TIP and explanation for update bios in acer swift X SFX14-41G

Pretorian91 · June 2022

***SORRY I WAS NOT ABLE TO POST IN SWIFT SESSION***

Hi all,

i just order my brand new swift X SFX14-41G this week and i'm waiting for the delivery.

in the meanwhile i purchase a 2TB 970 plus evo and a new wifi card intel ax210 after reading a lot of people concerning about wifi performance of this laptop.

I was looking for bios update on the acer product page and i see there are 2 update for bios and NO change-log for them.

This thing makes me disappointed about my first acer experience...and i still need to recevive the item

I have couple questions about bios update :

1) as i said we have 2 update in acer support page :

- v. 1.02 Update Panel ID ---> what this updated does ? it is needeed ? to be honest, in general, i prefer to keep my machines always up to date.

- v. 1.04 Enable fTPM support for China. ---> this mean that ftpm for other countries is already enabled ? so i can skip this bios and i can install windows 11 without upgrading to this bios version ?

https://www.acer.com/ac/it/IT/content/support-product/8933?b=1&pn=NX.AU2ET.006 ---> probably you prefer to check it in en page, so just keep in mind the model code NX.AU2ET.006 (5800u, 16GB, RTX3050 --> non TI version)

2) last but not least, i have no experience with acer support and i bought this laptop directly ftom the acer shop (italy).

So as mentioned i'm going to replace wifi card and mount a new ssd in the m.2 free slot.

- should i upgrade bios before opening the case ? can acer make any problem if i will upgrade the bios and something goes wrong after opening the case and replace some laptop component ?

Thanks to everyone who take time to answer me and sorry for my english

Commodore_1995# · June 2022

1) I think this version of the bios should add some support for a new display!
2) In the past, china did not allow the use of tpm on computers. They used tcm. However, due to the emergence of windows 11, which requires tpm to be enabled in the bios, manufacturers are making this firmware available for computers that are sold in china. You can even try updating the bios to that version. But that shouldn't influence the activation or deactivation of tpm on your machine.

JackE · June 2022

Your mainboard should be equipped with a TPM 2.0 module that supports both Win11 and Win10. The existing BIOS version installed should control enabling and disabling this module. No need to change BIOS firmware.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6029997/uploads/editor/uh/lg3dl6u26zbw.jpg

JackE · June 2022

(1) BIOS updates are primarily for machine's that are exhibiting serious problems or issues. Accordingly, they should not be applied to machines that seem to be functioning property due greater risk of side effects, bricking or disabling the machine than ordinary system and driver updates. They should be considered irreversible if problems arise.

(2) If you have to break any tamper seals covering screws or case seams in order to replace the wifi card, you may void the warranty. Generally speaking adding an SSD should be OK but this may vary with country and region.

I suggest that you wait until you actually receive and boot up the machine as is before making any firm decisions on changing anything inside.

Pretorian91 · June 2022

JackE said:

(1) BIOS updates are primarily for machine's that are exhibiting serious problems or issues. Accordingly, they should not be applied to machines that seem to be functioning property due greater risk of side effects, bricking or disabling the machine than ordinary system and driver updates. They should be considered irreversible if problems arise.

(2) If you have to break any tamper seals covering screws or case seams in order to replace the wifi card, you may void the warranty. Generally speaking adding an SSD should be OK but this may vary with country and region.

I suggest that you wait until you actually receive and boot up the machine as is before making any firm decisions on changing anything inside.

1) ok for your point, i might agree with you.... but, can you say to me something about what those 2 version of bios actually do ?
-it is a shame that acer didn't provide any kind of changelog or at least a better description of what the bios currently does

- v1.0.2 seems to fix something that doesn't work properly, but still, i agree with you ... if my machine works properly there are no point for make upgrade and avoid some possible problem.

- v1.0.4 i'm not sure i want to install windows 11, after my first experience with it on my desktop .... but i would like to know if it is possible or not, with or whitout, this version of bios ....
again, lack of information from acer here, this bios update is needed just in china for fTPM module ? this sound dumb to me, but i could be wrong, maybe just the chinese model was released without this module enabled ? But as a new "a bit geek" user i want to know what i can/cannot do with my machine.
And also, the model is NX.AU2ET.006, it is selled in Italy, and the support page report this bios as available update .... so the bios (v. 1.0.4) could be needed also for other country.... how can i know that for sure ?

2)For which concern the wifi card substitution, this laptop will be my new portable "workstation" and i need stable and reliable wifi for vpn ecc ecc.
i read a lot about the wifi card buil-in in the laptop and too much people spent bad comment about it.
i already called acer support (IT) and they tell me that's ok to add an ssd in the empty slot but i need to advertise them first to do that, i don't think it is necessary to advertise them about wifi card sobstitution, cause in case of future problem i will remount the old wifi card first to send laptop in warranty.

Of course i'm not a newbie and i now how to do this procedure properly... my only concern is about "maybe acer can refuse to help me or fix my laptop just because i opened up the case ?"
I'm pretty much an amazon customer so, in italy, we get 2 years of warranty and none care if you opened your laptop for upgrade it, until you don't cause any type of damage to the HW of course.

Anyway, thanks for your answer. i will be glad also if you can provide any information about fTPM module in model NX.AU2ET.006

Commodore_1995# · June 2022

1) I think this version of the bios should add some support for a new display!
2) In the past, china did not allow the use of tpm on computers. They used tcm. However, due to the emergence of windows 11, which requires tpm to be enabled in the bios, manufacturers are making this firmware available for computers that are sold in china. You can even try updating the bios to that version. But that shouldn't influence the activation or deactivation of tpm on your machine.

JackE · June 2022

Your mainboard should be equipped with a TPM 2.0 module that supports both Win11 and Win10. The existing BIOS version installed should control enabling and disabling this module. No need to change BIOS firmware.

Pretorian91 · June 2022

Thanks you both guys for your answers .

When i get my laptop i will ask to acer support, providing them S/N, info about the bios 1.0.2 and i'll write here back for update the post.
Maybe other people can have the same doubt.

@egydiocoelho thanks for the useful explanation about tpm and tcm ... i really had not idea about that difference !