Insyde hacking - New Vaio Z - Advanced menu in BIOS

Hi,

is there a way to get the Nvidia graphics activated per default?

Activating it only works in Kernels <2.6.31.20 as far as I know and I do not want to revert from 2.6.35

Unlocking worked, I just had problems in the beginning to get a Freedos Usb stick with more than 1.44 Mb. I solved this by following these steps: Create a bootable FreeDOS usb-stick - technikhaufen

 

Say, those python scripts... are they intended to work on other firmwares (such as the HP EliteBooks)? I get this traceback:

Opened BIOS '68PDV.BIN' with md5:6f33578028220f7127b4963aff3f90d4
Operating on BIOS 68PDV.BIN size = 0x1b0000
Loading compressed sections
.. found 2 compressed sections
Locating Firmware Volumes
.. found 6 FirmwareVolumes (2 compressed)
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "../main.py", line 459, in <module>
main()
File "../main.py", line 454, in main
bios = BIOS()
File "../main.py", line 248, in __init__
setup_utility = self.locate_setup_utility(vol_compr)
File "../main.py", line 391, in locate_setup_utility
name_section = self.get_section_type(sections[1], TYPE_NAME)
IndexError: list index out of range

Somebody at the following link claims the firmware is Insyde:
http://www.wimsbios.com/forum/topic9388-195.html

 

I just had my motherboard replaced on a VPC-Z1190x and now my model #, service tag # and serial # all say "reserved". This information is displayed in my BIOS and under Sony's utility program. Anybody have an idea on how to assign these variables with my my unique information? According to Sony they are looking into it while another motherboard is on back-order. Meanwhile, if I want to install any official drivers I have to change the model.txt file in Windows for it work. Even with my recovery DVD's I created it states that they are "intended for this model".

 

You can try asking someone with VPC-Z1190x to dump the EFI/BIOS ROM with the Insyde Flash IT tool and tell you their service tag / serial.

Then, search for the numbers inside the ROM dump and replace them with yours with some hex. editor like WinHex.

Finally, flash the EFI/BIOS with Flash IT tool and using the modified dump as input source.

This procedure might be needed because offsets to these numbers might be different depending on the system configuration, ACPI table size, etc... so I am afraid there is not a signle unique number.

 

I did just it on my Z. Awesome, thanks!

Is there the slightest possibility the same can be done on an HP Envy 15, also with Insyde BIOS?

 

Cool thanks psyq321 for the info. If anyone has a a US VPC-Z1190X and is willing to dump their ROM I'll give it a shot. Thanks

 

The original thread says download Fla from this thread but I cant find it. Where can I download the file?

Thanks

 

Check page 9 of this thread.

 

Got it- BIOS now hacked. thanks.

So, if I change the Hard Drive mode from RAID to AHCI, will the drives become 2 64GB drives? And then can I install uBuntu on one drive and Windows 7 on the other?

 

Sorry one more q- I've set the grfx mode to static. If I boot under the Speed setting, I only get 1280x800 resolution. Trying to update the driver using the latest one from NVIDIA doesnt work, however, the GPU is detected but no NVIDIA control panel.

If I use Stamina when booting then the LCD works at the correct resolution of 1600x1200. Any idea on how I can get the 1600x900 resolution working under Speed Mode and with NVIDIA control panel?

 

Sorry for the flurry of posts, but if I switch to AHCI or IDE mode and start to install Windows, I only see one 64GB hard drive. Any idea why that may be? I would have liked to install Windows 7 on one drive and ubuntu on the second

Thanks

 

not working for z12

 

Worked here on my Z12...

 

It seems to me that with the newest BIOS that Sony relased this is already done, can someone confirm this?

The fan seems quieter also - maybe placebo

 

hmm i have the Z129GG from singapore... i haven't change anything about "offset"...

edit1: tried to find 24565353 without result

edit2: what is the size of the bios?

edit3: my size is 1,3mb while the size of the real bios is 4MB

edit4: it's working now, i just didn't get it why the size changed when i try again....

thanks for the bios

 

Strange. Mine is a VPC1290X...pulled the BIOS, ran the patch, it succeeded, threw it back to the Z and I now have the "unlocked" options available. BIOS was 4MB.

And in the time it took me to type those 3 sentences, you edited your post that it's working.

 

Hi All

Please help.....

I broke my BIOS password....Sony Service Centre Melbourne Australia in their wisdom want me to take half a day to drop my laptop to them, charge me $170AU, take a few days and then make me come the them to pick it up....all to rest the password from a one-time-key....

Originally, with no password set, I dumped my BIOS rom, then I flashed a broken one (100% my stupidity), then there appeared a request for password...now no matter what BIOS I flash I can't get past the password....

Is there a way I can modify my DUMP.ROM original to write everything, including the no password????

Thanks in advance....

 

Just tried this again on the latest Z11 bios (R2074C3) and it worked fine ^_^. I already did it on the previous bios but just had to try it on the new one and it works great ^_^. Thanks for the great tools hehe.

 

Thank you very much for this.

I just did it using the linux way on my new Z12 and it worked perfectly.

BIOS version R2074C3.

 

I changed IDE to AHCI mode in the BIOS (from RAID) and now the machine never gets past the VAIO logo.

I cannot get into the BIOS or boot from USB (even though it is configured
for that and I have been doing it for days).

To be clear, as soon as I changed to AHCI mode and saved and exited the BIOS, the machine became unable to get past the VAIO logo.

I have not seen this mentioned here before.

Any ideas? :-\

 

I opened up the Z and removed the SSDs.

This allowed me to get into the BIOS and set IDE back to RAID.

That was fun. :-|

 

Can this hidden BIOS options be unlocked for my Aspire 7720G model? It's also Insyde H2O. I would like to disable SpeedStep, just for testing purposes.

 

Has anyone been able to run their memory at 1333 speed? I have 2 sticks rated at 1333, enabled the 1333 option in BIOS, but CPUID would still report 1066?

 

FYI i7 620m only support 800/1066

Click For More Info

 

can anyone try this method in hp dv7 2000series with insyde bios? , i cant a method like that to HP...

 

Anyone trying this on a new S series VPCS12X9E model, also has the insydeh2o bios. I followed all the described steps, and when I run the advanced script it indicates that everything was changed succesfully but on reboot no advanced menu appears. Any hints on what might have gone wrong? I'd be glad to send someone my bios dump if they'd have a look at it.

K

 

hello, i did all the steps until the python command thing.
it tells me syntax error and there is noe new.rom

can someone please help me and tell me exactly what to do with zhe python comman, which executable and so on....

thx a lot,

Dave

 

I`m trying to do it on a vaio VPCZ114GX/S


Updating VSS...
Updating BIOS...
Writing output...
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "advanced_menu.py", line 115, in <module>
ofd = open(sys.argv[2], "wb")
IndexError: list index out of range

what should I do now?

 

Psyq321, I have a Vaio VGN-NS20J, what do I need to do to enable advanced menu and EFI shell?


Thanks

 

It's seems that the Windows procedure have a little mistake.

If you use PythonPortable the commande "pyhton" will not be recognized by the windows command prompt. It's normal, python is not installed in windows and the commande "python advanced_menu.py dump.rom new.rom" will not work.

So

- If you want to use PyhtonPortable, you have to launch PyScripter-Portable.exe and open advanced_menu.py. In the "Run" menu select "command line parameters..." and enter "DUMP.ROM NEW.ROM". Click OK and now you can run the script by cliking on the "play" button. The NEW.ROM file will be generated and the result of the generation is show on the console windows.

- If you want to use the python command, you have to install python (not PythonPortable).

 

Do you think we can use an hexedited bios without risk? There is no crc or stuff like that to check the bios integrity?

I found the machine name at offset 0x34B07F and the serial number at 0x34B05D.

 

check your bios file with hexeditor first before you inject the advanced bios menu
make sure you dont have many 00 inside the hexeditor

 

hi guys, i've a Z11MN (1st gen) and i would to enable the ahci mode because i've installed one intel x25m. I have not understand how can i do with a z11 old gen. And also, Where can i download the Flash1t (the second step of instruction with windows)? Thx at all.

 

hmm flah1t is inside inside here i forgot which page...
are you sure that vgn-z is using isydeO2?

 

-Multiple post-

 

my z has h20 bios, but this thread is for vaio z or i wrong?
I've download all, my question is: This procedure is for the new vaio z (core i5/i7) but is the same procedure also for old vaio z (core2duo)? And the file advance_menu is the same? Thx

Ok. i've insyde02 (vers. 3.2 i remember). Im arrived at 7th step of procedure but when i type in prompt "python advanced_menu.py dump.rom new.rom" it give me valueerror: invalid VSS signature
I've try to change in advance_menu the code 0x258 to 0x25a but is the same error...

 

Hi,

I have the same error... everything went well until I ran advanced_menu.py then I received the same error...

Has anyone been able to resolve this yet?

 

Old Vaio Z (VGN-Z) had the 0x25a offset

However, it might be possible that the python code does not work well - and unfortunately I cannot help too much there as I am a bit busy.

However, you can ask guys here:

Abort, Retry, Hack? Blog Archive Enabling Intel VT on the Aspire 8930G (and other InsydeH2O-based laptops)

As the original python scripts came from there - I modified them to work on VPC-Z - The problem is, original code was meant for Acer notebooks, and it looks like Insyde Setup data in Sony notebooks might be slightly different and you need to tweak the code in order to make it work.

It is a trial and error process unfortunately.

But, for VGN-Z there is an easier way, though - you need to flash one of the older BIOS images (two versions before the NVidia Windows 7 fix), before Sony disabled EFI booting, and then you can use modified GRUB EFI boot loader to directly edit VSS registers.

Original EFI guide is here (you need to set 0x25a VSS register to 0x1):

Feature Enable: Enable VT on InsydeH2O based Sony Vaio laptops, the EFI way

Alternatively, even with the new VGN-Z BIOS-es you could get to the EFI boot by disconnecting all SATA drives and plugging in the USB stick with the EFI loader from the link above, as there is a bug (or a "feature") in VGN-Z BIOSes that still allowed EFI boot if no SATA device is present (sadly, this one does not work on VPC-Z). This requires opening of the laptop, though...

 

Sooo im a bit confused..

I just got the Z12 and just shortly want to know, can I hack the bios on this? yes or no?

My goal would be to disable the Intel card so I can use the normal laptop drivers from Nvidia. thanks

 

Thomas, be aware if you disable the intel card you will lose all brightness controls (it will always be set to 100%)

 

Hi NHT,

could you tell me whether the patching succeeded for you? Did you try? I have a VGN-Z590N and it seems that my $VSS starts at 0x3b0048 as well. I'm not sure whether I should flash or not... Although there were no errors.

Any suggestions?

Best
Rainer

EDIT: DAMN IT! I TRIED IT, IT'S AMAZING. THIS HAS JUST GOTTEN A REAL BIOS, WOW!

Just for the record: My VGN-Z590N bios has VSS_OFFSET 0x3b0048 and PATCH_OFFSET 0x25a. I followed the guide at http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/473226-insyde-hacking-new-vaio-z-advanced-menu-bios.html and now I'm able to statically switch graphics and all other cool stuff this bios can actually do (also set fan on temperature, etc :-D)

 

I have just bought the vaio Z12 i7 and im wondering if that bios hack is for my laptop too?

I get REALLY confused about all the VGN VGP VG what ever there is so freakin many model numbers and refs >.< argh

So if someone could please inform me if its safe to do on the Z series?

 

No, don't bother if you're not comfortable with the possibility you may brick your notebook.

 

I am comfortable, ive dealt with bioses before, thats not my problem.

I just wanna make sure I use the right one due to all the similar product names and IDs

 

Read the first line in this thread please, check the label on your laptop and you will see your laptop is able to be hacked.

 

Do you know if it's possible to unlock the Power menu with "Wake on Lan" settings. Wonder if it's enabled by default and contribute to z12 battery drain problem.

Thank you!

 

Hi,

Is there a way to unlock my old VGN-Z21MN ?

Thks

 

Does the bios hack work with the lastest bios R3030C3? Does this apply to the VPCZ12 series mine is actually custom build (VPCZ12C5E). I suspect that the machine I am using is ok for the bios hack but worried abount trying it with the lastest bios. Has anybody hacked this bios?

 

Yes ..........

 

I've unlocked z122gx with the same bios without any problems. Don't think custom build changes something