How can i edit EFI in VMWare to change "SystemProductName" and "SystemSKU"

Discussion in 'Virtualization' started by Kroeger02, Feb 9, 2023.

  1. Kroeger02

    Kroeger02 MDL Novice

    Feb 9, 2023
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    Hello,

    is there anyway to change the EFI of a VM Ware Virtual Machine into a specific value?

    I need to change the Values of

    "SystemProductName"
    "SystemSKU"

    because i want to virtualize a piece of Hardware, where i need to change this hardcoded values to activate the license.

    I have the permission of the development and the rights owner of this Piece of Hardware to do so.

    Thanks for your advice
     
  2. Sajjo

    Sajjo MDL Member

    Feb 6, 2018
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    @Kroeger02

    Could you expand a little bit what you have in mind?
    Oem licensing in general can be done.
    Hardware specific on a deeper level can be more challenging.
     
  3. Kroeger02

    Kroeger02 MDL Novice

    Feb 9, 2023
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    Thanks for your reply. Im trying to virtualize a physical maschine as realistic as possible for trainings purposes of our field technicans.

    I rebuild the machine in vmware. On the physical machine is a software installed, which gets its license from hardcoded DMI values for

    "SystemProductName"
    "SystemSKU"


    in the BIOS (EFI).

    This values i want to insert in my vmware BIOS of the virtual machine. The EFI64.ROM of vmware is editable with an hex editor and i found the sector where the SystemProduct Name is coded and could sucessfully change it, so my virtual machines windows has the value. But i despair on the System SKU...i dont have an idea where to enter or find it in the ROM.
     
  4. ZaForD

    ZaForD MDL Expert

    Jan 26, 2008
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    @Kroeger02,
    A few years back some of the guys here were installing MacOS on VMW Workstation.
    To do so, they either added extra 'Tags' to the VM's .XML file or used an addon (unlocker) which added them. Maybe some of those 'Tags' are what your looking for.

    Also there used to be a list of 'Un-Documented' Tags for VMW ESX/Workstation.
    One of the older guys on the VMWare forum used to post it from time to time, but he was warned off by the Moderators. I don't know were you'd find that now, or if they'd still work :confused:
     
  5. acer-5100

    acer-5100 MDL Guru

    Dec 8, 2018
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    #5 acer-5100, Feb 17, 2023
    Last edited: Mar 28, 2023
    The VMware unlocker patches just a couple of dlls and exes to uncover the MACOS options in vmware itself but doesn't touch the EFI files.

    This way you can run any MACOS release that is officially allowed by Apple to be virtualized (albeit in VMware fusion running inside MACOS) From Lion onwards, if memory serves.

    Older unlockers also had an option to patch the EFI files to allow also the older MACOS like Leopard/Tiger and alike, but seem that Apple is very picky with that kind of patcher.
    You know.... they will loose billions if some 14 years old kids play with Leopard in 2023 :D.

    P.S. Seem that the apple SMC tables are inside vmware-vmx.exe are not not in the efi firmware files, so that may help the question posted by @Kroeger02
     
  6. sonic9

    sonic9 MDL Member

    Aug 4, 2009
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    Code:
    SMBIOS.reflectHost = "TRUE"
    in .vmx is perhaps enough
    no need to edit bios
     
  7. acer-5100

    acer-5100 MDL Guru

    Dec 8, 2018
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    As I already told, you need t patch the bios for older MacOS releases, like tiger/leopard/lion
     
  8. sonic9

    sonic9 MDL Member

    Aug 4, 2009
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    I don't see the OP talk about Mac
     
  9. acer-5100

    acer-5100 MDL Guru

    Dec 8, 2018
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    #9 acer-5100, Mar 28, 2023
    Last edited: Mar 28, 2023