Acer Aspire 5532 BIOS Update on replaced motherboard

Tinker740
Tinker740 Member Posts: 2 New User
edited November 2022 in Aspire Laptops

I had to replace my motherboard (LA5481P that had BIOS v1.09) due to failure of one of the memory slots.

I received a used motherboard that works. I reloaded Win 7 Professional and the OS works fine. The memory sticks are fine. However, the BIOS on the replacement motherboard is v1.02. This is causing some functions of the laptop to work improperly such as: 1) the display stays on and the PC does not enter sleep mode even though it's windows settings are directing it to sleep, 2) the Function key combination to adjust the screen brightness don't work properly.

I'd like to flash v1.09 to the replacement motherboard. I could not find any BIOS download for my model 5532 on Acer's website. Therefore, I used 'Universal BIOS Backup Toolkit 2.0' to extract the original motherboard's BIOS v1.09. That software saved the BIOS file as 'Acer-V1.09.rom'. I used a hex editor to search for the filenameXXX.fd (see link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYqrKxua0JA). I had to skip the steps up until 2:50 since I could not find the Acer BIOS file download on the Acer website. At 2:50, the video shows how to search for the filenameXXX.fd in the bin file. So, I used a hex editor on my 'Acer-V1.09.rom' file and searching for '.fd' produces no results.

Since Acer does not supply a BIOS download, I also did not have the 'flashit.exe' file. So, I found and downloaded an Acer 'flashit.exe' file from the internet. I formatted a FAT32 MS-DOS bootable USB stick with Rufus, put 'flashit.exe and my BIOS file 'Acer-V1.09.rom' in the root directory. I booted the laptop while holding FN+Esc. I ran 'flashit.exe' at the prompt. It ran. Here is the result:

Insysde Flash Utility for InsydeH20

Version 1.2j

Initializing

ERROR: This FD file cannot open.

I saw somewhere that a filename 'ZG5IA32.FD' might work. Changed the filename but still the same error. Changed to 'Acer-V1.09.fd' but still same error.

I'm sure if I could download the actual Acer BIOS v1.09 for this laptop, I could follow the above-referenced link and flash it.

Any help is appreciated...😀

[Edited the thread to add issue detail]

Best Answer

  • Commodore_1995#
    Commodore_1995# ACE Posts: 98,315 Trailblazer
    edited November 2022 Answer ✓

    I found the bios file on this site:https://pt.driverscollection.com/_44252208000ddaae9097ad812d9/Download-ACER-Aspire-5532-BIOS-v.1.11-gr%C3%A1tis


    However, I don't know if it's a reliable file. I suggest you don't try to perform a bios recovery.

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                                                     egydiocoelho Trailblazer
     
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Answers

  • JackE
    JackE ACE Posts: 44,871 Trailblazer

    Sorry, this model seems to have the Phoenix, not Insyde, chip. So the ROM file should probably by changed to a BIOS.WPH file extension. I'd probably try the phoenix bIos recovery tutorial on the bios mod site before messing with Insyde methods.

    Jack E/NJ

  • Commodore_1995#
    Commodore_1995# ACE Posts: 98,315 Trailblazer
    edited November 2022 Answer ✓

    I found the bios file on this site:https://pt.driverscollection.com/_44252208000ddaae9097ad812d9/Download-ACER-Aspire-5532-BIOS-v.1.11-gr%C3%A1tis


    However, I don't know if it's a reliable file. I suggest you don't try to perform a bios recovery.

    Oi! Eu não sou sou a cortana! Mas estou aqui para ajudar! Hi! I'm not the cortana! But I'm here to help!
    Se você gostou da minha resposta, marque como solução clicando em sim! If you liked my answer, mark it as a solution by clicking on yes!
    Aceite somente a resposta que ajudou a solucionar o seu problema! Please accept only the response that helped to solve your problem!
    Detection tool click here to find the serial number or partnumber of your model!                                                          
                                                      
                                                     egydiocoelho Trailblazer
     
    ProductKey clique aqui para descobrir o serial do windows! click here to discover the windows serial!
    Para usuários da comunidade inglesa, espanhola, francesa e alemã, usarei o google tradutor! :)
    For users of the English, Spanish, French and German community, I will be using google translator! :) 
  • Tinker740
    Tinker740 Member Posts: 2 New User

    egydiocoelho,

    Your link was perfect! I downloaded v1.11 and first tried to flash it on the damaged motherboard and it worked. So I then flashed it onto the replacement motherboard and that worked also. I have all my functionality back. Thank you so, so much!! I could not have done it without your help.😀

  • JackE
    JackE ACE Posts: 44,871 Trailblazer

    Congratulations. Thanks for reporting back.

    Jack E/NJ