Solution to not being able to update the BIOS revision when switching from UEFI to Legacy boot

A while ago I switched away from the UEFI BIOS in order to support dual boot Windows/Linux on the G51 and found out I couldn't update the BIOS from rev 1.13 to 1.22. The BIOS update tool will fail if it does not find UEFI secure boot enabled. Why? I think this a strange design decision but that is how Acer did it. So I finally got tired of that and have come up with a solution and I thought I would share what worked.

That solution in short is to make a portable Windows 10 UEFI secure boot USB thumb drive, boot it, and then load the BIOS update.

The slightly longer version requires a few tools:

1. You need to download an appropriate Windows 10 64-bit ISO from MS. https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

2. Create a Windows to Go bootable USB thumb-drive out of the Windows 10 ISO using the free version of this tool: https://www.easyuefi.com/wintousb/

a. Settings I used is gpt partition table for UEFI and Legacy drive. The other drives are virtual drives so you don't want that.

b. Go get some coffee and read the paper as this will take some time.

3. When it is finished, set your laptop back to UEFI secure boot in the BIOS and then boot your new USB Windows 10 portable thumb-drive.

a. Go get some more coffee and watch TV. It will take forever to boot. Keep an eye on it as it will be a first time Windows setup and will eventually ask you some questions.

4. Once Windows is booted, download the Acer BIOS update tool appropriate for your model and run it. Note that things will be slow as it is still running off your USB thumb-drive.

a. It will eventually reboot the system and you will see the BIOS getting updated.

5. Once the BIOS is updated and the system is trying to reboot, stop it from loading your thumb-drive again, pull out the thumb drive and set your laptops BIOS back to legacy boot. You are now good to go!

I always meant to find a solution to this, but yesterday I finally had enough and did something. I hope this helps someone here.

-X

Accepted answers

xman1

Confirmed: It is only an option under UEFI Secure Boot Mode. I booted up in that mode and it shows in Device Manager. And yes, I checked in other devices and it will not show up there either. It is just not an option when Legacy boot is enabled. I assume this is a security feature so malware can't attack your BIOS while in this mode and UEFI Secure Boot Mode allows it because it will check if it is a signed driver.

Lessons learned:

1. It is possible to update ones BIOS via the Portable Windows method.

2. It is possible to update ones BIOS via Windows drivers if operating in UEFI Secure Boot Mode.

3. It is not possible to update ones BIOS if running in Legacy boot mode.

Thanks egydiocoelho for at least teaching me something new through this process and thanks for your help.

-X

All comments

Commodore_1995#

I think I have an even simpler solution. Just update the firmware driver so that the bios is updated:

I believe it will work in legacy mode!

xman1

Have you actually done that? I still doubt this would work in Legacy mode as I am sure it uses the same download to update the BIOS. If this actually worked, I would assume that my system would have been updated long ago.

Let me know if it works for you as this is far easier.

Commodore_1995#

In fact, the firmware driver downloads the bios file that Acer provides to Microsoft for microsoft to make available on windows update. This is a .fd file.

About your question, I have not yet tested in legacy mode. I don't have 100% if it will work. But as this is just a driver, I believe there is no impediment to updating the bios in legacy mode.

xman1

Well, if a new BIOS revision ever comes out past 1.22, I will give it a shot and report back here. At least now I have a surefire plan that does work in the event that Windows cannot do it.... Not to mention that it is cool having a portable Windows on an old unused USB thumb drive.

Commodore_1995#

Don't have another computer to do this test?

xman1

Only one Acer laptop. I had one more, but gave it away to a friend in need in trade for lunch. My other systems are custom and don't have this problem.

xman1

Just a note here... The WIndows route will not work in Legacy mode. The option for Firmware does not even show up. Turned on show hidden devices and it still does not show up.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6029997/uploads/editor/em/3nlxlpnjx8i6.png

Commodore_1995#

appear in other devices?

xman1

Confirmed: It is only an option under UEFI Secure Boot Mode. I booted up in that mode and it shows in Device Manager. And yes, I checked in other devices and it will not show up there either. It is just not an option when Legacy boot is enabled. I assume this is a security feature so malware can't attack your BIOS while in this mode and UEFI Secure Boot Mode allows it because it will check if it is a signed driver.

Lessons learned:

1. It is possible to update ones BIOS via the Portable Windows method.

2. It is possible to update ones BIOS via Windows drivers if operating in UEFI Secure Boot Mode.

3. It is not possible to update ones BIOS if running in Legacy boot mode.

Thanks egydiocoelho for at least teaching me something new through this process and thanks for your help.

-X

XdxD

xman1 said:

Just a note here... The WIndows route will not work in Legacy mode. The option for Firmware does not even show up. Turned on show hidden devices and it still does not show up.