AN515-42, can I update the UEFI/BIOS if I don't have windows?

intok

Seriously, I can buy mobos all day that can update their UEFI without even having a CPU installed, but from what I see I must have Windows10 installed to update?

MaClane

Good evening intok !

Bios updates are only provided via .EXE files to be updated on the operating system.
It is perfectly possible to upgrade on other systems.
Just knowledge and proper tools.

sri369

intok said:

Seriously, I can buy mobos all day that can update their UEFI without even having a CPU installed, but from what I see I must have Windows10 installed to update?

To my knowledge, the BIOS updates Acer provides needs to be run from within windows 10 only. They do not work on Windows 7 nor any other non windows OS.

intok

That's *****. Other computers don't have this limitation. Never buying Acer again.

batmalin

intok said:

That's *****. Other computers don't have this limitation. Never buying Acer again.

i am with you my friend, locked hw, restricted BIOS, married to MS... this is my last Acer

MaClane

There is absolutely no restriction.
There is a lack of knowledge.
It is perfectly possible to update Bios without the need for a Windows installed.
One of dozens of ways is to use a Linux distro and use FWUpdate or FreeDOS.
Or even via microcode.
Virtually all developers have only provided updates via .EXE for security.
Summary ... the issue is lack of proper knowledge.

batmalin

Instead of putting rating to user knowledge, it might be a good idea to show the user who needs help one of the dozens ways to update via Linux. About the restrictions:
1. Why so many usefull options are hidden form end users? I have unpacked the BIOS and even legacy mode boot option is available and selectable!
2. Where is the NitroSence for Linux?
3. Why on the support page only w10 64bit is available. No single other option?
4. Why fan sensors are blocked?
5. Why the BIOS looks like 90`s *****? Competition at the same specs and price range have very decent BIOS outlook.
6. Many others, but it make no sence to mention as nobody from Acer reads or cares about the user experince!

MaClane

batmalin said:

Instead of putting rating to user knowledge, it might be a good idea to show the user who needs help one of the dozens ways to update via Linux. About the restrictions:
1. Why so many usefull options are hidden form end users? I have unpacked the BIOS and even legacy mode boot option is available and selectable!
2. Where is the NitroSence for Linux?
3. Why on the support page only w10 64bit is available. No single other option?
4. Why fan sensors are blocked?
5. Why the BIOS looks like 90`s *****? Competition at the same specs and price range have very decent BIOS outlook.
6. Many others, but it make no sence to mention as nobody from Acer reads or cares about the user experince!

If a user does not have adequate knowledge in systems should seek to study and learn.

1- Not all BIOS options can be implemented due to lack of controller support and hardware access.
Some Bios summers simply do not have "hidden options".
Some have certain functions that are not direct access because the user who wants to be able to update a Bios can certainly make changes that cause total loss of equipment.
Some older versions of Bios files have factors that are being removed for security reasons, such as Legacy mode.

2- Acer has not developed Sense applications for non-Windows systems.
Sense's cooling and control system can easily be implemented on a Linux system by other methods.
Just knowledge.

3- Windows 10 is the official Microsoft system which is active and supported by both businesses and users.
Hence the question of use.

4- No fan sensor is "blocked".
Different applications with access to low programming have or not access to hardware according to the controllers and development.

5- Bios appearance issues do not interfere with functionality or safety.
There are standard Bios, Inherited Bios that support pure Uefi and Uefi.

6- Did you read the ACA when you joined the forum?
Certainly not.
I would know that this is an open collaborative forum of Acer users and enthusiasts and not an official contact channel.
If you need to speak directly with an Acer employee, I suggest contacting them on official channels.

andylb

batmalin said:

Instead of putting rating to user knowledge, it might be a good idea to show the user who needs help one of the dozens ways to update via Linux. About the restrictions:
1. Why so many usefull options are hidden form end users? I have unpacked the BIOS and even legacy mode boot option is available and selectable!
2. Where is the NitroSence for Linux?
3. Why on the support page only w10 64bit is available. No single other option?
4. Why fan sensors are blocked?
5. Why the BIOS looks like 90`s *****? Competition at the same specs and price range have very decent BIOS outlook.
6. Many others, but it make no sence to mention as nobody from Acer reads or cares about the user experince!

@batmalin This is not an official Acer support page so it is not a means of communicating with Acer rather this is a community of users trying to help each other. Sometimes intent is lost in the translation from other languages to English. I would personally appreciate it if you would be respectful to other users many of whom spend countless hours of their own time helping to solve problems. Thank you

batmalin

Yes, indeed. I am just expressing my observation of the products. I was not expected such attitude from an ACE user who have access to service manuals and receives goodies from Acer. So I am not supposed to write critics and give negative feedback just because some users can`t handle it? Fine! As per your colleague it turns out that other brands users are smarter then Acer users because they have more BIOS options available. Right?

sri369

batmalin said:

Yes, indeed. I am just expressing my observation of the products. I was not expected such attitude from an ACE user who have access to service manuals and receives goodies from Acer. So I am not supposed to write critics and give negative feedback just because some users can`t handle it? Fine! As per your colleague it turns out that other brands users are smarter then Acer users because they have more BIOS options available. Right?

ACE members need not necessarily be Acer employees, nor does it mean they spend all their time on the forums. Most even have this in their signatures for this very reason. They earned it for their knowledge and willingness to help out other users. Some times it so happens that, even though trying to help, or based on his/her past experience of users bricking their systems, an ACE member could try to tell a user that so and so option might not be recommended.

And regarding BIOS here, ACE member might've gone by what has been made available by Acer officially on their product support page.

Let us assume a scenario of someone saying Acer does not allow BIOS update in non windows 10 OS - well... it so happens that windows 10 might be the only OS officially supported by Acer, and that's why the product page has only windows 10 based bios update software. An ACE could know more than the official way to update BIOS, but the user he/she is trying to help might not be that knowledgeable, and worse still, bricking laptop and then waiting on for weeks for Acer warranty support might cause issues at work for them. This is the primary reason why it is considered best to stick to what is officially supported.

"Receiving goodies and having access to service manuals" -- to put into perspective, this is a user forum where people go out of their way at times to help out others, and what you mentioned above are recognitions by Acer towards recognizing one's efforts to help out others. I know atleast a couple of users here who have spent time out of their personal time just to help out users with issues.

My take... instead of criticizing someone trying to help out and pulling down their spririts, try to overlook any shortcomings. They too are people like you and me, and doing this out of goodwill.

Reiterating what @andylb said "I would personally appreciate it if you would be respectful to other users many of whom spend countless hours of their own time helping to solve problems. Thank you".

batmalin

I never stated that ACE users are Acer employees nor I am against that they have deserved goodies and access to service manuals. BTW I am trying to help other as best as I can. Looks like nobody is understanding my feedback points. I am not sure why you all protectng  Acer whitout any doubts. If you are so loyal and you have connectins then fw this feedback to Acer as official support is not responding at all (even with automatic response like thank you for the feedback or just we have received your message). Well I whish you all all the best for the new year and lets face the fact as is.

MaClane

batmalin said:

Yes, indeed. I am just expressing my observation of the products. I was not expected such attitude from an ACE user who have access to service manuals and receives goodies from Acer. So I am not supposed to write critics and give negative feedback just because some users can`t handle it? Fine! As per your colleague it turns out that other brands users are smarter then Acer users because they have more BIOS options available. Right?

Wrong...
Draw conclusions from how you think you should.
But there is a fact ...
Virtually all developers do not provide access to certain Bios functions for 2 simple reasons:

1- As I said, not all of them can implement certain functions.
This is a technical factor and there is no way to change it.

2- for security reasons as most users do not have adequate knowledge to give you low level Bios access.

This is the standard being implemented and will be followed by all developers, be it Acer, Asus, Lenovo, Dell or any other.

batmalin

WOW.........!