Bios Update (Flash) questions

RB28
RB28 Member Posts: 19 Troubleshooter
edited August 2023 in 2018 Archives
I want to upgrade (flash) my bios on an Acer ES1-572-31XL Laptop from bios ver. 1.02 to ver. 1.15. The readme file on the bios download says, "to click on the exe file in windows mode"

(1) First off, what exactly is windows mode ? Are they meaning Safe Mode ?

Also this is the first Acer (Intel) bios I've flashed like this. I did flash an AMI bios once but that was from inside the bios screen menu. The Laptop with a charged battery so I should be good for power support if I have a power outage during the flash.
But .  . .
(2) Are there any prep things I should do ?
(3) Are there any other specific things I need to be aware of before doing this?

Best Answer

  • JackE
    JackE ACE Posts: 44,889 Trailblazer
    Answer ✓
    >>> Currently my machine runs pretty good with 8 gig of Ram.>>>

    Flashing is NOT recommended. Any performance enhancement will be marginal for about a 1 in 10 brick risk. The biggest bang for the buck with least risk is replacing an HDD with an SSD. Jack E/NJ

    Jack E/NJ

Answers

  • JackE
    JackE ACE Posts: 44,889 Trailblazer
    (1) No. Just regular windows mode (2) Make sure its plugged in and hope it works without bricking your machine. (3) Yes you should seriously consider not doing it unless your machine has a major problem or serious security problem. Flashing the BIOS is one of the riskiest updates you can do on a functional machine. Jack E/NJ

    Jack E/NJ

  • wis
    wis Member Posts: 713 Seasoned Specialist WiFi Icon
    Updating the UEFI can cause your device to be inoperable, so don't undertake it lightly.
    After downloading & extracting the firmware, double click on the .exe file in your Downloads folder.  Because you are flashing within Windows (as oppose to using the InSyde utility or DOS utility, which work outside of Windows) you will be in Windows Mode.
    It would be a good idea to create a system image with Macrium Reflect before the UEFI update.  If recovery does not resolve any mishap, have a sense what you will do next.
  • RB28
    RB28 Member Posts: 19 Troubleshooter
    Thank for the replies, I now understand windows mode means to run the exe file from windows, not safe mode and not a command line etc. And I don't need a utility like WinFlash, InSyde etc.  And I definitely will have power plugged in with fully charged battery (Laptop).  I do have a recent EaseUs Image backup of all partitions. Albeit I understand this image would only enable me to install my data on a new machine if my bios bricks. Or possibly after having a shop put a new bios in this machine after a brick flash. In the past I've only flashed 1 Laptop and 1 router, but luckily both of my flashes implemented correctly with no issues.

    So then obviously as you previously said the risk factor behooves a "need" to flash. That brings me to ask for candid open input from those who've done this many times more than me. I realize all risks are on me at this point.

    (1) I assume that all Intel Bios flash versions are cumulative. I read the version just before the one I'm desiring to flash says it "improves overall system performance". Currently my machine runs pretty good with 8 gig of Ram. However it's not always fast in some scenarios and I wonder just what kind of sys performance I might be missing without this flash.
    (Obviously a loaded question UNLESS someone has a similar ES1-xxx Acer and has done the flash)

    (2) "IF" I eliminate any error on my part, does anyone know the average stats of bricks due to reasons other than power outages. I.e. the flash did not work for unknown reasons.

  • JackE
    JackE ACE Posts: 44,889 Trailblazer
    Answer ✓
    >>> Currently my machine runs pretty good with 8 gig of Ram.>>>

    Flashing is NOT recommended. Any performance enhancement will be marginal for about a 1 in 10 brick risk. The biggest bang for the buck with least risk is replacing an HDD with an SSD. Jack E/NJ

    Jack E/NJ

  • wis
    wis Member Posts: 713 Seasoned Specialist WiFi Icon

    Suggestions to speed up your laptop; some of which you may have implemented already, but costs nothing:
    1. Disk Cleanup & Disk Defragment periodically.
    2. Use only Windows Defender as anti-virus. A second program will be counter-productive.
    3. msconfig.exe to Startup Menu.  Hide Microsoft programs & delete  the rest.
    4. Delete bloatware.  To distinguish essential programs from bloatware, look at the path of the program.  If it's in one of these Windows folders, then hands off. You know what programs you use on a daily basis. If you accidentally delete an essential program; you have the EaseUS system image, to save your bacon.
  • RB28
    RB28 Member Posts: 19 Troubleshooter
    edited November 2018
    JackE said:
    >>>RB28 previously said: Currently my machine runs pretty good with 8 gig of Ram.>>>

    Flashing is NOT recommended. Any performance enhancement will be marginal for about a 1 in 10 brick risk. The biggest bang for the buck with least risk is replacing an HDD with an SSD. Jack E/NJ
    Wow about a 1 in 10 brick risk. That's about a 10% failure of Acer's Bios flashings. In summation of the replies here ( of which I appreciate all ) that pretty much convinces me not attempt the updated flash on my Acer Bios. It's a bit surprising having a record like that given the fact that routers are flashed all the time with updates (not talking about Tomato or other 3rd party flashes for proprietary brands). Not to mentions Printer firmware flashes of which even I have done at least 4 times. (Edit add -> of course I understand the 10% probably includes error on the part of the person doing the flash and other mitigating circumstances like power failures. End Edit add)

    But I thank you for your input it has helped me in my decision.

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