Acer MXM BIOS Mods and discussion (was: x920G vs. 9600M GT)

[.NetRolller 3D]

@u6b36ef: Are you using WinCris v1.0.0.4 or later? For me, v1.0.0.4 accepts any removable drive that Win32 Image Writer can write to. v1.0.0.2, on the other hand, only accepts a floppy.

Also, if there is no Caps Lock response even with the MXM card removed - that means, it was not the MXM mod that broke the BIOS, but rather, the new method I used for reassembling the BIOS image.

[u6b36ef]

I have managed to recover the 5920 back to the Acer website BIOS version 1.3813.

This recovery in this case is thanks to iJo09.
Please let me explain why.
I tried every option to get a recovery floppy disc created with many versions of Wincris to recover the BIOS. None worked, and I was questioning the technique I was using to make the recovery disc. I was thinking, should 'quick format' option be chosen, or 'make bootable MS-DOS' be the option to choose. Other things I wondered, like should I be adding the required BIOS file right from the start.

I tried to get iJo09's recovery Wincris version to run but it would not. I receieved error messages: 'Failed to open SCM', and a driver fail message. Then I right clicked the Wincris icon and ran it as administrator, and it started and made the disc.
(Reference iJo09's post: 05-30-2011, 05:35 PM; see file CRISIS DISK - Phlash16_v1.7.0.18_DiffSize.rar )

When running the recovery disc on the 5920, the proceedure started identical to all my other failed attempts. The floppy accessed for one and a half minutes then stopped. Soon though, (with this iJo09's copy of Crisis Disc,) the floppy accessed again. Then very quickly the laptop had re-started and the old familiar BIOS boot screen was present.

I had no idea why all versions of Wincris I tried failed. After every attempt I had to manually shut down. All versions downloaded and extracted perfectly. The only hint I noticed was that in the file I downloaded from iJo09, there were two more files present. {Namely a file called Wincri64.sys, and one called Wincris.sys.} To compare for own reference, download and view contents of copies of wincris and iJo09's file.

Naturally I had to up rep power for iJo09, thankyou.

@ .NetRolller 3D,
Even more good luck. I put the 5920 HDD back in and it booted. I can't believe it, after I partially formatted it.

[raserdk]

heey congrats on the recovery
i allso used Phlash16_v1.7.0.18_DiffSize.rar
but i did not get as far as u did unfortuntly

[ugly_bear]

Guys - ran into my first issue: the stock 8920g heatsink is sized for MXM-III, but the 9600M GT is MXM-II, and some components on the replacement card don't allow the heatsink to fit (there would be zero contact between the GPU and the copper plate).

My question to those of you who put a 9600M GT into the 8920G (I think u6b36ef and mookill), how did you deal with the heatsink issue? I can only think of sawing it down (video card memory wouldn't be covered though, is that a big issue?) and drilling new holes for the screws.

Any alternatives? Also, any issues for trying to boot up without any heatsink on for now (just to test the card out and install the new BIOS)?

Finally, for NetRolller: you mention plugging in an external monitor via HDMI, but I assume DVI or standard D-SUB would work as well?

Thanks again everyone for answering all my questions.

[iJo09]

@u6b36ef : Thanks a lot buddy! I'm glad that you have recovered your BIOS!
Excuse me if i'm not always on the forum, but now that I've "lost" my 5920G I'm only with an iPhone and an iPod Touch

News for my 5920G:
The BIOS chip and tools for a correct disassembling and soldering (example: No clean flux, ESD protection, solder wire....) haven't yet arrived! I'm waiting....

[.NetRolller 3D]

@u6b36ef: Great news! Now that you have a working recovery disk, can you test the following BIOS file: Removed because it turned out to be broken.? This is the V2 (MXM v2.1) BIOS, but rebuilt using the same method I used for V1 (apparently the new method triggers a bug in Phoenix BIOS Editor).

If it works, I will regenerate all V2 BIOSes using the same method as used for this one.

@ugly_bear: I say the best method is to use a cooler from a 6920G, or a 8920G that shipped with MXM-II graphics. Otherwise, the "usual" solution to such issues is a dremel.
As for the external display: D-Sub should work too. As far as I know there is no DVI port on any of the x920G-series notebooks.

[ugly_bear]

edit: I went ahead and tried booting without the heatsink on, just to see if I can hear windows booting in the background - unfortunately it doesn't get there, the screen (backlight) flashes for a moment, and then no booting takes place. Not sure if this is an issue of no external display being plugged in, no heatsink (highly doubt it, as the chip barely heats up in such a short period), or something else.

The problem is, without the card booting into windows, I won't be able to flash NetRolller's bios, and I'll have to return the card to the seller. Any ideas?

[mookill]

Originally Posted by ugly_bear

My question to those of you who put a 9600M GT into the 8920G (I think u6b36ef and mookill), how did you deal with the heatsink issue? .

my 8920G came with a 9500M which was an MXM 2.1 size card.

same size as the 9600GT i bought off ebay.

what did you get?

[ugly_bear]

Same thing - 9600GT, which is MXM 2.1. I had a 9650 GS before, which is MXM 3 though, so my heatsink is not compatible with the new one. I'm afraid I might have to return it and just go with a 9650 gs again

edit: this is your heatsink setup, right? found this in another thread here: http://forum.notebookreview.com/gall...920G_MXMII.jpg

[.NetRolller 3D]

@ugly_bear: If you are unable to boot with a 9600M GT attached, then my BIOS won't help - it only fixes the issue where no POST output is displayed (i.e. blank screen until Windows boots).