BIOS v3238 UPGRADE for 6930G

Hi, I am new and this is my first post.

I am looking for advice on upgrading my BIOS from v0.3204 to v3238. Current Laptop Setup:

Original BIOS v0.3204

Acer 6930G - T6400, 4GB DDR2 and 9600MGT 1GB Graphics GPU.
Plus the usual Hidden Acer Recovery Partitions.

I am currently using VISTA SP2 32bit but I plan to soon install Windows 7 64bit FULL CLEAN INSTALL.

The global acer website currently doesn't list my current BIOS (v0.3204) but does list a new BIOS of v3238 released NOV 2009.

Questions:

1. Is my laptop compatible with BIOS v3238 ?
2. Is it worth upgrading the BIOS to v3238 ?
3. Is BIOS v3238 needed for Windows 7 - 64bit to run better
4. Will VISTA SP2 still work with BIOS v3238

Additionally, if you look in the acer Bios zip file there is also a DOS folder containing the file zk2_3238.exe (eg DOS\zk2_3238.exe).

5. Is it therefore best to create a DOS Boot USB DISK and Flash the Bios using the DOS EXE given above (since I have heard bad things about windows flash)?
6. And finally, once the new Bios v3238 has been flashed/upgraded, do you need to do anything else for the Laptop to function as an Acer Laptop (eg will it recognise everything)?

I would be grateful for any advice.
Sienna

 

I have BIOS 3204 and it runs fine. A general rule is that if you don't have to update BIOS, then don't. Flashing it is a risky operation and doing it wrong can brick your laptop. But to answer your questions:

1) Yes it should be compatible
2) Probably not
3) No
4) Yes
5) Always flash with a DOS boot, win flash is horrible
6) No

And welcome to NBR!

 

Did you notice any significant changes when you upgraded the BIOS? If not what could you control in the previous version? If yes, what can you control in the new version?

 

Thanks for the quick response and advice.

Somemore Questions

1. Can BIOS upgrades damage the motherboard so that it is impossibe to recover OR can you recover a failed upgrade if you have
a copy of the original Bios?

2. Is it possible to Copy your Current BIOS WITHOUT Flashing/Upgrading. If so how do you Copy your Current BIOS (since Acer Global don't have v3204 they only have 3121, 3236 and the New November 2009 release of 3238)?

Sienna

 

1) If you flash it wrong or it loses power, then you just bricked your laptop with little hope of getting it back. You can try a bootable USB stick but it's tedious.

2) Win flash can back up your BIOS when you try to flash it. Most BIOS upgrade programs should be able to make a backup.

As for Alpha, you can usually see the changes in the log they make. Problem is that Acer doesn't include those logs. From other users updating their BIOS, they usually don't say much in difference.

 

Thanks.

I wounder if you can use a copy/backup option only - without trying to flash/upgrade. It would be handy to have a copy incase of Bios Virus.

 

Hi

Has anyone tried the November 2009 Acer BIOS v3238 upgrade yet?

 

Another question for any takers.

If the Acer OEM Windows activation is in the Laptop's BIOS, then could upgrading the BIOS affect whether Windows is activated or not?

To explain further, obviosuly Acer Vista laptop's have OEM Vista activation in their BIOS. However, surely the new Acer BIOS will have OEM Windows 7 activation in the BIOS. So will the new BIOS v3238 be compatible with Vista machines ??????????

Or will the Laptop now be looking to activate Acer OEM Windows 7 ?????

Sienna

 

Sorry mate but you have mixed things up. BIOS has nothing to do with windows activation whatsoever. I am not an expert but BIOS has to do with hardware configuration and settings. I have the much older 3121 BIOS and am running activated Windows 7 (previously, I had Windows Vista). If you don't have any problems, there is no point doing the BIOS update.

 

Thanks for your reply and input but you seem to have miss-understood. My fault for not being clear enough.

I also have both Windows 7-64bit and Windows Vista working. However my Vista is OEM Pre-installed but my Windows 7 is a FULL RETAIL Version (from Microsoft July Pre-Order and extremly cheap). I expect RETAIL Windows to work on any BIOS but will OEM work on any BIOS ? Given below is what I mean:

BIOS (containing SLIC 2.0) - OEM Key for pre-installed OEM Vista
BIOS (containing SLIC 2.1) - OEM Key for pre-installed OEM Windows 7
BIOS (any Configuration) - ONLY RETAIL Windows (any version 2000, XP, Vista, Windows 7)

Factory Setup and Current BIOS v3204 (SLIC 2.0 ???) - Pre-installed Vista SP1 (came with laptop)

If I upgrade to Nov 2009 BIOS v3238 (SLIC 2.1 ???). Now if SLIC 2.1 is for OEM WIndows 7 pre-installed/activation will my factory supplied OEM Vista still operate. Is SLIC 2.1 backward compatible with SLIC 2.0 (Will OEM Vista still be pre activated on SLIC 2.1).

Hence my Windows 7 will always work because it is a bought RETAIL FULL VERSION.

Now I am not sure if my understanding of OEM Software and SLIC setup is correct but I am trying to find out if you upgrade your BIOS, could you potentially effect the activation of OEM Vista. Especially since BIOS v3238 has been released at the same time as Windows 7.

Maybe I am just totally wrong with thinking that Companies use SLIC in their BIOS to activate OEM Windows OFF-LINE. Not sure about anything now.

ANY PEOPLE OUT THERE ABLE TO EXPLAIN, the November 2009 BIOS v3238 compared to BIOS v3204 with pre-installed OEM VISTA.

Sienna

 

As you said the SLIC is for the companies to activate the OEM off-line. When I installed the Win7 I had to go online to activate Win7 because I had an old BIOS. But as you mentioned above, SLIC 2.1 is backwards compatible with Vista so you shouldn't worry. But 2.0 is not compatible with Win7 (like in my case). Still you will be able to activate Vista online anyway.
So as far as I know SLIC method is for off-line activation. You shouldn't need to update the BIOS.