Thursday, May 27, 2010

Acer Aspire 4740G EFI and Memory Bug

SOLVED:
Acer sent me a EFI/BIOS Version 1.07 which fixed the DEP issue however no ability to activate switch able graphics was provided and 256MB is still being mysteriously eaten up by Intel HD Graphics.
It is officially out now in Acer Support Site so download from there directly.
Found a bug in Acer Aspire 4740G EFI Bug
From Intel Spec Site
http://ark.intel.com/Product.aspx?id=47663
The i3 330M Processor supports
Execute Disable Bit Yes

To verify this on your own Acer Aspire 4740/4740G
Download Securable here.
To access the Windows Advance Menu, Go to Control Panel >> System >> Advance System Settings >> Advance >> Performance Settings >> Data Execution Prevention.
Why is this vital?
Data Execution Prevention improves system security by flagging non executable code as non executable so malicious code cannot buffer overrun into execution hence if Acer really screwed this up Acer Aspire 4740G security could be potentially at risk.


I took a look into the EFI Firmware this is the feature which is not enabled:
Use XD Capability [Enable/Disable Processor XD Capability]
XD refers to Intel eXecute bit Disable Bit.

Add 1 more bug to the mix:




Acer if you are reading this and is sorry about the surprises you sprang please enable the Intel HD Switchable Graphics in the BIOS as an Apology to all AS4740 owners. I know it is there.
Either you remove Intel HD Graphics Memory reserve or you enable Switchable.
The Switchable Graphics Capability is as shown in the EFI firmware:
Set Display Mode Configure Type Integrated Graphics Discrete Graphcis Switchable Graphics
Posted by at
Labels: ,

11 comments:

  1. Brainy142April 5, 2010 at 6:47 PM

    Try looking in the bios

    ReplyDelete
  2. AdminApril 5, 2010 at 7:46 PM

    I have confirmed this issue with other Acer Aspire 4740 owners it is a firmware defect.
    As you know Acer BIOS has practically nothing to set and will always stay that way.
    Escalated the issue with Acer.

    ReplyDelete
  3. rikamimekushiApril 10, 2010 at 4:02 AM

    so?what will happen to that laptop having problem like that?should i sell back that laptop?

    ReplyDelete
  4. AdminApril 10, 2010 at 7:54 AM

    Just bug Acer for a BIOS Update to fix it.

    ReplyDelete
  5. wannafwmApril 17, 2010 at 6:26 AM

    can u remind or tell me which bios updated need to install to this laptop.thanks for advance

    ReplyDelete
  6. AdminApril 17, 2010 at 7:18 PM

    Currently even V1.05 have the same bug.
    So you have to bug Acer Customer Service for an Update to fix this.

    ReplyDelete
  7. AkbarJune 5, 2010 at 10:01 PM

    Hello,

    I have found new firmware for Acer 4740/G and have tested them in my notebook. There are has been fix now.

    You can download them at http://rapidshare.com/files/395777962/BIOS_ACER_1.07_Windows_AS4740.zip

    Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  8. AnonymousJune 8, 2010 at 10:27 PM

    quote "As you know Acer BIOS has practically nothing to set and will always stay that way."

    See Acer BIOS mod

    ReplyDelete
  9. AnonymousJune 9, 2010 at 10:11 PM

    sorry im newbie..please give me an exact tutorial..how can i update bios 1.07 on my aspire 4740G?..thnk in advnce =)

    ReplyDelete
  10. AnonymousJune 10, 2010 at 3:53 AM

    In the BIOS_Acer_1.07_A_A.zip I got from support.acer.com site, there are two readme.txt file, each with differing description about what to do to update the BIOS (not to mention that they are written in delicious Engrish).

    Good job, acer, professional work indeed.

    ReplyDelete
  11. AdminJune 10, 2010 at 4:28 AM

    There are 2 because they offer 2 ways of flashing the EFI.
    1)In windows, close all programs and plug in battery and adapter to a reliable wall socket then you flash and don't interrupt until it completes.
    2)In DOS Mode, this is my preferred mode because there is less likelihood of Windows Service interruption in DOS, in DOS nothing else is running except flashing.
    You have to create a DOS Boot Disk to boot from and flash using the batch file hence more difficult in a way.

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)