[Nuke]

that hp label format must be more recent than the one they used on this thing. all i have is a serial number, a 1p number, and a mfg number. and a bunch of stuff in tiraneese or whatever language they speek over there. the gc designation is on the label however. im pretty sure the 1.63 bios is the proper one.

hps util has been so scripted so as to idiot proof the flash that i dont think it will let me do it if its the wrong bios.

[jr2]

If you have the serial number, that might help... what is it?
Actually, do you have the p/n (part number)?




Got all this off of HP's Notebook ID page

[Nuke]

ive been over the id page and i none of my labels on this thing look like those. i have no part number and no model number on any of the underside labels. all thats on this thing is n5420l (i didnt notice the l till just now, as it was a smaller font size and i thought it was a scratch) on the label to the top right of the keyboard.  im pretty sure that this is the proper bios (as the boot screen shows this version number).

[jr2]

That's odd.

Go to this HP page (where you select your OS), and, if you click "Windows '98", then your BIOS shows up as the latest one for your laptop.  Now, if you click "Windows XP", then the BIOS I previously posted shows up as the latest.  Weird.  So which is it?

[Nuke]

its the 1.63 version from the 98 page.

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareDownloadIndex?softwareitem=ob639en&lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en&product=61895&os=20

this is the same version as the one im using now. this laptop seems to be a pre xp model. it had an me sticker on it. so id use the 98 bios.

[jr2]

Do you want me to make you another CD image with the '98 BIOS as a virtual floppy boot disk?

[Nuke]

sure, if its not too much trouble.

[jr2]

np, when I get home...

EDIT: http://files.filefront.com/New+Compilation+2zip/;8159478;;/fileinfo.html

[Nuke]

the flash worked ok but the password still remains. either its a standard default password, or the password is stored elseware on the device. thanks for the effort anyway.

[jr2]

Hrm.. I'll take a look & see what I can come up with.

[Nuke]

i have a feeling any remaining options require vivisection or shelling out money to a laptop repair specialist. working on laptops is something i dont really have that much luck with. out of 3 i worked on i only got one to reboot again, laptops are a murderous, self-destructive beast they are.

the readme for the password cracker (cmospwd) says that laptops store bios settings on an eeprom seprate from the bios. this would explain why the flash did not clear it. i could try what i did to clear the boot password, cross terminals on the battery, except this time keep em crossed for longer or just desolder the thing and put it back on (ive got the gear but really dont want to do it, seeing how shoddy some of my soldering projects are). perhaps if the eeprom is removeable, i could pull the old one and put a blank one in there, though im not sure if thats a good idea.

i figured sence i got the wireless network card id get the battery too. the laptop is clearly useable, even if not for games.

[jr2]

PhoenixPhlash Utility 4.0 Release 1.73C
(c) Copyright 1994-2000, Phoenix Technologies Ltd., All Rights Reserved

USAGE:  PHLASH [options] [@rspfile] [romfile]
     romfile    Override the default BIOS ROM image name BIOS.ROM with "file".
     @rspfile   Response file containing more options
     /A         No auto-sensing, use PLATFORM.BIN parameters only.
     /B=name    Override the default filename PLATFORM.BIN with "name".
     /BU[=name] Backup flash memory into BIOS.BAK before programming.
                If "name" specified, override the default filename BIOS.BAK.
     /C         Clear CMOS checksum after programming.
     /CS        Verify BIOS ROM image checksum.
     /CZ        Clear all CMOS locations after programming.
     /DEV       List flash devices currently supported by PHLASH.
     /H or /?   Help screen.
     /I         Verify image size matches flash part size.
     /L         Use for legacy free system only.
     /MFG       Manufacturing mode - Automatically reboot without keypress.
     /N         Program only if BIOS.ROM is different than system BIOS.
     /NOB       Do not allow an older bios from being flashed to the platform.
     /NOBIOSINFO  Do not display bios date and part number while flashing.
     /O         Override (disable) all options from PLATFORM.BIN.
     /P         Production mode (minimize messages and delays).
     /PF="opts" Platform specific string "opts" passed to platform.
     /PN        Program only if same BIOS part number.
     /RO[=name] Read contents of flash part and save to a file.
     /Rn        Retry flashing a block n times if flash fails.
     /S         Silent operation (turn off speaker).
     /SE        Do a sector erase for the Atmel 49F002 flash part.
     /SO=[NORMAL|COMPAT]  Select Operation of multiple part support.
     /SWAP=NO   Disable Axx swapping.
     /V         Verify each block after programming it.
     /Z         Zero before erasing a block.
To FLASH a part you also need the following files:
     1) PLATFORM.BIN (manufacturer specific initialization file)
     2) BIOS.ROM (BIOS ROM image file)

phlash.exe is in the a:\BIOS\ directory.  The /CZ option might be what you're looking for, but I"m not sure if it would get the password, if it's in a separate chip.  If phlash.exe is aware of the other chip, then /CZ might work.  Some of the other options might help, too, but IDK.  If you want me to, I could post on DevHardware forums and ask them.

[Nuke]

i tried /cz, /z, and /se with no luck. this is why im pretty sure its sitting on another chip.

[jr2]

Erg.  I'll post on DevHardware forums and check my Upgrading & Repairing Laptops book...

EDIT: here.  (Possible solution).

[Nuke]

that article didnt seem to contain anything i didnt already try. maybe if i could id the mobo i could fine out some more info about it.

other than being an excellent porn computer, it can also run quake 3 at an amazing 8 fps with full on graphics. and 20 fps with 16 bit textures and bit depth

[jr2]

TMI

[Nuke]

yea, all that info about 16 bit textures is almost too gross to bear, next time il leave that part out for the sake of decency.

[jr2]

*grumbles*  Did you try the Phoenix backdoor passwords?  'cause you've got a Phoenix BIOS.  And did you try !BIOS?

For your convenience:  (I imagine you already tried these, but...)

Reported Phoenix BIOS backdoor passwords include BIOS, CMOS, phoenix, and PHOENIX.

[Nuke]

i tried every backdoor i could get ahold of, in various forms of case. and !BIOS gives me a 404.

[jr2]

And !BIOS?