@electricSNICK - In reply to post #23 - No, I cannot see anything about RU, at least not before or on post #23. Nothing is private here, except in private messages, I mean there is no hidden part of the forum that the public can post into.
What you really need here is your BIOS backed up, how it was at your original post, stuck in Legacy Mode. Then we could fix all the grayed out items, remove password, etc (all that we discussed with RU)

I don't think the BIOS is all grayed out due to UEFI or legacy, it's due to a BIOS glitch while you saved, setting the menu items User Access Level to "View Only" Setting below for that, if you can ever get back into Legacy mode and use RU
Please notice! The following, AND the above variables, "May" only be the correct values on BIOS 1.49. Oother BIOS, may use other values for the same settings, so BIOS IFR and values should be checked to confirm same or not, if you are not using 1.49 when changing these below or above

User Access Level, VarStoreInfo (VarOffset/VarName): 0x80, VarStore: 0x1234, QuestionId: 0x3, Size: 1, Min: 0x2, Max 0x4, Step: 0x0 {05 91 3D 00 3E 00 03 00 34 12 80 00 00 10 02 04 00}
One Of Option: View Only, Value (8 bit): 0x2 {09 07 3F 00 00 00 02} << cause of grayed out issue I believe, this was accidentally set/applied during save of BIOS changes at some point.
One Of Option: Limited, Value (8 bit): 0x3 {09 07 40 00 00 00 03}
One Of Option: Full, Value (8 bit): 0x4 (default) {09 07 41 00 10 00 04}

Or maybe it's possible, that airstars can help you flash in a MOD BIOS with this set in setup AND In NVRAM, so it's applied and is the only possible outcome post-BIOS reflash.
If you don't know how to do that edit airstars, let me know and send me flashable mod package for him and I will make the BIOS edit to setup and NVRAM to change this.

Since you have flash programmer! Break it out now and get a backup, made I can make you fixed BIOS easily! Give me your BIOS chip ID first, before you dump, so I can tell you what may be best software to use
I can also confirm if the above thing about View Only being currently set is true too, if you send me backup of current BIOS via FPT.
Do step #1 only and send me the file, with BIOS as it is now, no need to worry about the relfash BIOS, change settings stuff

You people are incredible! Besides the site advertising, is there any way I can contribute to server/maintenance costs?

Two things:
--Why do you respond in private? Is that to keep the threads from becoming too long? I would think that any/all information might be helpful for other users ...

--I need to pick up another laptop so that I have something to work with in case I brick everything, I'll probably start messing around with the programmer (and report back, asking you and @airstar more questions !! next week)
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Uhhh, I feel really dumb asking this, but I can't readily ID the BIOS chip on the motherboard. It's not apparent to me in HWiNFO 64 or even when I open up the case -- although I outlined what I **think** it might be in the hi-rez photo I'm attaching. FYI, here's a link to a teardown

@electricSNICK - Thanks There is a yellow donate button down on bottom of all pages helps keep the site going, thanks

If someone sends you a private message, you'd have to ask them why, in that private message It may be they like to talk there, not sure?
Yes, that looks like it may be the BIOS you circled. What is the ID printed on it?

Sorry for the lag ...

Okay, so the chip has "Winbond 25Q64JVSIQ 1804" printed on it, but that seems to be pretty esoteric. I found it online at aliexpress.

There are a lot more hits and documentation for another BIOS chip with a one letter difference, replacing "J" in 25Q64JVSIQ with "F": Winbond 25Q64FVSIG, 64MBit SPI Flash, SOIC-8 ... but it really looks to me like the chip has "J" printed on it.

Any software I can use to find out that information?

Hmmm ....

@electricSNICK - No worries, I am always behind and buried too, so never a rush around here, I can't ever keep up
W25Q64JV is correct - https://www.winbond.com/resource-files/w...32016%20kms.pdf
Use software 1.30 and W25Q64FV or BV ID, this chip is update/new version of W25Q64FV/BV - Please do dump with FV and BV and let me see both
One user had issue using BV and only FV worked, other user opposite, so it may be board/power connected dependent. Some boards, no matter what, you need to have main battery and PSU attached, or both removed.
And usually with FV chip you need to use BV to write properly, so that may be case here (usually) too.
http://s000.tinyupload.com/index.php?fil...213094641136166

So, to be clear, you're asking me to flash the chip using my programmer and the file you provided.

Remember, I haven't done this sort of thing before ... I found this video and this overview but if you have another guide or site that walks me through the process, please feel free to share.

Thanks!

@electricSNICK - No, I was linking you to software package, to dump the chip using version 1.30 and FV AND BV ID
If you need a guide about how to use programmer, we have one here with lots of images - [GUIDE] Flash BIOS with CH341A programmer

Hi i have the same model with version 1.49.. is there a guide to unlock the advance menu for this bios?. I'm hoping to adjust the TDP for this laptop if possible but it does not give me an option in the bios.. Hope someone can help..