I replace quite a few MBs. This is a first for me. I ordered a repalcement HP MB and after I got it installed I get a power-on error, it says s/n product number etc invalid. You can press enter from there and it goes in to the OS just fine. After exhaustive reading I learned that the MB did not have its numbers imputed so if I wanted to get past that error message, either I would have to forever hit 'enter' at every start up or do the numbers myself. When I contacted the vendor I got the MB from they just copied and pasted some instructions that were slightly over my head. SO, again after exhaustive reading on HP site and on other forums, I have concluded I need a DMI utility....it requires creating a bootable flash drive (or I suppose disc) and loading a HP file/utility, similar to a .ROM BIOS flash; it creates a 'basic' DOS menu like the BIOS and from there you input about six dif numbers and the factory OS. After that is done, you're good to go.
The problem is, of course, those utilities are not readily available. Neither is good advice for procuring them. I know one of the biggest problems with replacing Apple MBs is that you have to burn a serial in or they sometimes wont work, or at least work properly. Though I do realize of course all other manufacturers have a similar procedure, I have never had this issue. I would guess this vendor replaced the BIOS chip and forgot to do this part, or they used a 'wrong' BIOS chip. and yes of course i did e mail them and instead of sending it back to them, they just copied and pasted instructions. They neglected to paste links or attach a useful .exe to help me with this. So I need two things: How do I make a bootable flash drive and where can I locate the utility I need. I am going to copy the email and instructions below. After researching I see they got this from an HP forum, and these instructions have been pasted all over forums around the net. Useless info if you dont have the utility. also, I have searched and all I get for results to download are either links to torrents that dont have what they advertise, or links to pages that claim to have it but they all require sign-up or fees. in other words, all crap. help appreciated. instructions follow:
With your Bios Update
All you need is basic DOS Skills and a bootable
USB (all found on Google) and the DMIFIT tool and HPBQ138.EXE (also Google)
from there you just have to boot to usb type HPBQ138 and fill in the
correct info. Under basic here is a Hint, Remove your Battery and there is
your PCID Number: P
Basic Menu
(0) Serial Number = obviously your S/N
on the back of your laptop
(1) Notebook Model= Mine was Compaq Presario
Cq61 Notebook PC.......Don't think this really matters
(2) Guid Number=
this one was a B#$%H i had no clue so RANDOM FTW!!
(3) UUID Number= Select
1 to generate UUID
(4) SKU Number= It's the Product Number on the bottom
Mine was WA985UA#ABA
(5) CTO Localization Code = ABA
(6) MAC Address =
Again Random....you can judge or use and get past hitting Enter every
time!
(7) PCID = Ok under the battery cover there is a Sticker....it might
also be on the Motherboard.
(8) System Board CT # = i left this
blank....it's a sticker on the motherboard if you want to fill it in.<not
needed
(A) Advanced Menu
(2) OS SKU = if no windows (0), if it had vista
(1), if it had windows 7 (2)
(A) Platform Revision = You can put in 110
but it could be different and then just Esc all the way out until you?re at
C:\ then just CTRL+ALT+DELET and enjoy...hopefully. You might noticed i
didn't enter all the ADVANCED MENU options....if you choose to play in them
Go for it at your Own RISK.
