Latest VPC-Z1/330M Drivers for the BIOS Hack People

Hey, I am now doing this. It worked great. But how come I just can't download and run the driver from nvidia site without using that 10 line patcher tool?

I really still hope that they can incorporate the latest drivers and use the tri-switch selector though, i don't keep tabs that much with the latest happenings on this forum -- lemme know?


also, is nvidia update a necessary component to install? my guess is that won't work on the fly?

^-- scratch that, i just did a quick search and found out why. so it's discontinued support for the hybrid technology. oh well.
=\

 

Sony has a custom implementation of the 330M, their specific hardware ID for the 330M is not in the nVidia INF

Here is what nVidia has to say about this

That is probably not going to happen, hybrid is dead... your best hope is Optimus, but there are too many issues with Optimus right now.

I doubt the updater will work since a hacked INF is required. When I update from one release to the next I uninstall all nVidia stuff first then use the clean install option to install the new driver.

 

^- thanks for all the enlightenment! =)

Well i've finally settled for static policy as a result. I am getting 6.5 in WEI now, vs 6.4, stock without overclock. And with overclock, i still get 6.5 in WEI. LOL.
But i actually get about 22% more frames per second in general, so WEI is NER -- not even real.

 

You have to do a lot of changes to get even a tenth of a point in WEI. For example the i7 620M and i7 640M both get a 6.9

I also fell like it is harder to move the WEI score if you are already over six points. It is easier to make a change on a crappy old slow computer and improve your WEI score. The fact is unless you change hardware of do some major tweaking your WEI should be about the same.

We all know that WEI is a crappy benchmark, it is nice to have something consistent across all Windows 7 computers though. I have to admit that once I got my numbers up I started liking the WEI a lot better!

 

How do you have a GTX 570 in a laptop?!

Edit: Never mind, I read your sig. That's pretty cool.

 

You missed my post?
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/598920-z1-vidock-gtx-570-ftw-z2-pmd-killer.html

 

Hey CC, I was just rebooting to try the Intel mode, but apparently I have to reinstall the driver for nvidia/intel everytime I change from one to the other??

Everytime i reboot into either nvidia/intel, i get low resolution and standard video display driver installed. WTH?

 

That should not be... the first time you boot to Intel if you have been using speed the whole time you will have to install the Intel drivers, subsequent boots should not yield an uninstalled driver state. Are you using Windows 7?

 

Yes i'm using windows 7 ultimate.

i installed the nvidia drivers while in speed mode, and i was running that for about 2-3 days. then i decided that i will reboot in stamina and install the intel drivers, all is good. then i decided to reboot with speed mode, and vice versa and now neither of them will work once the other driver is installed??
this is real crappy

 

that is not the way it works here, very strange

Perhaps untinstall both drivers completely and start fresh?

Make sure your BIOS is set up like this

 

That's how my bios is setup also. i'm going to uninstall both drivers and try fresh and report back. meanwhile, wonder if Z13 has anything to do with it..

 

Don't think so, all the Zs are the same Z11=Z12=Z13=Z14

 

hmm, my last post didn't register. anyway yes i got it to work now. had to reinstall the nvidia drivers a 2nd time for it to fix.

so all good to go. thanks.

 

glad it worked out for you, sounded very strange

 

Hi Z enthusiasts!
Hoping to connect a ViDock to my Z soon I just switched to static policy and installed the latest Intel and nVidia drivers. I have one issue however - when connecting to my Sammy HDTV over HDMI there is no sound - an issue I didn't have with the hybrid drivers.
When I plug in the HDMI cable, in the devices panel a new device - Samsung Generic PnP Monitor appears, though there is the TV already. At the same time, in the sound devices panel there's only a Realtek speaker device. Didn't take a note how it was with the hybrid drivers though...
I'd appreciate very much any suggestions how to enable sound as it's important to me to retain HDMI output with sound.

 

Things to try:
1. Close all HDMI apps (e.g. media players). Unplug and reinsert the HDMI cable. Now check again.
2. Make sure the HDMI audio driver is properly installed and enabled in device manager - the one that comes with the nVidia driver, not the Intel one. In fact, I've been meaning to modify the inf for the Intel driver to remove the audio portion. Try reinstalling after removing both HD audio devices.

 

Thanks, anytimer!
With the second attempt it turned out to be a matter of plugging in the HDMI cable and enabling anything audio related in the device manager including the nVidia High Definition Audio that fortunately appeared there.

 

Hey guy, great work your doing there. However, a question bothers me, which is if you get intel wireless dislay working on your machines by doing the bios hack and driver update?

Appreciate your replies.

 

I think you need a different chip-set for WiDi, I think it will work on the Z2 with Sandy Bridge.

 

hmm, actually I don't think so. taking a look at intels requirements the z1 should be capable of widi. Too bad you didn't try it yet - thanks for the quick reply anyway.

 

So yea It looks like it should work. I have not heard good things about Wireless Display. The resolution sucks, it is buggy, audio sync issues, etc. I have a 40' HDMI cable wired from my projector to a shelf that I can place my laptop on. I just don't find Wireless Display that interesting. I love other wireless stuff, Bluetooth is great for peripherals and A2DP Headsets.

EDIT: The BIOS hack allows you to install the latest Intel drivers totally unmodified. You should have no issue getting WiDi going.

 

sounds promising! thanks a lot

 

Hey, I have the VPC Z1390L

When I try to flash bios, It says that i have no permission to do operation.

Any ideas?

----------------------
I really have an issue on this Z1, thats why i was searching for solutions like this one.

When it was new, i could play pretty well, but if the game was too intensive, and the weather was hot, it just turned off very often.

I sent computer to Sony Service, the did something, now when the game gets intensive, it just pauses/freezes for an instant every second or two. Now it never turns off, but now hardcore games like crysis 2 are unplayable.

Any ideas how to solve this?

 

first of all, try to reset the bios back to the default settings, then just turn on external usb boot so that you can boot from the USB stick

It is also very important that you don't change any of the option on the freedos menu, there are two screens, just hit enter at each screen. One of the screens might say something about installing something to the hard drive, it will not install anything to the hard drive so don't worry about it.

 

Ok, trying to reset bios to default...... Ill be back in a minute, i how with my bios patched =)

 

Got the same permission denied.

Heres the screenshot

Error: IHISI 15h fail. Internal Error 20 FFC00000
FBTS permission is denied by user.

 

Try lookinng in the BIOS hack thread. Someone else has had that same issue. I think you might have to dump your BIOS and actually patch it yourself. Seems that you have a 1390 L which means it is from another region than mine.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/473226-insyde-hacking-new-vaio-z-advanced-menu-bios.html

 

Tnx, ill try reading the whole thread.

My main issue is that when i play intensive games, when computer gets hot, it starts to lag/pause/freeze for an instant ever second or 2, make games unplayable.

Have you ever experienced something like this? I've tried format, but this is not solved anyway. Thats my reason to try to hack bios, hoping that the updated drivers fix this =(

 

A guy called "Profy_X" had the same issue, after a few posts he says that he could done it. The trick was that he had to hack his own BIOS, as you said, probably its a region issue or something, maybe i have to create my own hacked BIOS.

Ill try it, thanks alot for the help!

 

making your own hacked bios is easy, just make a backup of your bios, you already have freedos and the flash tool
then just download portable python and run the advancedmenu.py script from the bios hack thread. You should be good to go.

 

Confirmed, it WORKS doing my own BIOS.

Thanks for your help.

And if anyone have the same problem as me, this is the solution, just hack your own BIOS and it will work like a charm.

PD: In my case, i can even control de brighness. I have installed the last version of drivers and everything. The only thing is that i have to change by reset the graphic card, so i can be on stamina mode. Other than that, i love the results!

 

How do you switch to stamina mode? (with intel graphics)? I cannot find the right way to do it. =( Sorry dumb question

Edit: I mean, i can switch with original drivers, but not when i install yours (280.26)

 

Throw the switch to Stamina Mode, reboot computer
or throw the switch to Speed mode, reboot computer

 

Updated first post with the latest BETA
nVidia 330M Version 285.27 BETA

 

Last beta's run fine. Just grab them from nvidia and grab the inf file from laptopvideo2go, all things work the way they should. Looking pretty stable aswell.

 

^ Or just download my file that is all patched up
http://computercowboy.com/Downloads/nVidia_285.27.zip

 

Yo Cowboy, could you please share your optimal configuration to the unlocked advanced bios menu on the VAIO Z?

I think i screwed mine, and i really dont trust in Reset to default values.

I know there are alot of screens and stuff, but please at least point a web or something to know what would be the optimal config.

My VAIO Z its the VPC Z1390L - Core i7 M640 2.80Ghz, 8Gb Ram 1,333 (but runs at 1044 or so). Raid 1 dual SSD 128GB (256Gb Total). 1980px, mmm the rest i think its same for everyone. Premium carbon fiber (dark version, not silver)

Thanks, i can buy you a sixpack via paypal

 

I think I just made an expensive brick over here.

My laptop is overheating so bad, it turns off very often, I tried to disassemble to check ventilation but its clean and ok, I also checked the processor thermal grease, its OK, then the GPU, has like an sponge. Tried changing that gpu sponge for therman grease, worst results, then tried sponge again and tried to assemble as perfect as possible to ensure everything is doing contact were it should, but heat still being an issue.

I downloaded CPU temperature monitors, and for GPU I have EVGA. As far as I can see. The issue is that the GPU is reaching temperatures about 100C. When it reach like 105 it just turns off. CPU its below 100 all the time, some rare times it reach 95C or 98C no more.

Any ideas?

 

Flash the original BIOS back and see if that fixes everything. Then start again, this time extract the BIOS and make the changes yourself. Unless you have the exact model that ComputerCowboy has, your own edited BIOS should be a better match. Make sure the python script does not throw up any errors.

 

I made my own BIOS, i think i screwed GPU like 6 months ago using EVGA, once i did over overclocked to see how it could work. That was the first time it turned off.

Then i took laptop to Sony Service, they returned it without turning off, but now in game it became laggy.

So then i tried this drivers update to try to improve performace. but i guess i screwed GPU 6 moths ago

 

The GPU is a slightly different height (lower) as compared to the CPU, so simply putting thermal grease doesn't work - it needs a thicker pad. Maybe a piece of aluminium foil cut to size and coated with thermal paste on both sides would work better. Worth a shot - I don't think you have too much to lose.

 

Thor_victor, proper thermal conduction is the most important thing at this point so make sure you got an aluminium/copper sheet/plate between gpu and heatsink first. It should be no big deal to get something similar in height like the original pad. Clean all surfaces thoroughly and apply a thin film of thermal conductive grease over the whole die surface, more does not mean better. If your machine is stable again and temps are lower, we are glad to assist you with the BIOS thing. The BIOS does not have anything to do with the overheating issue at all.
If you go on overheating the device, you probably fry it anytime soon.

 

Just looked at the patcher program. Not sure I recommend patching every instance of a hardware id line that references the 330M for the Vaio Z1 Subsytem ID. This will cause the drivers to use the first one identified and it will most likely have OEM settings that are not really meant for the Vaio Z1. It also means different settings will come into play depending on what driver is patched.

A better, more reliable option would be to figure out which settings apply to the Z1 and base an entirely new section of the INF around it. *Chances are there wont be too many specific settings that apply to the Z1 so the best route would be the most striped down and generic.

Another option is to download the INF that corresponds to the driver version you are using from laptopvideo2go. Pieter has been modding drivers to be compatible with most systems for quite a while now and LV2G has become a go to for most when it comes to updated notebook drivers.

Ill try to come up with some more specific settings for the Z1.

EDIT: Assuming the installer uses the first INF detected with matching hardware id, it will be using nvts.inf which is meant for toshiba notebooks.

The some of the settings it applies are:

Code:

[nv_miscBase_addreg__09]
HKLM,"Software\Khronos\OpenCL\Vendors",nvcuda.dll,%REG_DWORD%,0x00000000
HKLM,"Software\Microsoft\TMM",TMMRestrictionOverride,%REG_DWORD%,1
HKLM,"Software\Microsoft\TMM",UseIViewHelper,%REG_DWORD%,1
HKLM,"Software\NVIDIA Corporation\Global\Hybrid",AddDeviceSequence,%REG_DWORD%,1
HKLM,"Software\NVIDIA Corporation\Global\NVTweak",NoPages,%REG_DWORD%,0x40120558
HKLM,"Software\NVIDIA Corporation\Global\NVTweak",NvCplAllowedTvFormats,%REG_DWORD%,0xFFF7F
HKLM,"Software\NVIDIA Corporation\Global\NVTweak",NvCplDisableSmartDimmerPage,%REG_DWORD%,1
HKLM,"Software\NVIDIA Corporation\NvControlPanel2\Client",ContactDisabled,%REG_DWORD%,1
HKLM,"Software\Wow6432Node\Khronos\OpenCL\Vendors",nvcuda.dll,%REG_DWORD%,0x00000000
[B]HKR,,BandwidthFactor,%REG_DWORD%,3
HKR,,DeviceSpecificDPMS,%REG_DWORD%,1
[/B]HKR,,ForceTvConnected,%REG_DWORD%,0x1
HKR,,HDMI_3DCtrl,%REG_DWORD%,0x1
HKR,,HdmiColorDepthPolicy,%REG_DWORD%,0x00000003
HKR,,HdmiColorDepthPriority,%REG_DWORD%,0x00000006
[B]HKR,,MonitorCapabilityList,%REG_MULTI_SZ%,"ACR,2A1,71;"
HKR,,NVIF0000000B00000000,%REG_BINARY%,00,00,00,00
HKR,,OverlayMode3,%REG_DWORD%,0x10000001
[/B]HKR,,Override1400x1050,%REG_DWORD%,2
HKR,,OverscanOverlayLevel,%REG_DWORD%,12
[B]HKR,,PMMClockClone,%REG_DWORD%,0x01010101
HKR,,PanelPowerWaitForSequencer,%REG_DWORD%,0
HKR,,PowerSaverHsyncOn,%REG_DWORD%,1
[/B]HKR,,RmCacheLoc,%REG_DWORD%,0
HKR,,RmDisableInst2Sys,%REG_DWORD%,1
HKR,,SetDefaultFullRGBRangeOnHDMI,%REG_DWORD%,1
[B]HKR,,ThermalPolicySW1,%REG_DWORD%,0[/B]
HKR,,UserModeDriverGUID,%REG_SZ%,"{9A516B97-E7C1-451B-9165-C5035994A3F5}"
[B]HKR,,VPucodeCtrl,%REG_DWORD%,0x0[/B]
HKR,,VarBusLinkWidth,%REG_DWORD%,0
[B]HKR,,_Default_Global_XALG_Cadence,%REG_BINARY%,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00[/B]

The settings in bold are some of the settings that AFAIK should not apply to the Z1.

 

I know that it is brute force and not optimal at all... but I haven't had any problems with it and no one else has either. I've been modding the INF this way for the past five versions.

However, I am open to suggestions. If there is a particular ID that is a good close match to the Sony, I'd be happy to update the program so it just patches one section.

Nautis, please let me know what you come up with. I'd love to make this better.

 

^Will do ComputerCowboy, that is the ultimate goal.

EDIT: BTW most people mod drivers this way as it for the most part works. I tend to recommend against it as some OEM settings are specific to memory mapping, thermal settings, edid and acpi mappings, etc. *Meant to mention nice work on the monitor EDID venture.

EDIT2: Just to make sure no one confuses my intentions. I am not recommending against using the modder just adding some recommendations. ComputerCowboy and others have done some fantastic work here. Since we are more or less on our own to support our own hardware the more feedback the better. Realistically the BIOs mod and switching it to static is probably the best option possible for the Z1, so we need to make sure its working the best it can.

 

Use the "nvszc or nvszq" inf's meant for Vaio GPU's. These inf's should have all the OEM settings. Make sure that you copy the needed settings from the original Sony provided Nvidia inf and delete the settings, which are not needed.

 

That is interesting, my patcher doesn't even touch those INF files you mentioned. My patcher just looks for 330M hardware ids and changes the SUB_SYS value so that it works for the Z1 330M.

I don't really know what OEM settings are needed and what ones are not. My hacking abilities are pretty limited.

Again I would be happy to make my patching program better, I am open to suggestions, but I think I need more specifics.

My program is like killing flies with a Desert Eagle, it works but a fly swatter is probably better.

 

Yep

Well as you said though CC. It works which is really what is important.

Here are my notes thus far on the INF.
Warning: Fugly and just text. Do not click if you do not want information overload.
For the most part this information is irrelevant but I like to show my work and ideas for anyone looking at doing this in the future.
I tried to make it followable as to my thought process on the whole thing. I am working on the INF now for an example. My idea is more or less combining the Nvidia INF and Sony INF sections to create what I believe should most accurately apply to the Z1.

EDIT: I am trying to stick as close as possible to what it would be like if it were released by Nvidia or Sony. I have some ideas on how to roll all of this information into the modder. Its easier than you think.


EDIT2: A much easier approach

Yeah the Sony INFs do not have the same device string for the 330M. nvszc.inf has a 330M listed for the CW series though.
If you were to use the one for the CW the following lines might cause issues: (under [nv_miscBase_addreg__14])

HKR,,DDIBacklightControl,%REG_DWORD%,0x00000001
HKR,,EnableBrightnessControl,%REG_DWORD%,0x1
^brightness/backlight control

HKR,,PanelPWMFrequency,%REG_DWORD%,0xC8
^lcd panel pulse width modulation frequency?

if you wanted to try it you can use
%NVIDIA_DEV.0A29.02% = Section024, PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0A2 9&SUBSYS_9067104D

change it to
%NVIDIA_DEV.0A29.02% = Section024, PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0A2 B&SUBSYS_90 5A104D

NOTE: the device id changes from 0A29 to 0A2B. %NVIDIA_DEV.0A29.02% stays the same because it is only pointing to the "Geforce GT 330M" string which can be found at the end of the INF.
If you can limit the modder to only mod the nvszc.inf when its found. Assuming the above lines do not cause issues it should be fine. In other cases, have it mod it as you were.

EDIT3: Sorry my brain is set to modding mode so its information overload without much filtering. I am trying to go along and filter to make more sense. For now just pay attention to EDIT2. This is assuming I am correct with the vaio z odm being compal and the c in nvszc standing for compal.

 

Make sure you change the entry (bold) in

HKLM,"Software\NVIDIA Corporation\Global NVTweak",NoPages,%REG_DWORD%, 0x41120558" to 0x40120558

under [nv_miscBase_addreg__14] to retain the rotate monitor page in the Nvidia control panel.

 

OK guys, maybe on the weekend I'll play with it. Seems a lot more involved than I had imagined. I know my way is working well and I haven't heard anything but positive feedback concerning the results. Every feature works, 3D, rotation, custom resolutions, all that good stuff. I am still not opposed to doing it correctly, but I am still at a loss as to exactly what doing it correctly entails. I don't care if the proper hack is more complex. I am sure an automated patch could still be easily created.

I'm good at writing code, not so good at modding INFs. So if we can come up with a real solid mod, I'll write it into my patch program.

@Nautis: From the sounds of what you are saying my stupid brute force hack might have better results?

I have an interesting question, is there any way to tell which section of my modded INF actually gets used? What I mean is my patch mods like ten different 330Ms, obviously only one of them gets used, or do they all get used?

edit: nevermind that last question, you already said it probably uses the Toshiba section