Sneaky Acer released another two BIOS updates for the M5640, with the latest being revision R01-B4 for Windows platforms only and its a large one in comparison with older revisions (over 2MB this time round). I totally missed the B3 revision 'cos I haven't been checking the sites for sometime.What's changed? No documentation or readme was provided to list down the changes or fixes. The only major thing I notice is that the 'AUTO' option has been removed from the 'Installer OS select' parameter and now only lists 'Windows' or 'Linux'. I wonder if this will affect my attempts later to install MacOS ...
The other thing is the automatic shutdown option upon overheating has been removed from the PC Health Status section. Funny thing about this update is the default settings turn off all the options for wakeup using keyboard/LAN/mouse upon standby but that's easily changed. Anyways, BIOS downloads for these BIOS updates are only found on the European site. Direct links here:
R01-B4 for Windows only (Acer Euro site)
R01-B3 for Linux only(Acer Euro site)
P/S : The colour scheme hasn't changed and remains the same yellow text on blue. The pic above uses the alternative colour scheme obtainable by pressing F3.
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UPDATE 5th June 2009!!!
TWO bios releases for Acer Aspire desktop models M5640/M5641/M3640/M1640 to version R01-C2. No noticeable changes to the BIOS in terms of menu options - so this might be a stability fix release (no documentation about features provided in any Acer site).
R01-C2 flashes in Windows using the AFUWIN executable whilst R01-C2L has a larger BIOS binary but only provides the MS-DOS flasher. Both work and don't seem to be any different other than version number ... so download the C2L version for the newer BIOS binary and C2 for the Windows flasher if you're not comfortable flashing with a boot device. Direct links to Acer servers as follows
Download R01-C2 with Windows-based flasher.
Download R01-C2L with CLI based flasher for DOS boot disks.
hi! i also have Acer M5640
ReplyDeletewould you know if it supports Hardware Virtualiztion?
i tried to check using secureable and it says that the Hardware Virtualiztion is "Locked Off" but when i try to check in the BIOS, i cant find and option there to enable it.
do u think it will show up if i updated the BIOS?
email me bluegween@gmail.com
any help will be apprecited
thanks!
To all who end up here through Google search, any Acer bios update to the X64X series has hardware virtualization set to permanently on (also known as "Locked On" in Securable) and thus will depend on the feature availability on the CPU itself. Go to the Intel website, look for your CPU type and see if it supports Intel VT or not (or AMD-V for AMD CPUs).
ReplyDeleteDone with the latest update
ReplyDeleteexcellent, bye bye version r01-a3
Note, the r01-b4 has the instructions.
Read it, stop stop a heart attack situation.
Today after a windows up date I am getting asked for a SM Bus Controllor and a coprocessor driver.
ReplyDeleteWindows discovers devices by cant find drivers for them...
Machine is working with no issues, but I cant find the correct vista drivers for them.
If you could help out, will send you good karma
You have to re-install them, I had the same problem
ReplyDeleteI downloaded the R01-C2 Windows flasher and the file that is supposed to be a .ROM is a .221 file. Am I supposed to flash with the .221 file? It seems unlikely. Do I have to rename it to a .ROM or something?
ReplyDeleteYes the .ROM file is the .221 file which is around 1024kB in size. YOu don't need to rename, just use the all files option and select to load BIOS
ReplyDeleteI have a M1640 and after updating I am receiving a CMOS Checksum error, I can boot after hitting F2, but I cannot save any settings, any ideas?
ReplyDeleteHmmm ...weird.
ReplyDeleteMaybe you could try a older BIOS revision? I have tried it out on a M1640 and it works though I get the same checksum error.
I'm missing the coprocessor driver as well, where do i find this? Couldn't see it on the Acer site.
ReplyDeleteIs this also working on the M1641 seems the same bios ! With the R01-B4 I can't get the win virtual xp pc working in windows 7! So do i need a bios upgrade!?
ReplyDelete@Ton : Yes it is the same motherboard in the M1641 so the update will work... however if VirtualXP does not work in your PC, first check your CPU whether it supports Virtualization or not. Download Securable and see if your CPU has Virtualization or if it has been disabled in your BIOS. If your CPU does not have Virtualization then it is impossible to run VirtualXP - download VPC2007 and install WindowsXP using your own image (else follow the other post on my blog)
ReplyDelete@Justin: I never looked for the coprocessor driver ... just upgraded to WIndows 7 and never looked back. But if I recall correctly, I installed nVidia motherboard drivers for nForce 630i/Geforce 7100 (look for them in the drop-down list) and that got rid of the missing drivers.
ReplyDeleteThanks, that worked. I'm on win7 too, and the 630i drivers fixed the missing co-processor issue.
ReplyDeleteRegarding the CMOS checksum error, I couldn't get rid of it until I re-ran the Windows Flash utility and selected the option to "Destroy CMOS Checksum". Choose optimized settings when you reboot, and you should be all right.
ReplyDeleteThere are 3 other options you need to check on Windows Flash Utility beside MAIN BIOS image. The other 3 are BootBlock, Destroy CMOS Checksum and Restart After Programming. Upon rebooting, you will experience CMOS Checksum BAD, just go into setup menu and load optimize setting (F9) then Save and exit. Reboot the PC will get rid of the 'BIOS Checksum Bad' problem
ReplyDeleteMy Acer m1640 was working fine, then it just froze. It looked like the screen was melting. I unplugged it, held the power button and got it running again. I got a bad checksum error. I got it to rebot windows again and it did the same thing. I pulled a battery out of an old computer and it still gives me the same error. I am going to get a new battery today, but any other ideas?
ReplyDelete@Scott If you keep getting screen tearing (it would look like your screen is breaking up into sections OR lines across screen OR changing color OR corrupted graphics) it maybe your graphic card is having problems. If it is a separate daughter board, try booting without and use the built-in display. If that works, that means you may have a blown capacitor on your graphic card. Vice-versa, if you are using built-in graphic, try to use a PCI-e graphic card to test. If that doesn't work, try reseating your memory and then doing a reflash of the latest BIOS making sure you clear the boot block and NVRAM (tick the boxes in the flash program to force it to flush the contents there)
ReplyDeleteI always get an "incorrect file size" when i open up the afuwin file-- select the rom image *.221 and when i push flash, it tells me incorrect file size.. what does this mean?
ReplyDelete@Diesel2NV are you sure you have the right motherboard? if yes, then perhaps your download is corrupted ... avoid using download managers when downloading the bios files.
ReplyDeleteHelp needed guys.
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to update my bios from R01.A1 to R01.C2. I've extracted the folder the desktop, close all other running programs, run as administrator. I select to open the .221 file, but when i click flash, it states that "AFUWIN.exe has stopped working" and, the mouse and keyboard stop working.
However, the screen does not freeze (clock is running, Acer empower toolbar working). The only way is to manually restart the com.
Any input guys? :(
@Claudie
ReplyDeleteIf not wrong, I think that usually means your antivirus/antimalware/spyware program is running. Try disabling ALL of those programs before executing AFUWIN. If that fails, make a bootable USB driva and use the DOS version to flash the bios
I tried to install Windows 7 on my Acer M1640 with BIOS version R01-B4, the installation continues until the end after restart I do not get my boot menu. I previously had XP and now I am trying to install Windows 7.
ReplyDeleteCould you please help me out if possible, it will be really appreciated
ReplyDelete@Wasif ... what boot menu are you refering to? If you're trying to multiboot between WinXP and Win7 you must ensure that both Windows are on separate partitions. You can either pre-partition your harddisk or edit the tables after installing. In both cases, install WinXP first then only install Win7. Choose to install a fresh version on a clean partition and Win7 will automatically create a new boot menu to point to your existing WinXP or to the new installed Win7.
ReplyDeleteIf you are NOT trying to multiboot but just cannot get Win7 started on your PC, you should first check if your system specifications match the minimum requirements (its obvious, but often overlooked). Most of the time it is a graphic card problem and it just 'hangs' there while trying to detect. Other things to try is to remove unnecessary hardware (i.e. soundcard, modem, usb card, card readers etc) until it boots to see which device is preveting the bootup. Everything in this is trial-and-error unfortunately.
Another thing you can try IF you can get it started in safe mode is to replace the built-in drivers for M1640 with the ones provided by Acer at http://support.acer.com/us/en/product/default.aspx?modelId=344
Hey guys, I have an Acer Aspire M1640. I'm going to upgrade my CPU soon from an Intel Pentium Dual-core A2180 to the Pentium Dual-core E5800. I have the R01-B4 BIOS. I need to know if it supports this CPU.
ReplyDeleteSorry, a slight typo in my above post: my current CPU is the Intel Pentium Dual-core E2180. By the way, you can find info on all these CPus on the Intel website.
ReplyDelete@Rifdhan in theory it 'should' work since both use the same FSB freq and socket 775.
ReplyDeleteBut would the BIOS have anything to do with it 'working'? By the way, do you think I should update my BIOS to the R01-C2?
ReplyDeleteFor example, if it doesn't work, then would the BIOS be at fault?
ReplyDeleteAnother note, the BIOS R01-B4 was released in 2008, while the Intel E5800 was released in 2010. Even the R01-C2 was released in 2009, still prior to the CPU release! Does that mean it isn't compatible with this CPU?
ReplyDeleteAccording to Acer SM, the M1640 you have should be using a MCP73VE OEM motherboard. The specs from nVidia say that it supports all LGA775 CPUs including C2D, C2Q, DC and P4s. The board is basically the same as the M5640 minus the HDMI port built-in. The BIOS release date usually has no major relation to its compatibility with later/earlier CPUs. As long as a mobo follows a specific standard (i.e. LGA775 sockets in this case), then it will support all processors with that specific type. There maybe one-two-or-more issues that may crop up but this is usually not known until later. If you're still not sure, bring it in to a store and let them install for you else go to your nearest Acer service centre and inquire about upgrade services if available.
ReplyDeleteThanks a ton! I'll buy it and see how it goes.
ReplyDeleteWell, the new CPU works fine, but my BIOS no longer supports my new video card. When I try connecting my monitor to the card's port, my monitor recieves no signal. But when I connect it to the built-in VGA port, it works fine (using the onboard graphics). By the way, I am using a ZOTAC NVIDIA GeForce GT 430 graphics card, with a DVI-to-VGA adapter.
ReplyDeleteWait... I just switched monitors with another one in my house (which has a built-in DVI port). I am still using a vGA cable with an adapter, but it works now (I think it's because it's meant to work with DVI cards or something). Anyhow, I now have a fully-functional machine! Thanks for all your help!
ReplyDeleteHad problems with intermittent bsod in vista. Three companies had a go. Hope this will fix it.
ReplyDeleteI just updated my M5640 to R01-C2 today after I was having power/usb related issues booting from a cold boot. Now I get CMOS Checksum Bad after every boot. I've tried removing the CMOS battery and setting the reset jumper but I still get this at boot. Any ideas how to fix it?
ReplyDeleteWhen flashing (Assuming you are using Afuwin) go to the options section and ensure BOOT BLOCK and MAIN BIOS IMAGE are checked under the BLOCK OPTIONS. Then under CMOS options, check the DESTROY CMOS CHECKSUM to allow the bios to generate a new checksum during boot. This should correct the checksum bad error. All other options should be left unchecked.
DeleteThanks a lot! I'll re-flash and select these options :) I wonder why they are not defaults?
DeleteGood information that is not on the Acer site. I have an aspire M1640 that sat on the shelf for 2 years due to start up (cold boot) problem. The bios update fixed this problem.
ReplyDeleteHei. at ealier time it was working well, the on bord firewire port, but after reinstalling fress operating system, it failled. have tried several operating systems stiill fails. i was forced to buy a pci firewire card but no breakthough at all. it tells me that "Your computer's system firmware does not include enough information to properly configure and use this device. To use this device, contact your computer manufacturer to obtain a firmware or BIOS update. (Code 35)"
ReplyDeleteWhat can i do
Sounds like your motherboard northbridge is busted but I cannot confirm it. With a broken northbridge your only option is a new motherboard because it will bring all connectivity options.
Delete