asked on

BIOS Update

Hi,
I have an Acer Travelmate 290 CL51-15. I replaced the original CD burner with a DVD burner. The BIOS does not recognize it. However, SOMETIMES under Windows it is recognized and usable, other times not.

The BIOS is listed as Insyde Software V1.00. No update is available. Is it possible to edit the BIOS and add recognition for the DVD writer?

CIGHN

I would try to update the drivers as welll...
http://www.driveraccess.com/app/pages/acer.aspx

westone

ASKER

All of the drivers are at latest available versions, verified at the Acer website and the various manufacturer sites for individual HW items.

edbedb

It sounds like the drive has a bad connection. Try sliding it out then push it back in firmly.

westone

ASKER

The drive is fine. The BIOS does not recognize it at all. As a result, Windows sometimes recognizes it and sometimes does not. My question is actually about the methods and feasibility of BIOS modding.

CIGHN

This may be helpful:
http://komku.blogspot.com/2008/03/how-to-update-acer-bios.html

CIGHN

And this is the update: http://support.acer-euro.com/drivers/notebook/tm_c100.html

westone

ASKER

That update is for the 100 series.

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edbedb

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nobus

im with edbedb here, it looks like a bad contact; inspect the connector - both sides

nobus

otherwise, ask for a replacement drive - it may be faulty !

westone

ASKER

Resolution: I finally found out that Compal actually manufactured this unit for Acer. From Compal I was able to get the last BIOS update available, version 2.10A. It installed successfully, and a readme.txt list numerous fixes and updates. The computer now recognizes the DVD writer 100% of the time, so far anyway. Man am I happy about finding that update.
Thanks for all of the suggestions.

westone

ASKER

That answers my original question about modding the BIOS. Thanks.