I have a question about an old motherboard that I managed to brick it by trying to update the BIOS to get it to support the newest CPUs. Foolishly, I did not back up the old BIOS before attempting the flash. The motherboard is an Intel DH55HC and supports Socket 1156 CPUs (1st gen) and DDR3 memory.
The problem is that the file size is about 9mb whilst the BIOS chip size (MX25L6445E) is 8mb. Because of that ASProgrammer refuses to flash the chip. The CH341a V1.18 programmer does flash the chip with a warning (that anything beyond the natural limit of the chip will be ignored). In any case the system does not post and the screen remains black
My question is how can I mod the bios to get a working image that fits the BIOS chip? Can it be done easily?
In most cases, Intel bios update files are not the same as a dump from a working Intel board nor the equivalent of a .cap or other encapsulated format from another vendor.
.bio files are sort of assembled on the fly for the relevant model board during usual flashing procedures.
Best option is to make sure you have a copy of your MAC address to hand and source a dump from a working DH55HC and use that with ASProgrammer to restore.
Don’t know the differences, found accidentally (not my link)
Officially you’d have to insert your own MAC in GbE 0x1000 and 0x2000, empty NVRAM and clean ME.
In addition: If you had dumped the bricked bios it migh certainly have been saveable, at least you’d kept machine specific data- possibly not such important for a machine this old, but you might want to brick a newer machine in the future…
Yes I have updated it to 0048 with the F7 option. Had no reservations either as, if anything would go wrong, I would simply reflash the dump image with my external flasher. Note that after upgrading to BIOS version 0048, I could only get an output signal from a dedicated GPU.
I haven’t extensively tested it to be honest, but I will sure do over the next few days. After the BIOS update the system would make normal sounds and noises, indicating successful post, but no signal to the monitor from the onboard HDMI. Note the onboard HDMI worked with the 0039 BIOS version.
Edit: Tried it a bit more but with the same result. It only outputs via a dedicated graphics card. At least it works now.
I’m a little late to the party , nevertheless , I managed to bricked my DH55TC as well after trying to update to the latest version 48. my question is , what is the chance that if I flash the bios that was posted here ,I could revived my board ? according to the realease notes from Intel itself the bios file is the same for 3 different types of motherboard. thanks.
by the way I have a “dump” from the board ,before I did the upgrade I made it with a Chinese programmer ch341a. I don’t know if that helps . I don’t know how to clean bios regions or insert Mac address like the other user mentioned . thanks. maybe some one can help me out .
DH55TC DUMP VER 0037.rar (3.1 MB)
like a said I already try to update it but is already broken. no post, no beep. it turns on and power on and reboot in a constant loop. maybe you con help me out. thanks in advanced
If the dump you have posted is from your board when it worked then, it should be able to revive your board if you know how to flash it (takes a lot of trial and error). However, if the board has since developed a hardware fault, no amount of BIOS flashing will be able to restore it.
