Trouble in updating BIOS on Aspire 6930, Linux mint fails to boot or shows incorrect resolution

All right, so I have two identical 6930s in like-new condition. I want to upgrade the BIOS from ver. 3121 to ver. 3238. Even this last version is from SEPT 2009, so it's ancient, I know. I have the .exe file for the 3238 version, but I could not attach it here, it's not allowed for some weird reason, it says "zk2_3238W". I don't have any OS installed now, just a pristine and bare WD SSD. I will run it under Linux Mint ver. 22.1 Xia — after I update the BIOS. Any ideas how that can be done, as the Phoenix BIOS utility has no BIOS update option at all. The other issues, I have been running LM Linux Mint Cinnamon, Mate, and Xfce 22.1 Xia off of USB sticks before installing them for real after I update the Aspire's BIOS. This maybe related to the old BIOS. I used USB stick with the OS, MBR, Write in ISO image mode. Mate does not load at all on the Acers, Cinnamon and Xfca do, but only in Compatibility Mode. After the trial sessions, it fails to exit upon shutdown, I got a bunch or error messages like "Buffer I6O error on dev. sdaz, Logical block 7, async page read." I have to unplug from PS and take out the battery, no good. And finally, LM Cinnamon & Xfce show my LCD screen being a 4:3 aspect ratio 1024x768 XGA resolution screen. Whereas of course it is a 16-inch 1.77:1 AR 1366x768 pixel WXGA screen (CCFL panel). LM stretches horizontally a 4:3 AR screen to fill the laptop's 16:9 screen, that's obviously not good. No idea how and why LM would misidentify a 16:9 screen to a 4:3 aspect ratio screen? Any ideas where the troubles lies?

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StevenGen

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/726924/2008-model-year-aspire-6930-laptopsbios-upgrade-trial-run-issues-screen-resolution

The Aspire 69306930 bios can be either flashed though Windows or through DOS with a bootable FAT_32 formatted USB. I’ve included the Acer service guide flash guide for the Aspire 6938 PDF guide to assist you.

With the Linux Mint ver. 22.1 Xia - for all drivers and bios files for the Aspire 6930, go HERE @ HelpDrivers, as they have all the bios versions for this laptop (I've included the last 2 versions files below to assit you)

With the Linux Mint OS, there are allot of guides on the web on how to install Linux Mint Cinnamon, Mate on these laptops, so follow that link and go to the Linux Mint forum, as that is your best source on solving all the problems you are having above, as you would be much better off consulting the Linux forum that the link guides you to than Acer community, unless a community member might be able to assist you further, and he has personal experience in installed this OS onto an earlier Aspire laptop also. Good luck and hope this helps you out further further.

Acer Bios Flash Guide and BIOS Versions 3236 and 3238

Aspire 6930 - Acer BIOS Flash Utility guide.pdf

BIOS_Acer_3238_A_A.zip

BIOS_Acer_3236_A_AS6930.zip

If this answers your question and solved your query please "Click on Yes" or "Click on Like" if you find my answer useful👍

Delmarva

Thanks for all that, StevenGen. When you say "flashed through Windows" — you mean something to do with the Microsoft Windows operating system? I do not have that or want that, although back in 2008, my Aspire laptops did come with the MS Windows Vista Home Premium OS.

https://www.prodimex.ch/docs/38451_en.pdf

As mentioned before, I did already download the ver. 3238 BIOS file. Interestingly, Acer had provided fresh BIOS updates for less than one year after my purchase, whereas I have a Dell Inspiron here as well, they provided the last BIOS update for it some 6 years after I bought that laptop.

Thank you for sending me the Aspire 6930 BIOS Flash Utility Guide. It is actually not good for my machines. It says to press F2 to access BIOS menu and modify boot priority order. No can't do, I cannot move the items up or down there. I have to engage the BIOS boot order, then press F12 and do it there. It works fine, that is how I had done the Live Sessions using Linux Mint USB sticks.

Also, regarding the Guide, on my own BIOS utility screen (by Phoenix), even the instructions are a bit different, so the Guide is basically useless for me. Also, I don't believe why I should ask an operating system's forum about how to upgrade/flash system BIOS, as they did not make the computer's system BIOS. Acer as a company did.

Lastly, re. the BIOS update, the crazy Guide says something about an "iflash.bat" batch file. The is no such thing, either. Rather, the downloaded BIOS update has a DOS folder with a "zk2-3238" file, a readme text file, and a "zk2-3238W" file. The readme states this: "Windows flash: Please click "zk2_3238W.exe" to update bios." Okay, so Windows flash. If it means using Windows OS to flash the BIOS — no can't do. But maybe it means something else? I am just trying to figure out which file to copy onto the USB stick that I will boot into upon start-up: the "zk2-3238" file found in the DOS folder? Or else the "zk2-3238W" file that is supposed to be: "Windows flash: Please click "zk2_3238W.exe" to update bios." In case you know, thanks so much. I suspect it might be the file in the DOS folder? Thanks again, StevenGen.

Delmarva

Wow, I cannot believe how poor ACER stuff is compared to what DELL and HP has for the same vintage hardware. Okay, so I copied from the BIOS updater's DOS folder the "zk2-3238" file onto the FAT32 formatted USB pendrive. Booted into it, but it now says: "An operating system wasn't found." Duuuh, Acer, I know there is no operating system. I don't want to have anything done with the operating system. Only with the BIOS, like updating it. Easy to do with a DELL and HP laptop of the same approximate age. No can't do with an Acer Aspire, though. Sad, really. Will see if it will work after I install the Linux distro, I sort of doubt it. I will never get another ACER computer, as it is obviously a Windows-only machine. You must have Windows to do anything with it.

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