Snapples
asked on
Acer Aspire 9920 notebook doesn't boot
Hello experts.
Yesterday morning my 9920 notebook worked just fine. Yesterday evening it wouldn't boot anymore.
When I turn it on, all the lights go on as they should, the bluetooth light which usually goes off after a few seconds stays on all the time, the HDD light goes out after a few seconds, the screen doesn't do anything at all and after that nothing happens anymore.
I found a blog where people have identical problems with the Aspire One and a solution for it.
Appearantly the problem would be bios related and flashing it would fix the problem, also because of a keyboard shortcut it would be possible to do so even if the notebook can't boot.
http://macles.blogspot.com/2008/08/acer-aspire-one-bios-recovery.html
The manual of my machine also says I can access the bios utility using a key combination. The problem is, the bios on that website for the Aspire One has an .fd extension, the bios for my 9920 which I downloaded off the Acer website has a .rom extension.
Does anyone know how I could use the method on that website with my .rom file bios?
Or possibly, if anyone thinks the problem is related to something else, what is it? I'd prefer not to open the case since I'll lose my warranty.
I already tried connecting an external screen and using the keyboard shortcut to switch between screens but it didn't do anything.
I'd also rather not send it to Acer for repair, I really can't miss this notebook 4-6 weeks.
Thanks in advance.
Yesterday morning my 9920 notebook worked just fine. Yesterday evening it wouldn't boot anymore.
When I turn it on, all the lights go on as they should, the bluetooth light which usually goes off after a few seconds stays on all the time, the HDD light goes out after a few seconds, the screen doesn't do anything at all and after that nothing happens anymore.
I found a blog where people have identical problems with the Aspire One and a solution for it.
Appearantly the problem would be bios related and flashing it would fix the problem, also because of a keyboard shortcut it would be possible to do so even if the notebook can't boot.
http://macles.blogspot.com/2008/08/acer-aspire-one-bios-recovery.html
The manual of my machine also says I can access the bios utility using a key combination. The problem is, the bios on that website for the Aspire One has an .fd extension, the bios for my 9920 which I downloaded off the Acer website has a .rom extension.
Does anyone know how I could use the method on that website with my .rom file bios?
Or possibly, if anyone thinks the problem is related to something else, what is it? I'd prefer not to open the case since I'll lose my warranty.
I already tried connecting an external screen and using the keyboard shortcut to switch between screens but it didn't do anything.
I'd also rather not send it to Acer for repair, I really can't miss this notebook 4-6 weeks.
Thanks in advance.
SOLUTION
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SOLUTION
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ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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ASKER
What do you mean filesize 512kb?
You mean the bios file or the format of the usb stick?
I have the bios file from the acer site itself, but all solutions for the problem for other aspire types require a renaming of the bios. How can I possibly know what the file name for my bios has to be?
You mean the bios file or the format of the usb stick?
I have the bios file from the acer site itself, but all solutions for the problem for other aspire types require a renaming of the bios. How can I possibly know what the file name for my bios has to be?
I mean the BIOS file usually has 512kb.
Regarding the file name, if you get the correct BIOS file from acer site for your model, then you can rename the file to any name.extension you like or other solutions suggest.
Here is the text from the link you provided:
>>Download the latest BIOS, and put both FLASHIT.EXE and the BIOS file in the root directory of the stick. Rename the BIOS file to ZG5IA32.FD, that's important. Do not remove the USB stick.<<
Regarding the file name, if you get the correct BIOS file from acer site for your model, then you can rename the file to any name.extension you like or other solutions suggest.
Here is the text from the link you provided:
>>Download the latest BIOS, and put both FLASHIT.EXE and the BIOS file in the root directory of the stick. Rename the BIOS file to ZG5IA32.FD, that's important. Do not remove the USB stick.<<
ASKER
I did download the correct bios file for my notebook, I got v1.20:
http://support.acer-euro.com/drivers/notebook/as_9920.html
But it's not 512kb, it's 1.01mb
http://support.acer-euro.com/drivers/notebook/as_9920.html
But it's not 512kb, it's 1.01mb
OK. the file is zip format extract it please! and the required files are in it.
ASKER
I did, that is the size of the .rom file itself.
Also, I renamed the .rom file to ZG5IA32.FD and tried it, the light on my usb stick goes on but the rest of the notebook doesn't, then after a few second everything activates but then everything stays as it is.
size.jpg
Also, I renamed the .rom file to ZG5IA32.FD and tried it, the light on my usb stick goes on but the rest of the notebook doesn't, then after a few second everything activates but then everything stays as it is.
size.jpg
Thats correct file, that is double rom don't worry.
Make sure the USB has only the two files as the link suggested, but for other links then might be some other files which should be coped before the two files.
If after following the instructions in that link didn't help, then try the other links in my last post: https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/23970205/Acer-Aspire-9920-notebook-doesn't-boot.html#23133644
Make sure the USB has only the two files as the link suggested, but for other links then might be some other files which should be coped before the two files.
If after following the instructions in that link didn't help, then try the other links in my last post: https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/23970205/Acer-Aspire-9920-notebook-doesn't-boot.html#23133644
ASKER
I can't get the program from your first link to run and the second link doesn't work.
Which method you have used in the second link?
ASKER
None, I mean that the url doesn't work
Then the system you are using has a problem, I've checked it again, it is working!
Let me see some other links ..... here is one :
http://www.thepcspy.com/read/bootable_usb_flash_drive
I suspect the using system to prepare the flash has a problem which prevents HP tool from working, and also may corrupt the USB, which leads into failed flashing, double check it.
Let me see some other links ..... here is one :
http://www.thepcspy.com/read/bootable_usb_flash_drive
I suspect the using system to prepare the flash has a problem which prevents HP tool from working, and also may corrupt the USB, which leads into failed flashing, double check it.
ASKER
Starting from a bootable USB/CD doesn't work.
It really doesn't seem to matter what I do,
It really doesn't seem to matter what I do,
SOLUTION
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ASKER
f-king, I can't even get past the POST, let alone Windows.
so how did you post the vista image?
Do you get strange clunking sounds on boot up?
Try without the battery and see what happens ,if that doesnt help remove battery and mains then hold down power button for about a minute then try again.
Do you get strange clunking sounds on boot up?
Try without the battery and see what happens ,if that doesnt help remove battery and mains then hold down power button for about a minute then try again.
ASKER
I posted that to show Mc7400 the bios file and size. I took that on my desktop pc.
I hear no sounds at all. I have tried without the battery, same problem.
I tried the power button thing, it doesn't work.
I hear no sounds at all. I have tried without the battery, same problem.
I tried the power button thing, it doesn't work.
it looks like a hardware problem if you turn it upside down you can try removing one of the memories if you have two and vice verca and see if that works or try removing the hard drive.
Apart from that the motherboard seems to be bad and it will have to go to ACER.
Apart from that the motherboard seems to be bad and it will have to go to ACER.
Try to change the power adapter or check it with another laptop to make sure it is working.
ASKER
Thanks for the help guys, I'm sure your solutions would have worked in another case but after trying everything it looks like I have no other choise but to send my notebook to Acer to be repaired.
Hi I have the same laptop with the same problem, did anyone find a solution ?
thanks.
thanks.
ASKER
Sorry dlc1461, but no.
I had no other choice but to send it to the Acer repair center and I'm not satisfied at all.
I removed my HDDs from my laptop so I could use it as an external HDD on my desktop pc and not lose all my data for weeks. I brought it back to the store where they told me that Acer would never repair it unless the HDDs were present. So I removed as much personal data as I could through my desktop pc and put the disks back into the laptop and brought it to the store where they sent it to Acer.
Few weeks later I thought I was getting hacked, there were posts by me on forums which I never really posted, my Rapidshare account got hacked into and all files on it transfered to another account. I didn't format the HDD and didn't remove all cookies.
6 weeks after I brought it to the store I got the message I could pick it up again, I booted it in the store and it worked. According to the papers included, they replaced the motherboard.
After I came home with it, it booted again, I checked my Firefox history and noticed they had been on several forums and Rapidshare on dates when it was in the repair center. So I've lost all data on my Rapidshare account for which I pay and also I have been banned from forums for posting inappropriate content or comments which were not from me.
I plugged in my mouse and adaptor and the next day when I wanted to boot it had the exact same problem as before. Again I had no other choice but to bring it back to the store, they sent it to the Acer repair center again and it took another 5 weeks before I finally got it back.
This time the papers said they once again replaced the motherboard and updated the bios. I've had it back for a few weeks now and so far it still works but with a little problem, when they repaired it they disconnected the motherboard battery holder and never bothered to put it back and I can't get it attached properly.
So my advice would be, try to find a cable to connect your HDDs to another pc and format them completely and when you send it mention that the problem is most likely the bios.
I'm really upset with their service and I doubt I'll ever buy another Acer product, no complaints about the laptop but the service is horrible.
I had no other choice but to send it to the Acer repair center and I'm not satisfied at all.
I removed my HDDs from my laptop so I could use it as an external HDD on my desktop pc and not lose all my data for weeks. I brought it back to the store where they told me that Acer would never repair it unless the HDDs were present. So I removed as much personal data as I could through my desktop pc and put the disks back into the laptop and brought it to the store where they sent it to Acer.
Few weeks later I thought I was getting hacked, there were posts by me on forums which I never really posted, my Rapidshare account got hacked into and all files on it transfered to another account. I didn't format the HDD and didn't remove all cookies.
6 weeks after I brought it to the store I got the message I could pick it up again, I booted it in the store and it worked. According to the papers included, they replaced the motherboard.
After I came home with it, it booted again, I checked my Firefox history and noticed they had been on several forums and Rapidshare on dates when it was in the repair center. So I've lost all data on my Rapidshare account for which I pay and also I have been banned from forums for posting inappropriate content or comments which were not from me.
I plugged in my mouse and adaptor and the next day when I wanted to boot it had the exact same problem as before. Again I had no other choice but to bring it back to the store, they sent it to the Acer repair center again and it took another 5 weeks before I finally got it back.
This time the papers said they once again replaced the motherboard and updated the bios. I've had it back for a few weeks now and so far it still works but with a little problem, when they repaired it they disconnected the motherboard battery holder and never bothered to put it back and I can't get it attached properly.
So my advice would be, try to find a cable to connect your HDDs to another pc and format them completely and when you send it mention that the problem is most likely the bios.
I'm really upset with their service and I doubt I'll ever buy another Acer product, no complaints about the laptop but the service is horrible.
Snapples,
>it still works but with a little problem
You may need to update motherboard drivers.
>it still works but with a little problem
You may need to update motherboard drivers.
Thanks for your help and advice, hope everything works out for you.
ASKER
andeporter, no nothing at all, no beeps, no sound at all.