Dell 7090 Micro - support for ES cpu

BIOS/UEFI Modding BIOS Modding Requests
1

Hi all,
new here, tried all method to extract Dell firmware but only manage to get half way. Half a BIN file or uneditable BIN.
This is the location of the latest BIOS : https://www.dell.com/support/home/en-us/…erid=7pj8j

Anyway, i9-11900T ES is about USD46 now in Taobao. Great time to setup a Proxmox server or a Batocera!
But it refuse to be detected in the 7090 Micro, board IPRKL-BO65/DGFX (identical to this).

Can anyone help to add in the microcode for this ES CPU. Btw, the CPU code is QV1L
Thanks in advance!

2

Had a tough time fully extracting the latest bios from Dell using BIOSUtilities:

Enter output directory path:

BIOS_IMG.rcv

-----------------------------------
Dell PFS Update Extractor v24.11.10
-----------------------------------

    Extracting Dell PFS 1 > BIOS_IMG > Utilities

    Extracting Dell PFS 1 > BIOS_IMG > Firmware

        Extracting Dell PFS 2 > BuffaloRkl_15.0.49.2573_EVT_BUFFALO_64 v1.29.0 > Utilities

        Extracting Dell PFS 2 > BuffaloRkl_15.0.49.2573_EVT_BUFFALO_64 v1.29.0 > Firmware

Error: BIOSUtilities v24.11.10 crashed:

Traceback (most recent call last):
File “C:\Users\Chris\Downloads\BIOSUtilities NEW\BIOSUtilities-main\main.py”, line 188, in
BIOSUtilities().run_main()
File “C:\Users\Chris\Downloads\BIOSUtilities NEW\BIOSUtilities-main\main.py”, line 170, in run_main
is_parsed_format: bool = utility.parse_format()
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
File “C:\Users\Chris\Downloads\BIOSUtilities NEW\BIOSUtilities-main\biosutilities\dell_pfs_extract.py”, line 278, in parse_format
self._pfs_section_parse(zlib_data=pfs_buffer, zlib_start=zlib_offset, extract_path=pfs_path,
File “C:\Users\Chris\Downloads\BIOSUtilities NEW\BIOSUtilities-main\biosutilities\dell_pfs_extract.py”, line 490, in _pfs_section_parse
self._pfs_extract(buffer=section_data, pfs_index=pfs_index, pfs_name=pfs_name, pfs_count=pfs_count,
File “C:\Users\Chris\Downloads\BIOSUtilities NEW\BIOSUtilities-main\biosutilities\dell_pfs_extract.py”, line 747, in _pfs_extract
self._pfs_section_parse(zlib_data=entry_data, zlib_start=offset, extract_path=sub_pfs_path,
File “C:\Users\Chris\Downloads\BIOSUtilities NEW\BIOSUtilities-main\biosutilities\dell_pfs_extract.py”, line 490, in _pfs_section_parse
self._pfs_extract(buffer=section_data, pfs_index=pfs_index, pfs_name=pfs_name, pfs_count=pfs_count,
File “C:\Users\Chris\Downloads\BIOSUtilities NEW\BIOSUtilities-main\biosutilities\dell_pfs_extract.py”, line 879, in _pfs_extract
self._pfs_file_write(bin_buff=file[0], bin_name=file[1], bin_type=file_type, full_name=full_name,
File “C:\Users\Chris\Downloads\BIOSUtilities NEW\BIOSUtilities-main\biosutilities\dell_pfs_extract.py”, line 1255, in _pfs_file_write
with open(final_path, ‘w’ if is_text else ‘wb’, encoding=‘utf-8’ if is_text else None) as pfs_out:
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
FileNotFoundError: [Errno 2] No such file or directory: ‘C:\Users\Chris\Downloads\BIOSUtilities NEW\BIOSUtilities-main\BIOS_IMG.rcv_extracted\Firmware\2 BuffaloRkl_15.0.49.2573_EVT_BUFFALO_64 v1.29.0\Firmware\2 BuffaloRkl_15.0.49.2573_EVT_BUFFALO_64 v1.29.0 – 2 Intel Management Engine Corporate Firmware Update v15.0.49.2573.bin’

Press any key to exit…

But maybe enough to understand the need to use CSME System Tools v15 … r15 ?

If you look at the various images of the motherboard, it looks like the board has a physical blue pin service mode for the 35 W and 65 W system boards, but perhaps not for the Discrete system board - hard to tell.

I guess it will depend on what board you have. What processor was in that board to begin with? If you have a physical blue pin service mode, you should put the pin into service mode, and then use the CSME System Tools Flash Programming Tool (FPT) to dump/backup the entire bios with the command fptw64 -d backup.bin.

That computer supports many CPUs, but actual support may depend on the board you have (Discrete, 35 W or 65 W).

If I’m right on this, I wouldn’t think you’d have to add microcode support, but it is something that has been covered under this topic.

The extracted Dell bios update indicates 6 microcodes, so there’s plenty of room to get it done.

3

thanks for trying on this firmware.

There is no blue jumper pin on any jumper around in my Discrete 65W board. Strangely, it have no SATA, Video connector, USB C connector and keyboard connector.
Seem like it is a pure GPU based board as the seller is pushing hard to sell it with Nvidia Tesla P4. (hah, can even make this as a gaming server. Maybe a minecraft server for my nephew)

What happen is, with the i9-11900T ES CPU, it didn’t manage to post. Just blick amber + white, indicating a CPU issue.
And I suspect that 6 microcodes do not have ES codes in them. It will be perfect if we can just replace the i3 codes with i9 ES codes.

4

Yeah, after posting, I noticed the “ES”. Didn’t know there was such a thing.

Do you know what the microcode is for that chip? Is it the same as the i9-11900T?

plutomaniac’s microcode stash is here, but you have to know what you’re looking for, and if the ES MC is the same as the regular T, it may already be in your bios.

You say that your machine is a 65W board. From that Dell webpage I posted, the i9-11900T is 35W. The regular i9-11900 chip is 65W.

5

found this from [OFFER] Intel CPU Microcode Archives - #80 by chinobino?

Socket 1200 (LGA)

A0670 Rocket Lake-S ES (A0)

cpuA0670_plat02_ver00000024_2020-08-26_PRD_AEE32A46.bin
cpuA0670_plat02_ver0000002A_2020-09-23_PRD_71F8BD4D.bin
cpuA0670_plat02_ver0000002C_2020-11-24_PRD_7C2D0B60.bin

Looks like A0670 is the one missing from the BIN

6

@LionTamer Yes, A0670 is the correct CPUID for the 35 Watt i9-11900T (A0) as shown in this video.

7

need help to add in this A0670 as I can’t edit the BIN file

8

Service jumper?
Use UEFI tool, Hex editor, AMI MMtool
Check offsets

1 Like
9

[Slightly off topic since it’s not really an issue, but I should have asked Google: can you install a 35w cpu in a 65w motherboard? Generative AI’s answer: Yes, you can generally install a 35W CPU in a 65W motherboard; a motherboard with a higher rated TDP (Thermal Design Power) like 65W can handle a lower wattage CPU like 35W, as it has the capacity to cool it effectively. You can’t do the reverse.]

I don’t think his Discrete system board has a service mode jumper, which is going to turn this into a tougher project. I’m pretty sure he’ll be bios blocked from Flash Programming Tool (FPT) flashing the bios.

If you look at the Discrete system board, it looks like it’s a newer, 32MB, 16 pin bios chip to the right of the 1. M.2 WLAN connector. If that’s correct, I’m almost 100% sure that the only way to flash the microcode modified bios is to physically flash it with a CH341A programmer, complimented with a SOP16 to dip8 Flash CHIP IC Test Clips BIOS Programmer Socket Adapter.

Without a service mode jumper, this is a tougher job. @LionTamer, can you post a picture of what I think is the bios chip? Zoom in on it so we can clearly see the writing on the chip.

Edit 1: By the way, and I should have mentioned this before, but if you can use the CSME System Tools v15 FPT (which I don’t think is possible), you would have to replace the new i9-11900T ES CPU with the old i3 CPU so you can boot into Windows.

10

SYSTEM ISSUE DETECTED
Processed by AI: Your previous post has enough BS information, that can induce young users to perform bad at reaching their goals, please use a decent translator and enough knowledge

Welcome to my Fan list!!!
MERRY CHRISTMAS and DRIVE SAFE.

Such “smart ass” this AI… such brains for such logic, this is like can i put a 32" inch tire in a 30" rim or vice versa… give me a break will you, this is technical knowledge that needs HUMAN KNOLWLEDGE, HUMANS NOT stupidity so called “AI”

And we DONT KNOW what platform is his 7090… SFF, MINI, DT… no board p/n mentioned… we are not WIZZARDS here when such users don’t provide useful and conclusive identification information.

WATCH OUT GUYS… FORUMS WILL BE DEATH SOON, “AI” WILL DO ALL MODS THAT YOU NEED.

11

I believe you are right, its a 16 pin chip but not sure 32MB or 256MB : GD25R256E, as can’t make it if it’s ending with ‘IR’. And can’t find such 25R256EFIR chip.

IMG_0295
IMG_02951920×1440 286 KB

I have the i9-11900T ES initially and now another standard 11900T is shipping in. Guess I will be set in a limbo as both chip cannot be detected since microcode are not it the BIOS.

12

Chill, AI is not to replace human.

As mention in title, my 7090 is a Micro or you can call it a MFF. Related document here.

The board part number is IPRKL-BO65/DGFX rev : A00
Indentical spec should be same as this ebay listing.

Model: IPRKL-BO65/DGFX
Part Number: 14T59 014T59 CN-014T59
Compatible Models: Dell OptiPlex 7090 MFF Series
Chipset: Intel Q570 (SRKM4)
Socket: Intel LGA1200
Max Supported Memory: 64GB
Number of Memory Slots: 2
Memory Type: DDR4 SDRAM
Speed: 3200MHz

13

Yes, it’s amazing how much that ebay board resembles the Discrete system board we were already discussing.

Thanks @chinobino . It’s weird that Dell’s not including that MC in their bios. The closest is the A0671 Rocket Lake-S ES (B0), Rocket Lake-S (B0), but that seems to cover every CPU except either one of yours. Maybe it can be supported, but Dell never sold i9-11900T’s, so they didn’t add that MC to the bios?

I think you’re right, and you’re maybe looking at a split bios. That’s not within my wheelhouse. Since you don’t have a service mode jumper, maybe the best option would be to return the incoming 11900T, and replace it with one picked up by the A0671.

See the attached pic of the microcodes covered by Dell. Instead of struggling, you could pick one of these, and be on your way. In case (the quick info aggregator) AI is wrong, you could narrow it down to a 65W CPU.

7090coveredcpus

Anything to steer clear of having to use a physical programmer in your situation.

14

@LionTamer, the BIOSUtilities that I posted had a tough time with this bios, but if you (Python) run it through Dell_PFS_Extract.py, it will extract the whole thing, with 2 sets of 1 System BIOS with BiosGuard v1.29.0.

That 256MB GD25R256E chip should hold it all.

This CPU-World page indicates that the i9-11900T CPUID signature is A0671, so it’s possible that the incoming 11900T will work, and that the issue was a quirky/non-supported ES version. For what it’s worth - you might want to research it a bit further. Good luck!

Edit 1: The first i9-11900T chip wasn’t bios microcode covered (no A0670). The incoming i9-11900T chip is bios covered by the A0671 MC, so it should come down to whether or not that board can deal with the 35W chip.