E15 E5-576G-5762 seems to be bricked. Want to try re-flashing bios. Which .FD file do I use?

nikoniko

Hello, I downloaded the earliest release of the BIOS for this computer here: https://www.acer.com/ac/en/IN/content/support-product/7333?b=1



This screenshot shows all the files to extract from the ZAA file... which .FD file is the correct one to put on the flash drive? And which .exe? 

JackE

Try each and every one of the FD files renamed as ZAA.FD and then ZAA_x64.FD. Each one must be the only file in the root directory of FAT32 formatted USB stick with an LED activity light. AND you must try each USB port using the FN+ESC cold boot method. Tedious and works less than 25% of the time. You cannot use the EXE files if the machine is bricked since they must be run from the Windows environment.

Since these are relatively large surface-mount 8-pin chips, many folks have found it easier to simply replace the corrupted chip with a preprogrammed chip using a simple microtip soldering tool lifting each pin one-by-one off the board with. Most preprogrammed chips are often avail under $20 from ebay vendors like those shown for a similar mainboard model below.

   

nikoniko

JackE said:

Try each and every one of the FD files renamed as ZAA.FD and then ZAA_x64.FD. Each one must be the only file in the root directory of FAT32 formatted USB stick with an LED activity light. AND you must try each USB port using the FN+ESC cold boot method. Tedious and works less than 25% of the time. You cannot use the EXE files if the machine is bricked since they must be run from the Windows environment.

Since these are relatively large surface-mount 8-pin chips, many folks have found it easier to simply replace the corrupted chip with a preprogrammed chip using a simple microtip soldering tool lifting each pin one-by-one off the board with. Most preprogrammed chips are often avail under $20 from ebay vendors like those shown for a similar mainboard model below.

   

Thank you!!!! My next step was going to try to change the bios chip.  So you're saying it only works 20% each time you try? so i can keep trying and it might work one time? or it only works 20% of the time and for those that don't work it never will??  So in other words should I try each file like 30 times before moving onto the next one? lol 

So, when I stick the USB in to the computer, the light never lights up.  I have a different USB flash drive where the light turns on for 1 second and then never turns on again.  

Also -- do you know how I can find the bios chip? I looked all over the board and there are some that have 4 pins on each side like that.  Here are some pics.  Also, see how that chip i circled looks like there should be a chip on there??? think it fell off?  or is this normal?  I never found anything inside the case. 

JackE

Even if  the correct FD filename was used, the chances for success are still below 25% for the FN+ESC method. The only indication that the process might be successful and the chip is actually reading and processing the USB firmware, is sustained USB LED flashing activity for about 4-5 minutes  

The part numbers for 8-pin surface mount BIOS chips usually are identified by numbers/letters on top or on the mainboard like the Winbond chip shown in your photo. A Google search of the Windbond part number shows that this is the likely corrupted BIOS chip unless you can find a similar 8-pin surface mount elsewhere on the board.

I can't tell for sure from your photo due to lighting, but the 4 solder pins on the bottom look suspiciously discolored and not bright solder contacts.