LinuxQuestions.org - AMD BIOS issue

- Linux - Hardware (https://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/linux-hardware-18/)

- - AMD BIOS issue (https://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/linux-hardware-18/amd-bios-issue-577392/)

I have a late model AMD 3000+ with a VIA_K8 motherboard system. Trouble is, I purchased it from a company that password protected the BIOS for fear that I might overclock and hence void the warranty that was valid for a year. Time has passed and I am now on the other side of the continent with no phone support to get that password.

Here's the question, I think I know a way to reset the BIOS by way of a DOS debug operation. But that technique completely resets the BIOS back to factory defaults. Does anybody know if it is a safe thing to do? As I don't want to be trying to figure out the proper settings for the various pieces of hardware.

In other words, has anybody had a bad experience with resetting the BIOS like this or are these later model BIOS chips safe to use at factory defaults.

I need to see if my CoolNQuiet is properly activated, any and all help will be greatly appreciated!

Thanks

- Perry

Go to http://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/CmosPwd.

It is ok to default to the factory settings. Processors can be underclocked with out shorting the lifespan. Actually underclocking extends the lifespan of the computer significantly.

You didn't have to do it, but you did!

Oddly enough I own a AMIBIOS 3.3.1 yet the password showed up under AMI WinBIOS 2.5 ?

Code:

root@slackware:/home/perry/Desktop/cmospwd-4.8/src# ./cmospwd



CmosPwd - BIOS Cracker 4.8, January 2006, Copyright 1996-2006

GRENIER Christophe, grenier@cgsecurity.org

http://www.cgsecurity.org/



Keyboard : US

Acer/IBM                    [][*@  i]

AMI BIOS                    [U  !  ]

AMI WinBIOS (12/15/93)      [ URF05]

AMI WinBIOS 2.5              [SURF05][][/  ]

AMI ?                        [][f  7 ][][ ?  7 ][]

Award 4.5x/6.0              [1122][2000330][000100]

Award 4.5x/6.0              [003130][2130030][2220030][32011200]

Award Medallion 6.0          [13200000][11320230][000100][20021020]

The SURF05 just looked too obvious!

Gave it a shot, it worked out!

Thanks, I didn't have to reset the BIOS but now for the next problem. I activated the Cool & Quiet feature but the sensor's aren't picking up on the additional information...

Always something...

- Perry