latitude 5420 board LA-k491P bios problem.

[Oknarb]

Manufacture mode

Thats it, thank you!

[iolanda.ciucco]

Hi guys!!

I have a Dell Latitude 5420 laptop that showed an orange LED when I pressed the power button.
Removing the CMOS battery and short-circuiting the connector pins allowed the laptop to power up again, but reinserting the battery caused the orange LED to reappear when pressing the power button.

To save time, I bought a motherboard on AliExpress and replaced the entire unit, bringing the laptop back to life, of course.
Meanwhile, I purchased a CH341A v1.7 programmer and a brand new Winbond 25R256JVEN chip.
I tried using the programmer to identify the chip connected via soldering, but the operation failed.
However, the new chip, desoldered with the appropriate socket, was correctly identified, allowing me to both read from and write to it.

What I would like to do is ask if it's possible to obtain a file to program onto the new chip without having the old BIOS (which I might not be able to read even if I desolder it).

I've seen on forums that often files are provided where, on first boot, you need to load the original service tag and exit maintenance mode.
Are these files universal (specifically for the chosen motherboard model)?

In other words, can I obtain one for my COMPAL LA-K491P rev 3.0 motherboard, load it onto the new chip, solder it in place of the old one, boot the laptop, enter the service tag via interface, exit maintenance mode, and then use the PC?

Thank you all so much for your help!!

[peste]

post merged..
read..https://www.badcaps.net/forum/troubl...before-posting
post Service Tag,etc..

[iolanda.ciucco]

Service tag: CJCH3J3

Thank you for your support, but I was wondering why there isn't a "universal" file for that type of motherboard that can be loaded and then set with the service tag afterwards.

[iolanda.ciucco]

Hello everyone.

I finally managed to extract the BIOS dump from the Winbond chip.

I analyzed the dump with the latest version of ME Analyzer generated from the Python sources and this is the result:

╔══════════════════╗
║ ME Analyzer v1.307.0 r348 ║
╚══════════════════╝

║ 2024.07.03-WinbondOnDell5420.bin (1/1) ║
╟──────────────────────────╢
║ Family │ CSE ME ║
║ Version │ 15.0.47.2521 ║
║ Release │ Production ║
║ Type │ Extracted ║
║ SKU │ Corporate LP ║
║ Chipset │ TGP-LP B ║
║ TCB Security Version Number │ 1 ║
║ ARB Security Version Number │ 6 ║
║ Version Control Number │ 41 ║
║ Production Ready │ Yes ║
║ OEM Configuration │ Yes ║
║ FWUpdate Support │ Impossible ║
║ Date │ 2023-10-15 ║
║ File System State │ Initialized ║
║ Size │ 0x9FE000 ║
║ Flash Image Tool │ 15.0.10.1432 ║

I was now trying to clean the ME region, but I couldn't find a production corporate RGN version with that specific version in the Winraid firmware repositories (as suggested by the Clean Dumped Intel Engine (CS)ME guide).

I only found a file online named "CSME 15.0.47.2521 Prod Cor LP TGP-LP B.bin" which I don't know if it's suitable for cleaning the ME region.

Can anyone give me some suggestions?

Anyway, I am attaching the dump.

Thanks, everyone.

[volinakis]

Hello everyone.

I finally managed to extract the BIOS dump from the Winbond chip.

I analyzed the dump with the latest version of ME Analyzer generated from the Python sources and this is the result:

╔══════════════════╗
║ ME Analyzer v1.307.0 r348 ║
╚══════════════════╝

║ 2024.07.03-WinbondOnDell5420.bin (1/1) ║
╟──────────────────────────╢
║ Family │ CSE ME ║
║ Version │ 15.0.47.2521 ║
║ Release │ Production ║
║ Type │ Extracted ║
║ SKU │ Corporate LP ║
║ Chipset │ TGP-LP B ║
║ TCB Security Version Number │ 1 ║
║ ARB Security Version Number │ 6 ║
║ Version Control Number │ 41 ║
║ Production Ready │ Yes ║
║ OEM Configuration │ Yes ║
║ FWUpdate Support │ Impossible ║
║ Date │ 2023-10-15 ║
║ File System State │ Initialized ║
║ Size │ 0x9FE000 ║
║ Flash Image Tool │ 15.0.10.1432 ║

I was now trying to clean the ME region, but I couldn't find a production corporate RGN version with that specific version in the Winraid firmware repositories (as suggested by the Clean Dumped Intel Engine (CS)ME guide).

I only found a file online named "CSME 15.0.47.2521 Prod Cor LP TGP-LP B.bin" which I don't know if it's suitable for cleaning the ME region.

Can anyone give me some suggestions?

Anyway, I am attaching the dump.

Thanks, everyone.

yet, you didn't provide service tag, as in RULES and moderator SMDFlea asked. If you are asking why, it is necessary to properly identify the machine and extract regions from bios update in order to rebuild bios. As you see in picture, extracting bios regions from update package you have bios_region and also proper ME firmware. Using right FIT Tool you can replace bios_region and ME_region and rebuild bios. After that transfer DMI, job done!

[iolanda.ciucco]

yet, you didn't provide service tag, as in RULES and moderator SMDFlea asked. If you are asking why, it is necessary to properly identify the machine and extract regions from bios update in order to rebuild bios. As you see in picture, extracting bios regions from update package you have bios_region and also proper ME firmware. Using right FIT Tool you can replace bios_region and ME_region and rebuild bios. After that transfer DMI, job done!

Thank you for the response.
I apologize for not mentioning the Service Tag again, but since I wrote it in the previous 2 posts, I thought it was no longer necessary.

Anyway, here it is again: CJCH3J3

The problem I have now is that I can't open the bin file with the Flash Image Tool (obviously, the version is the one appropriate for this purpose).

I get the following error:
Error 179: [Fit Actions] Failed to parse CSE region.
Error 10: [Ifwi Actions] Failed to decompose Region. Failed to decompose CSE data.
Error 18: [Ifwi Actions] Failed to generate decomposed files. CSE Region
Error 18: [Ifwi Actions] Failed to generate decomposed files.
Error 9: Failed to decompose Image.
Unable to open file: C:\Users\xxx\Desktop\2024.07.03-WinbondOnDell5420.bin. Reverting to default configuration.

I tried to follow the guide found on Winraid:
https://winraid.level1techs.com/t/so...-error/90013/4

but I can't understand what to put instead of the EFS region, which in my case is at location 00463000:
FPT partition | Data | 00463000 | 00010000 | 4422C18B | --- EFS

I tried replacing it with a region taken from a working file of a motherboard of the same model/version, but when I open the entire modified bin file with FIT, I always get the same error.

Do you have any other suggestions for me?

Thank you so much again.

[volinakis]

Thank you for the response.
I apologize for not mentioning the Service Tag again, but since I wrote it in the previous 2 posts, I thought it was no longer necessary.

Anyway, here it is again: CJCH3J3

The problem I have now is that I can't open the bin file with the Flash Image Tool (obviously, the version is the one appropriate for this purpose).

I get the following error:
Error 179: [Fit Actions] Failed to parse CSE region.
Error 10: [Ifwi Actions] Failed to decompose Region. Failed to decompose CSE data.
Error 18: [Ifwi Actions] Failed to generate decomposed files. CSE Region
Error 18: [Ifwi Actions] Failed to generate decomposed files.
Error 9: Failed to decompose Image.
Unable to open file: C:\Users\xxx\Desktop\2024.07.03-WinbondOnDell5420.bin. Reverting to default configuration.

I tried to follow the guide found on Winraid:
https://winraid.level1techs.com/t/so...-error/90013/4

but I can't understand what to put instead of the EFS region, which in my case is at location 00463000:
FPT partition | Data | 00463000 | 00010000 | 4422C18B | --- EFS

I tried replacing it with a region taken from a working file of a motherboard of the same model/version, but when I open the entire modified bin file with FIT, I always get the same error.

Do you have any other suggestions for me?

Thank you so much again.

you have to use right version of FIT. Try this bios file:

[iolanda.ciucco]

you have to use right version of FIT. Try this bios file:

volinakis, I really appreciate your support!
With your BIOS, the laptop, with the CMOS battery obviously installed, starts to correctly heat the CPU as soon as I connect the main battery.
Then the Dell screen appears and finally the message about the lack of a hard drive!!
If I turn it off and on again, everything is perfect!!

However, as soon as I disconnect the power and try to turn on the laptop again, the cursed orange LED lights up when I press the power button.

The interesting news is that I tried replacing the BIOS chip with a brand new Winbond, and the result is perfect. Problem solved!! Thank you!

I did the tests with the external monitor.
When I reassemble everything and try to access the BIOS, it asks for the admin password showing code 8FC8.
Do you happen to have this password?

Thanks.

[iolanda.ciucco]

volinakis, I really appreciate your support!
With your BIOS, the laptop, with the CMOS battery obviously installed, starts to correctly heat the CPU as soon as I connect the main battery.
Then the Dell screen appears and finally the message about the lack of a hard drive!!
If I turn it off and on again, everything is perfect!!

However, as soon as I disconnect the power and try to turn on the laptop again, the cursed orange LED lights up when I press the power button.

The interesting news is that I tried replacing the BIOS chip with a brand new Winbond, and the result is perfect. Problem solved!! Thank you!

I did the tests with the external monitor.
When I reassemble everything and try to access the BIOS, it asks for the admin password showing code 8FC8.
Do you happen to have this password?

Thanks.

The strange thing is that now, on the screens I am allowed to see without entering the admin password, the service tag seems to have changed.
Now it is 3KHQ3F3. Indeed, I am asked for the password where the displayed text is 3KHQ3F3-8FC8.

In my original file, the service tag was CJCH3J3 (at location 0x35D470). But opening the file you sent me, I cannot find that service tag anywhere.

I don't understand what is happening!!

Help me, please!!

[volinakis]

The strange thing is that now, on the screens I am allowed to see without entering the admin password, the service tag seems to have changed.
Now it is 3KHQ3F3. Indeed, I am asked for the password where the displayed text is 3KHQ3F3-8FC8.

In my original file, the service tag was CJCH3J3 (at location 0x35D470). But opening the file you sent me, I cannot find that service tag anywhere.

I don't understand what is happening!!

Help me, please!!

try new bios. Let it run for 2 mins, will restart few times with no image, at 1st boot press F2 and enter service tag, save (Apply Changes), 2nd boot press Alt+F to exit factory mode.

i don't know from where new ST appeared, is strange since DMI is in MFT of ME_Region and I cleaned it.

[iolanda.ciucco]

try new bios. Let it run for 2 mins, will restart few times with no image, at 1st boot press F2 and enter service tag, save (Apply Changes), 2nd boot press Alt+F to exit factory mode.

i don't know from where new ST appeared, is strange since DMI is in MFT of ME_Region and I cleaned it.

Great, the new file works perfectly.
Service tag added at the first system initialization and then remained stored forever :-)

I no longer have the orange light when I press the power button, but a perfectly functioning laptop!

I just wanted to ask you for a clarification regarding when I couldn't open the file, for which you said I should have used the appropriate version for that BIOS.
I used 15.0.35.1951 which, looking at your screenshots, is exactly what you used to reconstruct my BIOS.
The original BIOS was built with 15.0.10.1432 which I couldn't find online.

Did you perhaps use 15.0.10.1432 (if so, could you post it here so I can download it) and then completed the preparation with 15.0.35.1951?
Or did you manually modify something in the original file so that it would then be readable by 15.0.35.1951?

Thanks so much again, volinakis .
You've been very kind!!

[volinakis]

Great, the new file works perfectly.
Service tag added at the first system initialization and then remained stored forever :-)

I no longer have the orange light when I press the power button, but a perfectly functioning laptop!

I just wanted to ask you for a clarification regarding when I couldn't open the file, for which you said I should have used the appropriate version for that BIOS.
I used 15.0.35.1951 which, looking at your screenshots, is exactly what you used to reconstruct my BIOS.
The original BIOS was built with 15.0.10.1432 which I couldn't find online.

Did you perhaps use 15.0.10.1432 (if so, could you post it here so I can download it) and then completed the preparation with 15.0.35.1951?
Or did you manually modify something in the original file so that it would then be readable by 15.0.35.1951?

Thanks so much again, volinakis .
You've been very kind!!

I don't remember, I think I rebuilt bios from scratch. I don't have 15.0.10 ver. Lowest I have is 15.0.21.1549

[waqarali]

Dell latitude 5420
ST; GCS34J3
MB; LA-K491P
Problem; pleas remove password

[rex98]

Dell latitude 5420
ST; GCS34J3
MB; LA-K491P
Problem; pleas remove password

1st boot, press F2, write service tag, disable Absolute, save (Apply changes), restart. 2nd boot press Alt+F to exit manufacturing mode

[waqarali]

[QUOTE=rex98;n3319506]

1st boot, press F2, write service tag, disable Absolute, save (Apply changes), restart. 2nd boot press Alt+F to exit manufacturing mode[/QUOTE

Thank you brother but not working

[rex98]

[QUOTE=waqarali;n3319666]

1st boot, press F2, write service tag, disable Absolute, save (Apply changes), restart. 2nd boot press Alt+F to exit manufacturing mode[/QUOTE

Thank you brother but not working

check solder, flash your original dump see if it works.

[waqarali]

[QUOTE=rex98;n3319674]

check solder, flash your original dump see if it works.

Disply coming but yellow red green coming

[washington rander]

Hello, could anyone unlock this bios of this dell gdf40 la-k491p rev 2.0 a01?

dell latitude 5420

placa mãe gdf40 la-k491p

rev2.0

a01

2020-11-16

etiqueta 3ptfyf3

[SMDFlea]

Post the service tag and post in english https://www.badcaps.net/forum/troubl...before-posting

[washington rander]

Hello, could anyone unlock this bios of this,
Dell Latitude 5420
motherboard: gdf40 la-k491p Rev 2.0 (a01)
year 2020-11-16
Service tag:3PTFYF3
EX:8091454719
reg type:p137g001
model: p137g
dp/n:8hd6ja00 dp bcc

thanks

[rex98]

Hello, could anyone unlock this bios of this,
Dell Latitude 5420
motherboard: gdf40 la-k491p Rev 2.0 (a01)
year 2020-11-16
Service tag:3PTFYF3
EX:8091454719
reg type:p137g001
model: p137g
dp/n:8hd6ja00 dp bcc

thanks

1st boot, press F2, write service tag, disable Absolute, save (Apply changes), restart. 2nd boot press Alt+F to exit manufacturing mode...