How to rescue your Acer 7720G from bios update failure

Hi guys.

Ive very recently had some major probs wiv my laptop. Some people may have notices some of my previous posts.
I have had many issues with my audio on my laptop which moved me towards updating the bios.
I have to say now: DO NOT DO THIS UNLESS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY AND DONT DO IT UNDER WINDOWS!!!!!!!
Its your risk.
After the bios failed, my laptop wouldn't even switch on. So it went back to Acer under warranty to be repaired.
Came back with a new Board in and wierdly, the numpad wont work. (Not yet fixed this issue, but maybe a re-install might do the trick.)
Audio issues still abundent, so decided to update the bios again and accidentally started the bios under windows. It came up with an error, but didnt freeze like previously, and once restarted, it would switch on, the fans would start, but thats all.

After many hours trawling the interweb looking for answers, i managed to find an answer.

Edit: This procedure does work with other laptop types and maybe other manufacturers. THIS IS YOUR CHOICE AND YOUR RISK!! NO RESPONSIBILITY WILL BE TAKEN FOR DAMAGED CAUSED BY FLASHING OR OTHER ANY OTHER PROCEDURE MENTIONED HERE!! Ensure that you have the correct bios before flashing and the wrong bios CAN kill you system. I already have experience of this, So PLEASE BE WARNED!!!

Please note, This is known as a "BLIND FLASH" and is difficult to do with no screen working.

The procedure is as follows:

1 - Download the latest (or the version you are after) from the Acer website. (once you have gained access to a computer)

2 - Extract the files from the archive that are for the dos update. (for version 1.34 for Acer Aspire 7720 ONLY, file is called CL50134A)

3 - Next, write a small autoexec.bat file using notepad containing "ip50.bat". Make sure you save it as "autoexec.bat" and not as ".txt"

4 - Using nero express (or any cdr program that can create bootable cd's) and start a new project to make a bootable disc.

5 - Put all the files from the bios archive (as explained in no3) and the autoexec.bat into the root of the new disc

6 - click "burn disc" and use the native boot image within nero. I used english US Boot Locale.

7 - Finalise the disc.

8 - Put disc in affected Laptop. (Remember, this will only work if your laptop will switch on, fan noise, lights etc.)

9 - Switch off Laptop and remove battery and AC/DC Power cable.

10 - Whilst holding down "Fn + Esc", plug in the power cable, and switch on the laptop but dont let go of the keys yet.

11 - disc will begin to spin, fans will come on full speed, but no lights.
Release the buttons, wait a couple of seconds and press the buttons "Fn + Esc" again breifly, then wait for a good 5 - 10 mins.

12 - The laptop should shut down by itself, then once you switch it back on, it should recover itself and boot normally.

Happy Days

I hope people will find this useful and maybe it will get stickied !!

Please note, the audio issues are finally fixed with the V1.34 bios update, however, the fans do spin up a little more often, but at least the laptop will run cooler.

As for the numpad, i think its just my installation that is at fault.
will keep you posted.

PM me for more info

RobbieG (with a now WORKING Acer Laptop)

 

I flashed my Acer Aspire 7520 from bios v1.10 to 1.32 in Windows without any problems and I'm running Vista Premium. I also did that with the previous laptop I had (non-Acer) running XP.

Maybe you are just cursed?

 

Probably am cursed.

Well im glad you haven't had any issues updating with windows and good luck in the future.

I just wanted to share the info on how to come back from this issue should you have a bios update go wrong.

 

did this thread help, yes
but needs to be a sticky as this is an issues/thread that does seem to appear a lot.
and the answer to many first time posters questions on there BIOS upgrades.

Nice one Robbie

 

If you think this shoud be a sticky, please vote and post a reply to say it need to be a sticky!!

 

Hi once again Robbie

Very nice post, I already knew it but cheers to you for posting it . I´ve read it isn´t necessary to create "autoexec.bat" on that procedure, that computers does not "boot" from cd, it just "looks" for BIOS´S files on the root folder of the cd/dvd to flash BIOS, regardless of other files existing or not. That is to say that the only needed file on the disc should be the Bios file. I repeat, I have not tested this, but that´s what I´ve read from a dude who has done it .

Next I´ll add an additional method to rescue laptop from Bios update, but this one is intended for situations when computer does not even turns on (no lights, no fan, etc). The only "down" on this method is that you´ll need an Usb Fllopy Drive to do it. If you want you can "add" it to your original post so it would "complete" the Bios Failure Rescue Procedures . (Credits will be welcome )


Completely Dead Lappy Rescue Procedure

0. Download WinCris at " http://rapidshare.com/files/110117750/WinCris_by_ElBubi.zip.html "
1. Open up WINCRIS.exe
2. Create a MINIDOS Crisis disk A. This will format the floppy disk and then make the recovery disk
3. Replace Boot.wph from the floppy disk with proper one (first you have to rename your Bios File => "XCLXXXX.fd" to "Boot.wph")
3. Unplug AC, take out battery from laptop
4. Take the Crisis Disk just made and put it into the USB floppy drive, attach USB floppy drive to laptop
5. Press and Hold “Fn” and “Esc” buttons together, then while holding down said buttons, plug in AC and turn on computer.
--->A. You should still be holding “Fn” and “Esc”
6. The green indicator light should stay lit
7. The USB floppy drive’s indicator light should be lit up and assessing the Crisis Disk (can hear it working)
8. The computer will start making loud beeping sounds. This is what you want; don’t turn off the computer. This will go on for 3-5 minutes, so let it be until it stops.
--->A. You can let go of the “Fn” and “Esc” buttons now.
9. Once it’s done doing its thing, the beeping will stop and the computer will restart itself and start booting up like it used to, ending at your desktop screen
10. Then you’ve transformed your expensive paperweight into a functioning machine again


Hope it´ll help a few ones!!! . Kind Regards!!!


PS: Please excuse my poor English . If something is unintelligible don´t hesitate to ask me

 

Thanks for your addition dude. I think i will update the thread with your info soon when ive got a bit more free time.

Just to let you know, this is an alternative solution to the bios failure issue. It does depend on the type of bios is used on the machine.
I used this thread to find out part of the blind flash process.
Similar to what you suggest in your thread.

However, the first time i had a bios failure, i couldn't even turn the machine on.
YOU CANNOT RECOVER BY SOFTWARE at this point. This is because the system doesn't even recognise what it is and so the power button input doesnt have a routine for it, thus it will not power on.

For those who are really brave and do not have warranty, you can do 1 of 2 things.
1 - Replace the mainboard - Expensive.
2 - Replace the bios chip with one that is pre-loaded with the correct bios. This can be easier and cheaper, but sourceing the chip could be difficult. This can be either a socketed chip, or you may have to re-solder it.

For those without warranty, and not so brave, you can send it back to Acer and pay to get it repaired.

However, if you have warranty, you can play dumb and say it just didn't boot up (Like i did) and get it fixed by Acer. I got a new board in mine. By far the safest option.

Hope this helps.

 

Is there a way to 'backup' your current BIOS, before doing an update?

 

this thread reminded me of the old days when a motherboard would have intermittent problems that couldn't be solved at a PC shop i worked for.
the wholesaler would return motherboards stating that no problems detected. so we found a way to solve that problem... we created a bootable floppy with a batch file that flashed the bios with a version for a 486 motherboard.. we just used the command line switches to force the flash even though the version was incorrect.... needless to say that wholesaler never returned any more motherboards because they couldn't find any problems...

 

You can back-up your current bios, but im unsure on how to do so.

Sorry.

 

Hi RobbyG1983,

A quick note on your num keypad not working after getting your motherboard replacement, in case the problem is still there.

I've had the same problem after I got my Acer 7520g's motherboard replaced It's not the fault of your windows installation.
The problem lies in the keyboard matrix of the new batch of motherboards and can easely be corrected at the Acer service centre.
You could also try to call the store where you've bought your laptop and ask if their technical service knows of the problem (I would try this first since Acer is not very speedy at returning laptops). Normally they should since Acer has given information about this to vendors of their laptops.

Good luck,
Magneto7777

 

i try this method but no beep, no restart, im stuck. my laptop is a acer aspire 5520 email me with some pointers at [email protected]

 

For my Aspire 7520 Vista, the latest Bios is v1.33 from Acer. To update in Dos it says in the readme file, to execute the ic50133.bat file if I use it on CD.

But my 7520 DVD will not run at all as its got the off/on loopy problem, but when using the fn+esc the DVD does not work also it does not do the loopy bit only runs the fan and various leds. I know the USB is live, so this is why I'm wanting to do the flash with a USB floppy.

In total there is 5 files in the zip file, ic50133.WPH, ic50133.ROM, ic50133, Flash32 and phlash16.

Which one of these should I use in the wincrisis floppy?? ic50133.WPH or another as it says above:- "Replace Boot.wph from the floppy disk with proper one (first you have to rename your Bios File => "XCLXXXX.fd" to "Boot.wph") "???

thanks

 

Can someone explain the autoexec.bat file in more detail? I named the file as above, and inserted the ip50.bat inot notepad and saved after that (changing to all files from txt). I then burned the notepad file and the v1.45 BIOS exe file to a disc and followe instructions. So far, no joy!

Any help appreciated!

 

Note to all: The instructions here seem to be wrong. Someone confused the recovery instructions for Insyde with those for Phoenix.

The correct thing to do is:
1. Download the latest BIOS, and extract the BIOS flash image file (it is easier to get it from the DOS version than the Windows one - but you can also extract from the Windows version using Winrar or 7zip). Or, if you backed up your BIOS image before (e.g. if you did the VT enable procedure - see here for details; you can also use Flash It or InsydeFlash (Windows - edit platform.ini to enable interactive mode) to create a backup), you can use the backup.
2. Rename the BIOS image file to "ICL50HW.FD".
3. Burn ICL50HW.FD to a CD or DVD. (Not sure whether you need to finalize or not; but there is definitely no need to make it bootable.)
4. While holding Fn+Esc, plug the AC power cable into the laptop. As you plug it in, the ring around the power button should light up for a moment.
5. Release Fn+Esc, and press the power button. Fan should spin up to full speed. There will be no display on the screen, and no LEDs will light up.
6. Open the DVD drive and insert the disc containing ICL50HW.fd
7. Leave the computer alone for a few minutes. The disc will spin up, then stop, finally the computer will turn off. If it doesn't turn on in 10 minutes, then it failed to read the disc - burn a new disc and try again (or try using a FAT pendrive instead of a CD/DVD).
8. Press the power button. Machine should turn on.
9. If you used a downloaded BIOS file (as opposed to a backup), reconfigure your Setup. If you used a backup, then your "CMOS" (actually, your EFI NVRAM) will also be restored, so no need to reconfigure.

As a bonus, this method works even if the BIOS is dead to the extent that pressing the Power button fails to elicit a response. (However, it *should* respond to pressing the power button AFTER doing the Fn+Esc trick - otherwise it is probably not a BIOS problem, but a HW problem).


Note: In one case, I have seen a machine that, when turned on with Fn+Esc, failed to spin up the disc and powered down in 10 seconds. The solution was to short the leads of the internal battery for 5-10 seconds to clear the CMOS.

 

This may work, but as i found out it did not.

My CD drive would not work

Changed the cmos battery, no difference.

My USB floppy drive worked, but none of the flash softwares worked.

i changed my bios chip with no success, in the end it was found the Motherboard was faulty.

It seems from a website, that the boards used by Acer are likely to suffer chipset failure, so if this happens. Then you have a choice of renewing the board or putting it in bin. As I did.

I would not have another flimsy cheap Acer Laptop.

Good Luck

 

Good morning Guys, First post. Been reading the great advice you people have been offering......priceless! Hope you can maybe offer some to myself reguarding replacing motherboard. 99 times out of 100 I was getting black screen & fans only when trying to boot up, after the last time windows did boot I tried bios flash with insyde v1.45 (froze halfway through) now just black screen & fans. Tried the "blind flash" option, but still the same, seems to try and read disk, thumb drive method failed also. Was wondring if it's time/worth upgrading to new m/board,CPU & GPU or is it time to put my paperweight (7720g ATI HD2300) in the trashcan?

TIA

 

Please Can I get the wincris for Acer 4750G-2634G64Mnkk

I need that Option 0 u have mention to download. . . Can I get a download link for the above laptop

 

Can You Please post this for Acer 4750G Which Link to download bios Image file and nythin related to downloadin PLEASE! :'(

 

Use this BIOS for 4750G: http://global-download.acer.com/GDF...ep3=ASPIRE 4750G&OS=ALL&LC=en&BC=ACER&SC=PA_7

 

I already download this But I dont knw to this things works like this step

. Download the latest BIOS, and extract the BIOS flash image file (it is easier to get it from the DOS version than the Windows one - but you can also extract from the Windows version using Winrar or 7zip). Or, if you backed up your BIOS image before (e.g. if you did the VT enable procedure - see here for details; you can also use Fla or InsydeFlash (Windows - edit platform.ini to enable interactive mode) to create a backup), you can use the backup.
2. Rename the BIOS image file to "ICL50HW.FD".

I downloaded tht bios and wat excately I do nxt wat should I download to take tht FD format file

 

Hi!
Sorry for bringing an old thread up, but for the life of me i can't get hold of the phoenix wincris.exe file. I've been and signed up to rapidshare but it will still not let me download it. If someone knows where i could get this without the need to sign to any site i would really appriceate it.
Thanks

 

It's in the post13:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/har...nix-bios-crisis-recovery-no-floppy-yes-2.html

 

However, note that you DO NOT need Wincris for recovering a 7720G - Wincris is only for Phoenix BIOSes, while 7720G is Insyde.

 

Hi,

I have an Acer 4745 and need to recover the bios, but the update available on the website is only one file "DOS" executable "ZQ1_122.exe" and has no files ".fd" or ".WPH". How can I recover my bios ... I should rename the ".exe" file to ".FD" file? Any idea? Thanks to friends for help ...

Severo.

 

Try extracting the EXE with 7-Zip.

 

hello, thank you for answering .... I did as you wrote, the files extracted from archives "ZQ1_122w.EXE" (Windows file) are these: Insydeflash.exe, iscflash.dll, iscflash.sys, iscflashx64.sys, platform.ini, ZQ1x64EC.bin. Obs.:

Looking for other versions of BIOS on the ACER site I found one with these files: ZQ1x64ec.bin and ZQ1x64me.bin, the latter with a size of 4 MB.

do with these files I can recover the BIOS? Can you help me how to do? For too long, I'm looking for a solution. Again, thank you for your help ...

Thanks,

Severo.

 

Open ZQ1x64EC.bin using AndyP's Phoenix [word forbidden on this forum] modding tool. Due to forum rules, I'm not allowed to say the full name of the program, but you can find it @ MDL.

The tool will tell you the recovery filename. Rename ZQ1x64EC.bin to that name, and burn it to a CD or copy to a FAT pendrive. Then, continue according to the InsydeH2O instructions.

 

thanks ... sorry for the stupid question, but after discovering the correct name of the file through the program you mentioned, I use the instructions for Insyde BIOS? The ones you wrote in a previous post ? Or do I still need to do something different? What does InsydeH2O, is also a program?

I am grateful for the answers ...

Thanks ...

Severe ..

 

InsydeH2O is the proper name of what many people refer to as "Insyde BIOS" (because it is technically not a BIOS).

And yes, you need the Insyde instructions - don't be misled by "Phoenix" in the name of Andy's forbidden utility.

 

I have also killed my Acer Aspire 7720 when attempting to upgrade my bios. I have downloaded the following files: ftp://ftp.work.acer-euro.com/notebook/aspire_7720/vista/Bios/v1.45.zip, unzipped to an empty USB. Removed battery and AC. Held down Fn+Esc, put AC back and press power button. However, the laptop did not power up.

I have all three files from the archive on the USB drive.

Also tried renaming the .fd file to ICL50HW.fd, as explained here: Bios Recovery On Acer 7720 - Other Computer Related Discussions - The Elder Geek on Windows, still, the fan does not turn on.

Maybe it is important to say that when I failed flashing and I restarted the laptop, it was just showing a white screen and wouldn't turn off, so I forced it by removing the battery.

If useful my previous BIOS version was 1.29. Here is how it looked like before I killed it: https://www.dropbox.com/s/sx8u2fmslzki553/20130929_200031.jpg