$20 mini PC (Dolby controller) with unknown firmware password

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Serhan

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Sep 22, 2017
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seems like a big waste of time for a low gen i3
My use case is capturing content from ps4 / switch, and storing those within the device for later playback / streaming. OBS is able to capture 1080p without a sweat, the cpu utilisation in W11 is around 40% max during the recording, and I am quite happy to have all of this for less than $25. I am grateful to @ru me and other members for their time on the bios mod.
 
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autoturk

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Sep 1, 2022
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For those of us who are a bit smooth brained: all that's needed is to flash the unlocked BIOS posted here and we're good to go?
 
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ru me

Active Member
Jun 2, 2018
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For those of us who are a bit smooth brained: all that's needed is to flash the unlocked BIOS posted here and we're good to go?
This will get you started. However, the BIOS contains info from my machine, for example the Ethernet MAC address. Also the ME section seems misconfigured. See what you would need to do [Guide] Clean Dumped Intel Engine (CS)ME/(CS)TXE Regions with Data Initialization
It is probably easier to just reproduce the unlocking and editing of BIOS settings on your flash dump of your BIOS
 
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ru me

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Jun 2, 2018
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autoturk

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Sep 1, 2022
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This will get you started. However, the BIOS contains info from my machine, for example the Ethernet MAC address. Also the ME section seems misconfigured. See what you would need to do [Guide] Clean Dumped Intel Engine (CS)ME/(CS)TXE Regions with Data Initialization
It is probably easier to just reproduce the unlocking and editing of BIOS settings on your flash dump of your BIOS
makes sense. I'll try it on mine (coming today) and will try to write a short guide of all the work you've generously done. Thanks!
 

autoturk

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Sep 1, 2022
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quick question: what's the easiest way of disassembling this after removing the two torx screw on the rear?
 
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nexox

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May 3, 2023
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quick question: what's the easiest way of disassembling this after removing the two torx screw on the rear?
10 screws under the foam foot pad thing and figure out how to remove the retention ring around the power jack (I put a flat head screw driver into one of the notches and tapped it a bit to get it loose, then it was easy.)
 
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ru me

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Jun 2, 2018
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quick question: what's the easiest way of disassembling this after removing the two torx screw on the rear?
There are about 20 screws under the foam. I used a hole punch to remove the foam only where the screws are, feel for the indentations first. The power socket has a ring screw which you need to remove, I happened to have needle nose pliers which worked great. On the bottom is an indentation on each side. If you twist a flat blade screwdriver in there, the case slides apart. Inside is a metal shield which you carefully remove, watch out for the antenna connectors.
 
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bwahaha

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Jun 9, 2023
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quick question: what's the easiest way of disassembling this after removing the two torx screw on the rear?
Those two, the nut on the power connector, and a bunch of screws under the foam (do these later).

There's two little spots on the bottom, one on each side. Slide a guitar pick in each to unlatch. ( I used a flat screw driver, and owned marring the plastic.).

The metal shield pops off, and watch the wifi antennas underneath. Now do the screws under the foam.
 
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RolloZ170

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Apr 24, 2016
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quick question: what's the easiest way of disassembling this after removing the two torx screw on the rear?
pull cover to the front, put a screwdriver in this holes helps.
remove the nut on the power connector, and a bunch of screws under the foam later. not required to remove cover.
s-l1600aa.jpg
 
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ru me

Active Member
Jun 2, 2018
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100%. Also, not everything has to be a net-win in terms of dollar value. Tons of hobbyists here who do this stuff for the fun of it.
Anything that runs pfsense belongs here. This is a high value option since it has two intel nics and two HDMI ports. Who could ask for more? And they are so cheap, think about the possibilities, redundant pfsense servers or just daisy chain them for extra protection.
 
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