Why can I not change the PCI configuration registers on linux?
<p>I want to change Vendor_ID and Device_ID from a PCI device.
However, every change I make will not save and I have no clue why.</p>

<p>First I tried making changes using <em>setpci</em> which results in this:</p>

<pre><code># sudo setpci -s 01:00.0 00.w
# 8086
# sudo setpci -s 01:00.0 00.w=168C
# sudo setpci -s 01:00.0 00.w
# 8086
</code></pre>

<p>Then I tried making the same changes using two different hex editors, editing the <em>config</em> file located in <em>/sys/bus/pci/devices/0000:01:00.0/</em>, but after saving, the file seems unchanged.
I did open it as root and I don't get any errors when saving.</p>

<p>I also tried <em>ethtool</em>, but it cannot even access the registers:</p>

<pre><code># sudo ethtool -e wlan0
# Cannot get EEPROM data: Operation not supported
</code></pre>

<p>I tried everything of the above on both Lubuntu 15.10 and Knoppix 7.6, resulting in the exact same behaviour.</p>

<p>So, why does this happen?
If the registers are protected, is there a way to unprotect them?</p>

<p>Some more information:</p>

<ul>
<li>The mentioned pci device is a Intel 7260-AC Wireless Network Adapter</li>
<li>I want the BIOS to recognize it as a Qualcomm Atheros AR9485 Wireless Network Adapter, because it's whitelist blocks everything else.</li>
<li>Modifying the BIOS is not an option.</li>
<li>I'm running Lubuntu and Knoppix from a USB drive</li>
</ul>