29 Mar
2001
29 Mar
'01
9:47 a.m.
I found a really easy way to get past the prom passwords in the NVRAM
in SUN sparcstations. I have tried it on a Sparc LX,IPX, and IPC and I
really think it should work on any model.
If there is a well known fix, disregard. After much searching the web
on this, all I ever found was "replace NVRAM chip"
I will post the procedure here if anyone is interested.
Brian.
29 Mar
29 Mar
9:48 a.m.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Brian Roth" <broth(a)heathers.stdio.com>
To: "Classic Computer" <classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org>
Sent: Thursday, March 29, 2001 6:47 PM
Subject: Sparcstation prom passwords
I found a really easy way to get past the prom
passwords
in the NVRAM
in SUN sparcstations. I have tried it on a Sparc
LX,IPX,
and IPC and I
really think it should work on any model.
If there is a well known fix, disregard. After much
searching the web
on this, all I ever found was "replace NVRAM
chip"
I will post the procedure here if anyone is interested.
My Sparc 1+ currently fails when booting linux. I get this
message:
IDPROM: unknown format type!
program terminating
Is there a way to by pass the PROM?
The current PROM is a 525-1107-04 Can other sparc PROMS be
used as a replacement?
A note of success, my latest Apple ][ plus seems to have a
z80 card inside and the previous owner has also added the
extra ram, and internal fan and a RF converter for TV. IT
still has the original packaging and the game paddles.
11:45 a.m.
Mike,
Here is a link that will give you just about everything you need to
know about the NVRAM. Also I remember there was a patch for older SUN's
using Linux but it sounds like your battery is just dead.
http://www.squirrel.com/sun-nvram-hostid.faq.html
Brian.
Mike Kenzie wrote:
----- Original Message -----
From: "Brian Roth" <broth(a)heathers.stdio.com>
To: "Classic Computer" <classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org>
Sent: Thursday, March 29, 2001 6:47 PM
Subject: Sparcstation prom passwords
I found a really easy way to get past the prom
passwords
in the NVRAM
in SUN sparcstations. I have tried it on a Sparc
LX,IPX,
and IPC and I
really think it should work on any model.
If there is a well known fix, disregard. After much
searching the web
on this, all I ever found was "replace NVRAM
chip"
I will post the procedure here if anyone is interested.
My Sparc 1+ currently fails when booting linux. I get this
message:
IDPROM: unknown format type!
program terminating
Is there a way to by pass the PROM?
The current PROM is a 525-1107-04 Can other sparc PROMS be
used as a replacement?
A note of success, my latest Apple ][ plus seems to have a
z80 card inside and the previous owner has also added the
extra ram, and internal fan and a RF converter for TV. IT
still has the original packaging and the game paddles. 
10:20 a.m.
I am interested. Did you look at the documentation on the NetBSD web site?
--tom
At 06:47 PM 3/29/01 -0500, you wrote:
I found a really easy way to get past the prom
passwords in the NVRAM
in SUN sparcstations. I have tried it on a Sparc LX,IPX, and IPC and I
really think it should work on any model.
If there is a well known fix, disregard. After much searching the web
on this, all I ever found was "replace NVRAM chip"
I will post the procedure here if anyone is interested.
Brian.
11:55 a.m.
You mean to pull the NVRAM, boot, get to the prom monitor, reinsert the NVRAM
do SETENV defaults
do setenv security-mode=none
something along those lines?
At 06:20 PM 3/29/01 -0600, you wrote:
I am interested. Did you look at the documentation on
the NetBSD web site?
--tom
At 06:47 PM 3/29/01 -0500, you wrote:
> I found a really easy way to get past the prom passwords in the NVRAM
>in SUN sparcstations. I have tried it on a Sparc LX,IPX, and IPC and I
>really think it should work on any model.
>
> If there is a well known fix, disregard. After much searching the web
>on this, all I ever found was "replace NVRAM chip"
>
>I will post the procedure here if anyone is interested.
>
>Brian.
>
>
>
11:59 a.m.
Tom,
Here it is in all its crudeness. I won't take any responsibility for
personal or computer injury on this.
1. Make sure the Sparcstation is off and carefully remove the PROM-chip out of
its socket. Gently push the chip back in its socket so it is only making
slight contact on all the pins.
2. Turn the box back on and reach the point where it asks you to input the
prom password. This could be at various stages depending on how the security
is set. The last LX box I did, I hit the stop key and a key to put the machine
into OpenBoot. I typed "b cdrom" and it then asked for the prom password.
3.Gently lift the chip out of the socket.
4. Hit enter and it should let you slide on by at this point.
5. Gently press the chip back into the socket and continue the install or if
you continue to boot from the hard drive type "SETENV SECURITY-MODE=NONE
twice.
That should do it.
Brian.
Tom Uban wrote:
I am interested. Did you look at the documentation on
the NetBSD web site?
--tom
At 06:47 PM 3/29/01 -0500, you wrote:
> I found a really easy way to get past the prom passwords in the NVRAM
>in SUN sparcstations. I have tried it on a Sparc LX,IPX, and IPC and I
>really think it should work on any model.
>
> If there is a well known fix, disregard. After much searching the web
>on this, all I ever found was "replace NVRAM chip"
>
>I will post the procedure here if anyone is interested.
>
>Brian.
>
>
>
10:51 a.m.
At 18:47 29-03-2001 -0500, Brian wrote:
I found a really easy way to get past the prom
passwords in the NVRAM
in SUN sparcstations. I have tried it on a Sparc LX,IPX, and IPC and I
really think it should work on any model.
Let me guess: Pop the device in an EPROM programmer, dump it, and examine
the contents?
Been there, done that, got the T-shirt. ;-)
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Bruce Lane, Owner and head honcho, Blue Feather Technologies
http://www.bluefeathertech.com // E-mail: kyrrin(a)bluefeathertech.com
Amateur Radio: WD6EOS since Dec. '77 (Extra class as of June-2K)
"I'll get a life when someone demonstrates to me that it would be
superior to what I have now..." (Gym Z. Quirk, aka Taki Kogoma).
12:09 p.m.
Oh man... Now I have to print up tee shirts?
Bruce Lane wrote:
At 18:47 29-03-2001 -0500, Brian wrote:
I found a really easy way to get past the prom
passwords in the NVRAM
in SUN sparcstations. I have tried it on a Sparc LX,IPX, and IPC and I
really think it should work on any model.
Let me guess: Pop the device in an EPROM programmer, dump it, and examine
the contents?
Been there, done that, got the T-shirt. ;-)
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Bruce Lane, Owner and head honcho, Blue Feather Technologies
http://www.bluefeathertech.com // E-mail: kyrrin(a)bluefeathertech.com
Amateur Radio: WD6EOS since Dec. '77 (Extra class as of June-2K)
"I'll get a life when someone demonstrates to me that it would be
superior to what I have now..." (Gym Z. Quirk, aka Taki Kogoma).
8450
days inactive
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7 comments
5 participants
participants (5)
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broth＠heathers.stdio.com -
geoffr＠zipcon.net -
KenzieM＠sympatico.ca -
kyrrin＠bluefeathertech.com -
uban＠ubanproductions.com