Lenovo Y580 / Y480 'unlocked' BIOS versions

[svl7]

Lenovo Y500 - 'unlocked' BIOS / wwan-wlan whitelist removal

 

The Lenovo Y580 / Y480 comes with a pretty locked down BIOS, and in addition to this with a whitelist which prevents the user from getting 3rd-party wwan/wlan cards to work properly. The modified BIOS versions here will take care of this.

 

Keep in mind that not necessarily all options available in the modified bios will work. Some might not do anything at all, others could possibly leave your system in a state which will prevent it from booting. Use care when changing stuff in the modified bios, don't touch things you're not familiar with. Use all the mods and software posted here on your own risk.

NOTE: This will only flash the bios region. It won't reset the nvars set in the bios. While it is technically possible to update from v2.0x to v8.01 by using the method described below, I can't really recommend it since the EC of your system won't get updated. While it might work (possibly even without any issues) I can't recommend it.

Therefore if you're on v2.0x and want to update, the better option is to wait until Lenovo provides an official 8.xx firmware update with EC and BIOS. You can then still flash the modified version as described below, once you're on a proper v8.xx firmware.

 

Attached you'll find a modified version of the Y580 / Y480 BIOS v8.01 (5DCN90WW).

-----------------------------------------

>> For users with a v2.0x BIOS: <<

Download links

Old version:

Spoiler

Lenovo Y480 / Y580 BIOS version 5DCN39WW (V2.06) [unlocked]

Lenovo_Y480_Y580_-_BIOS_V.206_[unlocked][no whitelist]

 

Current 2.0x version:

Lenovo Y580 / Y480 BIOS v2.07 (5DCN40WW) -> unlocked, whitelist removed, Nvidia 660m @ 1GHz default 3d clocks

Flash with the included InsydeFlash utility.

-----------------------------------------

 

>> Instructions for v8.0x BIOS users: <<

The attached BIOS ("Lenovo Y580 - Y480 BIOS v8.01 (5DCN90WW) - Mod") is unlocked, whitelist stuff removed and the 660m is tweaked to 1GHz default 3d core clock. 

The only way I know of which allows you to flash the modified BIOS for v8.01 users does unfortunately also describe certain information which you don't want to loose (serials, Windows licencse etc.). Don't worry, I got it all sorted out, but due to this the flashing procedure is a bit more complicated than usual. Make sure you follow the instructions carefully.

 

 

Spoiler

 

• Prepare an USB stick which can boot DOS. If you don't know how to do this, follow this short guide:
  
  Guide by @StamatisX - thanks!

  StamatisX said:

  This is a simple way to make a USB flash drive bootable (i.e. if you want to flash your VBIOS)

  StamatisX said:

  
  First download the attachment from below and extract it (i.e. on your Desktop)
  bootable_disk.zip
  Install the program and once done run it as administrator otherwise it will give you an error (right click on it and run as administrator)
  Insert the USB flash disk you want to use as a bootable device
  
  make sure you have the following selected
  
  and press on the button with the 3 dots in order to define the location of the needed files (basically where you chose to unzip the file you downloaded)
  Press start and after a while you are all set

   

• Download the flash tool, for flashing you'll need the DOS version, but for creating the backup of your current BIOS the Win64 version will do as well, and it is faster. Get the prr tool as well.
   
• Grab the modified BIOS you want to flash and the Y580-Y480_BiosFix tool.
   
• Create a backup of your current BIOS using the flash tool you downloaded (first step) by runing the included backup.bat, or by using the Win or Dos version flash tool with this command:

  
  -d BackupBiosY500.bin -bios

   

  If you get and 'Error 104', grab 'Error 104' fix and replace the original fparts file with it. .

 

• Make sure you have the modified bios which you want to flash, the bios backup you just created and the "Y580-Y480_BiosFix" tool in the same folder. Run the Y580-Y480_BiosFix tool, follow the instructions on the screen. Enter the name of the files correctly, else you'll get an error. It will create a new file for you and will be named after the modified bios file you specified, with 'Fix' appended to it.

 

• Here's a screenshot of the tool in use (Y580 version looks the same). In the case shown here it will create a file called "modifiedBiosFix.bin" which you can find in the folder where you run the tool. Use that one for flashing. 

   

• Put the fixed BIOS, the prr.exe tool and the fpt.exe (along with the fparts.txt file) on the root of your prepared DOS bootable USB drive, restart your system and boot from that drive. 
• Execut the prr.exe, if you don't get an error message continue by pressing enter. Then flash the bios by using this command (filename.bin obviously needs to be replaced with the name of the file you want to flash). If you can't remember the name of your file, use the command dir to display all the files on your drive. Flash with this:
   

  
  fpt.exe -f filename.bin -bios

  
  NOTE: The name of the BIOS file mustn't exceed eight characters (not counting the extension)! That's a DOS limit, so make sure the name of your file isn't too long.
  Wait until the process is done. After flashing it will verify the data, in case there's something wrong with the flashed data it will tell you. In that case don't reboot, just flash again.

 

It might look a bit complicated at first, but that's the easiest way I could think of. Let me know if anything is unclear.

 

 

The attached v8.0x modified versions include:

- unlocked menus

- whitelist removed (wwan / wlan)

- Nvidia 660m 'GHz edition' - 1000MHz default 3d clocks

 

>> Here's the 'buy me a beer' link in case you like this. Modding makes me thirsty  <<

 

Use at your own risk, you are responsible for your system and the changes you make on it. My programs come with absolutely no warranty to the extend permitted by applicable law.

 

Thanks @X0pas1 for testing, and for some pics - see below:

 

Spoiler

 

 

I'd appreciate it if someone could also post some pictures of the more interesting sub-menus, e.g. advanced CPU control, video settings and similar.

 

UPDATE 1/17/16

DOWNLOAD LINK FOR FILES REFERENCED IN THIS POST:

 

 

[starfly]

Hi, I'm probably doing something wrong, but I can't see the attachment here.

[svl7]

Thanks, fixed.

[X0pas1]

That right... there are menus that you should be careful with settings.

I will try to make more pics.. sometime today.

[empirehell]

Great news

Thank you very much !

Do you think it will be possible to have a bios version that will remove the wifi-card whitelist system ?

I really need to install a dual band wifi card on my Y580 ...

[svl7]

There's a wifi-whitelist in the bios? I need to look into this, could be removed, possibly.

[empirehell]

Unfortunately, according to this thread (Dual-band wifi card supported by Y580? - Lenovo Community), Lenovo decided to implement a whitelist ...

If you can remove it, it would be awsome

[l242l]

That's lame they put a whitelist..I was looking forward to replacing my 2200n with a 6235

[empirehell]

I don't think this is a good idea : there is already a bluetooth 4.0 broadcom chipset which is integrated (as the 2200n doesn't have bluetooth 4 ...).

So if you install a 6235, you'll have two bluetooth devices : the intel and the broadcom ...

A 6205 seems to be a better option for me

[l242l]

I don't think this is a good idea : there is already a bluetooth 4.0 broadcom chipset which is integrated (as the 2200n doesn't have bluetooth 4 ...).

So if you install a 6235, you'll have two bluetooth devices : the intel and the broadcom ...

A 6205 seems to be a better option for me

Thanks for pointing that out. It makes better sense. Somehow I thought the Broadcom bluetooth chipset was integrated on the same package as the 2200n. Guess I should of read up more on how everything was integrated into the Y580 with the different devices and chipsets. On a separate note, has anyone been experiencing weird wifi issues with the 2200n and the Windows 8 enterprise trial version? I have the latest 15.5 intel drivers and sometimes when it comes out of hibernation, it won't allow it to connect to any wifi APs and shows a stale list of available APs without refreshing. Disable/enable the wifi seems to correct the issue. I'm thinking either driver related or some Windows 8 bug.

[empirehell]

Do you really think that Lenovo could have created a special 2200N version with a broadcom chipset integrated ?

I'll try to remove the wifi card tomorrow just to be sure.

I don't have this problem on W8 RTM.

[l242l]

You are right. My bad. It's a separate module. It's a BCM920702 with a separate connector on the motherboard. I found the reference in the Y480/Y580 Hardware Maintenance Manual found here: http://consumerdl.lenovo.com.cn/UserFiles/UserGuide/en/User's%20guides%20and%20manuals/Y480Y580/Lenovo%20Y480&Y580%20Hardware%20Maintenance%20Manual%20V1.0.pdf

[empirehell]

Ok, I checked this morning by removing the wireless card : the bluetooth is still working !

So the only remaining problem for me is the wifi-whitelist ...

If it could be removed, it would be awsome

[starfly]

How big of a problem should it be to install a wifi card that has bluetooth on it? Couldn't you just simply disable the Broadcom chip or the Bluetooth feature on the wifi card?

Another thing I noticed is that the Broadcom chip is connected via the USB bus. I find that kinda weird, shouldn't it be going through the PCI bus if it's soldered onto the motherboard? (at least, I'm assuming it's soldered on).

[X0pas1]

Ok, I checked this morning by removing the wireless card : the bluetooth is still working !

So the only remaining problem for me is the wifi-whitelist ...

If it could be removed, it would be awsome

You don't need to remove the wireless card to see the bluetooh module to work..

just go to the stock bios and disable the wireless lan, that it..

[X0pas1]

Hey all

I have new pics.

video config

thermal config

advanced cpu control

IDE config > HDC config has 3 options: IDE - AHCI - RAID

good if someone want to RAID a msata with a regular SSD... but not sure if it work

[svl7]

Alright, got a version here which should allow other wlan / wwan cards as well. Have never looked into this before, but this should do the trick, else let me know.

It's a test, I need to know whether it works as intended or not, some people sometimes fail to see this point and just grab the file and I never hear anything back from them. That's why I set a password on the archive, if you want to test it let me know and I'll give you the pw, but I'll expect you to let me know whether it works or not. Sorry about this inconvenience, but I'm afraid it's needed.

Once confirmed to work I'll upload it to the frontpage, as the unlocked version without the whitelist tweak.

- confirmed to work, file moved to first post -

[reiyu]

would you be able to upload a version with a modified vbios just like the dells?

[X0pas1]

Hey svl7

what are the cards you added? any 5 ghz brand?

Also I running flat as to where is the trick to get the gig Atheros LAN on at boot, I have tried a lot of combination none work..

I need PXE lan up and running at boot.

I use acronis and paragon to back on network.

any ID????

Thanks

[svl7]

would you be able to upload a version with a modified vbios just like the dells?

Yeah, will do. Are you already able to overclock using software like MSI afterburner?

Hey svl7

what are the cards you added? any 5 ghz brand?

Also I running flat as to where is the trick to get the gig Atheros LAN on at boot, I have tried a lot of combination none work..

I need PXE lan up and running at boot.

I use acronis and paragon to back on network.

any ID????

Thanks

I didn't add anything, I removed the check.

Regarding PXE - no idea, that seems to be in the stock bios, so it should definitely work. Maybe another Lenovo user can help you out.

[shak541]

svl7 - yea we can already overclock the GPU with afterburner a modded vbios would be awesome.. also just in case if anything goes wrong with this bios how can you recover the bios? say in the event of a corruption? I remember my old asus netbook you could put the bios on a USB drive and hold the power and esc keys and it would recover the bios from the USB drive. Any recovery methods for this laptop?

[svl7]

Recovery method should be similar to the way you mention, I don't know the key combo for this system, but all recent Insyde firmwares use this recovery.

Regarding the whitelist removal - @Martin de Regt told me that it works fine, no check anymore. Thanks for testing!

+ added to the first post.

[X0pas1]

Recovery method should be similar to the way you mention, I don't know the key combo for this system, but all recent Insyde firmwares use this recovery.

Regarding the whitelist removal - @Martin de Regt told me that it works fine, no check anymore. Thanks for testing!

+ added to the first post.

Great.. I will be looking for a good dual band pcie wireless card now...

as for my LAN at boot problem I got resolved by loading the proper driver..

as for WOL from total shutdown still a puzzle ?????

if anyone with this mod bios willing to try the right bios set up: >> lan cable in then plug the ac cord

the lan light next to the cable should blink. that my goal... BIOS puzzle ... hummmm.

[reiyu]

Yeah, will do. Are you already able to overclock using software like MSI afterburner?

I have not tried MSI Afterburner yet unfortunately...

[laserbeam1001]

svl7-I tried to download the mod bios without the WLAN whitelist to try and was not allowed too. I'm wondering if you are still testing it and will you make it available to the rest of us? By the way great work in unlocking the bios!