No BIOS.

Hi,

my A1 wont allow me into the bios, boot options or boot from a usb port. When I switch on the A1 it shows the post page- the bios version and build date; memory speed but not the amount(which i think it used to show as i had upgraded the memory to 1.5.) the ssd f2 and f12 keys. It hangs there, if i selecet f2 or f12 it say please wait.
If anybody can offer any advice I'd appreciate it.

Cheers

 

Try Macles Bios Recovery;
http://macles.blogspot.com/2008/08/acer ... overy.html

 

You can try what jerryt suggested. But one question - are you sure RAM you upgraded is compatible with AA1??

 

Last question first. Yes the A1 was working fine with the upgraded memory. I have tried macles, it didn't work- hopefully I did it correctly. Power button blinked a couple of times. The usb stick also blinked like it was being read and then nothing the system just stays on the post page, I have left it for as long as half an hour before turning off the pc. Don't know what to do?

 

How long after upgrade this problem occurred?? Is there any chance that RAM stick got loose??

 

I have one AOA150 with exact same problem. The only cure is to swap the BIOS chip with a good one. I have already done that and it worked nice. It requires good SMD soldering/desoldering skills and some equipment.

I have tried the corrupted BIOS chip in another good motherboard and is maintaining the behavior (freezes at F2 or F12 with "please wait").

The Macles recovery works, but doesn't correct the corrupt data on the chip....

Sorry for the bad news.

 

Hi X33,

Thanks for the advice. You mentioned Macles works. I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong but Macles have not worked at all. Was there anything that you might have done that hasn't been written in the website userguides?
Also whilst I'd like to get it working with Macles I'd want to upgrade the BIOS. Could you give me some advice on where to buy a new bios chip?
This will be the first time i'll be attempting any soldering so any advice is welcome! Also I understand that I could easily brick the motherboard but I had already written off the computer..... would be great if I could bring it back!

Thanks in advance!!!

 

Hi aoneguy.

I haven't done anything special than the "recipe" posted everywhere- just make sure you're doing exactly as posted.

Unfortunately, it still didn't change the outcome.. It looks like either the chip is bad or the programming is corrupted. The Macles recovery method is just re-writing the crysis boot sector of the Bios, while the rest stays the same. That is exactly where our problem resides.

The BIOS gurus out there might correct me if I'm wrong...

Anyway, not being able to use the boot selection (to point it to USB boot) is obviously keeping us from flashing the BIOS with a clean good file.

I've tried it more than five times even on separate good motherboards (using the "confused" BIOS chip) and the result was the same.

You can find replacement chips on Ebay if you search for "ASPIRE One BIOS", as jerryt pointed out. They usually go for like $15 and they are pre-programmed for your board.

As for soldering guidelines...Well, you need some experience and some tools. It's more than someone explaining to you how to do it.
It is indeed very easy to create a mess if you've never done this before.

 

Here is my bios chip replacement procedure.

1) Connect all pins together with solder on both sides of the bios chip (Create two sets of bridged solder joints).
2) Using two soldering irons heat both sets of bridged solder joints, slide the chip off the board.
3) Clean bios chip mounting pad with copper de-soldering braid.
4) Flux the mounting pad and legs of new chip. Solder one corner leg of bios chip first, then the opposite corner leg, and then the remaining legs.

 

Hmmmm! This is going to be interesting! Its gonna take a couple of days but will look into it and see if I'm up to the task. I practice a bit before trying the real thing....... Thanks for all your advice! As things progress I post updates......... Cheers for now!