Acer Aspire 3, A315-21, win10 setup issues, BIOS and other problems

seitsme

some things cannot be typed fast... anyway... I cannot edit my first post and i get error i need 'Vanilla-something' garbage script, to allow me edit my post and does not save it re-edited.... I write new post.

i own an Acer Aspire 3, A315-21 used laptop purchase as spares and trying to fix it.

I replaced the lcd with a new one, but not sure if it is touch one.

I added 250gb sata internal hdd and has no caddy, sitting lose inside the compartment.

i have problems with installation of windows and selecting right BIOS-uefi options as well.

I have over 20 years to use garbage windows OS, but i have to fix this acer...

I only managed to make bootable usb with windows ver 1809 build 17763.107.

It boots and installs under uefi and legacy.

I dont know what UEFI settings i have to have ON though and need your help with which options to turn on, ie secure and what from boot menu.

There is something disabled in bios, the tpm (tcm). should be turned on or off not sure.

I tried to find TPM version via device manager for win11 and i dont see it at all. So, do i have TPM and what version is it or not.

My problem is that i cannot update to H20 or H21 from a downloadable version from ie heidoc.net or crappy microsoft website, which displays latest ver only

for downloading.

I tried to update BIOS from Legacy-windows, reading a post here about issues with H20 or H21. I run ZAS125.exe, loads, then i get error -Mount the EFI system partition failed appears- and quits. Not sure if i have to set UEFI or UEFI secure or whatever else for that to work. I also get fuzzy screen, scrambled animated pixels and then i have to shut down the laptop with some usb and win versions sometimes.

How can i tell if i need more BIOS updates from the support page, as not sure if i need them or not.

I found only windows version 1809 that allows me to boot from usb and open setup to continue install. Not sure if i have wrong format etc options via YUMI or RUFUS.

Can you give me instructions to make a proper bootable usb installer or windows bootable win2go usb, as i tried other software like win2hdd/usb and had no luck.

When i enter setup, i get no mouse pointer (i dont have mouse) nor trackpad-touchpad pointer moving on screen and i use old ***** TAB key to navigate to continue

install, which when i loggin, i use tab again to show wifi network, update some USB drivers shown in device manager, maybe missing etc.then i see the mouse pointer

moving and after a while i can find the touchpad via search menu and set it up and works.

CMOS battery is missing from the motherboard, and i use electricity at all times, without any time date problems in windows x64. Home edition. Have not updated to pro yet, not sure if would help or make things worst. Do you suggest a non-recheargeable battery instead of ML1220 which i cannot find at all, without soldered contacts, unless i go ebay... and which one to buy.

RAM is 4GB on board only. what RAM speed to buy and how can i tell the speed and ECC or non-ECC from the stickers on the ram board chip. What is the advised speed to be compatible with the 4GB RAM speed.

How can i make one bootable usb installer that can work on this acer model, and correct BIOS choice ie legacy or uefi and also load the touchpad drivers.

I just move large files over 4GB on this pc laptop. Not sure if i have to format the hdd ntfs or gpt etc. and allow windows install.

What versions work with this acer model.

I only noticed that touchpad drivers and mouse pointer show ok when installing windows 8.1

I tried to load Strelec winPE but did not work with touchpad as well.

I dont use any mouse devices anymore...

Any help on the above would be appreciated as i am stuck with the install and switched off the updates to avoid error, after restarts,

-your hardware settings have changed, reboot now- which behaves like a loop showing always on screen after loggin.

JackE

BIOS should be in UEFI mode. Press F9 to load BIOS defaults. Then press F10 to save BIOS defaults. Win10 installation should be with a gpt partition scheme FAT32 formatted USB installation iso. You can do this with RUFUS freeware. Or you can try to make an installation USB using Microsoft's media creation tool. The HDD does not need to be in a caddy or bracket. It can be suitably and simply immobilized and protected inside the case with anitstatic foam.

ttttt

@seitsme

Your A315-21 seemed to have so many issues, hard to believe.

Start with a clean Win 10 installation first using Microsoft Media Creation Tool as suggested by @JackE.
With this newly created bootable flash drive ( 8 GB seemed to be good size), do a cold boot of the laptop, keep tapping F12 key while still in the black screen, until you see the Bootmenu. Select to boot from this flash drive.

Assuming your laptop came with Windows installed and digital license embedded in the motherboard, while installing Win 10 when abeing asked for a product key, just answer "I don't have a product key". Let Windows format your HDD/SSD, I believe it will create it in GPT partition table with NTFS format.

HDD caddy for a laptop is optional in my opinion, as it can be easily replaced by using masking tape or Gorilla tape.

Touch pad or mouse issue can be temporarily substituted by external USB mouse.

Let us know your progress.

seitsme

regarding the internal hdd, if i secure it on the enclosure, that is in the plastic not the caddy as i dont have it,

i have to use tape to the bottom and this will remove the sata hdd label.

On the other hand side, after i close the compartment secured poorly with one screw, i notice that after some time

this compartment opens at the edges, like the hdd is ready to explode, although it is not, and i assume that maybe

something is broken but cannot find evidence insofar...

The hdd though is a bit higher i think and this is the reason the compartment does not close securely and opens.

JackE

2.5" SSDs are usually 7mm, not 9.5mm like many 2.5" HDDs. Use antistatic foam to immobilize/protect the drive inside the case. Use tape on the outside of the door to help secure it with the single screw.

seitsme

will try the antistatic foam option but not sure if will last heat and bring other issues ie melting deformation etc inside the compartment.

JackE

Foam shouldn't be affected by temps below 100°C. Don't use a lot of foam. Only use a small amount of foam just enough to secure the drive when the cover is on.