new 5920 Bios update

Hi, check this out :
ftp://ftp.support.acer-euro.com/notebook/aspire_5920/bios/

If you press Fn+F2 you can see your Bios version on 5920, mine is v0.3508 (22/05/2007)
Now we can update to version v1.3702 (02/07/2007). Read the release notes included - I haven't found any critical updates I could understand, but there was a fan control table change, wich can change something noticeble.

a couple of interesting lines in the changelog:
"Add change thermal temperature _CRT to 97'c, _PSV to 80'c when TJ85 cpu
installed."
"First release in Phoenix BIOS" - 01/15/'07

post here if you notice any differences in performance/stability/issues/whatever

 

New bios for 8600M GT

HD2600XT on the way or what?

 

Hi,

How do I go about downloading and updating the bios for 8600m GT as you have mentioned?

So the new BIOS gives me the ability to control my 5920G fan?

 

Hmm, I can't open it.

 

link has been changed:

ftp://ftp.support.acer-euro.com/notebook/aspire_5920/vista/BIOS/

;+------------------------------------------------------------------------
;
; Date : 07/02/'07
; ZD1 BIOS Ver. : v1.3702
; Z01 BIOS Ver. : v1.3702
; ZD1 EC Version: 0.040
; Z01 EC Version: 0.040
; ZD1 IGD BIOS : 1478
; Z01 IGD BIOS : 1478
;

1. Upgrade Kernal codes from r1.31 to r1.32 for fix below:
1. Pass BIOS build under 32 bit Vista.
2. ES register is modified before AFN_ALLOC_NVS.
intel.600\igdoprn\igdoinit.asm
zd1.tc3\make.mak
z01.tc3\make.mak
zd1.tc3\signon.str
z01.tc3\signon.str
zd1.tc3\version.mak
z01.tc3\version.mak

1. Disable the SATA ports not use
base\fdisk\sata.asm

2. Add the selection for configure SATA controller
feats\node\make.mak (add sata.asm)
feats\node\node.str
feats\node\sata.asm
zd1.tc3\make.mak
zd1.tc3\oem_sata.asm
zd1.tc3\template.asm
z01.tc3\make.mak
z01.tc3\oem_sata.asm
z01.tc3\template.asm

3. update vbios version to 1478

4. Enable SD controller ADMA mode for Fix when copy data from SD card to HDD will cause play music by media player un-smooth issue
COMMON\oemcomm.asm

ZD1:
1. support different CPU/VGA combination fan table
zd1.tc3\OEM_DTS.ASM

2. Update EC bios to ZD1_040 for fix below:
1. Added intel UMA thermal table and fan control.
ZD1.tc3\ec\zD1_040.bin make.mak

 

installed it, no problem, but still no fan control, unless I missing something. I use SpeedFan

 

Does Speedfan allow you to control the 5920g's fan speeds?

 

hey

if theres a hd2600xt ati card on the way couldnt we just get a mobile version and just slot it in where the 8600gt was ....thats if its a lot quicker though!

 

come on, read fot yourselves, there is nothing mentioned about user control feature, they just tweaked the dafault fan operation table - how it operates under certain contitions

 

Nice Update.
My observations,

Can now change the Harddrive mode to IDE in BIOS to allow XP installation it seems.
Overall desktop speed boost in Vista performance for me.
Fan highspeed seem'd to kick in earlier.
Harddrive seems to power down more regular.

 

btw, I noticed the speedboost in Vista as well, but I am not sure if this is the result of those vista unofficial patches or bios update.

 

Is it raising the vista index or some benchmarks?

 

No rise in the Vista Index, but Vista Performance is blistering. Windows open so fast that the minimise/maximise animations don't play, or have trouble keeping up.It also used to take some time opening the Games Explorer, but it seems instantaneous now.
Its a good update.

What is everyones Vista Gaming Graphics score in Windows Experience Index for the 5920? Mine was initially 5.1 when I first got the laptop, but rose to 5.2 after trying out different graphics card drivers.
I reinstalled using the recovery partition yesterday and it rose to 5.3. What are these scores based upon?

 

Sounds like you installed "Unofficial Windows Patches" that were announced couple of days ago. I had that behavior after I applied those patches, where even Media Center would minimize instantly.

 

Sorry Klas, no unofficial updates installed here. I wouldn't dare .

I'm still not sure if its a good or bad thing. I find the animation does not play if the window you minimise is in front of a full screen window. Perhaps this has always happened. Im not sure.

 

strange, well those unofficial updates worked greate for me, although sleep is still an issue for me (does not work reliably) When are the going to fix the damn thing!

 

Klas, Sleep works fine for me. I did a complete restore, and installed the 158.45 modded drivers. The standby feature in the startmenu works, as well as when I close the lid.

For the love of (insert religious figure here), do not install this update if you love your games. Extremely poor performance after installing new BIOS, with lower frame rates and slowdowns in some games.
Slightly faster performance in Vista is not worth hideous gameplay.

BTW, is it okay, that I downloaded the old BIOS (3508) and installed that over the newer BIOS update (3702)? I didn't know how to use the backup file created, but this shouldnt cause any problem in the future right?

 

i think that BIOS would affect Vista performance that much, there was no mention of performance updates in the read me file either

 

Which Bios to Select????

3702 or 3706

 

woah, they just released a new one! Anyone wants to update to 706 and test it out?

Intel Calistoga Chipset

;+------------------------------------------------------------------------

;

; Date : 07/25/'07

; ZD1 BIOS Ver. : v1.3706

; Z01 BIOS Ver. : v1.3706

; ZD1 EC Version: 0.040

; Z01 EC Version: 0.040

; ZD1 IGD BIOS : 1478

; Z01 IGD BIOS : 1478

;

1. Correct the Maximum support memory size value to 2GB when northbridge is

960GL chipset.

base\chipset\smbios.asm





ZD1:

1. Modify to support two audio verb table for fix HDMI item appear on UMA sku.

base\bus\azalia.asm

zd1.tc3\hda_oem.asm





2. Force flag 3G module doesn't exist.

zd1.tc3\make.mak

 

I Try New Bios & No performance increase

BTW looks like Fan now working bit early to cool down the chips

 

readme in those updates did not mention performance increase, it just bug fixes and other stuff.

 

Sooo... Is everyone now useing 3706, and with no ill side effects? ..And do you have do them in order, or will the latest one (3706) have the updates from the prior ones.

 

The newest one only. Since the updates were quite often you can assume that previous versions were a bit buggy

 

No!! Go directly to newest version

 

Anyway it is a good bios update at least it offer the IDE mode. Most people don't know how to create a windows xp using nlite or having a USB floppy drive.

 

:yes: It's really nice bios option.My desktop asus MB have an option to force USB Memory Sticks as a floppy drive /CD DVD Rom.I like to see that kind of option here toooo....

 

Does the latest BIOS (3706) have any impact on games, like the 3702 had. i notice they brought the 3706 within a day of the 3702 being released.

 

Nop I did't see any drop in game play.

 

No 3DMark06 Score same as my OLD Bios 3505

 

I updated to the new bios. When I press Fn+F2 I can see the Bios version on 5920. The version is listed OK, but the date is still in May. Is this OK and is everyone else the same?

 

I get
BIOS Version: v1.3706
BIOS Release Date: 07/25/2007

 

No problems with 3706. Avoid 3702.

 

Is there any reason why the Acer USA website does not have the Bios updates.. All i see is drivers.. Just curious as to why it's like that?

 

Don't know!!! but bios is bios ,so you can upgrade from europe site...

New Bios seems like not good for heat.I never hit GPU 90C with 3DMark06 Tests(repeat 3 times only SM 3.0 tests )

 

>New Bios seems like not good for heat.I never hit GPU 90C.....

That's not good.... So it's running hotter... are the fans kicking on later, and off sooner?

 

Wanna check that

My GPU OC to 592/472 ....I'm sure it never hit 90C with old bios version 3505
(Maybe new bios read temps correctly )

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=151255

 

>Wanna check that

I don't think my checking would matter.... I generate less heat... I have a 1.5ghz processor, and i do not overclock my videocard.

 

I'll check using ORTHOS .I guess ORTHOS priority 9 would be OK

 

1.4 has the same TDP that 2.0 due to the same top voltage.

 

Ok.. Just did the Bios update.. Vista is running much quicker.. I highly recomend it.. No ill side effects, everything is fine.. Just better than before.

 

Just wanted to drop by and post my experience with the new bios.
Do side effects so far, but the fan seems to run permanently,
even when idle, that makes me somehow curious.

I did shutdown all unneeded processes, just for a try,
still running, anyone with the same experience?

 

Try to monitor your temp.Maybe CPU heat above 50c @ idle

 

I have just installed new BIOS (3706). However, I was truly disappointed and have to return to previous version. Oblivion with new BIOS runs very slow (stock drivers for geforce 8600). Has anyone the same observations? Maybe newer version of graphical drivers + new BIOS will be better solution?

 

No Problems with the bios 3706

try 158.45 modded nvidia driver from laptopvideo2go.com

 

Thank you for the hint!
BTW - Have you checked this solution (modded drivers + new bios) in Oblivion or it is rather "general feeling" that there are no problems?

 

I've only tried Oblivion with the 158.45 drivers, and the 3706 BIOS and I felt it ran pretty slowly outdoors, but was fine indoors.

I can't compare it to the older BIOS, but other games I run with the new BIOS play the same as before.

THe 3702 led to a huge detriment in performance though. Do not use that under any circumstances.

 

I have checked new BIOS (3706) + recommended modded drivers (158.45). It looks like the speed is the same as previously (old BIOS + stock drivers) Now it is time for new tests

 

Yes..Reply ASAP if you got any performance issue

 

No performance hit here with 162.18. Make sure your drivers are Vista 32, and not XP.

Anyone happen to know if there is there is a Video Card BIOS Update floating around any where?? That should also get updated if available.