aspire timeline 5810tz won't boot, can't access setup or bios

Hello,
I just got an acer aspire timeline 5810tz, which came with vista, so i was in the process of reformatting it to have XP, which i've done several times on my previous laptops. When i changed the bios to IDE, which is what i read was the correct setting (perhaps this is where my problem is?), i found that i could no longer boot the computer or access setup, bios or the boot menu. When i attempt to do any of these things, the computer just sits on the logo screen.
HELP!
i'm getting fairly desperate at this point, having tried a large variety of solutions, key combos, removing the battery, etc.

Thank you!

 

If you changed from SATA to EIDE Vista will crash when booting as it is tying to boot with sata drivers, you need to re-enable SATA mode.

But i cannot see why you cannot get into the bios, have you tried to flash the bios and had a failure?

 

i haven't tried to flash the bios yet -- is the risk involved in that minimal or not would you say?

 

Have you tried removing the bios battery to clear reset it, it is under the big panel on the bottom just behind and to the left of the SD card slot.

 

thanks for the suggestion!
is it the part that's to the right of the big squarish silver and black thing? it's smallish and round?

 

I have circled it in red, just carefully unplug the white connector.

 

aah! thank you so much, i'll definitely try this!

 

and it works again! thank you so much for your help!

 

No problems glad to be of help

 

I think im having the same problem where it keeps asking for a CURRENT password..

How long do I need to leave it unhooked? Do I need to remove the laptop battery as well? If so, is that hard? ;x


Thanks so much

 

remove the mains power and the main battery , then unplug the battery i circled in red in post 6 , then hold the power button down for 30 seconds and then rebuild and see if it works.

 

ya, I had the the circled one unhooked but I dont see the laptop battery compartment or anything.

 

The main big 8 inch by 2 inch battery, you must know how to remove that.

 

haha..I guess im that retarded..cause im looking at the underneath where I unhooked the cmos battery but I dont see where the laptop battery is...

its also early in the AM for me and I might be blind.

 

rofl, nvm..i got it


I am in fact stupid.

Ok, so removed the battery, unhooked the cmos battery and held the power button for 30 seconds. Put back together and powered up and after pressing f2 it stills say please enter CURRENT password where after 3-4 failed it attempts its halts the computer.

How long should I leave the battery unhooked?

 

30 seconds should be enough with the power button pushed in as i should discharge all the power in the notebook, but unplug the small circled battery for 30mins or so, or just leave it unplugged and go to bed , and see what happens in the morning.

 

Jmartin

Just to be ultra clear unplugged means remove the plug and wires coming from the CMOS battery from the small socket on the laptop. I am not sure what you mean by 'unhooked' - hopefully the same

If you have already done this try a reboot holding the esc key down or failing that leave the battery unplugged whle you boot

 

Like this...


I had it detached for a couple hours and tried it and still wants a password. I'll leave it overnight and try again in the morning.


Thanks for everything guys.


edit..also tried just leaving it unplugged and rebooting and same thing, wants a password.

 

verrrry strange

 

Can only suggest getting the service manual and seeing what other bios reset instructions there are.

As the problem occurred after changing some bios settings it does seem like the BIOS system is corrupt and looking for a bios password that is presumably not there any more (after all the resets)

I have heard that the BIOS can be recovered using a bios file on a CD or USB and the boot holding esc routine. I have not seen that described in any service manuals thought so maybe someone can advise ??

 

still password.

Jumper settings maybe?

 

I am having the same exact problem as you Jmartino007

How did you fix this problem??

Please help me out

 

I then get a screen that reads the following.

Please input password for WDC WD3200BEVT-22ZCT?

This is asking for a password again? How can I fix this.