That unlocking software and circuit diagrams that can be found actually do *work*.
After struggling with various builds, I actually got the chip to dump and submitted my file to a Romanian software company for them to fix, paid them $55 for their software, and attempted to run it.
You have to attach leads to a chip the size of Lincoln's head on a penny. I went through *three* soic clips and couldn't get the software to unlock then rewrite the mojoed dump file back to the chip. And it worked fine for the dump days before. Something wasn't connecting / contacting properly.
I finally tried simply holding the wires in place to the chip with each hand and initially couldn't figure how I was going to hit enter on my laptop to initiate the dumping / rewriting software.. Then I realized I could just hold a pen in my mouth and tap the enter key like a 'drinky bird'. That worked ! After spending ~$125 on circuits and software I thought it was about freaking time.
And I didn't need to spend $16 on two MAX232 chips nor the $20 for each SOIC clip ( got my money back for the first one as it was defective), the basic circuit design was adequate.
This was probably the first Friday in months where I left work feeling like I actually accomplished something rather than the usual slight overstay / unfinished work / bummers...
Note that this was my own personal project that I've been obsessed with for weeks. I just have to replace the LCD screen (going to go LED backlit instead of CCFL) and the French Canadian keyboard and it will be good as new (still under warranty until June).
With this project somewhat stabilized for the moment I can try to cull together a Halloween costume at the next to the last minute...
DarkHumour
