I use a hexeditor to extract the system module stn.bin, uncompress, then replace some strings with Dell string, and reinject the compress mod by delete / replace the old (keep the same size and correct checksum)
@zort I think he meant the checksum of the recompressed module. Keep the compressed size! Remove or add text strings, go by try and error. After you've recompressed it (same size minus one) append the 8 bit checksum of the entire module.....(old award bios) New bios: Add a FFh byte at systembiosmodule (at all other modules append NO extra byte) To correct the bios checksum you have to add and release a module using cbrom. This you have to do as final step. Example Gigabyte bios: How to manage? Each module starts with two bytes, followed by -lh and ends with a zero byte. The systembiosmodule has a additional FFh byte. There are no 8 bit checksums after each module like at old Award bioses. Cut out the systembios and save it as mainbios.lha. You see the last FFh byte counts to its size. Now decompress the systembios using winrar (mainbios.lha). Edit some text strings to get down the new compressed size.Therefore you can use some strings found at offset 1E000h and below. You also can edit SLP1.0 strings. I've added ASUS_FLASH as well. To get down the size you have to insert a few 20h (space). Now we have to check the new compressed size. Therefore you have to use a trick. Get a dummy bios and use cbrom to compress it: cbrom182 dummy.bin /other 5000:0 ma79gd4h.BIN This command allows to re-compress the systembios (ma79gd4h.BIN). Where is it? Remember? Yes it's the created bios.rom. Check now its size.
My bios mod I’m almost done (I hope). The stn.bin is finished with the correct checksum. Now I need to repack my files. I’ve been grinding away in two different hex editors without success. I’m in need of some guidance please. It’s all new to me. Thank you all
No problem, this is / was due to a PM box limit error (dropped down to 50), I've contacted Moderator / Admin................ EDIT: Problem resolved......you may ask again.....
Zort Thank you for the cbrom info. All forms of cbrom have been a no go. I can’t even use /d. The T4P-E was a previous mod completed and working by offon. This is another ASUS mod that I wanted to do myself. Award V6 using .001 file name. I was able to replace the stn.bin using Awdb.edit but the checksum changed in the finished file. I'll spend some more time on that one. My enthusiasm is dimming but I’m not quitting yet. I know the solution is going to be simple when I find it. Thanks again.
offon7544 Thanks for the info but I was not able to perform those actions with the utilities I’ve used. The stn.bin checksum is now correct but I’m not able to get it into the final file.