4810T won't let me flash BIOS

Evening all.

I recently bought an Acer 4810T943G (su9400) with Vista.

As seems to be common with Acer notebooks, it had a freezing problem, so I decided to flash the BIOS.

The version it shipped with was v1.10. I went to the Acer website and downloaded v1.31, extracted it, and executed the program. The InsydeFlash software told me 'This BIOS is not for your notebook'.

I tried the other BIOS recommended by Acer - v1.30, and even the special editions 2.30 and 2.31, but all came up with the same message.

I then located v1.28 from somewhere else, and this flashed successfully, but I still get freezes, so I'd like to try 1.30 or 1.31.

One thing I have noticed is that on the InsydeFlash software, the BIOS ID of v1.28 is described as JM41, whereas those of v.130 and v1.31 are described as AA, and A_A forms part of the file name on the v1.31 download.

My notebook may be of old stock (it was on clearance), could this be the problem?

 

even i faced the same problem when i tried to update to 2.31..
recently they have changed the bios to AA...
i had the old 2.31 bios saying JM41 but i didnt update it for some reasons ..but when i downloaded now it says AA ...
i noticed that recently they have put same version bios once again in download centre in new date.....
and they hve removed all the other version bios...

 

I've downgraded to v1.26 JM41, just to see if it makes any difference.

I've also contacted my vendor, and Acer, but the technical support of big companies is usually poor, so this place is my best hope.

 

I have an 5810TZG and i just tried to upgrade from v1.30 to v2.31 and i got the message "This BIOS is not for your notebook"

What is going on Stupid Acer

 

Apparently v.230 and V2.31 are 'special edition'. Would they work with a 'normal' model?

 

I think 2.31 is the same as 1.31 - but just for the Olympic Edition

 

As I expected, Acer's response to my inquiry was laughably irrelevant and merely an attempt to extort money from me for a repair I don't need.

Does anybody know where I can get the most up-to-date BIOS driver (possibly v1.31) with the correct ID for my machine (JM41, not AA)?

Or is v1.28 JM41 the most up-to-date BIOS driver for my machine?

Furthermore, will Windows 7 help with my freezing/crashing issues?

 

I have updated many using 1.31, in dos and in windows. In windows, don't forget to run it as admin.

 

I just tried update v1.30 to v1.31 and i got "This BIOS is not for your notebook" , and i ran the file as administrator in windows.

 

Create a DOS bootdisk then put flash utility on it.
Then type something like this
fla.exe /mc JM41x64.fd
/mc skip platform check

 

Cheers weinter,

a bit technical, but I'm sure I'll manage it!

It seems that Acer have changed the IDs of their BIOS drivers, because I couldn't flash v1.30 - it too had the AA ID, as opposed to the JM41 ID.

Will a BIOS driver with a different ID flash successfully, if I skip the platform check?

 

It will bypass the checks on compatibility so you better be sure it works.

 

Ah, so I'll have to do more research.

I wonder why they changed the IDs on their BIOS drivers, and stopped publishing the older drivers on their site.

Maybe it's so I'll spend £54 sending my brand new notebook to Acer for 'evaluation'.

Acer's 'UK' 'technical' 'support' team refuse to give me any information on BIOS drivers, and actually told me to use google.

I'm going to buy a Macbook Pro next time.

 

Actually if I were you I wouldn't hesitant.
Why?
Because the BIOS Recovery Methods for Insyde BIOS is already known!
If you have a working BIOS copy then put it on standby.
Flash with the updated one in DOS and hit the /mc switch (Make sure it is correct) just don't hit the bootblock!
If it doesn't work just perform emergency recovery using your workable standby.

Don't waste your money on Macbooks as much as I hate Acer lousy service I hate Apple for overpricing their computers.
It is as if they think I can't read and understand specification.

 

LOLLLLLLLLL,
listen to me there are two type of firmware's , that simpel !!!!!!
This is realy stupid to flash it like that !!!
Any one that want to have the good one page me.

EO Versions are (Olympics) somthing about boot logo change -- simply dont use this one

 

Dython

I'm talking about the most up-to-date non-special edition BIOS drivers. InsydeFlash won't let me use them on my non-special edition 4810T.

Weinter

There used to be a computer manufacturer in the UK called Tiny. In terms of specification, their desktops were among the best value on the market. But if anything went wrong, their customer service was appalling, and simply a way for the company to make more money. Their reputation nosedived, and eventually they went bankrupt.

Acer has had a good reputation for reliability, but recently I know a lot of people who have had crashing issues, and have had to flash their BIOS, and such like. If Acer are basing themselves on the kind of business model where they sell cheap by saving money on quality control, technical support, and charging astronomical amounts for servicing, they will have a nasty shock in a few years, when word has spread.

 

True to a point , but !
Flashing the wrong BIOS can cause harm to the system. Acer recommends that you should only upgrade your firmware/drivers if you have been instructed to do so by an Acer Customer Care representative. By using these firmware/drivers you agree to accept the possibility of product failure.
So who told you to flash? is your system not working? so it was your own fault?

also flashing your own way , so you know when acer replaced the boot code to a new filename or extension so when you restore it simply dont work because you of all people didnt flashed the boot code.
also extract you flash.exe there will be a platform.ini edit it for ID so it wil work leave thinks alone when you dont know what they mean !!!!!!!

 

I had the same problem with my 3810TG.
It came with BIOS v1.7 and when i tried to upgrade to 1.20 it gave me 'This BIOS is not for your notebook'.

But then i tried v1.8 and it worked. Now i coud flash to v1.10 and the to -> 1.15 -> v1.17 and finally to v1.20.

Maybe this works for 4810T too.

 

I had the same problem and I found the solution. I believe the Windows version of the flash utility is incorrectly showing the ID of the 1.31 bios as AA instead of JM41. I booted up with a FreeDOS boot cd and ran the DOS version of the flash utility. This time it showed JM41 as the ID for both the old and new versions and the 1.31 BIOS flashed without a problem. Hopefully Acer will post a fixed version of the Windows flash utility.

 

I thought I told everyone to get off their lazy butts and flash their BIOS in DOS Mode long ago...

 

flkramer

Did you have a crash/freeze problem before flashing to v1.31, and did v1.31 solve the problem?

dython

My system works, it just crashes quite regularly. I've known people solve this problem on other Acers by flashing their BIOS. However, I've also heard Vista can be a problem. I'm getting a free upgrade disc to Windows 7, so I shall try that first, before further flashing.

Weinter

I used to have more time and energy for this kind of thing, but rest assured, if Windows 7 doesn't solve the problem, my lazy arse will be flashing the DOS version!

 

No, I just upgraded to Windows 7 Pro and in the process of downloading all of the drivers, I grabbed the BIOS update since I was way back at 1.1. It's running great but I've only owned it for a few days.

 

Thanks, flkramer.

I've had mine three weeks. Ideal for my needs, apart from the freezing issue. It has actually behaved itself in the last couple of days, but we'll see what a Windows 7 Home premium upgrade brings.

Spoke too soon - it's just frozen again.

 

Before doing any thing why not test your system?

 

Have you checked the memory , Vista/W7 has a built in one , just type memory at the search box , bottom, left of screen.

Or use Memtest86+ , the best free memory tester out there.

http://www.memtest.org/

 

Tinderbox

Thanks for the heads up. Ran Windows memory test, but no problems were detected.

Dython

How would you recommend testing my system?

 

Have you tried doing a system restore , if you press alt + f10 when booting your notebook , make sure you backup all averything you need to keep as it will resore your notebook to the day you bought it, it will take up to 45mins.

If you still have lockups it is most likely a hardware problem.

 

Just flashed mine in DOS after the windows application saying it was incompatible, that the current was JM31 and the new AA, but the DOS flasher says both are JM31 and it flashed fine

EDIT : Also the post date on the Acer website is 2010 , though they are the same files from 2009.

 

Am about to install Windows 7, then will probably flash to v1.31 with DOS. Thanks for the advice.

 

My notebook seems to idling at a slightly lower temp at 36-37 instead of 40c since the bios flash, I could be wrong though.

 

get hirens and i ahve a post ( how to test a system )

 

Thanks Dython. I've just customed installed W7, and will update my BIOS, but I will also try your suggestion.

 

Hi, All!

I also have the same model, and have flashed BIOS twice on it (changing versions to new ones) - both times in DOS mode only. I definitely do not recommend to flash any BIOS on any PC/laptop under Windows, since there are many users (in that number some guru ) who report a lot of bad results using this way.

Coming to crashes described - did you check the system logs after each crash? There is a lot of useful information in those logs...

Hope this helps...

 

Acer have indeed published revised 1.30, 1.31, 2.30 and 2.31 BIOS. The one I tried (1.31) under Windows showed the correct ID for both old and new versions.
Anyone have any info on the differences between 1.20, 1.30 and 1.31?
Best
crkm
ps Many thanks to all for your posts. They were a great help in debugging my new 4810T!

 

1.** 2.** are the same!!!! but you need 1.**

Changed list from BIOS 1.30 to 1.31
1. Update MRC v291 to support 4Gx2 condition.
2. Add solution to fix Win7 welcome pressing eject then ODD vanished problem.

Changed item from BIOS 1.28 to 1.30
1. Update 120J9 solution for D2D recovery issue
a. Solve .DAT file fail issue
2. Remove BatteryButton Message pop up when AC IN/OUT
3. Update KBC 3.29
a. Modify ODD eject button function to ignore event when system resume from S3 for 2 seconds.

v128
1. 1. Reduce the S4 resume time

v127
1. 1. Update Vbios for enable rotation function

v126
1. Update KBC to 3.28.
- add battery ID
2. Fix idle power issue

 

i found a solution, i've posted it here:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=5897509#post5897509