[SOLVED] AcerTravelMate 8215WLMi BIOS Winphlash 3522.WPH - Error: "PHLASHNT.SYS NOT F

nelson silva · 07-22-2008, 05:51 AM

Hi, i recently upgraded my HD on My Acer Travelm 8215WLMi notebook, reinstalled XP SP3 and all drivers...
been having some lock ups in some games so im still in process of finding the latest drivers for some of the hardware, cause most acer drivers are outdated and cause some problems...

Right now,
Ive been stuck for days trying to update the BIOS using the utility and files provided by the manufacturer(Acer)
Winphlash.exe ver 1.3 build 46 and bios file ZC1_3522.WPH bios file

there´s also an DOS version of phlash.exe provided by acer( funny thing is theres no DOS bIOS file )
ive googled around and found manny bad posts of people who tryed to flash the .wph file in DOS mode, so have not tryed it yet!

i tryed both as normal user that has administrator creds and as administrator in safe mode

i get an error that says that the programa( Winphlash.exe ) cant find the file( C:\ProgramFiles\PhoenixTechnologies\Wiphlash\phlashnt.sys ) or i dont have administrator account..bla bla...

The file is there cause i checked the path

so im in the dark now and i need some light...
i also ive read somewhere here in the forums about checking ControlPanel--AdministrativeTools--LocalSecurityPolicy for administrator rights, running sfc /scannow, disabling UAC in msconfig... but couldnt understand quite what i was doing

so im here asking for help...

dai · 07-22-2008, 06:14 AM

moved you to laptops

**TriggerFinger** · 07-22-2008, 08:14 AM

download the BIOS file again. there is always a readme file with the download, please check that too for any 'special' instructions.

btw, have you checked ACER if this BIOS upgrade is just optional or really necessary?

nelson silva · 07-22-2008, 09:49 AM

i think its kinda necessary, from what i read outthere my locks ups are caused because of acer realtek drivers... i already updated them, but in realteks website its says, to get the most changes out of it i must update the BIOS...
and also ive been experiencing really weird heating problems... im currently at 1.3GhZ, but anything equal or above 1.5ghz the temp readings jump to 75ºC, 2.0ghzits 80ºC guaranteed....

so ima kinda hoping a bios update and all the rest i need to update(chipset etc) will fix some of my problems...

im kinda really disapointed with ACER, for the most expensive travelmate series they have... this laptop has alot of issues... i didnt buy this laptop to walk around in 1.0ghz dressings, at least 1.8 would be acceptable

yeah but right now i wanna install the damn BIOS, mine is kinda old, compared to this one...

nelson silva · 07-22-2008, 10:01 AM

ok i managed to get the program to run as administrator(looked somewhere that its not compatible with safe mode)

but guess what, after running msconfig and making sure that all unecessary services are turned off and running winphlash, runs everything fine untill its says:

"flashing BIOS" and then i get a BSOD, voilá, restart...

Also Winphlash has advanced options, but i left most at DEFAULT, dont know what to PICK or UNPICK there,
the acer package comes with 2 *.doc files explaining how to use the DOS mode and windows mode

so answering ur question about the bios version, mine is 3516, this one 3522, there are 4 versions between them and 5 behind mine...

wow so manny bios versions...guess this acer has alot of issues...

**TriggerFinger** · 07-22-2008, 10:35 AM

If you get BSOD when flashing the BIOS in Windows, do the DOS mode.

nelson silva · 07-22-2008, 10:58 AM

yeah? can i flash an *.WPH in DOS mode... ive read somewhere thats its dangerous( then i have to recover the original BIOS )

are you sure?

acer package doesnt have a DOS file in it...

**TriggerFinger** · 07-22-2008, 11:01 AM

I find it safer in DOS. As for Windows, BSOD is already common flashing the BIOS or not

But then again it is up to you. Please post the URL of ACER BIOS download site

nelson silva · 07-22-2008, 11:09 AM

hahaha been checking the previous versions readmes, since 3522 is so poor....doesnt even have release notes

lol look what i find in 3521 release notes, "reduce VGA TEMP 20ºC"
i really need this update

Now at least im sure its BIOS thats causing all this heating issues and maybe the lockups also

ok im gonna try flashing this in DOS MODE...( crossing figers )

**TriggerFinger** · 07-22-2008, 11:11 AM

hmmm may be just what you need.

about the overheating, have you also tried cleaning the vents/heatsink? i know it is stating the obvious but cleaning the vents really helps.

nelson silva · 07-22-2008, 11:16 AM

maybe it cant go straight from 3516 to 3522... have to get one by one ill try that...

look... the website is this one
http://support.acer-euro.com/drivers...k/tm_8210.html

**TriggerFinger** · 07-22-2008, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nelson silva

maybe it cant go straight from 3516 to 3522... have to get one by one ill try that... -- AFAIK you can jump from 3516 to 3521

look... the website is this one
http://support.acer-euro.com/drivers...k/tm_8210.html

If you run it in DOS mode may be you need to boot from the floppy drive. Your boot floppy should contain the Phlash16.exe and the ZC1_3520.wph. Then from the instructions that came with the BIOS update, you need to run this command at C: prompt Phlash16.exe ZC1_3520.wph /mode=3 /x /s

nelson silva · 07-22-2008, 02:45 PM

yupiiii... :-)

problem solved!!!
I had to flash each BIOS, one by one, from 3517 all the way to 3522 in DOS mode, used a Caldera-DOS Startup and USB drive

didnt do this before cause ive read somewhere that u couldnt flash *.WPH file in DOS MODE rendering our BIOS useless

Thanks for the support...

from the looks of it everything looks stable, im running full 2GHZ at 59ºC idle,
Gonna start a game( COH ) now to see how it handles... gonna play at 1.5ghZ and slowly increase to 2.0GHZ to see how it handles...

i use NHC(Notebook Hardware Control) to change the CPU multiplyers

also i would like to mention that ATI drivers start 2 atievxxx instances... you should kill one of them...it also causes overheating problems... and dont install CCC, only ATI driver and ATI Tray Tools... i hate resource hogs

well thats it... thanks TriggerFinger

**TriggerFinger** · 07-22-2008, 03:44 PM

There you go... GOOD JOB!

Thanks for the rich information about the ATi drivers too.

07-22-2008, 05:51 AM	#1 (permalink)
nelson silva Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 20 OS: Win XP SP3	[SOLVED] AcerTravelMate 8215WLMi BIOS Winphlash 3522.WPH - Error: "PHLASHNT.SYS NOT F Hi, i recently upgraded my HD on My Acer Travelm 8215WLMi notebook, reinstalled XP SP3 and all drivers... been having some lock ups in some games so im still in process of finding the latest drivers for some of the hardware, cause most acer drivers are outdated and cause some problems... Right now, Ive been stuck for days trying to update the BIOS using the utility and files provided by the manufacturer(Acer) Winphlash.exe ver 1.3 build 46 and bios file ZC1_3522.WPH bios file there´s also an DOS version of phlash.exe provided by acer( funny thing is theres no DOS bIOS file ) ive googled around and found manny bad posts of people who tryed to flash the .wph file in DOS mode, so have not tryed it yet! i tryed both as normal user that has administrator creds and as administrator in safe mode i get an error that says that the programa( Winphlash.exe ) cant find the file( C:\ProgramFiles\PhoenixTechnologies\Wiphlash\phlashnt.sys ) or i dont have administrator account..bla bla... The file is there cause i checked the path so im in the dark now and i need some light... i also ive read somewhere here in the forums about checking ControlPanel--AdministrativeTools--LocalSecurityPolicy for administrator rights, running sfc /scannow, disabling UAC in msconfig... but couldnt understand quite what i was doing so im here asking for help...

07-22-2008, 06:14 AM	#2 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 41,784 OS: vista 32x ultimate retail	Re: AcerTravelMate 8215WLMi BIOS Winphlash 3522.WPH - Error: "PHLASHNT.SYS NOT FOUND. moved you to laptops __________________

07-22-2008, 08:14 AM	#3 (permalink)
TriggerFinger Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: LV, NV, USA Posts: 5,326 OS: DOS 6.0	Re: AcerTravelMate 8215WLMi BIOS Winphlash 3522.WPH - Error: "PHLASHNT.SYS NOT FOUND. download the BIOS file again. there is always a readme file with the download, please check that too for any 'special' instructions. btw, have you checked ACER if this BIOS upgrade is just optional or really necessary? __________________ DBAN - Memtest86+ - BartPE - Linux LiveCD - ImgBurn - HDD Diags - Everest Mark the THREAD as SOLVED Last edited by TriggerFinger : 07-22-2008 at 08:18 AM.

07-22-2008, 09:49 AM	#4 (permalink)
nelson silva Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 20 OS: Win XP SP3	Re: AcerTravelMate 8215WLMi BIOS Winphlash 3522.WPH - Error: "PHLASHNT.SYS NOT FOUND. i think its kinda necessary, from what i read outthere my locks ups are caused because of acer realtek drivers... i already updated them, but in realteks website its says, to get the most changes out of it i must update the BIOS... and also ive been experiencing really weird heating problems... im currently at 1.3GhZ, but anything equal or above 1.5ghz the temp readings jump to 75ºC, 2.0ghzits 80ºC guaranteed.... so ima kinda hoping a bios update and all the rest i need to update(chipset etc) will fix some of my problems... im kinda really disapointed with ACER, for the most expensive travelmate series they have... this laptop has alot of issues... i didnt buy this laptop to walk around in 1.0ghz dressings, at least 1.8 would be acceptable yeah but right now i wanna install the damn BIOS, mine is kinda old, compared to this one...

07-22-2008, 10:01 AM	#5 (permalink)
nelson silva Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 20 OS: Win XP SP3	Re: AcerTravelMate 8215WLMi BIOS Winphlash 3522.WPH - Error: "PHLASHNT.SYS NOT FOUND. ok i managed to get the program to run as administrator(looked somewhere that its not compatible with safe mode) but guess what, after running msconfig and making sure that all unecessary services are turned off and running winphlash, runs everything fine untill its says: "flashing BIOS" and then i get a BSOD, voilá, restart... Also Winphlash has advanced options, but i left most at DEFAULT, dont know what to PICK or UNPICK there, the acer package comes with 2 *.doc files explaining how to use the DOS mode and windows mode so answering ur question about the bios version, mine is 3516, this one 3522, there are 4 versions between them and 5 behind mine... wow so manny bios versions...guess this acer has alot of issues...

07-22-2008, 10:35 AM	#6 (permalink)
TriggerFinger Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: LV, NV, USA Posts: 5,326 OS: DOS 6.0	Re: AcerTravelMate 8215WLMi BIOS Winphlash 3522.WPH - Error: "PHLASHNT.SYS NOT FOUND. If you get BSOD when flashing the BIOS in Windows, do the DOS mode. __________________ DBAN - Memtest86+ - BartPE - Linux LiveCD - ImgBurn - HDD Diags - Everest Mark the THREAD as SOLVED

07-22-2008, 10:58 AM	#7 (permalink)
nelson silva Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 20 OS: Win XP SP3	Re: AcerTravelMate 8215WLMi BIOS Winphlash 3522.WPH - Error: "PHLASHNT.SYS NOT FOUND. yeah? can i flash an *.WPH in DOS mode... ive read somewhere thats its dangerous( then i have to recover the original BIOS ) are you sure? acer package doesnt have a DOS file in it...

07-22-2008, 11:01 AM	#8 (permalink)
TriggerFinger Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: LV, NV, USA Posts: 5,326 OS: DOS 6.0	Re: AcerTravelMate 8215WLMi BIOS Winphlash 3522.WPH - Error: "PHLASHNT.SYS NOT FOUND. I find it safer in DOS. As for Windows, BSOD is already common flashing the BIOS or not But then again it is up to you. Please post the URL of ACER BIOS download site __________________ DBAN - Memtest86+ - BartPE - Linux LiveCD - ImgBurn - HDD Diags - Everest Mark the THREAD as SOLVED

07-22-2008, 11:09 AM	#9 (permalink)
nelson silva Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 20 OS: Win XP SP3	Re: AcerTravelMate 8215WLMi BIOS Winphlash 3522.WPH - Error: "PHLASHNT.SYS NOT FOUND. hahaha been checking the previous versions readmes, since 3522 is so poor....doesnt even have release notes lol look what i find in 3521 release notes, "reduce VGA TEMP 20ºC" i really need this update Now at least im sure its BIOS thats causing all this heating issues and maybe the lockups also ok im gonna try flashing this in DOS MODE...( crossing figers )

07-22-2008, 11:11 AM	#10 (permalink)
TriggerFinger Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: LV, NV, USA Posts: 5,326 OS: DOS 6.0	Re: AcerTravelMate 8215WLMi BIOS Winphlash 3522.WPH - Error: "PHLASHNT.SYS NOT FOUND. hmmm may be just what you need. about the overheating, have you also tried cleaning the vents/heatsink? i know it is stating the obvious but cleaning the vents really helps. __________________ DBAN - Memtest86+ - BartPE - Linux LiveCD - ImgBurn - HDD Diags - Everest Mark the THREAD as SOLVED

07-22-2008, 11:16 AM	#11 (permalink)
nelson silva Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 20 OS: Win XP SP3	Re: AcerTravelMate 8215WLMi BIOS Winphlash 3522.WPH - Error: "PHLASHNT.SYS NOT FOUND. maybe it cant go straight from 3516 to 3522... have to get one by one ill try that... look... the website is this one http://support.acer-euro.com/drivers...k/tm_8210.html

07-22-2008, 02:45 PM	#13 (permalink)
nelson silva Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 20 OS: Win XP SP3	Re: AcerTravelMate 8215WLMi BIOS Winphlash 3522.WPH - Error: "PHLASHNT.SYS NOT FOUND. yupiiii... :-) problem solved!!! I had to flash each BIOS, one by one, from 3517 all the way to 3522 in DOS mode, used a Caldera-DOS Startup and USB drive didnt do this before cause ive read somewhere that u couldnt flash *.WPH file in DOS MODE rendering our BIOS useless Thanks for the support... from the looks of it everything looks stable, im running full 2GHZ at 59ºC idle, Gonna start a game( COH ) now to see how it handles... gonna play at 1.5ghZ and slowly increase to 2.0GHZ to see how it handles... i use NHC(Notebook Hardware Control) to change the CPU multiplyers also i would like to mention that ATI drivers start 2 atievxxx instances... you should kill one of them...it also causes overheating problems... and dont install CCC, only ATI driver and ATI Tray Tools... i hate resource hogs well thats it... thanks TriggerFinger

07-22-2008, 03:44 PM	#14 (permalink)
TriggerFinger Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: LV, NV, USA Posts: 5,326 OS: DOS 6.0	Re: AcerTravelMate 8215WLMi BIOS Winphlash 3522.WPH - Error: "PHLASHNT.SYS NOT FOUND. There you go... GOOD JOB! Thanks for the rich information about the ATi drivers too. __________________ DBAN - Memtest86+ - BartPE - Linux LiveCD - ImgBurn - HDD Diags - Everest Mark the THREAD as SOLVED