L502X modded bioses download (GPU voltages and more!)

Something weird is going on. I get 50-so avg fps after changing nothing in the bios but just saving it. But if the system locks up or crashes and reboots the framerate will be lower till you save again in the bios.

 

Hi

I have been testing the Bios and there is sometimes that my laptop it Freezes, but only by some seconds and then of some seconds approximate 30 can return and recovery themselves.
I appreciate the great work the @Thiblizz. I do not use my laptop to play only to perform some work that does not demand much effort yet I wonder if it froze without demanding so much.
I Will continue to prove and report news, and will perform some video rendering and conversion to test it.

Greetings.

 

Hi @Thiblizz, can you do further modify/correction for the bios in L502x ?

1. Unable to boot from secondary drive (HDD caddy) if both Hdd presented in the laptop. (I can't do dual OS boot from 2 HDD in my L502X
2. Rectify the "no SATA devices is found" issue if I boot with RAID setting enabled in the bios.

I do really appreciate your great work, keep it up!!

 

I add that to my TODO list, I know that works but you need to do some extra modifications on the boot record.
I'm still looking if I can modify the BIOS to get some native detection, will need some time to understand.

And of course I will do further updates/modifications to the BIOS, as my project is now stable and pushed on my GitHub, that means I can fully focus on debugging, keeping it updated, etc.
And as this is my main computer for now, I want the best for it.

And thank you for you kind words .

 

Very bad news, I was drunk and did not sleep the last 24hours, I tried some advanced modifications and I "accidentally" full bricked my PC.

In 3 weeks I will begin my cybersecurity training program and don't have a computer...

Anyway, I will receice soon new eeproms and a programmer to reflash my BIOS .

PS: The latest version 1.0.1 on my GitHub is safe, so don't worry x).

 

Awesome work @Thiblizz - just been checking out your github now. Obviously I can't use the files directly for my L511z, but it's refreshing to see the good work you've done here.

Couple of suggestions:

- Are you considering making the github a full raw repo together with compilation instructions? In that case I'll be able to pull just the modified mods for the L511z.
- If so I'll be happy to upload all my L511z source to your repo as well so any users can clone/download/experiment from your repo.

In any case well done - really good to see the initiative here.

Best of luck in your upcoming cybersecurity course.

 

Thank you very much for your project.

My model is the gt525 i5 2.4 ghz 16 gigas memory with 2 ssd (hd caddy)
Use in 1 ssd windows 10 pro, linux mint 18.1 cinnamon (mode legacy)in ssd hd caddy use mac os x yosemite 10.10.5 gpt uefi

1) hello can i blink your bios on top of modded capitan bios (i use version modded A12 0.85 volt)???

2) I use hackintosh mac os x yosemite your bios is compativel with this system and uefI?

3) What are the improvements of your bios for Capitan Kasar?

4) Does your bios solve the problem of freezing in games ??

5)link you bios????

https://github.com/Thiblizz/l502x-modded-bios

6)Hdd caddy is working perfectly??

 

A really great work from you. thank you very much for this bios.

I7 / 540M / 16Gb Ram (1600) Samsung 850 SSD

Before i use the Capitan Kasar bios. also i update my Intel ME from 6.xx to 7.1.80.1214 without the overclocking possibility.
now i use your latest 1.0.1 bios. after a new Windows 10 install you recieve also a fresh Windows 10 Display Driver for a hd3000. perfect !!!

edit: ist possible you bring a Intel ME with free overclocking? the Kasar mod dosnt work for me on Windows 10.

greetings
sam

 

Sure I will buddy.

As I can't access my laptop right now, I'm not able to do further modifications. But yeah I planned to do so.

Did you bypass the descriptor security (pins bridged) or you unlocked it?

 

oh Buddy. i hope you have soon Access to your nice laptop.

no. Is this necessary to unlock the overclocking funktion? I thought the ME Firmware update is enough.

(fast strings - on) your bios is really fast and rock stable. i test it over 13 hours nonstop benchmark and gaming.
you do a great job.

 

Wow, I'm impressed to hear that everything is running so smoothly (and stable).

Yep, there is actually no way to get overclocking functions without unlocking (or bypassing) the Descriptor Security.

If you did just flash the Intel ME patch in this post, it will do nothing.
Simply because it won't be able to read nor write the chipset (as it is locked by default).

Edit: You updated and patched your Intel ME firmware, but I doubt you tried anything related to overclocking.
Did you?

 

thanks for your Information. i must have a look how i bypass the descriptor security first Edit: i found it.
i update only the Intel me firmware to 7.1.80.

 

@Thiblizz Well I decided to test your custom bios even without feedback in my previous post, everything is very good only I found a difference in the resolution of the video of the beginning of bios my resolution and 1920 x 1080 i use a grub and the resolution is different its screen is of 1366 X 768 ???

 

Could you explain to me what is your problem, I did not really understand.

Seems easy to fix, just a bad resolution setting, I could check that when I will get more information from you.

EDIT: if you are using GRUB 2 (uEFI), could you please make sure to disable totally Legacy boot and use only UEFI boot. You had to clear anything related to Legacy boot, even in the boot order.

Did you set the resolution of GRUB, here are some useful links:
- http://askubuntu.com/questions/54067/how-do-i-safely-change-grub2-screen-resolution
- http://askubuntu.com/questions/7611...olution-while-having-to-use-nomodeset-on-boot
- http://www.binarytides.com/ubuntu-fix-nvidia-graphics/

 

@Thiblizz Not a problem, I may be wrong more I thought that changed the screen resolution at boot time so I asked if your notebook the resolution is 1366x 768 plus after the boot the resolution is 190 x 1080 normally

Is it possible to insert hdcaddy in the bios boot menu ??

 

1. Yeah I think the first time I booted on my system, it was using the 1366*768 resolution, then I set it to 1920*1080. This is the normal configuration in the BIOS, probably because some people with the L502X do not have a FULL-HD panel and are using the standard 1366*768.

2. I need to look deeper inside the BIOS, last time I tried to rewrite the BIOS structure, I entirely bricked my laptop, as of now my L502X is still dead (I got my eeproms, now waiting for the programmer).

Can you confirm to me, that this is not possible to boot on the HDD caddy with the F12 - Boot Menu.

Perhaps, this is a physical problem, I gotta have a look on the Schematics...

 

I'm cutting some copper pieces (heatsinks) for the voltage regulators .
Then I will lap them (up to 3000 grit) until they look like a mirror, and finally, will fix it with Arctic Alumina Thermal Adhesive (as the default glue pad is terrible for thermal transfer).

Total of 8 pieces is needed to cover all regulators (including one extra small, like cube form).

 

Hi @ Thiblizz, I have a problem with my computer, but I can not find a way to do this. , Any system I install in UEFI our notebook automatically creates NVRAM entries in the bios in the boot menu, if I remove them with "easy UEFI" link >> http://www.easyuefi.com/index-us.html
I can not boot the system having to reinstall the partition uefi do you know the reason that creates these entries ??

I have tri-boot UEFI (1-ssd windows 10 pro, linux mint 18.1 cinnamon, 2-ssd mac os x yosemite 10.10.5) CLOVER manages the boot,
images of my partition system and NVRAM entries >>>>

 

Can not boot caddy hdd only by NVRAM entries

 

Those entries are always stored in NVRAM, and you cannot boot without, however your setup is not clean.

You should have a look at this guide: https://www.tonymacx86.com/threads/...boot-entries-prevent-further-problems.175274/

I never used the EasyUEFI tool tho, so I can't really help you on it right now.

Did you try with bcfg, like doing

Code:

bcfg boot dump

bcfg boot rm # ("#" is the entry you want to remove)

 

Easy uefi removes the input perfectly does the same thing as bcfg, I just wanted to know the reason why these entries are created if it's just me or happens to someone else ?? And my systems only start by having these entries, removing not working

 

Well yeah, these entries are stored in the NVRAM and actually contains your boot loaders information.

So if you remove them, your system will not be able to boot on it x).

PS: These entries are only for people using UEFI.

 

Ok thanks @Thiblizz for the clarifications, waiting for the next news of your custom bios ...

 

I've short circuited my motherboard recently, waiting for the new one (next Monday), then as I'm only using Linux, I'll work only from a WinPE build.

I'll keep the BIOS updated for everyone, about me, I'm actually focusing on having coreboot for my L502X.

With all the money I threw on my L502X (and electronical stuff), I could have bought a brand new Dell XPS 9550 easily, but I like so much old systems and hacking/modifying stuff on it. (stupid or crazy, I dunno )

I'm generally only using IBM/Dell old laptop for security and stability, and Linux distros for pentesting and coding.

 

Hey all,
Sort of uneducated about the goings-on of this thread, but I have been dealing with overheating in my L502x. The usual story. Just redid the thermal paste without any improvement.

I am able to run The Witness for a few seconds to 2 minutes before a freeze and I have to force a restart. I then used the undervolted bios recommended in the OP for my gt525m GPU (0.85v for 2D and 3D). The game ran without crashing, but the FPS was so low it was a slideshow with static-y noises, so I reverted back to the official Dell bios A12. Is this the normal effect of using a modded undervolted bios? Should I try a different modded version? Thanks.

 

Did you check that your game is actually using the NVIDIA chipset (not Intel's one)?

 

I didn't check after flashing the BIOS but it was definitely using the Nvidia GPU before flashing and after reverting to the unmodded BIOS.

 

Is the problem happening too with the stock BIOS?
Or only with the modded one?

 

No, the game plays normally from 20-60FPS with the stock BIOS, except for crashing after a minute or two. Only the modded bios has low FPS and static-fied audio.

 

This is strange, because the modded BIOS does not modify the GPU frequency in any way, only undervolting.
So the game should actually run better with the modded BIOS, because less heat = more stability = more performance.

Without any detailed logs comparing the game running with stock/modded BIOS, I cannot do anything.

 

I suggest you to flash my latest BIOS ( v1.0.2), and then report me back if the problem still occurs.
It would be cool.

If the problem persists, I would ask you for some logs.
_______________________________________________________________________________

PS: Is your laptop doing this sound?

 

Yes, that is the sound it makes when it freezes with the unmodded bios. When I used the modded bios the sound was starting to do that but to a much lesser degree, and I could still move (slowly) and exit the game. I will try your bios and report back.

 

I got the same results using your BIOS. Here's a video of the game running at slow speed with audio problems.

 

Is the problem happening on every (3D) games? Low/High graphic settings?

And can you try to underclock your GPU with MSI Afterburner. (one step at a time, a lil bit)

 

Got the same problem in Skyrim, stuttering and bad audio. Lowered the speeds from 600/900 to 520/753 (sort of random, but should be significant, right?) in MSI afterburner and the speed is about the same.

 

Should be significant indeed, even a better compromise like 575/790 could fix the problem if it wasn't hardware related.

Alright.. it's not looking good so far, it looks like you NVIDIA chip is faulty.
You could try reflow soldering the chip, but you will need some serious tools for that and some experience.

Sadly you're not the first with this kinda problem, just check on YouTube.

 

That's understandable, with how widespread this laptop's problems are. I guess for games I will need a new computer. Thank you for the suggestions!

 

No problem mate, hope you will find a way out, anyway for actual gaming this laptop is way too old.

Generally when you need and begin to underclock your GPU, that means it is in a bad state like slowly dying, sure it will work for most people on a short period, then problems will appear again, then they will start to underclock lower, etc.
This is not a real solution. Reflow soldering is but as I said need some skills.

 

Need someone to report back if my latest version ( v1.0.3) is working fine.
I received my new motherboard and need to know if the latest version is not breaking anything for you guys, before doing more serious modification.
____________________________________________________________________________

@GrinningColossus

Try this too please:

1. Open NVIDIA Control Panel, go to Manage 3D Settings.
2. If you've made a specific Program Setting for The Witness, delete it.
3. then go to Global Settings and even if you've never changed them from the defaults hit Restore then Apply.

 

Still waiting for a review on the latest version ( v1.0.3), hopefully tonight.

 

Hi Thiblizz,

the new 1.0.3 work fine like the two others before. Fast strings is everytime on.
Also i overclock my nvidia card massive for gaming. it runs perfect and stable.
max. temperature on heavy and full load over 3 hours: 72 grad

No Sound stuttering...it works perfect.
perhaps you have a Driver Problem. after the first Flash my Windows work not propper.
so i make a fresh install

 

Cool, I really appreciate that you did test the BIOS, as I can't actually.
(I'm testing stuff directly on the BIOS chip with a programmer)

Can you gimme more info about the driver thing. Intel/NVIDIA? (error message?)
I did not change anything about graphics VBIOS since v1.0.1.

 

Time to replace the dead one.

(Nice thermal paste from Dell right there. Kappa.)

 

Preparing the new motherboard, everything went smoothly so far, this time I didn't broke any pads while desoldering the BIOS.

Now the best moment; hack time .

 

i have installed the lastes Intel HD Driver who comes after clean install over MS Update.
everytime i install also the latest nvidia Driver for this Card. i overclock with afterburner.
it works all perfect. no Driver Problems.
for the Sound i take the latest Windows 8/8.1 sound driver from the dell site.

 

@Thiblizz you closed the project ??
I do not see today on GitHub

 

Nop, the project is not closed, I just needed to fix some problems and will reupload the whole thing as 1.0.0 (containing all latest changes).

But when I started the project on GitHub, I forgot to tag each version (that was my bad).

 

The project is back, cleaned and re-released as v1.0.0 (now using tag as well).

You can star it back on GitHub.

 

Hi @Thiblizz . How're you doing? Thanks for your work on this BIOS. FPS is low on games because I can't game at Stock GPU speeds (672MHz/900Mhz), else it crashes. I've to downclock to (522MHz/700MHz) before it becomes stable. I theorize that the issue is with the voltage (0.85v) being low to work with stock speeds. Could you please make a test version with 0.90v/0.92v/0.95v for me to test further? Or if its going to be a problem, could you please guide me on ho to make those changes myself? Thanks...

 

Hey, I'm fine thanks.

Have you tried the stock BIOS? (to see if that improve the stability)

PS: Both Stock edition and Undervolted edition are modded, I'm not supporting Dell's official BIOS in anyway, as it represents some privacy problem for me.

0.95v for 3D profile is actually really high.