TC-605 Bios

I'm a little confused about the correct Bios to use on both a TC-605-UR-19 and TC-605-UR13. For all practical purposes, they are the same computer (same motherboard and same CPU). Both came with Windows 8.1 preinstalled and am still using 8.1 on both.

When I look at the acer downloads, it shows a P21.A4 bios at 2.6 MB. I flashed that UEFI bios on one of the computers and it works fine. But after reading the post below, I realized that there are two P21.A4 Bios. I assume one is for Windows 8.1 and the other is for Windows 7?

Which Bios should be used for preinstalled wondows 8.1? The 2.6 MB version or the 2.9 MB version? The 2.9 MB version does not appear in acer downloads for TC-605. If the 2.9 MB version is supposed to be used for Windows 8.1, can you please add that version to Acer downloads (if it should be used for TC-605 win 8.1).

http://community.acer.com/t5/2014-Archives/Adding-RAM-Upgrading-Bios-Veriton-M4630G/td-p/273074

Accepted answers

-Justin

JordanB,

Right, for this one there are none listed that way. By default, we would explain to customers our BIOS version compatibility article that we created for those that were trying to update their BIOS and it wasn't working.

If your BIOS was listed as P21.xx before updating you would only be able to use the P21.xx versions.
If the BIOS is listed as one of the versions that have the "L" at the end, they can only use those version that have the "L" at the end and follow the same P11.xx version type.
For the ones that have P11.xx, they can only use those.

They are putting (not for upgrades) to make it easier for customers, I'm not sure why they did not for this one. I have sent a message to see why so we don't have questions such as this, but you are using the correct BIOS version. Sorry it took so long to get to this sort of answer, it kind of clicked when I started reading it a bit more. Smiley Happy

All comments

-Justin

JordanB,

I only see one P21.A4 version posted for this model. Usually when you see two versions that are the same, one will be for a system that ships with Windows 8 and a system that was upgraded from Windows 7 to 8.

If it ships with Windows 8, you would want to choose the one that does say not for upgrades.

JordanB

Yes, but look at the link in my original post. The one that says NOT for upgrades is 2.9 MB. The 2.6 MB version shows up for both win 7 and win 8.1 on TC-605.

The post by Laurent in the link shows that there are two versions of that Bios. One is 2.6 MB and the other is 2.9 MB. I'm wondering if there's some kind of mistake? Because if you follow the logic of using the NOT FOR UPGRADES, then the 2.9 MB version of that Bios should appear on the TC-605 download page for windows 8.1.

Additional information: when I flashed that 2.6 MB Bios, secure boot was disabled by default. Which would be consistent of a windows 7 bios.

Could you please check if there's been some kind of mistake? Shouldn't the 2.9 MB version be there too (for windows 8.1)?

-Justin

JordanB,

I recommend that you not install BIOS version listed under a different unit even if they show they are the same version type. That post you linked was for a Veriton M4630G system so those BIOS versions listed are going to be unique to it.

As far as BIOS version go for the ATC-605, I don't see that you have that problem whether it's for an upgrade or just Windows 8 units. The explanation still stands though, if your unit shipped with Windows 8 you do want to use the version that does say not for upgrades.

The reason they are different sizes is because Windows 7 units don't have the UEFI information in them and the Windows 8 units have to have UEFI and legacy features.

JordanB

Thanks for replying! I would never use a BIOS for a different model.... Smiley Wink

I was thinking the exact same thing about the larger file size. But after looking at it some more, it doesn't make sense. I'll try to explain my confusion better.

1. Some ATC-605 models have Windows 8.1 preinstalled. Some ATC-605 models have Windows 7 pre-installed.

2. When you go to acer downloads, there is no distinction between the BIOS when you select windows 7 or windows 8.1 operating system.

3. Some BIOS file sizes are 2.6 MB and some are 2.9 MB.... regardless of which operating system you choose. None of them say "not for upgrades", regardless of which operating system you choose.

If you're confident that the UEFI/BIOS are correct for the ATC-605, then I won't worry about it. I am using ATC-605 Windows 8.1 BIOS "P21A4 2.6MB" and it appears to work fine......so I'll assume it's the correct BIOS/UEFI.

http://us.acer.com/ac/en/US/content/drivers

-Justin

JordanB,

Units that ship with Windows 7 installed use the BIOS versions that do not say not for upgrades.

Units that ship with Windows 8 installed use the BIOS versions that say not for upgrades.

That is how it is distinguished between the two operating systems. Smiley Happy

JordanB

Yes, I understand about the "not for upgrades". I've always understood about the "not for upgrades". That's not where my confusion resides. My confusion is why none of the BIOS say "not for upgrades" on the acer download website for TC-605.

If you go to your ACER downloads, and select "desktop", then select "Aspire", then select "TC-605", you'll see that none of the BIOS say "not for upgrades".

-Justin

JordanB,

Right, for this one there are none listed that way. By default, we would explain to customers our BIOS version compatibility article that we created for those that were trying to update their BIOS and it wasn't working.

If your BIOS was listed as P21.xx before updating you would only be able to use the P21.xx versions.
If the BIOS is listed as one of the versions that have the "L" at the end, they can only use those version that have the "L" at the end and follow the same P11.xx version type.
For the ones that have P11.xx, they can only use those.

They are putting (not for upgrades) to make it easier for customers, I'm not sure why they did not for this one. I have sent a message to see why so we don't have questions such as this, but you are using the correct BIOS version. Sorry it took so long to get to this sort of answer, it kind of clicked when I started reading it a bit more. Smiley Happy

JordanB

Actually, my original BIOS was P11, but I'm using P21 on one my computers. oops! It works fine. The only oddity was the default UEFI setting for Secure Boot was disabled. But it was easy enough to change. Not sure why secure boot would be disabled by default for a windows 8.1 BIOS/UEFI.

But I don't want to take up any more of your time. Just wanted to see if you could get the gatekeepers of the BIOS to double check their files and descriptions for TC-605 and hopefully look in to making it much clearer on the BIOS downloads as to which BIOS is the latest for a computer. They seem to have done a good job with BIOS descriptions for the Veriton computers, but have overlooked the TC-605 computers. Thanks again.

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