(UEFI) Dell XPS 15z L511z modded BIOS - and HOWTO

[kasar]

@jkbuha

yes, it is the http://www.mediafire.com/download/7fhsp2...NKASAR.rar file

I double checked it, and it have the correct values, well, also the patch has been tested by me and others enabling the BLKC OC properly

did you opened it properly with FITC?

it show mw 011A34 and the other changed values


oh, and congrats with your BCLK overclocking


anyway I did not had to sacrifice memory speeds, I am running it at default 1333 speed rated for the memory, and with the OC, the memory is running on like 1400 mhz

what is your memory modules speed rating?


I remember I tried setting the memory to 1600 mhz from bios, but in my case the changed did not applied, (probably the memory not support it) however the option works since I was able to lower those frecuencied under 1333

do it work for you raising the memory speed over its max stock speed?

@follow_me

OH, that IFR extractor doesnt crash for me instead others I tested, I can now work with the tool properly

thank you

oh, also nice find with the ffs files.

where did you found them?

but well, the mostly important question how do we insert in the bios?

never deal with ffs files, dont know where to start.

I remember you guys said something about inserting new modules with phoenix tool, but that needed .MOD files.

I asume that if we manage to load and run those drivers in the firmware, that should unlock all controls in XTU software, right?

[Brabbelbla]

Those .ffs files are ready to be inserted with PhoenixTool. Just change the extension to .MOD.

I am really jealous for the support Lenovo seems to give. Two years old models still get their BIOS updated and more importantly, they work properly. Phoenix SCT as well, but apparently properly implemented.

[follow_me]

oh, also nice find with the ffs files.
where did you found them?

I found them in 65CN21WW.wph , which is a Lenovo IdeaPad U410 bios

[kasar]

thanks for the info guys

I will make a new bios for testing with the new shell and the MOD files.


edit:

I am having troubles while trying to integrate the .mod files.

never tried before the insert new modules (just replaced existing ones), so this procedure sounds completly new to me.

the first thing wich confuses me, is that while you click on the "structure" button, you have to select specific parts of the firmware so the insert button become avalible, I entered in the main bios and selected this part (wich I think it is the correct one)




then, I tried to insert one of the mod files.

but when I try, the app get stuck just after selecting the mod file, tried wait several minutes, but it does not make any difference.

is there something I am missing?

[kasar]

ok, problem solved, tried with an older version of phoenix slic tool, now I can insert them without errors.

I will try flashing now

[kasar]

flashing failed, it didnt bricked the laptop, it just refused to start the flasher after rebooting.

I had to shut down the machine by hold 5 secs the power button, however, then when I tried to boot the machine up, it started making beep noises and black screen and fan full speed, however I got the machine again working by just unplugging every cord and the battery, then plug everything back and it worked fine.

since I added the shell and the new modules at the same time, I wanted to know the cause of the fail.

so I decided to flash it only with the new shell.

it worked fine, the new (bigger size shell) load properly with the F12 boot menu.

now the tricky part is get the new modules working.

I am going to try several combinations like flash just 1 separate module instead both of them at the same time or keep trying different phoenix slic tool versions.

[follow_me]

Here is The Shell Enabler built as a Dxe driver, so it can be embedded into image
I suggesting to replace IsaSerial Driver , because it is loaded at the recovery mode, so it will Enable shell from the recovery mod (end + power cord method )


  ShellEnablerDxe.efi.zip (Size: 7.05 KB / Downloads: 18)

@kasar

Same story here - system is unable to boot with a new driver inserted

[kasar]

@follow_me

mmm, so if we replace the isa serial driver with your own, it should enable the shell without the need of running previously commands from a externall shell, right?

so with this way, it should be on a ready to flash form for final user, right? this is what I was looking for ^^

the bad thing is that I dont really like remove stuff to add new stuff, but well, I dont think the isaserial driver will be needed really.

however it should be more interesting get the new modules insert working since we cant remove stuff everytime we need to add something new (as we will be removing usefull stuff after sometime)

oh, I think I found the cause of why it isnt working or flashing.

when I inserted both mod files to the bios structure, they appeared like this (unknown instead drivers)



it could be phoenix slic tool fault?

[Brabbelbla]

@kasar
Yes, when I tried this before, it also refused to flash. When looking with Phoenixtool again, everything seemed fine, just a new driver, with proper sections. But still refused to flash. Removing modules entirely does work, though.

[follow_me]

@follow_me
mmm, so if we replace the isa serial driver with your own, it should enable the shell without the need of running previously commands from a externall shell, right?

Yep , that's what it is

the bad thing is that I dont really like remove stuff to add new stuff, but well, I dont think the isaserial driver will be needed really.

Me too, but there is no other way for now

oh, I think I found the cause of why it isnt working or flashing.

when I inserted both mod files to the bios structure, they appeared like this (unknown instead drivers)

What was the original type of the files ?
When I've tried to insert - they was inserted correctly (but I've generated correct pe32 and guid sections for them and after that i've packed as ffs module)