Bobby Lemain Posted November 13, 2012 Share Posted November 13, 2012 So... Since I can't send private messages and have some findings that might as well be public: Over at notebookreview, Amal has been trying to mod the new R0081C8 BIOS. All Windows 8 SVS lapops now come with R0080C8 which isn't compatible with the old BIOS mod since the hardware is now different. The R0081C8 BIOS that was released on Sony's Asia Pacific site flashed successfully on a US SVS151290X and Amal went forward with trying to do the same GPU clock mod on the R0081C8. However, the flash resulted in a "Update Firmware Failed." error. I then had Amal make a modded, saved, "unmodded," and saved version of the BIOS to try flashing. This didn't flash either resulting in the same error. I then tried flashing the stock R0081C8 bios using three versions of flash-it: 1.3u, 1.5t, and 2.0b all resulting in something similar to this: This seems to be because the versions of flash-it are all from 2011 or earlier (plus made for other BIOS files... all of which were under 800,000 bytes...). I also tried flashing the two modded BIOS files using various versions of InsydeFlash.exe but only the stock file wanted to flash. Perhaps Sony implemented a way to check BIOS check-sums or somehow signs each BIOS file? svl7? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colpolite Posted November 13, 2012 Share Posted November 13, 2012 Hi Svl7 , I was wondering if you can bios mod the Vaio S13A Windows 8 version that just came out 2-3 weeks ago. Stock Bios is R0081C8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
svl7 Posted November 13, 2012 Author Share Posted November 13, 2012 Does anyone know how to enable 2nd SATA drive on the SVS15? I just installed a mSATA SSD in my SVS1511AGXB with InsydeH2O R0142C5 BIOS but it still reads "None" beside the 2nd SATA Disk Drive. Does this BIOS MOD unlock any options other than GPU? Are you sure that it really is an mSata port and not just a normal mPcie? Hi Svl7 , I was wondering if you can bios mod the Vaio S13A Windows 8 version that just came out 2-3 weeks ago. Stock Bios is R0081C8 Bios link? So... Since I can't send private messages and have some findings that might as well be public:Over at notebookreview, Amal has been trying to mod the new R0081C8 BIOS. All Windows 8 SVS lapops now come with R0080C8 which isn't compatible with the old BIOS mod since the hardware is now different. The R0081C8 BIOS that was released on Sony's Asia Pacific site flashed successfully on a US SVS151290X and Amal went forward with trying to do the same GPU clock mod on the R0081C8. However, the flash resulted in a "Update Firmware Failed." error. I prefer public in 99% to PMs. I'm usually not the only one who can help. Did you try flashing it with the application provided by Sony? Secure boot disabled? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobby Lemain Posted November 13, 2012 Share Posted November 13, 2012 I prefer public in 99% to PMs. I'm usually not the only one who can help. Did you try flashing it with the application provided by Sony? Secure boot disabled?InsydeFlash is the application provided by Sony, but modded BIOS files don't want to flash even with Secure Boot disabled.Link to new BIOS: here <-can be flashed using various InsydeFlash versions but not flashit through DOS nor flashrom through linuxLink to modded, saved, unmodded, and saved BIOS: here <- cannot be flashed (This was made to see if a file that did the same thing but had a different checksum would flash)Link to modded 900 Core 900 Memory Clocks BIOS: here <- cannot be flashedAll modded files were done by Amal of notebookreview.edit: Also, my I ask what you use to edit the BIOS roms? Is it hex editing, a utility, or are you unpacking the roms somehow then using a utility? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
svl7 Posted November 13, 2012 Author Share Posted November 13, 2012 Blame Sony, secure firmware updating procedure are killing all the fun. And while you're at it, also blame Microsoft with their stupid secure boot requirement - else I doubt that so many vendors would implement secure firmware updating. There might be a way around this, actually two in this case, but I can't guarantee that any of it works.The first of it and more risky one is to use the USB recovery method of Insyde Bios files. In this case it should still allow you to flash a modified file. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobby Lemain Posted November 13, 2012 Share Posted November 13, 2012 Is that the one where you use a USB drive with only the BIOS in the root directory, turn on the computer and hold down a certain hot-key to force a bios flash (usually used in case of a bad flash)?edit: if so, when tried one at a time: fn + B, windows + B, Ctrl + Alt + Home, End, fn + Esc, windows + Esc, fn + R, windows + R while pressing Assist (then I tried again with the normal power button) didn't work with a flashdrive formatted as FAT that had:AA.ROMBB.ROMAAHW.ROMBBHW.ROMAA.FDBB.FDAAHW.FDBBHW.FDAA.BINBB.BINAAHW.BINBBHW.BINBIOS files in the root directory and nothing else on it (with each file being the same stock R0081C8 file from Sony Asia)What's the second option? Unless you know the propper hot key for a Sony. When I looked through some threads everyone that had a Vaio ended up sending their bricked laptops in to get the motherboard replaced while Acer, HP and the other lucky people pressed a hot key and force-flashed their BIOSedit 2:Page 5 states that all BIOS updates must be signed, protected, and the protection cannot be bypassed.Page 8 shows a certificate block in the header. I'm guessing whatever tool Amal used to mod the BIOS may have accidentally touched this Capsule Header which raised a flag stopping the modded BIOS from being flashed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
svl7 Posted November 14, 2012 Author Share Posted November 14, 2012 It's possible that there's no recovery option implemented. I can't find any special recovery file names in the usual module either, so might not be possible for this machine. No idea, never had a Sony and never looked into what's possible with those.Not sure whether the other option would work, depends on some firmware settings. Someone would need to read out some values for me, or let me do it per teamviewer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobby Lemain Posted November 14, 2012 Share Posted November 14, 2012 What values do you need and where can they be found? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
svl7 Posted November 14, 2012 Author Share Posted November 14, 2012 I'll need to send you some stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobby Lemain Posted November 19, 2012 Share Posted November 19, 2012 (So the thread crawlers aren't confused...)I guess we just have to sit tight until someone cracks it or someone leaks the ability to apply our own OEM Certificates to match the new Secure Firmware Flashing standard! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fruban Posted November 23, 2012 Share Posted November 23, 2012 I've been waiting for a way to get past the 540MHz core GPU clock lock, this is amazing. Thank you!!! Your overclock results are incredible, I just can't wait! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skookum1 Posted November 24, 2012 Share Posted November 24, 2012 I just got a SVS15 win8 model and was unaware of the bios flashing difference between win7 and win8 at the time. Very excited for a win8 bios mod!! If any info from me would help in creating this, plz send a msg! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fruban Posted November 25, 2012 Share Posted November 25, 2012 Does anyone know how to enable 2nd SATA drive on the SVS15? I just installed a mSATA SSD in my SVS1511AGXB with InsydeH2O R0142C5 BIOS but it still reads "None" beside the 2nd SATA Disk Drive. Does this BIOS MOD unlock any options other than GPU?When I replaced the drive my SVS15 (win 7) stock HDD with a hybrid ssd/hdd, originally the BIOS could not find any hard drive. When I switched a hard drive or booting option from UEFI to Legacy, everything worked like a charm, the new drive was detected and everything. Hope that helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gholtz Posted December 11, 2012 Share Posted December 11, 2012 Like skookum1, I bought the SVS15 win8 model and didn't know about the BIOS differences. I'll be very thankful when the BIOS mod for win8 will be released. svl7, Thank you for your support for this whole community, because of your mods everybody owns a GT 650, close to GTX 660 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dr8ken Posted December 19, 2012 Share Posted December 19, 2012 Hey guys, First of all, thank you svl7 for posting this bios mod. Like gholtz said, it's a hell of a performance boost for anyone that owns a s13/s15. So on to my question: is it possible to downgrade s13/s15 that comes preloaded with win8 to win7 and use these bios mods? or is there some hardware difference? If you can't simply just downgrade is it even possible to use the bios mod on the new win8 vaios? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
viperous Posted January 14, 2013 Share Posted January 14, 2013 Are there Windows 8 BIOS Tweaks? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjjs0ny Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 well..dear svl7. are there have the mod bios with the ver r0081c8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r0estir0bbe Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 So on to my question: is it possible to downgrade s13/s15 that comes preloaded with win8 to win7 and use these bios mods? or is there some hardware difference? If you can't simply just downgrade is it even possible to use the bios mod on the new win8 vaios?As far as I know, this is not possible, because the hardware changed too. Sadly, there is currently no way of flashing models with the newer BIOS version... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
svl7 Posted February 6, 2013 Author Share Posted February 6, 2013 If you guys are interested in a Win8 version please send me a dump of your bios (or post it here). Use this tool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbushnaq00 Posted February 7, 2013 Share Posted February 7, 2013 Hi svl7, I am trying to download the tool, but I am getting an error message from the forum stating that I do not have enough privileges Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
svl7 Posted February 7, 2013 Author Share Posted February 7, 2013 Hi svl7, I am trying to download the tool, but I am getting an error message from the forum stating that I do not have enough privilegesSent you a mail. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AncientAli3n Posted February 8, 2013 Share Posted February 8, 2013 Hi svl7, I am trying to download the tool, but I am getting an error message from the forum stating that I do not have enough privilegesSame here, would love to contribute to a win 8 model Bios Mod. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
draig Posted February 8, 2013 Share Posted February 8, 2013 Hey, here is my dump: https://www.dropbox.com/s/voi64cgl3wtkyb5/dump.binI make it with: fptw64 -d dump.bin -biosMy Model: SVS1512C5E 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
svl7 Posted February 8, 2013 Author Share Posted February 8, 2013 Thanks, will take a while until I can look into it. Make sure to check back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
svl7 Posted February 14, 2013 Author Share Posted February 14, 2013 Okay, here we go for the Win8 user with BIOS R0081C8 EDIT: Outdated instructions - removed. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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