How do I integrate a VBIOS into an Acer Aspire 5935G?

Is it possible? It has an InsydeH20 BIOS, so I'm not able to use valuxin's great tutorial as it requires a Phoenix one. I happen to have a Firepro M5950/6770m (which is one of those HP romless buggers ) So I cannot get it to work by normal means. Help would be much appreciated as I badly want to get this card to work! I really, really don't want to buy another one with a rom.

 

If you provide me a Firepro M5950 vBios I'll try to integrate that for you!

 

Sure! DepositFiles

This is the one valuxin uploaded, but it should work because he has exactly the same card as mine.

 

Uhm, bad news. Your bios has no integrated vBios (except for intel vBios that I can't touch) so I've no modules to replace :/ However I've managed to insert M5950 vBios without replacing any module, but this is the first time that I try something like that. I will provide you a link with the modded bios, but please be aware! This is highly experimental and totally untested. Be sure to find out a crysis bios recovery procedure and test it before flashing this bios.

Here's the link:

<strike> https://mega.co.nz/#!Y1YBEaCL!dsLW6w9_QlC30i4rGMFvNOuwBaeqpScHS6asbAgndwo</strike>

https://mega.co.nz/#!htYEDQpT!vZYnfYJTKSA3QsMpZM_4CwUfZ2DOegvqhH9t-aVmGfM (Corrected bios image extension)

Let me know if this works as intended or if there's any issue.

 

When I run the installer, I get "There isn't any ROM file in this directory"

Is there a way to fix this?

EDIT: Googled the problem. I think the cause is because I'm using a 64 bit version of Windows.

 

Oh, I've made a little mistake in firmware extension, simply rename KAQB0209.FD.rom to KAQB0209.FD and try again!

 

I've installed it! Computer boots back up, and into the BIOS too, so nothings wrong! I'm going to open it up now, and put the card in. I'll post the results as soon as I'm done~

 

Very good! Let me know i there's any issue after card installation or if it works properly.

 

Yep. There's a problem.

Computer boots up and everything, but I cannot access the BIOS. It hangs with an "_" and doesn't do a thing.

 

Uhm. You're able to boot into windows or it hangs up anyway?

 

I can boot into Windows perfectly, it even detects the card as "Standard VGA graphics adapter" as shown in GPU-Z . I just can't access the BIOS is all. I'm going to install the drivers to the card and see what happens.

 

Uhm, weird GPU-Z screenshot. Some parameters are totally messed up. Try to install vga drivers to see if it solves the problem, but I suspect some kind of incompatibility with vBios.

 

If driver installation doesn't solve your issues, please try to flash this:

https://mega.co.nz/#!Jo4nyRSD!BaWcE5fAStz6YBC71ZgX4v5cOucddzToXLRbLyFLYsw

I've changed vBios version, this should work properly.

 

Installed the drivers, during installation, It gets a black screen, and hangs. I can only access Windows through safe mode.

Okay, I'll try it! Thanks for all the help.

 

No dice. It gets the same issue.

Black screen during the "Installing video driver". Had to safe mode it back to normal. Still cannot access BIOS.


I get a feeling that the card isn't a Firepro m5950, but a 6770m instead despite the PCB. You may want to try doing a flash with a 6770m vBIOS such as this one VGA Bios Collection: Dell HD 6770M 1024 MB | techPowerUp

The seller even advertised it was a 6770m, but I had a hard time believing that it was due to the PCB. But the main thing is, the computer starts up with the card now which is something.

 

Ok, we have to make a step back: please provide me your GPU exact model, so I can check GPU vendor/model/proper vbios.

Meanwhile, I've replaced M5950 vBios with the 6770M vBios you've linked, check out if it works!

https://mega.co.nz/#!khA3BLIb!YqAkU6OiVDEmvtYxHqh4rpkbouAzUt8XA09qMEc4PM4

 

Says "109-C29841-00" on the PCB which makes me think Firepro, with "216-810001" on the chip which makes me think 6770m.

 

Firepro M5950 and 6770M part number are exact the same (actually the card is exactly the same, the only things that change are vBios and drivers support). Just a little suspect: when you've flashed M5950 modded bios, you've tried to install professional AMD driver ( http://support.amd.com/it-it/download/workstation/mobile?oem=HP&os=Windows 7 - 64#catalyst-pro), right? If the answer is yes, the only way is to try to flash 6770M bios and install AMD standard drivers (even if there's little chances that this will work, this card should work with both M5950 and 6770M vBios :/). If this doesnt' work too, unfortunately there're definitely problems with vBios integration, and I'll need some time to figure out what's the problem.

 

Well, I still cannot access the BIOS, But I can install the driver successfully. Problem is, I have to put the computer into sleep mode to regain the display after it turns black. After the windows boot screen, it turns black and you can hear the startup chime playing. The computer isn't unresponsive, just that the display is completely black till I put it into sleep mode. I had to do the same thing while it was installing the driver.

GPU-Z is showing more correct stats now along with picking up the temp properly, but some things are still ed up. I cannot use the card in a game either, it just defaults back to the GMA 4500mHD

 

I installed the regular AMD drivers from their website. I also tried using an old catalyst 12.11 beta install, and it gets the same problem.

 

Ok, one more try. I've directly extracted a 6770M vBios from an HP Insyde Bios (HP DV7) this time, and I've integrated it.

https://mega.co.nz/#!8wBD1TqT!sRt9ZgxPI2_OSyepLlht8y-FblXwf6VgMZeBfKZUBbE

Check it out!

 

Turns out I can access the BIOS without the card installed..

I've installed your new one, but it's even worse. Now it won't detect the card at all! Even in Windows! But I can access the BIOS with the card in it.

I'd like to thank you for all the help and time you've dedicated to helping me, but I've realized that I cannot get it to work. I'll have to buy another card with a ROM on it.

 

I've just a last shot for this. I've tried to use another program for repacking the bios, maybe all these issues are because of a bad repacking. If you have time , try this: https://mega.co.nz/#!YtpAABpC!5a-XQcZ5azZOnSE4_iBTAchMCowBTrCi7tb_TFIBrU8

You must use this driver with this vBios -> http://support.amd.com/it-it/download/workstation/mobile?oem=HP&os=Windows 7 - 64#catalyst-pro

Hope that this last chance will work. If not, I'm so sorry that I can't help your

 

Alright, I might as well have a go seeing as the Acer is still disassembled.

 

...The laptop is bricked.. I just attempted to install your BIOS mod, but half way through the install, it shut-off. Now it will not turn on at all. Fan spins for 5 secs, then stops with lights. It's mainly my fault though as I cannot create a crisis disk for this laptop due to it being incompatible (The InsydeH20 BIOS)

EDIT: Might be able to fix it.

 

Damn. Don't worry, follow Acer crysis mode method for recovering your laptop:

1) Remove both battery and AC adapter;
2) Put this file on a FAT32 formatted usb stick;
3) Plug the usb stick and hold WIN + B (or FN+ESC, try both);
4) Plug the AC adapter and switch on the notebook;
5) After a while release the two key and wait until notebook reboot.

This should bring back your laptop to life. I'm very sorry for this issue, I've used an official Insyde tool (EzH2O) that sometimes causes issues like that.

 

It doesn't seem to be working. The laptop just sits there with it's fans spinning at a low speed.

 

Ok, maybe you need a FAT (not FAT32) usb stick. For doing this, type this command in an administrator command prompt.

format x: /fs:FAT (where X is your USB stick letter)

For your notebook model key combination seems to be FN + ESC as stated con Service Manual ( http://www.intellcity.ru/content-2/...cer/service-manual-Acer-Aspire-5935-5935G.pdf Bios Recovery Crysis Disk paragraph).

Also, try to rename the file I've linked from KAQB0209.FD to KAQB0x64.fd

 

Huzzah! It's working again! I'm going to try your BIOS mod again just to see if it wasn't a power issue.

 

It went through fine this time. Problem is, the laptop will not get to the BIOS screen anymore as if the BIOS isn't detecting the card at all. I'm going to have to pull it out. I also might wanna try your first m5950 BIOS mod again while installing that driver package you provided me. I can't help thinking the reason why I cannot access the BIOS with it installed is something to do with the switchable hybrid graphics.

 

Maybe you hit the point. I really didn't consider switchable graphics thing, honestly (Don't ask me why) I assumed that 5935G had no switchable graphics feature until now. Actually valuxing managed to integrate M5950 bios on a 7738G, wich hasn't switchable graphics. Can you possibly change any video mode options in your bios? (es: Switchable, Hybrid, Discrete, etc..)

 

Yep. It can switch to "Discrete Only" but when I did, Windows will hang at a black screen, but the computer isn't unresponsive. Tried the other BIOS mod you did, the DV7 one, and it defaults back to the GMA 4500mHD after accessing Windows. The other ones you did I was unable to access the BIOS to change it which may have been causing the problem as it hangs with an still underscore and stays. When you do a flash it sets the BIOS back to it's default settings meaning that it will default back to Switchable Graphics. I really do not know what the problem is.

 

You previously said that without the card installed you can access the modded bios right? I know that is a desperate move, but you can try to remove the card, flash the modded bios (first one https://mega.co.nz/#!htYEDQpT!vZYnfYJTKSA3QsMpZM_4CwUfZ2DOegvqhH9t-aVmGfM), access it, change video mode to "Discrete Only", save changes, switch off, and then reinstall the card.

However, the hybrid technlogy itself seems to be quite fu**ed up, I'm reading tons of post of users complaining about it (Windows not booting in discrete only mode, lack of drivers, etc..). I've made some researches and I've been unable to find any proven upgrade from nvidia to amd card for Acer 5935G. At this point I almost doubt that an upgrade of this kind is possible (even with a card with a dedicated bios) due to nvidia hybrid graphics.

Edit: Uhm, seems that Avora managed to install both 6770M and 7770M in his 5935G ( http://forum.notebookreview.com/ace...ire-5739g-owner-s-lounge-114.html#post9399570 - http://forum.notebookreview.com/ace...ire-5739g-owner-s-lounge-114.html#post9399892). I've sent him a private message asking for more info about it.

 

Well, Avora replied, and based on his info I've done those observations:

1) AMD gpus with bios chip should work properly on Acer 5935G;

2) The main issue seems to be the switchable graphics technology, it somehow prevents the integrated vBios to be loaded properly. I've used three different vBios bios since the first try: HP EliteBook 8560w M5950 vBios, Valuxin's M5950 vBios, and HP DV7 6770M vBios. The most reliable seems to be the first one. Avora also posted a full dump of his 6770M vBios, but unfortunately it's a 128 kb file, so I don't have enough room to integrate it on your sBios;

3) Official AMD Catalyst drivers can be used. However Avora reported some issues with Switchable graphic mode;

4) It's highly possible that simply Acer 5935G can't run romless gpus, even with an integrated dGPU vBios;

5) Run the romless gpu with the Discrete only video mode is worth a try. If you want to try I suggest to do the following things:

a) Remove all the previous drivers with driver sweeper;

b) Without the dGpu installed, flash this bios: https://mega.co.nz/#!xxZQyRaa!8sn0CNs1U_HjwpJ44HXYQTF-IaBOZbj9bptEhPkvjwY (v2.09, HP EliteBook 8560w M5950 vBios);

c) Access the bios and change video mode to "Discrete";

d) Switch off, install the gpu, and switch on;

e) If everything work as expected and the card is detected, install official AMD firepro drivers ( AMD FirePro™ Mobility Driver).

If it doesnt' work too, you definitely have to buy a card with a bios chip onboard.

 

That's it! I bloody knew it was the hybrid graphics all along! This info has melted my headcanon, and I feel much better

Again, Thank you, and Avora for all the help. I'll give it one more go and see what happens. The fact that the system was detecting the card on the first try makes me think I should do as you suggested. (Switch to discrete, then install the card)

 

Okay, seems like I'm going to have to buy a ROMmie. Just tried it, black screen, power off, on again windows defaults back to the GMA. It's definitely something to do with the computer reacting to the vBIOS. At least I know know thanks to you. I really do appreciate all the time you've dedicated to helping me.