HDR name and bios recovery for Dell M4600

Discussion in 'BIOS Mods' started by turturikaboy, Dec 2, 2013.

  1. andyp

    andyp SLIC Tools Author

    Aug 8, 2008
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    #61 andyp, Dec 12, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 20, 2017
  2. tqhoang

    tqhoang MDL BIOS Modder

    Apr 29, 2008
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    The original poster has a problem where the BIOS is locked with -1D3B password scheme and the laptop is used. He wants to try reverting to an earlier EFI using the HDR recovery method in hopes it's one of the supported master passwords (ex: -595B, etc.).

    We are stumped as to what the HDR filename should be and if the END key still works to trigger recovery.
     
  3. LatinMcG

    LatinMcG Bios Borker

    Feb 27, 2011
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    it might not even be .HDR

    i saw in bios-mods an efi dell recovered but forgot details.

    BIOS.cap i believe.. but this is not same type.
     
  4. andyp

    andyp SLIC Tools Author

    Aug 8, 2008
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    PFS.HDR features in several modules as does PFS.FTR

    Sorry for being thick..... -1D3B password??

    A

     
  5. turturikaboy

    turturikaboy MDL Junior Member

    Nov 11, 2013
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    I'm wondering what is the next thing I should try???
    BTW, I'd like to thank all participants who got involved in this thread...
     
  6. turturikaboy

    turturikaboy MDL Junior Member

    Nov 11, 2013
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    Is there anyone who has password generator for -1D3B?
     
  7. turturikaboy

    turturikaboy MDL Junior Member

    Nov 11, 2013
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    Guys, Can I anyway install win 7 on this Dell's ssd (on other machine) and then to boot it on my locked Dell?
    I've seen that controller is set to RAID, and not to IDE or AHCI, and I can't change it because BIOS is locked...
    I've tried and I can't boot windows 7, it appeared blue screen of death and restarted continuously...
    Is it possible in this way to somehow have a working laptop???
     
  8. tonto11

    tonto11 MDL Addicted

    Jun 18, 2012
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    #69 tonto11, Dec 26, 2013
    Last edited: Dec 26, 2013
    That's the way I usually set up machines, using Ghost to clone the drives which I've put in a usb carrier box, Used it on D610s, D620s, D630s, a Compaq desktop, and a Toshiba notebook
    Don't know what the Raid setup will complicate, but if it's a reasonably similar computer, I'd put the ssd in a usb carrier box, and ghost the other system to it

    then boot it to safe mode and sort out the drivers, display will be the most important, you've got to be able to see what you're doing. If you try to boot it to anything but safe mode it will probably give up and give you BSOD. You've got to get the basic drivers sorted before it will boot cleanly.


    ...T
     
  9. Mazzif

    Mazzif Elitebook Pwner

    Oct 18, 2013
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    #70 Mazzif, Jan 14, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 20, 2017
    I'll chime in on this one too. Similar issue with a Dell Precision M4500. Current BIOS A10. Setup is password protected (-1F5A) and locked boot order. Trying to perform a recovery. Extracted hrd file from A09 (for reference) and A11. Inside both I find the name
    Code:
    asics0.rom
    as well as
    Code:
    FID.C.asics0
    As multiple reports indicate, using END for recovery does not prove useful less the diagnostics it performs.

    Using PhoenixTools 2.14 seems to have issues extracting HDR file from M4500A11.EXE on my Win7-64, so I used python script
    Code:
    C:\Python27>python dell.py M4500A11.exe
    Decompressed data written to M4500A11.exe_decompressed.hdr
    
    This produced an 8,976KB HDR file.

    I have a 64MB USB I will attempt to format (FAT16 fist, then FAT32. I will use the file name asicsA11.HDR

    Nothing more useful than whats already been said, but I'm looking.
     
  10. tonto11

    tonto11 MDL Addicted

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    #71 tonto11, Jan 16, 2014
    Last edited: Jan 16, 2014
    D610 Problem Solved:mauridia:

    I've been wrestling for months with this D610 recovery of bios A06
    tried multiple flash drives of various sizes FAT and FAT32 formatted
    spelled the header name in every conceivable way
    Tried a floppy in the modular socket, didn't work either.
    tqhoang recently suggested that I try a usb floppy, I did not have one.


    So I went looking on ebay today and discovered that a modular Dell D class floppy has a mini usb port
    on the side at the rear, all that was needed was a miniusb to usb cable
    dellfloppy.jpg
    Short version , I copied the header file to the floppy
    removed the battery and hard drive
    attached the usb floppy to the top socket at the rear of the computer
    held the END button, plugged in the power
    and it worked, I could hear the floppy engage
    it just sat there for a minute or so then shut off
    and when I rebooted bios A06 was restored

    so

    A USB FLOPPY IS NECESSARY TO RESTORE THE HEADER ON A DELL D610

    ...T
     
  11. turturikaboy

    turturikaboy MDL Junior Member

    Nov 11, 2013
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    WELL DONE, tonto11!!!
    I was out of state, so I didn't read your recent posts, but I'm glad you've solved your problem.
    I'm still stucked with my M4600 locked bios... Have yyou or anybody some more ideas how to unlock it???
     
  12. turturikaboy

    turturikaboy MDL Junior Member

    Nov 11, 2013
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    #74 turturikaboy, Mar 25, 2014
    Last edited: Mar 25, 2014
    (OP)
    Guys, I've installed (copied) Dell's tool from the link I gave you in previous post and I don't know am I allowed to change the service tag and, consequently, to change bios master password??? Did anyone try this tool???
    It works, but I can't choose any options (like set or delete asset tag). It just put me back to root folder where is program saved. I'm doing it in DOS. 2014-03-25_23-00-18_63.jpg
     
  13. tonto11

    tonto11 MDL Addicted

    Jun 18, 2012
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    It looks to me like it sets/resets only the asset tag or the owner tag, not the service tag.

    ...T
     
  14. turturikaboy

    turturikaboy MDL Junior Member

    Nov 11, 2013
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    #76 turturikaboy, Mar 26, 2014
    Last edited: Mar 26, 2014
    (OP)
    Exactly:(

    What should I do more? I've tried everything and still no progress...:(

    My laptop is useless, I can't even install windows because BIOS is locked on RAID, therefore it won't boot up OS...
     
  15. turturikaboy

    turturikaboy MDL Junior Member

    Nov 11, 2013
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    Guys, I've decided to pay for Dell password. What do you think about offers on Internet which give you a password for 50 bucks?
    IS IT A FRAUD???
     
  16. Dendzo

    Dendzo MDL Novice

    Dec 27, 2019
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    Hi,

    Does anyone know how to get a 16MB flash file for Dell OptiPlex?
    I have 4 machines with identical Service Tag and MAC address and they are not working in the same network due to same MAC address.
    I have managed to read the file, change the MAC address, load it and computer boots, but there is a delay of about 1 minute when computer boots. I tried upgrading from Windows after this but it's acting the same.
    Next I want to do is download a file from Dell website and put it in the chip and then use Dell CD tool to write Service Tag and some other tool to add MAC address.
    Anyone can help me find "virgin" Dell OptiPlex 7050 BIOS?
    I see this HDR but it is 17 MB. Also, 2 files inside HDR are less then 8MB and 3 are in bytes size.

    Thank you,
     
  17. LatinMcG

    LatinMcG Bios Borker

    Feb 27, 2011
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    likely need intel ME cleaned to boot faster post logo.
    post original fast booting and the mac address and ill try to change and clean ME