(UEFI) Dell XPS 15z L511z modded BIOS - and HOWTO

[jkbuha]

Thanks mate - good to be back Yes I've dumped the whole chip and backed it externally - you never know if/when you need these things!

Sorry I meant XTU - would be good to see if alternate ME configuration gives better o/c stability.

I compared your modded ME firmware from the L502x page (L502X_OVERCLOCKING_PATCH_BY_CAPITANKASAR.rar right?) but something's wrong. I'm not sure it's the modded file - looks more like the original unmodded ME file. For instance, the clock selector register (offset 0x7C89-8B) is set to 011A33, but to enable o/c it has to be set to 011A34. Are you sure this is the modded, not original file?

Re: clover - I'd need to check how the FSB is set via CloverUEFI, but this is most likely the ability to pass kernel params to the OS. Win32/64 doesn't allow this, AFAIK...

Oh yes - the logo! I completely forgot about that - well done!

Re: email notifications - now you mention it, you're right. I only get notifications thru tapatalk, not email. Might be the forum itself that is not sending out notifications...

[jkbuha]

Ok. Some ME parameter optimisation later and the L511z works at FSB=105MHz. Not much more though as the laptop shuts down on any larger values. Stress testing holds out well (so far). One important point is that I had to remove the MEM overclocking in the bios from 1600 to 1333 to increase stability.

I've attached the modded ME region for the L511z together with a screenshot of the steady state performance. Note that the i7-2640m is 2 cores, hence the lower performance than a quad-core. Still, not bad for the highest performing 15z on geekbench....

[follow_me]

Please take a look at this tool
http://bios-mods.com/pub/donovan6000/Sof...ractor.exe

And ICCOverclocking driver from lenovo

  LenoveICC.zip (Size: 11.9 KB / Downloads: 15)

[kasar]

@jkbuha

yes, it is the http://www.mediafire.com/download/7fhsp2...NKASAR.rar file

I double checked it, and it have the correct values, well, also the patch has been tested by me and others enabling the BLKC OC properly

did you opened it properly with FITC?

it show mw 011A34 and the other changed values


oh, and congrats with your BCLK overclocking


anyway I did not had to sacrifice memory speeds, I am running it at default 1333 speed rated for the memory, and with the OC, the memory is running on like 1400 mhz

what is your memory modules speed rating?


I remember I tried setting the memory to 1600 mhz from bios, but in my case the changed did not applied, (probably the memory not support it) however the option works since I was able to lower those frecuencied under 1333

do it work for you raising the memory speed over its max stock speed?

@follow_me

OH, that IFR extractor doesnt crash for me instead others I tested, I can now work with the tool properly

thank you

oh, also nice find with the ffs files.

where did you found them?

but well, the mostly important question how do we insert in the bios?

never deal with ffs files, dont know where to start.

I remember you guys said something about inserting new modules with phoenix tool, but that needed .MOD files.

I asume that if we manage to load and run those drivers in the firmware, that should unlock all controls in XTU software, right?

[Brabbelbla]

Those .ffs files are ready to be inserted with PhoenixTool. Just change the extension to .MOD.

I am really jealous for the support Lenovo seems to give. Two years old models still get their BIOS updated and more importantly, they work properly. Phoenix SCT as well, but apparently properly implemented.

[follow_me]

oh, also nice find with the ffs files.
where did you found them?

I found them in 65CN21WW.wph , which is a Lenovo IdeaPad U410 bios

[kasar]

thanks for the info guys

I will make a new bios for testing with the new shell and the MOD files.


edit:

I am having troubles while trying to integrate the .mod files.

never tried before the insert new modules (just replaced existing ones), so this procedure sounds completly new to me.

the first thing wich confuses me, is that while you click on the "structure" button, you have to select specific parts of the firmware so the insert button become avalible, I entered in the main bios and selected this part (wich I think it is the correct one)




then, I tried to insert one of the mod files.

but when I try, the app get stuck just after selecting the mod file, tried wait several minutes, but it does not make any difference.

is there something I am missing?

[kasar]

ok, problem solved, tried with an older version of phoenix slic tool, now I can insert them without errors.

I will try flashing now

[kasar]

flashing failed, it didnt bricked the laptop, it just refused to start the flasher after rebooting.

I had to shut down the machine by hold 5 secs the power button, however, then when I tried to boot the machine up, it started making beep noises and black screen and fan full speed, however I got the machine again working by just unplugging every cord and the battery, then plug everything back and it worked fine.

since I added the shell and the new modules at the same time, I wanted to know the cause of the fail.

so I decided to flash it only with the new shell.

it worked fine, the new (bigger size shell) load properly with the F12 boot menu.

now the tricky part is get the new modules working.

I am going to try several combinations like flash just 1 separate module instead both of them at the same time or keep trying different phoenix slic tool versions.

[follow_me]

Here is The Shell Enabler built as a Dxe driver, so it can be embedded into image
I suggesting to replace IsaSerial Driver , because it is loaded at the recovery mode, so it will Enable shell from the recovery mod (end + power cord method )


  ShellEnablerDxe.efi.zip (Size: 7.05 KB / Downloads: 18)

@kasar

Same story here - system is unable to boot with a new driver inserted