Acer Aspire 4720G

[spiderman_pink]

Hi, I have an Acer Aspire 4720G.

I'm trying to upgrade to an Intel 730 SSD, but there's something weird going on 



seems that the bios does not recognize the Intel 730 SSD. i can start windows 7 installer, but when it comes to the formatting disk, there'll be an error saying windows does not support booting from the ssd.

interestingly, if i pop in a crucial m550 ssd, the bios will recognize it and allow me to install windows as usual.

can the bios be modded/unlocked or some sort? or does it simply not support the Intel 730 SSD

http://global-download.acer.com/GDFiles/BIOS/BIOS/BIOS_3810.zip?acerid=633643256054384428&Step1=NOTEBOOK&Step2=ASPIRE&Step3=ASPIRE%204720G&OS=ALL&LC=en&BC=ACER&SC=AAP_6

[BDMaster]

Write a PM to Steven expert Phoenix Bios code name = sml6397 !!!
Regards

[Sml6397]

Hello spiderman_pink,

I will take a look at your BIOS image tomorrow to see what can be unlocked.

~Steven

[spiderman_pink]

any updates? is it because the Intel 730 ssd is quite new hence the bios can't recognize it?

but weird cos the bios recognizes a Crucial m550 ssd

[Sml6397]

Hello spiderman_pink,

Have you tried enabling the AHCI setting under the Main Menu? If not, is it visible (if it is, it should be the setting on the bottom)?

[spiderman_pink]

yes AHCI is visible and enabled by default.

could something be preventing the Acer Aspire 4720G bios from reading the Intel 730 ssd's properties correctly? because the bios can easily recognize a Crucial M550 ssd and normal 2.5" spindle harddrives without any problem so far.

i also tried the Intel 730 ssd in another laptop (HP DV6) just to test, and it works.

[Sml6397]

Hello spiderman_pink,

Try disabling AHCI and then installing Windows. If the Windows installation is successful, you should be able to re-enable AHCI without problems (as long as you install the AHCI drivers first).

[spiderman_pink]

tried with ahci enabled and disabled. can't boot from the Intel 730 ssd


the ssd is recognized by windows 7 installer, but fails to install



usually when you create a new partition, it'll will prompt saying that windows will create additional partitions for the system (in this case the 100mb System Reserved partition). but when i create a partition, no such prompts appear.

i've plugged in the Intel 730 ssd into an old Compaq CQ40 laptop. bios recognizes the ssd, bios boot up menu recognizes the ssd, i can install windows 7 without issue.

[algizsage]

I am not sure if this is the correct place to post. Please let me know if you would like a new post.

I recently got a Gateway P6860FX and purchased an Intel 730 240 GB SSD to upgrade it.

And I have the exact same issue as you, spiderman_pink.

This SSD is not reported by the BIOS, will not boot into it. Windows installer sees it. Other PC BIOSes see it.

I was using the standard 94.29 PhoenixBIOS, then switched to the modified one from this post:
https://www.bios-mods.com/forum/Thread-G...ck-Request

For fun, I put the old boot drive and SSD in and enabled the Intel RAID option (the BIOS acknowledged two drives were present). As a PCI SCSI device, the BIOS can see the 730. I want to avoid using the Intel RAID. I hear the Intel Matrix RAID controller does not support all the interesting AHCI functions. I also want to get rid of the old mechanical hard drive. 

Is there anything I can do to help? I only started BIOS modding for this laptop, so I am very much a novice.

Looking to learn about BIOS for fun. Squeezing some extra life out of this older laptop is an added benefit!