How to Backup Vaio Z original Bios while flashing new Bios

===== Updated: Found a better way to backup Bios only, Please see the end of this message ======

Let say your Vaio Z is using Bios R4040M3 and you move to Bios R4041M3 to use the official VT support. Later on, you want to move back to R4040M3 to use the Advance Menu hack. Unfortunately, you cannot move back as Sony never publish the R4040M3 Bios update. This is my current situation.

I decided to investigate a way to back up the current Bios. Using a program called Universal extractor, I managed to extracted the files in the original Bios update. The bios update uses a program called Insydeflash to flash the Bios. The Insydeflash uses a file called platform.ini to control its setting.

In the platform.ini file, there is a section called [FDFile]. The section [FDFile] has a parameter called BackupName. If we put in a file name here, the Insydeflash should save your current Bios into that file. Unfortunately, I cannot make it work with the Sony supplied Insydeflash. (version 3.38).

I managed to get the newer version of Insydeflash (version 3.72). The newer version has a new ini section called [BackupROM], as the following:

..........
[BackupROM]
Flag=0
FilePath=c:
FileName=

;Flag 1 -> Backup current BIOS and new BIOS binary
;FilePath -> If user does not enter the file path, utility will use current directory.
;FileName -> If user does not enter the file name, utility will use platform ID.
;xxx.xxx = Current BIOS image
;xxx_01.xxx = Previous BIOS image
;xxx_new.xxx = New BIOS image
......

So, I copy this section to the Sony original platform.ini file. Put the modified Sony platform.ini file and the Bios Rom file in the directory of the new version of Insydeflash. Bingo, it works now. The Insydeflash will backup the original bios before flash the new bios.

I had packed the Insydeflash with the R2168M3.rom and R4041M3.rom and uploaded here:

http://www.sendspace.com/file/6z9g3j

To use the flash a rom file, execute the Insydeflash.exe file with system admin capability. In the Insydeflash program, click the <Option> button. Then, you will see the option menu. Enter the file name of your Rom file in the filename section. You don't need to enter anything in the backup file name as the file is determined by the ini [BackupFile] section rather than by this box. Don't change anything else in option menu. After you selected the Rom file name, you can exit the Option screen and then press the start button. Then, click OK to flash the Rom. After you flash the rom, you may need to restart your program. I didn't configure the shutdown or reboot option after the bios update.

You may find the backup file called _new.Backup in the directory. This is the backup of your original Bios file. You should rename this file to a filename such as R4040M3.rom. If you want to go back to your original ROM file, you can point to this renamed backup file and flash again.

I used this method to go back and forth between R4040M3 and R2168M3 using the original Rom file and backup Rom files on my Z46GD for serveral times. All the update are sucessful.

p.s.: If you have back up the R4040M3 rom, please help to upload to the forum and share with us. I would like to get back this Bios image. I also think that some of the Z generation 3 user may want to use this bios.


==== Update information

To backup Vaio Z bios without flashing new bios. You can use the dos based flashing tool from Insyde called Fla.exe. The program has an option to read and save the current bios image. I managed to find a image of R4040R3 in fla format. I had successfully updated my bios to R4040R3.

 

I have been playing around the bios updates but didn't notice _new.Backup was the backup file.

As a Z3 user I would rather stick with R2168M3 for the advanced menus and the 8GB RAM support, which is a pretty stable version, without having to suffer from machine occasionally stops responding.

Anyway, R4040M3 might also be a good version. But it's extremely hard to download a file which can be verified.

 

What useful settings can we tweak with the advanced menu? Haven't tried it myself.

 

By default, there is no backup file if you didn't specify one. I tried three versions of Bios and all are successful. If someone post a backup of R4040M3, I can take the risk to try and report if it is really R4040M3.

Unfortunately, I didn't know this method before I gave up R4040M3. I gave up R4040M3 as R4040M3 could not show the Raid selection in the advanced menu. I had added a second X25m to replace the dvd drive. I thought that I could run the Raid 0 by enabling the Raid option in the bios. So, I downgraded my bios to R2168M3. I can see and select the Raid in R2168M3 but I failed to get in the Intel Raid Menu. It seems that Sony had hard coded specific harddisk port for the Raid configuration. Without the original Raid cable, I cannot get in the Raid menu even I selected Raid in the controller parameter.

R4040M3 is last Vaio Z bios that can be modified to add the advanced menu. It supports 8G and it is very stable. Unfortunately, I don't have a backup of this. I believe that there are hardware enhancement in the Z Gen 3 and Gen 4. Therefore, I think that it is better to use R4040M3 or R4041M3 rather than R2168M3 for Gen3 or Gen4 Z. I am using R4041M3 now even without additional selection in Advanced menu. So far, it is very stable.

 

Hello,

I have a new Z790 64-bit Vaio with BIOS R4040M3. If it is a simple file that I can copy and send then I will. But I don't want to risk using any 3rd party programs or anything like that.

I upgraded the BIOS before in my Z540 and regretted it so I hear you on this. My computer just didn't seem to run as well as it did.

 

The Flash program is from the bios manufacturer. The Bios ROM is from Sony. Hence, no third party software will be used in the proceess. I just provide an option for everyone. If you have no plan to flash your bios, don't worry. If you have plan to flash your Bios and want to find a way to revert back, this is the solution. There is risk in flashing Bios; even using the original flash program provided by Sony.

 

There might be some hardware upgrade in newer models, however I would rather use Z2 BIOS for Z3 as it is more conservative and safe. Of course, for Z4 definitely the best BIOS is R4040M3.

 

If you look at the Sony Bios path, they have R2169M3 for Z1 and Z2 while R4041M3 for Z3 and Z4. Therefore, I think that Z3 should go to R4041M3 if we follow this path. Anyway, I had used R2168M3 for a few days. I didn't notice any problem on my Z4 as well. The only difference is that the R4040M3 and R4041M3 has a better display scale in the Bios menu. Other than that, I didn't see any difference.

BTW, are you using any other function in the advanced menu other than the VT?

 

What better display scales has R4040M3 got in the BIOS menu?

The most important function I use in the advanced menu is to change the SATA controller to IDE mode to install Windows XP / Windows Server 2003 without having to sllipstream the SATA driver. This also enables some legacy utilities such as MHDD to diagnosis hard drives.

Furthermore, still haven't bothered to test whether Z3 will be able to support 8GB RAM with R4041M3. Note that Z3 does not support 8GB RAM with R3052M3 or R3054M3. Z3 can support 8GB RAM with the BIOS of Z1, Z2 and Z4 (released before Sony enabled VT). Not sure whether Z3 will support 8GB RAM with R4041M3 (or other versions after Sony enabled VT), so I would not risk try to upgrade.

As it is known that BIOS virus can be extremely powerful and impossible to clean, I would prefer not to just download R4040M3 without a digital signature from Sony. Hacking previous versions is another story - open source program gives some confidence at least...

 

If it's anything like other machines using Intel Software Raid (ISW) built-in to the ICH* softbridge controller, the raid menu can be accessed by hitting CTRL-I right after the BIOS information but before the boot. And depending on the timeout parameter, you may only have a second to do so, and no indicator on-screen that this is what you're supposed to do. So try hitting CTRL-I over and over again near the end of the BIOS boot screen.

 

I know the Ctrl-I command but it doesn't work in the situation. After I changed the controller to Raid mode, the Bios halted at the Vaio logo and eventually go back to the Bios config. I keep on pressing Ctrl-I after I switch on system. Yet, I cannot see the Intel configuration menu at all.

It seems that the Bios will check the hard disks at the two specific ports. If it cannot see both hard disks, it will no allow the user enter the Raid configuration. Without a Bios hack, I probably cannot go further.

 

In R4040M3 or R4041M3, the bios setting program will occupy the whole screen. I am pretty sure that the 8G Ram problem was created by the R3xxx bios version. My Z4 cannot boot up in 8G using the R3xxx bios. I guess the hardware difference between Z3 and Z4 are minimal. Anyway, if you need the hacked advanced menu, R4041M3 is not an option for you.

 

Great job, achau, thanks for posting. +1 for you.

I also would be interested in r4040m3.rom if anyone can upload. Please provide md5 checksum.

With regards to the RAID option not appearing in BIOS with advanced options enabled: you do need to connect your 2 SSDs to ports 0 and 4 (i.e. use the SONY FPC cable for 2 SSDs). It will not work for port 1 (where the DVD/BD optical drive is).

 

hi achau,

you have saved my life. I bought the z92 from Japan with japanese OS. I have tried to install things from the z690 (z790 was not available at the time) and stupidly double the bios update. my computer couldn't boot after that. Was trying to get the right bios but stuck and had to find the one can only support 4G RAM. Using your, now I am back with 8G.

Thankk you.
Hai

 

To backup Vaio Z bios without flashing new bios. You can use the dos based flashing tool from Insyde called fla.exe. The program has an option to read and save the current bios image. I managed to find a image of R4040R3 in fla format. I had successfully updated my bios to R4040R3.

---- Update -----
The program name should be fla-s-h-i-t.exe Remove the - please. The last four characterrs was removed by the forum..

 

Hi, Can you provide an online link to the Fla.exe application?

Thanks!

 

And can you upload the bios R4040R3 image?

 

I am using this BIOS version with a VGN-Z790 Vista x64 but I just need something that will simply save it as a file. Can't find Fla.exe.

 

Ok, you can download the program and the rom from this link:

http://www.sendspace.com/file/dzcv0j

The program is a dos base flash program for Insyde Bios. I found the Rom from a Germany forum while I google R4040M3. I tried to compare it with R4041M3 dump and believe that it is really R4040M3. Then, I took a big risk to flash it on my Z46 and I found that it is really R4040M3. However, I must remind you that you need to take higher risk here if you use this ROM. Maybe someone had put in a bios Virus in this Rom... Maybe it won't work on your model. You are going to use it at your own risk....

To dump the Bios, you can use a command like:
flashxx.exe filename /G

(replace xx by it) and <filename.bin> by the filename of your dump.

To flash the bios, I used the command
flashxx.exe filename /all

(The R4040M3 rom included in the package called Z46.bin.)

The /all stand for flash all. This may include all the variables we used to hack the vt. After I flash the Rom, I found that the advanced menu had already turned on and the vt had been enabled.

Please note that the flashxx need to run in dos. You may need to create a dos bootable USB key. Good luck. Again, USE this at your own risk.... If it works for you, please share with other user. If you have a R4040M3 rom, maybe you can help to upload your Rom so that we can cross check to make sure that we get the original Rom.

 

Well now... doesn't sound like a simple program to me! Not worth a $2200 risk

Thanks for the link, I'll check it out

 

If you back up your bios, I think that it is safe. The program just read your bios and save it to a file.

If you flash your own bios image, I think that it may be safe as well. Some vendors such as Acer provide this program to their customers to flash their bios.

The risk is that you are using someone's Rom image.

Anyway, I took a even bigger risk before.... As I tried out something unproven before.

 

achau, I sent you a private message, but you can disregard it now. Thanks again for posting the BIOS image. I'll take a look at it.

 

BTW, this is the original link I got the ROM.

http://www.notebookforum.at/sony-vaio-forum/37655-raidkabel-und-adapterkit-fuer-1-8-ssd-raid-3.html

Maybe you can download the ROM and compare to the ROM provided by me; to make sure that I didn't hack the ROM and give you a bios virus.... or corrupt the ROM due to my error....

In addition, I think that R4040M3 is for Z gen 3 and gen 4 only; as Sony recommend R4041M3 for Z gen 3 and gen 4 users.

 

Thanks for posting the link. Actually, I read that Austrian thread a while back. Whith regard to the checksum: the first thing I did - I compared the CRC32 of both bin files, it's the same: CE37CA36.

 

These differences may be due to some minor hardware changes (e.g. they used Samsung video RAM in gen 3, if I am not mistaken) or the fact that they moved from x86 to x64 Windows platform. I am just speculating, but the reason for wanting R4040M3 is that it has the latest version of embedded controller (EC), 1290, which in theory should be most stable and advanced.

 

Unfortunately, the bin files includes variables. If we have R4040M3 dump from another users, the checksum can be different as each user's variable can be different. Hence, we need to use a program to compare the difference of the two binary images to make the assessment.

I think that it may be a very big effort to hack the Bios ROM and create an virus routine there. Therefore, I took this risk to try this ROM.

In fact, I hope that I know how to hack the ROM so that the Bios will treat my port 1 as second hard disk. Then, I can turn the Raid option

 

That's a great point! I did not think of that. So presumably the .bin image you found and posted has all the variables at their defaults?

 

Have you tried this (I assume you have all the advanced features unlocked via the EFI hack): you set SHOW raid option in BIOS, then on next restart you press CTRL-I to get into Intel Matrix Storage Manager and just try to create a RAID with your listed ports?

EDIT: I just re-read your original post and realized that you obviously had tried this.

 

No, it is not the default. That's why I discover this. Using the Window base flash and Sony Rom. All the variable will be reseted to default. Therefore, the size of Sony provided Rom is only 1.67M. The dump from this flash program is 4M. After I flashed the ROM, I found that the user had enabled advanced menu, vt, vt-x and the two options under vt-x.

 

So does this mean that these settings become new defaults? For example, now that you have flashed your BIOS with this image, if you choose "RESET to DEFAULTS" in BIOS and restart, do you still see the VT and other options enabled?

 

I don't think that the settings become new defaults. I think that the dump take a snapshot of your settings. When you reload the dump, the snapshot will restore back to the system.

 

Important Question

I have the Z555dn (I believe 2nd gen version), and would like to upgrade my BIOS to R4041M3 for Windows 7 support, however, its not listed for my specific model. I did look at the Z620D model (pretty much same specs), and they do have the R4041M3 BIOS update.

Is it safe to update my BIOS with that model (Z620D with R4041M3)? Also, I noticed almost all of the Sony Vaio Z Series have the same BIOS R4041M3 for Windows 7 support.

Muchly appreciated.

 

Z5 is first generation. You can update your BIOS to R4041M3, but it doesn't support Windows 7. You need either R4043M3 or R2170M3 for Windows 7. Both can be updated in your Z

 

Yea, but for BIOS R4041M3, on the Sony site, it says "Support for Windows 7". So?? Any idea?

Also, loooking through a lot of the BIOS versions for the Z models, they are mostly BIOS version R4041M3 updates for Windows 7. I did not see any R4043M3, or R2170 like you had mentioned, nor has Sony posted it as an update on at least most of the Z models i looked at as mentioned earlier.

(Please Note that my current BIOS version for my Z555dn is R2168M3)


Please clarify, Thanks.

 

Hi guys
I would really apreciate your help here.
I have VGN-Z750D and going to install win7 tonight and flash my BIOS!
Im NOT computer expert so i i need to know - what BIOS to use to be SAFE?
R4040M3 OR R4041M3 ?

 

Hi, didn't see you here for some time I have 1st generation of Z as well as you and my bios number was the same as yours until yesterday (when I got 2169 version through Vaio update). I'm planning to upgrade for Win7 soon and I believe the right bios version for our line is R2170M3, as it's mentioned here ...

 

According to Sony recommendation, gen 1-2 Z should flash R2170M3 while gen 3-4 Z should flash R4043M3. You need this bios or you cannot install the latest graphic driver from Sony.

Many people reports in the forum that their gen1-2 Z can flash R4043M3 without problem. It is your call whether you want to follow Sony's recommedation.