L502X modded bioses download (GPU voltages and more!)

Modded BIOS doesn't change any default BIOS settings. Only updates VBIOS, Speedstep fix etc.
That setting AFAIK changes default video output (on which display will be POST screen displayed).

 

Thanks for your help! I am cleaning the notebook, I changed the thermal paste and removed the dust filters also. temperature reduced and gaming performance rose sharply.

was wondering if when choosing PCI as primary video card the board ,gt 525 will stay as primary ??

 

No. It doesn't. GT525 is connected as PEG (PCI Express Graphics). But this notebook uses NVidia Optimus technology. You can't use this card as stand-alone. I recommend not to switch this to PCI. It might be possible that your screen will be black forever.

You can use the HDMI output with a monitor. Then the Windows desktop is rendered by Intel HD3000 GPU and all dedicated applications are rendered by NVidia GT525 GPU. Both GPUs are used at the same time.

 

then it is best to leave the default IGD?
And you know which processors support this motherboard ??

 

Yes, if you don't 100% know what works I would leave the BIOS switches as is. Or research for it.

If would like to upgrade your CPU you can use every mobile Sandy Bridge (2nd generation Intel Core i) CPU with the FCPGA988 socket. CapitanCasar has upgraded the microcodes in the BIOS so that all FCPGA988 can be put in. Also the Intel Core i 7 Extreme.

Here is an example when i search for Core i7 CPUs on Intel website:
http://ark.intel.com/search/advance...Core™ i7 Processors&SocketsSupported=FCPGA988

 

[QUOTE = "HumpaLumpa, post: 9970626, Members: 640752"] Yes, if you are not 100% KNOW WHAT WORKS I would like keys BIOS As E. Or search FOR IT.

If you would like to update his fast CPU You CAN USE THE All Sandy Bridge (2nd Generation Intel Core i) Mobile CPU with the socket FCPGA988. CapitanCasar HAS Updated microcodes IN THE BIOS That All FCPGA988 CAN be placed in. In Addition, the Intel Core i 7 Extreme.

Here is hum Example WHEN I LOOK no core i7 Intel Web site:
i7 http://ark.intel.com/search/advanced?s=t&FamilyText=2nd Generation Intel® Core ™ & SocketsSupported = FCPGA988 [/ QUOTE]

thanks again !! Currently this is the best ?? (Intel® Core ™ i7-2860QM Processor
(8M Cache, 3.60 GHz up)) .And someone already tested to the extreme i7 ??

 

Hey Guys!I've been having the same issues. While playing SC2 the screen will go a random colour and the computer will make a strange stutter sound. Probably happening 1 in 5 games.
Ive updated to the latest driver for the gt m540 from nvidia (347.88) and have flashed the BIOS so the GPU is running 0.83v/0.85v. The laptop has been taken appart and cleaned out, totally dust free.
Now running SC2 im getting very low fps, (under 30) while the GPU sits at only 50 degrees c. I'm also still getting the same crash, however the only difference is that the game will come back after 20 seconds or so.

Any ideas as to why its running so slow? I don't know much about computers, so no suggestion is to simple!

Thanks all!

EDIT:- To be honest, it feels like the whole laptop is running slow now, not just the GPU...

 

Had you entered power settings menu in BIOS? It was reported that it was giving strange behaviour.
Try BIOS reset to default/reflash anyway.

 

Hummm, no dice. So back to .83v/.98v. Still running 30fps and 50-57 degrees. Crashed and came back 4 or 5 times in 1 game and then crashed for good...
Im quite confused at this point.

 

Are you sure power plan is set to full power? Also running on Nvidia card?

 

Yes and yes... though it does seem like the logical issue... what about an issue with the power supply?

 

You should get warning message when turning notebook on if your charger is not working correctly. Also check your CPU speed in Task Manager.

 

Ok, its a bit odd, but maybe fixed. I put the BIOS back to .98 as you suggested. I then started to take the laptop apart thinking I may as well re paste the GPU. Taking off the front panel I noticed that the ribbon cable that connects the power button and the other 3 above the keyboard was not perfectly put back last time I put the computer back together. remembering that I dont have any alcohol to clean the old paste from the GPU I put it back together. Plugged it all in and the fan was louder then normal!
Loaded the game to get 200 or more FPS at 75 degrees. It crashed 10 mins into the game as normal. So ive just under volted it again and it seems to still give around 200FPS in game... So time will tell, lets see about crashes!

75 degrees seems cold! OC time?

 

I'm often using OC (not all games like it) without removing dust filters etc. But my notebook is one of the most lucky here. Even using 0.83/0.83 on 540m. Still getting crashes time to time, but generally game dependent. If your will still crash, you should underclock a little when playing that specific game.

 

@agalin I have exact same laptop as you and I can't OC, on the contrary I'm running way way underclocked and I still have performance issues although crashes no longer happen. You have any idea what I can do? It still overheats easily, going to take it apart soon and see whats up under the hood but would appreciate some feedback on how you manage to run yours OC.

Just to give you an idea I'm running my GF540m at 400mhz Graphics Clock, 600mhz Memory Clock and 800mhz Processor Clock. Anything above these values and any game will crash within minutes of play time.

Regards.

 

Is there any site that explains the advanced bios settings?

It is nice that you keep this updated @ capitankasar with every bit of update to every bit of component. Thank you very much.

 

@windowsappme you can search for most of the options.
@Andre Lima as I said - lucky. I have repasted CPU and Graphic Card, but it has been 2-3 months ago and my OC was working before that (I haven't got better OC or stability, only lower temps). Dust filters are still in place. I have serviced it 2 times:

1. First week of usage there have been ram related crashes, Dell support has replaced one module.
2. About 26 months ago some keys on my keyboard have stopped working and Dell replaced it too.

My BIOS is configured to use some advanced options, but none of them allows better performance/OC (not counting Fast Strings). So I just can't tell you why my notebook is working well on clock (now) 720 MHz (I have been using higher clocks, but too many games are unstable). Some games that don't like OC (League of Legends) I play on stock clocks. If notebook has a bad day, I even UC a little (650MHz). But it's really rare. Also card is getting old and doesn't work as stable as years ago. It's possible that in next months I'll need to switch to default or only a little OC values as I'm seeing degrading stability on more and more games every quarter (at start - more 3 years ago - my normally used clock was 740MHz).

 

Hello @capitankasar

I noticed that there is a newest Intel vbios v2170 and cpu microcode updates. When do you think you can update it or is it not compatible with dell xps L502x?

Thanks for making this.

 

Are you using Windows 10 with UEFI? Did you install Windows 10 with UEFI 'on' in the bios or you installed windows 10 first then turned on UEFI later? Is there any performance benefit to using UEFI?

 

@carcrab Enable UEFI -> Disable Legacy Boot -> Install Windows from UEFI enabled USB Drive
Otherwise it prefer to install in Legacy mode. I haven't do it to get performance gain (don't have any tests done) but OS X installation is much easier in UEFI.

And about microcode. AFAIR there was talk about it and only one available version was 4mb (L502x has 512kb chip).

 

VBios 2170 is working fine. I have inserted it myself into the Mod-BIOS. CPU microcode should also work fine when implemented into the BIOS. Current Linux distributions can load the current microcode temporarily without any problems. But I am also still waiting for capitankasar to implement it into the Mod-BIOS.

 

I am using the L502x on Linux only.
I have seen some posts about problems regarding the modded BIOS usage on Linux. (specially the nvidia card).
I am basically using 2 extra screens.

Is anyone using this BIOS fine under Linux?

thanks!

 

Hey guys, i need help here, i have a big problem with my XPS.

some keys do not work anymore, after I updated the firmware, everything stopped working as it was.

bluescream not stop appearing to me.
please help me get back to the original firmware, or if they have another solution, help me.

thank you

 

Just click on "Flash the original" inside the custom bios folder

 

Thats nice to know.

 

Thanks. On to the second part, maybe you are referring to Intel ME.

 

@carcrab yep. My fault

 

I not found this option in the BIOS. Look this printscream.

http://imageshack.com/a/img538/7176/tNUjY0.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img908/6436/fyRCcw.png


Where i can reset the ME FW configuration to original configuration???

 

You can find "Flash the original" in folder with BIOS files - that folder you've downloaded from the first post - inside operating system, not in BIOS itself.
Configuration resets to default when you use "Restore default config" (last tab in BIOS) but it won't change ME version.

 

Hi, i have an XPS l502x also, and never could play any game at the default clocks without a freeze, already tried everything, underclock, undervolt, underclock+undervolt (currently running underclocked and undervolted), but i never tried a 150w adapter yet, and i saw that some of u guys had success with that, so if someone have tried and fixed the freeze issue and could tell me if its worth to buy one i would appreciate it guys.
Tks

 

No, not succes with original BIOS, some keys stoped, and bluescream crashes (nvlddmk.sys) never stoped if i use the NVIDIA drivers.

My XPS hás gonne.... Nothing more to do i think.

Pleaze some one can help me on this issue?
Add me on skype or mail.

Thanks

 

Check the very first post and do a recovery.

 

I will try this solution but, you think my keyboard are return normaly?

:/

 

Yes i retur all configurations of BIOS normaly, buuuuut..... No success, my keyboard stoped some keys and blue scream crashes dont stop, the problema is no BIOS or firmware, the problemas is hardware i think.

Whats you think?

 

Why don't you try formatting the pc?

Or, boot up a linux live usb and see if the keyboard works?

 

I try all has possible....
No solution... I give up, i never buy dell again on my life....

I will call for dell tomorow and try something with change board or something....

Look the new error.

Keyboard
Nvlddmk.sys
Bathery
Video card Downclock
Bluescream error 0x00000000....

 

Hi guys! Could you plz help me. I have a major problem after modding bios and install win 8.1 with uefi. Whenever i press fn+f2, The laptop freezes. How can i fix this? Thank you guys alot.

 

I wonder what happened to @capitankasar

 

Got a message from @capitankasar that he will be here after a few weeks since his motherboard got damaged due to static electricity and he will receive his new motherboard with 540m in a few weeks. He was working on a new bios update with the latest intel vbios and cpu microcode.

 

In order to override the security descriptor, do I have to bridge permanently that two pins or just for once?

 

Great news! Long time since he wrote anything there. And bad news about the damage of course. Anything known about other new options?

 

Since the OP was able to update the CPU microcode, Is it possible to use Ivy Bridge CPU on this laptop since all it needs is a cpu microcode update that contains the data for Ivy bridge for it to work.

 

Hello, I wonder What Is The Best Processor currently supports Dell XPS L502X ???

 

First of all, thanks everyone involved in making these BIOSes. My laptop was basically useless before and now its happily usable - especially removing the battery temp probe warning <3.

Just a question though, is there a higher voltage modded bios available? My laptop standard with the A12 bios already gave a reading of 0.97v, so even using the 1.0v modded bios the increase is minimal. Before under clocking the core and memory frequencies still didn't give me any stability, now roughly 600/800 with the new bios gives me stable reliable gameplay, but stock clocks still crash my game (particularly Diablo3) after ~ 10 seconds.

I have no issues with temperature, the climate here is cool (~10C) and I have lapped/polished and copper shimmed the cpu/gpu with quality thermal paste, my peak temperatures are about 60C.

Thanks,

-Dan

 

AFAIR there were issues with higher voltages (probably only one person achieved it). You can check older posts. But no higher voltage in "general" releases for this time.

 

@capitankasar

I think there has been an update to Intel ME firmware as well. Now it is v7.1.60.1193 . Maybe you can look into it after you get your motherboard. Take care.

http://www.win-raid.com/t596f39-Intel-Management-Engine-Drivers-Firmware-amp-System-Tools.html

 

That is all I heard. Maybe there is more. Who knows

 

I just update Intel ME to v7.1.60.1193 without any problems.

 

Hi,
I just got 2x8GB Crucial 1866-10-10-10 Memory.
Unfortunately the bios recognizes it as 1866-11-11-11 memory.

When I set the memory frequency in bios to 1600 Mhz I get correct 1600-9-9-9 timings.

HWinfo64 tells me that jedec-spd on the memory only includes frequencies up to 1600 Mhz. 1866 MHz ist coded as xmp.

Is there a tool to change timings in windows? Or do I need to flash jedec-spd-timings for 1866 Mhz?

EDIT:
I just upgraded from advanced bios v5 to advanced bios v6(540m/0.83V/0.85V).
Memory is still 1866-11-11-11, but the computer is way slower?
For example truecrypt benchmark shows 40-60%. The mouse and windows feel very slow.
Why?

 

@gilipollas have you entered power management section? If so, it can be the cause.