Acer Laptop with Phoenix BIOS: Enable Virtualization (Test Machine: Acer Aspire 9420)

I'm using version 2.2.1.3, when I open the .wph file I got the "Invalid ROM length" error but the .rom file seems to open fine.

 

Yeah, you're right. I can open it with version 2.2.1.3. The .WPH file which slightly bigger than the .ROM file, I believe it contain some sort of "signature" at the end of the file. The content of the .ROM & .WPH file is the same, except .WPH file has extra bytes at the end of the file. Just like BIOS image file for Acer Aspire 9420.

kizwan

 

@PsychoUsagi,

I have successfully modified the BIOS image to add the "Extreme CPU" menu:-


This is the modified BIOS image:-
http://www.mediafire.com/?mnlnmdfmqdk

Good luck.

kizwan

 

Wonderful. Repped of course and I have a question. Would it be preferred that I flash the ROM file or the WPH when actually flashing the BIOS? And would you mind if I posted in this in the gateway section of the forums with credit to you and a link to your thread?

 

Flash it with .WPH file. If you tried to flash with .ROM file, phlash16.exe will abort the flash process when it checks the integrity of the .ROM file. I believe it looking for the "signature" which only exist in .WPH file. If you open both files with hex editor, you will see that the content from offset 00000000 to 001FFFFF is identical at both files. At .WPH file, there is extra content starting from offset 00200000. This is the "signature" I'm talking about.

This is the step I do to build this kind of BIOS image:-
1) Open .ROM file with PBE. You will get "Invalid ROM length" if trying to open .WPH file.
2) Edit the extracted ROM (STRINGS00.ROM, TEMPLAT00.ROM & etc) files using hex editor.
3) Build the BIOS image using PBE. Make sure no warning or error message.
4) When prompt by PBE, save the BIOS image with .ROM extensions.
5) Open the original .WPH file using hex editor, copy the contents starting from offset 00200000.
6) Open the modified .ROM file using hex editor & paste the contents you copy above at the end of the file. Save as .WPH file.
(This values only valid to this BIOS image only.)

No, I don't mind.

kizwan

 

Sorry for asking so many questions but I just want to be clear before doing something so delicate. I should rename the WPH file to BIOS.wph right, and then put it and the phlash16.exe file in the root of my DOS/Windows 98 bootable flash drive and use the command "phlash16 /x /s /mode=3 BIOS.wph" and allow the utility to automatically install the modded BIOS. That's the gist of it correct?

 

Renaming the .WPH file to BIOS.WPH is correct but not necessary. The only advantage by renaming to BIOS.WPH file is you don't have to include the BIOS image filename when executing the phlash16.exe. So, you just execute "phlash16.exe" & it will find the BIOS.WPH file automatically. No need extra parameter.

EDIT: Flashing BIOS in DOS (boot into DOS bootable USB flash drive) is the most safe way than doing it in windows.

kizwan

 

Hi Kizman
My question is related to the following post. To sum up I tried a while back to upgrade a laptop from a sempron CPU to a Turion x2. I've tested the TL50, TL52, and TL60. They are properly identified by the BIOS, but instead of booting into windows, the laptop displays the following message and freeze:
"FATAL ERROR !!! Please change CPU!!!"

The BIOS file for this laptop is here

I've tried to follow your tutorial in page 4 to locate the area of the BIOS that trigers this error message and try maybe to disable it. When I open the BIOS in PBE I was able to locate this error message in the 'String' window. But I was not able to find it in the 'string0.rom' file. I've also opened all the other files in PBE's temp folder but still can't find this error message in any of them

1- Any idea to where/ how to locate this message?

2- Do you know how to locate the processors whitelist on a BIOS rom file?

Thanks

 

Hi naton,

One factor that may cause such error message is maybe because the voltage supplied to the new CPU is not enough or too high. BIOS just abort the start-up sequences to prevent any further damage. Please read technical specs of the original CPU & the new one. Compare both to see if there is any differences such as required voltage & so on.

1) Most of the strings/texts use by BIOS is in the STRINGS0.ROM file. But it is possible the texts is located on another .ROM file. Maybe in BIOSCODx.ROM files.

2) No. The only information I found is for wireless whitelist.

I'll try look into your BIOS file but I can't promises anything.

kizwan

 

Hi naton,

Sorry, I can't do anything about the error you receive when putting new CPU. As I don't have the exact hardware, it is difficult to try. For sure, if manufacturer set a whitelist of hardware that can be put in their notebook, list of device ids or/and vendor ids (for whitelisting) can be found in BIOSCODx.ROM files. Locating the ids is the problem.

kizwan

 

This is an example of original BIOS image with "Frequency Ratio" menu locked/hidden. It is Gateway P-7805u FX notebook. This is the screenshot before & after modification:-


Fortunately such capability is available in the P-7805u FX BIOS but hidden.

kizwan

 

Just thought I'd post it here too to make sure you notice. I updated my post in the thread. I bought and installed my x9100 CPU now and I also managed to flash your modded 9C.17 BIOS without a problem. The overclocking feature seems to be incomplete though as it has no effect on the processor even though the options are selectable and are saved. Would you mind PMing me the modded 9C.20 BIOS so that I can try those?

 

Hi kizwan

Thanks for the replies. I'm pretty sure that my problem is not voltage related. Check my sig. I did a lot off undervolting tests. In one of them I reduced the default vcore by 0.4v. With this low voltage the laptop posted fine, and I didnt' had any problem getting into the BIOS, but Windows refused to boot with BSOD and restarts.

Anyways thanks again

 

Download Fedora live CD (or any other live CD you like). Burn to the CD-R/RW & boot your computer with it. Windows sometime like to BSOD if we upgrade the CPU. It is understandable. After all it is their nature.

kizwan

 

hi
can anyone try to change the bios of a Aspire 6930g?I will test it

lloco73

 

Once the error message is on the screen I can't boot any OS from a CD or from the harddrive. I've already tried with a Ubuntu Live CD and was not able to get past the error message

 

Too bad then. Good luck finding the solution.

kizwan

 

What do you have in mine? Is the Intel Virtualization Technology still locked with this model?

kizwan

 

Hi guys,

Just want to share my experience. Today I decided to unlocked "Frequency Ratio" menu (CPU internal multiplier) in Acer Aspire 9420 BIOS. The menu successfully unlocked & visible when emulating the BIOS Setup Menu using PBE. Unfortunately, after flashing to BIOS chip, the "Frequency Ratio" menu is not visible. Still don't know why it not appear. So, I decided to change the BIOS default value for "Frequency Ratio" to x11 instead "Default" using PBE. After flashing to BIOS chip, my notebook failed to boot. So, this is how to recover BIOS in this scenario.
1) Recover BIOS using Crisis Recovery Disk (available at post #2)
2) After recovering the BIOS, notebook still unable to boot because CMOS still hold the "old" contents. This is the most "complex" process because we will need to open the notebook casing to locate RTC/CMOS Battery. Fortunately, RTC/CMOS Battery in Acer Aspire 9420 is connected using cable. So, we just need to disconnect the cable for about 30 minit, just to be sure. After that, assemble the notebook & it will be able to boot once more.

P/S: Step 1) is necessary. If we do just step 2), the notebook still unable to boot because the default value for "Frequency Ratio" is x11 which is not the original value.

kizwan

 

Strange that needed disconnect the cable RTC/CMOS Battery. In the BIOS after recover with using Crisis Recovery Disk already must be old default "Frequency Ratio".
Generally, thanks for the information about the experiment

 

suggestions ?

I think there should be some kind of check, Bios checks if your CPU has unlocked multiplier or not.
Therefore, thats why a lot unlocked menu's are still hiden!!

 

Yeah, I know that. I go forward to test it since Core 2 Duo T5600 have unlocked multiplier between x6 to x11.

 

I've already modded bios 3238 but cant get any of the crisis solutions to work so I'm not flashing it until I have a working roll back option.

Ive unlocked EVERYTHING that doesn't cause an error in PBE. Looks like Virtualisation was already on. The Tstate (Throttling) option is also visible and PROCHOT although this seems disabled by default.

The Advanced menu shows in the unmodded bios in PBE but not on the machine so I don't know if any of my changes would show up. Give me a little more time to get a recovery solution working then I'll test and post here if it works.

 

@Darkening, have you try holding the End button while plug-in the power cord and press the power button?

 

so i will wait.

thanks
lloco73

 

I have a couple hours of free time tonight. I have modified BIOS (ver 3238) for Acer Aspire 6930g with Virtualization & Speedstep menu unlocked. These are the screenshots of the unmodified & modified BIOS Main menu for Acer Aspire 6930g.

http://www.mediafire.com/?dwujmdt4mkn

As usual, I will not responsible for failed BIOS flash.

kizwan

 

Hello, would you be so kind and tell me how does it work? Thank you.

 

Would anybody from here be so kind and explain how to deal with these? What to do with the WPH file? Thank you very much.

 

I can get the usb stick to boot depending on the version of phlash16 I use, but the versions that boot have trouble with the bios files for the 6930. The ones that can handle the bios won't boot, or so it seems. I'm still looking though and hope to find a combination that works. Fn + Esc seems to trigger the recovery mode.

 

The WPH file is actually a Phoenix BIOS image. Sometime it use ROM extensions. You will need "phlash16.exe" or "winphlash.exe" to flash the image to BIOS chip. "phlash16.exe" is for using in DOS environment, like DOS bootable USB flash drive. "winphlash.exe" is for flashing BIOS in windows. I'm much prefer doing it in DOS.

Simple tutorial:-
When you execute phlash16.exe in DOS, it will automatically find a BIOS.WPH file. If the WPH filename is not BIOS.WPH, you will need to rename it or you will need to specify the correct filename (e.g. phlash16.exe BLABLA.WPH). You don't need to specify any parameter(s) when executing phlash16.exe. For more information, please visit this website: PHLASH16.exe command line parameter | panticz.de

Flashing BIOS is very dangerous if you don't know what you're doing.

kizwan

 

Try using phlash16.exe included in this wincris packages:-

Code:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=5773217
http://forums.mydigitallife.info/threads/15377-Dell-XPS-Studio-1640-Bios-update-problems-through-Phoenix-Recovery?p=224048#post224048

 

How about raid support?
This notebook has 2 hdd and intel Matrix storage controller is installed but cannot make anything from it just show statistics of the hdd.

cheers
carlos

 

Sorry, your BIOS doesn't support RAID.

 

ok. I thought it supported it.

cheers
carlos

 

Thank you very much for your answer.

Unfortunatelly, it doesn't work neither with phlash16 nor winplash. With phlash16 it gives me Invalid FlashInt.BIN Error and with winphlash Corrupted interface descripter in the new BIOS file. Part table signature not found in the interface. Error code: -161.
I have a Sony Vaio FZ31Z with Bios version R2110J7, Win 7 32bit and I have used the WHP file posted by bob12x.

Any help? Thank you.

 

Looks like the phlash16 & winphlash you use is not "compatible" with your BIOS. Try extracting phlash16.exe from the original BIOS package, downloaded from sony website. I tried to do it for you, unfortunately I lost in the sony website. I found the driver download page but no download link for BIOS (stupid website).

 

Well, as far as I know there's no bios update or something like it with that really stupid website having been built by Sony greedy people. They use to offer a very limited support or no support at all if your notebook is older than one year or two at the most. F.c.king looters.

And also greedy stupids cause I'm gonna buy any sort of Sony product when they have abolished this stupid policy, meaning in one year time, two, ten or never. I am sure I wouldn't be the only former Sony client which has come up to this sad conclusion.

Anyway, thank you for your help and please send me any other suggestion.

 

Did you tried this command for PHLASH16??

phlash16.exe bios.wph /x /s /c /mfg /mode=3

latest PHLASH16 version (v1.7.0.18) you can find in this package

 

Hello bob12x,

Please be so kind and tell me from A to Z what should I do.

Thank you very much.

 

you have to:
1- create a bootable CD/DVD or usb key and copy inside it Phlash16.exe and your modded BIOS file (.ROM or .WPH).
2-Turn your laptop off and then ON.
3- When you see the logo, click on F12 and select boot fron CD/DVD or USB key.
4- type 'phlash16.exe bios.wph /x /s /c /mfg /mode=3' without the quotes at the command prompt (i.e. A:\)

EDIT:
You have to replace bios.wph with your bios file name

 

Well so far so good. Recovery solution sorted (Cheers Kizwan 1.7.0.18 was the answer although I should have spotted it in Bob12x's file). Modded bios flashed and no boot failure, but no advanced menu showing up. It does in PBE as it does in the unmodded bios in PBE just doesn't show when its flashed. I'm off to bed but I may get a chance to look into it tomorrow at work.

Any ideas would be appreciated.

 

You cannot flashing this bios because it backup. Its length - FFFFF. It does not have tail with a housekeeping information for flasher. To modify it is possible, and to flashing - is not present. And on the stupids site to download bios it is impossible .

 

My suggestion is, instead putting the unlocked menu in Advanced, try put it in Main page. Please refer screenshots at post #126 as an example.

 

When I tried to flash under dos I get the following error:

"Platform signature not found in the interface"

Any ideas ?

 

Which BIOS did you try to flash? Did you try using latest version of phlash16.exe?

 

i tryied with bios modded by bob12x (it has 512kb exactly), the version of phlash16 is 1.6.3.0, latest version 1.7 says "invalid flashint.bin error" or something like that

 

Usually this error produced when you're using phlash16.exe which is not compatible with your computer. If the one I posted & the latest version is not working for you, it is good idea to use phlash16.exe extracted from the original BIOS package or try other version (link already posted at post #131).

kizwan

 

6930G Bios 3238
I've flashed this to my machine and all seems well. Enables as much as possible CPU menu, ACPI, Virtualisation? and Throttling options. There's a new submenu on the bottom of the MAIN menu. Use at your own risk!

 

This bios has slic2.1 or 2.0?
Cheers

 

2.0 I'll look into updating it but some of the guys here may get it done quicker as I'd be starting from scratch.