[paulb100]

Iam upgrading my Acer Aspire 5051 FROM:-

BIOS: 1.32
1Gb Memory
60Gb 5400rpm SATA150 HardDrive
2Ghz AMD64 Turion CPU
Windows Vista Ultimate 32-Bit

TO:-

BIOS: 1.3315
2Gb Memory
120Gb 7200rpm SATA300 HardDrive
1.6Ghz x2 AMD64 Turion Dual-Core CPU
Windows Vista Ultimate 64-Bit

As you can see Im upgrading the BIOS, Ive downloaded the BIOS update from Acers FTP site for the 5050 model and have the WinPhlash for Vista... Before I do so I want to know if its safe to do so... what should I do before I flash the BIOS?

THANKS

[gr277]

Originally Posted by paulb100

Iam upgrading my Acer Aspire 5051 FROM:-

BIOS: 1.32
1Gb Memory
60Gb 5400rpm SATA150 HardDrive
2Ghz AMD64 Turion CPU
Windows Vista Ultimate 32-Bit

TO:-

BIOS: 1.3315
2Gb Memory
120Gb 7200rpm SATA300 HardDrive
1.6Ghz x2 AMD64 Turion Dual-Core CPU
Windows Vista Ultimate 64-Bit

As you can see Im upgrading the BIOS, Ive downloaded the BIOS update from Acers FTP site for the 5050 model and have the WinPhlash for Vista... Before I do so I want to know if its safe to do so... what should I do before I flash the BIOS?

THANKS

Back up your old ones first.

[paulb100]

how do I do that and is there a way of putting them on a bootable CD/DVD as to revert to it if all fails..?

thanks

[unbidden]

Some flash utilities are a bit complicated to run, some are simple and can be run from Windows. The best advice I can give you is to print out all instructions and read them twice; then follow the instructions step by step..... take your time.

[managed]

Do you actually need to flash the Bios ?

[rainforest123]

p:
"
Im about to Flash BIOS with winPhlash... any advice?
Iam upgrading my Acer Aspire 5051 "

from some Clint Eastwood / Dirty Harry movie:
You have to ask yourself, am I feeling lucky today?

NO!
I agree with managed.

I agree with unbidden.

The ONLY condition under which I would flash the BIOS is if the computer is not usable. Flashing the BIOS can render the computer unusable. Especially with a laptop; if you blow up the motherboard, you are going to have to buy a new laptop.

Need more convincing? Read this thread.
http://forums.techguy.org/windows-nt...ml#post5738016

Best of success.

RF123

[paulb100]

hehe

thanks guys - maybe i will just leave it eh? I just thought it would be best having it working at its best with all the bugs fixed (about 40 bugs)


cheers

[gr277]

BIOS is one think you should not interfere with. Not unless you REALY know what you are doing. Even then, there are risks involved.

[Rich-M]

The thing to remember about the bios flash is that if you have an issue, that the bios flash states it will fix, then that is a reason to do so. Just to do it like an update, well no that should not be an option as the risks can be great as already explained.

[rainforest123]

p:
All of us share your concerns. We believe that it is important to keep a system updated. But as Rich-M and gr277 have so eloquently stated, flashing the BIOS is an exception to that rule.

We are here to help you learn from our experiences; to prevent you from encountering a problem.

RF123

[paulb100]

thanks guys - im just gunna leave it...

Thing is - i upgraded my uncles BIOS on old PC and it seemed to load/work a little better and as soon as i turned on the PC after the upgrade Windows XP immediatley 'Found New Hardware'

and theyre is quite a lot of bug fixes on mine - theres 3 upgrades...
the latest fixes this:

1. Fix show the wrong ATAPI information on PATA system.
1.Correct Build Date.
1. Change EC v.029
1. Add thermal offset to solve thermal problem.
2. Fix the wrong CPU speed on CMOS setup Utility.(postspd.asm)
1. Enable ATAPI information item on CMOS setup Utility.
1. Update EC v.024
2. Update CPU kernel to 2.08.03
3. Add thermal table for TK53 CPU.
1. Add Bison CCD.
1. Update EC v.023
2. Fix S5 resume in XP over SPEC. problem .
1. Update CPU kernle code to 2.6.11
2. Don't update DQS table to ESCD
1. Update code
2. Hide SLIC table (SLP 2.0) if the OS is not Microsoft's. It needs factory
3. Update EC v.021 to protect flash ROM data.
1. Modify VGA memory setting for ACER SPEC.
2. Remove cdrom.asm in oem tip.
1. Fix S3 resume time in Vista
2. Update EC v.019
3. Fix CardBUS failed problem in Vista.
1. Fix Audio Line-in icon problem.(oemsubid.asm)
1. Solve DMI problem under Vista DTM. dmioem.asm
2. shrink S3 resume time for Vista DTM.
3. Update Verb table for Vista DTM.
4. Enable S3 wakeup with USB device.
5. Updat VGA BIOS for QDI LCD.
1. Set VRAM size based on total memory:
1GB DRAM --> 128MB VRAM
512B DRAM --> 64MB VRAM
256B DRAM --> 32MB VRAM
1. Update EC v.018.
2. Fix the wrong VRAM size on setup utility.
3. Recvoer the previous mathod to flash.
1. Fix SLP2.0 problem.
2. Fix MODEM & AUDIO no function on SATA system.
1. Correct Apls touch ID to AUI1101.
1. Add MX29LV008CTTC flash part.
1. Do throttle when CPU temperature is at 96 degree.
2. Try to slove ROM data lose problem.
1. Correct CPU type information.
2. Correct D2D Recovery help information on setup utility.
1. Update EC v.017
2. Add new SUYIN CCD ID.
1. Change BIOS version for mass production.
1. Update EC v.015
2. Enable _PROCHOT pin function for CPU throttle.
1. Update EC v.014
2. Update WMI code for returning device PFA.
3. Add power LED flash function in S4.
1. Correct CardBus SSID/SVID for WHQL test.
2. Fix Alps TouchPad driver failed to attached problem.
3. Add DPMs function for LCD discharge problem.
1. Add code to support two kind of Touch Pad (Synaptcs,Alps).
1. Change product name"Prespa1.5" to "Prespa M".
2. Disable TPM status.
3. Modify WirelessLAN information.
1. Update EC v.011
2. Remove SATA detection function.
3. Add int15 sub function 30h.
1. Add SATA and PATA detection.
2. Update EC v.010.
1. Fix Boot sequence problem.
1. Add a virtual FDD for PXE.
2. Add pata HDD PassWord on Setup Utility.
1. Update EC v.008 for A. Wake from LAN problem
B. PC beep problem
2. Fix SUYIN CCD failed to detection.
1. Update EC v.007
2. Fix BlueTooth failed to detection in LegacyUSB disabled.
3. Add CDD detection function.
1. Add EC command 7E at checkpoint C0h.
2. Enable Wireless LAN function.
1. Update EC v.004
2. Enable PXE function.
1. Update EC v.002
2. Enable Audio function.
3. Enable CardBus function.
1. Initial BIOS for bring up.

quite a lot eh?

[Rich-M]

Wow well that is worth doing...

[paulb100]

so do u think I should do it?

I understand the threat of it...I wouldnt mind If I could make a back up on a CD which can restore the BIOS of all else fails...

can someone check these files and tell me if i able to create a bootable CD to re-flash the BIOS if it becomes unusable
theres a BATCH file and an .EXE aswells as WinPhlash packed in a ZIP folder .. could you use a CD to run the EXE/BAT files from DOS/BOOT??

also, that update that comes with the Vista version is older - well theres a newer one, check here -> ftp://ftp.support.acer-euro.com/notebook/aspire_5050/
for Aspire 5050 it has BIOS and VISTA / BIOS - which I suspect is a version of winphlash to work in vista BUT the BIOS folder has a newer update in it.. ALSO when I check some of the things in the update list like BISON CCD thats something to do with camera drivers for a different type of Acer Aspire altogether... is this normal?

here are the file , thanks: (ive had to leave out winphlash as its too big)

[Peter Komar]

Go for it, I flashed mine in a thunderstorm with the power flickering on and off, it was a thrill and worked like a charm. No guts, no glory

[Rich-M]

Well yes there are surely enough issues to make it meaningful.