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

[kasar]

well, just updated to a newer version (still unable to flash 8.x versions, so I stick with the latest 7.x version I found)

here is some kind of ME versions changelog I found at the asus ROG forums.

<7.1.40.1161>
- (New) Enhanced several security functions.


<7.1.41.1169>
- (Fix) Fixed an issue where MEInfoWin reported wrong information.


<7.1.52.1176>
- (Fix) Fixed an issue where an error message was shown when using PAVP-enabled
media such as Blu-ray or Intel WiDi.
- Fixes in intermittent issue where the Intel Identity Protection Technology (Intel IPT) feature is not enabled properly.

[kasar]

mmm, maybe there is still a hope to restore the ME image from the original bios ^^

I noticed about this at the advanced configuration of winflash



also there is a chance the recovery method is able to boot with a damaged ME firmware, but idk.


edit: tested it and flashing with the /me parameter, but it didnt worked, me version still the latest I manually installed :O

[Brabbelbla]

Hey guys,

I'm sorry for posting here, probably far from the right place to do so, but a Dell L702X with UEFI boot isn't really a common thing, so I thought maybe this would be the best place for help.

Yesterday, I flashed to A19 (for the L702X). UEFI boot was still enabled. I tried installing Windows 7 in UEFI boot mode, but after installation it would not boot. Then I read a message from someone who installed Windows 8 succesfully on with the A19 firmware, with UEFI boot. So I tried the same. Installation failed. I wanted to see how badly installation failed, and from the recovery menu from the Windows 8 installation media I accidentally chose "Boot from..." and then my USB stick.

And since then I am locked out of my firmware. When I press F2 or F12 for setup or the boot menu, the system just goes straight to the first boot option it can find, which is my (thankfully working) Windows 7 installation in Compatibility Support Mode.

"Setup" and "Boot menu" were listed in the "Boot from..."-menu on the Windows 8 media, but right now I can't acces the media anymore, as the system boots to Windows 7.

I tried reflashing the firmware and loading a recovery capsule (which now, contrary to http://www.bios-mods.com/forum/Thread-UE...1#pid50481 magically works) in order to clear NVRAM or whatever, but without luck. Even using the recovery capsule I can't acces setup or the boot menu.

Anyone here have an idea how to fix this?


P.S.: To make matters worse, the version of Windows 8 I used, was the Release Preview, so probably neither Dell (not our fault) of Microsoft (not a final/commercial product) will be very supportive.

EDIT: The stock Dell A19 version does NOT allow for UEFI booting. With a hacked BIOS, Windows installation in UEFI can [censored] up things pretty bad if installation fails.

[jkbuha]

Hi all - been away from email, mobile, pc for the last 36 hrs, amazing what developments happen in that time. And over a weekend.

@kasar - nice work. Let me try and replicate your findings on the L511z and report back. Could you give me a list of steps that you did (briefly) so I'll see if it's possible to upgrade to ME 8?

@Brabella - thanks for the links. Downloading and applying mods now. If we continue patching at this rate we'll need to start applying a diff list

[TimeWalker]

I was away as well for the past 24h.. nice findings on the ME stuff guys. If we could get 8fw up on our lappies it would have been cool.

@Brabellbla
Please read this and the follow-up page, as the situation you are describing is exactly the same.
http://www.bios-mods.com/forum/Thread-De...2#pid50052
Basically this is the solution:

Also .. apparently you can use /cvar argument for winflash.exe to reset NVRM variables to defaults (clears the variable storage in ROM).

Code:

winflash.exe /BIOS /EC /SA /SV /BBL /CVAR "BIOS1.WPH"

[kasar]

@jkbuha

ok I will put everything togheter.

I has been able to upgreade ME to the latest 7.x.x version, but I was not be able yet to upgreade it to a 8.x.x version.

I also has been unable to restore backups or mod the ME images.



well I suggest you to download this.

it contain the required drivers and tools I used for messing with the ME

ftp://europe.asrock.com/drivers/Intel/Ot...86_5M).zip

for some reason while downloading this file I didnt knew the file size until I completed the download, so If you have the same issue while downloading the file is arround 117 mb.

Code:

Tools Version Info

Kit Version: 8.1.10.1286

Flash Image Tool: 8.1.10.1286
Flash Programming Tool(DOS): 8.1.10.1286
Flash Programming Tool(Windows): 8.1.10.1286
Flash Programming Tool(Windows64): 8.1.10.1286
FWUpdate(Local-DOS): 8.1.10.1286
FWUpdate(Local-Win): 8.1.10.1286
MEInfo(DOS): 8.1.10.1286

if you just want to update the me to the latest version I was able to update, download the file from my attachment, make a backup of your ME, and then flash the latest me at your own risk.

you can check your current ME version by going to your modded bios, the unlocked ME menu should be there ^^

do it before and after flash the ME firmware so you can notice it got updated.




I also need some help unlocking the descriptor settings

more info at this previous post

http://www.bios-mods.com/forum/Thread-UE...6#pid50686


I also recomend to give a read to this topic.

it talk about how to unlock overclocking feature at our laptops by modding/hacking the ME firmware.

http://forum.techinferno.com/general-not...ptops.html

[Brabbelbla]

Thanks so much, TimeWalker. Using 'clear variable' solved the problem. Some magic way, though, the recovery capsule doesn't work anymore... XD

[jkbuha]

Bios A12 modded. Setup module and powerstepping module hadn't changed since A11 so I just had to directly replace the files with the A11 ones. Graphics ROM just replaced with one of choice

Whilst I'm on the subject, here are a couple of questions in case anyone has tried/thought of this as I have:

1) Has anyone successfully updated the Intel vbios (not nvidia) and how do you check the vbios version?
2) What other firmwares on the mobo (besides ME+GPUs) can be updated?
3) Has *anyone* with a 15z successfully kickstarted recovery?

[kasar]

@jkbuha

1 - not yet, I didnt tried that yet, though





2 -
acording to this image from this tool output: Descriptor,BIOS, ME,GBE, and PDR regions can be reflashed



3 - sadly I dont own a 15z to test D:

[Brabbelbla]

What version of PhoenixTool do you guys actually use? With what settings?