Beginners guide… OK. Is ADVANCED guide also somewhere around here?
Curious how to switch between different programming modes 1/2/3/TXD/RXD/GND/5V/CLK/CS/MOSI/MIOS/GND/3.3V/5V
@klaxklax3 - Those are not programming modes, those are solder through holes/points. Usually you only need to use one mode anyway, with jumper in position 1-2 as it is in above image.
Here is another guide - [GUIDE] Flash BIOS with CH341A programmer
https://www.bios-mods.com/forum/Thread-G…341A-programmer << Same as one directly above, but with all images expanded/visible at once
OK. First, I really appreciate the Guide, even though I’m a bit out of my depth using it. I have temporarily bricked my z77extreme4 AsRock motherboard trying to update to an NVMe capable BIOS. Need to fix that, but, a) I’m a complete novice at this; and b) I’m a complete novice at Linux (though looking to learn when I have more time).
Here’s where I’ve been so far:
1. Read the instructions here.
2. Ordered a ch341a (the black one if it matters).
3. Successfully extracted socketed bios chip without bending anything (yes! that worried me)
4. Plugged BIOS into ch341a as instructed.
5. PLugged ch341a into Linux Mint 19 desktop
6. Successfully downloaded flashrom
7. Successfully ran the backup routine (which was mostly just a test because the current BIOS is corrupt, but it worked)
8. Attempted to flash using the BIOS image from a modded bios meant to be loaded using Asrock instant flash. File name Z77EXT43.00.
And there, right when things looked so good, failure with the message "no such file or directory"
Now, the successful backup means all else is working, so I think the failure options are:
1. Flashrom can’t find the BIOS file on my linux desktop. Tried other locations. Tried telling it where the file was. Nope. [The backup.bin wrote to the users home folder. I used that and it worked]
2. Was I supposed to actually put the <> symbols around the filename? Tried it. Nope. [No, you don’t do that. Just type the name. I assumed it would be case sensitive - not sure it is though]
3. Is this thing in a capsule that I have to dismantle before I can flash it? Don’t know. Tired renaming to .bin. Nope. [Not in the case of my asrock instant-flash style bios file - once I got the syntax correct – no problems]
4. Do I need to have the file in “my” folder on Linux? [Home folder works, and that’s where backup.bin ends up]
5. Is the file name case sensitive? [Don’t know. Assumed it was]
So, thanks to the directions here, I feel like I"m SOoooo close – but not there yet. Probably because of something folks who use Linux regularly or flash BIOS chips on occasion would be expected to know.
But since I’m not sure what the problem is, I’m not sure which direction to head in. Can you help?
Thanks in advance for a fix I’m sure will make me feel like a total newb – becasue that’s what were dealing with here.
Still, this is a great learning experience – much as I’m ashamed of having bricked the machine in the first place. The ch341a looks like a useful little tool. Just need that one additional piece of info.
UPDATE: So naturally, after posting this, I thought I’d try once more. With the file on my desktop and in the home folder, I typed
sudo flashrom --programmer ch341a_spi -w Z77EXT43.00
And we’re good! System ran flash, reported Erase/Write done, and reported verification success.
Would love advice on the cause of my problems, so that I don’t repeat them, and so that other beginners might benefit. But right now . . . looking good.
Thanks very, very much for helping save the old ext4 board!
UPDATE 2: Well, the Mdclab BIOS for the Z77ext4 couldn’t see the NVMe drive, so I had to pull the chip again and try the Carbon BIOS – which happily can (even if Windows is currently refusing to install – looks like there are ways to do that though).
Just so I don’ t create undue confusion, I need to report that falshrom worked exactly as advertised this morning. First time, with no fuss – so I must have been mistyping the name consistently or something yesterday. I’m annotating answers to my questions in brackets just to be sure I don’t mislead anyone. See above.
Mike
@Rowebo - Usually, as practice you should start, never program stock BIOS, maybe only as a last resort or as a quick test or quick get up and running so you can gather info etc.
Many stock BIOS are only partial BIOS upgrades, and many are inside capsules, or have capsules inside them you don’t want to program in.
I can’t help you with flashrom or Linux, this can easily be done on windows though, if you are a windows user? Hopefully your dump is OK, please upload it for me to look at.
Do you want a link to the windows guide and windows software, it’s much easier? For next time I mean 
If you want NVME Mod BIOS, let me know I can make you one with latest BIOS, then you can instant flash it in
* Side question, since I am helping someone else recover this exact same board. After you programmed in that stock BIOS, does your LAN (Ethernet) still function, correct MAC ID and can connect to internet?
Hello guys,
I have the CH341A programmer because I want to edit my GPU PCI ID. I tried to copy the Vbios of my former GPU with the correct CPI ID into the new one, it seemed to have work, but the PCI ID didn’t change. what should I do? thank you
@SirPanda - maybe you didn’t change it all the correct places, or maybe what you are looking at this ID in to check, isn’t pulling the info from the vBIOS itself but the BIOS SMI or other NVRAM data etc.
Okay, so how can I be sure if I flashed it correctly ? All i did was earase and then copy the Vbios I had from the previous card, expecting that all would be working well.
Here is the pdf o the chip : https://www.winbond.com/resource-files/w…2018%20sfdp.pdf
Starting at page 19-20 there are instructions to enter manufacturer and device ID, and I really think this is what I’m looking for here.
But I’m no expert AT ALL on that matter, so I’m wondering if I need a special software with specific command to access and edit these data in the chip.
Hello and thanks for this guide.
I’m a bit stuck reprogramming a spi from a haier tv. It is a GigaDevice flash chip “GD25Q64(B)” but I don’t know which <new bios name> I have to add. The code :
sudo flashrom --programmer ch341a_spi -w <new bios name>
Please look the picture fir more information.
Thanks!
I tried to read the BIOS chip from the mainboard MSI A55M-P33 but failed.
This was done:
- driver installed (Win7) and interface accepted as "USB-EPP/I2C… CH341A"
- assembled the CH341A programmer as described in:"https://www.win-raid.com/t4287f16-GUIDE-The-Beginners-Guide-to-Using-a-CH-A-SPI-Programmer-Flasher-With-Pictures.html#msg69146"
- as the BIOS chip (uP0104P) is soldered, a clip was used.
- using UEFITOOL.exe (UBU_V1_69_17_2) -> File / Search
No positive result as the search function in the UEFITOOL was not activated. I tried many times to replace the clip, even removed some plastic touching the condensator next to the bios chip but all in vain.
Now I do not know how to continue. Can it be that the mainboard needs a running condition or could there be other reasons?
Thanks for all suggestions,
Cyanno
ps. attached 2 fotos mainboard and programmer
edit: forgot to mention, I also tried the CH341A Programmer -> Detect und Read but also negative. See attached screenshot.
edit: a last trial was done using a linux based computer. At least here I got a message that the flash chip wasn´t found (see attached ss). I accept when _haru is mentioning the SOIC8 clip is extremely difficult regarding a stable connection, but in this case more than 30 times trying and never get even one connection? Another possibility is a non functioning CH341A programmer. Therefore I will first order a new one, this of course will take a few weeks and at arriving of the new programmer start another try!
@cyanno :
Welcome to the Win-RAID Forum!
To enhance your chances to get your problem solved, I have moved your request into this already existing thread. Addtitionally you may do a look into the start post of >this< thread.
In addition to _haru (the Opener of this thread) our experts regarding your problem are the Forum members CodeRush and Lost_N_BIOS. If you shouldn’t get support very soon, a directly addressed request to these persons may be helpful.
Good luck!
Dieter (alias Fernando)
@cyanno :
Unfortunately you didn’t yet get any help from a BIOS modding expert. Even our usually daily present Guru Lost_N_BIOS hasn’t been online since 5 days…
AFAIK it is not possible to open the content of the BIOS chip directly via CH341A programmer. If you want to know or to save its content, you have to dump it as first step. Then you can try to open the BIOS Region (which is only a part of it) by using a tool like the UEFITool.
By the way: the latest UEFITool version is v0.26.0.
@Fernando :
thanks for your answer. But to my knowledge: in this case dumping means extracting the content of the chip in a file? But if there is no connection to the chip, as you can see in my screenshot, a dumping cannot take place. Is this correct?
@cyanno :
Yes, the BIOS chip needs power. Otherwise its data cannot be dumped.
Maybe >this< article will help you.
Anyway I recommend to wait for @Lost_N_BIOS.
@Fernando
I believe waiting is a loss of time… my pc is not starting at all, not even in BIOS. Possible I bricked my chip with the many times I connected the clip. Not to forget, the CMOS batterie was always connected, so a current on the wrong pin and thats it…
We can close this thread and I will now order a new mainboard!
Thanks and best regards,
cyanno
@cyanno :
If just the content of your mainboard’s BIOS Chip has been bricked, there is no need to buy a new mainboard.
You should be able to flash the latest original BIOS Region by using the CH341A Programmer.
@Fernando ,
yes, you are right. Provided that the connection to the BIOS Chip is secured. And this connection was not there until now. So the question is why… is it while the CMOS battery was connected during my trias or do I need full current on the motherboard? What should be the correct procedure for the dumping process? Could you see my latest picture using Linux where the linux programm stated that no connection to the chip was etablished?
@cyanno Use Flashrom on Linux as in the guide and see if that works. Flashrom will also be more specific about what the issue is (connection etc).
@_haru ,
yes I used Flashrom, result attached. There is no connection to the BIOS Chip. I already mentioned that I tried many times (<30 times) and never got a positive response. Everytime I replaced the clip und then restartet the programm.
I have now dissembled the pc and wanted to desolder the BIOS chip and make a direct wiring between the BIOS chip and the CH341A. By doing so, do I need an additional voltage? And if yes, how? Would be really pleased for an answer.
Sounds like your SOIC8 clip is faulty. You can desolder and resolder the chip onto an adapter board that should have come with your CH341A, and program it like a socketed chip without extra voltage. Be careful not to lift a pad on your motherboard when desoldering.
To be serious, I thought so too! I´m now waiting for a hot air soldering device and will inform afterwards!
Thx and best regards,
cyanno