I am requesting urgent assistance to unbrick my laptop, a rebranded TongFang GK7MRFR (i7-10750H / GTX 1650 Ti) chassis. The laptop is completely dead following a faulty in-OS EC flash attempt.
I have successfully used a CH341A programmer and can read/write/verify both flash chips, but using my backups/extractions has failed to restore power. The root cause is likely a corrupted Intel Management Engine (ME) region or an incompatible EC/BIOS pairing.
System & Hardware Details
Barebone / Chassis:TongFangGK7MRFR
Rebrand: PC Specialist Optimus Series / XMG Core 17 (E20)
The core issue before the brick was an erratic keyboard backlight that often remained off and did not respond to FN+F5/F6/F7 or Control Centre commands, nor later under linux (Confirmed as a fiddly EC issue).
Originally ran BIOS N.1.03 stock, then couple years back updated to 1.04 from XMG/Schenker and everything was fine here (cant remember what files I used as lost the drive they where stored) .
Asked PCS for a bios update in march last year and they sent over 2 files (1.06 Bios + 1.19 EC), after flashing under efi, noticed the keyboard backlight acting weird and mostly stayed off.
Flashed XMG BIOS N.1.05. BIOS version changed to N.1.05, but EC remained 1.19.
The Brick:Attempted to extract and flash a64KB EC part from an old 1.04 file using dd and from the EFI shell flashed it with ifux64.efi .
The flash completed, but after an EC reset, the laptop went COMPLETELY DEAD (no power LED, no charge indicator, no fans, no POST). Later realised the initial 64KB extraction/flash was faulty and corrupted the EC boot sequence.
Current Recovery Status (CH341A Attempts)
I have successfully performed the following steps using flashrom, but the system remains dead:
Main BIOS Chip: Flashed my full working backup: bios_backup_GK7MRFR_N106.bin –Last working dump before updating to N1.05verified working, 100% OK.
EC Flash Chip: Flashed a newly extracted EC image from the XMG 1.05 ROM (EC_1MB_Extract.bin) to the EC chip. Unknown condition, file uploaded for verification**.**
Conclusion: I strongly suspect the the EC provided by PCS wasn’t 100% fit and or Intel ME Region within my original 1.06 backup was compromised, or the 1.06 ME is incompatible with the 1.05 EC firmware, leading to a failure in the power-on handshake.
Request for Files & Guidance
I kindly ask the community for assistance with the following:
Full SPI Dump: A complete dump from a working GK7MRFR system (any BIOS version, with a clean, configured Intel Management Engine (ME) region.
If possible, and if i’m not asking for much a full unlocked SPI dump or assistance with modding/unlocking the BIOS after the restore would be greatly appreciated, as the locked nature may be hindering full recovery.
Clean EC Firmware: The full EC firmware file (lastly installed was EC 1.19 but could be any vers as long as its paired with the BIOS) for the GD25LQ80 chip.
Guidance Needed: Please advise on the flashing order (EC or Main BIOS first if this actually matters?!?) and confirm which file should go to which chip.
Since Nov2025… Face, Badcaps and so on…and nothing…no wonder… with such mess, much more clear now on Badcaps forum…for sure it’s not a non-asset user that will lose such time…would you?
Is there any original readings of main bios IC? Yes…then try the CSME clean guide. (EDIT: Done already in Badcaps forum…)
Did you already got it, regarding the IC with nVidia vbios…not EC data that most likely is part of the main bios code like most of the laptop bioses…not all, but this seems the case.
Have you found any original OEM (PC Specialist Optimus Series / XMG Core 17 (E20)) bios files?
Then use them to swap/edit volumes in your dump.
Here’s an Avell KIC C62 GK7MR(OR) based dump and that’s all, good luck with it but it seems a hard case to solve by using forums, due to severity of the case that needs work from a Tech IT shop professional, not inexperienced/curious users, pay for it.
Sorry but i did not fully understand parts of your reply ..
“Since Nov2025… Face, Badcaps and so on…and nothing…no wonder… with such mess, much more clear now on Badcaps forum…for sure it’s not a non-asset user that will lose such time…would you?
Is there any original readings of main bios IC? Yes…then try the CSME clean guide. (EDIT: Done already in Badcaps forum…)
Did you already got it, regarding the IC with nVidia vbios…not EC data that most likely is part of the main bios code like most of the laptop bioses…not all, but this seems the case.”
”Have you found any original OEM (PC Specialist Optimus Series / XMG Core 17 (E20)) bios files?”
Ive got these 2 files and had them from start but still cant get it working. PCS_EC_GK5MP_11.900 – 1.19 EC provided by PCS PCS_BIOS_GkxMP5FxN106.ROM – 1.06 Bios provided by PCS
Ive flashed them individually to each chip with ch341a, they flash correctly and read back correctly (according to size and checksum) .
“Then use them to swap/edit volumes in your dump. - what do you mean ?”
- I’m not really literate in this class, but still learning. Apologies.
”Here’s an Avell KIC C62 GK7MR(OR) based dump and that’s all, good luck with it but it seems a hard case to solve by using forums, due to severity of the case that needs work from a Tech IT shop professional, not inexperienced/curious users, pay for it.”
I would gladly pay for it if id have who to pay … PCS are saying that this laptop is no longer supported by them and they would need to send it to TongFang … BS and that this could take anywhere between 6-12 months and i have to support logistics and repair in china … Absurd…
In the meanwhile I have tried local UK service centres but apparently no one has a working chip dump of this laptop. So im kinda stuck on the learn it route …
If you would be kind enough to support at least theoretically with this, it would be much appreciated.
Many thanks.
SPI main IC including EC 128k on it, not separated IC, if the EC controller is damaged it needs Professional intervention, not you for sure.
U8 is vbios…not to program with any EC whatsoever data…
So i have flashed these 2 chips with the ch341 clip: Main BIOS Chip (16MB): Winbond 25Q128JVSQ (BIOS) - with the PCS provided fiel and also with my 16mb dump
EC Flash Chip (1MB): GigaDevice GD25LQ80 (EC firmware) - the 128 kb EC provided by PCS, i even try to pad the first 128kb of a blank 1 MB image and flash it to the chip but still same issue… no lights, fans , no nothing.
You could try and explain or at least point in a way instead of telling me off… Back in the days forums where places where people actually learned something … thse days not so much apparently.
Thanks!
Yes they are, plenty of it on our forum, go use the resources and learn.
There’re things that can’t be taught in a “snap” of a finger…as may many users may think… or that a forum can replace Tech IT professionals that work for having food on the table.
Im not saying im going to learn all there is to from 1 single forum post … but more asking for guidance and pointers. Anyways … Im not seeking freebies but more of a DIY way … and i know time costs money so I am open to payment if this is the case, i can buy tools if needed and got some soldering skill if it comes to it …
Sorry my friend i dont want your money, neither does apply because this seems to be a case to be solved on a local bench table, not remotely, all the best.
@cr4zychriss
EDIT: Here, i got you more specific dumps, take as it is, i dont have time for more.
Pay attention to what i post above… there’s no EC IC to program, there’s only MAIN Bios IC and nVidia vbios, i do not have any dumped vbios from this model, the GD25LQ80.
Neither the afuwin 1.04 or the PCS_BIOS_GKxMP5FxN106 are complete with CSME FW region for programing.
. Is there no one interested / able to help support this please? 
