MSI MS-16F2 Barebone Bios Updates

What is this new BIOS and what does it feature?
-The new BIOS features XMP support for your notebooks!
-Couple more miscellaneous options unlocked as well, ICC overclocking, THRM controls, etc.

DISCLAIMER: PLEASE READ EVERYTHING

I claim no responsibility for any accident, damage, or bad BIOS flash caused by this, nor do I guarantee any technical assistance with ANYTHING relating to any of the files I attached. Use at YOUR OWN RISK. IF YOU HAVE ANY DOUBTS ABOUT BIOS FLASHING, DO NOT DO IT. IF YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT A CERTAIN SETTING DOES, DO NOT MESS WITH IT. THIS IS NOT AN OFFICIAL BIOS NOR IS IT TO BE CONSIDERED AS AN 'UPGRADE' TO YOUR EXISTING BIOS. Proceed with caution! Your notebook's warranty may be compromised in the event of a repair!!!



Directions:

1. Create a DOS bootable flash drive (many threads exist on NBR and google). [Make sure when flashing, it is through MS-DOS. It will not work through Windows Command Prompt, unlike other flashing methods. For those of you that use batch files to flash, it will work, the command necessary is below. Batch files are not necessary though.]
2. Add bios.rom and AFUDOS to your flash drive (Found in the .zip). The main/root folder of the flash drive works fine.
3. Boot into MS-DOS, and type:

Sit back, don't press any buttons, watch the progress. Your fans will spin at 100%, this is completely normal. When it is all done, press CTRL + ALT + DEL to restart and check out the unlocked/hidden options. Once you have pressed CTRL + ALT + DEL, WAIT do NOT press the power button again, your notebook will AUTOMATICALLY reboot, even if the LEDs have turned off.

Recovery:

In case of a BAD flash *At the end you will know if the BIOS flashed corrently or not*:

*Common symptoms: While updating your BIOS reports a failure to overwrite a block

1. Remove any files from your USB that aren't the necessary bootable DOS files.
2. Pick a ROM you want to flash (doesn't have to be the original).
3. Rename the .ROM to AMIBOOT.ROM and put it on your flash drive.
4. Plug in your flash drive in a USB 2.0 slot, NOT 3.0.
5. As soon as your notebook turns on and nothing is displayed, spam ctrl+home (In my case, the MS-16F2 is ctrl+fn+pgup).
6. If you see the USB indicator on your flash drive blinking, stop pressing ctrl+home and wait patiently.
7. You should hear 4 beeps and the BIOS should begin reflashing itself.

In case of a GOOD flash, but still cannot enter BIOS:

*Common symptoms: Endless reboots (cannot enter BIOS), Black screen after GOOD flash.

If everything was a success and your notebook boots into a black screen, before trying an recovery, UNPLUG the wire leading to your CMOS battery for 1-2 minutes. This will RESET the stored values in the BIOS to their defaults. Mostly likely, your image was successfully overwritten, but some values may have changed internally and your BIOS maybe having a hard time accepting them.

If your notebook does not boot at all (not even any LED's or anything light up):

Not the fault of a BIOS flash. Hardware damage may have happened at some point or you may have a loose cable (LCD/Media Bar).

*****************************************************************************************************

Enjoy and please leave feedback, it's the only I will be able to improve on these! If a BIOS does not work, please let me know.

Credits:

Xonar for Teaching, Bios Unlocking and the Above Text.
Hacktrix2006 For Bios Unlocking and Bios Updates.

Any Bios that has has been created by Hacktrix2006 as a README!.txt file please read this file before continuing.

Also everything need to flash the Firmware and Bios updates are included with a copy of the Untouched Stock Firmware.

Please make sure you backup your current firmware and do not use any Windows Based Flashing Tool!


MSI MS-16F2 Barebone Links:

Removed For Now.

Feel free to ask in PM for Modded Bioses for MS-16F2 only

Known Errors:

ACPI Windows Blue Screen Of Death: After changing some settings users might get a BSOD of 0x00000A5 and Windows complaining about ACPI. This is Cause when a setting Under PCI Subsystem Settings called Maximum Payload and Maximum Read Request is set to something other then Auto Please Make Sure you change this setting to Auto before saving your BIOS Settings!

Once you know which one gives this error please let me know and i will remove the option from the bios file.

Please make sure you Rep both myself and Xonar to say a very kind Thank You!


Mico Code Updates.

Now using the MMTool for aptio which can be found using good old google you can remove and add CPU Micro codes.

All you do is load the Firmware into MMTool and Select the CPU Patch tab.
From here remove all the Patches on CPU and then add each of the files in the update.

After that save the firmware and reflash it. Boom new codes are in.

Also one note to all, i am not being evil for saying this but this Forum Topic was based for the MS-16F2 Barebone only and i would ask if you could keep the topic to that effect please, this will ensure there is no confusion for others. Thank You!

 

Is the new unlocked 3.0p the same as the previous one.

 

I'm really behind on this stuff so I'm going to ask a few questions.
XMP is for configuring Memory Profiles right?
ICC is for overclocking the cpu? I could make mine higher than 3.1 ghz? Or would it just be better to use throttle stop?
3.0p is newer than 3.05?

 

Its the same but redone from scratch with more options and updated CPU Microcodes.

Use throttle stop would be the best way.

ICC is to overclock some areas of the CPU like the iGFX built in.

XMP is for XMP ram modules that can be profiled for RAM Timings.

The date of 3.0P is slightly newer then 3.05 but its upto you which you use!

 

So what do the Microcodes do?
With ICC, would I be able to turn off the integrated graphics since I can 't use them anyway in this laptop? Or can you?

 

ICC i have personally messed with. Microcodes will either remove bugs or improve CPU performance or both.

 

This is epic, thanks mate! Ill give it a go in the morn. I really need the microcode, because I'm running an engineering sample 2820QM. In my case, the microcode update will definitely remove bugs and improve performance!

 

IIRC Svet from the MSI forums said that turning off integrated graphics may leave your laptop unable to boot even if it's not using it so you might not want to do that.

 

Not a problem, I can confirm do not switch off the onboard it will stop the booting of your system. You'll need to then pull the CMOS battery after to get it back.

 

whos laptop failed to boot after update ?

 

3.0P seems glitchy to me. can't really put my finger on it, but it's just off. One specific thing is MSI Afterburner would just crash, I'm not even using it to overclock... Just monitoring temps. After rolling back to 3.05 it hasn't done that again.

By the way, is there any chance of changing the splash screen on 3.05?

 

sparker msi after burner is working ok to me.

3.05 was white and that can't changed!


When you say glitchy what do you mean? I haven't had a issue and i used the same file. Try loading Setup Defaults after the reboot or cleaning the CMOS some times the EC and NVRAM gets glitched!

 

@hacktrix2006 - I installed the BIOS today and while I have full EVGA Precision (MSI Afterburner) support, the microcode update is again back to 1A, i.e. back to the original microcode. Is there perhaps a BIOS setting that I am missing, or should the BIOS just apply the microcode automatically? As flashing is inherently dangerous (although almost always safe), I don't want to flash over and over. Is there anything to think that BIOS then the EC flash would cause the microcode issues? Therefore, would a reflash of the BIOS only fix this issue, or are the two not linked?

 

Sorted Go to post 1 and redownload bud!

 

Right no panic i have it now working on Mircocode 1B. Updates are ment to be at point 1 will update the above files with the new set. So re downloaded when the first post states Updated!

 

Right the Files on 30P have been reuploaded and updated with the 1b microcode working correctly please can all download and reflash.

 

Just flashed the reuploaded 30P, no issues.

Also, I found out in this thread-- The ThrottleStop Guide--that the turbo limits in the BIOS don't actually write to MSR 0x1AD.

I checked 305, and it seems that it also had turbo limit options.

 

Sweet nice one 5482741 with the link to throotlestop downloaded it but can't get it to play dice.

Can you verify that the Microcode in CPU info is that of 1B please

 

Microcode Revision is "Not Loaded".

Probably because it's an ES.

 

ok thanks for that bud.

 

I just unlocked the CPU menu in 305, same results; except the Microcode Revision is now "7".

It looks like the entire "CPU Information" menu is disabled, whether the options are unlocked or not.

 

I just flashed back to 305 and have microcode revision 14, but last time I was on 305, I'm convinced it was revision 12. I think there is something weird at play as I think the hacktrix2006 30p will not apply the microcode, but the 305 equally, is not consistent. Interesting that 5482741 is on '7', I'm on '14', and I could swear blind I was on '12'.

 

Well the Microcode 1B is dated 2011/07/14 1A is Dated 2011/06/21 14 is dated 2011/01/06 any after that is in either 2010 and 2009 1B is the latest Microcode to have.

Microcodes will be based on CPU's 5482741 is based on a ES CPU mine is Retail what is your CPU as mine is 2670QM.

3.05 had the at the time latest microcode added.

Will have another mess around on the microcodes as well.

 

My CPU is 06A5, the unlocked 30P only has 06A7; so it makes sense that the microcode was not loaded.

 

Right i will upload all the microcodes for the i7 Mobile 2nd Gen and Link up.
Then all you need to find is MMTool for Aptio bioses.

That way you can insert the Micro Code you want into the Firmware.

 

i get an error before the process is starting:

- Rom File ROMID is not compatible with existing ROMID

i use a Fat32 4GB USB Stick into the left USB 2.0 Port and i have follow the Readme exactly.

My Device: Medion X6819 with this Motherboard ID 63-0100-000001-00101111-102010-Chipset$0AAAA000_X681X E16F2IM7 VER:5.0B 09/01/2011

This Device is the same like the MSI GT683DX.

 

There should be an option to not check the rom ID before flashing.

 

i use: AFUDOS UAHCI.30P /p /b /n /r

i´ve read the help command for the afudos. /x is the command to ignore the ROMID, but is this correctly ? can i add this command to the command line and works this 3.0p Bios for my medion ?

 

Probably...

Either it will work, or your medion will turn into a brick.

 

first i´ll waiting for an answere from hacktrix2006 before i try this

 

likezero, this bios is for the Barebone model of MS-16F2 series from MSI to its resellers.

Its not for OEM versions like Medion X6819 etc but feel free to try it with the /x option it might work it might brick.

So make sure you have a backup of your personal bios first before playing.

 

Any big difference between old microcode vs new code?
Is it worth updating?

Does the latest microcode support ivy bridge?

 

ivy bridge microcodes will not be out just yet. But each microcode update either fixes bugs, make performance gains or both. Higher the data of release the better.

Just look at the ones i uploaded thats the ones i have to hand so far!

 

Flash done

it works with the Medion X6819, the device reports now as MSI Megabook GT680/GT680R/GT683/GT683R/GX680/GX680R (MS-16F2) in AIDA64. But the EC was able to flash I do not perform, because again, nothing was found compatible. The device works well but still. However, I had to install another sound card drivers that were certified orginal Dolby Theatre v4, which are certified by the MSI Dolby Advanced Audio.

Dolby Advanced Audio v2

 

OK you seem to be lucky then, as the barebone is just a stock Realtek 892 ALC sound card. Could you link up the driver you used please.

Also print out the DEV and VEN ID of the sound card. Glad the bios worked for you though.

 

The Medion also has the Realtek ALC892. I use the original Realtek R267 drivers for 64bit.

When I install the driver with the Medion bios, I have the Realtek options only 2 riders, speaker configuration and standard format. I can easily install the Dolby Theater v4 software and the sound sounds excellent.

When I install the driver with your bios, I have options in the Realtek settings for even extra for the reverb and equalizer. The sound is very bad, the Dolby Theater v4 software reports an error at the start and immediately writes that the existing sound card with Dolby advanced audio v2 is compatible. Software installed with advanced audio v2 hear the sound but to change ... The equalizer also shows no decisive on (when he hits every theater v4 sound off).

here copy the hardware ID of the Medion bios AIDA64 (I flashed back to first again)
HDAUDIO \ FUNC_01 & VEN_10EC & DEV_0892 & REV_1003 & SUBSYS_146210B1

 

Thanks, My Audio is HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_10EC&DEV_0892&SUBSYS_146210AB&REV_1003

Which looks different to yours which could be why your sound is messed up abit. I on the other hand is running the 2.67 Audio 64bit driver from realtek.

 

mhh

Medion: SUBSYS_146210B1
MSI: SUBSYS_146210AB

that sucks and I thought the MSI comes with a better sound system...

have you any idea how can the dolby theater v4 with the barebone msi bios to use?

 

i don't know as the barebone doesn't have the Dolby Theater V4 if you could upload it somewhere and linko me i'd gladly test it!

 

here:

Dolby Theater v4: File-Upload.net - Dolby-Theater-4.exe
original Medion x6819 Bios: File-Upload.net - x6819.BIN

 

This is interesting.

I found a BIOS on MSI's GT685 page; I thought we're not supposed to use the GT BIOS's but the filename is 16F2_30U.zip; and the BIOS itself is E16F2IMS.30U.

Seems like a 16F2 BIOS.

I'm unlocking it right now; will try flashing it later.

Has anyone bricked their 16F2 by flashing a GT68X BIOS on it?

 

have read that some people at that time, the X6811 have flashed to a GT663, with the original bios, but the device did not run very stable. The largest difference is indeed the sensor bar, the massive lighting and the Dynaudio sound system ....

 

Alright, just flashed.

No issues so far.

Still no luck with the "CPU Information" menu.

 

OK 5482741, i have made a request at BIOS Mods to see if they could look at where i went wrong. Will let you know how that goes.

 

My 16F2 was just delivered a week ago. I will test this bios now.. TY!

Executed instructions as stated. Works fine.

Realtek High Definition Audio was displayed as unknown device after boot into windows and reinstalled itself without problems.

Now to play....

1. Raising memory frequency from 1600 to 1866 results in startup loop. LEDs come on for 2 seconds, reboot, loop endlessly.

2. Trying to raise DIV-2S results in a success message but as soon as Windows starts to load there is a BSOD. Same symptom every single time.

3. Changing DIMM default profile to XMP profile 1 results in a non-booting system as soon as a shut-down is performed. Have not checked XMP profile 2. Probably won't lol.

4. AGP Aperture to 512 MB and Panel Color Depth to 24 bit works fine....

5. Turn off PXE Boot option Rom loading.... THANK YOU!!!! lol.

QUESTION: Is there any possible way to get optimus configured properly through the BIOS?


MSI 16f2:

Intel Core i7 2670QM - Nvidia GTX580M - 8GB 1600 MHZ Kingston HyperX - Dual 750 GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache Drives Non-Raid (will set up for Raid Stripe 0 after initial testing is done with drivers, compatibility, etc), Working on getting QuadBoot with fully functional OSX Lion, XP, 7, Ubuntu.....

 

Nice specs there. OSX Lion forget about i have tried and tried it doesn't work well.

 

Thanks. I have Hackintosh right now on HP G60 with intel 4500 but no Quartz or CE obviously. I heard that lion should have native support for the latest Fermis. This isn't True?

 

If I may, what is AGP Aperture and why did you change it, and did you notice a difference changing to 24 bit panel?

 

AGP Aperture is a legacy option and wont be used in the system.

 

It doesn't even support the GTX560 that i have. I have to bin edit alot of files to get it to work then on top of that the SD Card reader doesn't even worth with it.


Also here is the laugh guys. I have just flashed the GT683DXR bios right over mine, (OK all options are locked ATM) but the main thing is everything works even the 3rd USB by the ROM drive works, Sound works as well.

I will check for problems else where but all in all the GT683DXR bios fits like a glove at the moment. But what i will suggest is that you do not try it till i state is fully safe to do so.