Zitat von Lost_N_BIOS im Beitrag #90

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@pseudolobster - Thanks for the GUID, that only looks like half the BIOS, correct?.

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Zitat von Lost_N_BIOS im Beitrag #90

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What all menu sections do you see in the BIOS? Can you zip me up and image of each one, just a single shot of each main section, maybe with that I can find the rest.

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Zitat von Lost_N_BIOS im Beitrag #90

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How did you find this GUID anyway? I looked for a while and no luck, but of course I didn't know any exact BIOS settings to use as search terms either, but none of the usual brought up anything good.

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Zitat von Lost_N_BIOS im Beitrag #88

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Your mention of HP Sure Start is not a good sign! Often, once you do flash in a mod BIOS on a system that has Sure Start, after reboot Sure Start kicks in and auto recovers stock BIOS back to the chip.
There is a few versions of this though, so not sure how they all act with mod BIOS, but you'll find out soon enough This also applies the same when using a programmer, unfortunately, that's how I first ran into Sure Start, helping someone here on a few HP's with a programmer.

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@pseudolobster - I meant that module and it's IFR output, that's not the complete BIOS setup that you see when in BIOS correct? Looked like a few sections missing, but maybe not, I only looked at the included title sections at the top when I mentioned that.
I don't need dumps or IFR from you, I get that myself once you showed me the GUID. I'll check out your BIOS settings list though, thanks!

Yes, that sounds like the updated version of Sure Start that I researched previously, so no you cannot modify this BIOS or it will auto recover.
Some things can be updated without this happening, such as ME and microcodes, possibly a few other items, but nothing in setup module can be modified (already tested this at length on a few different HP Models with Sure Start, tested with FPT flash and via programmer same outcome)
Disabling Sure Start only means disabling your availability of changing the settings, I know that doesn't make sense but it's explained in several Sure Start PDF's I read back when I first ran into this terrible HP creation!
I know all about Sure Start, have read several in depth articles not by HP, and several generations of HP PDF's too.

We can test a change if you want, but I already know the outcome here, instant auto-recovery on reboot (So it's safe to test, but bad for the goal here)
Can't find BIOS Lock to disable anyway, but even if we did it would auto recover, and even if you had a flash programmer you're changed vBIOS module will invoke Sure Start Disabled or not, and it will be replaced.
Unless it's one of the non-protected modules, we didn't test this previously, so you may get lucky, but I doubt it since we tested many things within main volume and all failed miserably

So where we're at now is you need CH341A and SOIC8 test clip, both are around $2.50 on ebay, but take 3-5 weeks for delivery, you can pay more on ebay or amazon or other places and get them shipped faster if you don't want to wait.
And once that arrives, Sure Start will be invoked upon programming in modified BIOS, so up to you if you want to put in the few $$ and time waiting to confirm that for yourself (I already know )

Zitat von Lost_N_BIOS im Beitrag #93

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@pseudolobster - I meant that module and it's IFR output, that's not the complete BIOS setup that you see when in BIOS correct? Looked like a few sections missing, but maybe not, I only looked at the included title sections at the top when I mentioned that.

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Zitat von Lost_N_BIOS im Beitrag #93

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Yes, that sounds like the updated version of Sure Start that I researched previously, so no you cannot modify this BIOS or it will auto recover.
Some things can be updated without this happening, such as ME and microcodes, possibly a few other items, but nothing in setup module can be modified (already tested this at length on a few different HP Models with Sure Start, tested with FPT flash and via programmer same outcome)

[...]

Unless it's one of the non-protected modules, we didn't test this previously, so you may get lucky, but I doubt it since we tested many things within main volume and all failed miserably

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Zitat von Lost_N_BIOS im Beitrag #93

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So where we're at now is you need CH341A and SOIC8 test clip, both are around $2.50 on ebay, but take 3-5 weeks for delivery, you can pay more on ebay or amazon or other places and get them shipped faster if you don't want to wait.
And once that arrives, Sure Start will be invoked upon programming in modified BIOS, so up to you if you want to put in the few $$ and time waiting to confirm that for yourself (I already know )

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So that is the only main sections in your BIOS, these four below?
Main (0x225 from string package 0x0)
Security (0x31C from string package 0x0)
Advanced (0x18B from string package 0x0)
UEFI Drivers (0x350 from string package 0x0

Yes, you are correct and we never tested if vBIOS was in protected area or not, but we did change out a few different things in volume that contained setup and all failed and invoked Sure Start recovery. But yes, vBIOS was not tested, so you could get lucky,

No, you cannot program FPT dump, that's only partial BIOS (BIOS region only, there is FD, ME, GbE and possibly other regions too aside from BIOS region). Dump with your programmer setup once you get it off the board, then re-apply your vBIOS change to that file, then program back in.
FPT dump contains everything in your BIOS region on the board, such as serial, UUID etc anything like that, but you can't use it for this. Dump with programmer will also contain everything on chip, then edit it, then put back, all will remain same as it is now.
No, SLIC, ME etc all will be fine as long as you program them back in as complete BIOS. Dump entire BIOS, modify, reprogram entire BIOS, done and then we see if Sure Start auto recovers the board or not.

Before you do any of that make sure your vBIOS modification was done correctly, if you extracted body make sure you insert body, if you extracted as-is make sure you replace as-is, and if you extract/replace as-is, make sure UEFITool corrects the header upon rebuild.
Also, if there is a checksum on the vBIOS make sure you correct it after your mod changes are done.

Zitat von Lost_N_BIOS im Beitrag #95

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So that is the only main sections in your BIOS, these four below?

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0x46A65 		Checkbox: Lock BIOS Version, VarStoreInfo (VarOffset/VarName): 0x2, VarStore: 0x1C, QuestionId: 0x11 {06 8E 01 03 02 03 11 00 1C 00 02 00 00 00}
 

But that setting is disabled.

Zitat von Lost_N_BIOS im Beitrag #95

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Yes, you are correct and we never tested if vBIOS was in protected area or not, but we did change out a few different things in volume that contained setup and all failed and invoked Sure Start recovery. But yes, vBIOS was not tested, so you could get lucky,

No, you cannot program FPT dump, that's only partial BIOS [...]

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I can't find BIOS lock, but it's normally in setup, let me look through it in assembly and see if I can find it there. The setting you mentioned above looks to be a lockout from flashing, to lock in current BIOS version only.

Yes, you're correct, when it fails to accept a mod BIOS Sure Start auto recovers from another chip (Which we also modified, and it still recovered from some third source which we could not find on the board)

Greetings, I have been trying to modify one DAMNING parameter, Which is HT for a laptop of ASUS TP501UQK.

I have tried to use fptw64, saying bios is locked and follow the guide, Still can't find a thing to pass through.

@1337umbra - if you really only need to change one setting, you can use grub w/ setup_var to change that setting (instead of BIOS lock, change HT Setting value), instead of modifying a BIOS image and then flashing mod BIOS.
I see what your issue is though, both IFR extractors I have can't get valid IFR output from the setup module - please dump your BIOS via FPT and send me a copy to see if that works better or not, sometimes this does >> FPTw.exe -bios -d biosreg.bin (Don't use FPTw64, and you must be using Admin command prompt too)
Never mind, I figured it out! You have to use MMTool (5.02) to extract setup (As-is), then IFR output can be generated properly. I'm not sure why this works, since I tried extracting the entire setup module as-is with UEFITool too and it failed (These outputs both are hex identical match) - got that to work to finally, but selecting the file, wait a bit, hit extract, wait a bit, then save

Your BIOS lock Variable >>
One Of: BIOS Lock, VarStoreInfo (VarOffset/VarName): 0x89E, VarStore: 0x1, QuestionId: 0x95B, Size: 1, Min: 0x0, Max 0x1, Step: 0x0 {05 91 06 08 07 08 5B 09 01 00 9E 08 10 10 00 01 00}
Default: DefaultId: 0x0, Value (8 bit): 0x1 {5B 06 00 00 00 01}
One Of Option: Disabled, Value (8 bit): 0x0 (default MFG) {09 07 04 00 20 00 00}
One Of Option: Enabled, Value (8 bit): 0x1 {09 07 03 00 00 00 01}

Your HT Variable >>
One Of: Hyper-Threading, VarStoreInfo (VarOffset/VarName): 0x4AD, VarStore: 0x1, QuestionId: 0x60, Size: 1, Min: 0x0, Max 0x1, Step: 0x0 {05 91 8E 01 8F 01 60 00 01 00 AD 04 10 10 00 01 00}
One Of Option: Disabled, Value (8 bit): 0x0 {09 07 04 00 00 00 00}
One Of Option: Enabled, Value (8 bit): 0x1 (default) {09 07 03 00 30 00 01}

Here is your setup module extracted As-is (Entire module, not PE32) with UEFITool and it's IFR output
http://s000.tinyupload.com/index.php?fil...311422513059684

If you want to change the HT setting instead of flashing in a mod BIOS, at grub prompt >> setup_var 0x4AD 0x0
That will disable it, default is enabled. (0x1)

Hmmmmmm. I have read the setup (which is 899407D7 somehow) via a being you implied, have read the note
Although the version is 301, I might flash 306 later to follow up.

It is revealed the hyper threading is enabled by default and there was no way to modify, I also act foolish to ask the seller if there is a way to tune. Of course they knew, they do too evil compared with some brand-aware competions. If these sellers only let users use actual cores or giving a choice to use actual cores or fake cores, then the issue would be minimized. I have been following a major client for days, has discovered only using actual cores after checking CPU models, there is six actual cores so user is safe in mose cases.

May I ask , where I can find suitable Grub to set up? I only have found efi shell for the time being.





I used to follow a client who purchases an enginnering sample system with four CPUs ( each contains ten actual cores) , if HT enabled, a prefered program, which is a rendering software, acts as junk

After the efi trick, that fiendish being is now under my order, she is equipped with i5-7000 series, which only has two cores. I think if my relative wants her back, then have to find a way to redo again like me or have to pay a reasonable dollars as I have spent at least four days with your suggestion to patch the fake core hole. (My client is using six actual cores at start because it is a desktop tuned by lenovo, It must be flashed-in before delivery)

If I decide to change pictues, I would disable the bios lock. At a moment, it's okay.

One down, three more to go as I rarely know which types of firmware user has been using. And again, I appreiate your suggestion and now doing actually things.

I do not understand this comment you said >> via a being you implied, have read the note
Yes, sorry I grabbed the latest BIOS, if you need me to confirm the 301 BIOS is same then I can, if you can't get it done. It's probably same, but there is no guarantee variables are the same always (But HT default setting will almost certainly be the same in all BIOS)

I only know grub I use for these purposes, you can download a copy of that on first post.

If you need more help let me know!

I have used the latest bios to take a look, I successfully disable the hyperthreading.

I might consider to change the splash screen for fun.

@1337umbra - Changing boot/splash image can be tricky, sometimes only certain format (bit depth and size/resolution, not just image type) can be used, so be careful and maybe only do this once you have a flash programmer and SOIC8 test clip cable in your hand
YOu can use AMI ChangeLogo 5.0.0.2 (Google, you will find, if not send me a PM)

I tried to but can't do in fpt way.

So I stick with Command tricks, which might be essential for later models with the same company.

It is revealed there are two sets of menus in Firmware for ASUS TP501UQK 306.