Acer M3970 BIOS update for Windows 10

wn4sug
wn4sug Member Posts: 4 New User
Microsoft says I need to update my BIOS for their Windows 10 version 1803 upgrade.  My system has been working on Windows 10 version 1709 but trying to upgrade now caused system freezes and after power down/up the operating system normally reverts back to Windows 10 version 1709.  Is there an Acer BIOS upgrade available?

Answers

  • JackE
    JackE ACE Posts: 44,330 Trailblazer
    No. Jack E/NJ

    Jack E/NJ

  • wn4sug
    wn4sug Member Posts: 4 New User
    Does that mean we have to throw away worthless Acer computers since Acer doesn't support their products?
  • JackE
    JackE ACE Posts: 44,330 Trailblazer
    The main issue here is the new & unimproved Windows10 lifecycle policy with rapid-fire heavy-handed major updates that are almost like entirely new versions of Windows under the old Microsoft naming convention. https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/13853/windows-lifecycle-fact-sheet  

    Even if an 1803 fix were forthcoming, there's no guarantee that the next major update 1809 released on Oct 2 will work with an 1803-compatible BIOS firmware. This new policy is creating driver & firmware havoc in relatively new machines that shipped even with earlier major Win10 releases. Under the old Winver naming system, we're probably up to Win15 by now with 1803 with Microsoft support for it ending next year.

    Machine's that came with earlier versions of Windows factory-installed are probably better off upgrading back ASAP to those earlier versions to assure maintenance support till 2023 for Win8.x and 2020 for Win7. Win10 has no such assurances much beyond the next major update which typically have maintenance support ending in only 12-18mos.

    This new Microsoft lifecycle policy, if unchanged within the next year or so, might be the open window of opportunity for an alternative GUI to finally break the PC status quo. Accordingly, I've already converted my relatively new HP and ACER laptops to LinuxMint GUI. They both now have essentially the same look, feel & operation of the last decent Windows version, Win7 only faster.

    Jack E/NJ
        



    Jack E/NJ

  • wis
    wis Member Posts: 713 Seasoned Specialist WiFi Icon
    Try rolling back to 1709 as explained here.
    If rollback fails, then Refresh & hide 1803 update.
  • JackE
    JackE ACE Posts: 44,330 Trailblazer
    @wis 1709 rollback NOT needed cuz @wn4sug sez in first post>>>My system has been working on Windows 10 version 1709 but trying to upgrade now caused system freezes and after power down/up the operating system normally reverts back to Windows 10 version 1709.>>>

    Upgrade rollback to Win8.x or Win7 suggested for this particular machine.

     Jack E/NJ

    Jack E/NJ

  • chipscap
    chipscap Member Posts: 3 New User
    I am facing facts, no possibility of running windows 10 1803. when you look for drivers and software nothing past windows 8.1  no problem I figured I would update the bios and run linux.  always fun to learn.  but acer has seen fit to post bios that do not work!  when I tried to contact they say oh you need to pay through the nose to get help.  I really feel that acer owes us working fixes does anyone agree with me?  really I am not asking for free support but when a fix is posted, it should work!
  • JackE
    JackE ACE Posts: 44,330 Trailblazer
    chipscap Please stay on one thread about this issue. Don't jump around to threads on different models. Preferrably start your own new thread stating your full ACER model number and what you wanna do. M3970 or E5-575? What do you have? Jack E/NJ 

    Jack E/NJ

  • jjlu
    jjlu Member Posts: 1 New User
    I thought Id give this another go. Same problem, same computer model. Acer Aspire M3970. Stuck at Windows 10 1709 and anytime I try to update I have to force restart on a black screen, then update freezes at around 81-82%. 

    I've heard that taking out the Wireless Lan Card works in letting the full install complete but I need the card so what can be done afterwards so that I have the card in place and a working update?

    If there really is NO solution is there a way to block updates all together. I've tried so many different things but every now and again I'll get that pop up 'Restart to Install Newest Updates'. 

    Let me know! Cheers
  • JackE
    JackE ACE Posts: 44,330 Trailblazer
    jjlu >>>I've heard that taking out the Wireless Lan Card works in letting the full install complete but I need the card so what can be done afterwards so that I have the card in place and a working update?>>>

    I don't know where you heard this. But if true, you must first remove the card BEFORE INSTALLING the update. Then AFTER INSTALLING the update, you must put the card back in. Then see if the update itself, not its installation, will work. Jack E/NJ

    Jack E/NJ

  • jjjkk3
    jjjkk3 Member Posts: 2 New User
    i am already running windows 10 but can no longer update and the error msg states that windows 10 cannot run on my M3970
  • jjjkk3
    jjjkk3 Member Posts: 2 New User
    HELP with this, please

  • JackE
    JackE ACE Posts: 44,330 Trailblazer
    What it means is that a major update Win10 version, probably 20H2 or 21H1, cannot run properly on your machine. You probably have an earlier major update Win10 version that seems to run fine. A future major Win10 update beyond 21H1 might fix the issue but you will have to wait for its realease, probably 21H2 or 22H1. Press WINkey + R. Enter 'winver'. Post a screenshot of the Win10 version you have in there now. 

    Jack E/NJ

  • wn4sug
    wn4sug Member Posts: 4 New User
    It turned out to be a low quality Wireless LAN card.  Bought a new one and updates are no issue now.  I'm currently running the latest W10 version 21H1.  Thanks for the comments/suggestions.