Choosing programmer

[valerio_vanni]

https://www.badcaps.net/forum/troubl...10#post3764310

I come from this thread (I have to flash a SOIC-8 chip, possibly with a clamp).
I began searching for a CH341A, since it has low price and it's an operation that is not going to be frequent.

But during my search I discovered that there's often an issue with voltage, that is 5V instead of 3.3. Someone says to look at PCB colors, some other that it doesn't matter.
I see that someone has fixed the programmer, but as I said in the original thread I'm not good at soldering / desoldering activities.

CH341A cost down to 2-3 euros. It seems inviting, but I don't need to spend so little, I'd prefer to spend 20-30 (or something more) and having something that works out of the box.
What could I search for?

[lotas]

Programmer XGecu T48

[valerio_vanni]

Thank you. I found this on aliexpress, does it seem good, bad, fake etc?
https://it.aliexpress.com/item/32665851626.html

And as software, what could I use with that programmer?
These ones I find here?
http://www.xgecu.com/EN/index.html

[lotas]

http://www.xgecu.com/EN/download.html

[m1ch43lzm]

+1 fot T48, don't get the full kit with extra adapters (that you may not need), instead get the adapters you need separately
Another consideration is when using a clip with the T48, you have to lower the SPI clock frequency to 4-8MHz otherwise you will have reading errors
If using a clip, it will also tell you if the chip is connected properly, or which pin is not making connection, useful when using a clip

https://es.aliexpress.com/item/32951973665.html
Same seller but free shipping

Official XGECU store on Aliexpress if you prefer
https://es.aliexpress.com/item/1005004419320060.html
This one comes with some extra adapters, including a SOIC8 clip
https://es.aliexpress.com/item/1005004419364127.html

[stj]

software for using it with Linux when you ditch windows
https://github.com/radiomanV/TL866

it works - i'm using it

[valerio_vanni]

I'm still waiting for the T48 I ordered 11 days ago: https://it.aliexpress.com/item/1005004419364127.html
But, in the meantime, I received an EZP2023+ I had ordered some days before.

Should I wait the other or try with this one?
I gave a look to it with multimeter, and there is no voltage above 3.3 V.

[lotas]

I'm still waiting for the T48 I ordered 11 days ago: https://it.aliexpress.com/item/1005004419364127.html
But, in the meantime, I received an EZP2023+ I had ordered some days before.

Should I wait the other or try with this one?
I gave a look to it with multimeter, and there is no voltage above 3.3 V.

Your SPI GD25B64CSIG (3.3v), if supported by your programmer, you can try it, observing the pinout.

[valerio_vanni]

Your SPI GD25B64CSIG (3.3v), if supported by your programmer, you can try it, observing the pinout.

Programmer is like this:
https://it.aliexpress.com/item/1005008575372419.html

About pinout:
https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/...AC_SL1500_.jpg
In the picture I can see two boxes 4+4. The notch should point pin1, but correct box is the one near to lever or the on far from it?
When I see pictures of CH341A, there is a picture "25 chips in this box, 24 in this other". Here I read 24/25/93/95. But where?

About software: in bundle with programmer I find an EZP2023+.exe, a config file and a chip list one.
In that list I don't find my chip. The best matched string is "GD25". Perhaps it could auto-detect?

[m1ch43lzm]

I don't own EZP2023+, only the T48 and CH341A (green PCB), from a YT video looks like pin 1 is close to the lever (top position)



From the software found here https://www.badcaps.net/forum/troubl...drivers-needed
GD25B64 is not listed, but there's GD25Q64, select Type SPI_FLASH, Manufacturer GIGADEVICE, Name GD25Q64 which should be compatible
If using a clip, lower the speed to 6MHz or 3MHz to try to get a good read, make sure the backup is not full of 00 00 00 or FF FF FF. read the chip 3 times and compare the backups with hex editor, should be identical

[valerio_vanni]

I've tried, without success. I've tried on two machines, device is seen and drivers are installed without error.
I then connected the clamp with pin 1 as you said. I didn't check all clamp connection, but pin1 is the same on clamp and adapter.

The clamp seems to be firm on chip and to embrace it correctly, and I tried many times to reconnect it to align it with legs.

Nothing, the software acts as nothing was connected.

I then tried on an old motherboard, with SST25VF080B (in my chip last digit is 8, the one with B is the more similar). Nothing also there. Led is red and doesn't change.
On another one I have a Winbond 25Q64FWSIQ, but this seems 1.8V so I didn't try.

This way, I can't be sure that my EZP20203+ is working.

Then I did another test, with a CH341A just arrived. In the first time I had ordered what was cheap... now I have only cheap ones (still waiting for T48).
This one is with green board and voltage selector.
Like this: https://ae-pic-a1.aliexpress-media.c...0q75.jpg_.avif
So I tried it, after setting it to 3.3.
This one has a led that changes color when clamped. I know because it changed, so this time something seem to work. The other gave no signal.

At first a test on SST25VF0808, it collected one MB of no data.

Then I tried on the one I am aiming at, GD25B64CSIG. It taked 8 MB of data, they are not empty but they seem to change on every take.
So, a little better but still no success

Here the takes:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yJu...ew?usp=sharing

[lotas]

Personally, I never use the clamp, I always had problems with the connection, reading the dump from it and writing with verification. I always desolder the chip, clean the pins with isopropyl and through the adapter (SOP - DIP) on the programmer itself I carry out all the tasks and solder it back in place.

On CH341 do you install the clamp in this location?

[valerio_vanni]

Yes, I inserted it in that location. In this device I saw that picture (24 here, 25 there), my doubt was about the EZP2023+ with that unclear picture (4+4 block - arrow- 4+4 block).
What could I use to look into those dumps? Just to see if they are totally random data.

About soldering and desoldering, I'm not good at it. If there are big wires, ok. Little chips... not.

[lotas]

I use Hex Editor Neo and HxD Hex Editor.

https://mh-nexus.de/en/downloads.php?product=HxD20

Your checksums don't even match; if you read them correctly and several times, they should be the same.