Manual Editing of Dell BIOS (not SLIC)

[Over Carl]

Long story, but I want to modify what is returned when determining the laptop model name.

I've tried pissing around in the registry, but WMI still reports the correct name - I reckon it must be pulling it from the BIOS.

So now I want to try editing the string in the BIOS - I've got Phoenix Mod Tool 1.42 that can open dell files, but it only allows slic mods.

Got Phoenix BIOS Editor Pro 2.2.1.3 - this won't load BIOS in Dell format.

Any tricks to extracting the bios from the exe, or any other editors about?

[evilsatan]

Have you tried extracting the exe using winrar? Often the exe is just a container. Alternatively when you run the exe it should extract the contents to a temp folder. You might be able to get a tool that allows you to alter the details in the bios, I know we used to have a DMI tool for Toshibas where you enter the machine serial, model etc when replacing the mobo.

[Over Carl]

Cheers mate, unfortunately no joy.

Normal tricks I've found in the past is to either decompress as you mentioned, or find a crappy pc, half run the install, then find out where it put the files (will either ask you to create a directory or normally in the temp directory for the user profile logged on). Reason to use a crap pc for 2nd method is I've sometimes had to install drivers just to get the stuff from the temp folder.

[evilsatan]

TotallyRandom works for Dell so could try sending him a quick PM, he may have access to a DMI tool. If not might be worth searching google for a tool. Is this to install some software that checks the string?

[Over Carl]

Spot on mate - it's for some s/w that checks the type of machine it's installed to. Been spending a few hours pissing around with registry hacks, trying to change stuff via powershell/wmi and drawn blanks so I think bios hacking is the only option left - still dunno if it will actually work as I don't know what string I need to replace it with!!!

Think I may pop TR a pm if I can't figure anything out in the next few days.

[evilsatan]

I will have a look around and see if I can find a tool for you. Surprised it isn't documented somewhere on mydigitallife but didn't find a sticky for it.

[Over Carl]

Looks like it's a piece of cake. Download bios for something else with phoenix bios like an older hp. Point winphlash to the hp bios, but don't actually upload it, in advanced, just tell winphlash to backup existing bios only instead.

Edit: Found easier way to get it - when you have the dell .exe containing the bios, run it with the following switches to create files
-writehdrfile
-writeromfile

nly snag is these files don't seem to match with the one I got from winphlash.

I think had better rehearse my recovery routine on a shitty old machine before I try this for real.

[chestertech]

Hi Over carl
did you find any solution for changing model on Dell?
coz Dell doesn't support DMI entries edit.
thanks.

[Mickey]

Hi Over carl
did you find any solution for changing model on Dell?
coz Dell doesn't support DMI entries edit.
thanks.

why you linking Over carls sig. there is no need to . Just quote his post by pressing the "REPLY WITH QUOTE"

[chestertech]

my mistake, while copying his nickname and pasting to editor it came out to be link instead of just text.

[Over Carl]

I gave up on it tbh.

As you mentioned, the normal tools don't work to change the DMI data, and normal BIOS editing tools won't work either.

In the end I figured out the recovery routine and I tried hexediting the recovery files and forcing them on, but even in recovery mode it must have failed as I didn't know how to sort the checksums.

Also we prefer to see members who try to help others before asking for help themselves.