How to update Intel Matrix Storage Manager Option ROM ? (AW Series)

Hello Folks!

Just opened this thread to find out how to update/upgrade StorageManager Option ROM in Vaio laptops .. especially in AW series and even Z ..
Everybody who is interested can join and share ideas or give help
All are Welcome !

I been recently passing through few Vaio-Z threads and checked some pictures relating Vaio-Z .
What I am REALLY interested about is : Vaio-Z QUAD RAID capabilities !
What I find out about RAID uses same Intel Matrix AW and Z
Only different is BIOS structure
Both has got same south bridge
They have same post start so matrix storage option ROM and diferences are that vaio-z has newer version !
Vaio AW = Option ROM Version : v8.0.0.1039
Vaio Z = Option ROM Version : v9.5.0.1037
And THAT is what I am after !!

So my question is : Is there any possibilities how to update this option ROM in my vaio-aw ??
I have uploaded few pictures so you can compare
Also I put some links where are threads about this topic and there are option ROM files that you can actually download ... and actually I can se there there is newer Option ROM than in Vaio Z the version is : v9.6.0.1014 So it might vaio-z users you might update it ?
Take a Look!
How to update my Intel Matrix Storage Manager Option ROM?? <--- Discuss
Bios Mods -The Best BIOS Update and Modification Source - Available Intel For SATA RAID Option ROMS <---List
Bios Mods -The Best BIOS Update and Modification Source - Intel RAID 10.0.0.1046 Option ROM <---Discuss
fileNice - [http://www.bios-mods.com/resources] <--- all kind of files to download scroll down to find Option ROM last is latest one v9.6.0.1014

 

What benefit does the the 9.5.0.1037 option rom add for you?

 

I think it will allow me to make Quad Raid SSD 0
My Utility wont let me create RAID with more than 2 Drives

 

I think that should be possible. Worst thing that can happen is that you end up with a bricked laptop after flashing. This is serious stuff what you are about to fiddle around with so better get some hardware level access to your bios flash (JTAG) so you can reflash if something goes wrong. Otherwise you will need sony to do that for you - and the will most likely charge you a load of $$$ for that since you will void your warranty with that kind of modifications.

However, grab more information about Insyde tools and how that EFI in AW works. Perhaps it is already possible just to swap option rom images in your BIOS as it is supposed to be an insyde extension module.

 

@pyr0

Hello thank you for nice information I appreciate that.
Yes I am aware of that bricking BIOS! So if I make BIOS backup can I roll back after bricking it?
wait wait .. what does it mean hardware level access to your bios flas(JTAG)??
Where I can get it ?
I think I can't gather info about Insyde .. cos am running completely different BIOS its called Aptio ... and its some new fashion BIOS that is non editable as Insyde .. I cannot even hack advanced menu ..
I was thinkng that I will replace Option ROM file with old one . but I have file and I canot unpack it I tried with Universal Extractor but no go it wont unpack it ..

 

JTAG is an interface which directly connects to the chip, in your case it may be used for reprogramming the chip with an appropriate flash burner, there are tons of manuals on the net. This all is just to make sure and just an idea. Be aware that if it comes to reflashing your flash rom directly (when your laptop is already bricked) you will most likely need to solder in your laptop. Really nasty stuff.

I think at first place you can hex-compare the actual bios rom you got (RAW bios, not packed bios with updater utility, best case dumped from your machine) with the option ROM file your laptop got installed (from fileNice you posted). Perhaps there is a way.

Aptio? Never heard of it. If you can get hold of developer tools for that, that would also be a solution.

 

^How do you fit four drives in your laptop and how are you going to physically connect them??

 

Hang on a sec. The only AW series I'm aware of was core2duo/Pm45 chipset. Our Z's are ix/HM57 chipset. There's an entirely different chipset in the Z.

You want to put an option ROM for a HM57 chipset into your PM45 chipset?

Sounds like you WANT to brick your laptop.

 

They are already fitted the fourth is in optibay... , pics below ..
But I dont want to use BIOS from vaio z
I just want to use Intel Matrix Option ROM its just software/utility implemented into AMI BIOS files and they are or should be same no?
If you see the RAID utility starts first then BIOS is loaded during post

 

Its new type of BIOS apparently launched in 2008 ..
If you go on American Megatrends website there is everything
Exactly as you said if i can hold all tools and Utilities for editing BIOS that would be awesome ... BUT the licence to buy these things cost about 1000 dollars a year then you have to pay again and they wont provide these programs until you show that you are Laptop or Desktop developer

 

Here says if I can get MMTool program I can edit or change Option ROM

 

The option rom directly controls the Intel SATA controller. I would be VERY nervous about that working on an entirely different controller. (pm45 vs hm57)

Not to mention I don't know how you'd get it to work.

Your raid utility won't let you create an array across all 4 drives?

 

No .. In Utility i can select 2 only .. when i try select all nothing happens

I have question What creating an RAID 0 influence ? is it just utility what is capable of or it is actual chipset ?
Who or what is creating RAID 0 ?
When I created first RAID 0 with 2x Drives in Option ROM Utility after Installing Windows 7 and installig Martix Storage Manager I was able to create second RAID 0 and then when I restarted laptop in utility showed its member disk both bootable ..

 

I believe the information (description of the raid volume) is stored via markers on the disk. Those markers can be written from the option rom utility or via the intel utility in windows (when you create the array).

The important part is that the option rom reads those markers at every boot and tells windows how to access the volume.

 

Perhaps you can try just to hook up your drives in a Z or 4 Z drives in your laptop just to see if your laptop detects the quad raid array. Another way would be start a live system from an external hard drive/flash drive and fire up latest intel storage manager and try to build a quad raid there.

 

I will have to stay with 9.6.0.1014 because latest Intel Rapid Storage Driver 10.​1.​0.​1008 in windows started cause problems with my laptop !!!
When I installed it after few hours my system start freezing and completly crashing !! I reinstalled windows and I installed that new intel rapid as well and only then I realised it was this program causing problem ..

aah That is GREAT Idea pyr0 !! I was thinking that as well but I never tried that and I thought it wont work ..
I need 5th drive though
But thing is,I need System (Win 7) be RAID 0 where its operate and making fast ..
I will try install windows 7 from external then I will make Quad RAID 0 from those four in machine and if the Utility recognize as bunch of 4 SSD in one then I want to install windows on it ... Do you think THIS is possible??

 

this is exactlywhat I mean. istall win7 to an ext. hdd, boot it, install chipset drivers and intel rst drivers and delete entire array and create a new one out of windows. Crossing fingers that this will work.

 

Hi @pyr0

I am afraid that I will be unable to install Win 7 on to external drive
It just not working .. Microsoft doesn't want it .. because of money ...
I just checked internet

 

Then try windows xp, I know that you can run xp from a usb drive.