Acer Aspire 5740G BIOS hacking (Switchable Graphics - not yet)

tygrys5232:
Hi. BIOS from 5820T is too much different from the 5740G's BIOS. I think that the closest one to 5740G is 7745G.
I've already tried to compare these two (5740G and 7745G) and it looks like 95% of modules are the same and only few missing (on both sides).
The problem is that you can't simply copy modules from one BIOS to another.
One must go through the code (assembler) and rewrite it to another module.
It's heavily time-consuming work.
I still hope that originally the 5740G BIOS is made to support Switchable Graphics (or at least Intel graphics alone), so we can get it work with less effort than rewriting (porting) several modules.

 

EDIT:

I flashed sustmi´s BIOS and it works flawlessly. I finally installed a caddy on the dvd drive and it´s recognized as SATA 3Gbps.

Another free USB then.

 

i don't understan, you have modedded 1.22 bios with all entry? i can install in my 5740g with 5470 amd?

 

I'm trying to use the crisis Disk but It's not working... Is there any video I can check to see if I'm doing things right?

I Do create it, I pres FN+ESC, I power on the computer, releasy keys, in 15 second the computers "restart" and then nothing.

 

Hi Alex,
I tried to simulate the behaviour you are describing several times so that I can tell you what you are doing wrong.
But always I get either correct crisis flash or laptop stays with black screen (when no or non-crisis flash drive is inserted).
Try to use other flash drive or try to make crisis disk again.
Also try to disconnect all other needless devices (or any custom ones).

Did you follow right this process?

 

Let me get my laptop back and i will try to repair it...

I'm kinda sad =(. Thank you =).

 

I wish you all Happy New Year 2011.

I have another unsuccessful hacking story to tell you.
Good thing that it happened in the last year. I hope that the new year will be more successful for all of us.

Currently I'm not able to configure Intel Graphics Card in BIOS, because the only I get is hung system during early boot stage.
It would be interesting to play with settings after booting into OS (or DIY ViDock Setup tool).
The problem is that PCI registers used for IGD configuration are already locked (read-only) when booting into OS.

The register we are interested to is " GGC - Processor Graphics Control Register".
Its' description can be found in Intel's datasheet p. 57-60.
The datasheet states:

I suppose that to disable locks (1.) and (3.) I only need to disable those technologies Intel TXT and Intel VT-d (can anybody confirm ).
Intel VT-d can be disabled in hidden Intel tab in BIOS Setup.
Intel TXT is probably disabled by default (HWiNFO32 tool tells that it's disabled).
So the last event is to make BIOS not to set D_LCK bit in SMRAM configuration register (2.).

BIOS sets this bit to make some registers read-only evermore (until reboot).
This is done primarily to prevent a harmful code (rootkit viruses) to infect the system.
As a side-effect one can't configure IGD in OS.
(Well, I admit that it's not good idea to change these settings in running system. But I want to! )

D_LCK is bit 14 in SAD_SMRAM PCI register which locates at offset 0x4C of PCI configuration space of device ff:00.1 (bus 255, device 0, function 1).
(Further information in this datasheet, p. 212.)

First I found BIOS module called SmmAccess (1323C7F8-DAD5-4126-A54B-7A05FBF41515.ff).
This module has EFI SMM ACCESS PROTOCOL interface.
So I found the Lock method in the module and NOPed the instruction which sets this bit.
I was very surprised that after booting into OS the D_LCK bit was still set to 1 (=locked).

I found some thread about Phoenix BIOS that mentioned setting D_LCK in ROMEXEC.ROM.
I dug a little in the file and found a second place where D_LCK bit is set.
After patching this file I finally got booted OS with D_LCK bit unset (zero).

Why did I call this story unsuccessful then?
The problem is that despite I prevented all the locks (1.), (2.) and (3.), the GGC register is still read-only.

Does anybody have a clue why?

 

Hmm, from another datasheet (for desktop Core i3/i5 CPUs) page 54:

Challenge accepted.

 

Great!
The CMD.LOCK.MEMCONFIG is apparently a locking command of Intel TXT. So we can ignore it.
The ME_SM_LOCK register (device 00:00.0, offset 0xF4, datasheet p.65) is set in MchPciExpress.ff BIOS module.
I disabled this lock and now I finally have the GGC register writeable.
However I haven't had much time to play with the settings yet.

BTW: My package with Mini PCI-E POST Test Card finally arrived today.
Such a shame that I must study for final exams now...

 

thumbs up study man, this thing can wait one month more wont change a thing

 

Grrr, the LPC pins (those used by my new POST debug board) are not connected in my Mini PCI-E slots.
These pins are not part of Mini PCI-E standard. It's only agreement between manufacturers so it's not obligatory.

As the laptop doesn't have Mini PCI (the second option how to use the debug board),
the only option how to use the debug board is to find LPC port on the motherboard or on pins of some IC (overkill!).

Ok, better I will study for exams...

 

One more information.
Apparently there are few laptops which are very same to Acer Aspire 5740G.

1. Packard Bell EasyNote TJ75 / TJ76 / TJ77 / TJ78
- BIOS site
- service manual

2. Gateway NV59
- BIOS site
- service manual

The schematics of these laptops could be very same too. Any of them would help a lot.

 

sustmi, there is a new BIOS out. Doesn't look like too much changed, though.

 

Hi folks.

I briefly examined the new version of BIOS (1.28) on a level of assembly code.
I found that there are changes in PlatformStage2 module (the one which should set-up the Switchable Graphics).
The difference is that now the setting Primary Display (Intel tab) has no effect any more.
So the laptop will not be bricked when you set "SG" or "IGD".
Bad news: Switchable Graphics still not present.

The value of Primary Display CMOS token is loaded, but then overwritten according to the signals on input pins GPIO37 and GPIO57.

Recently I found laptop schematic which is named as "Acer Aspire 4740 4745 5740 5745".
Actually this in not schematic for Wistron JV50-CP motherboard, but for Compal NAL90/NALG0.
Either way I looked in some other schematics for another laptops which I think are similar design.
Often the GPIO pins are hard-wired as pull-up or pull-down (to VCC = 1 or GND = 0).
These pins are probably used by BIOS to distinguish between different revisions of PCB.

It's quite possible that my (and probably yours) motherboards doesn't have SG fully implemented in hardware and GPIO settings just reflects it.
But we can't be 100% sure until we get schematic for JV50-CP motherboard.

I will try to make a table of possible GPIO values and how BIOS behaves when it reads these values. Then we can compare values (RW-Everything can read them).
Maybe somebody has another PCB revision.
Also, it would be interesting to see what values are read from these pins on 5740 version without discrete graphics.

 

sustmi, hello do you modify this bios for frequency gpu and ram for my hd5470? i want gpu 850 and ram 950 forever, i don't wanto to utilize already software for example rivatuner to increse frenquency.....

 

Hi Rhadamanthis.
First of all, I don't like this over-clocking by flashing much.
You can (possibly) damage your laptop so hard, that you won't be able to flash it back.
But with every BIOS-mod you have to take this into account.
Well, now, no one can tell I didn't warn you.

It in not hard to overwrite video BIOS in WPH image.
The harder part is to edit the video BIOS.
I tried latest Radeon BIOS Editor, but I'm not sure if it supports this BIOS.
I'll try to flash it tomorrow. (Hope I won't dead-brick my lappy [crossed fingers].)

 

As I stated before I found that Switchable Graphics functionality is somehow dependent on values read from specific GPIO pins.
These pins are GPIO37 and GPIO57 (and maybe some others I haven't found yet).
Can somebody post your GPIO configuration?
It can be read using RW-Everything tool.
Short how-to:
1. Click on PCI Devices button
2. Select device " Bus 00, Device 1F, Function 00 - Intel Corporation ISA Bridge"
3. On the right, look for GPIO37 and GPIO57, in the Summary tab.

My values are GPIO37 = Input High (means 1) and GPIO57 = Input Low (0).

So far, I realised this functionality:
GPIO37=0,GPIO57=0 => Uses the Primary Display BIOS setting*
GPIO37=0,GPIO57=1 => In this BIOS this configuration is handled same as the first (but some other laptops probably uses this to detect NVidia card, maybe Optimus...)
GPIO37=1,GPIO57=0 => Use PEG (PCI-Express Graphics) no matter what Primary Display says
GPIO37=1,GPIO57=1 => Use IGD (integrated Intel graphics) no matter what Primary Display says

*note: This is probably the right configuration for Switchable Graphics.

 

My values are identical to yours:

GPIO37 = Input High; GPIO57 = Input Low.
BIOS 1.16

 

My valves are also the same, on BIOS 1.28

GPIO37 = Input High
GPIO57 = Input Low

 

I have the PM45 express chipset (different notebook), my values are:
GPIO37 = Input High
GPIO57 = Input High

But I don't have intergrated graphics enabled (and can't enable them).

Only my FX 3700m works.

Any comment on my system?
Do you think I can enable the IGD?

 

5740G i7-620M Bios 1.22

GPIO37 = Input High
GPIO57 = Input Low

 

5740G - i430m - AMD Mobility Radeon 5470
GPIO37: High
GPIO57: Low

 

Hi. You say FX 3700m? Is that Acer Aspire 5740?
If not, then your values are probably irrelevant and I can't help you much, because there's almost no chance that GPIO pins would have the same functionality.

Thank you all for your responses. It looks like we all have the same PCB.
I found another schematic which should have the GPIO parts similar (even if it is has NVidia dedicated graphics).
It has very same BIOS code which handles these GPIOs.
I'm trying to find a way how to get it cheaper than $12.5, but even this amount is not that much if I think of how much time I've already spent with this.

 

Mines not an acer notebook so yeah too bad...

 

My Value are also GPIO37 = Input High; GPIO57 = Input Low and I'm on BIOS v1.22.

 

Hi everybody.

In the schematic for Acer eMachines D730/D730G (which has some common parts of BIOS code) I found this:

GPIO37
High = No SG function
Low = SG support

GPIO57
Optimus: High
UMA: High
Discrete only: Low

Another unpleasant discovery is that "Discrete only" laptops mostly don't have the power parts for Intel graphics either.
The power supply pins (VAXG) are simply not connected (or pull-down).

I have no idea how to check whether the power supply for IGD is connected or not.
And as I don't have the right schematic I think I reached the end now.
It's sad, but it looks like we won't have Swithchable Graphics on ours 5740Gs.

 

Hi everyone.

I try to activate "Intel" tab in my Samsung R580.

Intel tab in TEMPLAT00.ROM 0FE7:

Code:

10 0A DA 05 00 00 68 40 84 40 00 14 A8 03 A6 03 8F ...

Jump values [4068 - 4084]:

Code:

55 8B EC E8 02 00 5D CB 33 C0 9A 23 1D 00 F0 A8 04 75 05 B8 00 00 EB 03 B8 13 00 C3 55

Can I get a token from this code? Unfortunately don't know how disassembly this code. Maybe You can do it?

Thank You and best regards from Poland!

Edit:
OK! I disassembly this code like that:

Code:

ndisasm -a -p intel -u TEMPLAT00.ROM > output.dasm

And we have:

Code:

00004068  55                push ebp
00004069  8BEC              mov ebp,esp
0000406B  E802005DCB        call dword 0xcb5d4072
00004070  33C0              xor eax,eax
00004072  9A231D00F0A804    call dword 0x4a8:0xf0001d23
00004079  7505              jnz 0x4080
0000407B  B80000EB03        mov eax,0x3eb0000
00004080  B81300C355        mov eax,0x55c30013
00004085  8BEC              mov ebp,esp

So, what do you think?

Files:
http://ekonomia.ruszok.pl/upload/STRINGS00.ROM
http://ekonomia.ruszok.pl/upload/TEMPLAT00.ROM
http://ekonomia.ruszok.pl/upload/dissasm32BIT.dasm
http://ekonomia.ruszok.pl/upload/dissasm16BIT.dasm
http://ekonomia.ruszok.pl/upload/CMOS.SAV

 

Hi ruszok, I'm not sure whether your BIOS have hidden "Intel" tab or not.
Have you already tried to open the BIOS image in Phoenix BIOS Editor?
Don't you have "Advanced" tab?

 

Hmmm... I found Intel tab in string's file but kizwan tell me that in my laptop this menu's are in Advanced tab. And it is so I don't know why in files are Intel tab... Doesn't matter. I got what I wanted. And I know that can't enable IGD

Thank you and best regards.

 

Hi everyone.
Acer Aspire 5340/5740 schematic – JV50-CP – 09285 – 48.4GD01.0SB
Does anybody know a way how/where to get it cheaper?

I'm looking for somebody with an account for one of these forums:
vlab.pp.ru
www.elvikom.pl

 

I can send this schematic to you email. If you ask me.

 

Hi Dmytro, that would be great.
So I ask you graciously, could you send me the schematic, please?
Unfortunately I can't send you PM with my email address (your account setting???).
EDIT: Thank you very much.

 

DmytroM needs at least 6 posts to have PM privileges.
I can't do anything about it apart from suggesting that the schematic could be uploaded somewhere and link posted here.

 

Hi Sustmi.
I send this schematic to you email.
Of course, you can upload it to some file-sharing service, and post this link in this thread.

 

Sorry to be offtopic, but do you happen to have 4820T or 3820T schematic? 4820T(G) can be found on the Internet, but it is not easy to download. If you do have it, please email it to

Thank you!

 

Hi.
I am just have schematic only for my laptop (acer 5740g)

 

Hi. If anybody wanted the schematics for his/her Aspire 5740G I cannot help you. :-(
But I can tell you something that I realised.
Acer probably designed PCB for 5740G so that it would be enabled for Switchable Graphics.
They stuffed components for IGD only (AS5740) and Discrete only (AS5740G) variants and had plans to start SG variant too.

To enable SG support they would add few ICs and change few resistors/capacitors on existing board.
But they probably never started mass production of SG enabled boards (with SG components).

So it looks like our 5740Gs are missing some essential parts like power supply IC for integrated Intel graphics and some SMD jumpers for connection of output ports.
I haven't actually disassembled the laptop to check whether the PCB lacks the necessary parts, but it's very likely.

EDIT: Zeptinune asked me not to cough in public.
@Zeptinune: You. Done. (Zeptinune sent me PM with title "Hey.")

 

How i can flash bios from *.WHP ?

 

I owned this laptop and it does not have switchable graphics, and probably never will. Tons of people have asked this same question about this mass produced laptop, on every forum and discussion board on the internet.

Your best bet is to buy the motherboard with the better GFX cheaply off Ebay. A guy in Australia is selling the board with the 5650 really cheap on Ebay. That is really, if you want to void what warranty you have left, let alone pay the price for the motherboard that cost me the difference on an entirely new computer. Wait the time that it takes to get to you and then spend the time installing the thing in the hopes that it fits and nothing goes wrong. If you can pull that off you should be able to use the integrated intel graphics with the other card. But honestly guys, switchable graphics really isn't that much of a big deal. It's a powersaving method like Nvidia Optimus... there are barely any benefits of it at all. Any normal person who isn't hell bent on trying to find a way around the limitation will advise you to buy a new computer or try replacing your current mobo.

My solution was to sell that laptop on ebay as it 'didn't perform to my expectations' and buy the one that I have now in my sig for the price difference, which really wasn't much at all... It was the best choice I've ever made.

As for the schematics of the laptop, they are easily findable from a simple google search. You are also not allowed to link to them in any way at all on the forums here. Doing so is illegal. This place isn't an online Wallmart. I made that mistake myself awhile ago and was warned by a mod accordingly...

To all those who are about to ask, yes I have read most of the thread before posting. In my defence however I believe that it is smarter to sell this laptop to someone who will make full use of it, if you cannot do so yourself as you are unhappy with what it is capable of.

 

Hello sustmi, In this topic, http://forum.notebookreview.com/acer/468091-acer-aspire-5740g-owners-lounge-352.html starsay has uploaded some photos of the notebook, there you can see if everything is to operate the switchable graphics?

 

Hi davigar. Here is where the most crucial parts for Switchable Graphics are missing.
So Aspire 5740G doesn't have HW support for Switchable Graphics. :/


(That empty 4x7 pin socket is U53. It's for ISL62881, a voltage regulator chip for integrated Intel graphics.)

 

If I buy ISL62881 & install it then Switchable Graphics will be work?

 

I highly doubt it. You would have to solder much more components (capacitors, resistors, ...) according the schematics.
Also, I cannot tell whether current BIOS supports switchable graphics configuration (even if it looks so).
I don't think the effort is worth it.

 

Hi, in first time sorry for my bad english and sorry to be off topic.

My notebook: Packard Bell TJ75-282TK. How enable switchable graphics card? Is it possible?

My bios link: Packard Bell TJ75 BIOS_1.26 MOD.rar

 

hello,sustmi.
now there is a 1.28 bios for acer 5740g.could you modify it to Enable hidden "Intel" tab in BIOS Setup for me . I want to have a second hdd at the dvd-rom. could we change the boot up priority between the 1st hdd and the 2nd hdd?

 

Set first boot device to DVD which will make the second HDD in the caddy the first device.

 

Hello,

I know this thread is old, but maybe someone out there still can help me.

I have the 5740G model, and I tried updating the BIOS to 1.28. I believe my old one was 1.16. The process was done in Windows, and all the checks where good, the BIOS was identified and no errors where thrown during the process, however after rebooting - black screen, BIOS is dead.

I tried using the crisis disk with 3 different USB flash drives 2gb, 4gb, 16gb. I've also tried all of the bios versions - 1.08, 1.16, 1.22 and 1.28.

With all USB drives and all BIOS versions, after booting up with Fn+ESC, in about 30-40 seconds the laptop restarts, after about 3-5 seconds it restarts again and remains powered on indefinitely. If I put in an empty USB drive, or with just a readme.txt or whatever file - it remains on without restarting. So my guess is that the crisis disk actually works, but for some reason it doesn't flash the bios successfully.

Do you have any ideas what this is, and what can I do without having to send it to a support center?

Thanks!

 

Hello! Have the same problem, any advice? Please help!

 

Does anyone has a link that works? Mediafire opens up regularly but for some reason it doesn't let me to download