andysworld!

Welcome back to another episode of Hancock’s VMware Half Hour! In this video, we take you step-by-step through updating the UEFI BIOS on the Minisforum MS-A2, upgrading from version 1.0.1 to 1.0.2 – all from a very hot #homelab (35°C!).

We walk through downloading the BIOS update, prepping the system (disabling Secure Boot), launching the UEFI shell, and flashing the firmware using EfiFlash.nsh. There’s even a little pop culture nod to Toto and The Wizard of Oz ??, plus a shout-out to VMware vExperts like Daniel Kreiger, William Lam, and Stephen Wagner!

Chapters Included:

Setting up the MS-A2 for flashing

Booting into the UEFI Shell

Running the flash process

Successfully installing BIOS 1.0.2

VMware vExpert tips and how to apply

Post-update validation

Whether you’re a fellow VMware homelabber or just updating your own MS-A2 device, this guide will walk you through it with humour, precision, and heat-induced delirium.

Don’t forget to Like, Subscribe and Share  if this helped you out!

Useful Links:

Minisforum MS-A2 BIOS Downloads

UEFI Shell.efi on GitHub

VMware vExpert Program

If you’ve followed Andysworld.org for any length of time, you’ll know I’m always on the lookout for compact, powerful systems that pack a serious punch — especially for virtualization, homelab testing, and edge computing. The Minisforum MS-A2 just landed on my desk, and I couldn’t wait to tear into it, max out the RAM, and see how this tiny monster performs.

Why the Minisforum MS-A2?

Minisforum has carved out a strong niche in the mini PC market, but the MS-A2 is something different. Designed around the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX (a 16-core, 32-thread beast), this unit is built for power users: developers, sysadmins, content creators, and homelab enthusiasts like myself.

The MS-A2 offers:

• AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX (Zen 4, 5nm, 16C/32T)

• Up to 128GB DDR5 SODIMM RAM

• Quadruple PCIe Gen4 NVMe M.2 slots

• Dual 2.5G Ethernet, Dual 10G SFP+

• USB 4.0 / HDMI 2.1 / USB-C

• Compact footprint with surprisingly good thermals

With specs like that, it’s an ideal candidate for running Proxmox, VMware ESXi, KVM, or even just as a hyper-efficient workstation.

The Unboxing Experience

Right out of the box, the MS-A2 gives off a premium vibe. The packaging is minimalist but well thought out. Inside you’ll find:

• The MS-A2 unit itself (dense, solid, well-built)

• 120W or 180W power adapter (depending on config)

• Mounting hardware

• User manual and warranty information

Ports are plentiful and logically laid out. It even includes USB 4.0 and dual LAN ports — a must for virtualized networking setups in a homelab.

Installing 128GB DDR5 RAM

This is where things get exciting.

The MS-A2 officially supports up to 128GB of DDR5 SODIMM RAM (2x 64GB modules). While 64GB used to be the ceiling for mini PCs, the MS-A2 pushes those boundaries.

Here’s how I installed the RAM:

1. Power Down and Open the Chassis:
   Remove the bottom screws (Torx) and gently lift the cover. The internals are neatly laid out.

2. Locate the SODIMM Slots:
   There are two DDR5 SODIMM slots accessible without needing to remove any other components.

3. Install 2x 64GB DDR5 4800MHz Modules:
   I used Kingston DDR5 SODIMMs — click, click, done.

4. Reassemble and Boot:
   Replace the cover, screw it down, plug it in, and power on.

5. Check BIOS/UEFI:
   The system immediately recognised the full 128GB RAM without issue.

Initial Impressions & Performance Potential

I haven’t fully benchmarked it yet, but early signs are strong. This thing is built for virtualization and power-intensive workflows. With 128GB RAM, you could comfortably run:

• Nested vSphere or ESXi environments

• A full Proxmox VE cluster in one box

• Multiple Linux and Windows VMs for testing

• Container platforms like Docker, Podman, or Kubernetes

The dual 2.5G NICs are ideal for setting up a virtualized network or using VLANs for isolated testing.

Thermals remained under control during initial tests, thanks to the robust cooling design. The unit is quieter than expected even under moderate load.

Who Is the MS-A2 For?

If you’re:

• A homelab enthusiast looking to consolidate noisy, aging servers

• A virtualization geek building a portable test lab

• A developer or DevOps engineer running VMs or containers

• Or just someone wanting a high-end mini PC that doesn’t take up half a desk…

…the MS-A2 is absolutely worth your consideration.

What’s Next?

In the next blog post, I’ll benchmark this machine with:

• Proxmox VE running multiple VMs

• VMware ESXi 8.0 (yes, it installs!)

• Synthetic CPU, disk, and memory benchmarks

• Power draw and thermal tests

And maybe even try some GPU passthrough.

Final Thoughts

The Minisforum MS-A2 is a seriously impressive piece of kit. It proves that small doesn’t have to mean slow or limited. With 128GB DDR5 RAM, Ryzen 9 power, and robust I/O, it’s more than capable of replacing a rackmount server for many use cases — and it’ll fit in your backpack.

Stay tuned for more testing, benchmarks, and homelab setup tips.

Cheers,
Andrew