Can't update my BIOS, Aspire 6920

Hello everyone!

I'm new round here, however I have been following the forum for a long time. (I one of the lurkers. )

I'm having problems with trying to update my BIOS to v1.14.

My Aspire 6920 (NOT THE G VERSION!), is now going on 4 1/2 years old, and she's starting to suffer from the common problems associated with these laptops. (Black screen, temperature throttling, etc). The reason I'm trying to update is because I'm using a office desk fan, just to try keep this thing cool, and not overheat. I'm hitting in most cases, 88*C GPU and 57/58*C CPU, and it's driving me crazy because I can't watch HD YouTube videos, movies, or even play games. (I'm a HUGE gamer!) At idle my GPU is around 60*C, CPU is around 53*C

I understand the full implications of how things can go wrong, and I'm cool with it, but I've tried to update my BIOS and it won't load the driver, despite having FULL admin privileges. I've researched into this problem, and it seems the update can only be loaded from a 32-bit copy of Vista, or from a DVD/USB.

I'm currently dual-booting Ubuntu 12.04 with Win 7 Pro x64, and I've only got 2.3GB's left, so I don't intend on installing Vista just to update, so how do I install from a DVD?



Would great appreciate any help you guys can give! :thumbsup:

Specs:

Stock Intel Core 2 Duo T5800 @ 2GHz
Stock NVidia Ge-Force 9500GS M
Stock 3GB RAM
BIOS version from factory: V1.10 [Installed by Acer on 7th July 2008


- BkS.

 

I realize I'm not answering your question but why are you trying to update BIOS if your main problem seems to be overheating?

BIOS doesn't change anything in that regard- I know because I'm responsible for servicing one.

Also your notebook is a G version seeing it has a dedicated NVidia Ge-Force 9500GS M (not that it changes anything since both "g" and "non-G" use the same BIOS)

 

I was under the impression the BIOS update sorted, or partially sorted the overheating problem? People were reporting that their temperatures had dropped, and weren't overheating?

It's really my last try at trying to spare my laptops lifespan, as I've kept the laptop clean ever since I've had it. I annually service it myself, ensuring there's no dust build up, and everything is all good.

What do you suggest I try? I've checked the thermal paste and it's fine, I don't know how else I can keep these temperatures down, because a cooling pad just won't cut it.

 

I didn't notice any change in temperature with BIOS updates but you can flash in DOS mode if you still want to try it.

Mind you- technically your laptop isn't overheating. CPU temperature is fine (it's actually rather low but 6920 doesn't show real CPU temperature- for whatever reason it's lower than the actual one) and GPU while rather hot is also nowhere near overheating.

The GPU is quite hot at idle- at least 5*C if not 10*C hotter than I would expect it to be. Are you sure it's making good contact with the radiator?

 

Yeah, it's making good contact, I don't know what else I can do.

I just want to go back to being able to play games, and watch YouTube/Vimeo videos without having to use this desk fan, haha. (Would save me on electricity too!)

If you want, I can take some photos, and perhaps you can analyse it for yourself, but I've built over 100 PCs, and sorted a lot of laptops in my time. This one has me scratching my head.

 

I know something about that- I've had a GPU failure in a 6920G not so long ago and it failed in such an elaborate manner that it took me a lot of time to figure out it was actually a GPU (It worked fine with an external monitor on the unit in question). So I know 6920 can be tricky.

Keep in ming that 9500M GS is affected by nVidia bumpgate issue so it's possible that it's on its last legs.

 

Yeah it's possibly on it's last legs. External monitor works fine, I've got my HDTV plugged in, as well as my 19" Acer P193w Monitor by VGA. Nothing more I can do really. Laptop's own screen doesn't show a picture, even though the backlight still works.