Which Tool to mod a Dell XPS One BIOS and flash it thereafter?

BIOS/UEFI Modding BIOS Modding Guides and Problems
1

Hi, I have a Dell XPS One 2720 and I would like to update the RAID Option ROM. In my Bios it says "Aptio Setup Utility - Copyright (C) 2015 American Megatrends, Inc. Below it says Version 2.15.1236.

The latest Dell bios is XPS_2720_A16.EXE. Which tool is best suitable for my system?

And which tool would be best suitable to flash the modded bios?

Thanks in advance!

Kind regards,
Rohin Mehra


Edit by Fernando: Thread title shortened

2

Not used when the system/controller is NOT set as RAID and using an array, it has no impact or controlled when using AHCI mode or NVMe single disks.

3

Hi MeatWar,

Thanks for your response.

My system is set to RAID.

I am using Intel Rapid Storage Technology in combination with Intel Smart Response Technology also known as SSD Caching.

I am using Intel(R) Chipset SATA/PCIe RST Premium Controller driver version 15.9.8.1050. Your site advises the following:
Notes: The Intel RST(e) drivers v15.9.8.1050 WHQL are dated 07/31/2019 and usable with all Windows Operating Systems from Win7 up. Only Intel 100-Series/C230 Chipsets, 200-Series Chipsets and other Chipsets with an Intel Skylake or KabyLake CPU are natively supported by these drivers. These drivers additionally do support the “Intel(R) Optane™ Memory System Acceleration” and the “Intel(R) Smart Response Technology”.
Best matching Intel RAID ROM/EFI BIOS modules: v15.9.3.3408

I currently have Intel(R) Rapid Storage Technology - Option ROM - v14.5.0.2241 and I thought it would be better to update to v15.9.3.3408.

Please advise.

Kind regards,

Rohin Mehra

4

Have you ever done something similar…mods and flashing mod files, recover from bad mods, dump bios firmware/regions, etc…?

5

I have flashed my bios multiple times, but have never modded a bios or flashed a modded bios. But I have general technical knowledge (using a hex editor, modifying Windows registry, am a Windows Insider, etc.).

6

Not even close to any of this…
Resuming, i see no ME_service jumper on the motherboard (IPxxx-Px series) for FPT write operations.
Mod files are blocked to flash by regular methods due to security issues…usually, for FPT to write a mod it needs FD unlock, this jumper usually allows it, if not possible…
Remains IC SPI programming… do you have one? If so you’re going to dump the SPI content, mod it and program it back… getting the picture now?
UEFI tool, UBU, MMtool can be used as tools to achieve your goal, good luck.

7

Thanks for your explanation. I also have hardware knowledge like changing jumpers on the motherboard, but I think this is not worth the time and effort for the goal I am willing to achieve. I am not missing any functionality, I had just hoped to slightly improve the performance, but this doesn’t seem worth the effort.

8

Oh, you do humm… that’s glad to hear…
Yes, i do not advise any unexperienced user to engage in such operations and putting their functional system at risk, all the best.