Lenovo Y410p / Y510p - unlocked BIOS / wlan whitelist mod / vbios mod

[svl7]

For those who don't like the restrictions Lenovo put on their system, here's a BIOS mod that will get you back at least some of the freedom you should have over your own hardware.

 

Features:

 

• WLAN card whitelist removed, any (hardware-wise compatible) card should now work
• hidden BIOS menus unlocked
• VBIOS tweaked for more performance and better tuning possibilities

 

Keep in mind that not necessarily all of the BIOS options available with this mod will be fully functional, so use the new available settings with care.

If you're unsure about something don't change it and ask here, someone might be able to help.

 

Available for v1.07 / v1.09 / v1.10 and v3.05.

v2.04 and v2.07 added (only whitelist removal as for now)

 

If you have a different BIOS (or more specific, a BIOS newer than 3.05) I will need a copy of it in order to make it work for your system.

 

Instructions for flashing the modified BIOS v3.05:

You need a USB stick prepared to run DOS, here is a guide you can follow in case you don't know how to do this:

 

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

 

 

>>> Before continuing make sure the AC adapter is connected to your laptop and your battery has at least 20% charge remaining. <<<

 

• (0) - NOTE: This step is Only necessary if your system isn't already using BIOS v3.05
  Update to the official v3.05 BIOS provided by Lenovo
  .
• (1) - Create a backup of your own BIOS (now v3.05) by using Fptw64 tool.
  Extract the files and run the included .bat file from an admin command prompt.
  .
• (2) - Download Lenovo_Y510p-Y410p_[v3.05]_modified.zip and  put the files of folder [1] to the root of your prepared USB DOS stick.
  Let the BiosFixer prepare your BIOS for flashing by drag and dropping your backup file on it. Put the created "v305mod.bin" file to the root of your USB DOS drive as well.
  .
• (3) - Now you need to downgrade the firmware back to v2.07 (Y510p-Y410p_v207_[stock].zip) in order to flash the mod.
  .
• (4) - Boot from your USB DOS drive, when you see the command prompt type BIOS and hit enter. Wait until the BIOS is flashed (you can safely ignore warnings about non-existing regions).
  .
• (5) - Once the BIOS flash completed with no errors, type EC and hit enter. Wait until the EC is flashed. Then reboot.
  .
• (6) - Go to the BIOS setup menu, load the default settings, apply and reboot.
  Done. In case you're using an ultra bay GPU follow the instructions in post #2 and flash the vbios..

 

NOTE: It's crucial that you flash both, BIOS and EC. Having different EC and BIOS versions can in certain situations lead to issues.

 

IMPORTANT: If you want to go back to stock v3.05 you can do that easily by simply using the official update from Lenovo. That's it, nothing additional required in this case.

 

Old instructions for users with v1.07 / v1.09 / v1.10 or v2.04 / v2.07 who for some reasons don't want to update to v3.05:

Spoiler

 

• Create a backup of your own BIOS by using Fptw64 tool.
  The archive contains the files of the program and a .bat file that will create a backup of your BIOS. You need to call the .bat file from an admin command prompt.
  Don't delete your backup file, you will need it in case you want to go back to the stock BIOS some times. Also don't share it since it contains your personal Windows key including activation.
  .
• Download the attached BiosFixer, simply drag and drop your BIOS backup on it and it will create your personal mod for you.
  .
• Flash the modified file with the tool from the first step, use the command below:
   

  
  fptw64 -f v1xxMod.bin -bios

  
  .

• Wait for the flash process to finish, if you don't get an error reboot. (You can safely ignore warnings about non-existing regions).
  .

 

 

 

Video walk-through of bios settings (thanks @allstone):

 

 

 

 

My donation link in case you want to buy me a beer

 

 

Download link for files referenced in this post:

 

 

[svl7]

Flashing the ultra bay 750m / 755m - only for SLI users:

• Grab the latest version of nvflash for DOS, extract the files and put them on an USB stick that can boot DOS.
  Check here if you need a tutorial about getting the USB stick to boot DOS.
  ..
  
• v3.05 mod users download the attached file and put it on your USB drive as well (here is the modified vbios for 750m users with v1.0x (obsolete)). Rename the file so that the name has no more than eight characters (not counting the extension). It's a DOS limitation.
  
• Here's a nvflash tutorial which contains all necessary information: http://forum.techinferno.com/general-notebook-discussions/2166-%5Bguide%5D-nvidia-vbios-flashing.html
  .
  
• Flashing:
  

  nvflash -iX -r
  
  // X represents the index of your ultra bay GPU, you can figure it out by using nvflash -a
  
  nvflash -iX --save filename.rom
  
  // use this to save a copy of your original vbios
  
  nvflash -iX -6 filename.rom
  
  // once again, X represents the index, filename the name of the vbios

  
  

Warnings regarding the SSID can be ignored.

Ultra Bay VBIOS for [v3.05]_modified.zip

[WireMesh]

Will do this ASAP and post pics for you! What about the ultrabay card though? Is it included or how are we to modify it?

EDIT: you posted the second post! Thanks! Working on this now.

[WireMesh]

So I installed the mods and everything seems to be going good. Here are some pictures:

Here are the graphics cards before and after:

Here are the BIOS screens:

I plan on purchasing an Intel Wireless-AC 7260 and I will tell how installing that goes later! I might also have a try at some overclocking work... I don't know much though.

[xlimelight]

I confirmed that it works.

Btw, If anyone brick their mobo by meddling with the bios setting (I did), try here to recover: Edmar Hobby - Electronic: Lenovo Ideapad Y580 Insyde Bios Reset/Recovery.

[BryanK]

Hey guys new to the site here but not exactly new to bios mods. Im looking forward to trying out this whitelist removal method in hopes that I can also use the Intel Wireless-AC 7260 (cant wait to hear WireMesh tell us if all works well). However I was curious about one thing. I have the Lenovo y510p and was just looking to do the whitelist, but I see there are steps for flashing something related to the send 750M in the ultra bay. Is this step required? Im thinking its not as it seems like this is a seperate flash to allow for modifying the clocks or others specs of the cards? If im wrong would you mind going into a little detail as to if the Ultrabay flash is required and what it does? Thanks!

[WireMesh]

Hey guys new to the site here but not exactly new to bios mods. Im looking forward to trying out this whitelist removal method in hopes that I can also use the Intel Wireless-AC 7260 (cant wait to hear WireMesh tell us if all works well). However I was curious about one thing. I have the Lenovo y510p and was just looking to do the whitelist, but I see there are steps for flashing something related to the send 750M in the ultra bay. Is this step required? Im thinking its not as it seems like this is a seperate flash to allow for modifying the clocks or others specs of the cards? If im wrong would you mind going into a little detail as to if the Ultrabay flash is required and what it does? Thanks!

To my understanding, you could put a new wireless card in just fine with only the BIOS mod, but since one card already is modified to allow for overclocking, it makes no sense to not modify the ultrabay one to be the same.

[ghoul]

Hi,

Ultrabay has to be updated, since this mod is covering gpu bios unlock as well, and system bios doesn't containing that.

Probably off topic here...

svl7!

Is there a way, to further unlock vga bios? Talking about allowing on the fly software modification of TDP limits of cards, with like Afterburner.

The reason behind this is the following:

Kepler voltage is automatic, probably based on a voltage table, maybe linked to ASIC quality too.

If you set 1058 mhz, it will run at 1058, with for example 1.056V.

If you set it to +135 which is 1189 it will run at that speed, with 1.056V.

But, if you set it to throttle back, temp or TDP or usage limit, it will throttle voltage too, and will run stable at 1058mhz with 1.006V.

Temp limit is kinda hard to choose, to maintain a stable clock speed, but TDP limit could be.

Or a direct way to edit that voltage table, or be able to offset to negative values.

As seen on attached screens, ultrabay bios can be set to negative offset, but this offset is too low, still higher voltage, idle, load, whatever.

Integrated card can just be offseted to positive values.

Did a quick factory/modded ultraby bios compare in kepler bios editor, attached it via picture, some features still locked.

Unfortunately Svet's bios editor from MSI HQ is currently not supporting these cards.

With this, maybe we can shave a few degree from gpu temperature.

Thanks!

[Stardeluxe]

Flashing the ultra bay 750m - only for SLI users:

I notice that the Ultra bay VBIOS is of a newer version than the "main" GPU (xx.11 vs xx.07). Is it possible to upgrade the main GPU with the same ROM?

[ghoul]

I dont think you would benefit anything from that.

And if you extract it from main bios, it has different size.(larger) Bios editor is able to open, seems fine, but could not flash integrated bios into ultrabay. Nvflash said all device id is full of zeros.

[tranxendz]

how do you check your current bios version?

[tranxendz]

Nevermind found it in the manual. http://www.lenovo.com/shop/americas/content/user_guides/ideapad_y410py510p_ug_english.pdf

[Ember]

@tranxendz CPU-Z should be able to tell you the BIOS version on the mainboard tab.

[crazybian]

Hi,svl7

Can you share the new BIOS? etc v1.09 v1.10

You can remove the windows key from the files.

I want update my laptop bios(v1.07).

Thank you.

[VegaSeries]

Can we turn off Optimus Technology after unlock?

[jugermaut]

AFAIK, Optimus cannot be disabled. But I think this Lenovo uses iGPU, which might be able to be modified from BIOS.

[euxoa]

I get an error 51 when attempting to make a backup of the bios.

"Error 51: An attempt was made to read beyond the end of flash memory"

Any help?

info.txt

[svl7]

Hi,svl7

Can you share the new BIOS? etc v1.09 v1.10

You can remove the windows key from the files.

I want update my laptop bios(v1.07).

Thank you.

Can we turn off Optimus Technology after unlock?

Most likely not, but it depends on how the GPU is connected internally. Most similar Lenovo systems depend on the igpu, e.g. the Y580.

I get an error 51 when attempting to make a backup of the bios.

"Error 51: An attempt was made to read beyond the end of flash memory"

Any help?

Seems like one of the flash parts on your board is not recognized... I need to know it's name, else I can't help you. You could disassemble the system and check which flash chip is installed besides the one that is recognized or maybe if dumped the whole firmware I could figure it out. Try to run the flash tool with -d me.bin -me. It will most likely come up with an error though...

[euxoa]

Seems like one of the flash parts on your board is not recognized... I need to know it's name, else I can't help you. You could disassemble the system and check which flash chip is installed besides the one that is recognized or maybe if dumped the whole firmware I could figure it out. Try to run the flash tool with -d me.bin -me. It will most likely come up with an error though...

This is what I'm getting when I use that command. First is with the original fparts.txt, and the second is with the one linked to in the OP. I doubt it's of any use, but I really don't wish to disassemble my laptop at the moment. I may just have to live with the locked down BIOS until I'm feeling less lazy.

[svl7]

Well, that looks different than your info.txt file... you should be able to flash the bios with the error 104 fix file.

[euxoa]

Well, that looks different than your info.txt file... you should be able to flash the bios with the error 104 fix file.

I am using the fparts.txt file from the 'Error 104' fix.zip file you linked to in the OP.

The first error in that image is the one I get when I use the Error 104 fix fparts.txt file. The second error is the error I get when I use the fparts.txt that was originally included in the Fptw64_(8_series).zip along with the program.

[svl7]

Yeah, then flash the bios with the 104 file, should work fine.

[euxoa]

Yeah, then flash the bios with the 104 file, should work fine.

I'm somewhat hesitant to flash the bios without having made a backup first. I can't make a backup because, as I said I get an error 51 when I try to make a backup using the Error 104 fix file.

What are the chances of something going wrong when I attempt to flash it?

Wait, I'm stupid. The flashing process in the OP requires you to make a backup first anyway... How am I supposed to flash it if I can't make the backup?

[svl7]

Well, looking at the information you provided it should work... how exactly did you try to backup the bios?

[euxoa]

Well, looking at the information you provided it should work... how exactly did you try to backup the bios?

Exactly as it says in the OP.

The archive contains the files of the program and a .bat file that will create a backup of your BIOS. You need to call the .bat file from an admin command prompt.