How I updated my Acer Aspire One netbook BIOS using Linux/Ubuntu 9.04.
Following these instructions could render your netbook unusable! Follow at your own risk.
Quick Summary (detailed instructions below)
1) Use Unetbootin to create a FreeDOS bootable USB stick.
2) copy the downloaded BIOS update and BAT script on to the stick (unzip the BIOS download, and then go to the sub folder BIOS_ACER_3310_Windows_AOA110 & AOA150/Dos_Flash, and copy the files 3310.BAT, 3310.fd and FLASHIT.EXE to the USB stick).
3) Boot the Aspire One from the USB stick - choose "Default" and then "Safe Mode".
4) At the Dos prompt go to the b: drive (i.e. type "b:", without quotes, and hit enter) and run the the 3310.BAT script (i.e. type 3319.BAT, without the quotes, and hit enter) - job done!
Required Downloads
IMPORTANT: Download the correct BIOS update for your model from the Acer website
Service and Support > Driver Download > Netbooks > Aspire One > Model - Then the BIOS tab
Download Unetbootin for Linux: http://sourceforge.net/projects/unetbootin/files/UNetbootin/372/unetbootin-linux-372/download
Download FreeDOS image ISO: http://www.ibiblio.org/pub/micro/pc-stuff/freedos/files/distributions/1.0/fdbasecd.iso
Detailed Instructions
Download the FreeDOS iso file to your desktop, from the link above. We'll come back to this in a moment.
Unetbootin is a great tool for creating bootable USB sticks, we're going to use it to create a FreeDOS bootable USB stick. Download the Linux version (from the link above) on to your destop. Right click on the downloaded Unetbootin file, go to Properties > Permissions and check the "Allow executing file as program" check box. Close the properties window. Double click on the Unetbootin (you should be asked for your password), and Unetbootin should start up.
In Unetbootin there are a number options - choose "Diskimage", next to the ISO drop down box. Next to the the Text Input bo, there is a "browse for file" button, click this and select the earlier downloaded FreeDOS iso file. Select the correct USB drive, and click "OK".
Once the bootable FreeDOS USB stick has been created, copy the downloaded BIOS update and BAT script on to the stick. To do this, unzip the BIOS download, and then go to the sub folder BIOS_ACER_3310_Windows_AOA110 & AOA150/Dos_Flash, and copy the files 3310.BAT, 3310.fd and FLASHIT.EXE to the USB stick.
Once the USB stick in ready, insert it into one of the USB ports on the Aspire One. Turn on the Aspire One and press the f12 key. Choose to boot from the USB stick. Once booted, hit enter and then select "Safe Mode". At the FreeDOS prompt (a:) go to the b: drive (i.e. type "b:", without quotes, and hit enter) and run the the 3310.BAT script (i.e. type 3319.BAT, without the quotes, and hit enter).
Wait for the BIOS to update - do not interrupt this process.
My Acer Aspire One (AOA110-Ab, Model No: ZG5) BIOS
Latest BIOS Version at time of writting: 3310 (size 2.7 MB)
Release date: 2009/08/05
