[Solved] Extraction of Dell's BIOS Installer named *.EXE

BIOS/UEFI Modding BIOS Modding Guides and Problems
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Note that BOOTX64.EFI should not be at the root.
Show a content this prepared USB-stick.

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yes

efi/boot/bootx64.efi as stated

That is the way I try to boot but it shows black screen.

Wait
Maybe with freedos I have to do the same??? probably that is the mistake I made with freedos?

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@Cryo
Use empty formatted USB-stick without FreeDOS.

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@DeathBringer

I already told you I tried so many times that way. It doesnā€™t boot, sometimes it just turns off.

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@DeathBringer

Thanks for the kind help and time given anyway.

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I tried all the way either cmd /writeroomfile or Universal Extractor tools or even PhoenixTool 2.73 latest version. None of them extracting any off these Dell bios files

Official bios download dell xps 8930



Another Official bios download dell AlienwareAurora



is there any other tools are available? or not possible

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@superb123 - You need to use AMIUCP. 1.07 is latest I know of, PM me if you canā€™t find and I will find you a link
"R00" is the rom, select it, hit extract, pick file name, then apply. This applies to both BIOS you mentioned above

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Hello PMed thank you

anyway after modified the extracted rom files,how do I return them back to exe file where it will flash like normal?

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@superb123 - You cannot do that, well you can, via the same application, but flashing will likely/usually fail.
Mod BIOS needs flashed other way, such as programmer, FPT if Intel System, Flashrom possibly, or Dell programs such as Dell Client Configuration Utility (DCCU) or Dell Command-Configure)

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finally I am able to extract the R00 file(which is HDR file right?) but cant see any setup file to mod this file, Only can see BIOS strings and BIOS features options using AMIBCP but none BIOS setup.
So people actually extract HDR file just for change and modify BIOS strings and BIOS features options? If BIOS setup option is present in this HDR file than how do I modify it?
I already tried to open R00 file using UEFITool_Alpha but still donā€™t know which section is BIOS setup section

off topic**
hello lost_N_BIOS how do I address my posts in this thread(attention) only to you via PM

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@superb123 :
No mainboard BIOS, which is delivered by the MB manufacturer, contains a BIOS modding tool. The offered BIOS packages may only contain a tool or EXE file to get the (original) BIOS flashed.
By the way - if you want, that Lost_N_BIOS gets notified about your post, you should use the direct addressing feature of the Forum (here: "@Lost_N_BIOS ").

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hello I want to send direct addressing feature to everybody who are ready to solve my questions and ready to answer, By the way I still canā€™t get how to send direct addressing feature to users!!! I canā€™t see any buttons, tick marks, check uncheck box etc ect to anywhere

I did not get it what you trying to say, I canā€™t see any BIOS setup options when I opening R00 file(extracted from dell exe file) via AMIBCP tools, only seeing BIOS strings and BIOS features options.I already tried to open R00 file using UEFITool_Alpha but still donā€™t know which section is BIOS setup section, do you know how to get there?

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@superb123 :
1. Our BIOS modding Guru is Lost_N_BIOS. If you want help from him, you should start your post with "@Lost_N_BIOS " (without quotation marks).
2. What do you mean with "BIOS Setup"? A BIOS can only be flashed (and not installed like an OS or any Software).

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@superb123 - What you are extracting is the entire BIOS rom/bin, this is not HDR. After checking, these are not HDR/PFS on both 8930 and Aurora R9, not sure what this format would be called, or how to edit it like this.
In this format it cannot be properly modified for a normal BIOS mod, nor can it be programmed in with programmer, so toss this and go about what you want in a different way (ie dump BIOS, then edit, then flash/program back)

If you are looking for ā€œSetupā€ module inside that BIOS, it would be in the main DXE volume, which you can usually find with MMTool or UEFITool etc.
But, AMIBCP has nothing to do with editing ā€œSetupā€, unless you are going to change the name of a menu item, then it would update setup module.
Also, sounds like you may not be using correct AMIBCP, or AMIBCP is not compatible with that BIOS or the file in itā€™s current format (Itā€™s this!), or you may have to use a modified AMIBCP
I would not use AMIBCP to edit this BIOS, generally speaking I donā€™t use AMIBCP for any edits, other than to change a menuā€™s name sometimes.
I do all edits manually, but if you want me to check if AMIBCP breaks this BIOS, or whatā€™s version is compatible, please tell me what model. to check.

Honestly, the way you are talking about stuff, it sounds like you are looking to do something without any guidance, and may end up bricking the machine, if you can even flash in the modified BIOS.
It may be best for you to ask for a mod BIOS instead

OK, I checked both BIOS you mentioned above, both extracts are non-standard formats (not PFS/HDR), and neither can/should be edited with AMIBCP.
And, neither contain setup module in a manner you can edit in these files as-is. Youā€™ll need to dump the BIOS off the motherboard, then edit that, and flash/program back. Are these AMD or Intel systems?
If Intel, use FPT, and dump as noted below for each, send me the file created at step #1 for each, and then tell me what error you get at step #2 for each, and then I can tell you how to proceed after you edit

I know 8930 can be dumped/edited in this manner, due to helping another user with this model here - [REQUEST] Unlock options and Remove Dell SupportAssist detection from Dell XPS 8930 bios *** See below
But for Aurora R9 I canā€™t find any thread here, or a dump/bin online, so I canā€™t check it to answer further until you send a dump.

*** Also, please note, at the above thread for 8930, we found Intel Boot Guard enabled at the PCH, so assume yours is as well (read - IT IS), so no BIOS settings changes can be made in normal mod BIOS manner (ie edit of setup, or AMITSE, nor use of AMIBCP) or = brick!
The only thing you can do on this BIOS in regards to settings, is to change the actual current applied value of any setting (hidden or visible) via NVRAM edit using grub/setup_var or RU method, NVRAM is not covered by boot guard.

If you have already modified the BIOS in ANY way, you will need to re-flash it back to factory defaults using factory method (NOT FPT)!!!
Additionally, please remove all BIOS passwords, disable secure boot, and disable TPM or Encryption if you have enabled. Do this before moving on to below

If you do not have Intel ME drivers installed, install them now from your system driver download page, then start over here after reboot.
Check your BIOSā€™ main page and see if ME FW version is shown. If not then > DOWNLOAD HWINFO64 HERE <

Once HWINFO is open, look at the large window on the left side, expand motherboard, and find the ME area.
Inside that section is the ME Firmware version. Take note of the version. (ie. write it down or get a screenshot)

Once you have that, go to the thread linked below, and in the section ā€œC.2ā€ find and download the matching ME System Tools Package for your system.
(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)
> DOWNLOAD " ME System Tools " packages HERE <

Once downloaded, inside you will find Flash Programming Tool folder, and then inside that a Windows or Win/Win32 folder (NOT x64).
Highlight that Win/Win32 folder, then hold shift and press right click. Choose ā€œopen command window hereā€ (Not power shell! >> * See Registry file below *).

If you get an error, reply to this post with a screenshot of it, OR write down the EXACT command entered and the EXACT error given.

((If ā€œopen command window hereā€ does not appear, look for the ā€œSimple Registry Editā€ belowā€¦))

Step #1
Now you should be at the command prompt.
You are going to BACKUP the factory un-modified firmware, so type the following command:
Command: " FPTw.exe -bios -d biosreg.bin "

>> Attach the saved "biosreg.bin ", placed into a compressed ZIP/RAR file, to your next post!!! <<

Step #2
Right after you do that, try to write back the BIOS Region dump and see if you get any error(s).
Command: " FPTw.exe -bios -f biosreg.bin "
^^ This step is important! Donā€™t forget! ^^

If you get an error, reply to this post with a screenshot of it, OR write down the EXACT command entered and the EXACT error given.

Here is a SIMPLE REGISTRY EDIT that adds ā€œOpen command window here as Administratorā€ to the right click menu, instead of Power Shell
Double-click downloaded file to install. Reboot after install may be required
> CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD CMD PROMPT REGISTRY ENTRY <

If the windows method above does NOT work for youā€¦
Then you may have to copy all contents from the Flash Programming Tool \ DOS folder to the root of a Bootable USB disk and do the dump from DOS
( DOS command: " FPT.exe -bios -d biosreg.bin " )

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@Lost_N_BIOS
I will reply the result when i getting back to those dell pcs, thanks

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@Lost_N_BIOS
For Dell XPS 8930 bios here is only bios region BIN file dumped via FPT above 8MB total size
http://s000.tinyupload.com/index.php?filā€¦878666187033407
and here is full dumped bios BIN file above 16MB total
http://s000.tinyupload.com/index.php?filā€¦882528862290188

Interesting this is, when I flashing moded BIN file to the Bios region only(not ME gbe etc section becuase those sections are protected canā€™t be flashed using FPT)It successfully flashing!! and also all changes done in moded bios image file successfully get flashed to bios region, BUT AFTER PC REBBOT, all changes made in bios just restoring back to its original default settings. Interesting!! I never saw that kind of behavior after successfully flashed the moded image.

for R00 extracted file from stock bios exe file using AMIUCP. 1.07 , itā€™s total size around above 12MB, neither above 8MB no above 16 MB. but that 12MB R00 file is opening via AMIBCP BUT just setup section not showing in AMIBCP, so that extracted file from stock bios exe is total useless or we need newer version AMIUCP where it can properly extract R00 file from stock bios exe file.This AMIUCP. 1.07 is 2011 version tool which is too old.


@Fernando
thanks I get it.

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@earthoo7 - Two PMā€™s about this and you erased the post??! Do you still need help with that, or did you sort it out?

@superb123 - What did you dump the 16MB file with?
And yes, this is normal, sometimes if there is no BIOS/SMI/SMM lock on BIOS region, or system has FD/ME/Service etc jumper, you can dump BIOS region with FPT, edit, and flash it back.
What do you mean ā€œrestoreā€ back to original? Sounds like a failed BIOS edit, so no changes visible.
OR, do you mean you see some kind of BIOS auto recovery? If yes, in that case, it could be failed edit and it soft-bricked so auto-recovery kicked in, or no edits are possible so that would always happen (Never seen with Dell, only HP)

Looking at another 8930 thread where I tried to help user - [REQUEST] Unlock options and Remove Dell SupportAssist detection from Dell XPS 8930 bios
We found Boot Guard was enabled, so any edit of the main BIOS region where youā€™d do menu edits cannot be done or = brick.
Please check with MEINFO and see if boot guard is enabled on your system, see end of the report from this command >> MEINFOWIN.exe -verbose
If you see Measured or Verified Boot enabled at left/FPF side, you cannot do menu mod or use AMIBCP etc. But, if needed, you can still change any setting, hidden or visible, via NVRAM edit
What is your goal here?

Yes, as mentioned many times over in this thread, the extracted files from EXE cannot be used directly to recover/rebuild a BIOS usually, at least not as they are or whole etc (you have to know what you are doing, extract and use only certain portions etc)
AMIUCP properly extracts this file Itā€™s just not something you can edit in AMIBCP as it is, can only be used to rebuild BIOS when you know what to do.
If you want to edit BIOS, you edit your FPT or programmer dump. But, do keep in mind what I said above, boot guard is probably enabled on your system too, so anything you edit in a yellow/cyan/red region will = brick (open file with UEFITool 51-57 NE Alpha to see these Boot Guard covered colored areas I mention)
This means you CANNOT edit this BIOS with AMIBCP, at all, anything you want to do in there is covered by Boot Guard and will = brick.

If you need to change some settings, give me a list of exact setting by name you want changed, and what you want it changed to, and I will do NVRAM edit on your FPT BIOS region dump above.

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@Lost_N_BIOS

I dumped 16MB file with FPT

Yes Measured or Verified Boot both are enabled, even bios lock also enabled. see the full MEINFOWIN report attached with this post
interesting thing is, bios lock enabled, but bios region only still flashing by FPT without any 167 or 380 or protection range register errors!!. When it flashing, I thing it doing partially flash maybe.

Yes only way to do is NVRAM edit to fully remove bios lock and boot guard things, then I think it will normally flash everything. I know GRUB and RU method can do that, But I donā€™t wanna go that rout because it needs USB drive which I donā€™t have right now.

I already tried to extract NVRAM.txt + Hii.db and used any version but its not extracting any information, showing "ERROR:4 - BIOS not compatible"

so only way is, edit NVRAMā€™s bios lock, RTC lock, boot guard to disabled all in bios.bin(dumped from FPT) and change these settings to enabled all(pictured)


I donā€™t know how to edit those settings from NVRAM inside bios.bin and where those Hex values are available.

MEInfo.txt (7.69 KB)

260

After bricking my Inspiron 7567 after an unsuccesful attempt of BIOS update I need .ROM and .HDR files from .EXE file below. Can anyone help me with this?

dl.dell.com/FOLDER06139157M/1/Inspiron_14_15_7000_Gaming_1.11.0.exe

None of the Recovery Modes are working for me so my only hope is to reach to ROM and HDR files so that I can force flash BIOS via using "End" button.

Any help or guidance would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.