Vaio Z - Patched R4043M3 BIOS (with Advanced Options)

Good to know, thanks

 

I used the above file

VAIO Control Center reports ERRORM3 as the version R4043M3. Does any one has similar problems?

 

^Mine reports R4043M3

 

Mine says the correct version, maybe a failed flash? I used fla -all flag to flash mine.

 

Thank you, I will try that option now. Did you guys re-install any of the sony utilities after flashing the BIOS?

Update: I tried flash*t r4043adv.fd /all, but still VAIO Control Center reports ERRORM3 (instead of R4040M3).

 

What does it say in the BIOS menu? Try reinstalling control center

 

I have Z690Y that came with single HD. SIW reports 82801IM (ICH9-M) south bridge. But i do have RAID choice in BIOS.

 

BIOS menu shows R4043M3 correctly, Only Control Reports ERRORM3. I will try to re-install control center and see what happens.


Update: Re-installing VAIO Control Center didn't fix the problem. May be R4043M3 is not fully compatible with Z590

 

@caudex

I remember a while ago you were asking about BIOS recovery for your Z (if my memory serves me right it was you).

I was wondering how you managed to recover it? Have you found out the key combinations to press on start up, etc?

 

Can you see the Raid option in the Advance Menu using the non-modded R4043M3? If you cannot see the Raid option in R4043M3, maybe you can try the standard R2170M3.

I have a Z46 with two SSDs. (One of the SSDs replaced my DVD writer.) In the R4040M3 bios, I cannot see the Raid option even I enabled the advanced menu. I need to use R2xxx or R3xxx Bios to see the Raid option. Therefore, maybe you should try R2170M3 if R4043M3 failed to give you Raid option. If you still cannot use Raid, maybe that's really the SATA controller limitation.

(I were unable to use Raid as it seems that Sony Bios had checked specific port for harddisk 2 and thus I were unable to get in the Intel Raid menu.)

 

Anyone tried to run the Windows Experience Index after the BIOS update R4043M3

The CPU I used to get ~5.9, but after running the official R4043M3 update from SONY, I am only getting 4.9. It was at 4.3 but somehow increased to 4.9. It does feel pretty sluggish.

These are my scores for VGN-Z47GDX (BlueRay, 320HDD)
Windows 7 Ultimate (64bit) with all the stuff installed, as much as I could, some resulted in errors
CPU: 4.9 (VT turned on)
RAM: 5.4
Graphics: 4.3
Gaming gfx: 5.5
HDD: 5.9

Also, I am trying to enable the advanced options in the BIOS, but the fla doesnt work with a 64Bit OS. Anyone have anyidea what to do?

Cheers

 

The processor rating of my Asia Z46 is 6.4. (My CPU is P9700). Did you use other benchmark program to check your CPU?

The Bios here must use the Dos version of Flash program to flash. You must boot dos from either a USB flash drive, floppy or CD rom. You cannot use command prompt to flash..

 

I was in a state of panic... After installing the rest of the Sony Software (10.*) ie 10a Sony Shared Library - 5.4.0.05200, etc.. set the 'Thermal control strategy' to performance and ran the tests again. This time..

CPU: 6.4 (VT on)
RAM: 6.4
Graphics: 4.3
Gaming gfx: 5.5
HDD: 5.9

Its back to normal I guess!

For those on the older bios, (one previous the current), when you install the new nvidia gfx drivers, your screen will screw up (ie, the images will compress to the left and get lots of lines to the right). This is due to the BIOS, install the latest one and it should resolve it.

 

Thx achau for your quick reply.. but I mananged to get it back on its feet. I will do the flash via USB. Pain the butt with the advanced options missing!

 

I just check my south bridge using the Everest Ultimate 5.30. The south bridge of my Z is Intel 82801IM ICH9M. Maybe that's why I cannot use raid even I enabled Raid option in the older bios version. Initially, I though that I must use the Raid cable. Now, I think that this is really due to the south bridge limitation. Anyway, I will not use Raid 0 as the Trim is not supported under Raid 0 configuration.

So forget my suggestion to flash different bios versions. You probably had encountered hardware limition.

 

CPU-Z can also be used to check the Southbridge under the Mainboard tab, and sad to say mine is the non-RAID version; 82801IM (ICH9-M).

 

Guys,

CPU-z is >NOT< reliable - it says ICH9-M for me, too, but Everest Ulimtate says ICH9-ME and I have RAID option available.

 

I have flashed this Advanced menu option enabled BIOS as well, saw the RAID option in BIOS, then used CPU-Z to check the Southbridge. Well if you say CPU-Z may not be reliable, then I may have a RAID type Southbridge after all. Although, I'm not planning on installing RAID SSD.

 

is there already a way to unlock the r4043m3 bios without flashing it? (usb boot etc..)

 

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....

 

I think the best way is that you open your Z, and then remove the BIOS battery.

 

Does anyone have a working link to the bios?

 

Is this bios still working? sounds really sweet! would love to update my Z12