I managed to wipe the BIOS on my G3 710 and need help, or advice on how to recover it

I was trying to update the BIOS to the R02-B2 version, found on the acer support page for my machine, and it looks like the bios only partly installed. When the computer is powered up, the predator screen appears with the option to access the BIOS, this is where the computer stops, selecting the bios changes the text to say it is entering the bios but also stops there.

Machine details:
Model: AG3-710
Part number: DG.E04SA.005
Mother board detail: mib15L-sophiab 14069-1M 348.02E02-001m

Notable things i have tried so far;

Attempted to follow instructions on creating a USB stick to flash the BIOS, through doesn't appear to do anything
Powering off the device and then press and hold the power button until powered back on and still hold until off again
Removed the CMOS battery, let it sit with out for 20min, place back in
changed the reset jumper labeled CMOS, pressed power for 15 seconds, returned pin to original location
Tried searching for a factory bios, or bios flash with no luck

Hopefully I'm just missing something simple?

Accepted answers

StevenGen

Pickel said:

JackE said:

Are you using a wired keyboard?

Yes, wired via usb.

Pickel as I’ve said bios recoveries are complex and you need to know what you are doing and even then if the chip is damaged you cant recover it. Below is the Predator G3-710's bios chip and cmos battery so that is what you are looking at as a replacement mobo is about US $183.23 so click on this link to find out.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6029997/uploads/editor/rc/8890ct9oyr7n.png

All comments

JackE

What was the previous BIOS version?

Pickel

Hi JackE

I believe the previous BIOS version was R02.A2

JackE

The A & B series updates are likely meant for two different mainboards. B probably a later production version. About when did you acquire this machine? Also what issues were you having with the R02-A2 version? It seemed to be the latest?

Pickel

I think i acquired it 2016 / 2017.

I wasn't having any issues with the pc as such. I had recently upgraded some other hardware on the pc and noticed that on the dell page, for my machine, had a more recent bios. So i downloaded it and tried to update it.

JackE

>>>noticed that on the dell page, for my machine, had a more recent bios. So i downloaded it and tried to update it. >>>

Does this mean you tried to install BIOS firmware downloaded from the Dell download site? If yes, please post the link to the Dell download site.

Pickel

Sorry, should have written acer.

StevenGen

Pickel said:

Sorry, should have written acer.

How did you flash the bios? Did you use the “Windows Flash Utility SOP” guide for your G3-710? As that is what you should have used and done. What you have done looks like you have corrupted the bios chip that needs a hard reflash that you need special tools and an experienced tech to do for you, don’t attempt this as you need special tools and experience to do this! Or if your bios chip is damaged then its much easier to buy a new bios chip that is also pre flashed to the last R02-B2 bios and replace the bios chip, which needs to be done with special micro soldering tools and experience. Don’t try to do anything as there are no other solutions that can be done to reflash this bios.

Pickel

Hi StevenGen,

Yes, I used the windows flash utility SOP guide that came with the download.

I suspected that it was going to require some form of specialist too fix but hoping otherwise as where i am there are not a lot of experienced techs around. Don't think I've got access to anyone with micro soldering skills either so I might have to go down the path of getting a replacement motherboard.

JackE

>>>I think i acquired it 2016 / 2017.>>>

OK. Sounds like the R02-A2 was the latest and should not have been changed.

(1) So, download the R02-A2 zipfile from the ACER download site. Unzip the file.

(2) Then open the ROM subdirectory and copy the R02-A2.cap file to the root directory of an empty USB FAT32 formatted thumbdrive preferrably with an activity LED

(3) Plug the charger in, insert the thumbdrive

(4) Simply turn the machine on. Look for thumbdrive LED activity.

(5) If you see LED activity, let it continue until a menu appears with an option proceed with the update recovery

If nothing happens, report back and we'll try another method.

Pickel

Thanks, I'll give that a go tonight and report back

Pickel

JackE said:

If nothing happens, report back and we'll try another method.

So i had no luck. Used a 2gb thumb drive with led and on fat32. Placed the file on stick with no sub folders.

Lights on the stick flash for a moment before going idle. The Screen remains unchanged. Oh and i also tried a few of the usb ports just on case

If i hold esc + function key i get this screen

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6029997/uploads/editor/2k/7wr8vi74aij3.jpg

So no change

JackE

That is the wrong firmware again for you laptop. You want R02-A2, NOT B2!!!

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6029997/uploads/editor/ud/gkp2giarlmw4.jpg

Pickel

I am aware, I'm showing what i attempted made no change. Sorry for the confusion.

R02-A2 is what i put on the usb to change it but it would not do it

JackE

So what happens when you press DEL or F12 in the R02-A2 screen???

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6029997/uploads/editor/76/s5wtthi8pjua.jpg

Pickel

The text at the bottom changes to either, "entering the bios" or "displaying boot menu" and that's all that happens

JackE

Do you mean that when you press either DEL or F12 keys, nothing happens? The screen remains the same? If yes, try pressing FN+F12 or FN+ESC.

Pickel

JackE said:

Do you mean that when you press either DEL or F12 keys, nothing happens?
The screen remains the same? If yes, try pressing FN+F12 or FN+ESC.

Correct Del or F12 does nothing.
Fn+ESC--> changes from the predator splash screen to the text screen (booth show before)
Fn+F12 --> did nothing

JackE

Are you using a wired keyboard?

Pickel

JackE said:

Are you using a wired keyboard?

Yes, wired via usb.

JackE

Turn the machine off. Unplug the USB flash drive. Press and hold the ESC key. While still holding the ESC key, press the power button to turn the machine back on. What happens?

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