Am I using the correct InsydeFlash BIOS utility?

Would someone please verify that the utility used to flash the BIOS on my new Acer laptop looks like it does in the attached image? Because flashing a BIOS is a pretty serious thing to do with a purchase that costs $500+, I was surprised to see a picture of a CRT monitor wearing a wizard hat using a pencil to erase something. Also the use of non standard fonts is disturbing.

All kidding aside, more importantly, are all ACER bios releases unsigned?

The attached picture is of the Insyde InsydeFlash utility for a 4810T v1.28 BIOS.

Thanks.

 

I downloaded mine from acer and that's what it looked like for me, but then again mine screwed up because of a verify error. If you want to be safer about it you could do it through dos, after recovering from a failed attempt I updated through dos with no problems.

Also not sure if this is just a screenshot from somewhere else but it's the same version bios.

 

Yep, I've used the same program to successfully flash my bios several times, without error.

 

yep. see how it has the codename JM41.

looks like your updating from version 1.28 to 1.28

no need to update if the versions are the same.

 

Thanks guys for the quick reply. That makes me feel better. Yeah, this screen shot was taken after I had already flashed, I was just making sure I had done the right thing.

 

And how did you recover from a failed attempt?
I just bricked my 4810t thanks to that windows flasher :S

 

Check this thread, hopefully the same method will work for you too.

 

Thanks, already tried a gazillion filenames with no success

 

same method, but must be named "JM41X64.FD", for the 4810/5810 series

as always, make sure you have the correct bios for you unit.

 

Are you sure of this, or is it only a guess?
I've tried that name too, with no luck :S
Here's what I'm doing:

I download the 1.28 bios from the acer site.
I rename the GPC_v128.bin to JM41X64.FD (and JM41X64.BIN, and etc).
I put those files and FLASH_IT.EXE (without the underscore) and FLASH.BAT on a 1GB USB thumb drive.
I plug it in, hold FN+ESC, press the power button... and blank screen.

I'm running out of options =/

 

try bios 1.26

there is a bad 1.28 going around that will brick your unit even if flashed correctly.

 

I got home now and will try it right away with a freshly formatted 256mb usb.
Are there any successful attempts on this with the 4810t? :S

Edit: Doesn't work, I've done everything by the book and it doesn't even seem to be trying. Power light turns on (white) and stays that way, no matter what I do. =/

Edit2: My usb's light doesn't even flash (it has a led to indicate activity). Could it be they've changed the key combination? :S

Edit3: Nothing I can do about this... going to the store...

 

Hi Arlanthir,
I could not get my usb drive to work either so I renamed and burned the bios onto a dvd and it worked within a couple of minutes. Also I had to hold FN and ESC before plugging it in.

 

Thanks for the input
Do you confirm the filename is JM41X64.fd?
Store says they'll give me the money if I drop by with the card that bought it, but if I can recover it before that, the better...

My CD drive doesn't open, I'll have to use a clip to force it, hope that works.

Edit: Ok, it tried to read the CD, but nothing more happened... Could you post the detailed steps please? You'll be my hero if this works

 

My laptop is an aspire 5315 so it's a little different but it's code name is icl50 and I had to rename mine to icl50hw.fd and as your laptop has the code name jm41 and everyone else here is saying that is the correct name so I'm sure it is. I'll try to be as detailed as possible on what I did to help you out.

When you go to burn off the bios make sure to use iso mode and to finalize the disc.

There is a small hole usually next to the button that you can put something thin inside like a needle or paper clip and has a button inside to open the drive so you don't have to force it open.

after you put the disc in take out the battery and unplug the laptop then while holding fn + esc plug the the laptop back in then press the power button, continue to hold fn and esc the whole time. You'll hear the laptop power up the fan will be pretty loud as it runs at full power (did with mine anyway).

after about 2 minutes the laptop will shut down when it does you can unplug the laptop and put the battery back in and plug it back in.

also if this method still doesn't work not sure if you formatted you usb thumbdrive as fat first but if not you can give it another whirl.

 

Thanks, did all that before and nothing worked.
I just got my money back... I'm sick of this. Now the only place that has them is 200€ more expensive so I'm going to try to get them to lower the price for me. They probably won't, so.... Tough luck.

Thanks anyway.

 

Try JM41.fd
There shouldn't be any x64 behind it only indicates it is 64bit.
In Emergency recovery it is DOS mode and it is never 64bit.

 

As I said, I don't have the PC with me anymore, but I think I tried that filename as well :S

Thanks for the input anyway, might be useful for a luckier guy.