acer aspire 5720Z major problems

ok, so i was trying to update my BIOS from like 1.17 to 1.42 in order to install some ram. i tried in in vista an it failed epically.
after browsing around here for solutions, i found the 'theeldergeek' forums solution people were linking to ( http://www.theeldergeek.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=31311). so i decided to give it a whirl.
holding function and escape worked to turn on the computer, and the drive sounds like it is spinning, but the instructions say the computer will shut itself off when it is done and the fan will stop spinning. i started this process at 9:30am and it is now 1:30pm and the fan hasnt stopped. (im at work so i have it running on my desk next to me).
what i am wondering is why is it still going?
do you have to hold function and escape until it stops?
how long should it take?
can i just start holding it now to finish the process?

if anyone knows why this works for BIOS recovery, that would be great to know as well... ie. what does func + esc do? what steps does the computer go through.. etc.

if anyone has advice, the sooner the better.
thanks so much
psolms

 

The 5720Z doesn't POST..??

 

after the BIOS update failed, it went to a white screen so i pulled the power sources and tried rebooting.
Black screen, nothing happening.
POST is the text that moves too quick to see before the OS loads yes? then no, it does not POST

 

Hmm, that's bad. You should have not pulled that power supply out, since BIOS upgrades do tend to get a bit weird at times. And do you have an USB FDD..??

 

i dont know what FDD means.. :S
let me go into greater detail about the failure.
i tried what seems to be reffered to as 'flashing' the BIOS.. but in vista. the program then came up with an error screen that said something like "Verify Error" and an OK button, but i could not move my mouse (touchpad)

 

I meant a USB Floppy Drive, and do you remember if your BIOS supports booting through USB devices..??

 

oh floppy disk drive.. duh.. sorry.
no i dont have a USB floppy drive

 

and no, nothing was working.. it was very frozen and ugly.
i downloaded the 1.42 BIOS version from the acer site... basically followed this post to try to fix it. but like i said in the OP, the fan hasnt turned off after quite a few hours

 

I am not sure if this will work or not....and you will need a USB FDD for it.
Download this
1. Unzip the CL50111CRISIS.zip and click the execution file to USB FDD.
2. Plug the USB FDD with the FDD into the defect unit.
3. Pull the AC adapter out
4. Keep Press Fn+Esc then plug AC adapter in, power on the unit by the power button.
5. Not release the Fn+Esc keys until system boot from USB FDD to do crisis recovery.

 

ok 3 questions before i try that.
will a USB flash drive work instead of a FDD?
wont i need to load drivers for the USB FDD?
what about the other solution that may or may not be working right now?

 

I am pretty unsure about the process, due to the fact I have never done it myself. But I had this bit of info in my old bookmarks.
I don't think a USB flash drive would work, but you can try.
You shouldn't need any drivers for the USB FDD, since they are plug and play.

And I guess the motherboard has a 32-pin PLCC BIOS chip, so either you can explain your situation to Acer and get the PLCC chip replaced or check out BIOSMAN, if he can provide you with a new PLCC chip for that notebook.

 

ok, i think that the Crisis will only work with pheonix BIOS.. apparently, aspire 5720 has insyde bios.

if i do end up calling acer, i dont think i will mention anything about bios or ram upgrades.. they might not be inclined to help me if they knew this was my fault

 

Yes, and I believe the whole Acer AS5720 (Nettling) Series uses the Insyde BIOS, and the crisis disk was specifically for the Nettling and a few other series of laptops. I think it will work, though the HP link is just an overview of BIOS recovery using crisis disks, and is not specifically for a Phoenix BIOS. (though the recovery was tried on a Phoenix BIOS)

It'll be worth a try if you can buy or borrow an USB FDD without any problems.

And I am not sure how Acer will respond to your call, but if nothing works, you can try and get Acer to sell you a PLCC chip.

 

i used that FILE on a FORMATTED USB THUMB DRIVE to recover my 5315 which uses the exact same BIOS,, has the same basic motherboard,,, infact that FILE is for the INSYDE bios NOT A PHENIOX bios,

if you need help i'll try to dig up my post again for the 2nd time today...


ANDY... looks like i should have made that HOW TO last week when i had more free time

 

Yeah, I guess it'll be better if you make a guide and link it on the front page of your sticky

 

i'll have to do it sunday.... i'm pressed for time and being pulled in all directions right now....

but it keeps me outta trouble,, and tomorrow i'm going HERE!

 

Wicked Man......

 

yeah,, my stepdad is taking me ( got like 20 free tix given to him (he's a big wig in KY democratic party politiics...

i'll take some good pics i hope

 

1. Unzip the <CL50111CRISIS.zip> and click the execution file to USB FDD.
2. Plug the USB FDD with the FDD into the defect unit.
3. Pull the AC adapter out
4. Keep Press Fn+Esc then plug AC adapter in, power on the unit by the power button.
5. Not release the Fn+Esc keys until system boot from USB FDD to do crisis recovery.


http://rapidshare.com/files/135956829/CL50V111CRISIS.zip.html

this is one right from acer service page for that model be sure swap the bios file on disk after you make one for you laptoop

 

you lucky ***