How can I install Acer bios update in acer travelmate 5744z

JesicaDB
JesicaDB Member Posts: 10 New User
edited September 2023 in TravelMate and Extensa

How can I install 1.7 bios update on acer travelmate 5744z? Thanks.

[Edited the thread to add model name to the title and add issue detail]

Best Answer

  • JackE
    JackE ACE Posts: 44,898 Trailblazer
    Answer ✓

    First, you should move the USB Sandisk HDD boot stick to the top of the boot order. Since we're not trying to boot from a USB-connected FDD (floppy disk drive) which is now 2nd in the boot order after the WesternDigital.

    Next, it's best to create the bootable Mint installation stick from the Cinnamon ISO on your Windows machine with Rufus, which is more reliable than etcher. Username Jesica and password should NOT be showing up on the Cinnamon installation boot stick made from the ISO.

    Jack E/NJ

Answers

  • JackE
    JackE ACE Posts: 44,898 Trailblazer

    For older Win7-era machines, you must currently download version 1.07 from third-party sources. Google these keywords for 3rd party source —- travelmate 5744z bios version 1.07 download . However, BIOS firmware should NOT be installed if the machine ran properly under Win7 as this old Win7 firmware usually will not fix issues that may arise under newer operating systems like Win10.

    Jack E/NJ

  • JesicaDB
    JesicaDB Member Posts: 10 New User

    Thanks for the reply. I want to replace windows 7 with linux and upgrade the ram on my Acer travelmate 5744z. I'm having problems with the upgrade and the solution I found was to update the bios. Thanks again.

  • JackE
    JackE ACE Posts: 44,898 Trailblazer

    the solution I found was to update the bios.

    Sorry, this is rarely the solution especially for older Legacy BIOS machines with MBR partitioned HDDs or SSDs for which most modern Linux installations are well-tuned for. In fact, you're TravelMate should be among the easiest machines to install Linux GUIs on. Don't mess with or try to update its BIOS firmware if it's otherwise a functional machine. Or you may wind up with a brick since firmware changes and updates are always much riskier than the device driver software updates.

    What distribution are you trying to install? I'm using a dual boot Linux Mint Cinnamon 21.2 right now in this reply on a WinVista/Win7 era netbook with the original factory 2009 BIOS firmware. It's set up to have essentially the same look, feel & function of Win7 only it's much faster. You might want to consider Mint if you haven't done so already.

    Jack E/NJ

  • JesicaDB
    JesicaDB Member Posts: 10 New User

    I'm going to install Linux Mint Cinnamon 21.2. My Acer was made in 2012, and came out with windows 7. On the Acer webpage the specs says that it came out with 4gb ram, but mine has only 2gb ram and that makes it very slow. I already bought new 4gb ram. The laptop can see the 4gb ram but does not start on the new ram. Thanks very much.

    Old

    New

  • JackE
    JackE ACE Posts: 44,898 Trailblazer

    The laptop can see the 4gb ram but does not start on the new ram.

    What doesn't start? Windows 7? The Linux installation stick? The Linux installation?

    Jack E/NJ

  • JesicaDB
    JesicaDB Member Posts: 10 New User

    At the moment the laptop still runs on Windows 7. I'm taking the leap today to install Linux Mint Cinnamin. Thanks.😅

  • JesicaDB
    JesicaDB Member Posts: 10 New User

    I will try the new ram again once I have Linux on my laptop. Thanks.

  • JesicaDB
    JesicaDB Member Posts: 10 New User

    My main problem with installing Lunix is that it asks for a password I did not set. A solution I found was to switch of secure boot in advanced settings. F7 to go into the advanced setting does not work, so I'm unable to find secure boot or advanced settings. Leaving the password blanck does not work either. Why is Linux doing this? Thanks.

  • JackE
    JackE ACE Posts: 44,898 Trailblazer
    edited September 2023

    You're old machine —- like the 2009 netbook I'm using here —- has a legacy BIOS, not a UEFI secure boot BIOS. So you will never find a secure boot option. However, Mint Cinnnamon 21.2 should still install on an older legacy BIOS machine without secure boot.

    But during installation you still MUST set a password. Or the installation will fail or run properly. You can later choose to boot the system without entering the password. BUT you must still set a password during the Linux installation process.

    Jack E/NJ

  • JesicaDB
    JesicaDB Member Posts: 10 New User

    Thanks for the reply. I can not get to the install stage without entering a password. I can not open Linux or do anything on it without entering a password. I did not set a password and never had the oportunety to set a password. Maybe I should try one of the others, or just give up. Thanks.

  • JackE
    JackE ACE Posts: 44,898 Trailblazer
    edited September 2023

    I can not get to the install stage without entering a password.

    A linux installation USB thumbdrive does not need a password to start unless you originally set a password to enter the BIOS menu or boot the machine as shown below? Do you recall setting a password like this when you first acquired the machine? All these security options should be clear or disabled to properly install another operating system.

    Jack E/NJ

  • JesicaDB
    JesicaDB Member Posts: 10 New User

    I can't find any passwords on my laptop and this is the screen I get when I try to start from my usb. Thanks.

  • JackE
    JackE ACE Posts: 44,898 Trailblazer

    How did the username 'Jesica' get on the stick? Because the USB installation stick usually cannot be altered and boot up with a username like that.

    (1) How did you create the Mint installation stick?

    (2) Also, please post a phone photo of your BIOS Main & Boot tabs if possible.

    Jack E/NJ

  • billsey
    billsey ACE Posts: 34,246 Trailblazer

    Your new memory is the wrong speed for your laptop. Notice that the original memory is PC3-10600 (133MHz) and the new one is PC3-12800 (1600MHz). That is likely the reason it doesn't work.

    Click on "Like" if you find my answer useful or click on "Yes" if it answers your question.
  • JackE
    JackE ACE Posts: 44,898 Trailblazer

    Doubt it's speed. My netbook original was 1066MHz. Works fine with 1600MHz. Might be some other factor.

    Jack E/NJ

  • JesicaDB
    JesicaDB Member Posts: 10 New User

    The name is from my windows 11 laptop I used to create the USB. I don't know how it got on the USB. I tried to wipe the USB clean and then flash a new copy, but that did not work. I see a lot of people are having password problems with Etcher. I'm now going to try another boot app. I see the HDD password now says frozen instead of clear. I hope the photos I attached are useful. Thanks.

  • JackE
    JackE ACE Posts: 44,898 Trailblazer
    Answer ✓

    First, you should move the USB Sandisk HDD boot stick to the top of the boot order. Since we're not trying to boot from a USB-connected FDD (floppy disk drive) which is now 2nd in the boot order after the WesternDigital.

    Next, it's best to create the bootable Mint installation stick from the Cinnamon ISO on your Windows machine with Rufus, which is more reliable than etcher. Username Jesica and password should NOT be showing up on the Cinnamon installation boot stick made from the ISO.

    Jack E/NJ

  • JesicaDB
    JesicaDB Member Posts: 10 New User

    Thanks very much. I will try rufus and move USB HDD SanDisk up.