[Help] Unlock Advanced Tab on Acer

@fairestmeat @LOST_N_BIOS


The BIOS chip is usually locked on that machine as well. If you cannot reset BIOS through key-press combo, as @LOST_N_BIOS already mentioned, programmer would be the only option.

@GooballDiesel - He “was” already using unlocked Mod BIOS, but then Intel software caused some issue


@fairestmeat - Make sure USB is 2.0 stick, formatted to FAT32, smaller USB = better (128MB-2GB), and BIOS file usually has to be a certain name too (and on root of USB)
Also, you can’t use the BIOS I modified for you for that, you have to use the stock extracted fd (make copy with .bin extension too)

Here is examples of what you need programmer wise, as mentioned, you can buy from other sellers, other stores etc, often shipped faster for more $$ (and you can get both in bundle/kits too)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/142885544668
https://www.ebay.com/itm/382486015977




@fairestmeat

To do that method, the files need to be on a FAT32 formatted disk, be the correct files, and have the proper names for your BIOS. Try other USB ports. If you have CD-ROM, try that instead.

FN+ESC or FN+F10 should be the key combo to hold while pressing power.



EDIT - I’m so sure @LOST_N_BIOS and I posted the same thing. I’ll drop out of this now, as I’m at the extent of what I know of Asus and INSYDE anyway. LOL

@GooballDiesel - This is Acer, and you probably know more than me about Acer or Insyde BIOS (I hate it )

@GooballDiesel @Lost_N_BIOS

Thanks guys, I’ll take a look on programmer, mean while, is there a method to know what shoud the image name be for the usb recovery?

------------------------

Alt + f10 didn’t do anything, same black screen and fan starting




@fairestmeat


*************************************************** EDIT - READ FURTHER DOWN FOR INSYDE SOLUTION *********************************************************



Again, not too sure about the BIOS for your system, but with the AMI BIOS, you can view the RECOVERY module with HxD,

search for ".rom", and generally within the 1st or 2nd result you will see the name it is expecting…it also tells you WHERE it expects to see it.




In the example above the filename would be "P150SM.rom" and it is expected at CD001 (cd-rom).


You MUST make sure that the BIOS module you read the filename from is the same BIOS you flashed to, or dumped from, your PC!!!



Open BIOS with UEFITOOL.

Find "recovery" like following photo:




right click on "compressed section" choose "extract body"

open extracted file with hex editor, then search for ".rom"


Good Luck!

--------------------------

See below…

--------------------------



********INSYDE PROCESS DESCRIBED HERE


@fairestmeat


If you flashed your PC with (my example) Acer v1.27_A_A, then there is ONE file to be extracted from the .exe BIOS file you downloaded from Manufacturer site.


IMPORTANT!!! - Go to the Manufacturers drivers download page of your laptop model and download the version of your laptop Bios that is CURRENTLY INSTALLED OR NEWER!!!. ***

Preparation:

Download > Universal Extractor < to extract the downloaded .exe

and also download "extractor.exe" with this link: > CLICK HERE <

Process:

Download and Install " uniextract.exe " from the link posted above.

Find the *****.exe BIOS installation you downloaded from Manufacturer website, right click on it, and select " UniExtract to Subdir "

You should find a folder called "Windows" located in the same folder as the file you just extracted.

Open " Windows " folder and look for the, roughly, 6mb file ending in " .fd "

If the BIOS version was 1.27_A_A then you will have this file extracted:

" ZAA2_multi.fd "



NOW YOU SHOULD HAVE THE NEEDED FILE, YOU JUST NEED TO EXTRACT IT AGAIN USING "extractor.exe"… Process described below…


Extract "extractor.exe" into a new empty folder

Copy ZAA2_multi.fd to same folder as extractor (for simplicity)

Run extractor.exe on ZAA2_multi.fd!!!

Example:

extractor.exe (input file) (output file)
extractor.exe ZAA2_multi.fd BIOS.fd


It will give you PROPER size bin file (6144kb vs 6765kb).



(NOTE: My image shows "lowercase" characters, but the file name it expects IS case sensitive!!!


" BIOS.fd " should be the correct file name for the BIOS in my example…


Format a USB 2.0 flash/pen drive to FAT32, 4gb or smaller is best! (or burn to cd/dvd, or use USB floppy drive)

Place the " BIOS.fd " you just renamed onto the root of the USB flash/pen drive, cd/dvd, floppy diskette… (not in any folder!!!)

Plug in USB (flash/pen drive, cd/dvd, floppy)

PRESS AND HOLD DOWN FN+ESC

While STILL holding FN+ESC press and release the power button. KEEP HOLDING FN+ESC

When you hear the fans spin up, release FN+ESC and wait.

PC should reboot on it’s own after, roughly, 3-5 minutes greeting you with ACER splashscreen.

@fairestmeat - Hopefully you can get with info above, thanks @GooballDiesel

If not, DO NOT erase or write anything once you get programmer, only read, verify and then save and send to me then WAIT!!
This way you are sure we get valid dump before you erase or write anything. This way we also find correct software version that writes to your chip, otherwise dumps could be fail and writes would also fail.
Once you get in there, tell me your BIOS chip ID (read off the chip), so if necessary I can tell you what software version works best or what ID you should use if other than exact etc.



@fairestmeat @LOST_N_BIOS


If the method I posted above does not work (or you need more assistance) , It’s OK, there are a few more methods to try before resorting to a programmer…unless you have one handy already.

The method I posted should work as long as the recovery portion of the BIOS is still functioning. It’s just a matter of renaming the BIOS image to the name his recovery is expecting.

There are specific tools that will allow the flashing, regardless of the name, but the method in my previous post is the probably the safest, IMO.

@GooballDiesel

Thnaks alot guys, I’ll try as soon as I can.
When do the fn+esc the Power light start flashing, this means that the recovery parte of bios is working?



@fairestmeat


It’s a good indicator, yes.

Also, on USB, make a copy of the ZAA2_multi.fd and name it ZAA2.fd, and another ZAA2.bin

@Lost_N_BIOS @GooballDiesel

OK, I found a CrisisRecoveryPEI module, but hex editor dont return any results when searching for .rom, .fd, .bin, ZAA... I shearched in all sections, excrating body only<br /><br /><img src="https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/i/fairestmeat/Screenshot_1.png?width=371&amp;height=225&amp;fit=bounds&amp;crop=fill" border=0><br /><br />im sending the sections to see if you guys can tell me what am I doing wrong...<br /><br />And the .exe extracted only has three images ZAA2_multi.fd ZAA3_multi.fd ZAA4_multi.fd<br /><br />but i guess since this is the original file thats alright, right?

And one more thing, whats the difference between extracting as is and extracting body?

sections crisisrecovery.rar (43.6 KB)

Doing the same thing for the other images in the .exe can help? Or this images are other BIOSes from other models?




@fairestmeat


My fault! SORRY!

I hoped you noticed the edit telling you to move to my next reply. The process you just attempted works on AMI BIOS. Not exactly the same for Insyde.

Just follow this part:



@fairestmeat

Did you go to Acer and download the driver package for your model? Which BIOS update did you download?

@GooballDiesel

Yes, I went to this pagehttps://www.acer.com/ac/pt/BR/content/support-product/6739?b=1 and downloaded v1.27, wich is the one on installed on my computer

Should I try this method with the three .fd I have?



@fairestmeat

You are correct, I just extracted and got the same result… 3 files.

What I suggest trying is make TWO COPIES of ZAA2_multi.fd naming one of the copies " ZAA.fd " and name the other copy of the same ZAA2_multi.fd " ZAA2.bin " (like @Lost_N_BIOS recommended previously)

and rename the rest of the files

ZAA2_multi.fd ZAA3_multi.fd ZAA4_multi.fd

to

ZAA2.fd ZAA3.fd ZAA4.fd



You should NOW have:

ZAA.fd
ZAA2.fd
ZAA2.bin
ZAA3.fd
ZAA4.fd

Place files like described in previous post, boot EXACTLY as described!!!

@GooballDiesel

No luck… I did exactly as you said. The power light keeps flashing, the fan starts for a while than seems to stop, the PC doesn`t shut down…

Can I turn off and pull the usb?

Maybe I can find the correct file name is some other place in BIOS?



@fairestmeat

DOES YOUR USB DRIVE HAVE AN ACTIVITY LED ON IT???****

How long has it been running? Is the flashing LED the same as it has been every other time you booted with FN+ESC? Power LED also flashes when reading/writing something…BE CAREFUL!

If it hasn’t been AT LEAST 5 minutes, I would wait to be sure. If by 10 minutes it hasn’t reset itself, then it’s not going to. Try to power cycle and see if it boots.

If NOT then proceed to try the below method.


The information below can be found in a file called platform.ini in the same folder you found the extracted *.fd files in.


FD#01=ID,ZAA,ZAA_multi.fd
FD#02=ID,ZAA2,ZAA2_multi.fd
FD#03=ID,ZAA3,ZAA3_multi.fd
FD#04=ID,ZAA4,ZAA4_multi.fd
;[nb4-multi-bios] ±
;[nb4] FD#01=PCI,0,1F,2,80,FFFFFFFF,00007007,9.fd,ME.fd
;[nb4] FD#02=PCI,2,0,0,4,FFFFFFFF,00100007,7.fd,ME.fd
;[nb4] FD#03=PCI,2,0,0,18,0000000F,0000000E,9.fd,ME.fd
;[nb4] FD#04=MPCIIO,2,PCI-0-1F-0-00-FFFFFFFF-3B0B8086,IO-538-0100-0000,9.fd,ME.fd
;[nb4] FD#05=IO,C0,5AABFE02,5AABFE02,9.fd,ME.fd
;[nb4] FD#06=IO,1F6,E7,E4,7.fd
;[nb4] FD#07=IO,C0,FE03,FE03,7.fd
;[nb4] FD#08=IO,C0,03,01,7.fd
;[nb4] FD#09=PCI,2,0,0,0,00000813,00000812,9.fd
;[nb4] FD#10=ID,ModelName,BIOS.fd


Notice the BIOS.fd reference above? (all of these are CASE SeNsItIvE!!!)

Try renaming the ZAA2_multi.fd to BIOS.fd and BIOS.bin, put on USB, etc and try the FN+ESC flash method again.

@GooballDiesel

Yes, up to 10min and nothing…

Same thing with BIOS.fd… power light flashing, fan spining… But nothing happens

the USB that I am using doesnt have a led on it, so I dont know if is reading something, also the only usb drive I have here is a 32gb, could this be the problem?why smaller is better?


The platform.ini have this lines just under BIOS.fd you mentioned

;[nb4] FD#11=OS,32,32bios.bin,32.ini
;[nb4] FD#12=OS,64,64bios.bin,me.bin,64.ini
;[nb4] FD#13=MEMORY,55aa55aa,F0F0F0F0,afafafaf,FD_m.bin,ME_m.bin,CFG_m.ini

should I try 64bios.bin, or any of these?