NEED TESTERS: M18x R2 custom BIOS

So I figured nobody was willing to take the risk but me, so I decided to see if I could retrofit major modifications from the Alienware 18 BIOS A12 into the M18x R2, since the BIOS files/structures are so similar.

We know, that the M18x R2 on A10 and the Alienware 18 on A10 cannot boot maxwell cards in legacy mode, but Alienware 18 A12 can. I did a MD5 comparison of the individual modules of Alienware 18 A10 and A12, and came up with this list:
29CF55F8-B675-4F5D-8F2F-B87A3ECFD063_1734.ROM (BiosVideo, PE32 section) +
33CF55F8-B675-4F5D-8F2F-B11A3ECFD063_31.ROM (InstallPlatformOverrideEDID, PE32)+
99C20A37-042A-46E2-80F4-E4027FDBC86F_1148.ROM (SmmPlatform, PE32 image section)+
662D072E-70A0-4E14-901F-8DB301631647_1566.ROM (Freeform, raw section)
B674D90A-9BDA-410D-A26C-14D6AFFEBD6E_71.ROM (CMFCDxe, PE32 section)+
E62F9F2F-4895-4AB5-8F1A-399D0D9C6B90_39.ROM (OEMPost, PE32 section) +
EF0C99B6-B1D3-4025-9405-BF6A560FE0E0_1228.ROM (MiscSubclass, PE32 section) +

I decided to try to extract the sections that would possibly correlate to the VGA section of POST in Legacy, so I retrofitted the new BiosVideo module (which had SERIOUS modifications upon examination in hex), the InstallPlatformOverrideEDID module, and the OEMPost module into svl7's M18x R2 BIOS. Needless to say, I was terrified to flash, but I did it anyway. THE SYSTEM POSTED with 780Ms! The same could not be said about the M18x R1 with similar modifications unfortunately with 780Ms


So, long story short, I need a m18x R2 user with 980M/970M to test the BIOS for me with a maxwell card. I know the BIOS I made is functional and will not brick your system under DOS flashing. I made a package of all the files you need to put on a DOS usb flash drive that is bootable. Just copy files to root of the USB, and run prr2.exe first to circumvent write protection, then run flash.bat and it will flash the new/modified BIOS file.

Let me know if it works with the new maxwell cards in legacy!

Download here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5dGmVHDQ7iuTHB4SFVqbDhiXzg/view?usp=sharing

I suggest keeping a copy of the svl7 bios named M18r2.hdr at the root of the USB as well, in case you need to flash recovery.

 

That's very interesting modification. Can you also try M18xR1 to boot with Maxwell?

Edit:: Uh, didn't saw part about M18xR1

 

I will be attempting still to retrofit maxwell support into the M18x R1, but I need the R2 people to test first.

 

@Raidriar is someone else actually testing this? I admit I'm a little too afraid to test it myself right now.

 

Nobody has stepped to test, which I find a little disappointing. I guess I will pull the 980Ms out of my Alienware 18 to test.

 

I'm a little disappointed too. Shame I don't have the hardware to help you out anymore.

 

<pokemon mode on>
@Mr. Fox I choose you
<pokemon mode off>

I downloaded your sBIOS files but atm I dont have time to test it yet and prepare a recover plan. I think I'll try it in my vacation next week.

 

THANK YOU really! I will reflash it again on my system just to make sure it is indeed stable, perhaps experiment with incorporating the other modules as well, but I think these should suffice. My master plan is to unlock BIOS A12 and incorporate the BiosVideo updates and make the ultimate M18x R2 BIOS update!

I REALLY do not want to take my cards out of my new Alienware 18, as that is now my primary work machine.
@Mr. Fox I don't know if you have any connections at Eurocom or that could afford me some 980Ms to test in the M18x with a vBIOS mod I have also prepared in conjunction with this new system BIOS

 

Why don't you try hitting up Hidevolution, send them the vbios so they can see if it works. They'd probably do it.

 

The person that handles Alienware GPU upgrade sales for Eurocom is our very own @woodzstack. You may want to visit with him offline about whether or not there could be some kind of development incentive to drive his GPU sales through the roof for people interested in upgrades with a BIOS that actually works as it should. The folks I am working with on the Sky X9 are really focused on their own product line at the moment.

Great job here... I am really impressed by the progress you have made. I'm sure @Prema would be proud of you as well. Amazing job, bro... porting over Alienware 18 Maxwell BIOS tweaks to the M18xR2 and potentially the M18xR1... goodness gracious.

 

I'll be up for testing in about 3 or 4 weeks, I'm away from home (and my tools) with my M18x R2 as the only computer that I have for work. I cant afford to have anything in the slightest go wrong.
Otherwise excellent work @Raidriar I cant wait to test it out!

 

There's no risk because you can blind-flash original bios from pendrive @kenny27

 

Ehh.. You gotta admit, old Murphy's law is always a risk. I can relate only having 1 machine to work / play on. It's not worth being left in Sh#t Creek without a paddle on a business / travel trip.

 

Impressive work. Must have been one heck of a thrill flashing...
anyone with two motherboards, you know, say you bought a new motherboard and have the old one, and it still works but not perfectly, could be a test dummy..

 

Oh I has the X6 BTW. Very nice laptop. Insanely powerful. Overclocks well too. LOADS of potential.
But yeah, it would definitely suit me just fine if we got a breakthrough on the M18X-R1. I think I would maybe offer whomever can make it use 980M/970M and Sli as well, or Maxwell - a very generous offer.

Anyway to make it UEFI capable in the process would be insane too.

 

I am looking into this. My problem is...the PEI modules which are Pre EFI Initialization, which are very very low levels of code which frightens me to touch (even lower level than DXEcore)

 

Have you tried having a chat with our resident BIOS experts @Prema and @svl7?

 

Well, that's a problem which I dislike. Many people like to use zero-risk and free stuff but almost nobody is willing to risk even tiny more than usual. You bet that after 4-5 successful flashes there will be a flood of users who download your BIOS.
I hate this part of somebody's menthality. I'm glad some people at least shew their willingness to do it some day.

 

svl7 has not been around in quite a while, and Prema is otherwise occupied. he has not responded to me in the past PMs.

 

usually it's easier to reach Prema on the forum thread.. @Prema is what I always use when I need his help

 

I am going to try this because I purchased a NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970M from woodzstack and my M18xR2 with A11 BIOS wont let me do anything. So now I have to backwards blind flash to A10 and then reflash to modded M18xR2-A10-Maxwell from Raidriar. I hope this works

 

No, the proper procedure is to download official A10 from Dell, flash it from Windows, then flash my BIOS from USB DOS environment since it is the same version A10 modified. I don't suggest blind flashing, unless you absolutely need to. It is not a 100% foolproof process.

 

i can try that, but would be better if you did a m18x r1 mod, since i have r1 that is not as dear to me as my wife's r2, haha

but tell me, have you corrected the checksums?

 

Wow this is truly amazing work. Breathing life into the legendary M18x R2. Godspeed bruh..
Wish the AW17 had the BIOS update too for handling the maxwell like the AW18.

 

which checksums in particular?

 

don't get me wrong please, i am new to bios editing and to the forum... but i know there are checksums that gets altered after bios editing that might prevent the system to load up, unless bios editing software has been used and generated the checksums automatically. i might be wrong, perhaps you know better!

just want to be sure you have done everything at best possible before i try, thanks

 

UEFItool automatically repacks and rebuilds modules accordingly. As I said, I have flashed the BIOS myself without a problem. I haven't touched any of the Pre-EFI-Initialization modules or DXE core, just some of the DXE drivers

 

ah, sorry, haven't read that! so you only need someone with 9xxm to verify legacy boot... i am on it! tell me what is the procedure.

btw, do you think it is also possible to remove "980m power mitigation" for r2 bios?

 

it could be possible, if I retrofit the power management module from the Alienware 18. So the procedure is the same as flashing the svl7 vBIOS. You need to prepare a DOS bootable USB, copy contents of my zip file to the root of the USB drive. then:
1. Run PRR2.exe to circumvent write protection
2. Run flash.bat, wait for it to complete
3. reboot, mess with settings and see if it works.

I advise to download svl7's M18x R2 BIOS A10 unlocked, and rename the BIOS image to M18R2.HDR and put it on the root of your USB flash drive in case you need to blind flash recover

 

VERY interesting if you got this working for the m18x. Would be great to have a working bios that wouldnt 8 beep with my 980ms. I would help myself only thing is I lack the experience to blind flash if something goes wrong for me. That and my only backup is a little surface3 if it were to brick. In the event the more experienced testers like prema mrfox and that are able to get it working as well Id be happy to try it too!

 

@Raidriar I Flashed your bios last night.... everything flashed ok and there were no beeps codes when I installed my 980m but all I got was was a black screen. When I turned the system on the screen black-light would flick on for a split second but no bios screen showed up.
I tried using a 7970m which booted into the bios fine and integrated graphics also worked fine. I also tried using the VGA and HDMI outputs and a few different bios settings such as always enable PEG and Azilla but no cigar. Got any more tricks up your sleeve?

 

damn, I was really hoping that would be the case. I can try to retrofit the rest of the modules, but I don't think it is going to work. Looks like a dead end, unfortunately

This kind of code requires a more talented set of eyes than mine. I truly appreciate you testing this for me, sorry it couldn't be of use.

 

Actually....I do have one suggestion. this BIOS was written for Alienware 18....are you using an Alienware 18 vBIOS? that might have a lot to do with it. I remember toying with clevo BIOS on an alienware card and getting no beeps + black screen.

 

Ok I'll try that when I get the chance, as far as I can tell it should make no difference as the AW18 can use the clevo vbios... and I also have clevo cards.

 

But the BIOS was specifically built for Dell, possibly for Dell vBIOS/980Ms. That is the only thing left to try, and if it doesn't work, then there isn't much else I can do.