[Request] Gigabyte Aero 15 OLED BIOS unlocked

BIOS/UEFI Modding BIOS Modding Requests
1

Laptop Model: Gigabyte Aero 15 OLED SA (GeForce GTX 1660 Ti)

I have experience successfully unlocking and modding the BIOS of a MSI and Clevo laptop before. However when I use the same method to unlock and mod the Gigabyte laptop. It’s not working as no menus of supervisor access that I edited in AMIBCP show up in the BIOS, that I still have no access to Overclocking Performance Menu, CPU Configuration, etc.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/…-issues.812372/
This thread shows the method that I followed to unlock and mod BIOS. I first updated my system BIOS to the latest that I could download from official website(Version: FB05). With the help of UEFI Tool and the Universal IFR Extractor, I could locate the BIOS lock variable which is 0B4D. Then I created a bootable USB drive with RU and booted into RU to find the lock variable at 0B4D and changed its value from 01 (locked) to 00 (unlocked). Next, I booted into windows to make a dump of the unlocked BIOS with FPT and modded it with AMIBCP v5.02. Inside AMIBCP, I’ve changed a lot of options to be of supervisor access and save it as modded.rom. Finally, I flashed it with FPT successfully. However, when I booted into BIOS, nothing’s changed as if it weren’t modded. Now I’m clueless.

When I restore the BIOS backup file, that is the BIOS lock variable remains at 01 (locked), flashing any modded BIOS with FPT will fail due to protected BIOS region/sector or something like that, indicating the BIOS is locked. After when I perform the lock variable change to 00 (unlocked), flashing BIOS becomes successful with FPT, which makes me think that the BIOS is probably unlocked successfully? But additional BIOS menus are still not showing up in the modded BIOS despite being unlocked?

Reason to unlock and mod the BIOS:
Thermal Control and Minimizing Electrical Whining. There’s absolutely nothing in the BIOS of Gigabyte Aero 15 OLED. No Overclocking Performance Menu. No CPU Configuration. No Power & Performance. Only some NVMe and USB configurations are available. The Gigabyte has massive voltage spikes close to 1.4V and limited thermal capability, and annoyingly, louder coil whine at some higher voltage level. I tried to set static voltage in Throttlestop, but the system will not respect its settings and keep ramping up and down voltages like roller-coasters. I wanted to flash the BIOS and try setting a static voltage or perhaps leaving it as adaptive voltage but changing the AC and DC Loadline to 1 under CPU VR settings to lower unnecessary voltage spikes.

Normal BIOS upgrade method: download an exe file from official website and execute it in windows. It’ll upgrade the BIOS and restart the system. A BIOS image file can be extracted from the exe file using winrar.
Official BIOS download from Gigabyte: https://www.gigabyte.com/Laptop/AERO-15-…support-dl-bios

BIOS Screenshot: Images of the BIOS are attached in a zip file to show what can be seen in the BIOS after I unlocked and modded the BIOS.

BIOS_Aero15.rar (1.21 MB)

2

@Dixonism - Thanks for your detailed reply, and answers to my questions

First, BIOS Lock has nothing to do with BIOS being unlocked/locked as far as menus or settings. This is only a BIOS flashing lock
No matter how you edit it, with Grub and setup_var or RU, it will remain as you set it until you flash any BIOS region. If you flash back in your FPT backup via FPT, or if you reflash stock BIOS using stock method, it will be reset back to it’s default value.
To get around that, so it’s always unlocked, you need to modify a BIOS to use as your unlocked base BIOS.

On this, usually this is stored in two places, setup module and the module that AMIBCP Changes (AMITSE/Setupdata). Changing one is all you need, but sometimes you may need to change both, one at a time, to find which your system is using.
Often, changing both will cancel out the change, so always test one or the other. Unlock BIOS lock via RU or Grub/setup_var and then edit the setting AMIBCP, flash it, then reboot and test, is it unlocked or locked?
If locked again, then you know you need to make the change in setup module instead. Setup module edit is done using UEFITool, Universal IFR extractor and hex editor.

Since you are using FPT - Never flash stock BIOS via FPT, only flash your FPT backed up BIOS with FPT. Only flash stock BIOS with stock method.
This way if Serial, UUID is in what you are flashing it will remain. LAN MAC ID can be lost too if wrong file (stock) flashed via FPT, depending on how you flash.

FYI - Stock BIOS flashing method is AFUWin (5.11.06.1854)

Now, comments for your mod in general. You never mentioned, did you also test Access Level User instead of Super? Sometimes that is all you need.
Sometimes a setting will be suppressed in setup, so no matter what you change AMIBCP Access Level to User/Super the setting will still remain hidden until it’s unsuppressed in setup module.

To make a menu visble, often requires a few edits, first make sure it’s not suppressed in setup and make sure you are checking the actual menu (ie hidden one not already visible one).
Then AMITSE PE32 module will need edited, to either add to the visible menu list, or swap hidden for visible, and remove from any blocked lists.
Then, on top of that, AMIBCP root level enable edit may be needed, but it may not, so testing with AMITSE edit only needs to be done fist, then if you still can’t see it, then you make changes at root level in AMIBCP (User or Super)

General comment on your issues mentioned @Coil Whine, this may require you to locate the coil and coat with silicon (ie clear caulk). Or, you may lessen it by disabling some power saving features, usually speedstep or C1E/C3 etc.
Of course that will make things hotter too, so tough to deal with this on a laptop. A different power supply may also aleviate the issue, this is common with desktops, some PSU’s will make the board or PSU scream loudly at times with some PSU, then with others nothing but silence at all times.
So it’s just something else you can consider, maybe try out if PSU’s are cheap enough, but more expensive ones you can find will probably be best in this regard. @Thermal control/voltages in general, all will be at your finger tips once BIOS unlocked

On your BIOS Images, I’m not going to download them right now, until you clarify what you mean (because I need to see stock BIOS images only)
What are those images, you say unlocked and modded BIOS, but the entire thread you said your mods did nothing (It can’t be both). So, is what’s visible in those images stock visible settings only, or have you actually made some visible changes?
If you have made visible changes, please reflash stock BIOS, untouched, and then retake the images, I need to see stock BIOS only and exactly.

I was going to give you two test settings to change (ONLY) via AMIBCP, one surpressed and one not, so you could test AMIBCP User instead of Super, but I need to see stock BIOS images first so this will have to wait now.
But, you can look through the IFR yourself since you already generated the txt to get BIOS lock variable. Find a hidden setting (not menu) in an already visble to you menu, then see if it’s suppressed in the setup IFR or not (Suppress IF).
If it is, find one that is not for now and change it in AMIBCP to User instead of Super and see if it then shows up or not. If it’s not surpressed then it should appear with User or Super, only ones hidden by suppress if would remain hidden.

To unsuppress a setting hidden by suppress if, that all depends on how it’s suppressed. Here is some general examples of how to unsuppress, not all will work in all BIOS, and some might brick BIOS, so you must always be careful, and always be ready to recover via flash programmer


Suppress If {0A 82}
True {46 02} << Change this to false (47 02)
One Of: Bluetooth, VarStoreInfo (VarOffset/VarName): 0x1302, VarStore: 0x1, QuestionId: 0x18, Size: 1, Min: 0x0, Max 0x1, Step: 0x0 {05 91 60 18 58 18 18 00 01 00 02 13 10 10 00 01 00}
One Of Option: Enabled, Value (8 bit): 0x1 (default) {09 07 03 00 30 00 01}
One Of Option: By Command & Control, Value (8 bit): 0x0 {09 07 5A 18 00 00 00}
End One Of {29 02}
End If {29 02}

In general, some BIOS it’s OK to also do this instead (leaving True as-is), to remove the setting from being within the suppress if constraints

Suppress If {0A 82}
True {46 02}
One Of: Bluetooth, VarStoreInfo (VarOffset/VarName): 0x1302, VarStore: 0x1, QuestionId: 0x18, Size: 1, Min: 0x0, Max 0x1, Step: 0x0 {05 91 60 18 58 18 18 00 01 00 02 13 10 10 00 01 00}
One Of Option: Enabled, Value (8 bit): 0x1 (default) {09 07 03 00 30 00 01}
One Of Option: By Command & Control, Value (8 bit): 0x0 {09 07 5A 18 00 00 00}
End One Of {29 02}
End If {29 02} << Move (Cut/Paste, or delete/add) this to directly following "True"

Becomes
Suppress If {0A 82}
True {46 02} << Following this, insert End If (29 02)
End If {29 02} << New location post-move
One Of: Bluetooth, VarStoreInfo (VarOffset/VarName): 0x1302, VarStore: 0x1, QuestionId: 0x18, Size: 1, Min: 0x0, Max 0x1, Step: 0x0 {05 91 60 18 58 18 18 00 01 00 02 13 10 10 00 01 00}
One Of Option: Enabled, Value (8 bit): 0x1 (default) {09 07 03 00 30 00 01}
One Of Option: By Command & Control, Value (8 bit): 0x0 {09 07 5A 18 00 00 00}
End One Of {29 02}

Another general example, when variable is used to suppress

Suppress If {0A 82}
QuestionId: 0x1B equals value 0x0 {12 06 1B 00 00 00} << This is what it’s checking here, can be changed to alternate value or FF (Suggested)
Gray Out If {19 82}
QuestionId: 0xD81 equals value 0x1 {12 06 81 0D 01 00} << Same as above, FF Suggested
One Of: Legacy USB Support, VarStoreInfo (VarOffset/VarName): 0x1, VarStore: 0x21, QuestionId: 0x1C, Size: 1, Min: 0x0, Max 0x2, Step: 0x0 {05 91 A4 16 A5 16 1C 00 21 00 01 00 10 10 00 02 00}

Becomes
Suppress If {0A 82}
QuestionId: 0x1B equals value 0x0 {12 06 1B 00 FF 00} << Once you edit this variable to FF the “equals value 0x0” will become 0xFF on new IFR too, so you’re not surprised)
Gray Out If {19 82}
QuestionId: 0xD81 equals value 0x1 {12 06 81 0D FF 00} [b]
One Of: Legacy USB Support, VarStoreInfo (VarOffset/VarName): 0x1, VarStore: 0x21, QuestionId: 0x1C, Size: 1, Min: 0x0, Max 0x2, Step: 0x0 {05 91 A4 16 A5 16 1C 00 21 00 01 00 10 10 00 02 00}


Once you send me confirmed stock BIOS images, I will unlock BIOS for you (If you want), then you can rip that apart and compare and see what I edited and how things are done etc.
If you’d rather do it yourself with some guidance I can try to help you along, but that will take longer

3

Thanks for your reply! The BIOS images were taken after I disabled the BIOS flashing lock and changed a number of AMIBCP Access Levels to Supervisor(I just tried User. Won’t make a difference). However, the BIOS pages look exactly the same as when I was using the stock BIOS. I did try to roll back to the stock BIOS by executing the Gigabyte BIOS exe file, but it no longer works. It just reboots the machine without updating the BIOS. I also just downloaded the AFUWin, but it shows “Error: loading driver” when I open it. I tried changing compatibility mode to Windows XP or 7. Neither works for AFUWin. I do can flash back to the stock BIOS using the FPT dump I created if you want, but that’s an older BIOS version FB04 as opposed to what I am using now - FB05. Anyway they all look the same in the BIOS! Very limited options are displayed.

I’m not familiar with AMITSE PE32 or hex editor. But I’m willing to learn how to permanently unlock the BIOS flashing lock so that it’s always unlocked. Additionally, how do I know if the menus are suppressed and how do I make them unsuppressed? This is actually my 2nd replacement Gigabyte laptop, because the coil whine is so bad I had to return the 1st one. Disappointedly, the 2nd one isn’t that much better than the 1st. I’ll probably try to ask for a replacement again. It’s definitely not the problem of PSU since I have tried 2 of them. The noise is still present when it’s not plugged in, albeit much quieter than plugged in. Disabling C1E and turbo in Throttlestop does help. But I would like to tweak more settings in a fully modded BIOS.

https://www.bios-mods.com/forum/Thread-R…o-15x-v8?page=3
This is a thread I came across while researching. It seems you have unlocked an older Gigabyte Aero 15 before. Mine is very similar, in that the Advanced settings are under a submenu inside a advanced settings in AMIBCP.
I would appreciate it If you wouldn’t mind helping me unlock and mod the BIOS first. Then I’ll follow along and learn to do it myself.

I’ve included the Stock BIOS and modded BIOS files in this folder.
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1…SYe?usp=sharing

4

You’re welcome! On User/Super, this mainly will only work on settings, unless they are suppressed in setup. For menus, usually AMITSE needs edited first, then User/Super may possibly be needed after that, but not always.
If you just tested User/Super on a setting, not a menu, and no change, then whatever setting you are trying it on must be suppressed as mentioned above.

Thanks for confirmation on the BIOS images above = no change from stock, I can use those then! No need to reflash or flash old etc, as long as you are sure nothing is changes in those images vs stock.
I do however want your stock BIOS FPT dump, from your first FPT dump, before you made any BIOS changes with AMIBCP etc. This will be my base starting point.
If you only have old FPT dump, then yes, please flash that back in using FPT. Then using stock method from Gigabyte, update to latest BIOS, then reboot and dump BIOS region with FPT and send me this >> FPTw.exe -bios -d biosreg.bin
I already have stock BIOS from Gigabyte, and do not want any mod BIOS from you, so I’ve not downloaded anything above yet. Waiting on a clean FPT Dumped stock BIOS
Once I have that, I will send you two initial BIOS, so you can test and find out which method is required to remove the BIOS lock in BIOS so that can then be used as an unlocked base BIOS.

Sorry, I’m not sure what you mean or what you are doing with AFUWin? The correct one to use is the one included in the stock BIOS package from Gigabyte.
This should not give you any errors, and this should be how you always update/use the stock BIOS file from Gigabyte, that stock file from Gigabyte should never be used in any way with FPT

BIOS Lock, to change this permanently (or until stock BIOS is reflashed, or any BIOS that has it enabled), you need to find out which place your system is obtaining the setting it’s using, either setup PE32 module or AMITSE/SetupData (this is what AMIBCP Changes)
This would take two BIOS edits, separately and then tested one at a time, flash one in, then FPT test, if BIOS lock still enabled, then test next one same and it should be unlocked. Then make note to yourself which method system uses, toss the other BIOS out, and use that unlocked one as your base moving forward

On menus being suppress/hidden, this is not the same as I showed above with setup module suppression on individual settings. Menu control, depending on BIOS how this applies, is done in AMITSE PE32 module.
At the end of this guide in the spoiler, I gave a general (Simple) method for how this works on Aptio V BIOS, not all are the same though, some have more locks than showed in this guide, some have more enabled areas, etc. All depends on the BIOS, I’d have to look and let you know for sure on this BIOS.
OverPowered TONGFANG CyberPower Machrevo MACHENIKE - Unlocked BIOS Guide W/ Files

If you are not familiar with hex editing, then unsuppressing individual settings and or unlocking menus, is probably not going to be too easy for you to figure out smoothly.
Best not to practice or try this unless you have a flash programmer (CH341A + SOIC8 test clip w/ cable) in your hand and a full backup made and checked by someone to be OK

@Coil Whine, you may need to use clear silicon on the offending coils as I mentioned. You can use a paper towel roll to your ear to narrow down which coils are the offenders.
If you tried same brand/model power supply that will usually = same result. You’d have to try another brand, size etc to see if it helps enough to matter. Some will remove it 100% usually, but I’ve only seen this in desktop where you have a much broader choice and better built brands of PSU’s

Yes, I can unlock the BIOS for you, no problem!

I made out my notes for your BIOS, in regards to the above AMITSE edit guide I linked you to, and your AMITSE has two “Blocked Menu” sections and one “All menus” section, there is no short lists or short ID only lists.
However, looking at my notes from the other BIOS you linked, I see I did some swapping there too, not just remove/unblock. I also gave that user my notes then too, so similar here below, nearly same exact edit for your BIOS but some menu ID’s are different.

Setup IFR notes + AMITSE PE32 Body

4A 10 59 7B 0D C0 58 41 87 FF F0 4D 63 96 A9 15

BIOS Lock is enabled (No exit to shell on BIOS exit page) >> 0xB4D


@ Setup PE32 (IFR) -

Setup, FormId: 0x2710 {01 86 10 27 07 00}
Main ---------------------------- 0x2717 {0F 0F 09 00 02 00 01 00 00 00 FF FF 00 17 27} << Hidden
Advanced ------------------------ 0x2718 {0F 0F 1E 00 02 00 02 00 00 00 FF FF 00 18 27} << Hidden
Chipset ------------------------- 0x2719 {0F 0F 1F 00 02 00 03 00 00 00 FF FF 00 19 27} << Hidden
Security ------------------------ 0x271A {0F 0F 3A 00 02 00 04 00 00 00 FF FF 00 1A 27} << Hidden
Boot ---------------------------- 0x271B {0F 0F 20 00 02 00 05 00 00 00 FF FF 00 1B 27} << Hidden
Save & Exit --------------------- 0x271C {0F 0F 4D 00 02 00 06 00 00 00 FF FF 00 1C 27} << Hidden

Main ---------------------------- 0x2711 {01 86 11 27 09 00} << Actual visible in BIOS
Advanced ------------------------ 0x2712 {01 86 12 27 1E 00} << Actual visible in BIOS
Chipset ------------------------- 0x2713 {01 86 13 27 1F 00} << Actual visible in BIOS
Security ------------------------ 0x2714 {01 86 14 27 3A 00} << Actual visible in BIOS
Boot ---------------------------- 0x2715 {01 86 15 27 20 00} << Actual visible in BIOS - Not used, single one >> Boot ------ 0x27C5 {01 86 C5 27 20 00}
Save & Exit --------------------- 0x2716 {01 86 16 27 4D 00} << Actual visible in BIOS
All directly above = first at top in AMIBCP

@ AMITSE PE32 (Body) -

@0004FB50 - Blocked
4A 10 59 7B 0D C0 58 41 87 FF F0 4D 63 96 A9 15 17 27 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
4A 10 59 7B 0D C0 58 41 87 FF F0 4D 63 96 A9 15 18 27 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
4A 10 59 7B 0D C0 58 41 87 FF F0 4D 63 96 A9 15 19 27 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
4A 10 59 7B 0D C0 58 41 87 FF F0 4D 63 96 A9 15 1A 27 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
4A 10 59 7B 0D C0 58 41 87 FF F0 4D 63 96 A9 15 1B 27 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
4A 10 59 7B 0D C0 58 41 87 FF F0 4D 63 96 A9 15 1C 27 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 06 00 00 00 00 00 00 00

@000505A0 - All
4A 10 59 7B 0D C0 58 41 87 FF F0 4D 63 96 A9 15 17 27 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
4A 10 59 7B 0D C0 58 41 87 FF F0 4D 63 96 A9 15 18 27 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
4A 10 59 7B 0D C0 58 41 87 FF F0 4D 63 96 A9 15 19 27 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
4A 10 59 7B 0D C0 58 41 87 FF F0 4D 63 96 A9 15 1A 27 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
4A 10 59 7B 0D C0 58 41 87 FF F0 4D 63 96 A9 15 1B 27 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
4A 10 59 7B 0D C0 58 41 87 FF F0 4D 63 96 A9 15 1C 27 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
4A 10 59 7B 0D C0 58 41 87 FF F0 4D 63 96 A9 15 11 27 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
4A 10 59 7B 0D C0 58 41 87 FF F0 4D 63 96 A9 15 12 27 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
4A 10 59 7B 0D C0 58 41 87 FF F0 4D 63 96 A9 15 13 27 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
4A 10 59 7B 0D C0 58 41 87 FF F0 4D 63 96 A9 15 14 27 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
4A 10 59 7B 0D C0 58 41 87 FF F0 4D 63 96 A9 15 15 27 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
4A 10 59 7B 0D C0 58 41 87 FF F0 4D 63 96 A9 15 16 27 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00

@000507E0 - Blocked
4A 10 59 7B 0D C0 58 41 87 FF F0 4D 63 96 A9 15 17 27 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
4A 10 59 7B 0D C0 58 41 87 FF F0 4D 63 96 A9 15 18 27 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
4A 10 59 7B 0D C0 58 41 87 FF F0 4D 63 96 A9 15 19 27 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
4A 10 59 7B 0D C0 58 41 87 FF F0 4D 63 96 A9 15 1A 27 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
4A 10 59 7B 0D C0 58 41 87 FF F0 4D 63 96 A9 15 1B 27 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
4A 10 59 7B 0D C0 58 41 87 FF F0 4D 63 96 A9 15 1C 27 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00


“Notes” from other edit - Some individual settings, or submenus in newly revealed menus may need enabled via AMIBCP User/Super (Talking to myself, before some quick tests done by user)
This applied to “Boot” menu, confirmed and edited right after initial test.
Setup module unsuppress/un gray-out may be needed for some items as well.

Final comment in my notes >> Final - Swapped Main, Advanced, Chipset, enable both boot menus
Please note, all of the above should be true regarding menus, however I have not looked at your images yet.
Plus, post edit, you would need to send me all new images of all pages, or compare images yourself vs AMIBCP to see if any still hidden that need unsuppressed
I don’t think that other user ever got back to me about that, so unsure what all other settings/submenus are missing post the initial final edit I gave him. I assume some will need further edits, since the Boot menu did

5

Hi, I’m aware that FPT can only flash the dump it creates, not the stock BIOS. Thanks for reminding me of that. I have tried flashed back to my original BIOS backup dump – the old FB04 version the laptop is shipped with. However, the official BIOS upgrade exe file will still fail to upgrade to BIOS FB05. I just noticed that there is a AFUWin file in the extracted exe folder. I thought AFUWin is something else that I have to download like FPT. lol, silly me. Since the exe file won’t work, is there a command that I can type into AFUWin to get it to install manually? On the other hand, the “modded.rom” I uploaded previously is simply a FPT dump with flashing lock disabled and many AMIPCB access levels changed to Super. Is it good enough to use as a base starting point for you? If not, I don’t mind staying on the older FB04 BIOS version as long as it can be unlocked and I can upload the FB04 BIOS dump for you. (BIOS pages still look the same between FB04 and FB05).

Thanks for the link and the notes! I do have a CH341A flash programmer kit. But Since I may have to return this laptop for a replacement, I’m not gonna fiddle around the editing myself just yet, in case I make a mess and have to tear it apart and void the return policy by accident. And Thanks for the tip on silicon method to fix coil whine. I might not need to do that, but it’s cool to know that I can.

6

@Dixonism - FPT “Can” flash stock BIOS, you just should not do that. Yes, AFUWin is used by the stock flash package. What error are you getting, and I can try to help you get around it by editing AFUWin.
What error do you get with the exe too, since this would be the AFUwin error. I haven’t had good luck with AFUWin edits in the past, but AFUDOS sometimes. But, since you can FPT flash, this is best and suggested method anyway, but only once you are on whatever BIOS you want to be on, then dump, then I can edit.

The stock batch file runs this command >> AFUWin.exe /P /N /B /R /Q /capsule
Oddly, this BIOS has no capsule, but maybe it’s a hidden security one? If that fails due to capsule, remove that flag and try again. Also, you can remove the /Q if you want, this is just "Quiet mode"

I know what your uploaded dump was, but really didn’t want that, due to all the AMIBCP changes I’d have to undue, this is why I asked for a clean dump. Once you are on FB04, you should be able to update to FB05 simply by running the stock exe.
Don’t you have your original FPT dump from FB05, before you made all the AMIBCP edits? Seems logical you would, since you dumped this, and then edited it. If you don’t, and you only have the mess that is your AMIBCP edited FPT dump, I guess that is what I may have to use
* edit - just realized, I can easily swap out stock AMITSE/SetupData and wipe out all your AMIBCP changes, so not such a huge deal about that now, since I put my brain in gear

@soufou32 - Please make your own thread, SVE17 doesn’t sound like same model as this one. Normally in a laptop you can’t disable one graphics for another, and you say one of yours is dead, so obviously the only working one is the only one you can use or you wouldn’t see the screen output.

7

I finally found my FB05-version BIOS backup dump in my recycle bin . It does not have any AMIBCP edits. Only disabling the BIOS flashing lock through RU was performed.
I’ve uploaded it here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1…SYe?usp=sharing

I wasn’t able to perform upgrade using the stock BIOS exe file even when flashed back to the original FB04 stock BIOS. The program will start a command prompt, but without any new command lines show up, the system just restarts itself. That’s why I was asking for the commands that I can use to input manually to get it upgrade to the stock BIOS rom. Anyways, since I found the FB05 BIOS dump, it shouldn’t matter any more.

8

@Dixonism - thanks, I will check it out. As for your upgrade, maybe it’s blank due to running the exe directly, instead of running CMD then type in EXE to run, maybe then you can see what it’s doing?
Although, as I mentioned above, stock command has /Q in the commands list, so I assume “quiet” may be why you can’t see what it’s doing. Do you need the extracted files so you can try as I mentioned above, without /Q

9

Thanks for your reply. In fact I just return the laptop because of coil whine. I was going for another replacement of the same model, but ended up ordering a higher specced model with better CPU and GPU. It is still the Gigabyte Aero 15 OLED. The BIOS might be the same as my previous one(probably same motherboard and chipset). But just in case it’s different, here are the laptop details below.

Laptop Model: Gigabyte Aero 15 OLED XA (GeForce RTX 2070)

Official BIOS Download: https://www.gigabyte.com/Laptop/AERO-15-…support-dl-bios

I will be making a dump of the latest stock BIOS and uploading it to the cloud for you to have a look as soon as I receive the laptop. Thank you for your effort and patience!

10

Did you test that system in person so you can see if it has coil whine too? I would be worried all in that same series would be the same in this regard, especially since they would all come with the same power supply and BIOS base too.

Well, whenever you get it, and you’re sure your keeping it, then send me BIOS dump and we can mod it.

11

I am not able to test the machine in person. None of the hardware stores here in Australia seems to have Gigabyte laptops on display and I bought it from an online retailer. The new machine does still have coil whine, but I have decided to keep it. Disabling Turbo mode in Throttlestop almost eliminates coil whine on the machine. I’ve created a new task in Task Scheduler to start up Throttlestop in the background every time I log on to the computer, so that it keeps the CPU at base clock. Only until I need more horsepower will I manually turn on the turbo mode again in Throttlestop. That seems to work for now, until I can fiddle around with the BIOS when it’s fully unlocked.

I’ve uploaded pictures of all BIOS pages and the dumped BIOS file in my Google Drive here : https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1…SYe?usp=sharing
I performed the official BIOS upgrade first, then made a stock BIOS dump backup, and unlocked the BIOS flashing lock through RU, finally dumping BIOS again as FB05_Unlocked_Backup. The one I uploaded to Drive is the 2nd dump with BIOS flashing lock disabled. I thought this might save you some time while you’re focusing on disabling other locked parameters. Thank you!

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@Dixonism - You can do that in BIOS too if you wanted, C1E/C3 and Speedstep disabled also can nearly remove this usually, and then you can leave turbo enabled.
Bummer to see both models have same issue, must be poor BIOS design and or bad components. This can be address with both of those things.

Thanks for images and dump, I’ll get you unlocked BIOS soon as I have a second to get into it

* Edit @Dixonism - Here is unlocked BIOS, you’ll have to take all new images of all settings/submenu contents etc, if you want me to check if anything is missing (which there may still be).
If you want to check, you still need images of all pages, then compare with what you see in AMIBCP and either make a list, or narrow down images where something needs added and send me those only and I will re-edit
I never did get image package after editing that other BIOS to unlock, so I am not sure what else if anything needs made visible, that user never got back to me after a “thank you, it’s unlocked”

Edit = Swapped Main, Advanced, Chipset, Save & Exit & enable both Boot menus
http://s000.tinyupload.com/index.php?fil…252618680157422

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Hi, I have flashed the BIOS file. It seems everything has been unlocked and displayed in the BIOS now. I’ve managed to disable the Intel Speedstep and C-state, which pretty much eliminates the coil whine. But there seems to be a pretty noticeable hit on battery though. Anyway, I’ll tweak around the settings. Huge thanks to you!

Here are the photos of the BIOS pages now: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1…Phe?usp=sharing.

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@Dixonism - You’re welcome, thank you for the report back! Yes, battery life will lessen due to more energy being used.
I didn’t check the BIOS while typing this, but maybe you can make BIOS profiles, and apply the coil whine setting one only when you want to game or does it happen all the time even at idle too (When at stock settings I mean)?

Thanks for the images, I’ll go through them and I’m sure I’ll probably have another final BIOS for you shortly, I don’t like unlocking BIOS and then leaving a few straggler settings hidden
If I do that, someone will surely notice and want them enabled later, so best to do now while we’re here Hmmm, I haven’t looked at all the images yet, but I did expect a lot more than what I see at a glance, maybe something major missing or you just didn’t show “All” settings?

* Edit - Ahh! I see I forgot to unsuppress a stack of settings (x7) in new Boot (same as found out early on in previous thread you linked) I set in AMIBCP since you linked me to that, but forgot to unsuppress in setup
Here is new final, for now - http://s000.tinyupload.com/index.php?fil…812263188857517

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Sorry for the late reply. Thanks a lot for your effort!
I’ve flashed your updated BIOS file, even though I was already more than happy with your previous BIOS! It seems that an extra BOOT menu shows up. I’ve uploaded the updated BIOS pictures here: I https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1…5uP?usp=sharing
I highly suggest that you add your Paypal address in your profile details, perhaps in the signature region appended to your posts, so that I and those you helped can donate and buy you a cup of coffee or two!

Regarding the coil whine, I decided to leave C-state and speedstep enabled for the extended battery life. And when the laptop is running on battery, the CPU is clocked at no higher than 2GHz and does not produce noticeable whining. Only when the laptop is plugged in and CPU clocks in higher at 3-4GHz does the whining come in, both at idle and under load. To minimise coil whine when plugged in, I stick with Throttlestop to disable turbo mode to restrict CPU at base clock 2.4GHz when I’m doing light productivity work. When I need the laptop to undertake heavy workload, I enable the CPU turbo again, and the fans inevitably kick in at this point, drowning out any coil whine. That seems to be an easy fix. Meanwhile, tweaking the BIOS does help me get better temperature.

Lastly, I’m wondering if you know any setting that might trigger the laptop to wake up spontaneously from sleep. There was no keyboard or mouse input, and the laptop just wakes up randomly from time to time. Did a google search. Might be the problem of windows itself?

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Hey you guys, I stumbled upon this thread by searching for a way to undervolt my Gigabyte Aero 15-SA through the BIOS, but as you two know there is no option for this in the stock setting. I thought about flashing the BIOS rom you provided but I am cautious because it says Gigabyte AERO 15-XA. Can I use this rom or should I modify my own AERO 15-SA? Everything except for this model signature is the same in my BIOS.

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@Dixonism - Sorry I missed your comment until now! I can’t use paypal I don’t want to connect a bank to them anymore, and without that there is no way to use them
Two boot menus was part of the unlock goal here (it’s in previous edit images you sent me too, maybe you missed it?) >> Swapped Main, Advanced, Chipset, Save & Exit, enable both boot menus -
This is because the hidden one does not have some settings that’s on the original one, and it’s easier that way for me. If you want me to move the setting/settings I mentioned from original to the hidden one and then leave only the new hidden one exposed I can do that, it just takes a lot more time.
I checked and it’s just one setting in this BIOS >> OS Type, this is on original boot menu, but not on the hidden one, so that is why goal was both boot menus.
However, checking your images I see the settings I meant to reveal that I missed are not there either, did you maybe send me new images of the earlier edit and hadn’t flashed in that final one yet?
Or maybe, I need to undo something, I left both methods in place to reveal, and it may only need the one I did this last time instead of previous edit + this last one
Here, in case you want to retest, show me the new boot menu (one on far right) - http://www.filedropper.com/fb05unlockedbackupmbcpf2

Sorry we couldn’t fix that coil whine all the time! Gigabyte probably can, or at least make it less, but that is something they have to edit I can’t do it

That wake issue, could be anything, some driver, some app, a ghost in the room
The only BIOS related setting for that is a wake at certain time type of thing, and I don’t even think that is in this BIOS, but even if it was and it was set, it would be same time always and only at that time exactly each day.

@anphex - all BIOS here are user specific, so you can’t use them. There are some SA dumps/BIOS posted early on, but he switched models, that’s why you see SA and XA being discussed

If you want mod BIOS we need to get FPT BIOS region dump from your system and possible unlock some things first before you can flash in mod BIOS

Check BIOS main page and see if ME FW version is shown, if not then download HWINFO64 and on the large window on left side, expand motherboard and find ME area, inside that get the ME Firmware version.
Once you have that, go to this thread and in the section “C” download the matching ME System Tools Package (ie if ME FW version = 10.x get V10 package, if 9.0-9.1 get V9.1 package, if 9.5 or above get V9.5 package etc)
Intel Management Engine: Drivers, Firmware & System Tools

Once downloaded, inside you will find Flash Programming Tool folder, and inside that a Windows or Win/Win32 folder. Select that Win folder, hold shift and press right click, choose open command window here (Not power shell).
At the command prompt type the following command and send me the created file to modify >> FPTw.exe -bios -d biosreg.bin

Right after you do that, try to write back the BIOS Region dump and see if you get any error, if you do show me image of the command entered and the error given >> FPTw.exe -bios -f biosreg.bin

If you are stuck on Win10 and cannot easily get command prompt, and method I mentioned above does not work for you, here is some links that should help
Or, copy all contents from the Flash Programming Tool \ DOS folder to the root of a USB Bootable disk and do the dump from DOS (FPT.exe -bios -d biosreg.bin)
https://www.windowscentral.com/how-add-c…creators-update
https://www.windowscentral.com/add-open-…menu-windows-10
https://www.laptopmag.com/articles/open-…ator-privileges

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May I ask, what kind of tweaks you have done? I am on 15xv8 with unlocked Bios and my temps immediately jump to 90° when turbo kicks in on load, even undervolting CPU core and Cache -140mV and iGPU -125mV in throttlestop. If I test the multiplier in Throttlestop, CPU throttles at 32x when 41x is the max the i7-8750H has.

Therefor, I wonder if tweaking BIOS settings might help to reduce temperature.

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@Dixonism ^^ Unsure if quotes give you notification or not, thanks

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Hi, I’m new to this but I just bought an Aero 15 OLED and saw this thread. The BIOS is extremely limited as is and I need thunderbolt options and anything else possible to be unlocked so I figured you’d be able to help. I got the biosreg file per your instructions and attached it here. I’m on BIOS FB07 that I recently flashed from Gigabyte’s site. Let me know what else I need to do and thanks for any help on this!

biosreg.bin download link: https://wetransfer.com/downloads/250185a…09215304/e70121