HP EliteDesk 805 G8 "PSWD" Jumper

[blankdisplay]

Hello,

Apologies, I broke a rule and hijacked a thread, so I deleted that post.
I am curious if anyone here owns the G8 or has good quality board shots?

I've done some googling and curious if the 805 G8 series has some kind of jumper?!

The 800, G3 series, much older, the maintenance and service guide, clearly talks about a PSWD jumper

https://cdn.badcaps-static.com/pdfs/...cc246ac326.pdf
I also believe it's just visible in this shot:
https://www.servethehome.com/wp-cont...Internal-2.jpg


However the 805 G8 series manual / PDF
Makes no reference to a clear bios jumper:
https://cdn.badcaps-static.com/pdfs/...b4bf0cff7c.pdf

Furthermore, alarmingly, these bios / patch notes for August, 2023.
(admittedly only covering up to the 805 G6, not G8)
https://support.hp.com/us-en/documen...478-8945498-16


"Implements new feature to clear password by RTC battery removal and added "Clear BIOS Passwords on RTC Battery Removal" under Security tab in F10."


Note this is the best shot I can see of the 805 G8 board.
https://store.emprgroup.com.au/p-588...m-czn-win.aspx




Leading me to possibly believe, HP removed the BIOS clear jumper on the G8 series and causing it to be unable to be removed, hence the patch / fix from them in the BIOS.

Anyone know?

A high res shot of the 805 G8 board, would also answer my question.

Finally, a stupid question - I see people uploading zips of dumps and having people fix those or reply with some kind of "blank dump" for them, without the password. However, how on earth are people flashing back to the system, with a password in the first place? I take it, quite complicated machinery and not just software?

Thank you all



EDIT:

Upon further googling, it looks like this might be near impossible to clear, if they don't want it cleared.

https://old.reddit.com/r/homelabsale...i_pcs/jsj402w/

[hoaca388]

Re: HP EliteDesk 805 G8 "PSWD" Jumper

You want to delete password ? Please post the bios file here.

[volinakis]

Re: HP EliteDesk 805 G8 "PSWD" Jumper

why don't YOU post hi res images with your motherboard?

[blankdisplay]

Re: HP EliteDesk 805 G8 "PSWD" Jumper

why don't YOU post hi res images with your motherboard?

Apologies, not trying to mislead you guys.
Found one on ebay, very cheap, so it had me highly considering it.


Based on my reading, it sounds quite difficult to do this model.
I suspect, if someone does buy the one on ebay, they'll end up posting here in time!

[blankdisplay]

Re: HP EliteDesk 805 G8 "PSWD" Jumper

You want to delete password ? Please post the bios file here.

Based on this link, it sounds more difficult than previous models.
https://old.reddit.com/r/homelabsale...i_pcs/jsj402w/

Regardless, I don't own it, was considering an ebay purchase.

[volinakis]

Re: HP EliteDesk 805 G8 "PSWD" Jumper

Based on this link, it sounds more difficult than previous models.
https://old.reddit.com/r/homelabsale...i_pcs/jsj402w/

Regardless, I don't own it, was considering an ebay purchase.

it can be unlocked by modifying bios content. Buy it, dump bios, post it here and you'll get help.

[Abbey-Lubber]

Re: HP EliteDesk 805 G8 "PSWD" Jumper

Here is some relevant info and board pictures...

https://quagmirerepair.com/hp-elitedesk-805-g8-ryzen

[Abbey-Lubber]

Attached are the ROM files from a HP Elitedesk 805 G8, model #63C34UC, BIOS ver T26 02.09.00

XU2 BIOS is the 32MB Main BIOS Chip
PRVROM is the 32MB XU6 Previous ROM BIOS Chip
Both chips are MX25L25673G; de-soldered from MB and read via adapter in T56.

If possible, I'd appreciate help in removing the admin password from these BIOS files. Everything else should already be at factory default. (newbie in BIOS unlocking) tried RCUnlocker, but no 32MB support? (or you-know, user error)

Edit: Serial MXL2165YQW

[hoaca388]

Serial number ?

[hoaca388]

Attached are the ROM files from a HP Elitedesk 805 G8, model #63C34UC, BIOS ver T26 02.09.00

XU2 BIOS is the 32MB Main BIOS Chip
PRVROM is the 32MB XU6 Previous ROM BIOS Chip
Both chips are MX25L25673G; de-soldered from MB and read via adapter in T56.

If possible, I'd appreciate help in removing the admin password from these BIOS files. Everything else should already be at factory default. (newbie in BIOS unlocking) tried RCUnlocker, but no 32MB support? (or you-know, user error)

Edit: Serial MXL2165YQW

Serial MXL2165YQW

[Abbey-Lubber]

Sorry for the delay on getting back to this thread... I was waiting on some BIOS chip sockets just in case something went a little wrong... Glad I did.

This is the hex diff between original BIOS and BIOS returned by hoaca388 Flashed this file to the XU21 BIOS. No changes were given for the other EPROM (PRVROM)


Installed and booted (with no battery; also learned that fault codes on HP computers are very loud when you forget to install RAM). F10 immediately and it still asks for password. Rebooted twice with CMOS Clear switch held down and got appropriate time/date error screens. F10 still asks for password. Pulled XU21 EPROM and read back again (attached). Many new differences between previously written BIOS and current BIOS (maybe error/log info?). Significantly, the changes above have been reverted back and the BIOS now shows this again:


I'm assuming something was missed and the BIOS was somehow rebuilt? PRVROM needs edit? Not sure where to go from here...

[Abbey-Lubber]

I've been playing with this system and the ROM files a bit... Came to the realization that I am fighting a different problem than I first thought. I was seeing a SSD fan error on startup (and only that error). Upon installing the fan (and re-flashing), the error disappears and a new one appears in its place - 'BIOS identity Data Recovered - The BIOS has recovered its identity data from the Embedded Controller due to data mismatch'. I went back and removed the fan again to confirm - apparently the fan error over-rides the data recovered error and only one is displayed.

Watching startup a bit closer too: No battery; power disconnected; case open switch taped closed; insert ROM (from hoaca388); plug in power cord. Press and hold power button until fans spin. Power self-cycles 3 times before anything displays on screen, regardless of keyboard input (f10,esc, f2, etc). 1 beep and 'Data Recovered' error appears. Power down; check ROM - its back to 'original' AdminPW data... Should I be trying a different steps?

I didn't mention this - This unit also has HP's Wolf Security - I've never had to deal with it before and don't know exactly what it adds over their previous BIOS security features.

I've tried staying in F2 diagnostics menu and while power is still on - removing, re-flashing and re-installing ROM, then exit F2 and going to BIOS settings without power cycle... Still prompts for password. I'm assuming BIOS is pre-loaded in RAM at this point and my little swap did nothing... (old trick that apparently doesn't work anymore)

I'm stuck - I'm assuming the actual BIOS password is stored somewhere other than the BIOS, but I can't seem to find any info on it... I'm assuming its buried in some 'secure' memory in the chipset or processor and not another memory chip on the MB?

ideas/suggestions?

[hoaca388]

I've been playing with this system and the ROM files a bit... Came to the realization that I am fighting a different problem than I first thought. I was seeing a SSD fan error on startup (and only that error). Upon installing the fan (and re-flashing), the error disappears and a new one appears in its place - 'BIOS identity Data Recovered - The BIOS has recovered its identity data from the Embedded Controller due to data mismatch'. I went back and removed the fan again to confirm - apparently the fan error over-rides the data recovered error and only one is displayed.

Watching startup a bit closer too: No battery; power disconnected; case open switch taped closed; insert ROM (from hoaca388); plug in power cord. Press and hold power button until fans spin. Power self-cycles 3 times before anything displays on screen, regardless of keyboard input (f10,esc, f2, etc). 1 beep and 'Data Recovered' error appears. Power down; check ROM - its back to 'original' AdminPW data... Should I be trying a different steps?

I didn't mention this - This unit also has HP's Wolf Security - I've never had to deal with it before and don't know exactly what it adds over their previous BIOS security features.

I've tried staying in F2 diagnostics menu and while power is still on - removing, re-flashing and re-installing ROM, then exit F2 and going to BIOS settings without power cycle... Still prompts for password. I'm assuming BIOS is pre-loaded in RAM at this point and my little swap did nothing... (old trick that apparently doesn't work anymore)

I'm stuck - I'm assuming the actual BIOS password is stored somewhere other than the BIOS, but I can't seem to find any info on it... I'm assuming its buried in some 'secure' memory in the chipset or processor and not another memory chip on the MB?

ideas/suggestions?

During the first boot, you must go into the bios settings and set all functions to default.

[Abbey-Lubber]

During the first boot, you must go into the bios settings and set all functions to default.

Installed and booted .... F10 immediately and it still asks for password.

Didn't I state that I've already been trying that and it isn't possible?

[hoaca388]

Didn't I state that I've already been trying that and it isn't possible?

Here

[Abbey-Lubber]

I think this one is now officially borked... Tried BIOS files above. XU2 BIOS is same as originally uploaded; PRVROM appears to have a NVRAMACTIVEREGN blanked... computer returned blink/beep code 52 (no valid BIOS found). Restored to original BIOS files...and same error... Either my original backups were corrupt somehow (unlikely, but possible) or it has somehow changed since my original backup was performed back on 12/9...
PRVROM is being changed a little on startup and I'm not sure why...(attached)
Might just be wasted time to keep working on it...unless there is some magical recovery option I'm missing. Ideas welcome...