trying to reset BIOS on an Acer Aspire One D255E netbook

Forums › Laptops and mobile computers › trying to reset BIOS on an Acer Aspire One D255E netbook

manuleka

76 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 1

Topic # 90249 17-Sep-2011 11:07

i've spent hours trying to reset my netbooks bios (i misplaced my password somewhere in my head or have totally lost it)
searched online and came across this link but it doesn't work for my laptop.
http://macles.blogspot.com/2008/08/acer-aspire-one-bios-recovery.html

now my netbook doen't have warranty anymore unfortunately
i've also tried FLASHING bios from Windows 7, with no luck... i'm not sure if FLASHING is suppose to clear BIOS as well or just update it
i've gone as far as dismantling the netbook and to my dismay the CMOS battery is soldered (attached) to the board which means i have to break the solder and re-solder it back (again unfortunately i have zero soldering experience and have no intentions on trying)
i also couldn't find any information or manual on the Mainboard for the Aspire One so i couldn't even find where the likely spots for short-circuiting and cold-reseting the BIOS
i also disabled alternative booting options in BIOS
please help...

Hiamie

305 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 75

Reply # 522303 17-Sep-2011 12:14

Just a thought, and it might not work, indeed, it might do some damage, but if you are desperate enough, you could remove the main battery, then short circuit the CMOS battery for, say half a second. I would expect that this would have the same effect as removing the battery for half a second, hopefully enough time to reset the BIOS to default, and hopefully short enough to not do any damage to the battery itself.

But be warned, I am only guessing that this might work, and as I said, could do more damage if it doesn't, so look for alternative fixes first!

manuleka

76 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 1

Reply # 522320 17-Sep-2011 13:45

thanks for the opinion... yea i thought of doing that at one stage but just a bit worried it might damage the CMOS if not just the battery...

i was thinking if unpluging the Hard Drive would do any effect on booting option...

if above won't work i might have to take the risk of shorting the battery itself :(

but even with a dead cmos battery - cmos will always be on default right?

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Hiamie

305 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 75

Reply # 522369 17-Sep-2011 15:36

I guess so, but it would mean possibly having to set the clock and maybe one or two other settings (depending on what the default setting actually are) every time you boot. Do post back what you finally decide to do, and if it worked!!

manuleka

76 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 1

Reply # 522412 17-Sep-2011 17:40

ok an update... removing the HDD forces BIOS to search alternative bootings...

i removed the HDD and connected a created LIVE LinuxMint 11 (LXDE) USB Stick, when powered on the Linux get's loaded

- also -

this is one of the main purposes why i want to remove the password on BIOS so i can install Linux on my Netbook

manuleka

76 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 1

Reply # 522713 18-Sep-2011 18:11

update - successfully flashed BIOS http://www.biosflash.com/e/bios-boot-cd.htm

but i think flashing BIOS only updates it and doesn't reset the password :(

Hiamie

305 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 75

Reply # 522729 18-Sep-2011 19:19

I'm glad that worked. Failure to successfully update the bios can render the PC unusable! Well done - you're making progress :)

manuleka

76 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 1

Reply # 523056 19-Sep-2011 15:07

ok i've tried everything i can possibly find on the net on this with no luck

i've tried cmospwd with no luck... now i'm thinking of either short-cirtuiting the battery or just somehow try and delete boot partition/sector on the hDD so hopefully bios will seek other devices if booting from HDD is unsuccessfull

dontpanic42

1574 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 11

Reply # 523062 19-Sep-2011 15:17

Short circuiting looks like your only option.

You say your CMOS battery is soldered in? Can you post an image if it is easily accessible by removing a laptop panel?
Quite a lot of CMOS batteries are button cell Lithium batteries.
If you short circuit and kill the battery (and you are really only likely to do damage to the battery, not the CMOS/motherboard), you may be able to replace the battery with an off the shelf button cell.

Hiamie

305 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 75

Reply # 523084 19-Sep-2011 15:42

I agree. I would expect the battery to survive a quick short circuit, and it is unlikely to upset the PC. The risk is small but you do need to be aware the unpredictable can always occur. Good luck!

manuleka

76 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 1

Reply # 523097 19-Sep-2011 16:01

GREAT NEWS GUYS :)

i've restored BIOS to default - with further more googling i stumbled on this link - http://forums.mydigitallife.info/threads/13095-Undocumented-INSYDE-BIOS-recovery-method.-Use-andy-s-....

so i decided to try it on my D255E

with BIOS PAV703 and PAV702 files chucked into my 2GB USB stick, i unplugged the power cord, simultaneously hold "esc" + "fn" keys for 5 seconds, while holding them i hit the "power" button and released the "esc" and "fn" key... the screen stays black/dark but the flash key lights up (meaning there's something going)

after a few minutes (maybe 3 to 5) the laptop powers down and restarted, when i hit the f2 button it went straight to BIOS :)

will write a blog on this on my website

Hiamie

305 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 75

Reply # 523118 19-Sep-2011 16:19

Brilliant - well done. I am sure others will be interested in your success.