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    BIOS R4044M3 for VAIO Z Series

    Discussion in 'VAIO / Sony' started by sniper_sung, Nov 29, 2009.

  1. sniper_sung

    sniper_sung Notebook Evangelist

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    sniper_sung, Nov 29, 2009
    #1
  2. cosmok

    cosmok Notebook Consultant

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    Not sure what's changed but shows up as R4044M3 after flashing
     
    cosmok, Nov 30, 2009
    #2
  3. NHT

    NHT Notebook Evangelist

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    NHT, Nov 30, 2009
    #3
  4. cosmok

    cosmok Notebook Consultant

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    cosmok, Nov 30, 2009
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  5. NHT

    NHT Notebook Evangelist

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    Yes, it is shipped with Windows 7 laptop. I don't know where is the difference.
     
    NHT, Nov 30, 2009
    #5
  6. shirrine

    shirrine Notebook Enthusiast

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    shirrine, Dec 2, 2009
    #6
  7. NHT

    NHT Notebook Evangelist

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    Well, it's me who upload this BIOS
     
    NHT, Dec 2, 2009
    #7
  8. ShadowFlare

    ShadowFlare Notebook Geek

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    So I'm guessing we can flash our Z3/Z4 with this Z5 BIOS, right? But I suppose this hasn't been modded to have SLIC 2.1. If it hasn't, hope someone with the knowledge would mod SLIC 2.1 into it.

    Edit: On second thought... it might already have SLIC 2.1... since Z5s are natively running Win 7, which requires SLIC 2.1.
     
    ShadowFlare, Dec 2, 2009
    #8
  9. cosmok

    cosmok Notebook Consultant

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    How did you unlock the advanced menu?
     
    cosmok, Dec 2, 2009
    #9
  10. NHT

    NHT Notebook Evangelist

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    Yes, it has the SLIC 2.1.
    @cosmok: Like we do with the other BIOS. But in order to do the EFI boot, we need to disconnect the HD and the DVD.
     
    NHT, Dec 2, 2009
    #10
  11. cosmok

    cosmok Notebook Consultant

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    Ahh that's what I figured, thanks.
     
    cosmok, Dec 2, 2009
    #11
  12. shirrine

    shirrine Notebook Enthusiast

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    Oh ya... Thanks. So it come for a reliable source!! :)
     
    shirrine, Dec 2, 2009
    #12
  13. cosmok

    cosmok Notebook Consultant

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    Looks like Sony patched the EFI boot on 44, can't get it it launch.

    Edit: could be my thumb drives, tried 2 with no luck and can't find the one I used before

    Edit2: Got it working use at your own risk
     
    cosmok, Dec 2, 2009
    #13
  14. cosmok

    cosmok Notebook Consultant

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    F1 boot menu and advanced menu are working with the aforementioned rom.
     
    cosmok, Dec 2, 2009
    #14
  15. cosmok

    cosmok Notebook Consultant

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    R4044M3 SLIC 2.1 embedded with advanced menu.
     
    cosmok, Dec 3, 2009
    #15
  16. Base

    Base Notebook Geek

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    Base, Dec 3, 2009
    #16
  17. TDO

    TDO Notebook Consultant

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    Forbidden

    You don't have permission to access /Sony/SONY_VGN-Z4-SONY-R4043M3.rar on this server.

    Additionally, a 500 Internal Server Error error was encountered while trying to use an ErrorDocument to handle the request.
    Apache/2.2.14 (Unix) mod_ssl/2.2.14 OpenSSL/0.9.8e-fips-rhel5 mod_bwlimited/1.4 Server at slics.myftp.org Port 80

    .....
     
    TDO, Dec 3, 2009
    #17
  18. cosmok

    cosmok Notebook Consultant

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    Fixed the link, the guy that put SLIC in mislabelled it but no big deal. I've flashed it and confirmed SLIC 2.1
     
    cosmok, Dec 3, 2009
    #18
  19. NHT

    NHT Notebook Evangelist

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    From a Z5's laptop.
     
    NHT, Dec 3, 2009
    #19
  20. ShadowFlare

    ShadowFlare Notebook Geek

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    Flashed R5030M3 on my Z3, working fine so far.
     
    ShadowFlare, Dec 3, 2009
    #20
  21. TDO

    TDO Notebook Consultant

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    Why did you install the old Bios?

    For the Z3 exists a new one the R40 44M3
     
    TDO, Dec 4, 2009
    #21
  22. ShadowFlare

    ShadowFlare Notebook Geek

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    I know R4044M3 exists but I figured since Z5 runs natively on Win 7 and works as it should right out of the box, might as well flash that. Besides, doesn't mean R5030M3 is an 'older' BIOS, IMO it's the other BIOSes that try to work like R5030M3 lol.
     
    ShadowFlare, Dec 4, 2009
    #22
  23. cosmok

    cosmok Notebook Consultant

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    Pretty sure R5030M3 is the same as R40 40M3 with the exception of SLIC 2.1 vs SLIC 2.0. Care to confirm as you have it flashed?
     
    cosmok, Dec 4, 2009
    #23
  24. NHT

    NHT Notebook Evangelist

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    I can confirm that you are totally wrong.
    There is no way that R5030M3 works with Windows 7 and the Nvidia driver if it was the same as R4030M3. The R4030M3 doesn't the VT's option either.

    Edit: R4030M3 doesn't exist,but R4040M3
     
    NHT, Dec 4, 2009
    #24
  25. cosmok

    cosmok Notebook Consultant

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    That's what I mean, my mistake. R4041M3 had official VT options enabled.
     
    cosmok, Dec 4, 2009
    #25
  26. ShadowFlare

    ShadowFlare Notebook Geek

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    Confirm that the R5030M3 has SLIC 2.1? I've run the utility to check SLIC 2.1, and yes I can confirm it is there.
     
    ShadowFlare, Dec 4, 2009
    #26
  27. achau

    achau Notebook Geek

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    Just flashed the R5030 with adv menu on my Z46. It works very well; including the Speed mode graphics. Thanks NHT for sharing this bios and the effort to enable advmenu.
     
    achau, Dec 4, 2009
    #27
  28. ShadowFlare

    ShadowFlare Notebook Geek

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    Ah yes forgot to say thanks to NHT, appreciate the heads up and making it available to us. I've just re-ran Windows Experience Index just for fun, my HDD transfer rate increased by 0.3 point from 6.2 to 6.5 just by flashing to R5030M3. Liking it. +1
     
    ShadowFlare, Dec 4, 2009
    #28
  29. TheTraveler

    TheTraveler Notebook Guru

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    Sorry for asking, but what is SLIC?

    Since R4043M3 is the latest BIOS posted on the Sony Asia Pacific support, then I should be able to flash R4044M3 onto my Z47GD (from Hong Kong)?

    Thanks! Been working on upgrading to Windows 7 Ultimate and not getting much help from Sony.
     
    TheTraveler, Dec 4, 2009
    #29
  30. cosmok

    cosmok Notebook Consultant

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    SLIC is what controls OEM activations of Windows. Vista and XP use SLIC 2.0 while Windows 7 uses 2.1. You'll be able to flash R4044M3
     
    cosmok, Dec 4, 2009
    #30
  31. TheTraveler

    TheTraveler Notebook Guru

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    Thanks cosmok!
     
    TheTraveler, Dec 4, 2009
    #31
  32. Qwaarjet

    Qwaarjet Notebook Deity

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    yup, thanks NHT. Flashed to R5030M3 w/adv menus on my Z550N. First time I flash to a modified bios w/adv menu, i've overwhelmed compared to the previous version! :eek: :p

    sadly, i got no HDD transfer rate increased like ShadowFlare did :*( still at 5.9 *tears*
     
    Qwaarjet, Dec 4, 2009
    #32
  33. ZugZug

    ZugZug Notebook Evangelist

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    It's funny that, after R5030M3 with adv menus is flashed, various utilities show BIOS version as ERRORM3. Anyone else seeing that?
     
    ZugZug, Dec 4, 2009
    #33
  34. NHT

    NHT Notebook Evangelist

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    Which utility do you use? CPU-Z shows R5030M3 for me
     
    NHT, Dec 4, 2009
    #34
  35. Qwaarjet

    Qwaarjet Notebook Deity

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    +1

    cpu-z showing the same for me
     
    Qwaarjet, Dec 4, 2009
    #35
  36. ZugZug

    ZugZug Notebook Evangelist

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    CPU-Z 1.52 64-bit in Windows 7 Professional x64.
    errorm3.jpg
     
    ZugZug, Dec 4, 2009
    #36
  37. Qwaarjet

    Qwaarjet Notebook Deity

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    Using 1.52.2 w/W7 Ultimate x64 here, that's strange.
     
    Qwaarjet, Dec 4, 2009
    #37
  38. ZugZug

    ZugZug Notebook Evangelist

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    Found a reference to Sony support page that says to run BIOS update again if BIOS version reads ERRORM3. Guess it's Insyde/Sony glitch.
     
    ZugZug, Dec 4, 2009
    #38
  39. Diversion

    Diversion Notebook Deity

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    On a side note, can anybody confirm is this allows for 5.1 audio output capability under Win7 via HDMI on our Zs? I would be super happy.
     
    Diversion, Dec 4, 2009
    #39
  40. bjornb

    bjornb Notebook Consultant

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    Installed this bios on mine, but unable to enter bios now, it just asks 'Enter BIOS Password'. I have never set a BIOS password on my computer...
    Is a password set in the bios file?
     
    bjornb, Dec 4, 2009
    #40
  41. cosmok

    cosmok Notebook Consultant

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    Shouldn't be, I'll dump it again and reupload.
     
    cosmok, Dec 4, 2009
    #41
  42. cosmok

    cosmok Notebook Consultant

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    Here you go. Not sure why it had a password, may have left mine on.

    This has a modified boot image with no Insyde logo

    [​IMG]

    You can change it back if you want with ezh20 and the original images are located in the link.
     
    cosmok, Dec 4, 2009
    #42
  43. bjornb

    bjornb Notebook Consultant

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    Excellent! :). That worked well, no password now (the Vaio logo when powering up is slighty different now though, no insyde logo, not that it matters).
     
    bjornb, Dec 4, 2009
    #43
  44. Willy330Ci

    Willy330Ci Notebook Consultant

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    I have this error while trying to execute the file, I even tried through the CMD, same error
     

    Attached Files:

    Willy330Ci, Dec 5, 2009
    #44
  45. achau

    achau Notebook Geek

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    The flash program must run in DOS. You should boot from DOS first.
     
    achau, Dec 5, 2009
    #45
  46. Metsn

    Metsn Maiku Hama Yokohama

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    Is it possible to switch the IDE settings in advanced menu to "compatibility mode", so I would be able to run apps like HDDErase to erase my externally connected SATA HDDs/SSDs?
     
    Metsn, Dec 5, 2009
    #46
  47. Visioneer

    Visioneer Notebook Evangelist

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    Unfortunately it isn't. HDDErase doesnt' work on Z either with advanced nor original bios.
     
    Visioneer, Dec 5, 2009
    #47
  48. Metsn

    Metsn Maiku Hama Yokohama

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    Well thank you for answer anyway. So with Sony only computers at home I don't have a chance to securely erase SSD...
     
    Metsn, Dec 5, 2009
    #48
  49. Visioneer

    Visioneer Notebook Evangelist

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    For sure not with Sony Zxx. The only way I know is to dismantle the laptop, remove the ssd, connect it to the desktop computer with enable IDE Compatibility Mode settings, do the secure erase and reassemble the laptop.
     
    Visioneer, Dec 5, 2009
    #49
  50. Metsn

    Metsn Maiku Hama Yokohama

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    Well I have the SSD out already, but there's no PC with IDE Compatibility Mode around. So I just filled the SSD up with junk files, deleted, formatted and hopefully there's nothing anymore for average ハッカー　 :D 　Thanks again and sorry for the OT.
     
    Metsn, Dec 5, 2009
    #50
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