Using AMISCE to Update BIOS Settings

Created by Mattia Aisa
Last updated: 14. Nov 2022
2 min read

AMI Setup Control Environment (AMISCE) is a command line tool which provides you an easy way to update NVRAM variables from within the Linux or Windows. You can extract variables directly from the BIOS, change settings, and finally, update the BIOS. AMISCE is supported on the following SECO platforms:

  • Apollo Lake: from BIOS 1.08

  • Coffee Lake: from BIOS 1.02 (change setup password from 1.09)

  • Elkhart Lake: All versions

Elkhart Lake processors incorporate more security features than prior Intel generations. If you want to change Elkhart Lake BIOS settings with AMISCE, contact SECO for details about creating a custom BIOS that allows the changes you need to make. AMISCE can change SECO-proprietary options without any BIOS customization.

Preparation

Download the latest toolset: AMISCE (v. 1.00.00, .7z)

Linux

Windows

Linux

Windows

Log in Linux as root otherwise use sudo

Open a terminal as administrator

The compiler suite (gcc, make, libelf-dev) must be installed. If these packages are not installed, the driver cannot be built

 

Export Settings

Install an official BIOS release from SECO, change BIOS settings as desired (e.g. LVDS configuration, Password, etc), Save, then boot to the operating system. Execute the following command to export the BIOS variables (example is in Linux):

./SCE /o /c /l list.txt /n nvram.txt /h Hii.db

where:

  • /o: Indicates NVRAM script file to generate for Variables found in Listing File

  • /l: Indicates Variable Listing

  • /c: (optional) Creates Variable Listing File containing information about all the variables found in NVRAM. With “/c” option, all variable names are output to the listing file, and all variables are output to the NVRAM dump script. Without “/c” option, the listing file works as a filter and the program provides output only to those variables with names present in the listing file. If the listing file is not present then it will result in error.

  • /n: Indicates NVRAM Dump File

  • /h: Indicates HII Dump File. This option is valid only when generating NVRAM script file and should always be used along with the “/n” option.

Import mode

Boot the operating system on a different module that is loaded with the same official BIOS version and same features. Execute the following command to import custom variables into your BIOS:

./SCE /i /l list.txt /n nvram.txt /f

where:

  • /i: Indicates Import modified Variable data found in Listing File to the NVRAM

  • /l: Indicates Variable Listing

  • /n: Indicates NVRAM Dump File

  • /f: Removes the CRC warning error

Now reboot the system and verify operation has been successfully completed.

Change BIOS Setup Password

Boot the OS then execute the following command to change the setup password in your BIOS:

./SCE /cpwd <current password> /apwd <new administrator password>

Note that the /apwd command is only to CHANGE the password. You must already have a password set in the BIOS to use this command.

Now reboot the system and verify operation has been successfully completed.

This feature is NOT available on Apollo Lake platforms.