the users are supposed to use the dos solution... but that is not possible for me because i need to use a usb key for flashing... so what is correct and what is wrong?

i'm getting more and more confused ._.

 

Step 6 is the one that didn't work for me. I had to use a newer version of phlash16.exe than the one that came with the bios. I think the latest one is in bobs tool. Look back in this thread to my post about finding a wincris solution that worked for me, pretty sure I named the version in that post. I know its a ballache but I literally went through all the versions of phlash16 I could find online but had missed the one in bobs tools, go figure.

Files that worked for me

 

OK. Try this method:-
1) Disconnect both battery & power cord.
2) Plug-in only the USB flash drive.
3) Plug-in the power cord.
4) Turn ON your computer.
5) Let it run itself & if it successful, it will restart itself. (Wait for 15-20 minutes just in case)

Let me know how it goes. Don't worry.

kizwan

 

hmm but some error analysis...

i can't try every phlash16 version if i would wait 15-20 minutes for each one

can you say if the usbkeys light stops blinking it doesn't read or write at all?
in normal everyday use it seems to be the case..
so if the usb keys light stops blinking 5 seconds after going into this recoverymode it should be failed?

and now for kizwan

i tried this method.. but hm.. the usb keys light doesn't light at all its restin dark...

i've came across some other solutions..
on mydigitallife.com there is some guy who wrote a tutorial for all phoenix bioses.. sadly it is from 2008 where he says that on his method only a few models can boot from a usb key...

 

I found service manual for Acer Aspire 7730/7730G. In the manual it explain how to recover your BIOS.

The step is similar with the one I wrote at post #2. Try create again the Crisis Recovery Disk:-
1) Plug-in USB flash drive
2) Execute "WINCRIS.EXE" & create Crisis Recovery Disk. If it ask to format the drive, just say yes & format.
3) Delete "BIOS.WPH" file in the USB flash drive.
4) Copy your BIOS image file, "ZY2_3636.WPH", to the USB flash drive.
5) In USB flash drive, rename "ZY2_3636.WPH" to "BIOS.WPH".
6) In USB flash drive, duplicate "BIOS.WPH" file & rename the new one to "JAL90x64.fd"
This way, there will be two identical BIOS image file in the USB flash drive but with different name (one is "BIOS.WPH" & the other one is "JAL90x64.fd").

Let me know what happen.

 

humm the usb key is flashing a few seconds longer..
then it stops

i'm gonna try now the other version of the phlasher which darkening advised me to use...

 

How long did you wait? The USB key is flashing is the first part of the process. It read the BIOS image file first then flash it to BIOS chip. While it flash to BIOS chip, USB key will not flashing.

 

ok ok i was just askin while waiting...
but I'm still waiting

 

OK. No problem. It looks like too long right now. Already more than 15 minutes. Now try different version of "phlash16.exe" file. Try the latest version first.

 

It worked. Thanks Darkening

I suggest that when modding bios like is being done here it would be nice to also change the bios version so that you know that the bios was modded (ex. digit increase in this bios it woul be v0.3240) this way if you search for an official bios you will see different version numbers.

once again thanks
Carlos

 

This is taken from a sop for restoring bios with crisis disk
1.Press Esc + Fn + Power all together at once (Pic 1), system will power on (for 1 second) then release all key pads
2. When system power off, press Fn+ Esc (Pic 2) and wait for system to power on again (about 4 seconds) .
3. Crisis disk executing, FDD should be reading for about 15 seconds.
4. System will power off on crisis disk executing completion .
5. Reboot system

Here is the crisis disk for 7730 with official recovery bios

cheers
Carlos

 

No offense, but don't make things confusing as it already is. I already posted the SOP to recover BIOS for Acer Aspire 7730G. It is taken from service manual for Acer Aspire 7730G. AFAIK, with different model (even with same manufacturer), the recovery process might slightly different.

Please let audiocore try it one at a time. I hope you understand my concerns.

kizwan

 

ok, sorry (i typped wrongly the crisis i indicated is for 7730 and not 7740) and is taken from acer official service support as well as the crisis steps.

carlos

 

ok.. i tried now 4 different verions of phlasher. 3 before lunch and one during lunch...
i could only recognize the different versions by the different file size.. now I have no other versions.

none of these worked for me ._.

do you think it can be possible that I can find out the phone number of the acer labs.. the place where those specialists are repairing such cases?
If i ask the phone support to redirect me to different departments?

 

@lloco73

i tried your tutorial..
the difference in behavior of my notebook shows like this:
i plug in my usb key
i plug in the ac while pressing fn+esc
then i'm still holding fn+esc and now power
all these for one second
i release them
now system is off
and instantly power on without pressing fn+esc again
then the flash drive works according to led activity for about 10 seconds
now the power led and the power buttons on my notebook stop flashing
and are ?lighting?(don't know the correct word ) permanent
now I'm waiting...

i'm afk for a short time.. i have to solder my usb-fdd adaptor.. for some reason one of the wires has no contact

 

This is very weird. I can confirm it already enter the recovery mode but I'm puzzled why it didn't work. I believe the steps you have taken already correct.

On some Dell notebook, BIOS recovery can only successful with specific version of phlash16.exe file. This is the WINCRIS for Dell, hope it works for Acer Aspire 7730G too.
EDIT: Download link removed.

The step to recover your BIOS still involving the Fn+ESC button. Also don't forget to replace the BIOS.WPH file with yours.

kizwan

 

Connect pendrive run wincris.exe and will format pendrive and copy 3 files on it.
FDD will not do cause bios file is too large, must be usb pen drive.
The times i must make a recovery by crisis disk i made this:
1-battery and power cord connected.
2-Press FN+Esc+power button
3-release power button after lights show
4-wait a few minutes (4-5)
5-system should boot.

 

Image for step 1

 

@audiocore, this is the service manual for Acer Aspire 7730/7730G.
service-manual-Acer-Aspire-7730-7730G.pdf

In the document, it already explained how to recover the corrupted BIOS.

@lloco73, audiocore already successfully booting his computer with the recovery mode. This proved by the USB key flashing, meaning BIOS Boot Block trying to read the BIOS image file from the USB key. The procedure he take already correct.

kizwan

 

yea yea i got it already.. i just needed to solder this fdd adaptor.. i was still using a pendrive..
the manual i also downloaded yet..

i'm now trying the phlasher version for this dell machine

 

ouh ._.

now my power button doesn't work at all ._.

no lights

nothing ._.

 

I'm done..

think I'm takin a shower and go on the barbecue of my school class...

see you tomorrow...

maybe acer can repair it for me.. hope it won't be too expensive..

it doesn't make any sound and no lights.. with accu without accu nothing... with keyboard combo without keyboard combo.. it seems dead.. really dead...

 

I'm so sorry audiocore. I hope it is not expensive to get it repaired. BIOS Boot Block is the final fail-safe mechanism to recover the corrupted BIOS. I feel sorry because it is not working for you.

This is just for your information, there is no chance that Boot Block can be corrupted unless we "touch" it (for example by executing "phlash16.exe /BBL").

kizwan

 

the bbl command ._.
wouh >_<


i had another tutorial.. where they advised to include an autoexec.bat file and build the minidos on your own from existing minidos files and so on.. and there was a bios image from a dell notebook which i replaced by the original acer 7730G bios..

so it's completely my fault..

you don't have to feel sorry...

hmm yeah.. most companys just replace the mainboard cause they think that finding the fault on the mainboard and soldering on a four layer pcb is too difficult and takes too much time...
the price for motherboard replacement is in germany always around 300-400 euros.. which corresponds about 300 (or 400) * 1.30 (think thats teh current exchange from euro to us-dollars) so yeah.. 400- 530 dollars are easily possible..so I think I'll buy a completely new one with the same cpu socket that I can use the cpu I already bought on ebay with maybe a better graphics card...

 

Closed by request.