Apricot MS540 - Fingerprint Password

[geon106]

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

 

[geon106]

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.

I can clear the BIOS but it doesn't clear this particular password. I think it may be stored on EEPROM

 

[geon106]

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

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

 

[geon106]

How about finding a motherboard that's unlocked? Then you should be good to go? There might be some kicking about with an unlocked eprom.

I looked but there are none on eBay and this is the first MS540 PC I've seen on eBay probably for a year