[test, sp55088] Compaq Presario CQ43-200TU BIOS mod request

[LinuxHata]

Hello. I have the Compaq Presario CQ43-200TU notebook, which has the following wireless module built in:

PCI\VEN_168C&DEV_002B&SUBSYS_1461103C&REV_01

It works very badly, so I'd like to replace it with another one. I've bought Intel centrino wireless module:

Intel Centrino Wireless-N 1030
Model: 11230BNHMW

Have no idea about vendor id and device id, since after I plug it into my notebook, it will not boot, saying that inserted wireless card is not supported, restart and remove.

My notebook has Insyde bios and here's Latest firmware for it:

ftp://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp55001-55500/sp55088.exe

Thanks in advance!

[camiloml]

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

I wait your news.

[LinuxHata]

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

I wait your news.

It wont boot any more, only caps lock is flashing !

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How can I flash it back to normal state? there are 3 .fd files inside the flash, which one I should put to flash drive?

[camiloml]

hmmmm, let me make some indagations, i will tell you the names.

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Format must be FAT32, and pendrive better if 2Gb max capacity (if it is greater can work too, just try).

Create this folder structure in pendrive, let's assume pendrive is letter P:

P:\HEWLETT-PACKARD\BIOS\Current

Copy the 3 .FD files from the original bios not the modded one to the Current folder and rename all three from *.FD to *.BIN

Remove battery, remove AC cord, plug pendrive, Win+B, AC cord, power on while keep pressing Win+B keys. If not working try in other USB port, if not working, try with all four arrows in place of Win+B keypress.

[LinuxHata]

I've already tried that.

Does not works.

Also, it does not requires WIN+B, it always tries to access the flash drive after boot up, and it takes longer as there are many files on it.

[LinuxHata]

What should I do now, send my laptop to trash?

[camiloml]

Have you tried to press the four arrows at the same time when power laptop on and usb stick inserted to force recovery?

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Try this

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/45117524/bios-mo...p55088.rar

unpack in a fresh formatted FAT32 pendrive.

[LinuxHata]

Yes I tried that, FN+ESC, FN+F and all other combinations found on net. Tried different flash drives, fat16 and fa32, even tried SD card - always the same.

I've placed your files on flash drive now, but same result. However, there's notable difference - in case when there are .bin files, it takes much more time to access flash drive, pen drive led is on for longer time, and blinks rapidly. So I think, the .BIN files are one that should be flashed, but somehow, bios does not "recognizes" them as own flash files. With your files, it only took couple of flashes of pen drive led.

I called HP support today, and they've said that such behavour (I told them that problem happened after flashing legit bios) indicates serious problem and laptop should be sent for repair to area, where it was purchased (local warranty only). But problem is, that I bought it in New Delhi, India, where I was on business trip, and not going there in the nearest future. I also talked to local guy, who works at local HP service center, and he said, since this is not model for local market, there are very few chances that HP will give them firmware for this particular model. He said, that if I somehow will get flash dump of this particular bios, he may try to re-flash the bios chip using dedicated hardware.

[LinuxHata]

I have an idea, what if I ask someone who has such laptop, to dump their bios, and then flash it to directly to my laptops eprom chip?

[LinuxHata]

Hey, I've got a partial success !

I've renamed these bin.dec files into .bin, and put them to flash drive along with .sig files

now, after startup, it reads the flash drive, and screen comes on for a moment! I can see cursor flashing, but then it restarts again, and goes into same loop again

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Continued testing

1. It does not cares about .sig files
2. Works only with .dec files renamed to .bin, does nothing with original BINs

I think, maybe all these .bin files should be merged into single file?