Enter Advanced Debug Mode BIOS Setup on Lenovo Yoga with InsydeH2O EFI BIOS without Modding

Discussion in 'BIOS Mods' started by HHo2016, May 7, 2020.

  1. HHo2016

    HHo2016 MDL Member

    Sep 10, 2016
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    #1 HHo2016, May 7, 2020
    Last edited: May 29, 2020
    I only tested this to work on a Lenovo Yoga 730-15IWL and a Yoga 730-13IKB. I discovered this by accident. It allows you to disable CPU MSR lock, disable BIOS lock, disable Flash Protection Range Registers (allows Intel FPT to flash your BIOS) and enable SPD flash write, among many other options that I have not yet explored. Disabling these options allow me to flash a modded BIOS using Intel Flash Programming Tool within Windows (without having to use a HW programmer).

    Here's how I entered the advanced mode:

    1. Turn off the computer fully (not fast shutdown). Wait 1 minute.
    2. Insert a USB flash drive (may need to be formatted NTFS and/or bootable to work).
    3. Press the power button to turn on.
    4. Press the F2 key FIVE times quickly (wait 1 second).
    5. Advanced BIOS menu should appear.

    Alternative method (worked for me once):

    1. While in Windows, open an elevated Command Prompt window.
    2. Insert a USB flash drive (may need to be formatted NTFS and/or bootable to work).
    3. Type "shutdown /r /t 000 /fw". You may have to enter this 2-3 times before it will restart.
    4. You may get the advanced mode menu upon reboot.

    I had to try many times afterwards to get the correct timing for this to work. If you don't get in, you cannot immediately retry by pressing ESC or CTRL+ALT+DEL. You need to press the power button to power the laptop off, then wait a couple of minutes before retrying. Sometimes, you have to only start pressing the F2 key about 2-3 seconds after you first press the power button to turn the laptop on. If it does not work for you on the first try, check the following (most important points come first):

    0. Fast shutdown is disabled in Windows 10 to force full shutdown.
    1. Secure boot is disabled.
    2. Fast/silent boot is disabled.
    3. OS Optimized Defaults is disabled.
    4. Legacy support mode is enabled (dual UEFI-legacy mode).
    5. Always on USB is disabled.
    6. BIOS backflash is disabled.
    7. Thunderbolt boot support is enabled.
    8. Computer is at least 85% charged and not connected to AC power.
    9. Controller type is changed to AHCI mode (will cause Windows 0x7B Inaccessible Boot Device BSOD unless you start it in safe mode at least once to reconfigure storage controller drivers).
     
  2. no telling

    no telling MDL Novice

    Jun 11, 2018
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    #2 no telling, May 23, 2020
    Last edited: May 23, 2020
    Hey dude I'm having some trouble with your f2 method. I accidentally got into the advanced menu by subconsciously fidgeting with the keys (I'm running a yoga 730-15 IWL , so I did some googling and ended up here. I feel like a complete idiot right now, but it would be awesome if you could send a video or something of you replicating the process. (I've done all the things you suggested in the regular bios too)
    thanks for the excellent tutorial anyway
     
  3. HHo2016

    HHo2016 MDL Member

    Sep 10, 2016
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    I'll try to find some time to record the video. In the meantime, did you try turning it off completely for at least 30 minutes, then wait 2 seconds after turning it on before pressing F2 5 times within 1 second?

    Important Note: Don't update to 7LCN30WW or newer on Lenovo Yoga 730-13IKB as it won't allow you to disable the Flash Protected Range Registers anymore. This means you cannot use Intel FPT to flash a custom BIOS after you have upgraded to this version (even if you downgrade your BIOS version afterwards).
     
  4. HHo2016

    HHo2016 MDL Member

    Sep 10, 2016
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    Update: I tried to enter the advanced mode again with success on Lenovo Yoga 730-13IKB if I immediately pressed F2 5 times after pressing the power button. On Lenovo Yoga 730-15IWL, I needed to wait at least 3 seconds before pressing F2 5 times. Your laptop has to been turned off for quite some time before you can try to enter the advanced menu.
     
  5. HHo2016

    HHo2016 MDL Member

    Sep 10, 2016
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    Update 2: If you cannot enter the menu, try connecting a USB drive to a USB port before turning it on and pressing F2 5 times. I realized that I had a USB plugged in the last few times I was able to access the advanced menu. The USB is NTFS formatted and has bootable Windows PE setup on it.
     
  6. no telling

    no telling MDL Novice

    Jun 11, 2018
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    yes, that was it! I had A USB in when I did it and now I can easily get into it
    you're the best thanks
     
  7. HHo2016

    HHo2016 MDL Member

    Sep 10, 2016
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    Thanks for your feedback! Updating the original post.
     
  8. bolo826

    bolo826 MDL Novice

    Dec 1, 2021
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    I have Lenovo Yoga 730-15IWL. I have tried really hard to follow you guide how to enter debug BIOS. No matter what I try I end up in the standard BIOS. Is it only working with Win PE?
     
  9. HHo2016

    HHo2016 MDL Member

    Sep 10, 2016
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    I don't think so - I think the reason why plugging in a USB works is because it delays the BIOS bootup somewhat. It is not booting from the USB/WinPE. Maybe external USB HDD might also work.
    BTW, did you upgrade BIOS at any point? Could you provide your BIOS version? Maybe newer versions removed this functionality. I kept 2019 BIOS version on that laptop and never upgraded since.

    You have to wait about 0.5 second after pushing power on button. Then press F2 five times within another second. All this should occur before the screen backlight turns on.

    Also, you can't retry immediately afterwards. You need to power off completely and wait some time before retrying.
     
  10. bolo826

    bolo826 MDL Novice

    Dec 1, 2021
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    Thanks a lot for your reply!
    I have upgraded bios several times. But then I have downgraded it. Now I am running quite an old version. It is MCN20WW 2.01 (08/01/2019). That's the only version that remained on my laptop where Lenovo didn't disable undervolting capabilities.
    Do you have any other devices connected to usb? Which USB port are using? Is your laptop connected to power supply? My USB drive is always connected to one of the ports. Could you create a more detailed guide how to enter advanced mode or give more hints?
     
  11. bolo826

    bolo826 MDL Novice

    Dec 1, 2021
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    BTW which BIOS version are you using?
     
  12. HHo2016

    HHo2016 MDL Member

    Sep 10, 2016
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    BIOS Version: 9MCN24WW (V2.05)
    EC Version: 9MEC24WW (V2.05)

    It's been some time since I tried entering advanced mode - I'll need time to experiment again.
     
  13. bolo826

    bolo826 MDL Novice

    Dec 1, 2021
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    OK, Great! Please let me know if you can still do it. I am just wondering if there is a way for me to flash your unlocked/moded Bios? I still have problems to enter advanced bios using this f2 method.
     
  14. HHo2016

    HHo2016 MDL Member

    Sep 10, 2016
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    To flash an unlocked BIOS, you would still need to unlock your existing BIOS by disabling FPRR and BIOS Write Protect in the hidden advanced settings menu.
     
  15. bolo826

    bolo826 MDL Novice

    Dec 1, 2021
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    OK, I see. It is so frustrating that I cannot do it. I have no idea what blocks me from entering the advanced menu. If you can play with your setup to see what works and what doesn't work it will be super helpful.
     
  16. kinds06

    kinds06 MDL Novice

    Oct 29, 2014
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    #16 kinds06, Jan 17, 2022
    Last edited: Jan 17, 2022
    Hello, several searches I found a video that works perfectly every time with my Lenovo Yoga 730-13IWL
    it's debug mod
    youtube. com/watch?v=Ma258xNChio&ab_channel=TonsakZone
     
  17. perludum

    perludum MDL Novice

    Jun 16, 2021
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    Hello! I have a Yoga 920-13IKB and it has InsydeH2O BIOS, but I seemingly tried everything to no avail entering the Advanced mode. I formatted and created an NTFS bootable using Rufus, and I followed your steps to enter BIOS, but nothing though. Is there anything I could do?
     
  18. HHo2016

    HHo2016 MDL Member

    Sep 10, 2016
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    Did you try the steps in the video attached in #18 above?