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DesertFox
Hello,

I am trying to change my Mac's (not the wireless or ethernet) serial #. Will this require seom firmware modding of some sort?

Thanks in advance!
Suzuka
Correct be if Im wrong, but isn't the serial number the Mother Boards serial number as well? if so, then it can't be changed without getting a new MB
Adrian Fogge
I am in the same boat. My computer was just sent back from AppleCare and they finally replaced my defective logic board but now I have "NO" serial number of any kind.

I have been fighting with them to fix that or let me fix it, and here is what I have found.

The serial number is stored in NVRAM in OpenFirmware. Data is written to the NVRAM memory chip by going to the OpenFirmware prompt, entering your new commands and then "nv-update".

The problem is finding a command (if one actually exists in OF instead of needing to write into a config file and then run it)

We need to find a really great Linux Kernel Developer with strong experience with Proc to find out where it looks up the system serial number from.
DesertFox
QUOTE(Suzuka @ Sep 25 2006, 01:34 PM) *
Correct be if Im wrong, but isn't the serial number the Mother Boards serial number as well? if so, then it can't be changed without getting a new MB


This is the problem we are trying to get around. Change the serial # without having to change the motherboard.

I was recently reading some other posts where it was reported that the serial changed when they replaced their hard-drive. Could this be possible? Is it possible that the serial is a combination of hardware serial numbers? Can anyone confirm this? Or is it just a number assigned to a motherboard NVRAM?
jackleek
I recently had my logic board replaced,

When I got my MacBook back, some silly repair-centre person had left a CD in the drive called "SetSysSerSum-3T100". The readme file shows it is a utility that when booted into, allows you to, easily with a GUI, change the serial number of any intel mac!

Kinda wary of posting the dmg here, but if there's interest..!
Suzuka
QUOTE(jackleek @ Dec 16 2006, 11:58 AM) *
I recently had my logic board replaced,

When I got my MacBook back, some silly repair-centre person had left a CD in the drive called "SetSysSerSum-3T100". The readme file shows it is a utility that when booted into, allows you to, easily with a GUI, change the serial number of any intel mac!

Kinda wary of posting the dmg here, but if there's interest..!


Send that to me....
sigxcpu
lol
jackleek
Ok you can now find the DMG here: http://www.mediafire.com/?4yeeombyqky

Burn it using disk utility to make it bootable.

Note that all files except the readme are hidden, they are still there.

The CD itself looks nothing mass-produced, it's just a standard branded CD-R with scrawled writing on it!
asap18
thank you very much
McSkywalker
Wow thanks smile.gif
Titan_sss
Thanks for the file. Question though...

I'm new to macs (so don't start kickin'), and I am just wondering what would be the consequences of using the program posted. I mean, wouldn't I have to change anything else (such as the airport serial, mac adress, even some other hardware...) or this prog just changes the serial and everything else remains the same. Has anybody tried it? Is it working and how?

cheers!
juice86
works perfectly! anyone have non-Intel (PPC) equivelant/solution?
Numberzz
QUOTE(juice86 @ Aug 14 2007, 10:15 PM) *
works perfectly! anyone have non-Intel (PPC) equivelant/solution?

send a ppc mac in and hope for the stupid employee that leaves the disk in the comp biggrin.gif
DeanCorp
OMG. I am so happy I found this thread! I have been looking for the solution for almost 6 months now. It worked perfectly now I don't have "SystemSeumb"

DeanCorp
renascence
does this disk can work with mbp? I use it to restore my original serial number with mbp, mbp cannot boot from the disk.

BigAdama
Is there any update on a PPC version?
applesandsynths
Does anyone know if this dmg will still change the serial number on the newest macbook pro's ? The one's with the 2.4 ghz processor? I have a 17 inch model and when I press and hold the D key when booting, it will not boot from the cd. I've tried putting in other bootable cd's and holding ALT/option and that cd shows up (bootable Leopard install disc). I also want to mention that I had an older version Macbook Pro (2.33ghz) and it ran the cd just fine and I was able to change the SN. I'm just kind of wondering if it's a hardware issue, or firmware....and if anyone else has had any luck changing a serial number on the newest macbook pros. Thanks!
ludacrisvp
Maybe a stupid question but What is the point of changing the serial number of your mac?
The iMan
Maybe its hot or your logic board was replaced
DigitalK
are there different versions of this software? It just black screens on my mac pro. I bought in December.
applesandsynths
It doesn't even black screen for me. For me, the disk spins up on boot, i try D, i try C, {censored}+option+command+delete, nothing gets the disc to boot. I booted into -s and checked to see if the disc shows up, and only my hard drive does. I've tried recreating the image, and it still doesn't work. Anyone have ideas?
~pcwiz
jackleek,

Awesoem work thumbsup_anim.gif I'm not gonna try this on my hack but heres the ReadMe:

QUOTE
THIS READ ME FILE AND THE SOFTWARE IT DESCRIBES IS APPLE CONFIDENTIAL

Set System Serial Number CD, v.3T100, part number 063-6541.

A utility to set the system serial number on Intel based Macintosh computers.



USAGE:
Insert the CD and start the system using the D key, then follow on-screen instructions.
If a problem occurs when reading the current value, then the utility will report it as "value unknown".
If a problem occurs when writing the new value, then the utility will report an error, e.g. "( -1 0xfffffe )".

ENTERING DATA:
You need to click in text the field before being able to enter data into it.

SHUT DOWN COMMAND:
On slot fed optical drives:
- the disk will eject;
- a pause of approximately 10 seconds will occur;
- the unit will then shut down.

On tray fed optical drives:
- the tray will eject;
- a pause of approximately 10 seconds will occur;
- the tray will inject;
- the unit will then shut down.
In both cases the pause can be interrupted by pressing any key, including the Return key.

RESTART COMMAND:
The CD will not eject, the unit will immediately reboot.


KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS:
'.' : "Cancel" button when available
'R' : "Restart" button when available
'S' : "Shutdown" button when available
return : default button when outlined


Field Diagnostic Applications, March 2006


Does anyone know if this is safe to use on a hackintosh? Probably not right?
applesandsynths
The point of this image is to change the serial number of a Mac computer.. If you don't have a mac, there isn't any point in changing it...The serial number is stored in NV ram on mac's.... so this wouldn't apply to you..

I hope someone has information for me soon.. smile.gif Sitting by patiently!
DigitalK
still hoping for a new version.
airbillion
Any updates on this program? When I boot with my black macbook sr 2.2 it is just a hardware profiler not a sn reset program. Am I doing something wrong?
schwartz
QUOTE(ludacrisvp @ Feb 17 2008, 07:41 AM) *
Maybe a stupid question but What is the point of changing the serial number of your mac?


if your computer is stolen or u want to fix a computer under someone elses warranty maybe
airbillion
QUOTE(schwartz @ Mar 7 2008, 03:47 PM) *
if your computer is stolen or u want to fix a computer under someone elses warranty maybe

Also if you had your logic board replaced and the serial number was not restored. That is what happened to me. The boot disk only boots as a hardware information disk on my blackbook sr 2.2. Does anyone have another newer version of this program or can someone test it on a newer macbook (Nov. 2007) to see if it works?
i_am...me
QUOTE(renascence @ Aug 20 2007, 05:58 PM) *
does this disk can work with mbp? I use it to restore my original serial number with mbp, mbp cannot boot from the disk.

Read the README!
it says to boot holding the D key. So i goes in to diagnostics mode and starts the AHT, if you dont have AHT on there then it wont work
airbillion
QUOTE(i_am...me @ Mar 8 2008, 05:28 PM) *
Read the README!
it says to boot holding the D key. So i goes in to diagnostics mode and starts the AHT, if you dont have AHT on there then it wont work


After the AHT (apple hardware test?), does it allow you to change the serial number? The CD boots for me into the AHT, but there is no option to restore or change the serial number. Am I missing something?
dannieboiz
does anyone have one for the newer MBP? I have a 2.4ghz that I need to do this on.
pawn3d
QUOTE(ludacrisvp @ Feb 17 2008, 07:41 AM) *
Maybe a stupid question but What is the point of changing the serial number of your mac?

a few of us dont want to be stalked for the rest of our lives


WATCH THIS

and then report back
christomapher
I have been trying to get this to work for my MBP 2.2GHz with 10.5.2:

I haven't been able to boot from the CD. blink.gif

Is there a special way to burn this as a bootable CD? Disk Utility and Toast don't seem to have any option to "make CD bootable", and because the files are hidden, I am not sure if there is a certain file I'm looking for that will indicate that the CD is automatically bootable.

Does this program work with 10.5(.2)? I'd really appreciate any help regarding this subject, it'd be very useful.

Thanks in advance!
TheSerialChanger
This vertion will not work on the new 2.2 and 2.4 macbook and macbook pro since when this was created the 2.2 and 2.4 did not exist. i do have a vertion that will set it for the 2.2 and 2.4 lol
dogie
so please share with us :>
moldymac
Please send it if you have the utility, would be most appreciated!
jamsoft
Set System Serial Number CD

Here's a utility that allows you to set/change your computer's serial number on Intel based Macintosh computers.

NOTE: Unfortunately this utility doesn't seem to work with a lot of the newer Intel Macs. If anyone has an updated version PLEASE SHARE IT! (or PM me so I can host it).

Download: SysSerNum_cd.zip
Size: 508 KB
Version: 0.3T100
Part Number: 063-6541


Instructions:
  1. Unzip "SysSerNum_cd.zip"
  2. Insert a blank CD and open 'Disk Utility'.
  3. In the menu go to "Images" > "Burn..."
  4. Select the disk image "\\.PSF\Josh\SetSysSerSum.dmg" (the one you just unzipped) and click "Burn"
  5. You're good to go! Simply restart your computer while holding down the "D" key and follow the on-screen instructions.
ReadMe for Set SysSerNum CD v.3T100.txt (included in the DMG)
CODE
USAGE:
    Insert the CD and start the system using the D key, then follow on-screen instructions.

    If a problem occurs when reading the current value, then the utility will report it as "value unknown".
    If a problem occurs when writing the new value, then the utility will report an error, e.g. "( -1  0xfffffe )".

ENTERING DATA:
    You need to click in text the field before being able to enter data into it.

SHUT DOWN COMMAND:
    On slot fed optical drives:
        - the disk will eject;
        - a pause of approximately 10 seconds will occur;
        - the unit will then shut down.

    On tray fed optical drives:
        - the tray will eject;
        - a pause of approximately 10 seconds will occur;
        - the tray will inject;
        - the unit will then shut down.
    In both cases the pause can be interrupted by pressing any key, including the Return key.

RESTART COMMAND:
    The CD will not eject, the unit will immediately reboot.


KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS:
    '.'      : "Cancel" button when available
    'R'      : "Restart" button when available
    'S'      : "Shutdown" button when available
    return    : default button when outlined


Field Diagnostic Applications, March 2006
macmendman
i tried the setsyssernum but it boots only to a hardware test utility any help?
жижа
i have never bothered to learn much about the inner workings of my computer, but i figure the only stupid question is the one never asked, so i was just wondering if you could boot your computer up in open firmware and type

CODE
reset-nvram


i could be wrong but wouldnt this clear your nvram, and therefore your serial number?

if not, then maybe you could do something more complicated, such as

CODE
" name of serial number property" delete-property


and then

CODE
nv-update


perhaps? even though you would still need to discover the name of the property containing the serial number string wacko.gif

as i said i dont really know what im doing, all this is just copy/paste modifications from whatever resources i could find on OF, and i thought i would ask if this might work before actually trying it on my computer tongue.gif
MarekGrzas
QUOTE(jackleek @ Dec 16 2006, 01:58 PM) *
I recently had my logic board replaced,

When I got my MacBook back, some silly repair-centre person had left a CD in the drive called "SetSysSerSum-3T100". The readme file shows it is a utility that when booted into, allows you to, easily with a GUI, change the serial number of any intel mac!

Kinda wary of posting the dmg here, but if there's interest..!

o you hear about newer version of this software?
GreenMac
Thanks for the link to the video pawn3d. My lawyer buddy constantly gets delayed and hassled at airports, etc. because, as he puts it, "The only thing I have to hide is my privacy".

Quite.
GreenMac
QUOTE(jackleek @ Dec 16 2006, 11:58 AM) *
I recently had my logic board replaced,

When I got my MacBook back, some silly repair-centre person had left a CD in the drive called "SetSysSerSum-3T100". The readme file shows it is a utility that when booted into, allows you to, easily with a GUI, change the serial number of any intel mac!

Kinda wary of posting the dmg here, but if there's interest..!


As a genuine (and $1100 poorer) MacBook owner who merely wanted to add a serial number to a replaced mainboard, I thank you sincerely for the .dmg. However, as a genuine (and paranoid?) MacBook owner, I urge you to remove the access to this software which will surely be used by nefarious thieves to try and legitimise their ill gotten gains. I know the pricks that steal them are usually too dumb to attempt this, but somewhere along the line there will be someone with (just) enough brains to do it.
Tintin07
Any news on the version for the 2.2 and 2.4GHz version ?

Had to change the logicboard on my water-damaged 2.4 MacBook !!
TheSerialChanger
QUOTE(Tintin07 @ Nov 3 2008, 04:20 PM) *
Any news on the version for the 2.2 and 2.4GHz version ?

Had to change the logicboard on my water-damaged 2.4 MacBook !!



just for the record there are 3 versions of this serial changing software and as some one said before it it gets to the wrong hands they can cause a lot of harm, i happen to have all 3 even the one that works on the new 2.2 2.4 macbook and pro vertion. if any one lives in ny and want to set the number i can help but i wont share it sorry.
Korrupted
Why bother posting that you have it if you won't share it? Useless post.
sonix22
Because its illegal afaik...

I know how to change the serial of the LogicBoard (only tested on macbook pro 2.6), too...
muralidhar
is it possible to change to serial number of a macbook air? does the posted .dmg work for mac book air? is there a way to change serial numbers just with commands at startup? in open firmware, or you need to use a boot disk? my Air doesnt have a cd drive XD
sonix22
i think yes (with my method), but i dont know it exactly :/
i think the dmg wouldnt work.
no, not wit commands, you need a bootable cd or usb stick with a special efi software (like the postet dmg, but that dont work anymore)
and macbook air has efi not open firmware?!
b14k
QUOTE(sonix22 @ Nov 8 2008, 06:47 PM) *
I know how to change the serial of the LogicBoard (only tested on macbook pro 2.6), too...


I am very much interested -- I need this for a 2.4ghz macbook pro. If anyone can help, please PM me. Thank you.
жижа
i think that if anyone wants to get this working for newer notebooks, they will have to try and figure out the grittier tech aspects of it. i myself have been trying, but lack the code savvy to draw any sound conclusions. i know that i could change the serial through the command line or through one of the various startup modes if i could find where it is and the format in which it is stored (probably a .string, but i dont know for sure). according to the original poster, the serial number is in NVRAM. as far as i can tell, this is not the case. perhaps other users will find this to be otherwise, but on my imac g5 (1gen) it is not here. you can derive conclusive evidence on this simply by opening terminal and entering
CODE
nvram -p
which will print the contents of NVRAM to the display. on my computer, the serial number is not among the items that show up.

it seems that the serial number is declared in the IOPlatformExpert header file in IOKit, but because it is a variable that will, well, vary depending on the computer, finding the actual value and storage location of such is something I don't quite understand. if anyone here has a deeper understanding of these things that me, please shed some light on this for us. i have a feeling that this is the only way that a functional means of doing this will be found.

edit: so in the IOKit.framework directory, there is a folder labeled serial. in this folder, there are two c header files. One is titled IOSerialKeys.h, the other ioss.h. The following tags contain their respective contents:

CODE
/*
* IOSerialKeys.h
*
* 2000-10-21    gvdl    Initial real change to IOKit serial family.
*
*/

/*
Sample Matching dictionary
{
    IOProviderClass = kIOSerialBSDServiceValue;
    kIOSerialBSDTypeKey = kIOSerialBSDAllTypes
            | kIOSerialBSDModemType
            | kIOSerialBSDRS232Type;
    kIOTTYDeviceKey = <Raw Unique Device Name>;
    kIOTTYBaseNameKey = <Raw Unique Device Name>;
    kIOTTYSuffixKey = <Raw Unique Device Name>;
    kIOCalloutDeviceKey = <Callout Device Name>;
    kIODialinDeviceKey = <Dialin Device Name>;
}

Note only the IOProviderClass is mandatory.  The other keys allow the searcher to reduce the size of the set of matching devices.
*/



/* Service Matching That is the 'IOProviderClass' */
#define kIOSerialBSDServiceValue    "IOSerialBSDClient"

/* Matching keys */
#define kIOSerialBSDTypeKey        "IOSerialBSDClientType"

/* Currently possible kIOSerialBSDTypeKey values. */
#define kIOSerialBSDAllTypes        "IOSerialStream"
#define kIOSerialBSDModemType        "IOModemSerialStream"
#define kIOSerialBSDRS232Type        "IORS232SerialStream"

// Properties that resolve to a /dev device node to open for
// a particular service
#define kIOTTYDeviceKey            "IOTTYDevice"
#define kIOTTYBaseNameKey        "IOTTYBaseName"
#define kIOTTYSuffixKey            "IOTTYSuffix"

#define kIOCalloutDeviceKey        "IOCalloutDevice"
#define kIODialinDeviceKey        "IODialinDevice"

// Property 'ioctl' wait for the tty device to go idle.
#define kIOTTYWaitForIdleKey        "IOTTYWaitForIdle"

#if KERNEL
extern const OSSymbol *gIOSerialBSDServiceValue;
extern const OSSymbol *gIOSerialBSDTypeKey;
extern const OSSymbol *gIOSerialBSDAllTypes;
extern const OSSymbol *gIOSerialBSDModemType;
extern const OSSymbol *gIOSerialBSDRS232Type;
extern const OSSymbol *gIOTTYDeviceKey;
extern const OSSymbol *gIOTTYBaseNameKey;
extern const OSSymbol *gIOTTYSuffixKey;
extern const OSSymbol *gIOCalloutDeviceKey;
extern const OSSymbol *gIODialinDeviceKey;
#endif /* KERNEL */


CODE
/* Copyright © 1997 Apple Computer, Inc. All Rights Reserved */

/* ioctl's for all Apple IOSerialStream based streaming serial ports */

#ifndef _SYS_IOSS_H
#define _SYS_IOSS_H

#ifndef _POSIX_SOURCE

#include <sys/termios.h>
#include <sys/ttycom.h>

/*
* External clock baud rates, for use with cfsetospeed
*/
#define _MAKE_EXT(x)    (((x) << 1) | 1)
#define BEXT1            _MAKE_EXT(1)
#define BEXT2            _MAKE_EXT(2)
#define BEXT4            _MAKE_EXT(4)
#define BEXT8            _MAKE_EXT(8)
#define BEXT16            _MAKE_EXT(16)
#define BEXT32            _MAKE_EXT(32)
#define BEXT64            _MAKE_EXT(64)
#define BEXT128            _MAKE_EXT(128)
#define BEXT256            _MAKE_EXT(256)
#undef _MAKE_EXT

/*
* Sets the receive latency (in microseconds) with the default
* value of 0 meaning a 256 / 3 character delay latency.
*/
#define IOSSDATALAT    _IOW('T', 0, unsigned long)

/*
* Controls the pre-emptible status of IOSS based serial dial in devices
* (i.e. /dev/tty.* devices).  If true an open tty.* device is pre-emptible by
* a dial out call.  Once a dial in call is established then setting pre-empt
* to false will halt any further call outs on the cu device.
*/
#define IOSSPREEMPT    _IOW('T', 1, int)

/*
* Sets the input speed and output speed to a non-traditional baud rate
*/
#define IOSSIOSPEED    _IOW('T', 2, speed_t)

#endif  /*_POSIX_SOURCE */

/*
* END OF PROTECTED INCLUDE.
*/
#endif /* !_SYS_IOSS_H */


taking a break now but will be back.
sandraclarck
QUOTE(sonix22 @ Nov 18 2008, 09:10 PM) *
i think yes (with my method), but i dont know it exactly :/
i think the dmg wouldnt work.
no, not wit commands, you need a bootable cd or usb stick with a special efi software (like the postet dmg, but that dont work anymore)
and macbook air has efi not open firmware?!


Hello,
I tried the 'famous' set system num serial boot CD found in the topic with my water-damaged intel macbook 2,4. Not working (doesn't boot) but I know there is something inside the dmg, opened it and explored it with FIlebuddy and found a great structure of files .
What is your working method ?
the 'special' EFI software you say it's needed would be " refit " boot CD ? (http://refit.sourceforge.net/)


S.
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