MSI Z77a G43 BIOS request

[darbo]

Hi all, I'm having a nightmare trying to flash the original BIOS to the MOBO MSI Z77a G43. It seems I need a .ROM format. If anyone has a copy, I would be very grateful.

I am trying to flash the BIOS using the CH341 programmer software using Neo Programmer and ASProgrammer, with no luck; it keeps saying the size is wrong.
chip is W25Q64FV [3.3V]

Regards.

[m1ch43lzm]

https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/Z77A-G43/support
Just extract and rename E7758IMS.2D0 to .bin, it's already 8388608 bytes
Select the correct BIOS chip model first

[darbo]

I'm using the files from the MSI website. But it doesn't seem to be working.

What do you mean Select the correct BIOS chip model first. And which software do you suggest I use. Asprogrammer or Neo Programmer. Or another software?

Thank you for your reply.

[m1ch43lzm]

IC - Search, type W25Q64FV, check the picture below


Either AsProgrammer or NeoProgrammer is fine, both support W25Q64FV

[darbo]

Current programmer: CH341 Black
i2C CHIP Size: 128
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Currently selected: 24C01 no addr [3.3V] 1 Kbits, 128 bytes
(no address)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Done
CRC32 = 0x8370FD5B
Current programmer: CH341 Black
16:01:46
I2C Device Address: 00
Erasing memory...
Success
Execution time: 00:00:00.428
Current programmer: CH341 Black
16:01:47
Erasure control...
I2C Device Address: 00
Verification error on address: 0x00000000, Device: 0x00
Execution time: 00:00:00.017
Current programmer: CH341 Black
16:01:47
Buffer size not equal to IC size

It seems to erase it, but it won't write. Buffer size not equal to IC size

Ch341Programmer.exe detected the chip at first, but is now having trouble reading it again, is there a better device I could use, or just keep trying to re-place the clip on the chip? Also, not sure if I'm using the reader correctly; the image shown is the only way it will let me read the chip.

[m1ch43lzm]

You're connecting it wrong, the clip should be connected in the 25xx position, check the guide below
https://winraid.level1techs.com/t/gu...ogrammer/32948

Or this YT video
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4qX2zihB6UE

Currently selected: 24C01
That's not W25Q64FV...

[darbo]

video, its letting me read and do some operations but not all, strange. I think im going to sack it off, lol.

[m1ch43lzm]

You connected the clip in the wrong position on the CH341A

the adapter that goes to the clip should be connected in the bottom part of the ZIF socket
And again, what's the chip name? W25Q64FV, it should go to the 25xx position (not the 24xx position)

Don't use auto detect, search the chip manually, then press read ID button

[darbo]

It would only allow me to read the chip using the 24xx position; when I used the 25, nothing happened. I've swapped around a few times; most of the time, the program says 'not responding' or hangs. Should it take a long time for a bad chip?

oh wow, it's starting to read it, VERY SLOWLY. I'm going to let it process the read., does this look like a large file to you?

.


thank you so much for your help,

the lights are not flashing on the USB device, but the green progress bar is slowly moving.

[darbo]

Silly question, but is it essential to read the chip? Since it is a bad chip. Can I just try and write the bios files to the chip?

However. While I wait for a reply. Once I have read the chip successfully. I'll make a backup. But not sure why I would do that. Since the BIOS is already corrupted. I'm just copying what everyone else is doing.

Thank you.

been reading for over 1 hour

[m1ch43lzm]

I meant the "Read ID" button (chip with ? Icon), if it's connected properly it should report the chip ID at the bottom, EF 40 17

Those clips don't always make a good connection, it may take several tries to position properly until you can read the chip ID correctly, also make sure the red stripe in the clip wires matches pin 1 on the BIOS chip

And yes, always a good idea to make a backup of the existing contents, that way you can return it to the state it was before, and it's also a way to check for proper connection (the contents of the BIOS chip shouldn't be all FF FF FF ...)
It shouldn't take more than 3 minutes to read a W25Q64FV, good idea to read the chip 3 times and compare the files with hex editor, they should be identical (not full of FF FF FF...)

After you get a successful read, you have to erase, blank check, write, verify in that order

On laptops it's also recommended to make a backup as the S/N, model name, embedded Windows key and other unique system info is there, to transfer it to a clean BIOS