bios chip problem after 100% programmed using CH341A!

Collapse
X
 
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
  • Weelcup
    TopTech
    • Oct 2017
    • 300
    • UK

    #1

    bios chip problem after 100% programmed using CH341A!

    I have a Lenovo T450 which is working but nothing displayed on screen.
    I tried to reprogram the bios chip via CH341A mini programmer. i de-soldered the chip from the MB and soldered it in the programmer chip. made three back ups. downloaded a dump bios and send it to the chip.

    the chip is 25Q128FV model.
    the chip is erased successfully. blank check was successful too.
    writing the new bios was successful 100%
    BUT when it gets to verify then it fails.

    I already ordered a new chip. but i am wondering why the chip data and the bios file are not identical?! isn't it strange to write a .bin bios file to an empty chip and after finish the process successfully it turns out they are not the same!

    is there any security or lock in the chip or it is a chip defect?

    thanks
  • akande
    Badcaps Veteran
    • Dec 2017
    • 278
    • Nigeria

    #2
    Re: bios chip problem after 100% programmed using CH341A!

    Originally posted by Weelcup
    I have a Lenovo T450 which is working but nothing displayed on screen.
    I tried to reprogram the bios chip via CH341A mini programmer. i de-soldered the chip from the MB and soldered it in the programmer chip. made three back ups. downloaded a dump bios and send it to the chip.

    the chip is 25Q128FV model.
    the chip is erased successfully. blank check was successful too.
    writing the new bios was successful 100%
    BUT when it gets to verify then it fails.

    I already ordered a new chip. but i am wondering why the chip data and the bios file are not identical?! isn't it strange to write a .bin bios file to an empty chip and after finish the process successfully it turns out they are not the same!

    is there any security or lock in the chip or it is a chip defect?

    thanks
    It your programmers, I once experience such on different chips with CH341A ,till I purchase lt668 programmer which work fine . CH341A is good also but to be a saver side u should get another type, otherwise if Ch341a is black type u can modify it .

    Comment

    • Weelcup
      TopTech
      • Oct 2017
      • 300
      • UK

      #3
      Re: bios chip problem after 100% programmed using CH341A!

      Originally posted by akande
      It your programmers, I once experience such on different chips with CH341A ,till I purchase lt668 programmer which work fine . CH341A is good also but to be a saver side u should get another type, otherwise if Ch341a is black type u can modify it .
      Thanks for reply.
      I programmed a 25q64fv a week ago with no issues. That is why I didn't suspect the programmer. But as much as you experienced that then it might be the programmer.

      Yes Its black version. Wold the modification resolve the problem? And what modifications can be done?

      Comment

      • mockingbird
        Badcaps Legend
        • Dec 2008
        • 5484
        • -

        #4
        Re: bios chip problem after 100% programmed using CH341A!

        Weelcup -

        Try flashrom in Linux. It usually succeeds where the Windows CH341A software fails. Make sure you pull the latest snapshot with git.

        Comment

        • Weelcup
          TopTech
          • Oct 2017
          • 300
          • UK

          #5
          Re: bios chip problem after 100% programmed using CH341A!

          Thanks a lot for the advise.

          I will try. But I didn't use any flashing softwares in ubuntu before.
          Can you please direct Me to a right way to do it. Much appreciated

          Thanks again

          Comment

          • mockingbird
            Badcaps Legend
            • Dec 2008
            • 5484
            • -

            #6
            Re: bios chip problem after 100% programmed using CH341A!

            Originally posted by Weelcup
            Thanks a lot for the advise.

            I will try. But I didn't use any flashing softwares in ubuntu before.
            Can you please direct Me to a right way to do it. Much appreciated

            Thanks again
            DIFFICULT WAY
            You have to apt-get install dependencies first. Don't ask me what they are, I just did them on-the-fly, I don't remember.

            Then you have to tell git to fetch from the latest snapshot. Then git clone.

            Then compile... Keep installing dependencies based on the errors the compiler spits out.

            EASY WAY
            sudo apt-get install flashrom

            The easy way may or may not work, depending on whether they updated the latest ubuntu flashrom package to work with the CH341A... After you install it either way, run flashrom and look at the command switches. You have to specify the ch341a, and you might have to tell it to force flash eventhough it's an experimental platform.

            This is the only thing that worked for me when I was hard-pressed for time and my motherboard wouldn't boot with a new CPU and I had to flash the latest BIOS externally.

            Comment

            • subroto
              Badcaps Veteran
              • Oct 2015
              • 230
              • Bangladesh

              #7
              Re: bios chip problem after 100% programmed using CH341A!

              It's occured for basically two reasons.
              One for Programmer and other from EEPROM chip which comes with non-readable few bit blocks for manufacturing error.
              Replace the chip first if it's not solved then change Programmer.

              Comment

              • Weelcup
                TopTech
                • Oct 2017
                • 300
                • UK

                #8
                Re: bios chip problem after 100% programmed using CH341A!

                Originally posted by mockingbird
                DIFFICULT WAY
                You have to apt-get install dependencies first. Don't ask me what they are, I just did them on-the-fly, I don't remember.

                Then you have to tell git to fetch from the latest snapshot. Then git clone.

                Then compile... Keep installing dependencies based on the errors the compiler spits out.

                EASY WAY
                sudo apt-get install flashrom

                The easy way may or may not work, depending on whether they updated the latest ubuntu flashrom package to work with the CH341A... After you install it either way, run flashrom and look at the command switches. You have to specify the ch341a, and you might have to tell it to force flash eventhough it's an experimental platform.

                This is the only thing that worked for me when I was hard-pressed for time and my motherboard wouldn't boot with a new CPU and I had to flash the latest BIOS externally.
                Looks difficult.! I will try my best to sort that out. And will let you know the results.

                Thanks for the explanation .

                Comment

                • Weelcup
                  TopTech
                  • Oct 2017
                  • 300
                  • UK

                  #9
                  Re: bios chip problem after 100% programmed using CH341A!

                  Originally posted by subroto
                  It's occured for basically two reasons.
                  One for Programmer and other from EEPROM chip which comes with non-readable few bit blocks for manufacturing error.
                  Replace the chip first if it's not solved then change Programmer.
                  I have already ordered a chip and will definitely try that too.
                  And yes there are some blocks chanel to zeros but return back to its values no matter what you send to it.

                  Will let you know

                  Thanks a lot.

                  Comment

                  • ala_borbe
                    aka Donald
                    • Apr 2011
                    • 1625
                    • Malta

                    #10
                    Re: bios chip problem after 100% programmed using CH341A!

                    erase and blank test. then write bios and after that read it again
                    compere two binaries with some bin compare tool (or open both in hex editor)... if few addresses are affected then most likely eprom chip is failing at certain address (some times if only few bytes are affected bios still works, tested and confirmed by me personally) but if corruptions is repeated trough whole dump with "pattern" then check contacts and adapters if any are used or programmer it self is broken...

                    also, its good idea to have few programmers at hand... sometimes one does better job then another
                    i have 3 for parallel (old chips) and 3 for new spi chips... one always does the job...
                    Last edited by ala_borbe; 04-25-2018, 04:04 AM.
                    Im Back... sort of...

                    Comment

                    • Weelcup
                      TopTech
                      • Oct 2017
                      • 300
                      • UK

                      #11
                      Re: bios chip problem after 100% programmed using CH341A!

                      Originally posted by ala_borbe
                      erase and blank test. then write bios and after that read it again
                      compere two binaries with some bin compare tool (or open both in hex editor)... if few addresses are affected then most likely eprom chip is failing at certain address (some times if only few bytes are affected bios still works, tested and confirmed by me personally) but if corruptions is repeated trough whole dump with "pattern" then check contacts and adapters if any are used or programmer it self is broken...

                      also, its good idea to have few programmers at hand... sometimes one does better job then another
                      i have 3 for parallel (old chips) and 3 for new spi chips... one always does the job...
                      Thanks for the advise
                      I already did what you mentioned. yes the erase and black test are successful but the verifying after writing is failed.

                      I compared both files and there are few blocks doesn't match. the programmer is 100% fine with 25Q64FV types which means there is no problems with it as a device I think. but this problem only appeared when I program 25Q128FV type of chips. I just received a new chip and programmed it and got the same issue. So I will now try to program it under Linux system as suggest by mockingbird and check whether it will work. if not then I will buy another programmer.

                      thanks again for your help.

                      Comment

                      • mockingbird
                        Badcaps Legend
                        • Dec 2008
                        • 5484
                        • -

                        #12
                        Re: bios chip problem after 100% programmed using CH341A!

                        Originally posted by Weelcup
                        I compared both files and there are few blocks doesn't match. the programmer is 100% fine with 25Q64FV types which means there is no problems with it as a device I think. but this problem only appeared when I program 25Q128FV type of chips.
                        I had the same problem with the W25Q128FWSQ.

                        I contacted the author of the software and he said that he was unable to test it because he didn't have the chip. I sent him a link on Taobao to buy one but who knows if he followed through.

                        You should definitely have positive results with Linux. Just a tip: flashrom takes a long time. Don't interrupt it. Let it finish.

                        Comment

                        • Weelcup
                          TopTech
                          • Oct 2017
                          • 300
                          • UK

                          #13
                          Re: bios chip problem after 100% programmed using CH341A!

                          Originally posted by mockingbird
                          I had the same problem with the W25Q128FWSQ.

                          I contacted the author of the software and he said that he was unable to test it because he didn't have the chip. I sent him a link on Taobao to buy one but who knows if he followed through.

                          You should definitely have positive results with Linux. Just a tip: flashrom takes a long time. Don't interrupt it. Let it finish.
                          I am installing ubuntu at this moment and will come back to you with the results. Fingers crossed.
                          Thanks mockingbird
                          Last edited by Weelcup; 04-25-2018, 08:04 AM.

                          Comment

                          • Weelcup
                            TopTech
                            • Oct 2017
                            • 300
                            • UK

                            #14
                            Re: bios chip problem after 100% programmed using CH341A!

                            it worked for me. !!! thanks
                            so as you said it seems to be something related to windows drivers or the programmer software>>>>

                            now I got two identical copies>

                            but now the laptop light up and the fan spin for 15sec and the laptop turns off. and so on. I desoldered the chip again and read it. and surprisingly it is not identical to what I programmed it before. any clues why?

                            Comment

                            • mockingbird
                              Badcaps Legend
                              • Dec 2008
                              • 5484
                              • -

                              #15
                              Re: bios chip problem after 100% programmed using CH341A!

                              Originally posted by Weelcup
                              it worked for me. !!! thanks
                              so as you said it seems to be something related to windows drivers or the programmer software>>>>

                              now I got two identical copies>

                              but now the laptop light up and the fan spin for 15sec and the laptop turns off. and so on. I desoldered the chip again and read it. and surprisingly it is not identical to what I programmed it before. any clues why?
                              You're saying that the chip reads differently before and then after you soldered and desoldered it?

                              Comment

                              • ala_borbe
                                aka Donald
                                • Apr 2011
                                • 1625
                                • Malta

                                #16
                                Re: bios chip problem after 100% programmed using CH341A!

                                can you upload backup of your bios (first file you read from chip)
                                Im Back... sort of...

                                Comment

                                • Weelcup
                                  TopTech
                                  • Oct 2017
                                  • 300
                                  • UK

                                  #17
                                  Re: bios chip problem after 100% programmed using CH341A!

                                  Sorry for that.
                                  I meant that I programmed the chip successfully via flashrom (including successful varification after writing). I dumped an image to varify it via Hex editor and yes it was identical to the bios file I downloaded) ...
                                  Then I soldered the chip to the MB. Then turned the laptop on. The power light come on, the fan spined, the screen was black for 15 sec then the laptop turned itself off. I tried to turn it again and same thing.
                                  Here I take off the bios chip from the motherboard again. I dumped (read) the bios chip. I compared the dumped file with the one I programmed it with at the beginning. And they were not identical. Which means that something has changed in the bios in the 15 sec when I was turning it on.

                                  I hope this explanation is clear.

                                  Thanks

                                  Comment

                                  • mockingbird
                                    Badcaps Legend
                                    • Dec 2008
                                    • 5484
                                    • -

                                    #18
                                    Re: bios chip problem after 100% programmed using CH341A!

                                    Originally posted by Weelcup
                                    I compared the dumped file with the one I programmed it with at the beginning. And they were not identical. Which means that something has changed in the bios in the 15 sec when I was turning it on.
                                    Thanks
                                    I understand.

                                    I think you have the incorrect dump BIOS...

                                    Comment

                                    • Weelcup
                                      TopTech
                                      • Oct 2017
                                      • 300
                                      • UK

                                      #19
                                      Re: bios chip problem after 100% programmed using CH341A!

                                      May be . The MB is (AIVLO NM-A251) . I will try to find another dump

                                      I really appreciate your suggestion to try flashrom. I will depend it to flash from now on.
                                      However, while I was searchin about dependencies I found out that it is possible to use flashrom under Windows platform.
                                      I testes it and it is working 100%


                                      The description is in this following link:
                                      https://winraid.level1techs.com/t/gu...rammer/32948/3
                                      .
                                      Last edited by SMDFlea; 05-07-2023, 07:32 AM. Reason: edited winraid link

                                      Comment

                                      • mockingbird
                                        Badcaps Legend
                                        • Dec 2008
                                        • 5484
                                        • -

                                        #20
                                        Re: bios chip problem after 100% programmed using CH341A!

                                        Originally posted by Weelcup
                                        However, while I was searchin about dependencies I found out that it is possible to use flashrom under Windows platform.
                                        I testes it and it is working 100%


                                        The description is in this following link:
                                        https://winraid.level1techs.com/t/gu...rammer/32948/3
                                        Thanks for that... Just keep in mind that that build is a year old...

                                        Maybe it's possible your dump is for the discrete video motherboard, and your motherboard uses integrated video, or vice versa...
                                        Last edited by SMDFlea; 05-07-2023, 07:31 AM.

                                        Comment

                                        Related Topics

                                        Collapse

                                        • hotcrossedbuns999
                                          M715q Desktop (ThinkCentre) - Type 10M3 - Request bios chip location and useable bios for use with CH341A Programmer.
                                          by hotcrossedbuns999
                                          My pc updated bios through Windows Update and I was greeted with BLACK SCREEN WITH CPU FAN MAX SPEED. I don't think there is even a screen signal, because it triggers my monitor for a couple seconds and then the monitor turns off. I tried the other outputs as well.
                                          1. I tried clearing bios, resetting bios, removed the CMOS battery, removed m.2 ssd, wifi, and ram. Still black screen with CPU fan blasting.
                                          2. I tried using the Lenovo BIOS CD and BIOS USB, but neither worked. At least I couldn't get anything to work.
                                          3. I could only locate two chips that look like bios chips. Could someone verify this
                                          ...
                                          01-03-2025, 12:32 PM
                                        • BMCappelletti
                                          Asus Chromebox CN62 - wrong chip put on BIOS reader
                                          by BMCappelletti
                                          Long story short:
                                          - dad converted Asus Chromebox CN62 into Windows compatible, with mrchromebox BIOS, years and years ago
                                          - gave the computer to his son a couple years later
                                          - son now decided to revert it to Chrome OS, to sell it as original (re-writing BIOS with the backup one created by his dad)
                                          - too lazy to remove the board from the case, thought a voltage regulator was the BIOS chip (you know... it has 8 legs)
                                          (seems like the story was not that short)

                                          He used alligator clips to read the chip. No luck reading it. Removed chip and placed on a SOC-8...
                                          01-08-2025, 07:27 PM
                                        • intelg
                                          HP Elitedesk 800 G6 lost BIOS admin password
                                          by intelg
                                          Hello everyone, I am looking for help as I am struggling to remove lost BIOS Admin password on an HP EliteDesk G6 800 series desktop. I wanted to reset the vPro remote control IP kvm for homelab use.

                                          Here is the hardware identification specs:
                                          HP EliteDesk 800 G6 Desktop Mini PC
                                          Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-10500 CPU @ 3.10GHZ 16384 MB RAM
                                          BIOS ver S21 Ver. 02.05.01 01/05/2021
                                          Born on date: 07/26/2021
                                          SN MXL11841GN
                                          SKU 3X8V9UCHABA
                                          UUID 8116E79EF6FFE94DB0B98A3188270C5C
                                          SYSTEM BOARD ID 8710
                                          SYSTEM BOARD CT NUKBER PJLHQ0A8JF236L...
                                          11-03-2023, 02:05 AM
                                        • SMDFlea
                                          Common SPI bios chip programming Questions and Answers
                                          by SMDFlea
                                          Common SPI bios chip programming Questions and Answers
                                          ----------------------------------------------------------

                                          Q: I have a bios request,i can`t post my backup as i can`t read from the chip.

                                          A: If you can`t read from it how do you expect to write to it ?.

                                          Q: Why is my bios chip unreadable ?.

                                          A: The programmer is faulty or has a worn or broken zif socket.

                                          The USB cable is frayed,connector pins worn or some other physical damage.

                                          Not enough amperage or voltage to power the programmer properly.

                                          Bad...
                                          09-02-2021, 04:40 PM
                                        • Azurain
                                          Elitebook 840 G5 Bios Chip Soldering Question
                                          by Azurain
                                          Hi everyone,

                                          I have an HP Elitebook 840 G5 that I am trying to get working again. I've removed the front bios chip (the 32mb one) and have run it through HP unlocker already. I've uploaded and verified the new bin, but am now experiencing an issue that has led me to believe I've been soldering the chip back to the motherboard incorrectly.

                                          Essentially, after re-soldering the chip back into its place and reassembling the laptop, the charging light immediately flashes orange and white and then shifts to a solid white. The capslock and numlock lights blink seven times...
                                          04-14-2023, 06:58 PM
                                        • Loading...
                                        • No more items.
                                        Working...