Anti-theft radio locked up (2)

[achoeypatkul@hqfaus01.unicef.org (Amnat Choeypatkul)]

     Hi Audi pundits,
     
     As I had posted it quite sometimes, my "Wiesbaden" radio has been out 
     of whacked--it's a solid "SAF e", since it was w/ the previous owner.  
     (Yes, I received many suggestions to leave the radio "on" for about "an 
     hour" and try to re-set it w/ the "valid code" which the previous owner 
     strongly confirms that it's a good one.  He told me the reason for this 
     locked-up is due to his son--had borrowed his car for about 3 weeks, 
     had punched a "wrong code" for umpteen times.  Since then, it has been 
     in silence.
     
     Well...I just learned from the Audi's Customer Service rep. that, in my 
     case, may be the radio is "permanently" locked-up for good.  (Can any 
     one confirm this?)  And, the only solution--to fix it, is I must bring 
     my car back to the "authorized" Audi Services Center--which I'm really 
     scared to go back to see them since I just had a "60K ripped-off" 2 
     months ago, and have it "decoded."  (What do you think?  Does it make 
     any sense?  I believe the "code" I have right now is a valid one.  I 
     think I can trust the previous owner.  Because, the code was written on 
     the "original" manual/card since he bought it new.  He--himself, had 
     never had any problem w/ it at all.  He also tell me that he doesn't 
     even know how to change it.)
     
     Humm...I checked around w/ the "authorized" Audi Services Centers in 
     NYC area, they quoted me a price for this "decoding" ranging from $55 
     up to $89.  (Do you think it's another rip-off?)
     
     Any one on the list BTDT?  Pls let me know.
     
     MTIA,
     Nat
     
     
     Note:  I'm thinking about re-program the EPROM inside.  (BTW...excuse 
     me, do you know where the h#ll is it?)  Well...it's also too small for 
     my boat anchor anyway.  :)