Iconia Tab W500 Bricked

[GoogleCodeExporter]

What steps will reproduce the problem?
1. Make an image of AMD-Brazos 3.2 in a usb drive
2. Boot from it in an Iconia Tab W500
3. =(

So I'm posting this as a warning to everybody out there.

I oficially bricked my W500 today. I was trying to boot from my 4GB FAT usb 
drive with an image of Android AMD-Brazos 3.2. I pressed windows and power to 
boot from USB and the windows button would light up but the screen wouldn't. 
After everything I thought of trying, the screen is still blank and won't even 
display the acer logo.

Can you think of anything? Acer support says it needs to be shipped to their 
facilities for repair.

I have a feeling that somehow I flashed the BIOS. I have the original BIOS 
files from Acer, but I have no idea how to use them.

Any Ideas?

Thanks!

Original issue reported on code.google.com by john.hen...@gmail.com on 28 Dec 2011 at 3:24

Attachments:

• BIOS_Acer_1.05_A_A.zip

[GoogleCodeExporter]

Is it possible that your LCD screen is shot?   Have you tried connecting the 
tablet up to your TV or an external monitor with an HDMI cable?       

Original comment by rsha...@gmail.com on 28 Dec 2011 at 2:48

[GoogleCodeExporter]

I haven't but I believe that isn't very likely since I can't get any sound even 
if I did what I did before to enter the BIOS menu, which made a sound before.

Original comment by john.hen...@gmail.com on 28 Dec 2011 at 2:59

[GoogleCodeExporter]

It might be worth the effort just to see if you can get any display on an 
external monitor - i.e. It might be enough to let you reflash the bios or do 
other troubleshooting.          Also,  you may want to consider cracking open 
the case and disconnecting/reconnecting the internal SSD as it could be somehow 
interfering with the bios startup process.     I opened the case myself when 
looking at upgrade options for the internal SSD and internal memory.   There's 
a youtube video somewhere that shows how to open the case on a W500.    Also,   
I didn't try this myself, but once you open the case there may be an option to 
temporarily disconnect/reconnect the internal battery, which could also be 
interfering with BIOS boot.      (I know with laptops sometimes you have to pop 
out the battery when you get lockup situations).  

Original comment by rsha...@gmail.com on 28 Dec 2011 at 3:16

[GoogleCodeExporter]

I will try the external display ASAP. About cracking it open, how would that 
void the warranty? As much as installing android? I still have chance to 
returning it, and that sounds like a good option to me.

Original comment by john.hen...@gmail.com on 28 Dec 2011 at 3:55

[GoogleCodeExporter]

I don't know for sure, but I don't believe that upgrading the internal SSD 
voids the warranty, and to do so, you have to open the case.     Your point 
about installing android is probably as much of a warranty killer as opening 
the case, but in my opinion, I don't believe either will void the warranty.    
(After all, isn't this one of the main reasons we buy these things instead of 
an Ipad???)

Original comment by rsha...@gmail.com on 28 Dec 2011 at 4:03

[GoogleCodeExporter]

I believe this is the video you're talking about:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rYLW7kB2tA

Did you use any kind of special tools to open the case?
How hard is it? How hard is it for somebody specially clumsy?

Original comment by john.hen...@gmail.com on 28 Dec 2011 at 4:17

[GoogleCodeExporter]

You have to be very careful opening plastic cases with a metal object (like a 
flat head screwdriver) because you can easily scratch and notch the edges of 
the case. I used a plastic wedge tool from a kit that I got to open cell phones 
and plastic on plastic usually doesn't scratch or notch.   Even with this 
though, you have to go very slowly and apply light pressure to release the 
catches around the edges of the case.    If you are not comfortable with this 
and are willing to wait through a product return effort, than you might want to 
go that route if you find that the external monitor option doesn't work.    

One final thing to try before you send it back to ACer - to simulate a battery 
disconnection without actually cracking the case and disconnecting the battery, 
you can try to just leave the unit powered on until the battery dies. (wait 
till the blue light goes out).   Then plug it back in and see if the screen 
fires up.    This is not as good as actually disconnecting the battery, but 
it's an easy thing to try before sending it back.   

Original comment by rsha...@gmail.com on 28 Dec 2011 at 4:37

[GoogleCodeExporter]

Well, I simulated the battery disconnection and nothing happened. I'm about to 
grab an HDMI cable to try the external monitor.

Cracking it open seems like a titanic task to me, so I will try and see if I 
have the right tools and the guts to do it.

Original comment by john.hen...@gmail.com on 28 Dec 2011 at 7:04

[GoogleCodeExporter]

All of the things I mention are "shot in the dark" solutions, so if you are not 
familiar with disassembling electronic devices like this, then I'd recommend 
you just return it to acer for repair while you still have that option.    If 
you attempt to open it and damage anything, then you will likely eliminate that 
option and be stuck with a paperweight. 

Original comment by rsha...@gmail.com on 28 Dec 2011 at 7:56

[GoogleCodeExporter]

I have a friend in the same situation, and he was trying to boot with Android 
as well ..I think its not a hardware issue... did you try the recovery disk ? 
press power button, windows key, volume up....

Anyway, did you have any progress ?

Original comment by mcaud...@gmail.com on 4 Jan 2012 at 4:45

[GoogleCodeExporter]

there is another option posted on http://lowendguru.com/... its related to 
reflash your bios...

Please let us know if worked..

Original comment by mcaud...@gmail.com on 4 Jan 2012 at 4:56

[GoogleCodeExporter]

The recovery disks didn't work. I haven't had any progress, and I tried the 
solution posted on the site you mentioned which involved a procedure intended 
for Acer One and it did not work. I'm still working on getting my refund.

Original comment by john.hen...@gmail.com on 4 Jan 2012 at 6:08

[GoogleCodeExporter]

John, the recovery disks didn´t work even with an External DVD ? 

"With the tablet turned off, connect an external DVD optical drive into an 
available USB port and insert the first of the recovery discs.
Press the Windows key, volume-up key and power button simultaneously.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the recovery process.
"
http://comp-overview.in/2011/05/hard-reset-acer-iconia-tab-w500-bz467-to-factory
-settings-with-recovery-discs/

If even with the External DVD it dosent work (Im asking it because perhaps you 
tried with USB PenDrive), I think the only way is to flash a new bios.. 
In the post intended for ace one, they ask you to rename the bios... I think 
the problem is in this step... you probably need to rename to some diferent I 
think.. :-/

I really woud like to help... I will keep searching...

Original comment by mcaud...@gmail.com on 4 Jan 2012 at 6:13

[GoogleCodeExporter]

[deleted comment]

[GoogleCodeExporter]

[deleted comment]

[GoogleCodeExporter]

John, I just found it:

http://iconiatabforums.com/iconia-tab-w500-help/need-help-recovering-the-bios-of
-a-w500/

Seems like you need to rename to  EAB00X64.fd.

There is also this another site -> http://acerfans.ru/forum/topic_1237/213 (I 
need to translate)

Please try and let us know. I hope it works.

Original comment by mcaud...@gmail.com on 4 Jan 2012 at 6:19

[GoogleCodeExporter]

That is a great advance!

In fact I was thinking that the name of that file was key. But the procedure 
for the computer to read the file must be different from the acer one since 
this one has no actual keyboard, I will try the acer procedure with the new 
filename and get back to you

Original comment by john.hen...@gmail.com on 4 Jan 2012 at 6:32

[GoogleCodeExporter]

After reading more carefully the article cited above 
(http://iconiatabforums.com/iconia-tab-w500-help/need-help-recovering-the-bios-o
f-a-w500/) I find that somebody with a working W500 must first backup their 
BIOS so we can use it to recover using the new filename.

Can somebody here help us?

Original comment by john.hen...@gmail.com on 4 Jan 2012 at 6:39

[GoogleCodeExporter]

John, but in this case the tips for the acer one would not work - 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHkGkw9EE8c

They have the same black screen, and they only downloaded the flash from 
acer... not sure...
I think it´s some key combination to make it load the bios firwmare.
Did you try any key combinations and none worked ?

Original comment by mcaud...@gmail.com on 4 Jan 2012 at 7:55

[GoogleCodeExporter]

I have downloaded the bios files from acer, the ones for W500 as well as the 
ones for Acer One. Neither have worked using the procedure. I tried the 
filenames as described in both posts referred and still no luck. I have tried 
every possible key combination and it is still not loading the bios.

Original comment by john.hen...@gmail.com on 5 Jan 2012 at 10:50

[GoogleCodeExporter]

I didn´t find any helpfull yet :-/ ... 

Original comment by mcaud...@gmail.com on 6 Jan 2012 at 9:09

[GoogleCodeExporter]

Neither did I, and believe me I did my homework. I'm afraid to tell you that I 
have shipped mine today for a refund, so we will never know if i could have 
fixed it.

Original comment by john.hen...@gmail.com on 6 Jan 2012 at 9:14

[GoogleCodeExporter]

Friend I have an icon just like W500 and so did his was installing android 4.0 
and when he did restarted, black screen of death screen summarized in a 
colleague and I took it right away it was deduced that the death of bios then 
searching the internet I found the acer aspire one problem left with him and he 
could not resurrect the pet so when I took it back tried to make the process of 
acer aspire one and nothing I found this topic I thought I could solve my 
problem happens to have a solution or not this tablet

Original comment by flamario...@gmail.com on 6 Jan 2012 at 9:37

[GoogleCodeExporter]

I did everything I could short of opening. If you are willing to crack open the 
case, there is where you have a hope.

Original comment by john.hen...@gmail.com on 7 Jan 2012 at 1:10

[GoogleCodeExporter]

since this dilemma then I've opened my equipment and nothing in already took a 
technician and nothing more he told me it was really bios problem I've tried to 
do all the commands and nothing too
 I think we should continue with the topic because if someone else has problems we could try to solve it already and the third case that I see is that so far no solution has sent an email to acer to see if they have solution
 I'll try to keep trying until maybe a light appear

Original comment by flamario...@gmail.com on 7 Jan 2012 at 11:53

[GoogleCodeExporter]

Please help me
Please help me

I am very sad and cried

After shutdown Acer w500

Does not work and Only Black Screen

I think BIOS Disappeared or Deleted

Please help me 

What should I do 

Original comment by abhaba...@gmail.com on 7 Jan 2012 at 12:11

[GoogleCodeExporter]

oh man, another one 

what did you do in your acer w500 ? perhaps we can identify whats causing 
this... did you install any Android or even changed the operation system ?

Original comment by mcaud...@gmail.com on 7 Jan 2012 at 7:55

[GoogleCodeExporter]

yes 
I install android-x86-4.0-amd_brazos-20120101 and When to restart w500 ..Nothing

Does not work and Only Black Screen 

I think BIOS Deleted or Was broken

What should I do 

Original comment by abhaba...@gmail.com on 7 Jan 2012 at 8:05

[GoogleCodeExporter]

Please help me

Do not tell me that There is no way Because Do not shipped to acer for repair 
and 've Worked hard to Buy it

I am very sad and I cried

Original comment by abhaba...@gmail.com on 7 Jan 2012 at 8:19

[GoogleCodeExporter]

ok, but let me ask you something, did you used a usb drive to boot on Android 
or did you format your acer or even did a dual boot ?

what exactly steps did you perform ?

The following worked (Issue 561:    Iconia W500 Screen lockups with Brazos 4 
build):

- Prepare SD Memory (I am using 4g SD, I tried 16g SD, but it's very slow) for 
Android System
- Prepare USB Memory (I use 2g USB) for installation
- Download "unetbootin-windows-563.exe"
- Download "android-x86-4.0-amd_brazos-20111209.iso"
- Insert SD and USB Memory
- Format SD and USB Memory with FAT32
- Release the SD Memory
- Run unetbootin, ISO-> 
Select->"android-x86-4.0-amd_brazos-20111209.iso"->select USB Memory drive->OK
- Shut Down the machine
- Boot W500 and go to bios setup, select the USB Memory for the first boot
- Reboot again with pressing "power button and Windows key" for USB boot
- When u see the menu, select the Install Android (no enter), insert SD Memory, 
Now you can <enter>
- No need to format the SD again, Just install the Android
- Install grub, no need to create fake usb
- Wait for a few minutes ... 
- Shut down the machine when u see the installation completed and a menu
- Release the USB
- Boot the windows
- Edit the menu.lst in grub folder on SD (use WordPad on windows) 
- Add a command "pci=nocrs"  (avoid space collision), listed as below:

title Android-x86 2011-12-09
    kernel /android-2011-12-09/kernel  pci=nocrs  quiet root=/dev/ram0 androidboot.hardware=amd_brazos acpi_sleep=s3_bios,s3_mode SRC=/android-2011-12-09
    initrd /android-2011-12-09/initrd.img
- Save
- Shut down the machine
- Now u can boot the android system with pressing "power button and Windows 
key" from SD boot.

Did you it ? 

Please let us know.

Original comment by mcaud...@gmail.com on 7 Jan 2012 at 8:59

[GoogleCodeExporter]

please describe exacly what did you do... such as:

1) format SSD disk
2) booted iso XXXX

and so on

Original comment by mcaud...@gmail.com on 7 Jan 2012 at 9:00

[GoogleCodeExporter]

I used a usb drive to boot AND GO TO Install android I can not remember 
Complete Because I depressed 

it was dual boot win8 and android but When For the first time at windows8 I 
restarted Does not work and Only Black Screen 

I can not remember exactly Because I depressed

but I install on the (SSD 32 GB of w500) drives and 
I did not do these things:
Boot the windows
- Edit the menu.lst in grub folder on SD (use WordPad on windows) 
- Add a command "pci=nocrs"  (avoid space collision), listed as below:

title Android-x86 2011-12-09
    kernel /android-2011-12-09/kernel  pci=nocrs  quiet root=/dev/ram0 androidboot.hardware=amd_brazos acpi_sleep=s3_bios,s3_mode SRC=/android-2011-12-09
    initrd /android-2011-12-09/initrd.img
- Save
- Shut down the machine
- Now u can boot the android system with pressing "power button and Windows 
key" from SD boot.

Original comment by abhaba...@gmail.com on 7 Jan 2012 at 9:27

[GoogleCodeExporter]

no did not Format ssd or drives and Without formet installed on ones drives 

Original comment by abhaba...@gmail.com on 7 Jan 2012 at 9:34

[GoogleCodeExporter]

I do not think Be repaired and I am Loser and Wretch

Original comment by abhaba...@gmail.com on 7 Jan 2012 at 9:40

[GoogleCodeExporter]

please calm down, I did so many times things that I would regret... but there 
is no need to be depressed, it will not fix your issue.

I understand that you are worried, but lets see if someone else has a fix... I 
would recommend you to try to post on http://iconiatabforums.com as well.

There are a lot of people in the same situation, so , I would not recommend 
anyone else to boot android, but to use it in a Virtual box.. I think it´s 
safier, at least at the moment.

Where are you from ? Do you have Accer support ?

Please let me know, let me know if you create a post on iconia forum as well, 
please give us the link.. Im willing to help.

Rgds,

Original comment by mcaud...@gmail.com on 7 Jan 2012 at 10:20

[GoogleCodeExporter]

ok, so let me post another thing, anyone knows which model is the bios chip of 
this tablet ?

Original comment by mcaud...@gmail.com on 7 Jan 2012 at 11:51

[GoogleCodeExporter]

Seems it has something to do with formatting the disk. I have run bazo 4.0 off 
usb drive, installed as a dual boot and installed grub. I did not format 
anything. I created a 1 gig area to install to and dual boot went fine. Only 
issues i had was video flickers alot and strange sounds kept comming from 
speakers from time to time (buzzing sounds). Trying to duplicate other's  
problems i installed again using same methode but instead left it format (sd1). 
NBo problems running android. I did a third time letting it format sd2. This 
produced the black screen error everyone else had. I believe the bios here is 
not on a chip, but maybe actually be on a sector on the drive itself, i have 
seen this on some cheap netbooks. 
Long story short, i downloaded the win7 iso files and they did boot from a usb. 
I am in the process of getting them to install and will keep you posted

Original comment by g.gamer0...@gmail.com on 9 Jan 2012 at 6:18

[GoogleCodeExporter]

correction: install works on sda2 just fine, sda1 does not have enough room. 
formatting sda1 is when the black screen comes into play

Original comment by g.gamer0...@gmail.com on 9 Jan 2012 at 6:32

[GoogleCodeExporter]

Update Win7 iso boot from usb drive but goes no further. I created a bootable 
freedos cd image. From there tranfered that to a usb drive. I also extracted 
the bios files from acer and included them to the usb drive. I was able to 
reload the bios is this fashion. After words i got error 15 and 17. 
Reinstalling grub i was able to boot to android but still no win7. At this 
point i created bootable iso files from the acer Cds. Transfered these to usb 
drive using fedora live cd. USB booted and i was able to restore the whole 
tablet from there. I don't know if this will work fro everyone, but its a start.

Original comment by g.gamer0...@gmail.com on 9 Jan 2012 at 6:38

[GoogleCodeExporter]

Okay, so I just stopped FedEx from shipping the Tablet back to the store 
(returning it is a major hassle since I am not in the US). 
g.gamer0...@gmail.com: How did you boot with Win7 with nothing visible in the 
screen? Could you be a little more specific with your procedures, you could 
really save our lives. Thanks

Original comment by john.hen...@gmail.com on 9 Jan 2012 at 7:30

[GoogleCodeExporter]

you need the 3 files to create an iso. then you can make the iso bootable on a 
usb drive. This worked for me. I was able to boot to a usb with a screen but 
not to the hard drive. I had already changed the first bootable to usb before i 
installed android so i guess this still work as the default. When i booted to 
the hard drive i was greeted with the win button being blue, like i was in 
windows or android but the screen was completely black.

For the bios i used freedos http://www.freedos.org/ i already had a bootable 
usb drive using that so i just copied the bios files from acer to that drive to 
manually replace the bios. 

 i booted i was greeted with 2 error codes (i believe error 13 and 15) I then used my usb drive that had android on to reinstall and mostly reinstall grub boot menu - the error codes have to do with grub

Once that was done i was able to get to android - sorta. Video was goofy.
Since all that worked well i then create the win7 usb stick (i used and 8 gig) 
and it booted fine and was able to reinstall win7 - your key won't be picked up 
on its own so hopefully you have audited this before you installed android or 
have the sticker somewhere. 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/windows-os-software/428068-legal-windows-7-downl
oad-links-just-like-vista-before.html
i used fedora boot usb to make the win 7 iso bootable to usb. I did all the 
work on another pc, the just plugged in the usb drive to the tablet. the link 
above will help you combine the files to create the ISO file. Thats most of the 
work and the downloads take awhile. 

THis seemed to work for me, but i don't know if it will work for everyone. I 
would try using a free dos usb stick and see if that works first. if you can 
see command and type, this should work for you. Also i don't have an external 
CD or DVD, so if you have that you could cut out the usb drive and try cds.

One thing i noticed once i had it back up was when it went to sleep. the screen 
was black with the blue light like before. Makes me wonder it In android it was 
stuck in a sleep mode and since grub didn't seem to be working, android would 
always be the default.

Original comment by g.gamer0...@gmail.com on 9 Jan 2012 at 10:12

[GoogleCodeExporter]

i will write detailed steps as soon as i can. I have a server to deal with for 
a couple hours. First thing i would recommend for anyone is to try a live CD, 
anything it doesn't matter just to see if you get any kind of output from your 
screen. 

Original comment by g.gamer0...@gmail.com on 9 Jan 2012 at 10:19

[GoogleCodeExporter]

How did you boot with freedos? With the tablet on the keyboard dock? A Special 
combination of keys? Thank you

Original comment by john.hen...@gmail.com on 9 Jan 2012 at 10:20

[GoogleCodeExporter]

Use the fedora
https://fedorahosted.org/liveusb-creator/
Using that you can make a live CD from any ISO. Download the freedos iso and 
use it with the live usb creator. The creator is very easy to use, it will 
detect your usb drive by itself. All you have to do is browse to the iso you 
want to use and click create. It there are any errors when creating, erase the 
usb and do it again (beside log write errors you can ignore those). If you are 
running vista or win7 on the computer you do this with you must run live usb as 
administrator (right click menu).

Original comment by g.gamer0...@gmail.com on 10 Jan 2012 at 4:27

[GoogleCodeExporter]

Keep in mind i had already change my boot order long before i installed android 
and i had set usb to boot before the hard drive before i had any problems. If 
you cant get to bios at all and you had never changed the boot order, i would 
say this is still worth a try but it might not work if the tablet is still 
booting from hard drive first. 

Original comment by g.gamer0...@gmail.com on 10 Jan 2012 at 4:30

[GoogleCodeExporter]

Forgot to post this, last night i read a couple places of other with black 
screen. Most founbd that by disconnecting the battery for awhile, the tablet 
would boot back up like normal. Of course this involves removing the rear cover.
YouTube - ‪how to open back cover acer w500‬‏

Original comment by g.gamer0...@gmail.com on 10 Jan 2012 at 4:41

[GoogleCodeExporter]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rYLW7kB2tA
sorry paste didn't work correctly. Soon as i find the one for batter disconnect 
i will past that too

Original comment by g.gamer0...@gmail.com on 10 Jan 2012 at 4:42

[GoogleCodeExporter]

How did you boot ? I do it but Nothing Not ! use Special combination of keys?
Because my tablets have not any bios  so it How Knows a usb ? 
I have Only a black screen 
I Did but Nothing. please More Explanation or Upload a pictures or movies from 
Things did

Original comment by abhaba...@gmail.com on 10 Jan 2012 at 5:34

[GoogleCodeExporter]

Hello Abhaba, unfortanelly there are no special keys, the fix only woks if you 
changed the boot order before the issue.. if your boot order has the usb in 
first place, the fix will work, if it has the disk, most of the cases, it will 
not work.... with games0 help perhaps we will find a fix... perhaps... i hope so

Original comment by mcaud...@gmail.com on 10 Jan 2012 at 8:16

[GoogleCodeExporter]

i found this today:
In order to access the BIOS and Boot Device selection screen, you need to turn 
your Tablet OFF by holding the power button while in windows to fake a bad 
system crash. You can also hold the power button in for about 10 seconds if 
your tablet is blank.

Once OFF, attach USB dock/Keyboard and press and hold the Start Button (this is 
the start button on the tablet, not the keyboard)and then press and hold the 
Power Button. You’ll see a cursor. Press F2 to enter BIOS or Press F12 to 
enter boot device selection screen. 

I also seen some people got the bios menu to work by using a normal usb 
keyboard and not the dock. Either way one or the other need to be connected. 
The unit must be completelty turned off, and holding the start and power on the 
tablet. At the cursor hit the F2 (bios) or F12 (boot menu) on the keyboard or 
dock.

I am still looking for the batter post. I know i seen last night someone posted 
that by disconnecting the battery, the unit resets complete with pictures.

Original comment by g.gamer0...@gmail.com on 10 Jan 2012 at 9:46