uncleraven, I suppose you have successfully modded ASUS N61Da BIOS? If so, would you upload the mod? Thanks in advance.
I used SSV2 and the default settings. I ran the RW everything report on a fresh install of XP tablet. I originally flashed the bios from DOS using "phlash16 /x bios.wph" from a bootable USB drive. The flash utility went through what seemd like the normal process but it never got to 'Flash successful" or whatever it should say at the end. It just blacked out. I waited several minutes, but it never came back. I then used the Crisis disk and the original bios file to get the tablet working again. I then replaced the original bios file on the floppy with the modded bios and went through the recovery process again. The machine was then dead again. I put the original bios file back on the floppy and got it working yet again. Would it help to send you the modded bios file?
Or use /writehdrfile However, the difference here, is that this is an EFI BIOS with a $RBUT header packaged in a Dell HDR file. I have made some modifications to the tool to handle this, the only thing I can't see is how to reintigrate the HDR into the EXE... however should be possible to flash with the bios.gz or using EFI AFUWIN. Andy
Hi Thanks. I really can't see what is wrong with the mod. The fact the flash process itself failed makes me think it's not the mod but either the method used to flash, or the machine itself. I am not an expert with the exact mechanics of which flash tool to use when, which options etc.... perhaps some of the other guys here can help with that. Andy
State of EFI mods Just to clarify what is going on 1) SSV2 mods - the program generates code that it inserts into the appropriate module. It looks for code that exists in almost all EFI BIOSes, that generates the MCFG table. It then tries to create code to add a SLIC table. The important thing here is that there are subtle differences in some EFI implementations that make it difficult for a program to generate. I have put as many safety checks in as I can, and made several adaptions to the code. This is the reason (or one of the reasons) that the ASUS P8P67 mod failed. This has been tested successfuly on 2 MSI boards (whereas the 1.69 version failed). The orginal method was developed by middleton on a early P5Q EFI BIOS. This should still be considered relatively experimental, although the code is alot more robust than it was. 2) Dynamic. This method is more tested. Insyde mods are effectively EFI dynamic mods and have worked for ages. Additionally all the work done on locks that I have found (Acer x2, Mod51 x3) etc. are all dynamic mods. However, a MSI P67 board as bricked with a test dynamic mod (although all that actually changed were a few strings as there was no SLIC to replace). I don't understand why this is. It could just as easily be bad luck or a bad flash. Dynamic is certainly safer, but until I can understand why the above happened cannot make any promises. But it does have a good track record. Regards All, Andy
AARRGGHH!!! I am officially confused!! THANK YOU to everyone who has tested and posted. I don't understand why some ASUS SSV2 mods are working and some brick Phrunt - how did u flash?? qtm - can you see/ask how this chap flashed?? has he/she uploaded the files they used?? I have seen the same with MSI. Mod works on one board, but bricks another - when there is no obvious reason for it to. I will look again at everything. Thanks All, Andy
Andy, with SSV2 I used bupdater from a dos prompt, clean boot obviously. no switches which then bricked it. with the dynamic mod I used first the built in flasher in the bios, and then bupdater to see if there was a difference, but both had the same results where the board worked fine but no slic. note: the board qtm said it worked on wasn't the pro board, the board i tested on was the pro, different board/bios. I will test ssv2 on a non-pro board tomorrow and see if I can replicate a successful mod.
Further update. Using 1.72 Dynamic mod on MSI 7681 So it doesn't work.... but it doesn't brick either. I had found something resembling a lock... i am looking at it again. Andy