L502X modded bioses download (GPU voltages and more!)

kasar,
Can you confirm you can actually load up windows to the desktop ?
Read up on the issue over at bios-mods please and feedback if possible.

 

I was finally able to relase the first modded bios for the L502X

 

Link to picture is broken...

 

@all

srry for the late delay, I has been very busy for those days and couldnt connect to the forums.

@Jubeltrubel


hey thx ^^

just gave a read to the link and that is a huge ammount of screen shots ^^

thanks also for the mention in those forums

I dont understand many german but I understood some little parts and I liked it

about those features, that could be nice if someone can do it, I'm a little short of time latelly ^^


@timewalker75a

no, I didnt tested it yet, I has been away from home some days and couldnt connect to the forums.

however I just saw the other forums and I supose I will have the same issue.

I will confirm later next time I restart PC, have toons of unreplied messages right now

@Migu666el

??

 

Well, I just flashed the Generic A11 with Advanced Bios Options and It seems that there's an issue with the Intel Speedstep option.
When I turn it Off, it's the Turbo boost that is disabled x_x

Aside from that the notebook is running normally =)


Ok, now I understood what happened. There is a relation between Intel Speedstep and Intel Turbo boost. Once you disable ISS, TB is automatically disabled too. In fact, the real ISS isn't disabled. In order to do that, you have to disable the C-Estates.

 

@Bressum

thanks for the feedback and the info

added to the first post ^^

 

Tested this.

hwmonitor reads 0.85v on 3D Profile.

GPU-z reads 1.00v sometimes.

I don't know how each program reads voltages (BIOS or chipset or whatever).

I get these results running them separately and concurrently.

I don't know if the BIOS really undervolts the GPU or that it simply reports the string "0.85v"? And maybe hwmonitor simply reports what the BIOS says?

I've read GPU-z can't read voltages properly sometimes.

ALSO

What happens if you set your 1333MHz RAM to 1600MHz in the modded BIOS?

Thanks.

 

Nothing AKAIK; the RAM needs to be rated at 1600MHz, 1866Mhz, etc. for the value to have any effect.

However, it may work for your particular RAM, but most likely it will do nothing.

 

@PocketSmiley

some users reported similar issues with newer nvidia drivers, however it should be only noticiable some seconds, it should be back to 0.85v again.

also try using HWmonitor to read voltage ^^

 

The 300 series of drives will modify and override the factory voltage, causing weird fluctuations between 1v and the one in the BIOS. I'm sticking with the 296 drivers.

 

Hmm, I'm not sure how accurate these readings are... I'm running .85v on 525m with 300 series drivers.

Without the bios mod and running at default voltage my 3D applications will crash and cease functioning even at stock frequencies.
With the bios mod - .83/85v, I am running at 740/1480 and the system never malfunctions.

 

Hmm, I get some serious game instability with the 83 85 version. Any recommendations on which voltage would work best? I can OC fairly high with stock, but the temps climb on some games.

--Adeeb

 

@adeebm

well, if the lower voltages isnt stable for you, there isnt a lot of things you can do.

you can keep the 83 85 version if you underclock (at the cost of some performance),that will stop the crashes, else you will have to stick with stock voltage, it will be more warm but you will save performance in your case, your choice

temperature vs performance

 

Hi!

I really like your mods, i am using the gt540 a11 0.83\0.85 advanced version without any issues. I just have one question do you know what the fast strings option does?

 

@airstev

hey

glad you liked them, I added you to the first post as bios tester/user ^^

fast string option gives more CPU performance as far I know.

 

Oh and, thanks very much for the new menus capitankasar. Boot up time SSD heaven.

 

@Tazzle

glad you liked it

are already you using fast boot and fast strings options?

also the diagnosis boot screen looks better than dell's one ^^



what version are you using? so I can add you to the first post ^^

 

Why am I not able to change my CPU FLEX RATIO SETTINGS?

runing bios version: L502X_A11_540m_85_1V_Unlocked_Menus_v3

 

Yup, fast boot, UEFI and fast strings enabled. 525m - 83/85 version.

 

Is there any way to modify this BIOS to accept an Ivy Bridge processor, specifically the i7 3612qm? I tried dropping one into my L502X and it just freaked out. No POST, fans ran at full blast nonstop, etc...

From what I've read though, this kind of behavior is a good indicator that no amount of BIOS modification is going to make it compatible.

 

@fauzulkc

added to the first post ^^

mmm, I'm not sure,I supose it have something to do with turboboost, I tested that option with my i3 and it didnt seemed to work. (my i3 doesnt have turbobootst anyway :/)
but if you have an i5 or i7 it may works.


@Tazzle

great!

ps: I added you to the first post ^^


@Paralel

from what I read, yes, it appears a bios limitation, however I am not sure how to acomplish this.

I noticed some mods on older bioses who said they updated the cpu microcode, not sure if that is what we need or something else is needed.

 

Interesting. I'd be happy to test this theory. The system I pulled the Ivy Bridge from for the test was an Inspiron 17R.

The 17R had no trouble taking the i7-2670 sandy bridge processor from my L502X, it recognized it right off the bat and booted straight into Windows.

 

have an i5 2450m.

It just doesn't work! The Multiplier just resets whenever out of the menu or any other setting is chaged.

Puzzled, I am now!

 

@Paralel

thanks for the info
I will check the cpu microcode at the other forums, I wich we can get the l502x running the new Ivy bridge proccesors , it would be like a dream

@fauzulkc

oh, I see.

thanks for reporting.

there isnt a lot I can do about that, you can try to disable the intel steep technology, dinamyc fsb switching and C states under the proccesor power management menus, but probably will still not working.

 

@capitankasar, I just flashed the bios mod (83/85 with advance menus) and everything is running smoothly
Only problem was that it's been such a long time since I last flashed a bios that when the screen turned black right before the bios flashed, I thought the computer froze and was bricked

I enabled quick boot and fast strings and decided to refresh that Windows Experience Index (start menu>right click "computer">properties). This is what surprised me:

Before
processor: 4.9
memory (ram): 7.3
graphics: 5.4
gaming graphics: 6.7
primary hard disk: 5.9

After
processor: 7.0
memory (ram): 7.4
graphics: 5.6
gaming graphics: 6.7
primary hard disk: 5.9

I am not sure if this is because I enabled fast strings, but all I know is that there is a major improvement in that assessment

If someone can, can someone try doing this and see the result? (run the assessment before and after enabling fast strings). That way we can see if it really does help.


Last thing, I know I asked you this before, but I hope you don't mind me asking again: Windows 8 is right around the corner, and I plan to load it on my laptop the day it comes out. Even with the modded bios, it is safe to do so right?

Thanks again for everything!

 

@sweetnsour

oh, yeah, while doing the flash tests that happened to me, at the first time it took a while I also though the BIOS modding adventure was over, but hopefully it was able to flash it

whoah, that is definitly a nice improvement.

4.9 to 7 on proccesor is definitly nice. (even with OC is hard to get that improvement ammount )

what are your machine specs?

mmm, I dont think windows 8 will be a problem, just ensure you have "enabled XD" option enabled, I heard windows 8 refuse to install if you dont have that option on.

glad you liked my BIOS mods

 

Hi, sorry for my bad english but I'm a italian student.
i have flashed my bios with 0.83-0.85 gt540 and advanced menu. the flash and the pc are ok.
but I have a problem: my xps l502x wasn't able to restart by suspension i don't know where is the problem: driver, settings, bios?? ideas?
...and thank you capitankasar for your mod

 

@francy.1095

hey

dont worry, your english is perfectly undearsteable.

mine is crappy but people seems to understand what I say, so I am happy (yep, I'm from spain)

added to the first post (I supose you used the a11 version)

well, as for the suspension issue, I dont think its related with the modded bios, it could be related with some custom bios settings you configured, but I think it is more related with the BIOS version.

some people said they had issues with the suspension with newer bios, but it was OK with older bios.

you can try A09 or A06 versions.

 

Been running Windows 8 since the prereleases. Running the MSDN Pro version with the latest modded bios. Works like a charm.

--Adeeb

 

I'm running with i5-2450m (2.50 ghz), 6GB DDR3 RAM, GT540m, 1366x768 touch screen, 750gb HDD. I got those results without overclocking
Thanks for the heads-up! I'll be sure to enable that setting

 

Ok! Noting working. Can You just help me in overclocking my CPU in anyway as little or as much as possble!

That Would be a great help!
Thank You!

 

@fauzulkc

we both are after the same thing, I'm also am interested on overclocking my i3 proccesor so I get better performance in apps, specially cpu demanding apps such as emulators.

I tried several software without results such as SETFSB and others.

I found that I was also able to install intel XTU (Extreme Tuning Utility)

however, for some reason I found that only version 3.1.201.5 can be installed and started without issues, if someone can test this, it would be nice

however everything is greyout, only bclk / reference clock option can be tweaked, and only can be unclocked, not OC.

I saw some laptops are compatible with XTU because they have bios modules wich interact with the XTU those modules are PerfTuneDxe PerfTunePei PerfTuneSmm I think.
however I read somewhere that there is a high chance of brick the laptop by inserting modules, specially if they were designed for another laptop motherboard.

I am investigating another posible bios mod the the l502x in order to add XTU support (overclocking support for intel software), but not sure if I will be able to acomplish this.

 

Well the Intel Extreme Tuning Utility works without any problems, I am using the latest version . And check out my new score,the GPU score dropped from 6.7 to 6.6 other than that every thing is the same, I think its the Nvidia driver.

 

mmm, latest version refuse install for me, I think it may be related I have an i3 without turbo, idk.

 

Well that might be it since I have i7 with turbo.

 

But you can't overclock with it right?

 

I can't overclock, the only settings I am able change are

 

Latest tuning utility works for me, I have an i7 though. Options are the same as ricohunter's. Can't we use a DSDT mod/override to change the CPU multipliers?

Using iASl to get the DSDT/SSDT, changing the turbo states or default multiplier, then using /lloadtable on asl apparently sticks it somewhere in windows registry? That could be a possible method. Unless we can permanently replace DSDT on the bios. I'm pretty sure the DSDT method works on hackintoshes, so why not Windows?

--Adeeb

 

hi capitankasar only getting 2 check this out now great work on the advanced menus was just wondering if it would be possible for you to do an advanced bios for the gt525m users with a 0.83 and 0.98 overvolt please for me to test out as i would like to see how far i can push the performance out of this gem of a laptop great work as usual

 

@to all.

good news ^^

the BIOS recovery feature is finally working (before it was just able of booting a backup and not very functional bios since some parts wasnt working like AHCI drivers, it also wasnt able of boot things from usb,or even boot windows 7 complete due the lack of AHCI drivers, so I was working on a way of flashing from that limitated backup and it seems I finally found it )

I made a custom CD-rom image, I think this is a must have for l502x users, specially for those ones messing with the bios updates from this topic

new features are:

* no usb sticks are needed anymore!, just a CD ^^
* all needed stuff to flash/restore/repair the bios, included little OS, and apps are included at the cdrom image.
* easy procedure ^^

how it works?

by pressing the end key while plugging the power plug, the laptop looks for a file named BIOS.cap from usb disks or cdroms, then it load the temporal bios to the memory and run it from there, then , by using this pack, it load a small windows xp with the flashing apps.

the cdrom image contains:

- BIOS.cap file, this file is the backup/temporal bios used to boot the system temporally.
- bootable BARTpe with small windows xp, required to flash the BIOS
- winflash with the A06 BIOS original/non modded version plus some scripts to make everything easier at the recovery process

preparation

* get a working PC with internet and cd burner.
* download the file,extract it from the rar, and burn the iso to a cd.
* put the cdrom at the bricked machine and turn it off.

procedure.

1- bricked L502X laptop and the recovery cdrom inside the cdrom.
2- power cord unplugged, you press end button.
3- you plug the power cable, and then you relase the end button. (the machine should start automatically without push the power button)
4- the bios start reading the cdrom, it load BIOS.cap file from the cdrom.
5- you have to hit F12 fast when the dell screen is at the screen, it will bring the device boot menu, then select cdrom.
6- bartpe - windows xp start loading.
7- when you are at the main screen, click NO on the network message box. then click the GO button and click "Command Prompt(CMD)" open a cmd prompt. and type "repair" without the quotes, that will launch my main script (Dont close the CMD window, it still needed to reboot the system.)
8- follow the script instructions, it is a little modified script from my main custom bioses.
9- since the automatic reboot didnt worked for the winflash in that boot cd, my script will do it, just wait after the winflash window is closed and the system will autorestart.
10- black screen for some seconds and the flashing screen will appear , woot

I noticed I was unable to get this working by conecting the cdrom via the Esata port, so I had to remove the second hdd caddy I installed and plugged the dvd-rom drive in its original location, then it worked like a charm


















and here is the download link of the image

warning: this recovery package is only for the l502x system!

recovery cd image: L502X BIOS Recovery package 1.0

if someone can test this, I would be greatly pleased, once it got tested at least by a 525m and a 540m users, I will add this to the first post ^^

@daryld1988

I am uploading your bios right now

 

@daryld1988

the new bios is at the first post


feedback plz ^^

@all

since the recovery is fully working now, I can start working on the v4 BIOS version of the mod.

it will include

* updated cpu microcode (it may even support ivy bridge proccesors!, but I have to confirm this first)
* I try to fix the sleep function, older bios versions like a06 or a07 got sleep feature working properly, but for some reason, it doesnt work on latest bios, even official/non modded ones!
* maybe XTU support, but this will hard to implement
* fixes at advanced menus texts

 

testing v4 version changes ^^

cpu microcodes updated sucesfully to 0x28 from 0x23 previous version of the bios

 

Tested the bios recovery method and it works just fine, with this method we don't have to worry about our laptop getting bricked. I have used a cd not usb stick.:thumbsup:

525m

 

huge thanks rocohunter!

well, since I also used a 525m card for testing the backup, now we need another guy with the 540m card, so the recovery method will be fully tested ^^

the latest recovery method can be found here ^^

http://forum.notebookreview.com/del...ownload-gpu-voltages-more-94.html#post8909545

edit: more news!
it looks like Official A12 version got relased today

http://www.dell.com/support/drivers/en/en/esdhs1/DriverDetails?driverId=0VRMP

Code:

changelog:
Fix system resume from S4 automatically after upgrade to Windows 8.

modded bios for A12 with updated microcodes will start being relased in a little

edit: edit, I cant download a12 version from official site, here is the ftp, it looks like they didnt added the file yet, hehe ^^

http://ftp1.dell.com/Pages/Drivers/Laptops/XPS/

 

great job capitankasar im in the process of testing the 0.83 and 0.83 aswell going to spend the weekend testing which 1 proves the best for overclocking and i will report back also great news on the v4 update coming would be awesome if we can upgrade to ivy bridge processors top job again mate

 

thank daryld

since the official A12 version got relased today, I will relase the first v4 modded versions with the new A12 version.

official a12 version is here.
ftp://ftp1.dell.com/FOLDER00950861M/1/L502XA12.exe

however I will take a little longer to relase modded bioses for A12, I am working right now at the v4 mods of the laptop wich will include also ME firmware update, microcode update, and maybe overclocking support

if some 540m user can test the recovery method, from following post http://forum.notebookreview.com/del...ownload-gpu-voltages-more-94.html#post8909545
I would be really happy

 

hi Capitan,

I'm testing your A10 85/98 for 525m with adv menu mod for last 15 days. works perfectly. getting stable clock of 766/984. now going to test A11 83/83.

 

I would if I had my laptop
But is a CD required? I've got loads of USB sticks, but I don't think I've touched a CD in a couple of years.

Thanks for the excellent work, capitankasar! I'll be flashing your BIOS when I get my L502x from service (unless they replace it with an L521x...)

 

@dhaneshbc

hey

added to the first post, thanks for testing those untested bioses and thanks also for the feedback

I'm currently running 705 mhz with a11 85/85 for my gt525m, but I am thinking about change when I have sometime, let me know where you got most Overclocking performance with the custom bioses

@ximinez

well, the first "recovery method" was valid with a usb stick, however, that was just able of running a backup and very limited BIOS from the pendrive, it also needed the ussage of a cdrom since the limited BIOS was unable to boot anything from usb.

the procedure is based of two phases.

* boot temporal bios
* boot a minimal windows OS with the temporal bios in order to run the flasher

at the first phases I managed to boot the bios with the usb, and then it was able to boot the windows image from the cdrom.

that is why I decided to create a all in one cdrom, with all the stuff required to recover from a bad flash.

it is able to boot also the temporal bios from the cdrom and it boot the OS from the cd too.

it also have some other advantages like you waste a entire usb stick on the recovery feature, and the usbs sticks are more like fore move data fast from computers without network connection.

also once you burn the cd, you have the recovery method there, a cd is just a cd, cheap and dedicated for the function



@all

still need a gt540 user to test the recovery method, me and some other 525m users managed to recovery bios with my modified cdrom image, but need a 540m user to confirm this method is definitive ^^

 

There's no way of loading a slightly more feature-rich (read: with USB-support) temp BIOS?