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aRt
06-08-2008, 11:35 AM
I recently hacked my bios, and in the process came over this idea of lipo-suctioning the bios as it contains general support instead of being specific to my hardware.
Large parts of the bios are not necessary.

This could maybe release 600kb space in my 1 mb phoenix bios.

The idea is to modify the tianocore EFI shell - (or maybe even chameleon)
And add an extra menu to the bios - also having a picture of an apple - the grey apple screen - as a default instead of that horrible pc text.

In my dv9850 there is a possibility of pressing windows-b key to load a bios from usb if the one in the chip crashes - there is a safety anti crash chip here enabling us to do some research without worrying to much.

I have registered at intels for a full dev kit - c compiler for EFI byte code.
I split my bios into files using phoenix bios editor running as administrator in windoZe.

What could be important for this as a project - are EFI hardware drivers even from the pc environment - to support sound, graphics etc.

The EFI ddk could come in handy - we could make our own EFI drivers to support various hardware, perhaps even via standard kexts - As to wether or not this is doable I am unsure itvm.

I have collected about half a gig of dev kits, rom images, EFI drivers etc. and least but not last - tianocore - efi shell etc.

1st goal: liposucktioning of the bios - may it be slim - here it would be nice to have some input from hp dv6000, hp dv9000, hp dv9850, hpdv9860, hp dv9700 users.

2nd goal: compiling tianocore as standalone app on a msdos formatted usb stick.

3rd goal: Creating an overview of the headers of EFI drivers from macs - seeing which headers must be cut off or modified to load EFI files in tianocores shell.
Creating an overview of the Intel EFI driver file format - here we need to crack their non-public format and still not break any rules... ;)

4th goal: Making a compressor / decompressor for the various formats of EFI files, be they intel or mac ones that may differ concerning compression/encryption etc.

5th goal: Obtaining the necessary pc EFI drivers for the hardware of the test machines used in the project.

6th goal: Modifying the EFI shell source to enable automatic loading through a batch script if necessary.

7th goal: test piloting the new bios+EFI rom running from a USB stick.

8th goal: flashing the new rom into the bios.

fallback: put chameleon in bios after lipo-suctioning it - we got 1mb of space!!!

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please give me some feedback on what u think.
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regards,

aRt

f41qu3
06-18-2008, 03:46 PM
Great idea aRt. HMBT Brazillian side (and I) support you in this project.

I post your post on HMBT. Logically with your credits. :)

equinoxe
06-25-2008, 09:35 AM
What type of bios-flash chip is it?


Couldn't you replace the 8mbit with a 16mbit version?
I have replaced and flashed bioschips before mostly without problems.
I used an external flasher (willemprog), but there are easier and simpeler serial programmers you can build for yourself.

You can also make an dual chip adapter (requires making a small pcb) and select your bios chip with the CS.

PingunZ
07-04-2008, 12:26 AM
I love the idea, since slimming down the BIOS will make your system boot faster as well ( right? ) and of course the apple image will make the pc feel even more like a mac :)

Let me know how I can help with this

neonkoala
07-04-2008, 04:44 PM
I love the idea, since slimming down the BIOS will make your system boot faster as well ( right? ) and of course the apple image will make the pc feel even more like a mac :)

Let me know how I can help with this

Not really, the amount of time spent in BIOS is very little. The time consuming bit is not so much loading the BIOS etc but the POST check whereby the system checks hardware and initializes the crucial bits. This is going to take the same time even if you remove some parts of the BIOS and many systems already have a fast BIOS option which means it takes about 2 or 3 seconds to load as it skips the check each time unless something (e.g. memory amount) has changed.

PingunZ
07-04-2008, 09:52 PM
Not really, the amount of time spent in BIOS is very little. The time consuming bit is not so much loading the BIOS etc but the POST check whereby the system checks hardware and initializes the crucial bits. This is going to take the same time even if you remove some parts of the BIOS and many systems already have a fast BIOS option which means it takes about 2 or 3 seconds to load as it skips the check each time unless something (e.g. memory amount) has changed.

Well, still is a great idea for the mac-feeling :)

Pyrofallout
07-07-2008, 11:40 PM
Awesome idea. Any progress reports? What are you flashing the BIOS with? Just curious what motherboard are you testing on?

ercp-90
07-08-2008, 01:09 AM
http://www.efi-x.com/index.php?language=english

PingunZ
07-08-2008, 05:08 PM
http://www.efi-x.com/index.php?language=english

efi x doesn't modify the bios at all..