Need some help updating mah BIOS

[iQue]

So yeah, I've had issues with the whole computer locking down with sound looping in the background and basically all I could do was to restart. This happens pretty rarely but I've found out that my BIOS might need an update. The thing is I'm using an Acer motherboard with a custombuilt BIOS. These are the specifications I've been able to get with a little program I downloaded:

BIOS Type:Phoenix-AwardBIOS
Date:December 29th 2006
BIOS ID:12/29/2006-MCP61M-AM-6A61KE11C-00-None
BIOS OEM:This BIOS is exclusively for Acer only (R01-B1) - R01-B1
Chipset:Athlon 1100 rev 0
SuperIO:Unknown
Manufacturer:Acer
Motherboard:Aspire E380

You can see the full name of my motherboard in my specifications <<

I've went to the Phoenix website to try to get some info on it and found out that "Phoenix doesn't supply AwardBIOS upgrades". Damnit :p

I've looked through the Acer website as well and found the computer I bought prebuilt a long while ago. Note that I've upgraded my computer rather a lot since then so my warranty has expired, and they won't give support either. I will never buy prebuilt again, trust me I found something on their ftp server but I'm not sure what to do with the zip files there...

http://support.acer-euro.com/drivers/desktop/aspire_e380.html

ftp://ftp.work.acer-euro.com/desktop/aspire_e380/

Are those files safe to install and if that's the case, how do I install them? Or am I screwed and I have to get a new motherboard? Any recommendations for a cheap one, compatible with future processors as well, although intel makes better CPUs right now AMD will come back

Using a link from the Phoenix website, I also got to this page:



But it wants me to pay $30 and I don' want to do that preferably...

I would be really really thankful for help, tips and tricks, anything :)

Cheers

(I included all sorts of crap in this post incase something would help)

[=98=]

Re: Need some help updating mah BIOS

If the files are wrong, you risk bricking the motherboard. Since the BIOS is a custom one made and supplied for Acer, you are unlikely to find it anywhere else than their website. If you cannot find it on there, you won't find it anywhere.

To be honest, i think you are best simply buying another motherboard.

[iQue]

Re: Need some help updating mah BIOS

Well the files on the Acer ftp server are for my motherboard for sure, but it shouldn't matter that I've bought new stuff for my computer, right? (new ram and gfx card) Just asking to be sure.

Any suggestions for a new motherboard and case then (as I have a tiny tiny case)? Nothing too expensive as I don't have that much money atm, maybe around 1000 SEK = 80 £

I'm sure I'll get more money at christmas, but no chance I can get something cheap now? Without cutting down on the essential stuff, I don't care much for aestethics

[=98=]

Re: Need some help updating mah BIOS

Well, you may as well attempt to flash the BIOS. If that doesn't work, you'll have to buy a new mobo. It shouldn't matter that some hardware is different.

[iQue]

Re: Need some help updating mah BIOS

Can you tell me how to do it or point me to some tutorial somewhere? I'm new to this stuff :)

Thanks for all the help this far

[=98=]

Re: Need some help updating mah BIOS

To be honest, i have no idea how Acer wants you to do it. They probably supply a Windows based application that'll flash for you, have a look for that.

Otherwise, you'll most likely need a floppy/usb pen, command prompt. Again, Acer should provide instructions.

[iQue]

Re: Need some help updating mah BIOS

Ok, I'll have a look :) Thanks a lot

[Jazzman]

Re: Need some help updating mah BIOS

if you decide to buy a new mobo, I guess this one is good. Gigabyte usually have good cooling(i know you have problems with that ). and you can in the future do sli or crossfire

If you buy a new mobo you will, i think, need to buy a new os and thats a 1000 sek more

[iQue]

Re: Need some help updating mah BIOS

if you decide to buy a new mobo, I guess this one is good. Gigabyte usually have good cooling(i know you have problems with that ). and you can in the future do sli or crossfire

If you buy a new mobo you will, i think, need to buy a new os and thats a 1000 sek more

What mobo? You forgot the link noob :p

I have a copy of XP somewhere here that I can use if I can't afford to buy a new copy of Vista right away.

[Jazzman]

Re: Need some help updating mah BIOS

oh right :p

http://www.komplett.se/k/ki.aspx?sku=341660

[=98=]

Re: Need some help updating mah BIOS

Oh god... look where the 4pin ATX plug is. Bad design

[Jazzman]

Re: Need some help updating mah BIOS

lol, didnt see that :p

[Natt]

Re: Need some help updating mah BIOS

That ftp link has a bios directory with the bios and Winflash in it, so if you got the model right, it should be straighforward.

[iQue]

Re: Need some help updating mah BIOS

Gentlemen,

I seem to have updated my BIOS succesfully. Took me a while to understand what to do with all those damn .exe files in the zips I downloaded, but once I knew what to do it was pretty straightforward indeed.

Now we'll see if this damn freezing problem will go away :p Works good this far, but it has only been 5 minutes lol

[Jazzman]

Re: Need some help updating mah BIOS

:awes