Ah okay, wonderful, thank you so much for that very detailed response! :D

So, I think I want to order the BIOS flash that you are referring to. That way, can I just flash my BIOS with that, and then my BIOS will also be unlocked?

If my understanding is correct, then I will take a look at the posts you reference and try to get you the information you need as quickly as possible! Please let me know if there are any other steps I need to take. Truly appreciate your time and help!!

Edit: Also, I looked at those posts you mentioned within this thread but didn't see instructions to follow. If you could let me know what steps I need to take, I'd greatly appreciate it! :)

@enderfish - You're welcome. If you want, I can give you two images examples of the "Root" of advanced and chipset, that someone sent me after I unlocked BIOS for them.
Bbut I do not have a folder/set fo images that show all the further submenus and settings within all the submenus you would see in those two images

You do not need hardware flash programming tools to unlock the BIOS, those are only needed in case something goes wrong and you have to recover the BIOS.
But, yes, if you want to order those, and wait, then open system up and dump BIOS with the tools, you can. Yes, you can unlock it that way, or do it without programmer, like everyone else in this thread has been doing.

From post #189 -

If you want disable Aero15 Secure Boot, pls follow the gigabyte guide
[Security Device boot] > [Disabled]
[Security] > [Delete All Secure Boot Variables] >choose [Yes]

----------------------

This is the guide for #23 step1
- Legacy Support: Disable
[Advanced]>[USB Configuration]>[Legacy USB Support] > [Disabled]
- Secure Boot: Disable
[Advanced]>[Trusted Computing]>[Security Device Support] > [Disabled]
[Security] > [Delete All Secure Boot Variables] >choose [Yes]


Here's headkaze's method - How to set the BIOS Lock variable to 0x00 (Disabled):
1. Make sure you have following values set in BIOS:
- Legacy Support: Disable
- Secure Boot: Disable
2. Take USB stick and format to FAT32
3. Create directory structure EFI\Boot
4. Download and unzip bootx64.7z
5. Put BOOTX64.EFI into Boot directory
6. Boot from this USB stick
7. Run command: setup_var 0xB4D 0x00
8. Run command: reboot

Here's my method to make the USB, whichever is easier for you - [Help needed] Hidden Advanced menu Bios HP Z1 J52_0274.BIN (2)

Once you're done with that we can flash in the mod BIOS. And, once you do that, send me new FPT BIOS region dump, so it's disabled in your dump as base moving forward
Also, before making any FPT BIOS Backups >> Please remove all BIOS passwords, disable secure boot, and disable TPM or Encryption if you have enabled. << This, basically, the above shows you how to do this
And then how to disable BIOS lock, but first, you need to dump your BIOS region for me, so I can check and give you the correct variable to change (in case it's not same as mentioned above or in those posts)

Do step #1 below, send me the file, and do step #2 below and confirm you get an error (like 167, 280, 368)

@Lost_N_Bios,

Thanks again for all of those instructions!

So I was able to create the bootable USB with no issues, and when I ran setup_var 0xB4D 0x00, I received the message I uploaded in 1.jpg.

Is that error going to be a problem?

Also, my Intel ME version is shown in 2.jpg.

Should I download Intel CSME System Tools v14.0.20+ r10 - (2020-10-31)

-or-

Intel CSME System Tools v14.0.11- r1 - (2020-07-06)?

I'll continue working through this after your response. Thank you so much again! And by the way, how can I donate to you for your time and help?

Edit: To donate, do I just use the donate link at the bottom of the page? :-)

@enderfish - You need 14.0.20+

I need your BIOS region file from step #1 to ensure you are trying to change correct variable with setup_var before I advise any further
Did you first, disable secure boot, remove any BIOS password, disable TPM? All that has to be done before you dump BIOS with FPT, and before you try anything with grub/setup_var or RU method
You may have to use RU method method instead, I will give you info on this once you send me biosreg.bin

Yes, if you want to donate to the site, you can use link at the bottom of any page.
If you want to donate to me personally see PM, thanks for asking

Hi @Lost_N_BIOS,

Understood! I completed all those steps, disabling secure boot and removing password/etc, and successfully dumped my BIOS with FPT.

I'm including the biosreg.bin in a compressed file in this post, too. :)

And cool, I will check your PM on how to donate to you! Thanks so much again! :D

@enderfish - Some of these models/variants you can't use setup_var, seems you must have one of those.
What is your exact variant, since sometimes BIOS does not say same thing (VB is what your BIOS says, at also says Aero 15 and 17, so as you can see, sometimes they are confusing)
Let me look into your BIOS dump and then I will edit this post with info for you on how to do it via RU method instead, check back in a bit for edit (maybe 5 minutes)

* Edit - Your BIOS lock variable = 0x17, and it's stored in PCHSetup, not setup, thus setup_var will not work
Here is guide about using RU method - Go to section 2.2 and make bootable USB with RU program, then read 2.3-2.5
http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/...-issues.812372/

Please note, this guide discusses making changes in "Setup" but you will not be doing that, you will go into "PCHSetup" at the GUID below

PCHSetup @ 4570B7F1-ADE8-4943-8DC3-406472842384
You need to make the change from 01 to 00 at 0x17 - this means line 0010 (or may simply be 10) >> Out to column 07 = 0x17
Show me an image once you are in there, if you are not sure, I will circle it for you

Ah, interesting! Okay, well, I have created a bootable RU drive and I booted from it, but I am not sure what to do at this point. Let me attach a screenshot showing where I am in the process and maybe you can help point me in the right direction. :D

@enderfish - Good job so far >> Hit ALT+C to expand the Config menu, then select UEFI variable >> Then go to PCHSetup (4570B7F1-ADE8-4943-8DC3-406472842384) via up/down arrow keys
Then make change as I mentioned above
Then CTRL+W to save
Then ALT+Q to exit
Then reboot, go back into RU and check to be sure what you changed was saved.
Then FPT Step #1 with new file name (like biosregnew.bin) and send me the file.

Hi again,

Okay so I navigated to that area and am including a screenshot. I am not sure where exactly I need to modify (and in what way), so I want to be extra sure before I do anything! Appreciate the patience!!

Edit: Oh wait, I might understand! So I uploaded a new picture and circled the value. Do I need to change that from 01 to 00?

@enderfish - Good work so far! And it's good you waited to ask to be sure, better safe than sorry!
You never answered me >> What is your exact variant of this laptop? Like XB, XA, SA etc

Here's what you edit, on line 0010 (underlined) >> Column 07 (arrows) - Change the circled 01 to 00 then save and do as I mentioned at #203

Ah, apologies for not answering that! I am actually not sure, let me look that up. Okay, so I'm pasting in the results of my msinfo32, will that show the exact model?

And also, here is the new BIOS export! I made the change from 01 to 00 and it did save. :)

Look at the bottom of the laptop, it should say on a sticker. That says "YB", but please check for sticker to be sure too.

You were right!

Thanks, just wanted to be sure so I keep all the stuff for your model in correct folder. I can't download that stock BIOS, they do not have it on site, only the newer FB06, but it's OK
Sorry, but I have to run for right now, but I will be sure to make the unlocked BIOS to you tonight as soon as I get back

That makes sense, thank you so much for patiently walking me through all this!

And yes, no rush at all! Just happy I was able to get you all the information you need. Let me know if you do end up needing anything additional!

Hope you have a great rest of your day / night, and thanks again! :)