Insyde hacking - New Vaio Z - Advanced menu in BIOS

Is there any new updates in terms of the hacked bios? new features unlocked? like speed step (which I believe at the moment is not present) or other things you clever people find?

Cheers, I have been running with the hacked bios since I got my Z12 and it has been the best thing in the world to be able to use static VGA and normal Nvidia drivers.

 

Nothing new. Everything the same. Speedstep is actually there in the hacked BIOS since day zero. You find the item in:

Power - Advanced CPU Control - P-States(IST). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EIST

 

Ah!! of course!! Thanks dude! not sure why I didn't think of that one. I gotta say, this hacked bios has made the WORLD of difference on my opinion on the vaio Z.

EDIT:

Actually, I just had a look... EIST is nowhere to be found, or under the name SpeedStep.

I am running the hacked bios on a Vaio Z128, if that makes any difference to anyone, but Pyr0 can you tell me where you have this option in your bios??

 

I just edited the above post - sorry for the misleading information.

 

Hi,

recently i bought a vpc-z21. Can i use this bios the notebook? I am mainly interested to see if i can disable the internal graphic card.

regards
gyhor

 

No you can't.

I'd love to see people sending me a backup of their Z2 BIOS to check out what we can mod out of them. Pretty easy. Download http://www.sendspace.com/file/wkyxov, read, backup and upload file, send link via PM. 100% confidentiality guaranteed.

 

i stuck at these steps,


- open command prompt. cd to the USB key drive letter, and cd to the python app directory (\PortablePython_1.1_py2.6.1\App) and do (enter) the "python advanced_menu.py dump.rom new.rom" command (without the " ") IT SHOULD REPORT NO ERRORS!!! IF YOU GOT ERRORS PLEASE DO NOT FLASH!!! ie do not continue with below.

- copy the new.rom (now in the app directory) to the root directory of stick drive

the dump rom its ok,created
but how i will create the new rom?
btw i used this flashz1.exe due to this error "Error: This FD file can not open"

here is screenshot of my usb stick

 

Copy the DUMP.ROM file into the subdirectory:

PortablePython_1.1_py2.6.1\App

then open a command window (enter "cmd" into start menu box and hit enter button)
then enter

Code:

f:

(hit enter)
then

Code:

cd PortablePython_1.1_py2.6.1\App

(you can paste this by a rightclick into the command window or use auto completion type "por" and hit Tab) (hit enter)
and finally run the command:

Code:

python advanced_menu.py dump.rom new.rom

(hit enter)

should say something like patching done without errors. copy back the new.rom into your flashdrive root directory and continue flashing.

 

@pyrO

Great m8,already hacked bios installed!

switched to static gpu,nvidia 285.79 installed satis.
i think i have a slight improvement,at boot speed..

Guys thanks great job,really appreciated!

 

NHT this is in regards to an older now closed thread: "(Please Help!) Sony Vaio Z Keyboard Cable Ribbon, Is this what you are looking for? http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=300414561918, If you are from US, you can order it direct from Sony, I think. If you are from Europe, my friend has a spare cable"
Is there a chance your friend still has the spare? I just broke mine...

 

Is it possible to update a bios on a linux machine?

 

^By booting into a DOS USB drive.

 

Have you successfully updated the BIOS that way?

I've tried it in the past. I was able to patch the an BIOS following the process described in this thread (dumping the existing BIOS, patching, etc.

But for some reason updating with a new BIOS with the same tools does not work. I recall some error about the size of the BIOS not matching or something like that.

 

^I have in the past, but it's been some time. Perhaps their BIOS files have changed? A mini-xp bootcd works as well (i.e. hiren). But be very careful that way, you may not think it's flashing but it is. Be patient.

 

I've actually updated using a windows PE before, can't remember which one, it was quite a while back. It was a bit scary, I remember the progress window hanging for some reason.

Still looking for a method to avoid using windows tools altogether.

 

###################################################

I can also confirm that psyq321 method is working for Sony Vaio VPCZ119E/B there for a very BIG THANKS !!!

I adapted his method and made it a bit easier and faster I guess :-s

My operating system is: Windows 7 Ultimate x64

(A) Prerequisite ( what you need)

1) Latest BIOS version for Sony Vaio VPCZ119E/B ( EP0000260339.exe )
2) The " advanced_menu.py" from psyq321 ( advanced_menu.zip )
3) Python 2.7.2.1 ( PortablePython_2.7.2.1 )
4) 7-Zip ( 7-Zip download page )
5) Insyde Flash Utility for InsydeH2O Fla V1.3q ( InsydeH2O Fla V1.3q ) ( fla stands for fla sh it without spaces)
6) HP_USB_Boot_Utility + usbdos-Files ( HP_USB_Boot_Utility+usbdos ) download it and use the boot_usb_stick directory!
7) Create a bootable USB-Dos-Key with HP_USB_Boot_Utility from point (6) ( I used a SanDisk Cruzer 8GB ) ( see: hp-usb-boot-utility.png )

(B) Procedure ( how to do it )

1) Create a directory on C-drive ( I named it bios ) - " C:\bios"
2) Copy there the latest Sony Vaio BIOS EP0000260339.exe and extract it with 7-Zip to " EP0000260339" directory
3) Open the console ( cmd ) and change directory to "C:\bios\EP0000260339" then type in " InsydeFlash.exe dump.rom /g" and
wait until you get this message in the console " Done: Read Information from ROM OK" ( see: dump.rom.png )
after this you should have a dump.rom file with the size of 4096 KB
4) Install python to this directory " C:/bios/python" ( see: python.png ) and then
copy the dump.rom together with the advanced_menu.py to the App directory " C:\bios\python\App"
5) In the console change directory to " C:\bios\python\App" and then
type: " python.exe advanced_menu.py dump.rom new.rom" and you will get something like this: bios_patch_log.txt
and you get a new file called new.rom with the same size as the dump.rom of 4096 KB
6) Now copy the following files to the USB-Key: FLA SH IT.EXE ( without the spaces between) and new.rom
7) Boot the system into the USB-Key and type this: "fla.exe new.rom /f" ( fla stands for fla sh it without spaces) and wait until the flashing process is done.
8) After this step the laptop will go off and restart by it self and now you have access to the full advanced settings

DONE - if everything was OK you will see this in the new BIOS: VPCZ119E/B

 

I have the BIOS patch already for my VAIO VPCZ119E/B

I also have a extra HDD caddy instead of the DVD-drive and now my question is:
how can I choose in the BIOS ( is there a python script ) to boot from the second HDD?

Thank you in advance

 

Hi there,

you don't need the FreeDos, check out my experience here and you will have your BIOS in no time

Post:517

Cheers

 

Hi there,

you don't need the FreeDos - and you don't need a CD/DVD-Drive -, check out my experience here and you will have your BIOS in no time

Post:517

Cheers

 

Could anybody help?)
I have a problem. I can't use InsydeFlash.exe. It gives a messege with something like "you should close all programs and run from administrator, for vista" win 7 x64.
Alll programs already closed(besides system). Could the problem be in Eset?
Also if i use method from cowboy i'll have the same problem as iamawh.(no driver and then "can't open this fd")
Thanks.

 

Is it really useful to flash the BIOS?
Does the Hack gives me some things that are helpful for everyday use like better battery life through a better calibration or something like that???

 

Yes:
-VT-d gives performance boost on your Virtual Machines
-Static switching lets you get rid of the crappy Sony Hybrid graphics drivers and lets you install the latest ones.

 

I don´t use VM´s

You mean, I have only one GFX available and I have to reboot, when I want so switch to NVIDIA? So I can install the latest Intel GFX and the latest NVIDIA Driver?
Are these drivers really better than the 263 NVIDIA and the 2281 Intel???

 

Yes, reboot for mode change.

For me static switchung gives many advantages (but I am probably a different kind of user than most and I use a DIY eGPU setup). If your laptop runs well for what you need, "don't change a running system". If you are doing fancy CUDA stuff or gaming for which the old hybrid drivers are too bad or incompatible, the hack is the best thing you can do. Decide on your own.

 

Hi there,

if you are running the InsydeFlash.exe from the command prompt ( cmd ) then do it as fallow:

Go to "Start" type cmd and click it with the right mouse key, then "Run it as Administrator..." change to your directory and try now and run "InsydeFlash.exe dump.rom /g"

( my Windows is in german so I am not sure if 'Run it as Administrator...' is the proper translation for this, but something similar )

Cheers & good luck

 

Yes it is.

Now I can run my Mac OS X 10.7.1 very smooth with the new BIOS-Settings.

The cooler is not running mad like before and the mac is more stable the it was with the standard settings

I am running Mac OS X 10.7.1 ( fully working ) on Sony Vaio VPCZ119E/B

Cheers

PS: I have original DVD Mac OS X 10.6.3 and I bought the Lion on the Apple Store! The installation is just for home use !!!

 

=( The process appears for a second and disappears. Of course i have tried to "run it as Administrator."
p.s. SnimOK - tool i use to make a screenshot
Maybe somebody have bios dump for vpcz12?

 

^ Put a space in your command between "rom" and "/g".

 

pyr0, thx
I'm lol ^__^

 

Reisho, you might also want to take a look at your cleartype settings. I really doubt they're configured correctly, making your text look all fuzzy and yellow.

 

upload file again(InsydeH2O Fla V1.3q) plz

 

I could not download it. i need file FLASH IT.EXE

 

Did your Z come with micron memory chips or is that aftermarket?

 

need to fix paragraph 7 (new.Rom) not (com)

 

Thanks, done that - change it pls in your reply too

 

I have 2 x 4 GB DDR3 Samsung RAM and the setting is at 1333 and it is working very fine

Cheers

 

Thanks a lot for the wonderful instructions.
I have finally managed to unlock the bios on my Sony VAIO VPCZ1190X and able to enjoy the true potential of this device.

I heard that also with the latest kernel release we should be getting significant battery savings looking forward to that. Once again thanks everyone. The only hiccup I faced during the installation (other than finding the fla utility ) is that when I tried to flash the new rom got a crashed error.

But this happened when I chose the live cd option, instead of that I tried the normal install option and voila it works like a dream after that.

 

Sorry, double post

 

Hi,

do you know if it's possible to hack the bios this way for a VPCF13Z1E ?

Thanks

 

I want to thank every one for this thread. I have since buying a Vaio VPCZ13C5E always N-Vidia kernel errors. After the kernel error windows 7 repaired the problem.
But often compaired with freezes. (if i reïnstalled Windows or not the problem would remained)
Updating new Nvidia drivers was not possible thanks to Sony!

I was calling and writing Sony for 6 months to find solutions, but no they can't give you simple new drivers.
There answer is:
We have to contact our headquarters in Japan.
So i paid 4700 euro for a crappy machine with 4 years total garantee.
But the garantee is worthless.

Ok back 2 u guys. I know flashing bios is a risky operation. I decided as last opinion to do that and guess what:

everything works, no problem after installing the newest Nvidia driver.
Only brightness control had a problem in the beginning, the control was not function and the screen was very bright (almost hurting your eyes so bright).
After a computer restart the problems were gone.

After i did the Nvidia driver update i restarted the computer to stamina and updated the graphic drivers from Intel.

Untill now eveything works for a week flawless.

But i have a question to paul3000h or ComputerCowboy.
i miss 1 thing in your quide and i think it's really important voor most (inexperienced)users. When some one will send his computer back to Sony how can they Flash there original BIOS back to original state?

I hope you guys can write that also in the manual or here in the topic.

Because my Vaio Z will be soon go to Sony and i want also to know the how to flash back method.

Again people, thanks for helping so far

 

^ During the hacking process you have created a file called "DUMP.ROM". This is the original non-hacked BIOS image. Just flash this file following the manual where you flash the patched file but replace the filename with your dump file.

e.g. (when your flashing tool is "flash.exe") you type:

flash dump.rom /f

 

Thank you so much pyr0 for your answer.

Since 2 or 3 days my VAIO Z is behaving strange. Windows let me hear a sound that a object is found or removed.
After that sound the pc is slowing down/freezing.
Often will this problem comes a dozen times.
This happends when i'm working on the Nvidia speed modus.
I did do a system recovery back before i had this problems but it went good for 1 day.
I don't get a message what the problem is.
Will this be a caused due the bios hack or Nvidia hacked drivers?

In the Intel stamina modus i can't tell you guys what the experience is because i haven't tested it.

Is there a way to check where or what the problem is? (sorry for the newbie question)
When i go to computer (or System) management i don't see things reïnstalled or removed when i got the problem.

There is also another thing that is possible and that is that my 512SSD in raid 0 is not working 100 percent, but that is just a suggestion.

 

I believe that the BIOS mod is not responsible for your issues. I suggest to check your NVIDIA GPU temperatures while running intensive tasks, with HWMonitor or GPU-Z for example. Could be some cooling problem - many people here reported issues due to the GPU heatsink that had bad contact to the GPU die. Is worth a try IMO.

You can check your RAID array in the Intel Rapid Storage Technology console. There is an option to verify the array's integrity. Takes about half an hour to do and can be done during normal working operation.

 

I'd successfully hacked my Z1390X (thanx everybody here) and found problem similar to Aliberto's one.
When VGA in BIOS is in auto mode - everything works perfect. In static VGA mode with NVIDIA - everything ok, but in stamina mode - computer freezing.
After I scroll my finger it continue booting (I hear skype sound etc.) but screen freeze on fingerscroll for few minutes. After this it show me right screen and freeze.

PS: I didn't found switching memory to 1333.

 

problem was solved by installing original Intel video driver.
But now I can't install NVIDIA driver for 330M. (
"...could not find compatible graphic hardware"
I'll let you know if I'll find any solution.

 

RTFM! )))
Many thanx to cowboy's patch!
Now NVIDIA drivers installed and everything works perfect!!!
I love my Sony again )))

 

And @ Pyr0: i did send my Vaio Z to Sony repair center. Because the computer had also after several Windows installations problems with freezes (even with original bios and in stamina and speed mode).
Before the Vaio Z was send to Sony i flashed my original bios back..
When i yesterday received my Vaio Z i did see in the technical service report that they replaced my motherboard for another one.

Because i have the Vaio Z 1 day i can't tell you guys if the problems are gone. But yes i will hack my bios back again. So this story will be continued......

 

Hi,
Many thanks for the guide and actually making this work!
I have a question regarding the WIFI.
I would like to disable the built in WIFI from BIOS so that I only get my external USB network Card listed upon startup. Using the little knob on the Z1 front disables BOTH my built in Wifi as well as my external USB.
This is especially interesting in Linux / Ubuntu etc which has a nasty way of trying to connecto both internal and external cards.

There seems to be a LAN disable feature that works, in the advanced Bios menu (peripherlials) but No Wifi?? In Z2 advanced menu - there seems to be a disabling feature of wireless...

Pretty please, tell me there is a way on Z1?
Regards to all you awesome people!

 

When i boot with FreeDOS the computer becomes unresponsive after pressing a button. Is this a known issue?

 

Not sure about BIOS. Perhaps there is a way to disable PCI-E slot thus effectively disabling Wi-Fi card.

Alternative ways involve OS level settings. In Windows you can disable specific interface in device manager or in Network Connections. In Ubuntu you can disable interface in /etc/network/interfaces