Corrupted BIOS: Aspire A315-41-R88U “Black screen of death”

Hi,

I did a little reading before posting this but have determined that my machine has been affected by the BIOS bug that puts your machine in this state after “resetting to defaults”.

After reading these threads...
https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/409555/repair-acer-r7-572-6423-black-screen-of-death (Best instructions)

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/561482/acer-aspire-3-a315-41-r6vq-acnxgy9ed012-bios-recovery (Relevant to my model)

Ive found the proper information to reset my machine. Can anyone provide the correct bin file for my machine listed here:
https://global-download.acer.com/GDFiles/BIOS/BIOS/BIOS_Acer_1.11_A_A.zip?acerid=636795772273187488&Step1=NOTEBOOK&Step2=ASPIRE&Step3=ASPIRE%20A315-41&OS=ALL&LC=en&BC=ACER&SC=PA_6

Can we also confirm the proper name for this file would be: DH5JVx64.fn ?

Im going to use a secondary machine to extract the needed exe file but wanted to make sure it wasn’t available first.

Luckily, after speaking with a Level 2 technician, he ensured I wouldn’t have to pay for the repair if it wasn’t unlocking / removing the BIOS password. This is good news because now the retail value of this machine is only $299. Paying $99 + shipping for a potentially relatively simple software fix seemed like a waste of resources. This process would be much simpler if Acer provided the bin/fn file but can understand why they wouldn’t for security reasons.

Thanks for your help!

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JackE

Before trying to flash the BIOS, make sure the screen isn't simply toggled off with the FN+F5 or FN+F6 key combos.

If no joy, unplug the charger and check for a small battery reset hole on the bottom. If it exists, gently press a paper clip into the hole for about 10 seconds. Let the machine rest for 15 mins. Then plug the charger back and try to fire it up again.

If still no joy, then reset the battery again the same way. Then insert the USB stick which must be MBR partitioned FAT32 formatted and DH5JVx64.FD (renamed if necessary from the BIN, ROM or WPH extension file) the only file on the stick.Then plug the charger back in. Press and hold the FN+ESC combo. Then press the power button. Release FN+ESC after USB LED activity starts.

Jack E/NJ

SpaceJanitor

Thanks! I tried the fn+F5, fn+F6 initially and it didn’t work. I also tried the battery reset with a technician over the phone along with holding alt+Power? before boot for 60 seconds to do a power drain.

Appreciate the confirmation on the file name - I’ll go ahead and try again with the specified updates and report once I’ve tried the above.

Cheers!

JackE

>>>Can we also confirm the proper name for this file would be: DH5JVx64.fn ?>>>

No, we didn't confirm. The filename is DH5JVx64.FD, not DH5JVx64.FN

Also, you really should try to HDMI out to a TV before flashing. If you get a TV screen using the FN+F5 toggle key, then it's likely just the video ribbon cable that needs to be replaced from being squished in the hinge area due to opening & closing the lid too much. Jack E/NJ

SpaceJanitor

Great - thanks! I caught that after you mentioned in your first response. I’ll definitely ensure it’s fd.

Based on the fact it happened after doing a “reset to defaults” I’m truly thinking its a BIOS corruption but will definitely include the HDMI test in my troubleshooting routine.

Thanks again.

SpaceJanitor

What should I do if the USB activity light never flashes? How long should I hold fn+ESC? I held for 20+ seconds with no flashing, freshly formatted USB Fat32 with MBR partition table that reads on another machine

SpaceJanitor

Also, can confirm that trying the HDMI cable plus function + F5 / F6 did not work.

JackE

>>>I did a little reading before posting this but have determined that my machine has been affected by the BIOS bug that puts your machine in this state after “resetting to defaults”. >>>

OK. Maybe you better explain why you felt the BIOS needed an F9 default reset to begin with? Jack E/NJ

SpaceJanitor

I just figured it was a safe way to clear my secureboot keys and any other settings potentially modified by my current installation. I’ve done this on other motherboards in the past and it didn’t yield this result.

SpaceJanitor

If holding the button doesn’t work, should I remove the battery + hard drive or will that not make a difference? I can confirm the formatted USB is fat32 + mbr partition table and the file name was confirmed by opening the bin in UEFI tool and searching for the text field “.fd”.

chromey

SpaceJanitor said:

If holding the button doesn’t work, should I remove the battery + hard drive or will that not make a difference? I can confirm the formatted USB is fat32 + mbr partition table and the file name was confirmed by opening the bin in UEFI tool and searching for the text field “.fd”.

I tried to do that bios recovery flashback on my A315-41 when i bricked the bios/setup on it, but it didnt work (even got the right bios file) Only fix was to get a spi/bios programmer and flash a new one in.

edit: Before that i tried everything possible, even removing bios battery but to no avail.
Had the same problem as you, black screen on powerup
edit2: The programmer with SOIC clip + 1.8v adapter ended up costing me only 20-30€, could buy cheaper from china but i just bought from amazon

SpaceJanitor

chromey said:

SpaceJanitor said:

If holding the button doesn’t work, should I remove the battery + hard drive or will that not make a difference? I can confirm the formatted USB is fat32 + mbr partition table and the file name was confirmed by opening the bin in UEFI tool and searching for the text field “.fd”.

I tried to do that bios recovery flashback on my A315-41 when i bricked the bios/setup on it, but it didnt work (even got the right bios file) Only fix was to get a spi/bios programmer and flash a new one in.

edit: Before that i tried everything possible, even removing bios battery but to no avail.
Had the same problem as you, black screen on powerup
edit2: The programmer with SOIC clip + 1.8v adapter ended up costing me only 20-30€, could buy cheaper from china but i just bought from amazon

Ahhh. Reminds me of the days of patching systems

At that point I’d be spending pretty close to the same amount I would be on shipping without the guarantee I can execute (unless it’s as easy as it used to be, clipping prongs onto the chipheads then consoling in to transfer the new image). It’s slightly comforting knowing someone else did the same thing... so thanks

JackE

>>>I just figured it was a safe way to clear my secureboot keys and any other settings potentially modified by my current installation>>>

What installation? Jack E/NJ

SpaceJanitor

JackE said:

>>>I just figured it was a safe way to clear my secureboot keys and any other settings potentially modified by my current installation>>>

What installation? Jack E/NJ

Windows was behaving strangely. If you don’t have any additional suggestions, I’m just going to use another machine and send in the unit.

Thanks!

Ειρήνη

Hi, I have a problem with my laptop after an update it did ... I shut it off and the screen never reopened .. the power light is on and it sounds like the computer is working ... but the screen is on dead !! it hasn't closed for a month since I got it !!!

JackE

Press and hold the power button till the machine completely shuts off. Remove the charger. Then look for a battery reset pinhole on the bottom of the machine. Gently press a paper clip into the pinhole for 10 seconds. Then reconnect the charger and try to turn the machine on again. Jack E/NJ

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