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    Getting a project laptop, DV8230US. Hacked BIOS for it?

    Discussion in 'HP' started by NecessaryEvil, Sep 11, 2009.

  1. NecessaryEvil

    NecessaryEvil Notebook Evangelist

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    Does anyone know of a hacked BIOS that removes the whitelist for the DV8230US? I'm getting one with no drives, a bad optical, and potentially bad WiFi (it doesn't show up) for free next week. I'd like to try to put in the B/G card from my NC10, which is an Atheros that I'm pretty sure isn't on their whitelist.
     
    NecessaryEvil, Sep 11, 2009
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  2. NecessaryEvil

    NecessaryEvil Notebook Evangelist

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    Got the laptop, got the hacked BIOS, but I can't tell if the onboard card is bad or not. LED stays on, nothing detects the 3945ABG.

    The optical drive, which is known good, isn't detected in the BIOS.

    Seems like there's motherboard issues with this system....but it's too good of a system to junk.

    I may look at parting out and buying a barebones...
     
    NecessaryEvil, Sep 16, 2009
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  3. comp_user

    comp_user Notebook Consultant

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    Do they even whitelist Optical drives?

    I have in the past bought a generic DVDRW drive off of Ebay and installed in in 6515b and nx6325. Guess was lucky to get the right make.
     
    comp_user, Sep 18, 2009
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  4. brianstretch

    brianstretch Notebook Virtuoso

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    No, they only whitelist the internal WiFi cards. HP swears the FCC made them do it but Dell, etc doesn't.
     
    brianstretch, Sep 18, 2009
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  5. NecessaryEvil

    NecessaryEvil Notebook Evangelist

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    I got the DVDRW straight from HP.

    Anyway, I found a hacked BIOS a few days back, like I mentioned. Running an Atheros 5007EG now since the 3945ABG was bad. The light comes on when it's disabled rather than when it's enabled.

    Actually, later on the day I got this laptop (after I posted), I found out the lady had a TV tuner & remote that were brand new and never used, a docking station (XB2000) and wireless keyboard & mouse.

    So, I got tons of accessories, but still have no working DVD. It doesn't even detect a secondary PATA connection. It makes it hard to think about parting out or replacing with barebones having that docking station. I may just settle for the USB DVDDL I use for my netbook.

    *edit

    Now the thing works.
     
    NecessaryEvil, Sep 18, 2009
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