Kets ultimate mainboard BIOS mods

[Ket]

I think the title goes a good way to explaining everything. I certainly won't be churning out BIOS mods like sweets due to sheer time involved in these kinds of mods. It takes a lot of effort finding the latest O-ROMs, so any competent BIOS modder feel free to help out.

The purpose in this thread is to effectively disect and fix things manufacturers can't be arsed to do, you'll understand what I mean by this as the thread (hopefully) progresses.

RULES - Yes, there are rules for this thread, violators will be shot or reported to admins, whichever is easier

- Feel free to make mod requests
- NO slamming, bashing, flaming of any kind. This is about helping as many mobos in need as possible regardless of their stature.
- Stay ON TOPIC. Its going to be hard enough chasing around this thread as it is if it gets popular.

Ok, I think thats all thats needed.

First project will be for the Maximus II Formula. Other BIOS modders feel free to chip in on the same project or undertake any mod requests.

The M2F Project Summary:

This project will address many issues, which are not limited to just this board, but a common fault of all boards. If additional issues are identified, they will be addressed as and when a updated O-ROM can be found.

Issues To Be Addressed:

- P6 microcode table
- Compatibility memory table
- ICH10R Intel option ROM
- Marvell 88SE6121
- SATA, IDE, & SDD issues

Thats glossing over the task so not to overload anyones brain too much, understanding all the details can be quite daunting.

What To Expect:

By addressing the above issues you can expect:

- Better FSB clocking
- Better memory compatibility
- Possibly better memory OCing
- Possibly better CPU OCing (overall frequency)
- Better HDD Read / Write results
- Resolved RAID problems
- Lots of SSD issues resolved
- Faster boot times
- Probably all-round better system performance

When the BIOS is complete, regardless of the board, you can consider it to be the most pimped out BIOS the board will ever have. Each Project will also be based on the latest available BIOS. As far as my skills go, I can only attempt mods for BIOSes that are AMI.

DISCLAIMER! ALL MODIFIED BIOSES WILL BE MADE TO THE HIGHEST POSSIBLE STANDARD BUT I DO NOT HAVE THE MEANS TO TEST THEM. YOU TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY IN YOUR CHOICE TO USE THE MODIFIED BIOSES.

[OverShocked]

Great idea man!

[Ket]

A good idea yea, but takes lots of work hunting down O-ROMs I spent the last 12hrs hunting down some and found all of.... 8. Thats right, less than 1 a hour.

[Russ_64]

Great, I have a prime candidate for you

Asus Z8NA-D6 - it is a dual socket Xeon MB with Intel 5500 chipset, it is ATX and does not cost as much as other "server/workstation" class MB's. Only problem is Asus does not provide any OC ability as it is classed as a server board......... now that is not very XS

[zsamz_]

good you moddin mfII it needs it cause board not too good

you gonna ask for another motherboard donated to you like the biostar p45

[Ket]

I never asked for the Biostar, and if people hadn't been such knobs and being seriously negative and not providing any helpful info, the mBIOS for that board would of got finished. Nevermind what people were asking me to try and do required actually having the board, folk wanted me to attempt some extremely complex mods that tied into hardware directly. Anyway, keep to the topic. I have no hesitation in reporting anyone for disobeying the thread rules.

[Ket]

A Space to note Projects to be undertaken.


Asus Z8NA-D6

[Ket]

Great, I have a prime candidate for you

Asus Z8NA-D6 - it is a dual socket Xeon MB with Intel 5500 chipset, it is ATX and does not cost as much as other "server/workstation" class MB's. Only problem is Asus does not provide any OC ability as it is classed as a server board......... now that is not very XS

Does that board use a AMI or AWARD BIOS? If its AWARD I don't have the sufficient knowledge or tools. I might be able to unhide some hidden options though if it has any.

[andressergio]

good you moddin mfII it needs it cause board not too good

you gonna ask for another motherboard donated to you like the biostar p45

MFII sucked bad buy it and sold it
GIGA FTW !

[Ket]

Well here we go. First BIOS mod for the Maximus 2 Formula. I've been running it for a few days without issue, anyone who tries it feedback is welcome. I'm feeling lazy so heres the readme.

!!This BIOS is for the Maximus 2 Formula ONLY!!

BIOS Info:
------------------------------------
- Based on official Asus 2202 BIOS -
------------------------------------

Changelog:

- M2F P6 CPU table replaced with Rampage Formula 1001 P6 table
- M2F memory table replaced with Rampage Formula 1001 memory table
- Intel SATA RAID ROM updated to 9.6.0.1014
- Marvell 88SE6121 Option ROM updated to 1.1.0.L73

Potential bugfixes / improvements:

- Better FSB clocking
- Better CPU clocking
- Better RAM clocking
- More stable voltages
- Faster booting from HDD / SSD
- Improved HDD / SSD Reads & Writes
- Improved SSD / HDD compatibility
- Generally all-round better system performance

-------------------------------------
- Important notes -
-------------------------------------

This is a first release super BIOS for the Maximus 2 Formula. As I learn to identify more areas of
the BIOS, if a update is available, those areas will be updated too bringing possibly further
enhancements.

-------------------------------------
- How to flash BIOS -
-------------------------------------

Due to the nature of the changes with this BIOS I do NOT recommend updating through EZ flash or
Asus Windows update either. Pure DOS ONLY.

1. Install the supplied "USB Boot" package and double click the desktop icon once installed
2. Insert a USB storage device and click "start"
3. Once the Process is complete copy "M2F2202M" and "AFUDOS" to the USB device
4. Restart
----note----
You may need to enter your BIOS setup and change boot device configuration so your system can boot
from the USB device.
------------
5. At the DOS prompt type; AFUDOS.EXE /iM2F2202M.ROM /PBNC /N

Press Enter and wait for a message prompting restart

6. DONE!
----note----
Upon restart your system may not POST. Remove power cord and CMOS battery, set jumper to "clear" and
leave for a few minutes.

Power up. Thats it.
------------

DL Linky

------------------------------
|Maximus 2 Formula 2302 mBIOS|
------------------------------

Readme;

!!This BIOS is for the Maximus 2 Formula ONLY!!

BIOS Info:
------------------------------------
- Based on official Asus 2302 BIOS -
------------------------------------

Changelog:

- M2F memory table replaced with Rampage Formula 1001 memory table
- Intel SATA RAID ROM updated to 9.6.0.1014
- Marvell 88SE6121 Option ROM updated to 1.1.0.L73

Potential bugfixes / improvements:

- Better FSB clocking
- Better CPU clocking
- Better RAM clocking
- More stable voltages
- Faster booting from HDD / SSD
- Improved HDD / SSD Reads & Writes
- Improved SSD / HDD compatibility
- Generally all-round better system performance

-------------------------------------
- Important notes -
-------------------------------------

This is a first release super BIOS for the Maximus 2 Formula. As I learn to identify more areas of
the BIOS, if a update is available, those areas will be updated too bringing possibly further
enhancements.

-------------------------------------
- How to flash BIOS -
-------------------------------------

Due to the nature of the changes with this BIOS I do NOT recommend updating through EZ flash or
Asus Windows update either. Pure DOS ONLY.

1. Install the supplied "USB Boot" package and double click the desktop icon once installed
2. Insert a USB storage device and click "start"
3. Once the Process is complete copy "M2F2202M" and "AFUDOS" to the USB device
4. Restart
----note----
You may need to enter your BIOS setup and change boot device configuration so your system can boot
from the USB device.
------------
5. At the DOS prompt type; AFUDOS.EXE /iM2F2202M.ROM /PBNC /N

Press Enter and wait for a message prompting restart

6. DONE!
----note----
Upon restart your system may not POST. Remove power cord and CMOS battery, set jumper to "clear" and
leave for a few minutes.

Power up. Thats it.
------------

DL Link

[culefinslamort]

Thank you very much ket!! I've a maximus II formula and I've been using your modded bios for a few days and I have found 0 issues!!

Also, if you need someone to test your next bios just tell me and I'll be very glad to help you!

Have a nice day!

[s0lid]

Does that board use a AMI or AWARD BIOS? If its AWARD I don't have the sufficient knowledge or tools. I might be able to unhide some hidden options though if it has any.

Every Dual LGA1366 server/workstation is locked by HW. Only SR-2 can pass the 136BCLK limit because it's designed to.

[Russ_64]

Does that board use a AMI or AWARD BIOS? If its AWARD I don't have the sufficient knowledge or tools. I might be able to unhide some hidden options though if it has any.

I think it may be AWARD - it uses AFUDOS to flash? *** Checked in Everest and it says AMI ****

At this point all I would like is to have a few basic options unhidden such as BCLCK, vCPU1, vCPU2, VTT etc.

[Russ_64]

Every Dual LGA1366 server/workstation is locked by HW. Only SR-2 can pass the 136BCLK limit because it's designed to.

Now that makes sense, as when I tried SetFSB I could only run at 136. After that it was hard lockup. Thanks.

[[XC] Oj101]

Is there anything you can do for the sucky RAID performance on the AMD chipsets or is that a hardware/driver issue?

[culefinslamort]

Ket, there's a new bios available (2302) in asus website. Are you planning to mod it too? If I can help you, just ask me to, ok?

Thank you. Have a nice day!

[Ket]

Checking the changes to 2302 Asus only added support for one CPU, nothing else. I can mod it if people want thought.

[Ket]

Is there anything you can do for the sucky RAID performance on the AMD chipsets or is that a hardware/driver issue?

Its possible performance issues are down to the RAID ROM used, but as I said earlier I can only really do anything useful with AMI BIOS files.

[culefinslamort]

Whatever you want ket. I believe it's always better to have the last bios version available installed. But It's your choice man. I'm really happy with your last one.

As I said before, if you need any help just tell me.

Have a nice day!

[Sunfire]

Its possible performance issues are down to the RAID ROM used, but as I said earlier I can only really do anything useful with AMI BIOS files.

Well, a lot of Asus boards (like the M4A79 Deluxe) uses AMI BIOS
Ooops, that's my board

[Ket]

AMD do things differently to intel when it comes to storage. With AMD everything is inhouse so updating any storage modules are hard to do. Intel on the other hand, tend to use Marvell controllers so theres lots of RAID ROMs floating around if you know where to look.

[Sunfire]

bingo13 sad that there is a newer RAID Option ROM under validation, so we got hope

[Ket]

New M2F mBIOS, check post #10.

[Dionysos]

I'd like to help you hunt down some O-Roms. But how can I find / identify the latest PCI Option Roms? I mean: How do I know, what version the O-Rom has? Intel for example has release notes, but ASUS?

[Eeky NoX]

I'll check that soon ...but it's a 24/7 system for long time now ...maybe could I lower the voltages on the E5200 ?

Thank you Ket

PS: note that the first DL link is dead in post #10