How do I do a BIOS recovery on an Acer Aspire ES1-531-C3X2?

AquaTakeda
AquaTakeda Member Posts: 2 New User

Hi.

I was running a BIOS Update on my ES1-531-C3X2 when the cable got unplugged from someone tripping over it. The laptop turned off and now when I try to turn it on, it turns on with a black screen and turns back off. Is there a way to recover the BIOS without having to send it to a repair shop.

Model Name: ES1-531-C3X2

Part number: NX.MZ8AA.015

Thanks.

Answers

  • Puraw
    Puraw ACE, Member Posts: 13,035 Trailblazer
    edited June 2023

    Yes, that is worst thing that can go wrong, unplug the power adapter when BIOS is flashing. I recommend that you do bring your laptop to Acer Services in your country as your laptop is "bricked", and the EEPROM needs to be reprogrammed or often they just replace it, charges won't be much.
    You can try to reset the CMOS coin battery located on the right side of the main battery: Open the back of the laptop and find the small round plastic capsule the size of a coin, open it, take out the small battery and shorten the +/- contacts inside the capsule with a bended paperclip for a second, put the battery back in the original position and close the capsule and back of the laptop, try if the laptop will boot.
    Attempting to flash BIOS downloaded on another PC with a USB stick won't work 80% of the time, but if you don't mind the frustrations when it fails, here is how you can try it:
    Format a USB flash drive as FAT32.
    Download the latest version of the BIOS from Acer support website:
    You will have to enter your model number to get the correct version for your Acer laptop.
    Extract the files from the zip and put both the FLASHIT.EXE and the BIOS file in the root directory of the USB flash drive. Note, Acer BIOS versions contain different .exe file names, for the Nitro that is H2O*.exe
    Rename the BIOS file to ZG5IA32.FD and then remove the disk.
    Turn the laptop off, insert the battery and connect the AC adapter.
    Insert the USB Memory Stick into one of the USB port of the Aspire laptop.
    Press Fn+Esc, keep it pressed and press the power button to turn the laptop on.
    Release Fn+Esc after a few seconds, the power button will be blinking.
    Press the power button once. The laptop will start the BIOS flash, do not interrupt for any reason. After some minutes the power button will stop blinking, and then the laptop will reboot. Wait till it has completed all these operations. This may take 30 minutes or more.

  • StevenGen
    StevenGen ACE Posts: 12,027 Trailblazer

    Just in addition to the above, use this Acer ES1-531 SG official BIOS Flash Utilities to Restore a BIOS when it becomes corrupted guide that is listed on the ES1-531 SG:

  • AquaTakeda
    AquaTakeda Member Posts: 2 New User

    How much will it be specifically? Because this laptop is out of warranty, and I'm only 14.

  • Puraw
    Puraw ACE, Member Posts: 13,035 Trailblazer

    It won't cost much to reset your BIOS, depends on the country you live in, I had it done 2 years ago after my warranty was expired and Acer Services Philippines told me I was going to be charged $25 service fee, but they never billed me. 😀