bios ID change wanted
Hi, I'm new to this forum but it seems like there are very knowledgeable
people here. I have flashed several mobo bioses, all successfully. I've
had at times to use the bios jumper, and the bootblock (blind)
flashing procedure so I know how that works. I have never done
a hot-swap and would prefer not to, but I have several mobos to
play with, so if something goes horribly wrong, that is always an
option. Most of these are from free computers, so if things
don't work, and I end up with a dead mobo, its OK -- incidentally
that hasn't happened yet.
There is a piece of software, lets just call it "W...P" for which I have
a legal licensed copy of a branded OEM install CD. It installed just
fine on a particular OEM mobo (intel Atlanta) which I subsequently
upgraded to the latest intel bios release. But now the software
won't reinstall on the same mobo since the bios identifies it as
an intel (vs OEM) mobo. So, I'd like to change just the Bios ID string
back to its original, so that (as I understand it) the install program
will identify it as the OEM motherboard. However, I don't want to
change the bios performance by going back to the official OEM bios.
I know, most people would say, just go back to the original bios,
but thats not the fun thing to do, right?
Here are my questions.
1) Will this work? Those of you who know about this situation
may be able to guess software and OEM I'm talking about. I might be
able to call the software support people to get the appropriate
licenses updated, but I suspect that they won't help... Anyways
I thought this would be an interesting and useful mod. I can go
back to the original OEM bios if necessary.
2) I understand that some version of modbin might be able to do the
Bios id change. Is that all I need? (in addition to reflashing the bios).
and can I just change the couple of letters corresponding to the
manufacturer or do I need to put in a whole BIOS ID. I've
never actually changed any bios internally, so a step-by-step
or at least an outline would be helpful...
3) Could this work with a totally different mobo, lets say for example
a new P4 mobo (ECS PT800CE with VIA chipsets) so that the software
installer will think its the old OEM (4 letters, sounds like L) mobo
and if so, should I try to pick an OEM BIOS ID that
corresponds to a P4 (although I doubt I can find
one with the same chipsets) - or will that matter even. I'm asking
about just changing the BIOS ID so that the software thinks its
OK to install.
4) The particular OEM I'm referring to seems to use mostly intel
chipset mobos, and I've heard, they hide the bios ID,
making it hard for users to find out what they are. -
So how do I do that? Can I download some of the OEM
bios install programs and peek into them? With what tools?
Or does someone have a list of the bios IDs for this OEM?
BTW this second mobo might violate the terms of the license, since
the software was sold to be used only with the original computer,
so I'm only asking it of intellectual curiosity and of course do not
advocate violating any license agreements etc.
Thanks in advances for your responses or comments
bios bob
people here. I have flashed several mobo bioses, all successfully. I've
had at times to use the bios jumper, and the bootblock (blind)
flashing procedure so I know how that works. I have never done
a hot-swap and would prefer not to, but I have several mobos to
play with, so if something goes horribly wrong, that is always an
option. Most of these are from free computers, so if things
don't work, and I end up with a dead mobo, its OK -- incidentally
that hasn't happened yet.
There is a piece of software, lets just call it "W...P" for which I have
a legal licensed copy of a branded OEM install CD. It installed just
fine on a particular OEM mobo (intel Atlanta) which I subsequently
upgraded to the latest intel bios release. But now the software
won't reinstall on the same mobo since the bios identifies it as
an intel (vs OEM) mobo. So, I'd like to change just the Bios ID string
back to its original, so that (as I understand it) the install program
will identify it as the OEM motherboard. However, I don't want to
change the bios performance by going back to the official OEM bios.
I know, most people would say, just go back to the original bios,
but thats not the fun thing to do, right?
Here are my questions.
1) Will this work? Those of you who know about this situation
may be able to guess software and OEM I'm talking about. I might be
able to call the software support people to get the appropriate
licenses updated, but I suspect that they won't help... Anyways
I thought this would be an interesting and useful mod. I can go
back to the original OEM bios if necessary.
2) I understand that some version of modbin might be able to do the
Bios id change. Is that all I need? (in addition to reflashing the bios).
and can I just change the couple of letters corresponding to the
manufacturer or do I need to put in a whole BIOS ID. I've
never actually changed any bios internally, so a step-by-step
or at least an outline would be helpful...
3) Could this work with a totally different mobo, lets say for example
a new P4 mobo (ECS PT800CE with VIA chipsets) so that the software
installer will think its the old OEM (4 letters, sounds like L) mobo
and if so, should I try to pick an OEM BIOS ID that
corresponds to a P4 (although I doubt I can find
one with the same chipsets) - or will that matter even. I'm asking
about just changing the BIOS ID so that the software thinks its
OK to install.
4) The particular OEM I'm referring to seems to use mostly intel
chipset mobos, and I've heard, they hide the bios ID,
making it hard for users to find out what they are. -
So how do I do that? Can I download some of the OEM
bios install programs and peek into them? With what tools?
Or does someone have a list of the bios IDs for this OEM?
BTW this second mobo might violate the terms of the license, since
the software was sold to be used only with the original computer,
so I'm only asking it of intellectual curiosity and of course do not
advocate violating any license agreements etc.
Thanks in advances for your responses or comments
bios bob
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