Acer Aspire One BIOS Blank Screen

Blank screen errors with the Acer Aspire One AOA110 and AOA150 can be resolved by using a USB stick to "flash" the BIOS. If you have one of these models, an update to BIOS version 3310 or above will likely solve the problem. However, it is crucial to get the correct BIOS version for your exact model. Whether you have one of these models or a different Aspire One model, the best place to go is to Acer's support website at Acer.com.

Selecting the Acer Aspire Model

Once you arrive, choose your country from the list and then navigate to the Support > Drivers and Downloads section. Using the U.S. site as an example, this will take you to a section where you are prompted to enter the model name or serial number of your computer. Alternately, you can select your computer by choosing the product family (in this case Netbook > Aspire One) and drilling down to find your exact model. Make sure to select the exact model and the exact operating system because downloads are product-specific. Choosing the wrong download could be disastrous.

Finding the BIOS

From there, you'll see a table with a series of tabs labeled Application, BIOS, Document, Driver, and Patch. Click BIOS and you should see a series of downloads with the newest version listed at the top. Click the newest version and click the download button.

The download file is usually a zipped file containing an executable BIOS file as well as a Readme file. In some cases, you may need to rename the BIOS file before copying it to the USB drive, so check the Readme file for instructions. For example, if you have an Acer Aspire One AOA110 or AOA150, you will need to rename the 3310.fd file to ZG5IA32.FD (in all caps). From there, you will need to copy the renamed file and the Flashit.exe file (which is included in the download) to a USB stick. However, that particular instruction is specific to those particular models, making it important to follow instructions specific to your computer's exact model.

Assuming you need to flash either an Acer Aspire One AOA110 or AOA150, you can find step-by-step instructions on Acer's Support page. If you have a different model, use the Acer Answers section to search for BIOS update instructions specific to your exact model.

The downloaded file has a DOS folder and a Winflash Folder. The previous instructions say to rename the BIOS file to ZG5AI32.FD. I have done this. It also says to put the FLASHIT.EXE and the BIOS file in the root directory. The problem I am facing is that there is no FLASHIT.EXE file.

In the Root Directory of the downloaded file there are two folders: DOS and Winflash. In the Winflash folder there is a single file named 17CP126.EXE. In the DOS folder there are two subfolders, a BIOS and a KBC, and a single DOSFLASH.BAT file.

The BIOS folder contains the following files:

• ACERACDC.EXE
• BIOS.BAT
• JE70126.ROM
• JE70126.WPH
• phlash16.exe

The KBC folder contains the following files:

• config.ini
• config.ini.bak
• DOSFLASH.EXE
• E08AC117.BIN
• FLASHROM.DEF
• KBC.BAT
• VERIFY.BIN

As you can see, there is not a FLASHIT.EXE file in any folder. I really need to get this computer up and running, even if it is only for a short period of time. There are some irreplaceable pictures on it. Can you help?

You are correct that the Acer Aspire models tend to experience problematic issues related to black screens and blinking cursors. While the directions that you have listed are accurate, it is just as common for the FLASHIT.EXE file to play hide-and-seek with you. One of the best ways to eliminate this game of "where did my FLASHIT.EXE file go" is to use a USB memory device to save the downloaded files.

BIOS Recovery Using USB Memory Device: The Acer Aspire 7741z-4643

1. First, obtain and format a bootable USB memory stick to FAT.
2. Once you have completed step 1, go back to the website for Acer and download the latest BIOS for your model, the Acer Aspire 7741z-4643.
3. When it is time to save the FLASHIT.EXE and the BIOS files, place them in the memory stick's root directory.
4. Be sure to rename the BIOS file to ZG5IA32.FD. Double check that you did this correctly, reading over the numbers and letters to ensure that you have the file name typed in correctly.
5. Temporarily remove the USB drive from the Acer Aspire.
6. Turn off the AC power to the Acer Aspire, so that you can see if the notebook has a good battery. If it does, reconnect the AC power.
7. Insert the USB memory stick into a USB port.
8. Press all of the following "Fn" and "Esc" and "Power" buttons at the same time. Wait about 3 or 4 seconds; release the "Fn" and "Esc" buttons.
9. Your power button should be blinking now. Press the power button once.
10. The BIOS should flash.
11. Do not press any buttons or interrupt this process by turning off the power. Eventually, the power button should stop flashing, and your Acer Aspire 7741z-4643 notebook should reboot on its own.

I have an Acer Aspire 7741z-4643. I was in Safe Mode when it went out. Before it did, it gave me a blank screen, but sometimes I would have to press F8. I did the restore point several times. Did not solve the problem. I was working in Safe Mode network, and it just when blank. I went to the Acer site to get my BIOS and download it. Look for flashit.exe and the other file to rename it. Could not find it. What can I do to get my computer back up? Tried to use the recovery disk. Still had the black screen with the blinking dash on it.

Sounds like you’ve been doing everything you can to get your notebook up and running again. Since you know how to download the files from Acer’s website for the BIOS, and the only problem is that you cannot find the files to rename them, follow this set of directions and see if it works to repair your Acer Aspire 7741z-4643. Since you are getting the blank screen, this set of directions should fix it for you.

BIOS Recovery for the Acer Aspire 7741z-4643 Notebook

1. You will need to format a bootable USB memory stick to FAT.
2. Next, revisit Acer’s website and download the latest BIOS for the Acer Aspire 7741z-4643.
3. Make sure that you put both the FLASHIT.EXE and the BIOS file in the memory stick’s root directory.
4. Now, you need to rename the BIOS file to ZG5IA32.FD. Double check by reading it over to make sure that you have the file name correct.
5. Remove the USB drive from the notebook.
6. Turn the Acer’s power off.
7. Now, you need to make sure the notebook has a working battery and reconnect the AC power.
8. You should insert the USB memory stick into one of the notebook’s USB ports.
9. Now, you need to press “Fn” and “Esc” and “Power” buttons all at the same time. Wait 3 or 4 seconds, and then release the “Fn” and “Esc” buttons.
10. The power button should be blinking, and you should press it once.
11. At this point, the BIOS should flash for you.
12. Be sure not to press anything or interrupt this process. If all goes well, the power button should stop flashing, and the Acer Aspire 7741z-4643 notebook should reboot.

It sounds like you have a real dilemma here, especially since you have already taken the battery out with no resolution to the problem. Try the following suggestions and see if you can get the computer to run again. I am also going to suggest taking the battery back out, just in case.

Boot UP Using Safe Mode

The first step that you need to take is to see if you can boot the computer up using "Safe Mode." Follow these directions:

• 1) Turn the computer's power button on.
• 2) Immediately begin to press the F2, F8, F10, or F12 (depending on your model/brand of computer) key on the keyboard to allow the computer to start up in "Safe Mode."

Reset the BIOS to Original Settings

Removing the CMOS battery/resetting the CMOS jumper cable resets the BIOS back to its original settings. It's important to wait long enough when you take the CMOS battery out before replacing it. So, let's try this strategy once more.

Disconnect the computer from its power source and discharge the electricity before you begin. Remove the CMOS battery from inside the back of the computer. Wait several minutes before replacing the battery. The same thing holds true when resetting the CMOS jumper cables. You need to wait several minutes before you flip the switch back.

Replace the CMOS Battery

If your CMOS battery is more than a few years old, you can consider replacing it with a brand new one. It is possible that installing a fresh battery might resolve the problem of your computer not turning on for you.

Troubleshooting Strategies

While these issues aren't likely since you sound like you know what you are doing, it still won't hurt to try them. Double check that the computer's memory is properly seated and that the power cords are properly inserted. If your BIOS is beeping, count the number of beeps and look up what that number indicates for your specific brand/model of computer.

What Does the BIOS Battery Do?

The BIOS battery is designed as a source of power that provides power to the clock and BIOS or configuration memory (CMOS) for your laptop.

How to Replace the BIOS Battery in a Laptop

The exact procedure that you use to change the BIOS battery in a laptop will vary depending on the make and model of the laptop that you have. However, the strategy that you use should be quite similar to the directions provided here. Most laptops today use a Lithium (Li) battery that is held in a spring-like manner. However, some laptops use a Nickel-Cadmium (NiCd) battery.

Directions for Replacing the BIOS Battery in a Laptop

1)   Before changing the BIOS battery in your laptop, you should write down all of your settings from the setup mode if the laptop that you have is very old. You do not need to do this with newer laptops.

2)   Obtain a replacement battery before removing the BIOS battery. The battery must be exactly the same and is usually identified with a number. You can usually purchase the correct BIOS battery using the laptop's make and model.

3)   You should close all open applications and turn off the laptop before switching bios batteries.

4)   Disconnect all peripherals from the laptop including external speakers, USB mouse, power cables, printer, etc.

5)   Carefully turn the laptop over and look for the area where the main laptop battery is secured. Open/unlock the release latches for the battery and carefully remove it.

6)   Since the BIOS battery sits in the motherboard, you now need to turn the laptop over and remove the cover. If your laptop is still under warranty, you might want to see if this activity is going to void your warranty before you complete this task. The keyboard assembly is typically connected to the laptop with ribbons that you must be careful not to damage.

7)   Remove the battery carefully. You might need a small screwdriver to help you pop the battery out. The Lithium battery is usually used with a socket that has a lateral tab, upper tab, or one in which the battery stands up. When you remove the battery, it is best to jot down how the current battery has been inserted in the laptop so that you can insert the new BIOS battery in the same manner.

8)   Insert the new battery in place of the one that you just removed.

9)   Reconnect the laptop's peripherals and power cables.

What if the BIOS Battery Is Soldered to the Motherboard?

If the BIOS battery is soldered to the motherboard, then you must replace the entire motherboard or have an experienced technician replace it for you. It is uncommon for this to be the case, but it does happen.

Did you try to flash the BIOS because you were having problems, or did you want to update it with a newer version? If you were already having problems with your machine, the failure of the BIOS flash may be related to that original issue.

Flash BIOS

I'm not sure what instructions you used, so I'm going to print the basic instructions here. The Acer Aspire has built in BIOS recovery that you can access using a USB stick.

1. Get a USB stick and format it with FAT.
2. Download the latest BIOS from the Acer website.
3. Put the FLASHIT.EXE and the BIOS file in the root directory of the USB stick.
4. Rename that BIOS file Z95IA32.FD. Leave the USB stick in the port.
5. Turn the computer off, making sure that there is a battery and AC adapter connected to it.
6. Press Fn+Esc at the same time. Keeping those pressed, push the power button to turn the computer on.
7. After a few seconds, release Fn+Esc. The power button should be blinking.
8. Press the Power button one time. The computer will start the BIOS flash. Make sure it is not interrupted, or you can really damage your system. The computer will reboot when it is done. The BIOS should be flashed and the settings set back to factory default.

Acer Recovery

I'm really not sure what the original problem was, but you can try Acer Recovery to see if that fixes your issue.

1. Turn on the computer. When you see the Acer BIOS screen (if you can see it at all), hold down Alt+F10. This will start the recovery process.
2. When eRecovery has loaded, choose "Restore to Factory Default Settings".
3. Choose OK to continue.
4. The recovery process will run and update the data in the C drive.

Other Options

For a bad BIOS flash, many techs recommend crisis disks or downloads that you can find on the Internet. I can't go all the way and recommend one, but you might want to do some research. Generally, if you have a bad BIOS flash, the best remedy is to contact the manufacturer - you will likely need professional help.

Consider Service if Under Warranty

You should be able to connect an external CD or DVD drive through the USB port and boot from the Windows disks that way. Before getting into those details, you might also consider Kat's original advice and think about taking your machine in for repair if it is still covered by warranty. Sometimes failure to follow boot sequence instructions are also indicative of a larger problem and, compounded with your installation error might mean your computer has a variety of issues. Rather than trying to stick your finger in the dam, a thorough inspection by an Acer technician will ensure that you receive the value of your investment and can enjoy your notebook in the long term.

Configure the BIOS Sequence to Boot from an External Optical Drive

That said, let's think about how to connect the external DVD drive and get the notebook to boot from it. There are two methods that you can try to get the computer to boot from the external optical drive but first you should remove it from the USB port and let things rest. You might even want to power your computer down to reset things. Put the Windows disk in the disk reader and reconnect it. Power your computer up. Now, you can either:

1. Press F2 as the computer is booting, as soon as you see the Acer logo on your screen
2. This should open the BIOS setup
3. Choose the Boot Menu
4. Follow the onscreen directions to set the bootable optical disk drive first

OR

1. Press F12 during boot up, as soon as you see the Acer logo
2. From the list that appears, choose USB ODD

Now, choose Exit Saving Changes or press F10 or press Enter to close the boot selection menu. You should now be able to follow the onscreen directions to reinstall your operating system or run the Windows Recovery disk.

Create a Bootable USB Recovery Flash Drive

If you have no luck with this, and your computer refuses to boot from the optical drive, you can create a bootable USB drive, but you will need a Windows Recovery disk and a second computer with an optical disk drive.

1. Put the Recovery disk in the secondary computer's disk drive
2. Connect a flash drive - with a minimum 1 GB capacity - into the secondary computer's USB port
3. Follow the directions detailed in the previous example to open the BIOS set up in the secondary computer and configure the ODD as the first device
4. Save the changes and exit the BIOS
5. Wait while the computer boots - you should see a list of options when it is finished
6. Choose install2usb
7. Now, from the list of disk presented, choose the USB drive and click Next
8. Now you have the Windows Recovery program saved on the flash drive - take it to the Aspire One and try again, this time setting the BIOS to the USB drive and try to repair your system this way

Consult with a Remote Assistant

If you have no luck with these steps, you might want to talk to a remote technical assistant who can troubleshoot with you in real time to help get to the root of the problem and determine an appropriate course of action. At Filetonic we recommend the support services available here. I hope this is helpful, good luck!

Take your Hard Drive to a Technician

It's possible that your hard drive is fried. If your computer is still covered under warranty, you might want to consider taking it in to the dealer for repairs. To make sure that it is the hard drive that is failing, you can consult your computer user's manual to find the manufacturer, then visit their website and look for a diagnostic tool check the health of the hard disk. Most of the major hard drive manufacturers offer diagnostic utilities that could help you narrow down the possibilities though since the computer won't boot, this may not be an option.

Boot to Safe Mode

To get your computer up and running you can attempt to boot into Safe Mode. This way, hopefully, you can get access to your system with only minimal programs running, reducing the chances that you will run into problems. Turn your computer off, then turn it on again and start pressing F8. When you see the Advanced Menu screen, use the arrows on your keyboard to choose Safe Mode and confirm your operating system. The next time you boot your computer it will revert to Normal Mode, so there is no need to undo these steps.

Troubleshoot the Power Source and Cord

Another common cause of this kind of problem is a faulty power cord or battery. You can start by troubleshooting the power cord and outlet by plugging something else into the plug and swapping the power cord. You can also remove the battery and try the cord directly to remove the chances of a faulty battery interfering.

Reseat or Replace the CMOS Battery

Inside your computer there is another power source called the CMOS battery that is plugged directly into the motherboard. This battery allows the computer to keep time and other internal processes even when there is no other power source. CMOS batteries have an average life span of about 5 years, so it is also possible that you need to replace it. You can consult your computer's user's manual and check how to find and remove the CMOS battery. In some cases, removing the battery and then re-inserting it is enough to give it a new life, so you might want to try this before replacing it.

I hope these ideas are helpful, if you are still stuck, write again and let us know your computer model, operating system, and the results of what you have tried so far and we'll go from there.

Computer CMOS Batteries

The CMOS battery is your computer's internal memory and real time clock power source. This battery allows your computer to initialize its boot up procedure and remember the time and date, even when there is no other power source. CMOS batteries typically last between 2 and 10 years, but thankfully they aren't very difficult to replace. The CMOS battery is round and flat, about the size of a dime, but about twice as thick and will most likely say something like Lithium Battery and a code and voltage on it.

Try to Force the Computer to Recharge the CMOS Battery

The first thing that you can do is try to force the computer to charge the CMOS battery. You can do this by leaving the computer on for about 24 hours then reboot and see if you are still getting an error message.

Locating the CMOS Battery

If it doesn't work, then you are going to need to open the computer. If you have a PC, lay it on its side before opening. If you have a laptop, turn it over on a flat surface. Make sure that you unplug it from its power source and discharge any static electricity before touching anything inside your computer. Open the case and look for the battery on the motherboard. You might need to use your computer user's manual to help locate the battery.

Remove, Reseat or Replace the CMOS Battery

Sometimes unseating and reseating the CMOS battery is enough to get things working again, so you could try slipping it out then repositioning it. Otherwise, remove the battery and take it with you to the computer shop to buy a replacement. They are inexpensive, under $20. You should know that, in some cases, CMOS batteries are not removable. If it doesn't come out easily, or if there isn't a clip that you can lift to remove it, it is best not to force it. Either take the whole unit into a shop or consult your manual for more information.

Contact Technical Support

If you are going to open your computer and remove components from the motherboard, you might want to contact a remote technician for some real time advice. The tech can go through the steps with you to make sure you are comfortable. We recommend the services available here.

BIOS Error Codes

The codes you describe are BIOS error codes. Each one indicates a problem with a different component of your computer. For example, any BIOS error code from 100 to 199 is related to a system motherboard failure. Specific codes such as 161 within that range further identify the issue (with 161 representing a CMOS battery failure).

The BIOS is a small chip on your computer that contains its own small self-executing program. It is the first program that runs when your computer boots up. BIOS first runs a POST (Power On Self Test), testing all hardware components before loading the operating system. If one of the tests fails, an error code is generated and your computer may or may not continue loading.

Repairing BIOS Error Codes

Obviously, repairing an error code depends on which error code is displayed. For example, if you have error code 161, the CMOS battery failure code, then you would need to replace the CMOS battery. Because different BIOS makers have tweaked the POST codes to suit their own needs, it's best to refer to the BIOS manufacturer's list of BIOS error codes to ensure that you are working off a list that matches your computer.

When you receive a BIOS error code, this almost always indicates a problem with hardware rather than software. By deciphering the code, you will have a better idea of where the problem lies. For example, if you know that codes 200-299 indicate a problem with memory, then you know it's time to troubleshoot those memory chips. One of the chips may be bad or it may simply need to be reseated.

The codes that you listed, 1xx 161 164 2xx 3xx 4xx 5xx 6xx 17xx, are common error codes. Here's a brief rundown of each:

• 1xx (100-199) - System motherboard problem
• o 161 - CMOS battery failure
• o 164 - Memory system size error
• 2xx (200-299) - Memory problems
• 3xx (300-399) - Keyboard problems
• 4xx (400-499) - Monochrome video problem
• 5xx (500-599) - Color video problem
• 6xx (600-699) - Floppy disk problem
• 17xx (1700-1799) - Hard disk problem

In order to best troubleshoot the error code, let us know the exact code that you are receiving as well as the manufacturer of your BIOS. If you have Windows Vista, you can find out your BIOS details by going to Start and typing "System Information" into the search bar. Click the System Information icon and view the summary.