Apricot MS540 - Fingerprint Password

geon106

geon106

geon106

Associate
Joined
23 Dec 2010
Posts
415
Location
Newcastle, Staffordshire
Hey all,

Just purchased an Apricot MS540 from eBay but it is asking for a Fingerprint Password when powered on. Is there any way to clear this? The manual states this is a branding password set by the user but there is a fail back password, unfortunately I have no way of knowing what this is.

Thank you
 
Well I worked for an Apricot reseller in the late 80's....but it was the later 80's so I forgot....most of the 80's. :D
 
Not bad looking retro machines. I do like the old apricot computers.

Are there any jumpers on the system board or a clock battery that can be disconnected in order to clear the password? I'm not familiar with the apricot MS540.
 
You might need to buy a new EEPROM for this model. Just did a quick search can't find anything relating to this model, except a photo of the same issue.

Just found this in regards to this board. You might be out of luck.

"Optionally, for extra security, you can decide that this same password is requested every time the computer is turned on, or every time the mains power supply is interrupted. If you forget your branding password, you can use a special fall-back password instead. The fall-back password is a 12-digit number that is unique to your computer. It is displayed only once, the first time you set a branding password."

Was there any old manuals with it? Flick through there in case it's wrote down in the book.

https://www.manualslib.com/manual/8...cot-Ms-Series.html?page=8&term=fingerprinting
 
Last edited:
mrbell1984 said:
You might need to buy a new EEPROM for this model. Just did a quick search can't find anything relating to this model, except a photo of the same issue.

Just found this in regards to this board. You might be out of luck.

"Optionally, for extra security, you can decide that this same password is requested every time the computer is turned on, or every time the mains power supply is interrupted. If you forget your branding password, you can use a special fall-back password instead. The fall-back password is a 12-digit number that is unique to your computer. It is displayed only once, the first time you set a branding password."

Was there any old manuals with it? Flick through there in case it's wrote down in the book.

https://www.manualslib.com/manual/8...cot-Ms-Series.html?page=8&term=fingerprinting
Click to expand...

Nope no manuals. I'm not sure which EEPROM it would be on as there are a few on the board. I have a horrible feeling this computer is now a paperweight
 
Is there no way to reprogram the EEPROM?

EEPROM programmers are cheap on ebay I'm sure you'd be able to track down the firmware somewhere on the net to reprogram it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom