Aspire A515 Failed Firmware Update - Won't Reboot

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Answers

  • TJM123
    TJM123 Member Posts: 14

    Tinkerer

    JackE said:
    >>>Cycle repeats indefinitely until I do another battery pin reset>>>
    >>> there really is no capability to hold the power button to shut off the machine>>>>

    (1) Do you mean once the cycling repeats, pressing and holding the power button for about 10 seconds will not shut the machine off?

    (2) The crisis disk for newer Insyde bios chips is actually an empty FAT32 formatted stick. In its root directory is a single binary file that must be extracted from the Windows firmware version executable on a different Windows machine which is becoming increasingly difficult to do. Here is a link to what's involved for your model. https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/635072/bios-corrupted-aspire-5-a515-54
    Unfortunately, the user didn't report back. You might try sending him a PM to see if his situation was resolved.


    Tried following the link but following the directions in the video isn't possible since it's an older version of Windows.

    I did format a usb as FAT 32 and download the recent BIOS file for my computer serial # off the Acer download site.  I placed the ZAW file on the USB and attempted a cold start while pressing the FN + Esc buttons.  This did not resolve the boot-up problem but it did stop the powering down cycles.  I tried a few variations, including pressing F2 but this did not move the boot-up process forward.
  • JackE
    JackE ACE Posts: 44,868 Trailblazer
    >>>I did format a usb as FAT 32 and download the recent BIOS file for my computer serial # off the Acer download site.  I placed the ZAW file on the USB and attempted a cold start while pressing the FN + Esc buttons.  This did not resolve the boot-up problem but it did stop the powering down cycles.>>>

    OK. Sometimes you have to do it more than once. The USB stick must have an LED activity light. Follow this exact procedure.
    (1) Turn the machine off again
    (2) Press and hold the Fn+Esc keys
    (3) While still holding the key, press the Power and also HOLD button to turn the machine on.
    (4) Don't let go of the FN+ESC OR Power button till you see USB LED  activity. Then release all three
    (5) The USB LED activity  should continue for about 5 mins then stop
    (6) If successful,  the machine will then automatically shut off.


    Jack E/NJ

  • TJM123
    TJM123 Member Posts: 14

    Tinkerer

    JackE said:
    >>>I did format a usb as FAT 32 and download the recent BIOS file for my computer serial # off the Acer download site.  I placed the ZAW file on the USB and attempted a cold start while pressing the FN + Esc buttons.  This did not resolve the boot-up problem but it did stop the powering down cycles.>>>

    OK. Sometimes you have to do it more than once. The USB stick must have an LED activity light. Follow this exact procedure.
    (1) Turn the machine off again
    (2) Press and hold the Fn+Esc keys
    (3) While still holding the key, press the Power and also HOLD button to turn the machine on.
    (4) Don't let go of the FN+ESC OR Power button till you see USB LED  activity. Then release all three
    (5) The USB LED activity  should continue for about 5 mins then stop
    (6) If successful,  the machine will then automatically shut off.


    Oh well, no luck, calling a local Acer svc cntr tomorrow.

    BTW - Holding the power button along with Fn+Esc seemed to block anything from getting going - as soon as the keyboard lit up and fan came on, they would shut down within a sec if the ower button was also held down.

    Appreciate the input though JackE

  • JackE
    JackE ACE Posts: 44,868 Trailblazer
    Sorry. But this is not completely unexpected. The FN+ESC method succeeds less than about 25% of the time after a failed firmware update. This is why a firmware update is sort of a last resort fix for a serious issue that normal driver updates can't seem to fix. Firmware updates should very rarely be used for an otherwise functional laptop due to the irreversible risk of adverse side effects or worse --- bricking.

    Unless the machine is still under warranty, perhaps the most practical fix is to replace the corrupted BIOS chip itself with a pre-programmed chip. Usually less than about $25usd. Google your full model number & bios pre-programmed for vendors who ship to your location. Most BIOS chips are  large 8-pin surface mount ICs on the mainboaard that can be fairly easily replaced with an inexpensive pencil tip soldering tool from HomeDepot, Lowes or Amazon. 





    Jack E/NJ