Thanks Vega for your replay.
Generally all my attempts were solely focused on getting patchable bios before i would flash anything.
I wanted to start with bios image i could use to restore machine when i would brick it.
Extracting from installer ‘flashable’ bios did not worked. Then I tried to read physically chip using CH341A programmer. Previously did successfully modded by ThinkPad T440p and random huanzahi x99 board without problems.
But while connecting to this particular chip chip id does not show up. It says #FFFFF, did multiple checks. And I connect pin 1 correctly (so aligned red wire with the dot.)
The part worries me the most that when I connect the clip the led on board also light up. Is this a normal behaviour?
Do i need to unsolder this chip? If yes then it is no go for me as i would likely brick it…
Or my programmer is just not working, does this chip has some kind of security preventing me from reading it ?
There’s a recent post this week with a user referring to same CH341A behaviour, of course its NOT OK to lit both Leds, the issue was a defective programmer.
And yes due to circuit build SPI CMOS/PHC some ICs must be desoldered from main pcb.
@WallCoffe, I think there are several potential issues. If you have an oscilloscope, you can take a look at the individual signals. First, check pin 6 (SCLK). A clock signal should be present there during the read process. If so, you can take a look at pin 5 (MOSI). The programmer uses this pin to send instructions (which the flash IC responds to by outputting data on another pin). If one of these signals is missing, it is due to your programmer.
when I connect the clip the led on board also light up. Is this a normal behaviour?
The glowing of an LED occurs most likely because you supplied the flash IC with a voltage via your clip (VCC on pin 4 and GND on 8). Because this all happens in-system (which means without disconnecting the flash IC from the mainboard), the rail to which the IC is connected (presumably +3V) is also powered. I think this is not a cause for concern.
Do i need to unsolder this chip?
Normally you don’t need to desolder the IC. However, it is possible that the IC’s signal lines are pulled to a certain level by resistors or have a higher capacitance due to connections on the mainboard. This may cause your programmer to fail driving the signals correctly (you could see this in the waveforms using an oscilloscope). In this case, a lower clock frequency (on SCLK) or the use of a different programmer could help.
does this chip has some kind of security preventing me from reading it ?
This is most likely not the case.
The advice from MeatWar seems plausible to me, it could be a defective programmer (CH341A are not famous for being high quality/reliable hardware).
When using a CH341A, you should be careful with the voltage levels. There are some CH341A which use too high levels (5V instead of 3.3V), which can lead to damage to the mainboard and/or flash IC. You can find a more detailed explanation here.
