ModJPB

On 7/13/2018 at 6:22 PM, DragonSource said:

@Klem

Heya Klem,

 

I have a project going on to stuff an Nvidia GTX880M into an ASUS G75VW (normally uses a 670M). I modded the case so it physically fits but my first attempt at flashing the vBIOS worked (I guess) but there was no power to the system. I swapped the old card back, reflashed the BIOS and it booted back up. Do you have some ideas as to how to get this thing running? Your help and time is greatly appreciated!

 

@ModJPB

Hello Mod,

 

I have been reading your posts as well. A lot of what you did pertains to the mod I'm attempting also but my concern is the difference in motherboards between the 75 and the 750 (which normally houses the 880). I am wondering why there is no power to the machine with 880 inserted...not enough voltage? I feel as though if I could get the vBIOS correct, if should work...I'm open to any of your ideas as well!

I don't understand why you are changing the vbios. Are you changing the intel cpu vbios or switching a nvidia 680 into an 880 bios. You cant swap Vbios like that. It is programmed for that particular chip architecture and memory. Its not physical, its a completely different programming.

Either way you shouldn't have to touch the Vbios at all.

Have you tried starting the laptop with the 880 in it and left it to run for a minute, hard restart, and try to boot again. The system uefi bios probably is still using the stored 680 bios and trying to boot from it. If the system fails to boot several times it will usually detect an error and  then do a complete refresh of the system hardware detection and configuration. You can enable this in the system bios too, by switching the system to legacy boot (i forget the actual name) but I think it has CSM in it.

(The Compatibility Support Module (CSM) is a component of the UEFI firmware that provides legacy BIOS compatibility by emulating a BIOS)

On 7/4/2018 at 7:52 AM, jacobsson said:

@ModJPB

Hi dude, It seems like I'm checking in once a year or so =)
I actually flashed your BIOS mods, disassembled my G46VW, lubricated the fan rods,  made an CPU air-intake + dust filter and put some liquid ultra between GPU and CPU. I never thought I'd actually bust this out from the closet for daily use again!

 

The sounds levels are audible but more of a  nice *swooshy* sound now. Here is a pic (I might do this for the GPU as well):

 

@ModJPB

2. I never figured out how to enable memory overclocking in BIOS, how did you go about doing that? 

Glad to hear its turning out well. I love this machine but unfortunately My G46VW screen has all sorts of vertical lines after being dropped (sniffle) so I ordered a GS46VW. RIP! As nice as the MSI laptop is, the ASUS was a work of engineering art. I wish it continued. I really despise these current thin "gaming" laptops. They just don't have the cooling power. The MSI is good but I'm afraid to overclock it with the amount of heat it generates.

Memory Overclocking is change by... in the "Chipset" menu under "Memory configuration". You have to choose "Dimm Profile [Custom Profile]" then change the "memory frequency limiter" to whatever you think will work. I was able to get 1866mhz running using Corsair vengeance RAM. 

Are you on the latest updated bios from ASUS 210?

Are you trying to flash from windows, dos, or within the bios?

I do still have/use my G46VW but nothing has changed according to the bios. I seem to have hit a wall. The ME firmware can be changed and updated but there is a region of the ME Firmware, where the settings are, which is read only. It has a lock on it that nobody can figure out (good job Asus). I have tried flashing an 8MB version, Shorting the audio chip pin unlock, doing a shorting pin clear cmos, to no avail. I located the ME Firmware settings region and was able to change and save the bios file but the new settings refuse to flash to the eprom. There are rumors of one guy doing it accidentally but I could not redo his "accident". Also another guy said he was able to flash his but he used an eprom programmer which involves desoldering and soldering the bios chip.

Even though the settings are available, like the fan speed control, it does not mean they actually work. Sorry I have not figured out how to reduce the noise. My goal was to unlock as much as possible, some settings just don't change the system and some settings will permanently crash the system. I learned this while going to low with the memory timings and got black screen of death. I had to order a new bios chip to solder to my motherboard to get it running again.

On 11/19/2016 at 1:18 AM, ZUES said:

 I  Was wounding why I Cant Download the File Thanks 

Hey, I don't remember if I ever got back to you, but I just tried the download link and it should be working.

The same is for the G46VW. I tried all combinations and the JRST2002/2001 and had the same results as you. I ended up ordering a programmed bios chip and then had to desolder the old chip and solder the new chip on. All worked again after that. 

I realize this is an old post but here is a link to a Modded BIOS for the G46VW that has a modded VBIOS for the 660m that does enable the voltage to be changed up to 1.20V

Brian,

Awesome! You are a scholar and a gentleman!

Klem,

Thanks for trying. Have you had any ASUS specific laptops where the ME Flash without programmer has worked?

I wish ASUS made their "ROG" laptops like their ROG motherboards, modder friendly. Holds fist to sky yelling for the universe to hear "Khan...oh um.....ASUS!!!"

Klem, 

I have tried on stock BIOS as well. What happens is... 

Me FW image reflash enable..

Save and restart in BIOS...

System attempts to start, black screen, power button light turns on...

Several seconds later system turns off...

Retry to turn system on and samething repeats. 

After several tries off powering on system it eventually does a hard boot (similar to when I added the ssd and new RAM the system seemed to be reconfiguring tself because it took slightly longer to boot) and works again.

Fptw64 does not work because ME is read/write protected.

Arise,

52 minutes ago, Klem said:

Just find in Setup module of bios values  01 01 00 01 01 01  and change it to  01 01 01 01 01 01

Use Hex editor.

Here is a link to Doink's write-up for enabling the chipset menu.

5 hours ago, Klem said:

When you read your bios chip with hardware programmer device, you get whole bios (file 8Mb). This file contains all regions: BIOS, ME, GBE, Descriptor, etc.

I asked  you this file.

To get ME region or flash ME in to laptop, descriptor will not interfere. 

If on your laptop now unlocked bios, then you can get whole bios 8Mb (or only ME region, if you want) without any hardware programmer device.

Just go in bios setup menu, Advanced->PCH-FW Configuration-> Me FW Image Re-Flash, set Enable, F10 to save, Enter.

After that procedure you can:

1. Get whole bios(8 Mb) with fptw64 program. Command:  fptw64  -d  bios.bin

2. Get ME region (2Mb) with fptw64 program. Command: fptw64  -d  ME.bin  -ME

3. Flash ME region (2Mb) with fptw64 program. Command: fptw64  -f  ME.bin  -ME

Of course it possible only one time, until laptop will don't reboot. After reboot, if you want read or flash ME again, then you need repeat Advanced->PCH-FW Configuration-> Me FW Image Re-Flash, set Enable, F10 to save, Enter.

Also you can post here just ME Region, which you can get with procedure which I described.

Klem,

The "Me FW Image Re-Flash" causes black screen. After numerous attempts to start system it eventually reset defaults and booted again. I lack a programmer but Jacobson from another thread on this forum managed to get the 8MB file. I did edit that Me firmware for unlock but all attempts to flash the Me Descriptor region failed. When I mentioned the BIOS above is unlocked, I meant that the "Chipset" menu is unlocked, not the ME firmware.

Klem, I am unsure of what you are asking for exactly. The ME is a seperate file update because it is not part of the BIOS updates for ASUS notebooks. The ME update only updates the software but it will not allow the change of the ME region descriptor. I can't post it to this thread yet, because the file size is bigger then 2mb. I sent Michael a link to the file and waiting on him to upload it to this thread.

G46VW Modded Bios

Modded - Unlocked - Overclocked - Updated

After a year of research and testing, I modded a bios for the G46VW. This enables many features that allows tweaking and capabilities unavailable before. Thank you to those who helped with the mods! Doink, Dreamonic, Klem, Fernando & SonicX

Disclaimer: I take no responsibility for damage to your laptop. Speed/heat/and power can reach levels beyond specification which could cause long and short term damage.

---> Download: G46VW Mod BIOS v4 Beta <---  

G46VW Bios210 Base:

• UNLOCKED Chipset menu and hidden options.
  • Overclock CPU Boost Multipliers
    • 37xxQM series and higher - Upto 4 multipliers
    • K series - Unlimited
  • Memory Frequency & Timings adjustable
• GTX660m VBIOS: Disable SECURE BOOT & FAST BOOT, then enable CSM.
  • Overclock Limit - raised +405
  • Overvolt- Adjustable upto 1.20V (PrecisionX, Nvidia Inspector or MSI Afterburner (Must edit .cfg file to show)
• Updated:
  • Atheros Ethernet: 2.0.2.6/2.1.1.1 ---> 2.0.6.6/2.1.1.5
  • Intel Raid/SATA: 11.6.0.1702 ---> 14.8.2.2397
  • Intel VBIOS: 2137 ---> 2171
  • Intel GOP IvyBridge: 3.0.1023 ---> 3.0.1030
  • Intel CPU Microcode
    • IvyBridge: 15 ---> 1C
    • SandyBridge: 28 ---> 29
  • Intel ME: 8.1.10.1286 ---> 8.1.65.1586 (Run METool.exe to update)
• Miscellaneous
  • New Static Boot Splash Images
  • BIOS defaults changed for performance and compatibility Win8/8.1/10 (Choose 'Restore Defaults' in BIOS)
  • Fix for keyboard backlights not working. (Read 'Read Me' in fixmykb folder)

Possible Future Updates:

• GTX660m VBIOS bug fix - battery profile voltage stuck at 3D profile.
• Change Animated Boot Logo

Procedure:

1. Turn off antivirus, windows update, running software. If system crashes during flash, it will be bricked. If flash is interrupted and you're still in windows, re-run flash.
2. Download and extract to an empty folder BIOS Mod files.
3. Run flash.bat (flash will start immediately and Mouse and keyboard will be disabled until done.)
4. Shutdown, wait several seconds, then power on while holding F2 to enter the new BIOS.

WARNING: The BIOS reset jumper does not work nor does the flashback feature. Only change settings you know its affect. If new setting prevents system start you will need an external programmer or solder a new programmed BIOS chip.

Here try this program. It was originally meant for the G75VW but it also worked on my G46VW.

fixmykb.rar

Go to this thread to get the most up to date version of the G46VW modded BIOS 

On 1/30/2016 at 2:35 PM, Arise said:

What did you have to do in order to enable the hidden chipset menu?

I tried to enable it back then but no success.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

This is how you unlock the Chipset Menu in an AMI Bios, 

On 1/31/2016 at 7:55 AM, jacobsson said:

 

Thanks for testing @ModJPB!

I think the only way to unlock the flash descriptor (by software) and flash the ME region is by utilizing the "BIOS emergency recovery" -method (changing those HEX), as stated in blowntaha's post earlier.

For our system you have to put the BIOS under C:\ and rename it G46VW.BIN  and turn off the system, then  HOME (hold) + CTRL (hold) and Power (push once)

When it's booting up, keep holding HOME + CTRL, and it should look for the BIOS and "recover" your system.

If you're willing to test it, please report back. Thanks again!

EDIT: Make sure you made the HEX changes in the earlier post. We need to unlock the flash descriptor in order to change stuff such as voltage and BLCK for the CPU and system.

So I did as you said, used the 8MB Bios and edited the bios to unlock the descriptor, then placed it in C:\  (also tried it on a FAT32 USB stick) file named G46VW.bin and when I booted holding the Home + CTRL and then power, there was a slight delay but then it just booted like normal into windows. Is G46VW.bin the correct name? Do I have to do something else? Are you sure this method works with 8MB version or is this possibly only for the 6MB Bios files?

I extracted the ME firmware from that G46VW BIOS and then made all the changes to enable all the overclocking support. I then attempted to flash it using fpt and it complains of this  Error 26: The host CPU does not have read access to the target flash area. . So looks like there is a lock on part of the ME firmware for the G46VW. 

Hi Jacobsson,

Unfortunately I have not been able to figure out how to change the cpu voltage or BCLK on this motherboard. I do realize that this feature is embedded somewhere in the Intel ME code but after looking through the code in a hex-editor it looks as if ASUS modified the code slightly. 

EDIT! Actually now that I found a reference point to look at I believe I might actually be able to perform the modification to enable the settings in Intel XTU.  I will take a look later tonight. Everyone pray I don't brick my system.

Update: This is impossible to change the ME without a programmer. ASUS write protected the intel ME descriptor region so the settings cannot be flashed.

4 hours ago, jacobsson said:

Hi, first of all I must say nice work buddy!

The absolute biggest question for me is how you move all that extra heat out of your system after overvolting & overclocking GPU and CPU?
My G46VW has never been close to move sufficient heat from my stock 660M + 3740QM during high load, not w/o throttling. Did run my CPU at some extra multipliers but that wasn't really healthy temp wise.

Good question. I replaced the thermal paste on both the CPU and GPU with something of much better quality, Antec Formula 7. Also in the bios you can reduce the trip point temperature at which the fan spins up to 100% (i changed mine to 63C I believe). My GPU is fine both overvolted and overclocked, it will not throttle, It can reach 85C on the fuzzy donut test in Kombuster but in actuall gaming it sits in the mid 70C. My CPU (3820QM) when bench-marking will throttle due to heat though, but while playing games it is fine. Games don't seem to put as much stress as benchmarks do.

My next mod is to cut two holes on the bottom of the case and install a fan grill to supply the CPU and GPU fan direct, unrestriced, fresh air. I heard from one post that on a G55VW they were able to reduce temps by 15C with the thermal paste and intake cutout. I'll report back my findings.

I recently put together a finalized version of a completely updated, unlocked, and modded BIOS for the ASUS G46VW laptop.

Go to this post for the most up to date BIOS

G46VW Bios Mod

Modded - Unlocked - Overclocked - Updated

Go to this post for the newest version