Turning the S into Hybrid (Z owners - please help us! :) )

It is a question of great importance to all of us - current and future VPCS owners, whether the S can (unofficially) be turned into Hybrid!?

Storyboard:

• Intel® HM55 Express-Chipset
• i3 / i5 / i7 CPU
• NVIDIA GeForce 310M

Is it technically possible and if yes - HOW?

• Does the BIOS need to be unlocked (any tips how? I noticed Z' BIOS has been cracked or at least partially already)
• New NVIDIA drivers? Which?
• INTEL drivers or software?
• etc.....

I (we) would appreciate any constructive help and ideas! It would be great if someone could help us

 

Sonystyle>Computers>Vaio Laptops>Z Series>Shop and Customize.

 

The hybrid conversion, from a hardware perspective, is very possible.
This being, as you're most likely aware, the i series CPUs having an intergrated graphics processor.

As such, if a machine like the VPC-S comes with a seperate, discrete GPU (the nVidia 310M as mentioned), you would be hypothetically able to get the OPTIMUS function working. OPTIMUS is a purely software sensory switch; it requires two graphics processors but the switch is done purely from a software sense (it detects whether the software you are about to use is going to be demanding on the graphics processor).

As for how... You'd be better off asking Nautis that. I might be missing one or two points above. But you'll need a driver package similar to what Nautis is offering. Heck, he even managed to 'somewhat' get OPTIMUS working on the VPC-Z by looking at the M11x and some ASUS hybrid drivers.

 

what you wrote in that long paragraph can be summed in two word: software engineering.

 

at least he was being helpful.

you might ask around laptopvideo2go.com as well

 

let me sum your post up and save time: It is not possible.

 

No offence mate, but with that sort of attitude you ain't gonna be seeing any break-through tech any time soon.

And OPTIMUS on the S series mentioned above is possible. It just comes down to someone who has the know-how and dedication in putting the idea into action.

 

I think it's impossible as well. OPTIMUS is not totally software. If the chipset graphic of the CPU is not wired to the LCD, what will you do?

 

Well... I only said it MAYBE possible, and there are countless more educated others than myself who can argue for or otherwise.

But why I said it MAYBE possible is because the i series CPUs come with intergrated Intel graphics processors built-in, WITH the CPUs. Now, the S series mentioned above also comes with a seperate, discrete GPU (the nVidia). So from a hardware point of view, won't the S series meet the requirements? All that's left is for a software switch within the drivers somewhere.

Now, I ain't too sure of the S's internals or the i-series CPU chipset makeup, but won't the intergrated Intel graphics be wired to the motherboard as well..? I mean, the CPU and Intel GPU are one piece...

 

Obviously we start with a theory and then work to either approve it or discredit it.

The theory for now is that the VAIO S with i5/i7 CPUs and Nvidia discreet graphics and the appropriate BIOS and drivers would be able to have Optimus for switchable graphics.

I guess the first step in checking if this is a possibility is to unlock the Insyde BIOS advanced options to see if there is an option there for enabling the Intel HD graphics chip inside the iX CPU.

I have attempted to dump the BIOS of my VAIO S on a USB stick using the guide for Z owners but so far no luck.

Any VAIO Z owners willing to help us with our quest!?

 

That should be the workflow IMO too. I still haven't seen/heard a reasonable explanation why it would not be possible. Integrated GPU is available as well as a dedicated one. The situation is very similar to the Z.

Any Z advanced user willing to help... pleeeeaaaase?

 

Integrated GPU is available, but is it linked to the screen ?

 

There are two ways to find out:

1. Ask Sony
2. Unlock the advanced options on Insyde2 to see if there is an option there and then install tweaked drivers for Intel & Nvidia

First option, very simple and logical but bound to receive wrong/incorrect information from VAIO Support

 

What do you mean "linked to the screen". The GPU is part of the CPU.... and the CPU is connected to everything in your PC

 

1. Are you kidding me??? What answer do you expect? --> "Oh sure, we will send you the open source BIOS and you can do whatever you want" ?

Sony doesn't even give support how to change your own HDD (even though it is so simple that nobody even needs it) and you expect support how to unlock features that are for purpose locked ?? You aren't serious are you?

Forget about Sony. If I was to decide I wouldn't give you any info either - there is a reason for everything being the way it is - either technical or marketing. And I wouldn't want to bare responsibility for your actions. The laptops is to be used as offered

We are on our own with this task

 

Those were exactly my thoughts. If Sony wanted the S to have switchable graphics they would have provided it from the start.

hence why option two is the only viable one to find out exactly if the Intel HD core is linked to the screen.

 

The intergrated graphics is most definitely linked and connected. You explain to me and others here how it is NOT connected when it's part of the CPU itself.

I'd say it's to do with the BIOS. There's most likely a hex value in the BIOS firmware that turns off / disables the intergrated in preference for the discrete. That said, I'd suggest the first step be to disassemble the BIOS firmware and see whether there are such values. Once that's done, one should be able to see 2x active display adapters (in device manager), as is the case with the VGN and VPC-Z when the nVidia graphics is enabled.

...And once that's done, then the harder more tedious OPTIMUS implementation.

 

I think you really don't understand. It's part of the CPU but it doesn't mean it is linked to the screen. The CPU is never linked to the screen.

Let's take an example:
Why does HDMI only work with Speed mode? It's because only the Nvidia chipset is linked to HDMI port.

Another example: Have you ever wondered why we cannot use a card sound (USB or Express card) with the internal speakers? It's because there is no way to wire the sound chipset to the speakers.

 

but these fine folks do not understand this concept. :laugh: They would like to see some magic tricks because they saved money.

 

....I can't agree with the above.... Not a geek but I'm sure it is connected.

Absolutely no point of doing/having 2 different architectures for a model (VPCS) that is both offered with integrated and dedicated GPU!! It is just a flag in the BIOS that dictates which one should be used, in case a dedicated one is attached.

I remember it was basically the same with my older PC - flashing new BIOS enabled those who no longer want to use the dedicated ATI to use the integrated GPU.

Is there no way to adapt the Z' Bios into the S? They are not that different....

Saving money has nothing to do with it I never wanted a Z, although I had the budget for it I just like the switchable graphics feature. No need to be rude - if you can help - do... if not, please don't spam.

 

If you had the budget for it, this question doesn't make sense then lol.

Then please make it happen for us folks Thank you.

 

That's not really a topic that needs to be discussed here. I can give you a few reasons (apart from budget) that made me choose S over Z but that's not the point.

As I said - if you can help anyway - please do. If not, your posts are considered spam...

Thanks.

 

I'm not telling that you are wrong. I just want to explain that you may be trying to do something that is impossible. There's a chance that the integrated GPU can be connected to the screen, but don't assume that's 100% true.
The second point I want to say is why do they bother to make P55 chipset on the motherboard which cannot use integrated GPU in the core i3/i5/i7?

 

If it's a P55 chipset in the S, there is no way to make it work. Zero. NOw I see it isn't P55.

I seriously doubt this unit has the necessary muxer to make this work, but assuming it does, has anyone unlocked the bios yet?

 

As written in my very first post - it is HM55.

 

But wiring two GPU to an output can be a headache. It's easier to wire only one GPU, don't you agree?

 

What this lady doesn't understand is there are two different motherboards manufactured for S and Y series. It is more than just BIOS. It is more towards the databus circuit layed out which is the missing link. Sony Z has this layed out along with not only a physical switch but software engineered perfectly. A enthusiast can build a nice driver package together or do tinkering which what's been given to us but unless there is monetary involved, this required great research and development.

Again i will say this to you, quit being cheap and lay out the budget for this

 

What you need to understand is that the S is offered BOTH with and without a dedicated GPU! Same chipset! I would definitely pay for this feature... I just don't want the Z I wish it was offered as an extra to the S.

Again - not helping. Consider this a warning - next one goes to the mods. Spam is not welcome.

 

I am stating what I wanted to. no need to become redundant and repetitive.

I rest my case

 

If you read my post, you'll see I noticed that. You aren't very friendly for someone asking for help.

That said, how about answering my question this time: "Has anyone unlocked the bios yet"?

If not, is it Insyde EFI? If it is, has anyone (you) checked out the insyde bios hacking thread for VGN/VPC-Z?

 

Same chipset, but do the two S series have the same motherboard? I mean okay, sure there's integrated graphics on the CPU, but if Sony never designed for the IGPU to be used in the S series with the discrete graphics card then I dont think you'll be able to use both. However, if the motherboard are the same and if the only difference between the two is that a discrete GPU is added to a motherboard of a S series with an IGPU, then it's potentially possible. Although if the second case is true, i'm thinking you need the software from the S series with the IGPU then you're going to need someone to merge the two... Like someone said before, you're going to need some software engineers...

Then again... you'd have to think. If it were that easy, and I was Sony, i'd make it hybrid for the simple fact that i'll sell more with hybrid graphics rather than single. The simple fact that Sony didn't make the S series hybrid tells us something, that they must have decided that the time they'd spend implementing hybrid graphics was not worth the increase sales... and they've got much more resources than us, not to mention they know how to get into the bios and they know how the thing is put together. Things we've yet to do out in the wild.

 

That is true as long as marketing reasons are put aside You know for example that many cars are manufactured with the absolutely same engine (because it is easier to have only one engine) but different chip, that makes it be either say 100PS or 125 PS

Why put more extras on the S, when they need to motivate people to spend more on the Z

 

Sorry for being unfriendly at times - I just hate spam (nothing to do with you).

To your question - no, not that I know of. It is Insyde BIOS. About hacking, here's a quote from the beginning of the thread. I haven't tried it myself:

Maybe mkouk would share some insides...

 

Sorry for the delay, I have not been online for a few days.

I understand the scepticism that the integrated GPU might not be linked to enable us to use it.

Both sides of the argument, it does or it doesn't, are based on assumptions and there is only one way to find out.

I have made a bootable usb drive with FreeDOS and fla but i get an error message when I try to dump the rom. I will try again this weekend to see if i get anywhere with this error and post back.

 

Ok. Insyde dumped on a file...I have tried to read it with ezh20 but no luck yet...i must be doing something wrong.

 

did device manager read the Intel HD Graphics? or Intel GMA?

 

I haven't even managed to read it yet using ezh20! This 2Mb ROMs apparently tough cookies to crack.

I will update if there is a progress...

 

See http://forum.notebookreview.com/gam...have-switchable-graaphics-12.html#post6776577 for related discussion. For a Hybrid you'd have to have a MUX chip near the LCD connector to switch the LVDS output lines between the NVidia+HD. For Optimus you'd need the HD driving the LVDS lines with the NVidia gpu just doing the processing.

 

This is definitely interesting! Is there anyone on this forum who has opened their S to give us some insight whether that chip is there or not?

 

i heard there is something at the chip...
my idea if you want a hybrid graphic is...
1. hack notebook bios(possible).
2. hack gpu bios to support hybrid(very dangerous).
3. make your own calling program or modified sony event service(unknown).
4. hack nvidia intel driver(easy).

conclusion, these whole process is horrible, so hybrid graphic is not possible.

 

I think that's a pretty sure sign that S does not have hardware to support switchable graphics. Sony is not gonna put the MUX chip into it without using it. Hardware manufacturers have been cracking down on producing moddable stuff (except when they advertise it), so the probability of having this capability on S series is pretty much zilch.

 

I wouldn't be so sure....
This information doesn't have to be 100% true either.

Anyway - we have to be moving step-by-step. We will get somewhere

 

at least work the driver part first
put the id here.... or...
it should be this one...
PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0A75&SUBSYS_9067104D

 

hi everyone, I'm interested as well in this, unfortunately i don't have the software skills to do anything...i was just wondering: is it possible to confront an S-series bios with integrated graphics with one with Nvidia? by doing so, you could see the differences in values and eventually find which value enables the chipset (if it's a matter of bios). anyone expert in dumping roms???

 

By the way, if it could help, i've looked for the value %vss in a R0282Q3 ROM
i've found 2 values:
1) offset 151048
2) offset 169DAB

Hope someone could help with this...