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    Acer emergency BIOS flash?

    Discussion in 'Acer' started by DRevan, Nov 6, 2018.

  1. DRevan

    DRevan Notebook Virtuoso

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    Hi!
    I uploaded a modded BIOS with SPI programmer on my Acer Aspire A717 - 72.
    It booted but after undervolting in the BIOS and rebooting it seems the BIOS died (Insyde BIOS)
    Fans spin up then stop and kb lights up, but nothing happens.

    Unplugging battery and cmos battery did not help.

    I do not have the SPI programmer right now, but would it be possible to blind flash the original BIOS from usb?

    I have the original untouched .bin.

    Thank you!
     
    DRevan, Nov 6, 2018
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  2. DRevan

    DRevan Notebook Virtuoso

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    I will answer my own question: probably to make it hard for thieves to remove the BIOS password, Acer has removed the CMOS reset pins from under the RAMs (it was there with the Skylake model).

    The pins are now above the RAM's, if you remove the panel to the RAMs, you can see a small square which cut out from the plastic, it is in there. However sorting that out is not enough. While sorting that you also need to press the battery detach button the same time for about 20 sec. If you don't do both, the CMOS will not reset.
     
    DRevan, Nov 15, 2018
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  3. t456

    t456 1977-09-05, 12:56:00 UTC

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    A CMOS reset will not clear a bios password. Wouldn't be much of a security measure if it were that easy.

    The blind flash would not have worked; that overvolt was far too severe for that. CMOS reset is a lot safer anyway, having no risk of half a flash and another run with the programmer.
     
    t456, Nov 15, 2018
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