Acer Laptop with Phoenix BIOS: BIOS MOD Request

Open it please and look for the default graphic options.

The MCH is the new name for the old Northbridge. And the Northbridge was the connector between CPU, Ram and GPU.

@kizwan

Is it possible to use a tool with the same function as symcmos.exe out of windows and linux?

 

@har0xz,

Do not post duplicate post. It is annoying.

It is unlikely there is a hidden option for overclock. Open new thread & post your issue there. I believe you have better luck there.

 

It is not impossible but I don't know how.

 

There is an option "Primary Display" where I can choose between Auto, IDG, PEG, PCI and SG.
Is it the option I am looking for? I assume the following:
IDG=IntegratedGraphic
PEG=PCIExpressGraphic
PCI=PCI-Graphic-Device
SG=SwitchableGraphic

Maybe this is interesting for power consumption: "Always Enable PEG"?
And what means "PEG Port ASPM Support"?

 

Change it to IDG to enable only the Intel Graphic Card.

The option "Always Enable PEG" is not avaible on my bios.
ASPM is like the C state on the processor, it will help to save power but it increase the latency of the port.

 

well what about AMD Overdrive. Most the features do nothing. So pretty much your saying my bios is unoverclockable. Guess its time to throw this computer in the trash

 

You need to elaborate more on this. I'm not sure what are you trying to achieve.

Keep in mind, M1cha use my modified BIOS image (I moved all the advanced/Intel sub-menus to Main section) on his notebook while yours (3820TG) use symcmos to unhidden Intel section.

 

also i assume your saying theres no modified bios image possible for the 5536? im just going nuts here trying to figure out what i can do i dont wanna buy a new laptop when this is a year old

 

I don't want to use the tool with M1cha.

I simple want to change a few option of the 3820TG bios from a running Windows and Linux for the next reboot. In fact I want to disable the Amd graphiccard and switch the "Default graphic card" from "Auto" to "IGD" without enter the bios for the Linux . And change it back to "Auto" for a gaming session under Windows.

 

For overclock, yes, it is unlikely. I already look in several BIOS (AMD powered notebook) before. I don't have AMD notebooks, so I can't help you or give any alternatives. Search this forum for anyone who have successfully overclocked their AMD powered notebooks. Get in touch with them.

 

Try the way with setfsb and your Pll.

 

If I do that, Windows 7(x64) shows a bluescreen while booting.
Anything with AHCI. Any solution? Maybe I have to reinstall Win7?

 

I see. You can make ACPI call in linux to turn off dedicated graphic card - you can set it "autorun" at startup. Firstly, you'll need to identify the dedicated graphic card device in ACPI/DSDT table. Like this.

 

The ACHI mode should not be changed through this option.

Have a look at the bios for the AHCI settings and set it to the same value as you installed windows. Windows is not able to change the AHCI mode without a registery hack.

 

yea only version i can find seems to be trial but im looking. once i get it loaded and working, i know my pll what do i do next

 

I know, at the moment I use the linked kernel option to change the graphic card but it works only after the user logged in and it created very often a endless loop at the atom bios of the AMD card with extra cpu load. That mean at the end, that I won nothing through the switching.

 

Sorry, I mean ACPI.
I changed the "Graphic Mode"-setting to "Dedicated" and this fixed the error.
But now it's running the dedicated(nvidia) gpu like before switching to IDG.
I don't want to Disable "Always enable PEG" because I think this will disable the display completely.

 

Okay the ACPI is a problem.

You have to patch the DSDT and integrate it in the bios and ...

Or with other words, at the moment it is to complex to change it.

I think in the DSDT is section for the Nvidia card and if you deactivate the Nvidia card windows is not able to understand the section correct and it crashes.

Edit: Or have you installed a patched DSDT in windows? Fan control?

 

@M1cha,

Please post here the screenshot of the BIOS menu, where the IGD option(s) located.

Usually, when will Intel graphic is activated? Does your notebook have a switch (button) to toggle between Intel & Nvidia graphic card?

 

I'm sure there is no problem with ACPI/DSDT table.

Anyway, please drop this ACPI/DSDT thingy since it only make things more confused. Thank you.

 

The Intel graphic is activated if "Graphic Mode" is set to "Switchable" and I choose it in the nvidia-driver in windows.
Here are some screenshots:

 

Jeez... You don't need to mess with BIOS for that. There IS a way to switch and turn ON/OFF graphics cards in Linux. See http://forum.notebookreview.com/acer/544755-3820tg-linux-any-problems.html#post7016629

Switcheroo is included in Ubuntu 10.10 kernel and you can "just use" it. There is a small script you can install to switch graphics. Or you can turn off the card you don't want by adding a few lines to /etc/rc.local. Also, I found that ATI 5470 uses LESS power than Intel with proprietary fglrx drivers installed.

I didn't notice any CPU overhead or slow downs like you said on the other page.

Hope this helps

 

thanks so much

 

i'm happy to read this discussion about integrated graphics hidden in bios menù cause acer AS 5738zg has too ig in gm47 chipset but here on this thread people said i'm crazy or something near it if i want to unlock it...Anyway i'm curious to see the end.I have button switch too installed but bios doesn't allow it cause the menù is hidden

 

Try these:-
- I believe " Switchable Graphics" must be set to " Switchable Mode".
- " ACPI Control Sub-Menu" is not related to graphic cards at all. I recommend don't change any settings in this section.
- What is other options you can select for " IGD - Boot Type"?

Have you flashed BIOS with modified BIOS image?

 

- If I do that combined with "IDG" in "Primary Display" i get the bluescreen
- I didn't changed anything in this menu
- I already wrote that

 

Intel graphics card in Just_a_Nick's 3820TG & M1cha's Travelmate 8572TG already activated. Both have Intel 5 Series chipset. Yours have different chipset all together. Just can't compare like that.

The discussion with M1cha is related to BIOS options for Intel graphic cards on Intel HD Graphics enabled notebook.

The IGD - Device 2 make me believe that Intel HD Graphics is not default/primary devices. Meaning Intel HD Graphics only activated once you already in windows. Also there is no point hacking BIOS to make the Intel HD Graphics activated/used during boot - making it as primary device because even though we succeed to do that, it will conflict with " Switchable Graphics" option's setting since there are only two options; Discrete & Switchable. The only way right now is wait or persuade acer to re-write BIOS for your notebook.

 

A rewriten Bios will cost around 20.000€. I have talked with Acer about it at 07.2010.

 

It is not an issue because I see Acer provide regular BIOS update just fine. "Re-written" might not accurate, "tweaked" should be suitable. We lack of proper program to tweaked BIOS for such advanced feature ourselves, so we can only hopes Acer to "help" us.

 

I don't think they will activate this feature.
I already called them and they said they doesn't want to support this option on this laptop.
It would be great if anyone of you could call them, too because I am living in germany and maybe Acer USA knows more

 

Hey, just wondering... I take it it is not easy to add support for nvidia graphics card structures like G94?

 

Yes, it is not easy. System unbootable when fitted with G94 card? If I'm not mistaken, it is GeForce 9 series card, yes?

 

Yes I know.

 

...I have not tried it. I was assuming that the 8930g, 8920g, etc did not support it.
9700m GT, 9600m, and 9500m are g96 based, 9700m GTS, 9800m GS & GTS are g94, and 8800m/9800m GT is g92 of course.

 

@kizwan: Did you unhide ALL hidden settings in my BIOS?(Acer Travelmate 8572TG). If not, it would be great to have a fully unlocked BIOS

To the Problem with the integrated Graphic: Because it seems that we can't get it work I will try to configure switchable mode in linux.

And I've seen that there is an option to configure how the Display brightness is controlled. The value is PWM.
Is it possible(BIOS-Hack or special driver) to change the range?
This is interesting for me because the lowest brightness is too bright in dark areas.

 

"Which one did make the BIOS recovery with CRISIS successful? Was it the press the touchpad's right button:-"

It was the new instruktion,no touchpad.

 

To lower the brightness you will most likely have to mod DSDT table. I have done it before on as3820TG and as1410/as1810t.

You can find a few guides online on how to extract and edit DSDT table. What you need is _BCL, _BCM and _BQC methods and maybe helper methods they call. Also, for hotkeys you will need to find functions with names _Qxx that call _BCM or send a Notify(*something-here*LCD, 0x88 or 0x87 or 0x86).
Reading Intel ACPI specification (google for it) will be of great help.

It will take some time to understand how it all works, but once you do it is pretty easy! Good luck!


PS: Here is how it looks like on Acer Aspire 1410 (default):

Code:

//all numbers that start with 0x... means they are hexadecimal (base 16). Google it.

                      //returns a package listing all possible brightness levels
                    Method (_BCL, 0, NotSerialized)
                    {
                        Return (Package (0x0C) //package of size 0x0C = 12
                        {
                            0x64, //100% brightness on AC adapter
                            0x1E, //30% brightness on batery
                            0x0A, //10% brigtness
                            0x14, //20%
                            0x1E, //30%
                            0x28, //40%
                            0x32, //50%
                            0x3C, //60%
                            0x46, //70%
                            0x50, //80%
                            0x5A, //90%
                            0x64  //100%
                        })
                    }
                            //this method is called with an argument Arg0 representing brightness level
                            //to change to. Example: BCM(0x64) sets brightness to 100%.
                    Method (_BCM, 1, NotSerialized)
                    {      //notice there is a check to make sure brightness level is above 0x0A = 10%.
                            //if you want to add lower level, then you will have to change this.
                        If (LAnd (LGreaterEqual (Arg0, 0x0A), LLessEqual (Arg0, 0x64)))
                        {
                            Store (Arg0, BRTL)
                            AINT (One, Arg0)
                        }
                    }
                            //this method returns current brightness level.
                    Method (_BQC, 0, NotSerialized)
                    {
                        Return (BRTL)
                    }

 

I believe so. There are several hidden option which I didn't unlock/unhide. The reason are; 1) can cause your computer unbootable 2) there are not enough "space" to unlock them all. All important one already unhidden.

I don't think PWM is related to display brightness. Display brightness levels is controlled in ACPI/DSDT table. However, what you ask here is machine specific DSDT modification which I reluctant to support here. Also the brightness levels you can get are depend on you notebook LCD whether it is supported or not. Meaning what you got now for lowest brightness might be the lowest levels the internal LCD can support. Putting custom brightness levels might works or doesn't work at all. You can try it to see whether your notebook internal LCD can support it or not. This is your notebook brightness control:-

Code:

                Device (DD02)
                {
                    Method (_ADR, 0, Serialized)
                    {
                        If (LEqual (SGST, Zero))
                        {
                            If (LEqual (DID2, Zero))
                            {
                                Return (0x02)
                            }
                            Else
                            {
                                Return (And (0xFFFF, DID2))
                            }
                        }
                        Else
                        {
                            Return (0x0110)
                        }
                    }
                    Method (_DCS, 0, NotSerialized)
                    {
                        Return (CDDS (DID2))
                    }
                    Method (_DGS, 0, NotSerialized)
                    {
                        If (CondRefOf (SNXD))
                        {
                            Return (NXD2)
                        }
                        Return (NDDS (DID2))
                    }
                    Method (_DSS, 1, NotSerialized)
                    {
                        If (LEqual (And (Arg0, 0xC0000000), 0xC0000000))
                        {
                            Store (NSTE, CSTE)
                        }
                    }
                    [COLOR=DarkBlue][B]Method (_BCL, 0, NotSerialized)
                    {
                        Return (Package (0x0C)
                        {
                            0x64, 
                            0x1E, 
                            0x0A, 
                            0x14, 
                            0x1E, 
                            0x28, 
                            0x32, 
                            0x3C, 
                            0x46, 
                            0x50, 
                            0x5A, 
                            0x64
                        })
                    }
                    Method (_BCM, 1, NotSerialized)
                    {
                        If (LAnd (LGreaterEqual (Arg0, Zero), LLessEqual (Arg0, 0x64)))
                        {
                            AINT (One, Arg0)
                            Store (Arg0, BRTL)
                        }
                    }
                    Method (_BQC, 0, NotSerialized)
                    {
                        Return (BRTL)
                    }[/B][/COLOR]
                }

(I highlighted all function use for brightness control) The one you want to change is the _BCL control method.
( Source: Advanced Configuration and Power Interface Specification Revision 4.0a)

 

Yes, I have flashed BIOS with the modified BIOS image.Thanks.

 

@M1cha, I recommend opening new thread for your "LCD brightness MOD or discussion". I don't want to discuss here since it is already 134 pages & I don't want to go off-topic. Once we done there, we come back here & I'll build the BIOS for you.

 

@kizwan: I promise this last post on this topic.

@M1cha: I looked at Acer Travelmate 8572TG DSDT and there seems to be a lot of
things to take care of to enable extra brightness levels. It is complete spaghetti code. Scary stuff.

A quick search revealed what has to be changed/looked at to add extra brightness levels (incomplete):
Functions: _BCL, _BCM, _BQC, OBCL, OBCM, OBQC, XBCL, _Q8E, _Q8F, NBTP, AJBC.
Variables: OBCL, PNLT, BCLP, CRBL, BLVL, BLCV.

There is quite a bit of code related to backlight control. However, I think it should be pretty straightforwrd to make it work in Win7 ONLY. It would be a nasty workaround though, since we leave rest of the code "hanging" there. To make it work "nicely" with all OSes and drivers is going to take quite a bit of time.

At the same time, only lowering the lowest brightness level (without adding any new levels) should be simple.

Here is a ZIP file with compiler-error patched DSDT (aml+dsl). There are NO backlight modifications.

It would be of great help if you could start a new thread on this topic and either post or send me a PM with a link to RWEverything report (see first post of this thread).

I don't promise anything, but I will look at it. Might have to wait until the next weekend though.

 

Hey Kizwan,
could you help me?
- request Bios Mod if possible -
For my ACER Travelmate 3040 I would like to have a BIOS modification, in order to be able to install a bigger CPU and running a non Win-System (modified DSDT). Please also update Acer SLIC v2.1.
Link to BIOS: ftp://ftp.work.acer-euro.com/notebook/travelmate_3040/bios/3206.ZIP
Link to RW-Everything Report: AcpiTbls3040.rw
Many thanks, robinrobb

 

May I know which ones? The reason I ask this because I can't add all of them. Also adding new CPU Microcode update to BIOS is still in experimental stage. It is crucial that your notebook can recover corrupted BIOS with CRISIS disk in case the modified BIOS bricked your notebook.

 

Thank you for your answer and please excuse the missing information. Currently my notebook has the Core2 CPU T5500, and I would like to update to T7200. I dont know when I will get the T7200, and so the CPU upgrade has no top priority (and could be dropped) - more important for me is the modified DSDT etc.
Thanks for your care and attention - I have a CRISIS disk (I still have to test it).

 

OK, I'll make two modified BIOS. One with CPU microcode update for T7200.

What do you want to add or change?

Better test it to confirm it does work.

 

wow - great!

most importantly:
- unhide SATA AHCI menu
and then (from your job description) if possible:
- unhide Intel VT-x/AMD-V menu
- unhide any "harmless" menu

Yes, I will

Thanks again, cheers, robinrobb

 

Just want you to know, these are not related to DSDT. Anyway, I'll unhide all options you requested.

I will look into it. The modified BIOS image will be ready as soon as possible.

 

On Page 1 you wrote 'The modified DSDT is for running Mac OS X. It is also absolutely compatible with Windows.' Thats what the modification should be for ... sorry, some of these special BIOS facts I'm not aware of

 

DSDT is ACPI table. One of the modules in BIOS. Your request is for unhiding options in BIOS. Don't worry about the accuracy of your statement in your first post. I understand your request from your last post.

 

Hi Kizwan!

Thank you for your mod. I flashed it from dos. No problems
Most of the menus you inserted are accessible...but:

The Merom CPU Control Sub Menu does not open a new page... empty

I will give the Q9000 another try tomorrow... but it did not boot nor psot the first time around...