TravelMate P653 BIOS Update Needed - Can't Do Outside of Windows

How can I update the BIOS outside of Windows?

I've got a TravelMate P653-M-6675 that won't boot. When going into the BIOS to change boot order, upon saving settings I get the error message:

Warning

Formset 61FA5536-FE13-4B37-B1D0-0E7CDBD517F2
Falied to save storage: MyIfrNVData. Status: Invalid Parameter.

Googling suggests that the BIOS needs to be updated. However the BIOS update that I can download from Acer will only work inside of Windows. I cannot boot to Windows.

I can boot to a bootable DOS USB, but that executable won't run in DOS.

I can boot to Mini XP via UBCD, but that executable won't run in Win32 either.

So it would appear that I'm stuck.

How can I do this update?

I suspect the install has to happen from a USB or CD via DOS, but I'd need a DOS compatible executable.

Accepted answers

All comments

philetus

At boot, try tapping F-10 and see if you can get Recovery to start.

CdnGuy

Good call, Philetus. I should have mentioned I did that. No recovery sector on this unit. Why is there no recovery sector? I have no idea.

I've tried using a Windows repair disk to get into DOS mode to try it from there as well. No luck, but I admit that the issue there might be me. I'll try again.