I have created this thread so that I can store all of the information that I have figured out about my notebook and its motherboard online (basically an information dumping area). I am going to be making modifications to this post/thread as I gather more information about my notebook. I will also be uploading more pictures over time. This thread is an ongoing work in progress.
This thread will be divided into sections and sub-sections. There will be three main sections (Basic/notebook info, BIOS info, & General Motherboard info). The BIOS section will have many sub-sections including a large list of discovered NVRAM values found by investigating TEMPLAT0.ROM and STRINGS0.ROM.
If you are looking for a schematic for this exact revision of the board, I do not have one. I can link you to schematics of other closely related revisions of this board, but they may or may not be useful for this custom Sony board.
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BASIC INFO:
•Manufacturer: Sony
•Model: Vaio VGN-N250E/b (VGN-N = series)
•Compatible BIOS versions:
-[Current and original] R0070J4 (December 6, 2006)
-[Tested and works] R0030J4
•Motherboard Model: Sony MBX-160 MS71 Rev: v1.1
•Chipset: Intel 945GM
ADVANCED INFO:
(If specs are in one section, but not the other, it is most likely due to the fact that the hardware has not changed)
[Original] Specs:
•Operating System: [OEM] Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 32-bit
•System BUS/FSB: 533 MHz
•CPU: Intel T2250 Core Duo 32-bit
-1.73 GHz
-Caches:
+T1 Cache: 64KB (32KB - Instruction, 32KB - Data)
+T2 Cache: 2MB
-Socket: 479 mPGA
-Technology: Yonah 65nm
•RAM:
-Manufacturer:
-Size: 1GB (512MBx2), 200-pin
-Speed: DDR2 PC-
-Electrical: 1.8v
•LCD:
-Size: 15.4"
•DVD Drive:
Model: AW-G540A -V2
Electrical: 5V = 1.5A
Firmware: v1.74
Compatibility:
•Wireless Networking: Intel Pro/Wireless 3945ABG
-Antenna: (Generic)
[Current] Specs:
•Operating System: [Genuine] Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit SP1
•System BUS/Clock: 667MHz
•CPU: Intel T2700 Core Duo 32-bit
-Cores: 2
-External Clock Rate: 166 MHz
-[Default] Multiplier: 14x
- 2.33GHz
- Caches:
+ 64KB L1 Cache (32KB instruction, 32 KB data)
+ 2MB L2 Cache
-Socket: 479 mPGA
-Technology: Yonah 65nm
-Product Invented: 2007
•RAM:
-Manufacturer: PNY
-Size: 4GB (2GBx2), 200-pin
-Speed: {current} DDR2 PC2-5300 667MHz CL5 (4-4-4-12), Dual Channel
-Electrical: 1.8v
•Wireless Networking: Intel Pro/Wireless 6235 Advanced-N 150Mbps
-Wifi Antenna: Tyco Wifi & Bluetooth Antenna
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BIOS UNLOCKING:
I have found 3 parent menus that are "hidden" (unreferenced) in my BIOS image. Among these are the "INTEL" "ICH Workarounds:" and "MCH Workarounds:" menus.
INTEL Menu: The Intel menu contains a lot of interesting options and is usually the primary unlocking goal of most bios unlockers. It contains the 5 sub-menus in its normal state.
I have found a 6th menu called the "Workaround Control Sub-Menu" that I think also goes under the Intel Menu, but almost all of the options that I can think of that would go under it are in the other Intel menus (especially the "Video (Intel IGD) Control Sub-Menu").
MCH Workarounds: : This menu is full of Memory Cache settings. It controls cache ranges and the writing state of each. You can also set system BIOS and Video BIOS caching areas or even disable memory cache altogether.
ICH Workarounds: : I know that ICH stands for "I/O Controller Hub" and deals with South Bridge settings, but I am not sure what goes under it.
CURRENT MODIFICATIONS:
Parent Menus:
•Intel
•ICH Workarounds:
•MCH Workarounds:
Sub-Menus/Options:
•INTEL>Workaround Control Sub-Menu
•Advanced>(4 keyboard settings)
•Advanced>Frequency Ratio
•INTEL>CPU Control Sub-Menu>Dothan CPU Control Sub-Menu>
•reorganized the CPU Control Sub-Menus
NOTE: (Frequency Ratio) This setting controls the CPU external clock multiplier. It won't actually change anything as the CPU has a factory PLL lock. This setting is probably supposed to go under the INTEL Menu, but I was replacing a duplicated (located in both the INTEL and Advanced Menus) "Core Multi-Processing" option. The Frequency Ratio setting was not originally under any menu in the BIOS.
EXCLUDED MODIFICATIONS:
•Power Options. Reason: I found a lot of power settings in a setup table in TEMPLAT0.ROM, but I am not sure what menu they are supposed to go under...
Here is a list of some of the NVRAM Registers that I have traced from the NVRAM Token Table dump to their respective settings in TEMPLAT0.ROM/STRINGS0.ROM (These settings are now editable without flashing the BIOS or even entering the BIOS menus themselves):
•All of the memory cache settings in the "MCH Workarounds:" BIOS menu. •Passive TC1 & Passive TC2 Values •DTS Enable •Processor Power Mangement •DTS Calibration •Frequency Ratio •MEF Support •EMA Support •Critical Trip Point •Active Trip Point •ALS Support •FACP - PM Timer Flag Value •Enhanced C-states enable •Fast C4 Exit Support •Thermal Control Circuit •PROCHOT# Enable •DBS Cycling Temperature •PCI Clock Run •Serial IRQ Quiet Mode •BIOS iAMTx •Thermal Offset •Thermal Monitor Enable •AC97 Modem PME Enable •Clock Power Management •On-board LAN •Root Port ASPM Support •Timestamp Counter Updates •PXE OPROM •Memory Throttling •TS on DIMM •Port 80h Cycles •Spread Spectrum Clock Chip •!!PCI Express Graphics Port!! •PCI Express Root port settings (such as PCI Express - Root Port 1) •GPLL Power-Down Enable •Azalia - Device 27, Function 0 •a lot of options corresponding to different settings each with the name "Minor Standard" •Vaio Animation Logo •Set Max Ext CPUID = 3 •External Drive Boot •!!VT Feature!! •!!Enhanced AHCI!! •Fast String Operations (NOTE: "FOR DEBUG ONLY") •Installed O/S •Numlock •Hot-Plug Bus Gap •I/O (this is literally the entire name of the option) •various hard drive settings such as "heads" "cylinders" "sectors" etc. •!!Pre-allocated Memory Size (Graphics memory setting)!! •!!Total Graphics Memory (another graphics setting)!! •BIA Control •GMCH BLC Control (backlight/inverter setting) •etc etc etc
EDIT (May 25, 2014): I updated the BIOSfiles.rar archive.
LINKS:
•R0070J4 BIOS:
R0070J4_BIOSfiles.rar (Size: 1.8 MB / Downloads: 636)
-NOTE: "bios.wph" within this file is a CONFIRMED WORKING and FLASHABLE image
-NOTE: This archive contains documentation of this mod and several other useful files related to the modding of this BIOS/addition of platform data to it.
•R0030J4 BIOS:
R0030J4.rar (Size: 597.93 KB / Downloads: 87)
-NOTE: "R0030J4.wph" within this file is a CONFIRMED WORKING and FLASHABLE image. This file was placed into a separate file for uploading purposes and is still the image that was used to insert the platform data into the R0070J4 BIOS image.
This thread will be divided into sections and sub-sections. There will be three main sections (Basic/notebook info, BIOS info, & General Motherboard info). The BIOS section will have many sub-sections including a large list of discovered NVRAM values found by investigating TEMPLAT0.ROM and STRINGS0.ROM.
If you are looking for a schematic for this exact revision of the board, I do not have one. I can link you to schematics of other closely related revisions of this board, but they may or may not be useful for this custom Sony board.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTEBOOK INFO
BASIC INFO:
•Manufacturer: Sony
•Model: Vaio VGN-N250E/b (VGN-N = series)
•Compatible BIOS versions:
-[Current and original] R0070J4 (December 6, 2006)
-[Tested and works] R0030J4
•Motherboard Model: Sony MBX-160 MS71 Rev: v1.1
•Chipset: Intel 945GM
ADVANCED INFO:
(If specs are in one section, but not the other, it is most likely due to the fact that the hardware has not changed)
[Original] Specs:
•Operating System: [OEM] Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 32-bit
•System BUS/FSB: 533 MHz
•CPU: Intel T2250 Core Duo 32-bit
-1.73 GHz
-Caches:
+T1 Cache: 64KB (32KB - Instruction, 32KB - Data)
+T2 Cache: 2MB
-Socket: 479 mPGA
-Technology: Yonah 65nm
•RAM:
-Manufacturer:
-Size: 1GB (512MBx2), 200-pin
-Speed: DDR2 PC-
-Electrical: 1.8v
•LCD:
-Size: 15.4"
•DVD Drive:
Model: AW-G540A -V2
Electrical: 5V = 1.5A
Firmware: v1.74
Compatibility:
•Wireless Networking: Intel Pro/Wireless 3945ABG
-Antenna: (Generic)
[Current] Specs:
•Operating System: [Genuine] Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit SP1
•System BUS/Clock: 667MHz
•CPU: Intel T2700 Core Duo 32-bit
-Cores: 2
-External Clock Rate: 166 MHz
-[Default] Multiplier: 14x
- 2.33GHz
- Caches:
+ 64KB L1 Cache (32KB instruction, 32 KB data)
+ 2MB L2 Cache
-Socket: 479 mPGA
-Technology: Yonah 65nm
-Product Invented: 2007
•RAM:
-Manufacturer: PNY
-Size: 4GB (2GBx2), 200-pin
-Speed: {current} DDR2 PC2-5300 667MHz CL5 (4-4-4-12), Dual Channel
-Electrical: 1.8v
•Wireless Networking: Intel Pro/Wireless 6235 Advanced-N 150Mbps
-Wifi Antenna: Tyco Wifi & Bluetooth Antenna
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BIOS INFO
BIOS UNLOCKING:
I have found 3 parent menus that are "hidden" (unreferenced) in my BIOS image. Among these are the "INTEL" "ICH Workarounds:" and "MCH Workarounds:" menus.
INTEL Menu: The Intel menu contains a lot of interesting options and is usually the primary unlocking goal of most bios unlockers. It contains the 5 sub-menus in its normal state.
I have found a 6th menu called the "Workaround Control Sub-Menu" that I think also goes under the Intel Menu, but almost all of the options that I can think of that would go under it are in the other Intel menus (especially the "Video (Intel IGD) Control Sub-Menu").
MCH Workarounds: : This menu is full of Memory Cache settings. It controls cache ranges and the writing state of each. You can also set system BIOS and Video BIOS caching areas or even disable memory cache altogether.
ICH Workarounds: : I know that ICH stands for "I/O Controller Hub" and deals with South Bridge settings, but I am not sure what goes under it.
CURRENT MODIFICATIONS:
Parent Menus:
•Intel
•ICH Workarounds:
•MCH Workarounds:
Sub-Menus/Options:
•INTEL>Workaround Control Sub-Menu
•Advanced>(4 keyboard settings)
•Advanced>Frequency Ratio
•INTEL>CPU Control Sub-Menu>Dothan CPU Control Sub-Menu>
•reorganized the CPU Control Sub-Menus
NOTE: (Frequency Ratio) This setting controls the CPU external clock multiplier. It won't actually change anything as the CPU has a factory PLL lock. This setting is probably supposed to go under the INTEL Menu, but I was replacing a duplicated (located in both the INTEL and Advanced Menus) "Core Multi-Processing" option. The Frequency Ratio setting was not originally under any menu in the BIOS.
EXCLUDED MODIFICATIONS:
•Power Options. Reason: I found a lot of power settings in a setup table in TEMPLAT0.ROM, but I am not sure what menu they are supposed to go under...
Here is a list of some of the NVRAM Registers that I have traced from the NVRAM Token Table dump to their respective settings in TEMPLAT0.ROM/STRINGS0.ROM (These settings are now editable without flashing the BIOS or even entering the BIOS menus themselves):
•All of the memory cache settings in the "MCH Workarounds:" BIOS menu. •Passive TC1 & Passive TC2 Values •DTS Enable •Processor Power Mangement •DTS Calibration •Frequency Ratio •MEF Support •EMA Support •Critical Trip Point •Active Trip Point •ALS Support •FACP - PM Timer Flag Value •Enhanced C-states enable •Fast C4 Exit Support •Thermal Control Circuit •PROCHOT# Enable •DBS Cycling Temperature •PCI Clock Run •Serial IRQ Quiet Mode •BIOS iAMTx •Thermal Offset •Thermal Monitor Enable •AC97 Modem PME Enable •Clock Power Management •On-board LAN •Root Port ASPM Support •Timestamp Counter Updates •PXE OPROM •Memory Throttling •TS on DIMM •Port 80h Cycles •Spread Spectrum Clock Chip •!!PCI Express Graphics Port!! •PCI Express Root port settings (such as PCI Express - Root Port 1) •GPLL Power-Down Enable •Azalia - Device 27, Function 0 •a lot of options corresponding to different settings each with the name "Minor Standard" •Vaio Animation Logo •Set Max Ext CPUID = 3 •External Drive Boot •!!VT Feature!! •!!Enhanced AHCI!! •Fast String Operations (NOTE: "FOR DEBUG ONLY") •Installed O/S •Numlock •Hot-Plug Bus Gap •I/O (this is literally the entire name of the option) •various hard drive settings such as "heads" "cylinders" "sectors" etc. •!!Pre-allocated Memory Size (Graphics memory setting)!! •!!Total Graphics Memory (another graphics setting)!! •BIA Control •GMCH BLC Control (backlight/inverter setting) •etc etc etc
EDIT (May 25, 2014): I updated the BIOSfiles.rar archive.
LINKS:
•R0070J4 BIOS:
![.rar](https://www.bios-mods.com/forum/images/attachtypes/tar.gif)
-NOTE: "bios.wph" within this file is a CONFIRMED WORKING and FLASHABLE image
-NOTE: This archive contains documentation of this mod and several other useful files related to the modding of this BIOS/addition of platform data to it.
•R0030J4 BIOS:
![.rar](https://www.bios-mods.com/forum/images/attachtypes/tar.gif)
-NOTE: "R0030J4.wph" within this file is a CONFIRMED WORKING and FLASHABLE image. This file was placed into a separate file for uploading purposes and is still the image that was used to insert the platform data into the R0070J4 BIOS image.
!!!!!PLEASE READ!!!!!! Our Ukrainian friends are undergoing atrocities right now and need support. There are two things you can do for starters:
1.) Donate to one of various organizations offering medical, military, and psychological support to those impacted: Support Organizations
2.) Combat misinformation on social media.
Also, please feel free to PM me if I have not replied again about your BIOS mod request after 5 days.
1.) Donate to one of various organizations offering medical, military, and psychological support to those impacted: Support Organizations
2.) Combat misinformation on social media.
Also, please feel free to PM me if I have not replied again about your BIOS mod request after 5 days.