Travelmate 2001LC Boot Block Jumper Location?

So I killed my BIOS my mistakenly running a BIOS update in WinXP... Power light, power to drives but nothing else.

After much searching I found I might be able to reflash it using a Crisis Recovery Disk, an external USB floppy drive and some combination of key-presses on boot.

Various combinations of this have been tried (FN+ESC, Win+B, Win+Fn, Fn+B....battery in/out, yada, yada, yada) and so the fallback is to use the boot block jumper as per Acer's support information:
http://support.acer-euro.com/documen...bootblock.html

After downloading FRU guides, user guides and service manuals for loads of Acer models, I haven't got one for the 2000 series that helps, though I have managed to get the keyboard off (I understand this is the usual location for boot block jumpers) revealing switch SW5 with 4 DIP switches.

Now what? :-)

I have emailed Acer support but hear less than glowing reports about their responses, so here's hoping someone here can help.

(I believe the motherboard is an Intel MS2154 which is used in TM20**, TM21**, TM25** and TM26** models, and maybe an Aspire one or two)

Cheers,


Mark...

I'm not an expert on BIOS matters and so have had to go from the information in a number of threads I've found on the net, such as this one:

http://www.tabletpcbuzz.com/forum/to...75&whichpage=1

Generally the threads go:

Killed main BIOS via flash upgrade
BIOS has a recovery boot function where it will read a floppy, or copy a BIOS file from floppy to main BIOS (confirmed by Phoenix tech manual and Acer support pafe as quoted)
Use USB floppy drive and either key functions or jumper to get boot block to activate BIOS recovery
Setup floppy with correct files (maybe crisis recovery disk, maybe just BIOS file)
Recover working laptop from brick status

*IF* the BIOS is completely fried, then I agree with what you've said. But I'd like to exhaust all other possibilities before I resort to replacing BIOS chips.

In researching this I've found a number of posts (and a newspaper article) that say that requests for support from Acer come slowly or in a non-helpful fashion. This includes people being told by Acer it will cost $XXX to replace the mobo to recover the laptop (or third parties telling them to replace the BIOS as you are suggesting) and then they recover it using the method I've described above.

I'm not blaming Acer for my running a Windows based BIOS update against all of my previous experience and (with hindsight) sage advice. I am asking if anyone can give me an answer here. If I get a reply from Acer in the meantime, I'll be delighted and happy that my experience of Acer disagrees with that of others.

So, can you help with ideas on a way to access the boot-block?

And today (3 days from request) I got a reply from Acer which tells me to use move SW2-8 to ON and Boot Block will be enabled :-)

It just doesn't tell me where SW2-8 is...

I'll await the next reply.

Then I'd recommend you don't use a Windows based BIOS upgrader on your laptop unless you want to risk having personal experience :-(

I downloaded an iso full of SGs for Acers, but not the right models. I looked through them all for clues, but each series seems based around a different mobo.

I've had the keyboard off, which was the first time I've delved into a laptop and am not keen on taking more stuff out until I know where I'm going. Or until it's my only option.

If you have a series 2000, do let me know. I have spent a long time on the net trying to find one, and downloading various user guides under different names which don't have the info, and FRU guides which is a subsection of the SG. But nary a SG for the series 2000 can be found :-(

That's the procedure I was on about. It seems some models have FN+ESC only and not a jumper to change...Not mine though.

That's kind of you, but I agree I need a picture from the right SG just to be sure. Especially if I have to take it further apart.

I've thought about it, but am currently trusting to the power of t'Internet ;-)

Cheers

A happy story :-) It's a ballache when it goes wrong :-(

I'm uploading them to a webspace now. Once I get them all on there I'll do a general announcement somewhere here. I might make the user/pass open so others can upload their manuals too.

On the jumper problem - local Acer (Thailand) have now responded saying they can tell me which jumper it is, but not where the jumper is because that's an Acer technical issue :-/ So I've decided to ask every support desk in every country and see if one of them says 'Sure - here you are!' ;-)

My first impressions of RapidShare is not good. 18 mins between downloads for non-members...:-/

I'll grab them as and when. It can't harm to get as much info about what laptops look like disassembled if I have to go that way without a manual. Desktops I have no problem with, but I've never dissected a laptop before.

Well I've had one duff reply from one Acer support desk, but have replied with a 'oh, go on' message just in case. I think that was Europe. So just awaiting replies from Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia, US and Canada ;-) Maybe one will help. If not I might just keep nagging one of them until they maybe give in. God forbid I should get on Ebay and *buy* a manual!

I found the SW2 jumper pinside, but the jumper is under a load of mobo components that will need a few things to come off to get to.

I'll wait and see... Maybe I will just overcome my wariness and get stuck in with a screwdriver. It can't be *that* difficult If I take my time and take a few photos.

Thanks for trying to help with the pdfs.