How To Update Bios Using Thumbdrive for Acer Aspire 4730ZG

Hi guys,

Firstly sorry my bad english,hope you guys understand.

I have problem with my laptop acer aspire 4730zg,im trying to install windows 7 in my laptop using secondhand hardisk 80g,the original harddisk is 250g has corrupted.

my first problem is in the middle of installation an error pop-up saying "windows cannot be installed to this disk".This computer's hardware may not support booting to this disk.Ensure that the disk's controller is enabled in the computer's BIOS menu."

I try changing from "IDE to AHCI" and "AHCI to IDE" in the bios menu but still does not work both ways.I tried to install WinXP,VIsta and Windows 7 and all still stuck in the middle of installation.So i want to update bios,because there is a bios update from acer that fix unbootable hardisk problem for this model.

My second problems are since the hardisk does not have any OS install,i cannot update bios using regular method.I need to flash it using thumbdrive in dos,if anyone can show me step by step to update bios and how to create the bootable thumbdrive for this model ,it will be a great help for me.btw the bios model for the laptop is "IsydeH20".

Thank you.

You can follow this tutorial:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/46707-ms-dos-bootable-flash-drive-create.html

I would also Check the hard drive with the manufacturer's diagnostic tools.
http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=287
http://www.carrona.org/hddiag.html

I would not flash that BIOS using a homemade USB stick, not unless Acer offers a USB installer download for it.

Instead I would first try wiping the HD as you may have a Dyanamic disk which needs converting to basic: Convert a Dynamic Disk to a Basic Disk.

You may also have boot sector corruption which needs clearing.

Either way cleaning the HD will tell. Then try install with AHCI mode first.

Test your HD as per Theog's links. I'd test both HDs as the maker's HD Diagnostic extended CD scan can repair problems, too.

Thanks for fast reply both of you,

I already tried to use AHCI,then it show " Windows cannot be installed to Disk 0 Partition 1" .
When i tried to use IDE,then it show "No drives were found.Click Load Driver to provide a mass storage driver for installation" and i did not knows which or what driver to be install.

AHCI is only a setting to try after resetting the CMOS and wiping the HD which were the steps I gave above. Why would you ignore them since they were the point of my post?

gregrocker said:

AHCI is only a setting to try after resetting the CMOS and wiping the HD which were the steps I gave above. Why would you ignore them since they were the point of my post?

Click to expand...

I did not ignore your solution,i already done option 3 from the methods,but it still failed. The Hd got only 1 partition on it.

Btw, i downloaded the bios update from acer it give me " flash.bat,flashit and.exe,AL90_121.fd" and i already make a bootable m-dos pendrive,then i copy all the file from the bios update to the pendrive.but the file did not run itself or i missed something?it just stuck on dos screen like command prompt.

You have cleaned the HD with Clean all command as offered in Option 3? SSD - HDD Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

This normally takes about an hour per 320gb.

You do realize that this is not the most current bios AL_90 121fd 2-1-2010?

The AL_90 122fd 8-9-2010 is http://support.acer.com/us/en/product/default.aspx?tab=1&modelId=28

Unless you have selected the other on purpose.
Fabe

Okay i already flash the bios in dos mode,using the latest bios update
and set bios to use ACHI,
boot from original Windows Seven installer cd,
using a 1 partition clean Sata type HDD Samsung 250g,

but the installation still stuck and show this error "This computer's hardware may not support booting to this disk.Ensure that the disk's controller is enabled in the computer's BIOS menu."

i tried 80g Hdd and 320g Hdd also the same error appear.

Help Please!

"Btw, i dont think hardisk is the problem here"

This guys happened to have the same problem with me http://www.sevenforums.com/hardware...nt-recognize-hard-drive-but-windows-does.html

But my using laptop model acer aspire 4730zg.

Where did you get Win7? Did you burn the DVD yourself? If so confirm ISO HASH or download another, burn to DVD using ImgBurn at 4x speed, or write to USB flash stick using Universal USB Installer with Win7 in dropdown menu, then boot under USB, Removable or HD's.

actually the reason im using pendrive is just to flash bios for the laptop,im using windows seven original starter disk.

Plug in only one HD to try install.

If this fails, try wiping the HD first if you haven't: SSD - HDD Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

Try setting SATA controller to IDE to see what happens.

thanks gregrocker,

I will try your method again,hope it will works,

i already consult a computer technician,he said that my motherboard got some problem,maybe i will post a video in youtube to explain the problem more efficiently.