Hey guys,

first of all: nice community here!

I tried a lot to update intel-microcodes for an old Lenovo G550 laptop. Background: CPU replacement has been done towards a T9300 (=new CPU, CPUID: 10676). It is fully working. Yeah! But the bios' microcodes a bit outdated:/ So I tried to fix that.

What I tried (without success):
===================
- nc_cpucode method for phoenix bios (using cbrom/different versions) from this thread ([Guide] How to update the CPU microcodes on a non-UEFI Award/Phoenix BIOS or https://www.delidded.com/how-to-update-c...r-phoenix-bios/)
- hex-edit method (manual replacement of microcode after extraction with MCExtractor, same thread as above)
- Later on I played around with PhoenixTool (SLIC Mod, 2.56) but no recalculated checksum or so :/

Problems:
============
CBrom seems to be unable to handle .wph/.rom file. No matter if you use a) bios from Lenovo-website b) bios extracted from laptop c) modded bios from other source. You can open the bios file with versions up to cbrom155.1, higher versions get stuck when trying to display bios information using command "cbromXX bios.wph /D"

Even in cbrom1551 or cbrom155 *no* table of modules is displayed (as it should be) - just cryptic information about 'file size'/'code space' is shown.

When trying nc_cpucode method in cbrom155 I get an error, that there was not enough space (strange - I thought microcodes would be replaced with that command, and newer microcodes have (in my case) the same size as the old ones)

MCExtractor (1.70.0) gives accurate information of .wph/.rom-file, as well as PhoenixBiosEditorPro (version 2.2.1.3).

Manual microcode replacement in hex-editor (the microcodes have the *same* size (0x1000)) leads to "checksum"-errors when trying to flash using winphlash (different versions) or phlash16 (in DOS). In order to get checksums recalculated, replacing orom/oprom-modules *cannot* be done in cbrom. Or at least I could not;)

PhoenixTool was no help to me either. When deleting e.g. OPROM08.ROM and readding it in PhoenixBiosEditor, winphlash error changes to "-161 Part Table Signature not found in the interface. " In a nutshell: no success at all.

Usefull information
============
OS: Win10
Bios manufacturer: Phoenix
Current bios version (fully working): (cannot post link: plz search for "lenovo-g450_g550_b550_18CN46WW_v2.55_no-wl", (already modded to get rid of a wifi-card whitelist.))
Latest bios from Lenovo-Website: 18CN44WW (v2.53), (https://download.lenovo.com/UserFiles/Dr...W%20(V2.53).exe)
CPU: Core 2 Duo T9300 @2.5GHz, Socket P, CPUID 10676
current microcode: cpu10676_plat80_ver0000060C_2008-01-19_PRD_FBAC0EED (platform 80(7)) - from 2008
desired microcode: cpu10676_plat91_ver00000612_2015-08-02_PRD_1750A2A6 (platform 91 (0,4,7)) - latest from 2015 :) source: https://github.com/platomav/CPUMicrocode...RD_1750A2A6.bin [That one should be working with T9300, correct?]

I would be glad if someone more skilled than me can update that microcode:)

Thanks a lot guys!

Hello.

Zitat von FullderSo im Beitrag #1

---

Manual microcode replacement in hex-editor (the microcodes have the *same* size (0x1000)) leads to "checksum"-errors when trying to flash using winphlash (different versions) or phlash16 (in DOS).

---

Thanks for your suggestion. Haven't heard of it before.

Tried a lot of versions, let say 3 up to 10 (it's part of the intel management engine or at least related). I was unable to create a bios dump due to missing dll's (earlier versions "PMXUtil") or the following error "Platform: ICH9M Error 201: [FPTw.exe] cannot be run on the current platform. Please contact your vendor." (which started with v6) DLLs were present of course.

When I'm unable to extract a bios I have some doubts that flashing will be a success.

However I dont really know which FPT-version to use (read of 3 to 5?, Laptop-Chipset is GL40/ICH9M, made in 2009 :) or what else to do to make it work. Btw. no "Intel Management Engine" is listed in "control panel/system/devices" so... I have no clue how to proceed.

@FullderSo
Each version of iFPT is only suitable for specific Intel ME.
Intel (Converged Security) Management Engine: Drivers, Firmware and Tools

The best way to read bios from flash memory and avoid figuring out which Management Engine you have is to use the BACKUP_Tools program.

Thanks Sweet Kitten!

I used ME Analyzer Tool (v 1.253) to analyze my bios (bios.wph). It gave me "File does not contail Intel Engine/Graphics Firmware" as result (see photo attached).

Also I checked the thread you mentioned (all the different Managment Engines) and tried to install V3/v4/v5 (around the year that laptop was built, some sources around the web suggested, as it is a mobile chipset - v4 should be applicable) but could not install engine.

When extracting .exe files, that claim to be iME v4 (Intel AMT Management Engine v4.2.1037), I get a folder with "FWUpdLcl.exe" and two .bin-files "CA_ICH9_REL_ALL_SKUs_ME_UPD_Production.BIN" and "CA_ICH9_REL_NOAMT_ME_UPD_Production.BIN". Am I supposed to flash those .bin's using FWUpdLcl.exe? (which?) Are those suitable for my machine?

Dont know if it matters: The drivers (MEI Driver v4.2.0.1008 (AMT 4) - HECI files) are reported to be installed successfully.

Intel's CSME-Version-Detection-Tool gave the following result: "Intel ME Version: unknown" - which might be due to not having it installed (properly).

As I mentioned - in control panel/system/hardware devices no "Intel Management Engine" is listed on my Lenovo G550:/

Any suggestions? Futher help is highly appreciated:)

And this is "fpt-info.txt" after executing the "BackupTool" you linked.

------------------------------------------------------------
FPT ver.15.0.1.1347 --- START---
------------------------------------------------------------
Intel (R) Flash Programming Tool Version: 15.0.1.1347
Copyright (C) 2005 - 2020, Intel Corporation. All rights reserved.


Error 39: PCH is not supported.

Error 620: Unknown hardware platform.

15.0.1.1347 : Test on Reading - Error!

Error 39: PCH is not supported.

Error 620: Unknown hardware platform.

------------------------------------------------------------
FPT ver.15.0.1.1347 --- END ---
------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------
FPT ver.14.5.12.1111 --- START---
------------------------------------------------------------
Intel (R) Flash Programming Tool Version: 14.5.12.1111
Copyright (C) 2005 - 2020, Intel Corporation. All rights reserved.


Error 39: PCH is not supported.

Error 620: Unknown hardware platform.

14.5.12.1111 : Test on Reading - Error!

Error 39: PCH is not supported.

Error 620: Unknown hardware platform.

------------------------------------------------------------
FPT ver.14.5.12.1111 --- END ---
------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------
FPT ver.14.0.36.1158 --- START---
------------------------------------------------------------
Intel (R) Flash Programming Tool Version: 14.0.36.1158
Copyright (C) 2005 - 2020, Intel Corporation. All rights reserved.


Error 39: PCH is not supported.

Error 620: Unknown hardware platform.

14.0.36.1158 : Test on Reading - Error!

Error 39: PCH is not supported.

Error 620: Unknown hardware platform.

------------------------------------------------------------
FPT ver.14.0.36.1158 --- END ---
------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------
FPT ver.13.0.37.1556 --- START---
------------------------------------------------------------
Intel (R) Flash Programming Tool Version: 13.0.37.1556
Copyright (C) 2005 - 2020, Intel Corporation. All rights reserved.


Error 39: PCH is not supported.

Error 620: Unknown hardware platform.

13.0.37.1556 : Test on Reading - Error!

Error 39: PCH is not supported.

Error 620: Unknown hardware platform.

------------------------------------------------------------
FPT ver.13.0.37.1556 --- END ---
------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------
FPT ver.12.0.64.1551 --- START---
------------------------------------------------------------
Intel (R) Flash Programming Tool Version: 12.0.64.1551
Copyright (C) 2005 - 2020, Intel Corporation. All rights reserved.


Error 39: PCH is not supported.

Error 620: Unknown hardware platform.

12.0.64.1551 : Test on Reading - Error!

Error 39: PCH is not supported.

Error 620: Unknown hardware platform.

------------------------------------------------------------
FPT ver.12.0.64.1551 --- END ---
------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------
FPT ver.11.8.79.3722 --- START---
------------------------------------------------------------

Error 367: [FPTw64.exe] cannot be run on the current platform.
Please contact your vendor.
------------------------------------------------------------
FPT ver.11.8.79.3722 --- END ---
------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------
FPT ver.11.11.50.1466 --- START---
------------------------------------------------------------

Error 367: [FPTw64.exe] cannot be run on the current platform.
Please contact your vendor.
------------------------------------------------------------
FPT ver.11.11.50.1466 --- END ---
------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------
FPT ver.10.0.30.1072 --- START---
------------------------------------------------------------

Intel (R) Flash Programming Tool. Version: 10.0.30.1054
Copyright (c) 2007 - 2014, Intel Corporation. All rights reserved.


Error 201: [FPTw.exe] cannot be run on the current platform.
Please contact your vendor.
10.0.30.1072 : Test on Reading - Error!

Error 201: [FPTw.exe] cannot be run on the current platform.
Please contact your vendor.

------------------------------------------------------------
FPT ver.10.0.30.1072 --- END ---
------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------
FPT ver.8.1.60.1561 --- START---
------------------------------------------------------------

Intel (R) Flash Programming Tool. Version: 8.1.60.1561
Copyright (c) 2007 - 2014, Intel Corporation. All rights reserved.


Error 201: [FPTw.exe] cannot be run on the current platform.
Please contact your vendor.
8.1.60.1561 : Test on Reading - Error!

Error 201: [FPTw.exe] cannot be run on the current platform.
Please contact your vendor.

------------------------------------------------------------
FPT ver.8.1.60.1561 --- END ---
------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------
FPT ver.9.5.40.1868 --- START---
------------------------------------------------------------

Intel (R) Flash Programming Tool. Version: 9.5.40.1868
Copyright (c) 2007 - 2014, Intel Corporation. All rights reserved.


Error 201: [FPTw.exe] cannot be run on the current platform.
Please contact your vendor.
9.5.40.1868 : Test on Reading - Error!

Error 201: [FPTw.exe] cannot be run on the current platform.
Please contact your vendor.

------------------------------------------------------------
FPT ver.9.5.40.1868 --- END ---
------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------
FPT ver.4.0.20.1316 --- START---
------------------------------------------------------------

Intel (R) Flash Programming Tool. Version: 4.0.20.1316
Copyright (c) 2007 - 2019, Intel Corporation. All rights reserved.

Error 367: [FPTw64.exe] cannot be run on the current platform.
Please contact your vendor.
4.0.20.1316 : Test on Reading - Error!
[FPTw64.exe] cannot be run on the current platform.
Please contact your vendor.
------------------------------------------------------------
FPT ver.4.0.20.1316 --- END ---
------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------
FPT ver.3.1.70.2340 --- START---
------------------------------------------------------------

Intel (R) Flash Programming Tool. Version: 3.1.70.2340
Copyright (c) 2007 - 2019, Intel Corporation. All rights reserved.

Error 367: [FPTw64.exe] cannot be run on the current platform.
Please contact your vendor.
3.1.70.2340 : Test on Reading - Error!
[FPTw64.exe] cannot be run on the current platform.
Please contact your vendor.
------------------------------------------------------------
FPT ver.3.1.70.2340 --- END ---
------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------
FPT ver.2.0.5.3107 --- START---
------------------------------------------------------------

Intel (R) Flash Programming Tool. Version: 2.0.5.3107
Copyright (c) 2007 - 2015, Intel Corporation. All rights reserved.


Error 201: [FPTw64.exe] cannot be run on the current platform.
Please contact your vendor.
2.0.5.3107 : Test on Reading - Error!

Error 201: [FPTw64.exe] cannot be run on the current platform.
Please contact your vendor.

------------------------------------------------------------
FPT ver.2.0.5.3107 --- END ---
------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------
FPT ver.1.1.5.1162 --- START---
------------------------------------------------------------

Intel (R) Flash Programming Tool. Version: 1.1.5.1162
Copyright (c) 2007 - 2015, Intel Corporation. All rights reserved.


Error 201: [FPTw64.exe] cannot be run on the current platform.
Please contact your vendor.
1.1.5.1162 : Test on Reading - Error!

Error 201: [FPTw64.exe] cannot be run on the current platform.
Please contact your vendor.

------------------------------------------------------------
FPT ver.1.1.5.1162 --- END ---
------------------------------------------------------------

That bios doesn't contain any ME, it's a pre- UEFI bios, ME tools will not work.

Tried: [Guide] How to update the CPU microcodes on a non-UEFI Award/Phoenix BIOS ?

Yes, I worked through that thread extensively:) Here is a picture of cbrom155 for command "cbrom155 bios.wph /d" which should give information about bios content.

The result is not much use to me, as it is not as expected (would expect table of modules etc. that are part of the bios-file)

With my limited knowledge I concluded that cbrom155 (and all the other versions) cannot handle that file properly. (reason unknown to me)

Referring to that thread, chapter "ALTERNATIVE:", I went the hexeditor way, but could not restore checksum afterwards. Plz see OP for errors/caveats coming up when I tried to flash HexEdited bios file.

Is there way to restore checksum for Phoenix bios, other than cbrom?

Now I am convinced that the fpt flashing method does not work either.

Zitat von FullderSo im Beitrag #5

---

Am I supposed to flash those .bin's using FWUpdLcl.exe? (which?) Are those suitable for my machine?

---

This bios is working for me: https://weblance.com.ua/index.php?do=download&id=72 (lenovo-g450_g550_b550_18cn46ww_v2.55_no-wl.zip https://weblance.com.ua/344-neprostoy-ap...hivka-bios.html)
Bonus, compared to stock-lenovo bios: no wifi-card whitelist

It includes cpu10676_plat80_ver0000060C_2008-01-19_PRD_FBAC0EED (platform 80(7)) - from 2008.

I would like to have cpu10676_plat91_ver00000612_2015-08-02_PRD_1750A2A6 (platform 91 (0,4,7)) - latest from 2015 :) included. (https://github.com/platomav/CPUMicrocode...RD_1750A2A6.bin)

That should fit T9300 CPU (ID 10676) on a laptop. Correct?

Zitat von FullderSo im Beitrag #10

---

That should fit T9300 CPU (ID 10676) on a laptop. Correct?

---

Thank you very much Sweet Kitten!

Tried your mod (in WinPhlash64, and Phlash16), but I get different errors.

Phlash16 asked me twice if I would like to flash that bios (checksum could not be verified and something else... propably if I was really really sure :)

WinPhlash64, which is included with your zip-file gives error -120 "NEW Bios part number doesn't match system BIOS part number".

Stock bios from lenovo (and their included WinPhlash64, which has "advanced options") give "JITR1" as Product ID (board?).

Does that help you?

Zitat von FullderSo im Beitrag #12

---

WinPhlash64, which is included with your zip-file gives error -120 "NEW Bios part number doesn't match system BIOS part number".

---

I have some log files for you. One is from flashing your bios. Two where I updated microcode. One bios is the download I provided + microcode update in hexEditor (bios file size: 2.095 KB). One is a bios I ripped/extracted from my machine + microcode update (bios file size: 2.048 KB). Please notice different file sizes and different errors.

All attempts were made using your winphlash versions (where checksum detection is disabled, when I get you right)

Hope its of some use:)

@FullderSo
Thanks.
I only see two types of errors in these logs. One error is due to the bios file ripped from your machine is 2048kb and does not contain a part table. This is normal.
But other logs report a mismatch in part number. I know that in the bios mod archive download you provided me previously, the part number check is disabled. I made my archive from the original bios update and I don't remember if I did the same as in the one where there is no wifi card whitelist. Can you try to swap the phlash.ini files and try again?