[Removed] Hp Mini 110-3000ca - Unlock Request

[marvin-miller]

Hi Folks;

I'd be happy to send an x-mas gift to camiloml if you would be able to help me get my new wireless card working in my netbook :-)

Here's the important info;

HP Mini 110-3000ca PC (WQ814UA)

BIOS Type: Insyde
BIOS Version: F.15 Revision F (latest)
BIOS Date: 2011-01-24
BIOS Filename: sp51731.exe
BIOS Location: http://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp51501-52000/sp51731.exe


Original WiFi card;
Atheros AR9285 (AR5B95) HP Spare # 607742-001

PCI\VEN_168C&DEV_002B&SUBSYS_30A11895&REV_01
PCI\VEN_168C&DEV_002B&SUBSYS_30A11895
PCI\VEN_168C&DEV_002B&CC_028000
PCI\VEN_168C&DEV_002B&CC_0280

New Replacement WiFi card;
Atheros AR9380 (AR5BHB112) HP Spare # 630435-001

PCI\VEN_168C&DEV_0030&SUBSYS_1627103C&REV_01
PCI\VEN_168C&DEV_0030&SUBSYS_1627103C
PCI\VEN_168C&DEV_0030&CC_028000
PCI\VEN_168C&DEV_0030&CC_0280

**If you need more info please let me know :-)

[camiloml]

I will have a look at it

[marvin-miller]

Thank you

[camiloml]

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/45117524/bios-mo...miloml.exe

[marvin-miller]

Hmmm.... I seem to be having problems flashing it :-(

I get an Insyde error when trying to flash it (by clicking on InsydeFlash.exe);

"InsydeFlash cannot load the driver. Please close all applications. If you run this utility in Windows 7, please run as Administrator."

I'm using Windows 7 (x64) - Is there a link or guide to flashing the firmware that applies to this?
I wonder if it might be caused by running the 64bit version of Windows because I never seemed to have issues the odd time I flashed it under 32bit?

Is there a MS-DOS command I should use to flash it? I'm thinking if I make a MS-DOS startup disk/USB then I can do it that way but what command should I use to flash it?

ie. Which executable do I run?

[marvin-miller]

Update: I'm certain the issue is that the program can't be run on an x64 machine. I'm trying to come up with a work-around so I installed an XP virtual machine and tried to run it from there. In that scenario I get this...

Error: IHISI: Get support mode fail in SMI!
and then...
Error: BIOS did not support InsydeFlash!

...probably all due to trying to run it in a virtual machine.

I did find a x64 bit version of Insydeflash and tried that but the program itself seems to be keyed to the BIOS version so that didn't work. It did, however, run and read the current BIOS etc and the leads me to believe that the issue is because this is an x64 machine.

[camiloml]

Then go to the support page and give me link of the 64 bit bios updater.

[marvin-miller]

This is a link to a newer machine (laptop - not netbook) that runs an AMD processor (not Intel) so it's a very different machine...but....it is an Insyde BIOS and it does contain the 64bit installer, or, it's 64bit ready.

http://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp54001-54500/sp54026.exe

Just a suggestion, but if you can use the 'guts' from that release then I would guess that your mods would install on both x32 and x64 machines.

In the meantime, I'm installing XP on a spare 2.5" drive I had lying around. Fortunately, I also had previously created an XP CD that included all the netbook drivers so I might be OK - I'll know in a few minutes and post back accordingly :-)

[camiloml]

The bios updater for another machine will not work unless insydeflash exe and iscflash dll are same version.

In the support page of the hp mini select as os win 7 64 bit and there bios updater, the softpaq you will download would run on your os.

Have you tried flashing original sp51731? Did it work on x64 system?

[marvin-miller]

There is no x64 software from HP for my Mini - it's too old (so to speak) so the on.ly options are Windows XP and Windows 7 (x32). That's why I grabbed a newer version (x64) from a laptop (probably not a good idea).

Have you tried flashing original sp51731? Did it work on x64 system?

Yes, but it would not work either so the program must be x64 specific.

But....I have some great news! After fighting with this thing for a while I managed to get your new BIOS installed from a XP installation. It worked perfectly and I have gone into the BIOS, changed some settings, tested it out and all is well. In fact, there's no way I can see any difference between it and the original HP BIOS so...thank you very much!!

Couple of questions.....

1) Did this modification remove all WLAN checking? ie. Am I free to install any WiFi card or was it just changed to support my specific card?

2) Are there any BIOS options that can be 'unhidden' on this model? I don't have any specfic need but I thought it might be nicer if it was 100% 'open'

Thanks very much - I'm going off to PayPal right now :-)

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PS> Please send me a personal message with your email address - I can't read Spanish!