Aspire 5102WLMi BIOS Update- How?

Sorry if this has been asked a million times before, but could someone PLEASE tell me once and for all EXACTLY how to update the BIOS on my 5102WLMi?

(I'm not even going to do it right now, but I would REALLY like to know how for future reference, and I can't find any specific information).

I mentioned this in an unrelated thread before, and someone said:

"Heck, It's really easy, just download the latest bios, double click the downloaded file, and reboot ".

Well, sure sounds easy enough huh???
However......

I've downloaded and unzipped the Latest BIOS (v3.05).

This contains a Folder "cw51305".
Inside that folder are two sub-folders (A "Dos" Folder and a "Windows" folder)

So far, no problem...I realize there are two different ways to do it. (And if it's anything like the many desktops I've done, I would think it's safer to NOT do it in Windows.

But for the sake of discussion, lets say I wanted to do it in Windows.
Here's the part I don't understand.

Within the included folder of the Windows version of the BIOS are several files (8 to be exact), including a couple of ROM files, an "OSFLASH.BAT" file and a couple of .exe files (Including a "Flash32.exe" and an "mmmm.exe" file).


I would assume you would double click the "Flash32.exe" and hopefully follow some instructions.
But since there is no "readme.txt" file included whatsoever (just release notes), I really don't know for sure.

Maybe you double click the OSFLASH.BAT?
The mmmm.exe?


If someone who has done this several times would explain it step by step, I would appreciate it.

I've flashed the BIOS on many a desktop (usually with a bootable floppy, and the BIOS update always included instructions).
But I've NEVER done it on a Laptop.

I would like to know how you do it without ending up with an expensive paperweight.


I can't believe that specific instructions aren't included with the BIOS, nor can I find any on the Acer web site that apply specifically to the 5102 (Maybe I'm just not looking in the right place....have you seen them before?)


Thanks for any help.

 

(The readme file inside of the "bios 3.05" folder says to flash inside of windows to run the osflash.bat but I never used it and have always just run flash32.exe as the .bat file will still call flash32.exe )

So flash32.exe is what you run inorder to flash the bios on the 5102. I know what you mean by DOS being safer but notebooks these days don't have floppy drives so just use the exe and you will be fine. Flash32.exe should be inside the cw5103 folder and then look inside the windows folder. I did this several times over the last few months each time acer updates the BIOS.

As always when flashing the BIOS close all programs (I even exit my antivirus and firewall programs to make sure they don't interfere), plug your notebook into the wall and then run flash32.exe. It will save your current BIOS and then begin the flash process, you will see it start to erase then zero out and then reprogram the BIOS blocks; on the 5100 series there are 17 blocks that this needs to be done to. Once it is finished if you cannot move the mouse or use the keyboard then wait a few seconds and it will automatically restart the system for you. Once it does go into the BIOS (f2 at POST screen) and have a look around and see if everything is to your liking, and you are done.

 

Thank you Evolution!

That's the thing...my zipped Folder didn't even come with a readme file.
(I downloaded the Bios from the Acer USA site, Service and Support, Drivers and Downloads, and it came in a .pdf list of drivers and software...for the Aspire 5100, Windows XP).

Like I said, it had a "release"(notes).txt for the various Bios version changes, but no readme file or instructions on how to do it at all.


I guess it doesn't matter that I got no readme file though, since you mentioned it says to use the osflash.bat.

Instead, I'll do as you said, and run the "Flash32.exe". (If I had to "guess", that's probably the one I would have run).


And yes, the Flash32.exe is already inside the included "Windows" version folder of the Bios. (Along with the osflash.bat and 6 other files).


I'll definitely do as you say and make sure every other program is closed too....and that I have AC power. (I know it can VERY bad to lose power during a Bios flash)

Like I said, I've NEVER flashed a Bios from within Windows, so it makes me a little nervous.


Again, thanks a lot for the Info Evolution!

I don't know why I've had such a hard time finding any sort of instructions, or even a readme file.
Guess I've been looking in the wrong places.

Appreciate it!