Project: Unlocked BIOS Area-51m Series

[ssj92]

I have an idea to make a "unlocked bios". It's in parenthesis because unless someone knows how to get around boot guard, it will be non permanent. 

 

What I need from you guys:

 

IFR Dump of BIOS 1.3.2 and any other bios version you guys use. (I already did 1.5.0) 

 

SPI dump would be even more useful. Even better is to use the attached tool to dump bios. 

 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ke3xYvUbNHK2oJ_IaQp4S4PcepxoNcCE/view?usp=sharing

 

Command prompt as admin:

 

fptw64.exe -d bios.bin -BIOS

 

I know @2CPU @Amir.s have these systems. Any help from you will speed up the process, otherwise by myself it will take me months because I have way too many other projects with a higher priority. 

 

Sneak peek:

 

[Amir.s]

On 8/7/2026 at 7:58 AM, ssj92 said:

I have an idea to make a "unlocked bios". It's in parenthesis because unless someone knows how to get around boot guard, it will be non permanent. 

 

What I need from you guys:

 

IFR Dump of BIOS 1.3.2 and any other bios version you guys use. (I already did 1.5.0) 

 

SPI dump would be even more useful. Even better is to use the attached tool to dump bios. 

 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ke3xYvUbNHK2oJ_IaQp4S4PcepxoNcCE/view?usp=sharing

 

Command prompt as admin:

 

fptw64.exe -d bios.bin -BIOS

 

I know @2CPU @Amir.s have these systems. Any help from you will speed up the process, otherwise by myself it will take me months because I have way too many other projects with a higher priority. 

 

Sneak peek:

 

I have the full dump of BIOS version 1.7.3. I can send it to you in a few days because I’m currently traveling and don’t have access to my laptop right now. How far have you gotten so far? Have you unlocked the BIOS?

[Amir.s]

On 8/7/2026 at 7:58 AM, ssj92 said:

I have an idea to make a "unlocked bios". It's in parenthesis because unless someone knows how to get around boot guard, it will be non permanent. 

 

What I need from you guys:

 

IFR Dump of BIOS 1.3.2 and any other bios version you guys use. (I already did 1.5.0) 

 

SPI dump would be even more useful. Even better is to use the attached tool to dump bios. 

 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ke3xYvUbNHK2oJ_IaQp4S4PcepxoNcCE/view?usp=sharing

 

Command prompt as admin:

 

fptw64.exe -d bios.bin -BIOS

 

I know @2CPU @Amir.s have these systems. Any help from you will speed up the process, otherwise by myself it will take me months because I have way too many other projects with a higher priority. 

 

Sneak peek:

 

If you manage to pull this off, you’ll be an absolute legend! 

Getting a truly unlocked BIOS and finally removing all those artificial limitations is the ultimate dream. I’m seriously hoping you can make it happen!

[ssj92]

28 minutes ago, Amir.s said:

I have the full dump of BIOS version 1.7.3. I can send it to you in a few days because I’m currently traveling and don’t have access to my laptop right now. How far have you gotten so far? Have you unlocked the BIOS?

I can access the hidden menus. My goal is to make a universal bootable USB for Area-51m R1/R2. It will first detect the system, then detect bios version, detect variables and show the bios with all meus unlocked. so when you change something, it will properly affect your bios version. i already tested a bit on 1.5.0 but need a few more versions to make 1.5.0 perfect. 

[Amir.s]

5 minutes ago, ssj92 said:

I can access the hidden menus. My goal is to make a universal bootable USB for Area-51m R1/R2. It will first detect the system, then detect bios version, detect variables and show the bios with all meus unlocked. so when you change something, it will properly affect your bios version. i already tested a bit on 1.5.0 but need a few more versions to make 1.5.0 perfect. 

Within the next few days, I’ll send you several BIOS dumps from different versions. I’m just a little worried about downgrading to some of the really old versions, because I’m running a 9900KS on the laptop and my motherboard is the 2019 revision. There’s a chance that BIOS versions older than 1.5.0 might not be compatible with my setup.

[ssj92]

14 minutes ago, Amir.s said:

Within the next few days, I’ll send you several BIOS dumps from different versions. I’m just a little worried about downgrading to some of the really old versions, because I’m running a 9900KS on the laptop and my motherboard is the 2019 revision. There’s a chance that BIOS versions older than 1.5.0 might not be compatible with my setup.

I already did 1.5.0 because it's what I have. In my opinion 1.5.0 is the best "old bios" that maintains most compatibility. we probably want the newer bios' that you guys run. 

[Amir.s]

This laptop was produced with several different motherboards with different part numbers. Which motherboard version do you have?

[janepa]

Hi, if it's an AMI Aptio 5th gen, I can help you unlock all features completely.

[Amir.s]

31 minutes ago, janepa said:

Hi, if it's an AMI Aptio 5th gen, I can help you unlock all features completely.

How can I find out which version of Aptio it is?

[Amir.s]

27 minutes ago, janepa said:

Hi, if it's an AMI Aptio 5th gen, I can help you unlock all features completely.

I don’t know which generation of Aptio my laptop’s BIOS is.

[janepa]

Google say 🙂

[Amir.s]

16 minutes ago, janepa said:

Google say 🙂

So, are you saying you can unlock the Area-51m BIOS? As far as I know, there’s no source or evidence so far that anyone has successfully done this. One of the guys on this very forum is currently working on it. If this BIOS can actually be unlocked, that would be really impressive.

[Amir.s]

1 hour ago, janepa said:

Hi, if it's an AMI Aptio 5th gen, I can help you unlock all features completely.

User ssj92 is also working on the same project and has made some progress. If you are familiar with this BIOS, perhaps you could work together with ssj92 and finally unlock this damn BIOS.

 

Unfortunately, I’m not familiar with Aptio or its editing environment. However, if you need any files from my side, I can provide them and help however I can.

[janepa]

I'm sorry, but that message offering help was primarily intended for the user ssj92 as a small gesture of support after hundreds and hundreds of wasted hours and failed attempts. The kind of work that most of us can't even begin to imagine how difficult and invaluable it is.
He knows exactly what I mean.

 

Once again, I'm really sorry. It's my bad.

[Amir.s]

12 minutes ago, janepa said:

I'm sorry, but that message offering help was primarily intended for the user ssj92 as a small gesture of support after hundreds and hundreds of wasted hours and failed attempts. The kind of work that most of us can't even begin to imagine how difficult and invaluable it is.
He knows exactly what I mean.

 

Once again, I'm really sorry. It's my bad.

I’m honestly really happy and grateful to see such talented and knowledgeable people on this forum. A big thank you to ssj92, janepa, and all the other members who generously share their knowledge, skills, and expertise with the community. It’s truly appreciated.

[Amir.s]

On 8/7/2026 at 7:58 AM, ssj92 said:

I have an idea to make a "unlocked bios". It's in parenthesis because unless someone knows how to get around boot guard, it will be non permanent. 

 

What I need from you guys:

 

IFR Dump of BIOS 1.3.2 and any other bios version you guys use. (I already did 1.5.0) 

 

SPI dump would be even more useful. Even better is to use the attached tool to dump bios. 

 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ke3xYvUbNHK2oJ_IaQp4S4PcepxoNcCE/view?usp=sharing

 

Command prompt as admin:

 

fptw64.exe -d bios.bin -BIOS

 

I know @2CPU @Amir.s have these systems. Any help from you will speed up the process, otherwise by myself it will take me months because I have way too many other projects with a higher priority. 

 

Sneak peek:

 

Could you tell me how you managed to access these menus? Maybe I can study the method as well and see if I can help with this.

[ssj92]

10 hours ago, janepa said:

Hi, if it's an AMI Aptio 5th gen, I can help you unlock all features completely.

Is this on Area-51m? The main issue is, I don't know how to bypass boot guard. It requires signed bios to boot , even if you spi flash it doesn't boot. 

[janepa]

No, this is my Zephyrus G14, but the security principles are surprisingly similar. And during my first attempts to unlock the hidden menu, I was only ever able to access different parts of the hidden menu, exactly as shown in your photos.

[2CPU]

I had 1.3.2 on my system but updated to 1.7.3 and then 1.9.3

 

I think I can recovery flash back to 1.3.2 without bricking the system. When i tried from way later BIOS (you can only go back to 1.12.X) I had to swap out the CPU due to eFuses being blown by the security updates

[ssj92]

If no one cares about anything older than 1.5.0 we don't need to do it. I am fine with 1.50+ whatever newer versions you guys use 

[2CPU]

1.3.2 was only popular to keep the higher 200W on the 2080. I personally do not care since I run the AGA. I ran my M15x from 2009 (I forget, I think two sticks banged together) -> 680M (2014) -> 980M(2018) and even got Occulus Rift running on it (such great memories Xmas work week VR stuff w coworkers). So that's 17 years on only two Alienware laptops....not bad. Area 51m "upgradability" was a total knife in the back. Zero drop-in....not even 2080 Super but the 2080 worked for me through Cyperpunk, BG3 & Alyx so I didn't suffer. Only recently with 2025+ titles did I dust off the AGA and throw in a 5080 to continue being fine.

 

I heard from Amir that 1.7.3 has more forgiving RAM speed settings vs. 1.9.3

[Amir.s]

17 hours ago, 2CPU said:

1.3.2 was only popular to keep the higher 200W on the 2080. I personally do not care since I run the AGA. I ran my M15x from 2009 (I forget, I think two sticks banged together) -> 680M (2014) -> 980M(2018) and even got Occulus Rift running on it (such great memories Xmas work week VR stuff w coworkers). So that's 17 years on only two Alienware laptops....not bad. Area 51m "upgradability" was a total knife in the back. Zero drop-in....not even 2080 Super but the 2080 worked for me through Cyperpunk, BG3 & Alyx so I didn't suffer. Only recently with 2025+ titles did I dust off the AGA and throw in a 5080 to continue being fine.

 

I heard from Amir that 1.7.3 has more forgiving RAM speed settings vs. 1.9.3

 

Just having a 5080 in your AGA means you’re definitely doing it right! This laptop has won me over so much that I honestly can’t bring myself to move on to another laptop.

I really like the R2 as well. The 10900K is an amazing CPU, but since there isn’t much of a difference in GPU performance and it only has two RAM slots, I decided not to go for it.

After upgrading the CPU to a 9900KS, the performance has become really impressive, even though there was never a properly optimized BIOS for it and the CPU is limited to 130W. Interestingly, the CPU temperatures have also dropped significantly.

I was comparing the performance of Thunderbolt 5 and OCuLink, and the benchmark results with the same GPU I’m using were almost exactly identical. On top of that, I’m also really satisfied with the Area-51m’s appearance, design, and build quality. It’s a laptop I genuinely love in those respects.

By the way, regarding the limitation that many people experienced with the newer BIOS versions, where GPU performance would become limited once the GPU reached around 75°C, I actually found a workaround for it. Because of that, I never had this issue even with BIOS versions newer than 1.5. I’ll post a guide explaining how to do it as soon as I get the chance.

One more thing regarding RAM frequency: BIOS 1.7.3 and the older versions perform much better and are significantly more stable.

There’s another point I always keep in mind: if I’m going to put a system under heavy load 24/7, constantly gaming and rendering on it, which setup is actually more reliable in the long run — an Area-51m paired with an AGA, or one of these sleek and delicate new-generation laptops with a single-piece motherboard where practically everything is soldered directly onto the board?