Service Forum

[Robbyrobot]

I Have an A22p with an unknown Supervisor Password (sold off by a government agency after being replaced), and want to remove it.

Since I didn't find anything specifically about this model, I wanted to ask:

1. Whether there are any particular problems to be expected with it?
2. Where the 24RF08 chip is in this model,
3. Is it the 14 or 8 pin version?

Thanks for any help!

[victor]

Hi,

1. There's no specific problem, other than paying much attention. Of course, this experience requires some skills, but is not something very difficult to do.

2 and 3. The chip is on the back of the motherboard and is a 14 pin ATMEL 24RF08.


Download the eeprom reader R24RF08 and IBMpass 2.1 Lite then read the tutorial in this forum, build the serial interface and you're ready to go.

You may also find the Hardware Maintenance Manual for A22p here

Good luck!
_________________
Victor Voinea
ALLservice HQ, Romania.

[Robbyrobot]

Many thanks for the information, and particularly for the software you so generously provide.

If I may ask another question, I notice you mentioned using probes from "Tiny Needles" to make the contacts with the EEPROM. From the image you linked, it looks like you would have to have two people to use this system: one to hold the probes, and one to turn on the Thinkpad, to operate the interface and use the software to read out the EEPROM. And if the EEPROM were in an inaccessible place, it might not be possible to hold the probes on the EEPROM contacts and simultaneously turn on the Thinkpad.

So I was wondering if there might not be an even simpler way of doing things. Have you ever considered making a reverse mold of the Atmel chip from an epoxy or polyurethane putty (possibly something for dental work, with a very fine consistency), molding in metal contacts with leads to the outside in the three hollows for the appropriate pins and then just clamping the mold over the Atmel chip to get the proper contact to read it out? If you deal with the same chip much, this mold could be used again and again and might save you work and time. Do you think this could be a practical solution?

[chen18]

i think it makes a lot of solution because when someone that we ca mold it can due the process of what we can take for granted then the it might that they need it in work..



_________________
Micro molding

[victor]

I agree.
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Victor Voinea
ALLservice HQ, Romania.

[Robbyrobot]

Long since solved - password removed. I used micro-clips for the chip and attached the CPU fan with rubber bands and matchsticks. No simple way to do this, and the CPU has to be cooled.

For those without the micro-clips, though, my origjnal suggestion and question stands. There are only two types of EEPROM possible, four or eight-pin, and it should be simple to prrepare molds for both.

Victor: why don't you offer something like this?

[victor]

There are 2 types: 8 and 14 pin, well..4 and 7 on one side.
Do you mean to offer the molds or IC caps? ...is not my area of expertise, really
_________________
Victor Voinea
ALLservice HQ, Romania.

[Robbyrobot]

Sorry Victor, naturally I meant 8 and 14 pins - 4 and 7 per side. And in fact, I was thinking about offering the caps/molds. That would be simpler for many than the "needle" method or the clips that I used (obtained from a friendly helper in the USA). As for expertise, just ask your dentist - he surely had such two-compent silicone materials and possibly could give you a small amount for testing.

Caps with attached wires and adhesive tape on both sides could be used even by rank amateurs - just place them over the EEPROM, push them to the board to attach, and then attach the wires from the caps to the interface as required.

Possibly too involved for your operation, but still...

[victor]

I agree with everything you say.
Unfortunatelly I am too bussy to start doing it, altough it sounds challenging and interesting.

If you can make those molds/caps feel free to add a link, you have my support.

All the best
_________________
Victor Voinea
ALLservice HQ, Romania.