How to abort a BIOS flash? Or where are the files located?

[Chronified]

Windows Update served me a BIOS update that I guess isn't compatible.

 

It gets about 15% through and shuts down instantly, no power light, I've let it sit for hours. Doesn't respond to the power button. Needs the bios+battery+charger disconnected, reconnected, then takes 30sec to do memory training and tries to run the update again.

 

If I remove the nvme drive it just sits at a black screen, I assume it's looking for those bios update files. As soon as I put it back in and reboot it attempts again. I've tried another drive with a fresh windows install on it with no luck.

 

Wondering if there's a key combo to abort the update before it starts? Or where those update files are located, can I replace the V1.22 update files on the nvme with some that are compatible?

 

I work as a freelance IT and have the reader to pop it on my workbench PC. Last resort is to replace the board.

 

Aspire 3 15 N23C3 A315-24PT-R0FS

Ryzen 5 7520u, 8GB+512GB NVMe

Out of warranty as of 5 months ago.

 

 

[NumLock21]

Let it update again or go to Acer site and see what version they have.

[Chronified]

2 minutes ago, NumLock21 said:

Let it update or go to Acer site and see what version they have.

Update quits to blackscreen at 15%. I've let it sit overnight with no luck.

 

Acer site has v1.22 but I can't extract it on my workbench, downloads an .exe that says it's not compatible. Otherwise I'd extract the BIOS files, put them on a USB and attempt booting with it connected 

[NumLock21]

6 minutes ago, Chronified said:

Update quits to blackscreen at 15%. I've let it sit overnight with no luck.

 

Acer site has v1.22 but I can't extract it on my workbench, downloads an .exe that says it's not compatible. Otherwise I'd extract the BIOS files, put them on a USB and attempt booting with it connected 

Can try booting up with a setup disc and there would be a option to remove recent updates. See if that can stop the bios from updating. Another way is to rename the folder updates are stored in so windows will stop installing.

[Chronified]

Just now, NumLock21 said:

Can try booting up with a setup disc and there would be a option to remove recent updates. See if that can stop the bios from updating.

Doesn't even get to the Acer splash screen to try and boot from a Windows USB, goes straight to the BIOS update after it completes memory training.

[NumLock21]

2 minutes ago, Chronified said:

Doesn't even get to the Acer splash screen to try and boot from a Windows USB, goes straight to the BIOS update after it completes memory training.

Can you even get into bios during memory training?

[Chronified]

Just now, NumLock21 said:

Can you even get into bios during memory training?

Not during, after. 

 

Takes 30sec to do memory training, then immediately comes up with this BIOS update screen. No Acer splash. 

Fails (?) at 15%, blackscreen, power LED goes out. I need to disconnect the battery, BIOS battery and charger to get it to reboot. Then it does it all again. 

[NumLock21]

1 minute ago, Chronified said:

Not during, after. 

 

Takes 30sec to do memory training, then immediately comes up with this BIOS update screen. No Acer splash. 

Fails (?) at 15%, blackscreen, power LED goes out. I need to disconnect the battery, BIOS battery and charger to get it to reboot. Then it does it all again. 

Seems like the bios chip is corrupted. Need to change the board or switch out the bios chip.

[Sawa Takahashi]

18 hours ago, NumLock21 said:

Seems like the bios chip is corrupted. Need to change the board or switch out the bios chip.

It looks like nobody tried to clear the CMOS memory. It can solve come BIOS parameter corruption and it is easy to perform.

[Chronified]

8 hours ago, Sawa Takahashi said:

It looks like nobody tried to clear the CMOS memory. It can solve come BIOS parameter corruption and it is easy to perform.

Apart from pulling the CMOS battery, how do I do that? I've left it unplugged overnight

[Sawa Takahashi]

9 hours ago, Chronified said:

Apart from pulling the CMOS battery, how do I do that? I've left it unplugged overnight

Your motherboard's manual has the correct procedure. It can be as simple as unplugging the computer, removing the battery and pressing the power button a few times. It can be by shorting two pins near the battery. And some motherboards even have a dedicated button to accomplish the CMOS reset. Your manual is the best place to know how to do it properly.

 

[jmwhite33]

1 hour ago, Sawa Takahashi said:

Your motherboard's manual has the correct procedure. It can be as simple as unplugging the computer, removing the battery and pressing the power button a few times. It can be by shorting two pins near the battery. And some motherboards even have a dedicated button to accomplish the CMOS reset. Your manual is the best place to know how to do it properly.

 

Yeah I always hit the power button a couple times after unplugging power. 

The rgb on my video card stays on after turning power off unless I hit the power button.

odd, but that's the way it is.

[Chronified]

4 hours ago, Sawa Takahashi said:

Your motherboard's manual has the correct procedure. It can be as simple as unplugging the computer, removing the battery and pressing the power button a few times. It can be by shorting two pins near the battery. And some motherboards even have a dedicated button to accomplish the CMOS reset. Your manual is the best place to know how to do it properly.

 

It's a laptop

[Sawa Takahashi]

19 hours ago, Chronified said:

It's a laptop

Then replace all instances of the word motherboard by the word laptop in my last post.

Even laptops have a procedure to clear the CMOS memory.

As for warranty claims, you can always contact manufacturer's support. They may make an exception because it was an impossible to predict event on your part or they may know how to resolve that issue.

Good luck !