Question Problem Bios

Dark Knight Rider · Jan 11, 2025

I downloaded a custom BIOS on my old computer. It worked normally but I went into the custom BIOS settings and activated some new options added in the custom BIOS and when I did that I tried to turn on the computer but it showed me a black screen with no response when F2 I don't see any sound in general everything doesn't work I tried removing the battery I left it for 30 seconds but it still didn't work. Is there an actual solution for a dead computer due to the BIOS?

My module Laptop : Acer Extensa 5235

pcgeek11 · Jan 11, 2025

System Battery or CMOS Battery?

You will need to remove the CMOS Battery on the Motherboard to reset the BIOS to factory default settings.

Reinstall the CMOS battery.

Then you will need to reflash the BIOS to the original uncustomized BIOS.

This may or may not work.

Steltek · Jan 11, 2025

If you flip the laptop upside down, with the screen hinge facing towards the top, I think the CMOS battery is accessible in the center bottom removable panel. Just make sure you remove the battery and disconnect the power before you pull it.

I think I dimly recall that it may also have a BIOS reset jumper near the battery, though I can't be sure about that (it has simply been too long since I worked on one of those things to remember for sure).

You may have to leave the battery out of it for 10 minutes or so before you reassemble the machine and try to start it back up.

Dark Knight Rider · Jan 12, 2025

Steltek said:
If you flip the laptop upside down, with the screen hinge facing towards the top, I think the CMOS battery is accessible in the center bottom removable panel. Just make sure you remove the battery and disconnect the power before you pull it.

I think I dimly recall that it may also have a BIOS reset jumper near the battery, though I can't be sure about that (it has simply been too long since I worked on one of those things to remember for sure).

You may have to leave the battery out of it for 10 minutes or so before you reassemble the machine and try to start it back up.

Not Working

Black screen Still
I found several options in the custom BIOS.

I have modified all of these settings to the last option or clearly the highest performance option.

Dark Knight Rider · Jan 12, 2025

Route Port 80h cycles

Changed from LPC To PCI
I changed this option and also the processor does not support virtualization and made it supported by enabling the option in the modified BIOS

Dark Knight Rider · Jan 12, 2025

I removed the CMOS battery but still the same problem the board is not responding only the fan moves a little and the lights remain on the power button and no response black screen the fan does not move

Steltek · Jan 12, 2025

So, you can still get into the BIOS? Did you try resetting the BIOS to defaults from there?

If the machine can be booted to the BIOS, you may be able to flash the original BIOS back to the machine if you have it. You can try to boot it from a Windows PE environment flash drive (such as Hiren's Boot CD or Hiren's Boot CD PE) which might allow you to flash the original BIOS from there. And, that is a big "if" as who knows what you have borked up by installing that BIOS.

If you don't have an original BIOS, you have a serious problem as that machine is old enough that Acer doesn't post old BIOSes to their website. You might find a BIOS to download on some untrustworthy shady site somewhere (or from the same site where you obtained that "custom" BIOS from). I think I saw one on Github, but who knows if it will actually work with your machine.

Dark Knight Rider · Jan 12, 2025

Steltek said:
So, you can still get into the BIOS? Did you try resetting the BIOS to defaults from there?

If the machine can be booted to the BIOS, you may be able to flash the original BIOS back to the machine if you have it. You can try to boot it from a Windows PE environment flash drive (such as Hiren's Boot CD or Hiren's Boot CD PE) which might allow you to flash the original BIOS from there. And, that is a big "if" as who knows what you have borked up by installing that BIOS.

If you don't have an original BIOS, you have a serious problem as that machine is old enough that Acer doesn't post old BIOSes to their website. You might find a BIOS to download on some untrustworthy shady site somewhere (or from the same site where you obtained that "custom" BIOS from). I think I saw one on Github, but who knows if it will actually work with your machine.

How do I flash the BIOS via flash?

Dark Knight Rider · Jan 12, 2025

Steltek said:
So, you can still get into the BIOS? Did you try resetting the BIOS to defaults from there?

If the machine can be booted to the BIOS, you may be able to flash the original BIOS back to the machine if you have it. You can try to boot it from a Windows PE environment flash drive (such as Hiren's Boot CD or Hiren's Boot CD PE) which might allow you to flash the original BIOS from there. And, that is a big "if" as who knows what you have borked up by installing that BIOS.

If you don't have an original BIOS, you have a serious problem as that machine is old enough that Acer doesn't post old BIOSes to their website. You might find a BIOS to download on some untrustworthy shady site somewhere (or from the same site where you obtained that "custom" BIOS from). I think I saw one on Github, but who knows if it will actually work with your machine.

Is it possible to flash the BIOS using flash on old boards? The computer board was manufactured in 2008.

Steltek · Jan 12, 2025

You never mentioned if you can still access the BIOS, or if you have tried using the option within the BIOS to reset the BIOS settings to defaults (to turn off whatever problematic settings you may have messed up in the BIOS).

I presume you originally flashed it from within Windows?

I don't know if it will work. You'll have to try it to see if it will boot from a flash drive (you'll test this by preparing one of the Hirens WinPE environments I mentioned above - which are based upon limited versions of Windows - do a google search for Hirens bood CD PE).

You have to prepare the bootable flash drive with a version of Hirens using another computer. Once the bootable flash drive is prepared, copy the original BIOS file to it.

Insert it into the laptop and power it up. As soon as you power it up, immediately start repeatedly pressing F12 to try to get a boot menu. If you get it, select the flash drive as the boot drive and cross your fingers that it boots the WinPE environment. Then, if you get that far, then you can try to flash the original BIOS back to the machine. If it will let you. If it won't, you'll need to research how to do it since you have the machine, or take it to someone who actually has the requisite knowledge of how to do it.

I suspect the computer is probably e-waste now, which is the consequence of doing something like this when you obviously have no clue as to what you are doing. However, you won't know until you try it.

Dark Knight Rider · Jan 13, 2025

Steltek said:
You never mentioned if you can still access the BIOS, or if you have tried using the option within the BIOS to reset the BIOS settings to defaults (to turn off whatever problematic settings you may have messed up in the BIOS).

I presume you originally flashed it from within Windows?

I don't know if it will work. You'll have to try it to see if it will boot from a flash drive (you'll test this by preparing one of the Hirens WinPE environments I mentioned above - which are based upon limited versions of Windows - do a google search for Hirens bood CD PE).

You have to prepare the bootable flash drive with a version of Hirens using another computer. Once the bootable flash drive is prepared, copy the original BIOS file to it.

Insert it into the laptop and power it up. As soon as you power it up, immediately start repeatedly pressing F12 to try to get a boot menu. If you get it, select the flash drive as the boot drive and cross your fingers that it boots the WinPE environment. Then, if you get that far, then you can try to flash the original BIOS back to the machine. If it will let you. If it won't, you'll need to research how to do it since you have the machine, or take it to someone who actually has the requisite knowledge of how to do it.

I suspect the computer is probably e-waste now, which is the consequence of doing something like this when you obviously have no clue as to what you are doing. However, you won't know until you try it.

I can't get into the bios because everything is not working only the lights are on the screen is black the computer is not responding but in the mode Flashing via flash works, but I don’t know how to do it. Although I searched the topic, the BIOS piece must be extracted and programmed externally by placing it in a device, connecting it to a computer, and flashing it via a BIOS memory reading program.

Steltek · Jan 13, 2025

Then, you aren't going to be able to fix it easily.

They are talking about using a BIOS programmer to physically reprogram the chip.

And, if you have soldering skills or know someone who has them, you might be able to purchase a pre-programmed replacement BIOS chip, remove the existing physical BIOS chip from the motherboard, and solder the replacement one back in its place. You'd just have to make sure the new BIOS chip contains a manufacturer BIOS image compatible with your motherboard.

Worst case you could totally replace the motherboard with another working board, though whether that is cost effective I couldn't tell you. Given the age of the laptop, I suspect it probably isn't. And, as Windows is tied to the motherboard, you might have to purchase a new Windows key as well.

If you do fix it in some manner, do not under any circumstances reinstall that custom BIOS or you'll just kill it again and be right back where you started.

Dark Knight Rider · Jan 13, 2025

Steltek said:
Then, you aren't going to be able to fix it easily.

They are talking about using a BIOS programmer to physically reprogram the chip.

And, if you have soldering skills, you might be able to purchase a pre-programmed replacement BIOS chip, remove the existing physical BIOS chip from the motherboard, and solder the replacement one back in its place.

Worst case, you could totally replace the motherboard though whether that is cost effective I couldn't tell you. Given the age of the laptop, I suspect it probably isn't.

If you do fix it in some manner, do not under any circumstances reinstall that custom BIOS or you'll just kill it again.

I feel like I won't do it because after I fix it I will buy another computer and keep this one for storage only.🤣

Mantrid-Drone · Jan 13, 2025

Another example proving the old advice about BIOS flashing which is simply not to do it unless there is something seriously wrong with the original BIOS or it is missing a feature you desperately need which the new BIOS will give you.

A harsh lesson in this case and you can't help but empathize.

Dark Knight Rider · Jan 22, 2025

Mantrid-Drone said:
Another example proving the old advice about BIOS flashing which is simply not to do it unless there is something seriously wrong with the original BIOS or it is missing a feature you desperately need which the new BIOS will give you.

A harsh lesson in this case and you can't help but empathize.

I have charged the bios but the computer is running without a screen and the fan is on for a short period and remains silent with the power lights remaining on without response

tcsenter · Jan 22, 2025

Mantrid-Drone said:
Another example proving the old advice about BIOS flashing which is simply not to do it unless there is something seriously wrong with the original BIOS or it is missing a feature you desperately need which the new BIOS will give you

Not really. There is a better one. Don't use MODDED BIOS unless you want to take the risk. Particularly with the BIOS in the past 10 years that have increased in complexity and security features. Even the BIOS modders are saying it's a different game and pretty much warn you should have access to a BIOS programmer.

Mantrid-Drone · Jan 23, 2025

Obviously that was the issue in the OP's case - it is indeed asking for trouble. But official BIOS updates may still cause problems too.

So I think that advice, that was impressed on me when a complete noob by PC experts long ago, still holds good.

Question Problem Bios

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