Reprogramming Bios?

[hulio102]

Hi, new to this forum.

I have an HP HDX18-1010ea Laptop. When it boots up it gives a message "Serial number not found". The compute loads up as normal and I am able to do everything apart from connect to the internet. I have done a factory reset and upgraded the bios but to no avail. Still no serial number in the bios. This computer is unaltered from new and had been working fine. It is only 2 years old and I am gutted. Any help would be much appreciated.

[Gator6x4 · Accepted solution]

While you weren't looking Gremlins changed your motherboard. The information HP "Tattoos" in the BIOS of a HP computer to prevent software pirating is now missing from the BIOS on your computer. A very good description on DMI can be found here:http://www.pctechbytes.com/hp/hp-hard-drive-dmi-motherboard-tattoo/  One of the best articles I have seen on how to do DMI Tattooing was posted by Stephenwolfe313. The article he posted on the internet on this topic is:

For Tattooing a HP or Compaq machine You have to obtain an ISO called DMI Utility and burn it to a cd and boot to it. This can be got either from an HP technicians download site or an authorized technicians contracting companies site such as barrister Global Barrister Global Services Technicians | Barrister Global Services | Barrister Global Services Networ.... If you sign up as a tech you will be able to get the necessary software via there transfer site. Here is the Tattooing how to guide:

What is needed? To tattoo, you must go on the transfer site, look under “Drivers” and then under “Images” and obtain the “CPC_DMI”, “HDD_DMI”, and the “BIOSUPDATE” .iso files. Burn these to three separate discs. Make sure to burn them as .iso files. Then, BEFORE going to site, check and make sure they are all bootable. Failure to have working discs on site will result in a no pay for your trip! Almost all information needed for tattooing is on the bottom of the unit and on the sticker with model/serial/product numbers.
How to Tattoo: First, go to the bios and look for the revision number. It should be v5, v6, or v7.
o Version 5 bios
v5 bios require the CPC_DMI. Running the CPC_DMI is quite simple.
1. Insert the CPC_DMI disc and boot to it.
2. At the Z: prompt, simply type in “CPC_DMI” this will initiate the CPC_DMI utility.
3. The utility will simply prompt you for each string of information needed for the unit, just as it’s listed on the bottom of the case, beginning with Build ID. Once all the strings are entered, it will prompt you to write the data or to quit, and by simply writing the data and waiting for the utility to complete and return to the Z prompt, you have successfully tattooed the unit’s motherboard.
o Version 6 bios
v6 bios does not require the CPC_DMI disc, and can instead be run simply by using the tattoo utility in the bios. The BIOSUPDATE disc is a must on v6 bios as it is the only thing that can clear some of the strings of data listed in a v6 bios’ DMI.
1. To tattoo v6 bios, one simply enters the “Advanced Bios” by hitting Ctrl+F10 at the splash screen instead of simply F10 (which pulls up the standard bios).
2. From here simply choose the “System ID” option. It’s under date and time.
3. Much like a v5 bios, enter the data in the appropriate fields. One important note is that the “System SKU” is the unit’s “Product number” and the “Product name” is the “Model number” in v6 bios and beyond.
4. If for whatever reason you find yourself unable to change the featurebyte in the unit or it’s incorrect, to reset it one must simply run the bios update utility and choose to “Update and clear DMI”. This will clear all fields and allow you to type in the featurebyte correctly.
o Version 7 bios
v7 bios require the BIOSUPDATE disc for the same reason as v6.
1 Start by hitting the escape key while a unit is booting up to access the boot menu.
2 Once in the boot menu, access the bios by hitting “F10”.
3 Once in the bios, hit “Ctrl+A” and then choosing the security tab.

[hulio102]

Thank you.

It turned out to be a real pain. Not only had it lost the serial number, but also the GUID too. Laptop is now connected to internet via wireless, but unable to use the port. Saved from the scrap heap for a little while at least. Many thanks again.

[Siruos]

Hi, same issue as the first comment !

Just sign in for Barrister, now looking for the address for the transfert site which is not include in the second post so as i can download the appropriate tool.

Thanks !