[SOLVED !] Clevo N870EJ1 / Bricked / Bad bios flashing

[Helden]

Hello !

At June 2018 i've buyed a PCSpecialist laptop (Here complete specifications : https://www.pcspecialist.fr/configuratio...2UqsN!z2U/)

Cosmos Series : Écran large IPS LED mat 17,3 pouces 60 Hz 72 % NTSC Full HD (1920 x 1080)
Six Core Intel® Core® i7 8750H (2,2 GHz, 4,1 GHz Turbo)
16 Go Corsair 2400 MHz SODIMM DDR4 (1 x 16 Go)
NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 1050 - 4 Go de RAM vidéo GDDR5 - DirectX® 12.1
250 Go SAMSUNG 970 EVO M.2, PCIe NVMe (jusqu'à 3400 Mo/R, 1500 Mo/W)
Clevo N870EJ1 based model
APITO 5 BIOS ! (12Mb eprom flash)

1) Try to unlock the bios via forced flashing (on windows) -> FAIL -> laptop bricked
2) Buying a spi programmer and try to flash the 12mb file on the chip -> FAIL, data disagreement (data difference between chip and fail)
3) Push my search far away -> it's appear to be missing serial number, mac adresse and other personnal data in the bios chip and in the bios file
4) Try to find how to add this information to my bios file : Nothing found about clevo.
5) Serial number and other information are writed on the mother board, i can give you pics.

So i've writed a mail to clevo and then ask me more than 600€ to change the mother board for a bios chip problem :| my bios chip is not damaged, i'm just wondering what i need to write on it to make my laptop boot again.

I don't have any bios backup, shame on me.

Anyone have a better solution ? Or know a way to push serial number and other information on the bios file ? i'll try to fash it and hope it will work.
Note : I'm ready to make a good donation to anyone help me to solve this issue, this laptop cost me more than 1080€ it's a beautiful brick now.

Never buy clevo, it's fully locked, bad sound system, bad screen, poor keyboard, that's why clevo computers are cheap ...
Note 2: I've already unlock an apito 4 bios to overclock my 4720HQ, it's worked with a cpu microcode downgrade, up to 4.4ghz now on a locked cpu, i was just wondering if i was able to unlock my 8700H.

My 4720HQ perform better on single core than my 8700H ... i really regret to buy this laptop ... only the 2 more core get me a better performance.. Intel kidding us.

Thanks ! I'm blocked since 4 month now, really deseperate.
Question : If i buy the exaclty same laptop and dump the bios with my spi programmer for flashing on my other laptop, can it work ?

[Lost_N_BIOS]

Clevo usually have two BIOS chips, one contains 4MB image and other contains 8MB image. Identify which is which, and then split your 12MB image into 4/8MB and write accordingly.

I can help you put serial, lan mac ID etc back in once you have running system.

As for the flash programmer, get a verified dump from each chip, make sure it's verified (Also open via hex and make sure even if it said verified it's not all FF's, if so then it's verifying nothing because it's not reading properly). If not, try another software version, and sometimes you can't use exact chip ID, choose close one instead. Here is package with several versions of the software
https://www.sendspace.com/file/gtcmvd

And make sure you have the programmer connected properly. Red wire goes to pin one of the BIOS chip, and then into the pin one of the programmer, normally with the cheap CH341A green or black versions, this is the middle set of 4/4 pins (by middle, I mean not the set closest to the end of the USB device, the middle instead). And pin one is on the lever side of the programmer, so red wire goes to middle of the programmer on the lever side.

Where did you get this 12MB image? Upload it here and I will split for you. You may need to find a working "Dump" from someone else to use instead, for now, until you can fix everything and get your board details back in there, then reflash with BIOS again.

[Helden]

Thanks a lot for your help !

There is the link for the bios file : (16mb) : https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lH8mQ_z...Euwv3/view
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xYL_Vg1...3OuiY/view (8mb)

pics of the Mother board :
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bwg1a7x...sp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bwg1a7x...sp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bwg1a7x...sp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bwg1a7x...sp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bwg1a7x...sp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bwg1a7x...sp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bwg1a7x...sp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bwg1a7x...sp=sharing

I'm looking for the second chip but i don't have SPI reader if the model of the second chip is different => No second MX25 chip founded

my first bios chip have |b]16[/b] Mb capacity ! i've only the 8mb & 16mb file, and the technician tal about EC ? What is it ?

Clevo technical support say about my chip : You've tried to flash this ship, not it's broken, you need a motherboard replacement.

But i can write on this chip ... i have just data disagrement,but the laptop start ! if i fully erase the chip and press the power button, nothing happend ! So there is a difference with writed/empty chip ! If the chip was broken, i'll cannot read or write it, right ?

After that, just send me your paypal. hope it will work !

There is the dump with the version 1.3 (16mb) : https://www.sendspace.com/file/ezr82d

What ever i try : Dump -> verify -> Data & buffer same ! (so i'm able to erease the entire chip)
I try to write 16Mb & verify -> disagreement data -> power on loptop -> black screen but fans on and keyboard backlight glowing
I try to write 8mb & verify -> disagreement data -> power on laptop -> nothing, orange led turn on when i press but nothing else.

New try :
1.4 / 1.31 (your version) : Data disagreement @6% (lot of difference founded by FlexHex) -> nothing on power on
1.30 / 1.29 (my version) : Data disagreement @50% (block 00 80 01 00) -> keyboard backlight glowing and gix, fans on (hotkey to enable it works) (screen off)
Older : doesn't work

I'll try other version, i really don't know with this config :

[Config]
DriverDLL=USBIOX.DLL
language=1033
IsWinStatus=1
WindowState=0
AllowWindow=0
Left=257
Top=58
Width=860
Height=585
ChipType=2
24ChipManuIndex=0
25ChipManuIndex=9
Default24ChipIndex=9
Default25ChipIndex=0
IsLastDir=1
DefaultInitDir=C:\Users\Administrator\Desktop\
24E_ChipManuIndex=0
25E_ChipManuIndex=1
25F_ChipManuIndex=10
Default24E_ChipIndex=0
Default25E_ChipIndex=7
Default25F_ChipIndex=0

[OperOption]
IsWriteCompleteVerify=0
UseFastRead=0
UseAAI=1
ChkEmptyData=1
EraseMode=1
IsClean=1
IsChkBlank=1
IsProgramming=1
IsVerify=1
IsWaitTime=0
WaitTime=1000
UseOSDialog=0

WORKING !!!! GIVE ME YOUR PAYPAL ! YOUR 1.4 version save me ! Now i'll unlock the bios with amibcp ! F*** Clevo ! I'm so happy !

[Lost_N_BIOS]

Dump >> Verify = OK that is good, but it's not "blanking or erasing" the chip when you do that, only reading and copying contents. I say this because at that line you mentioned "(so i'm able to erease the entire chip)" This is not erase, only reading.

Before write, you have to erase, then blank check, then write then verify.

If you have two BIOS on board it will be OK< same programmer will be used.

Usually if there is two, one is BIOS backup/copy without ME (Smaller BIOS, like you said 8MB), and other is BIOS + ME (Larger BIOS usually 16MB). If your stock BIOS download has two BIOS file 8MB + 16MB files in there, then like I mentioned your board will have two BIOS chips on it. They will look exactly the same, like the MXIC by your CMOS battery, may be different model/brand chips, but exact same look/style etc.

Other BIOS could be on the other side of the motherboard, I am not sure. Maybe some models do not have dual BIOS, but if this is true it's unusual, all Clevo I have seen have two BIOS.

EC is small file, usually 128KB-256KB, it does not go onto BIOS chip.

So you got it fixed? Hope so, sounds like it, that's great!!

If you need help unlocking chipset tab, send me images of your BIOS so I can see all stock visible sections/tabs (Before you enable anything extra), and then send me download of stock BIOS package. AMIBCP is usually no help with chipset tab, and sometimes not with second advanced tab either, other more involved methods are used.

[Helden]

Dump >> Verify = OK that is good, but it's not "blanking or erasing" the chip when you do that, only reading and copying contents.  I say this because at that line you mentioned "(so i'm able to erease the entire chip)"  This is not erase, only reading.

Before write, you have to erase, then blank check, then write then verify.

If you have two BIOS on board it will be OK< same programmer will be used.  

Usually if there is two, one is BIOS backup/copy without ME (Smaller BIOS, like you said 8MB), and other is BIOS + ME (Larger BIOS usually 16MB).  If your stock BIOS download has two BIOS file 8MB + 16MB files in there, then like I mentioned your board will have two BIOS chips on it.  They will look exactly the same, like the MXIC by your CMOS battery, may be different model/brand chips, but exact same look/style etc.

Other BIOS could be on the other side of the motherboard, I am not sure.  Maybe some models do not have dual BIOS, but if this is true it's unusual, all Clevo I have seen have two BIOS.

EC is small file, usually 128KB-256KB, it does not go onto BIOS chip.

So you got it fixed?  Hope so, sounds like it, that's great!!

If you need help unlocking chipset tab, send me images of your BIOS so I can see all stock visible sections/tabs (Before you enable anything extra), and then send me download of stock BIOS package.  AMIBCP is usually no help with chipset tab, and sometimes not with second advanced tab either, other more involved methods are used.

Thanks ! I've flashed the bios with the 1.4 version and it's works, so i've dumped the bios after a first successfull reboot, unlock tabs under amibcp and try to search, i've found options for legency mode (CSM) and i'm looking to make this laptop more windows 7 friendly, i can disable the power limit but i cant change cpu ratio / bclk 

Currently, i can't start windows 7 (black screen), i'm trying to disable vga and follow tutos on the web.
Download the 12mb file and open it with AMIBCP 5 you'll see what option available, i've put all on "user"
i've disabled the secure boot, enable fast boot, enable legency vga support, i don't find the vbios 10th option, i set the os to "Other", it disable UEFI, enable Legacy mode.

I'm currently installing windows 7 on another laptop, i'll try to put the harddrive on the clevo to see what's happend.

I'm surprised about nobody try to hack 8700H, i've a 50°C on under 100% load, 3.9Ghz on 6 core at 1.01v ... (-125mv undervolting), i've enable overclocking option in the bios but nochange, i've take a look about microcode hack for coffeelake : nothing ! (but we can found some 8700 desktop non k overclocked on the web)

I've search about a mouse ps2 control to disable it but nothing, i've just an option to disable keyboard/mouse PS2 ports ... i'll unplug the physical link.

Thanks for your help ! You make me save a lot of money !

Sended from this survived clevo laptop.

Bios file used and working : https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lH8mQ_z...Euwv3/view (stock, unmoded , i can reflash it if needed, i've dump with working moded bios by ambcp)

[Lost_N_BIOS]

CPU Ratio/Bclk is usually controlled mainly by Intel, especially ratio/multiplier, you can't raise that more than your CPU is spec to run. Bclk can often be adjusted some, depending on chipset and CPU, and what Intel ME is in the BIOS and how it's programmed.

Can't start windows 7? You mean, can't install? Why disable VGA if screen is already black, that would make it more black
Do a clean install

Why are you back to 12MB BIOS again? Don't use AFU to dump BIOS, use FPT or your programmer (Maybe FPT best, since programmer sketchy sometimes). Find out your ME version, then download the matching Intel System Tools Package from here
https://www.win-raid.com/t596f39-Intel-M...Tools.html

Then go into flash programming tools folder and run this command >> FPTw -d biosdump.bin
If you get error about protected regions, run this instead for now >> FPTw -bios -d biosregion.bin

If you want to unlock the FD, so the first command will work always, edit your BIOS to unlock FD and program on there again, see section B here, second spoiler. Or, I will do for you if you c6an get full dump from above first command (Not likely, need full known good dump from programmer)
https://www.win-raid.com/t3553f39-Guide-...icing.html

I don't know what you mention PS/2 control about?

If you want me to try mod the 12MB BIOS I can, but it's better if you unlock the FD and then we can do any/all flashing moving forward safer with FPT. Don't go using that tool blindly, I mean wait for instructions and info before you flash anything with it, it can easily brick your board again if used incorrectly, so be patient if I don't reply right away.

And, me looking at AMIBCP does not help, if you need me to enable something in BIOS you couldn't with AMIBCP, I need to see images of your BIOS as I asked (Stock BIOS, all images I asked about previously). Then, if you want, you can also include BIOS images of what you tried to enable in BIOS using AMIBCP that failed to show (Like advanced or chipset), if they are missing but you enabled already in AMIBCP, let me know.

[Helden]

1) Impossible to push the cpu, i'll wait another microcode hacking like haswell.
2) Adjust power settings in the box make my CPU run faster (disable tdp limit and up PL1,PL2,PL3 limit)
3) Windows 7 was installed from another computer, i've just replaced the HDD with a fresh install and it's works, but i've tried lot of things to install intel UHD 630 on it, fail, if i go upper than 800x600 the screen goes black (but the laptop continue to working normally)
4) I'm looking for disabling intel integrated graphics, to force win 7 to use my dedicated GTX 1050 mobile, i've installed nvidia driver, so if i can disable intel graphics, win 7 will works normally, i've enabled all hiden option, legacy, CSM, VBIOS works, but the screen remain black on boot (doesn't work with win 7 usb key), need to remove vga.sys to make it work and follow tutorial : http://reboot.pro/topic/21108-install-wi...-hardware/
(I'm using MBR, not GPT, cause it doesn't work)

5) Disabling vga.sys able me to pass the boot step, else, the laptop freeze.
6) I cannot get UEFI + CSM support simultaneously
7) I cannot disabling the [censored] PS2 mouse
8) Not 12mb, i'm wrong, it's every time a 16Mb file, the 8MB file is used for flash tool like afudos
9) My english is a bit poorest, i don't understand the utilty to unlock FD, i don't know what is it and how it can help me.
10) I've an option "Enable PS2 mouse/keyboard" -> "enable/disable" i just want to disable the poorest ps2 mouse, the hotkey doesn't work and i don't have phisical button to do it
11) I really don't understand what you mean by "AMIBCP doesn't help for enable something", AMIBCP just able me to show options in the bios, i just put on "USER" and it's works, i can access on all option displayed in AMIBCP on my bios, a lot of option ... lot lot lot !
12) i don't know what you can do with it, it is possible to modify the bios to make it more easily to use ? adding options or somethings else ? i'm dreaming about a bios with simple option to switch legacy CSM/UEFI, enable/disable PS2 mouse, enable/disable switchable graphics.
13) "Chipset" tab (side of avanced tab) is enabled via AMIBCP BUT NOT SHOWED IN THE BIOS !! i cannot access to internal graphics settings ! (SA System agent configuration & PCH-IO configuration)

So can you take a look on available option in this bios and said me what you think about ? (if what i writed upper is possible or not).

Thanks for help, with this spi progammer, i'm now feeling this laptop as mine, a true owner, full control, like my loving MSI GP70. (Love msi)

Full Bios image currently used and unloked with AMIBCP 5 : https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Xm0IPv...cpBmuaEaMw
AMIBCP 5 : https://drive.google.com/open?id=1h2GHkR...djsv58b-o5
Full bios zip downloaded from clevo, used to unbrick my laptop : https://drive.google.com/open?id=1j3vjtR...CDr0__fMZP

[Lost_N_BIOS]

Yes, there might be max turbo or MCE fix sometime.

Good you got win8 working now!

There is BIOS settings to disable iGFX, did you enable those and test (Clear CMOS may be needed if it fails) We had related problems with this Clevo BIOS, unable to enable onboard GFX, or switchable, but I don't think he ever tested some BIOS changes (Maybe too worried of being unable to get into BIOS again, I can't remember)
https://www.win-raid.com/t3864f16-Access...l#msg57820

I see in advanced chipset (Chipset >> Graphics configuration), internal graphics can be disabled, then leave primary display switchable at default of SG anyway for safety reasons.

vga.sys, I have no clue about that, but I don't think any of that guide is needed for this system/setup and win7. I would undue any of those changes, or save that system image for later use if you want, then make a clean install again, none of that is needed for what you want to do or for using any of this on this system. Probably making things worse actually.

UEFI specifically means not CSM, so what is your goal there? RST Legay ROM option is at Chipset >> PCH-IO >> SATA & RST >> Software Features

CSM/UEFI Boot, and other related settings are at >> Boot section >> OS Selection (Choose other, other than Win8/10, if you do not want UEFI)
UEFI Boot there too, as well as launch CSM. Then also at Boot >>> UEFI there is more similar/related settings

PS/2 keyboard/Mouse can be disabled at Advanced >> Platform settings.

Unlocked FD (Flash Descriptor) is a part of the BIOS, first part, that tells BIOS what regions of the BIOS you can read/write to with certain programs. That link I gave shows you how to do the edit. But like I said, I can do that for you if you want. This allows you to use FPT to flash any/all BIOS regions, like ME or BIOS region, without having to worry about "Protection/Security" errors telling you no when trying to flash with software. This way you don't have to always use programmer.

Some BIOS AMIBCP does not enable certain sections, like Advanced or Chipset, if you can set to User and then all options you see in BIOS like in AMIBCP great, no problems for you and this BIOS with AMIBCP then!!! Sometimes you have to use more advanced methods to enable those menus, that's all I meant.

All the options you mention in #12 are your BIOS, at least I can see them in AMIBCP, if you enabled them all and can see them same as AMIBCP then you'll have them in BIOS too.

#13, see, that is what I meant above, sometimes AMIBCP cannot enable menu's, especially chipset but sometimes Advanced too.

I need to see images of your BIOS itself, with all sections shown so I can see what tab/sections there by default in STOCK BIOS.
This way I can try to enable chipset for you

You're welcome, I'm glad you were able to recover! Now, lets help you own this BIOS too!

[Helden]

W8 Working but noway to use integrated graphic card, so to make w7 fully friendly with my laptop i'm forced to disable the [censored] UHD 630.

note : Now i can install W7,W8, WServer 2012 R2

The link to my bios is : https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Xm0IPv...cpBmuaEaMw
this version is fully unlocked with AMIBCP except for chipset, it's a dump of the chip.

If you have free time :
- Unlock bios to able flash with AFUDOS 5 without [censored] #12 security error
- Unlock chipset option, the tab is hidden on the bios but enabled with AMIBCP, so i need another method as i'm not really friend with hex editor

and if i understand correctly, i've just to follow what you writed up to disable the integrated graphics and be able to use dedicated card with windows

my goal is just to be able to run w7, about UEFI + legacy mode it's good, but w7 cannot be handled on UHD 630 -> black screen on boot and if i try to go upper than the failsafe resolution, tutorials said to delete vga.sys to fix boot freeze.

About Mouse/Keyboard PS2 i know, but i want to disable mouse and keep the keyboard, and currently, i've just option to disable/enable both.

in the #12 i talked about add new option to simple switch graphics , switch UEFI/CSM, and disable mouse PS2 and keeping keyboard enabled, currently i need to go each time on each menu to change, i'm just wonderding if it's possible to add shortcut, like "profil" to change many option in one touch.

I'm feeling like a master who castrate clevo technician with my spi programmer, it's so good to have a full control on our machine.

Dude, realize you make me save a lot. i was ready to paying clevo for this.
PCSpecialist, KeyNux, French bioschip reseller/fixer, 3 "Pro" shamelly fail to help me, you just send me the good version and it's works ! 4 month with the data disagreement message !

Edit : You 1.29 have a trojan horse (malware), signaled by avira but the version used for castrate clevo is 1.31 (1.4 in the about section)

[Lost_N_BIOS]

See, your first sentence does not make sense to me. That should not be required, either UHD 360 or your Nvidia card both work with Win7, with either enabled, either disabled, both enabled. So you should be having to do this graphics related stuff you are doing, something else is causing issue and just leading you to think it's this. I do see there is driver issues to use UHD 630 with win8, but you can get around that and still install them. But, you want UHD disabled anyway, so we can do that in the BIOS, either by disable internal graphics setting, or switch primary adapter setting from SG to PCIE

Flash BIOS using stock official flash tools, modify batch file to name of your BIOS mod, or rename mod BIOS to match the BIOS name used in the stock flasher = problem solved.

Win7, can be ran on UEFI mode (Secure boot enabled, GPT partition used), or CMS/Legacy mode with secure boot disabled and MBR or GPT partition

on PS/2, is there two PS/2 ports, and you only want to disable one? If yes, sorry I probably cannot figure out how to only disable one port. Leaving both enabled has no effect, I mean it shouldn't cause you any issues, shouldn't even notice it's enabled.

On #12 again, maybe you can save profiles in your BIOS, I don't know. Check on exit page, there is usually "save profile as" when you can save/load BIOS profiles. Then you can set however you want all settings, save, and then make other changes to another profile and save that one with different name. No, there is no other "Easy button/switch to enable/disable many settings at once for certain way to run, only profiles like you mentioned can do that.

So glad you saved $$ and didn't pay company to recover your board, programmers are so cheap I hate seeing when someone didn't sped $3-8 and then send off system for RMA and end up paying big buck$$

Please flash back stock BIOS, and get me the BIOS images I asked about, then I can work on chipset for you. Without those images, I cannot try to enable