Remastered: How to use a BIOS flasher w/ Test clip to flash BIOS and EEPROM chips in Linux/Windows

[@Astfgl]

Note that if flashrom is giving you an error "Couldn't open device 1a86:5512. Error: Programmer initialization failed." make sure that a jumper is placed on the pins next to the big plastic block. You can clearly see it in the video at 1:30. This changes the programmer device from UART mode to SPI mode and allows flashrom to use it. My device came without the jumper installed and I spent several hours trying to figure out why it wouldn't work, until I came across a patch for the source code of flashrom that hinted there might be a jumper necessary to switch modes.

[@martyhorten3743]

Good information, I hope those who use CH341a will follow your discovery. Oh, I wish the chip makers would mention these in their tech manuals. Another such example is when I replaced a Compaq mobo which then had a BIOS error "Serial number not found" after a BIOS update. I had to patch BIOS with a 3rd party flash to install (tattoo as they call it) the serial number into the BIOS to bypass the irritating error screen and boot w/o issue.

[@marksands9196]

Nice and clear explanation, not top slow or rushed. Thanks for taking the time to do this 👏👏

[@heywoodjabloomey]

Thank you so much for this. You explained everything perfectly. I wish all tutorials were this good.

[@albertodhc1]

Awesome video man, you explained it so well even I can do it. Just orderes my CH341A chip and clamp. Thank you very much, hope to see more videos like this one. Cheers!

[@RockYourBrand]

You helped me to bring a very expensive ultrawide monitor back to life with this brilliant tutorial. THANK YOU!!!

[@martyhorten3743]

Nice to know that monitors can be flashed, I have a TV monitor that has a power light, but not turning on - Maybe a BIOS fix?! Thanks!

[@lululock]

@@martyhorten3743 Probably a PSU issue. Lots of flat-screen TVs have this issue at some point of their life. It's often because of a dead capacitor which prevents the TV to turn on.

[@SomnoNaut]

@@lululock Yup have changed out caps for pennies on TV boards. Even hot wired one on an old rear projection whose vertical hold was kabloey.

[@nickguyon3297]

What were the symptoms? I have a LG 38UC99-W that shows it’s getting power (bottom button LED lights up) but it won’t charge any devices and it shows no display or backlight

[@scottyd035ntknow]

Tomahawk B450 bricked when I did "instant flash". Ordered the programmer and clip and this video is very informative thank you. Here's hoping it'll save my board.

[@c3.14.muhammadrizkihadiput6]

can u update the situation ?

[@Insky_]

how did it go?

[@Droidika101]

Excellent video. Appreciate your taking the time to and effort to share this.

[@mrmc55]

Clean and clear information so far

[@desertbloom99gmail64]

thank you for your informative video, its about time ,be able to catch up with this as i need it to fix my laptop bios stuck with forgotten password thanks a lot

[@luigiprovencher]

What happens if there's no logo or other identifying information on the IC chip except for numbers?

[@Drottninggatan2017]

First you can try the autodetect function in the program. The CH341A will only deliver 3.3V to the chip. If you need 1.8V you need an adapter. 5V will require a modification of the CH341A. Other than that all SPI chips should be compatible. It is an interface, and they all use the same pins.

[@kellyq21]

THANK YOU for your service to the tech world. Just think how many hours and dollars you have saved people due to your generosity. I love how it didn't work the first time, just like the real world lol. And you remembered to mention possible trip-ups. Outstanding! EDIT: some of the commenters on Amazon mentioned (complained) that they had to physically hold the clamp in place for it to stay. Just an fyi.

[@deftdawg]

For sure clamping can be tricky, especially if there's a bunch of other components around it

[@jasonostergaard681]

I am encountering an issue where my CH341a disconnects (I get the USB disconnect sound) when I attach the clip to the bios chip on my motherboard. I think it might be drawing to much power?

[@redeye619]

Where did you get the software that you use on windows, I've not been having luck with the various ones I've tried so far,

[@marcuscoolin]

please tell me if you find one

[@redeye619]

@@marcuscoolin yeah, still no luck ae

[@NewbFixer]

Thanks buddy, need to fix my daughters laptop, this will for sure save me time when the programmer arrives. Thank you.

[@xx3868]

Hi, i just got a new CH341B (notA?) Programmer and tried on many diff good and bad 3.3V bios and it wont read any? BUT i looked at the CH341 Chip and Pin 25 is not soldered?? Is that pin required or not and something else is wrong although i have double checked everything and tried win 7 and 10 and two diff versions of AS Programmer program. thanks for any help.

[@michaelnovak9412]

What is a 24 or 25 series?

[@vancabrera8833]

its the bios chip model

[@killerks7379]

@@vancabrera8833bro how can i know my chip model ?

[@guyandhisbike3520]

​​@@killerks7379tl be written on the chip the starting number will have either an alphabet followed by 24 or 25 or in worst case just look for the number 24 or 25 on the ic itself

[@dgm778]

Why the clip not work on another programmer?

[@joshygaminghub7428]

what software you are using?

[@CanyonDriver76]

Thank you for the video! I'm getting a "FW Version Error" message. I am going to try and flash the bios chip with the programmer. UPDATE I was able to flash the bios but had to hold the clip on the chip because it wasn't making contact. Took me a while to figure that out.

[@martyhorten3743]

Yeah, I'm sketchy about the clothespin clip, as you see he took a few reclippings to get a read.

[@marcuscoolin]

i need to know how to download flashrom on windows. their site is no help to me and asprogrammer constantly shows new chips

[@Lionheartkickboxing]

How do you know the difference between the 24 and 25 version?

[@killerks7379]

Bro if u knowed tell me

[@d0nKsTaH]

Hey would this work on an ASUS M2-VM motherboard bios? The Bios is soldered to the board... I'm assuming it would need smaller clips to connect to some of the legs... My BIOS was being upgraded and the entire board got bricked. Truth is, I've moved on to other PCs and even have two other ASUS replacement boards. But lately, I've thought of trying to fix this old one and use it for something like linux or tinker around with steamOS or something. Be fun to actually be able to fix it

[@aaaronmiller100]

where's the info on how to fix the built in 3.3v fail that all of the older versions of this reader have? get te new model ch341a v1.6 ; how can any review about thiis be complete without that info?

[@wds143]

Can I flash bios with Arduino or raspberry pi pico ? Please help

[@Martin-ot7xj]

Hi there, what is the difference between 24x and 25x on CH341A programmer? thnx

[@ISAK.M]

15:18 "or u can edit it right in memory if ure crazy" hahahaaha XDDD

[@dwikyachmad4466]

dude i kinda feel ashamed for still falling for this stuff but i fell for the fake gpu, and this video helped me! thanks a lot

[@Rudyworld]

How do you know if you have a 24 or 25 series?

[@AdamA-wg1ko]

Find it,,, look up the numbers and letters.. if it's Mac. Be a genius 😂

[@stephanc9466]

Thank you - saving me hours of research

[@joshuamarkusmarkwood]

I can't use the clamp, the spring is extremly thigh, everytime I put it on the chip it just gets out and it feels and sounds like its breaking the chip.

[@valerienewton6581]

Do you know if there are similar deices ot use to read from a USB flash memory chip?

[@martyhorten3743]

8:13 Linux already loads the CH341a w/o installing a driver? Nice! "flashrom" is the CH341a driver? If I run MXLinux (or Linux Lite) will the repositories be Ubuntu or any Linux? Thanks!

[@deftdawg]

Any standard ubuntu kernel will have it as a module... If you run a stripped down custom kernel, then it may not.

[@waleed9083]

How to download a bios file for hp elitebook 8470p

[@tcirit]

Thanks a lot for this informative video!

[@Wiedowerz]

Great video! I will be doing this in a few weeks when my CH341A arrives and this will be very helpful.

[@corel965]

I use AS Programmer and Neo Programmer on msi laptop flashing bios but no luck black screen always :/

[@JakeStehliChaser]

Thanks for the tutorial. My thunderbolt controller got corrupted on my laptop and the only way of flashing it is externally. I got the parts. Wish me luck.

[@JakeStehliChaser]

The flash worked! Now to see if it fixed my issue.

[@MOJOcreeper]

I cant seem to find the programmer file anywhere, do you know where I could download it for windows?

[@Chubbable]

Thanks man! Now Im all set up and ready to flash

[@madhakaa]

Sir is there a difference between the EZP2019 and CH341

[@deftdawg]

Sorry, don't know brother... Google seems to say they are different, but I have no experience with EZP2019s

[@2Much4TheseBitches]

@@deftdawg Can I flash it with linux if I have Ubuntu on an external SSD drive?

[@kakakarim]

I have a k5000 graphics card that I want to flash to have Mac boot on it, I bought the 512k chipset since the original is 256k and the file size is slightly bigger. How can I write onto that chip? Also looking at it, it doesnt have a dot in the upper right corner.

[@edo2520]

Great video! Thanks for the clear explanation!

[@MUHAMMADYAWARIFRAHEEM]

Flashrom have problem if u have 4mb chip and 236kb file its can't write but in window its write and work i test it...in flashrom if u do its give u error file size didn't match to chip size i don't know why and the developers didn't fix it ..fow window asprogrammer write and work fine

[@neosrt10]

Can u provide links for the windows drivers and software you used.

[@deftdawg]

Here you go: neon.kde.org/download

[@neosrt10]

Thanks bro I used Asprogrammer to unprotect the laptop vbios chip and clear then write and verify it worked got it to flash up and running. I downloaded Asprogrammer from the github site . Be well bro.

[@angelffff7391]

those programmers usually run at 5v. that bios chip and most bios chips run at 1.8v you either need the 1.8v adapter or you'll bake the chip... im assuming.

[@deftdawg]

Shouldn't assume that vin = vout

[@basmeyoshi9651]

Thank you I have question Acer 5745Dg has 2 bios chip kbc spi and pch spi wich one to flash for bios?

[@luigiprovencher]

You should make a video of you doing this with a raspberry pi if you have one. The CH341A isn't even needed if you have a Pi and the test clip. Just have to find a way to connect the test clip to the Pi's GPIO port/header or get just a clip with some female to female jumper cables/wires to connect from the clip the Pi.

[@Tech875O]

Can this device be used to strip away a forgotten password on the bios?

[@hugovalencia943]

does this device work for 16 pin bios chips? assuming you have the correct test clip anyways

[@amkoshesh6205]

For other modem models From what site Download the firmware file

[@linuxgirl_]

Can you recommend a good quality programmer and test clip? I know you are using a CH341A, but the ones I am looking at have some reviews complaining of poor quality and excess voltage. I'm wondering if there's a good manufacturer out there.

[@SimasMc]

my programmer doesn't work. It seems that the programmer is faulty. not a single bios chip connects to it. it doesn't read the chip the power light just dims which means that there is a short somewhere. and it doesn't matter which way i put the test clip on it still just thinks that its shorted.

[@NeimLest]

thank you so much for your work bro,

[@hopeforescape884]

hi i need help knowing what bios chip my notebook has its very difficult to read and some of the text is worn off isint there a program or data base i can search for my bios chip name and manufacture ?

[@BrianG61UK]

You're lucky if it works without removing the chip. Often one finds that the other circuitry around the chip make it impossible to provide enough power to the chip and/or enough signal to program it.

[@pavouts]

To flash the bios to a laptop do i have to remove the motherboard or i flash it on the laptop with motherboard on by only removing the battery from the motherboard

[@deftdawg]

Depends if you can get at the chip when you take the bottom off, if no gotta take it out. Either way disconnect battery and power.

[@jonnyheey]

Hey my dell 7567 got bricked cause of dells stupid dell support automatically downloading and installing the bios on its own. My previous bios was 1.11.0 is it safe to install one of the older bios or will old bios cause issues?

[@juice7661]

Hey so just like your card, my 1080ti also has three of those chips that any of them could be the BIOS one, how do I know which one is the right one? Searching model number leads to listings of the actual chip online but no useful info. I'm thinking maybe try first with the one I feel most likely is the right one but before I flash anything to it backup its contents first and if my card doesn't boot like that then time to revert that chip to its original file and try another chip. What you think? The issue with my card is I flashed another bios to increase power limits and I guess it just doesn't post with that bios, all conventional recovery methods fail, no matter igu/ second graphics card, if the system detects the card it flat out refuses to post.

[@deftdawg]

I just try each of them until one shows some strings that look like a bios... some likely won't even dump

[@potatogaming8322]

how to determine if its 24 or 25 series?

[@ras666]

Look at the number written on the chip package?

[@spinny2593]

@@ras666 Some people get a little slow with age and forget to put on their reading glasses.

[@darker3406]

would this be able to unbrick my Red Devil RX 580 8GB?

[@pacotrujillp5576]

Hi can you tell me how the 8 wires go on the test clip

[@shabbee]

In the file for the 341a programmer, there's a bunch of documents. Read the section on modding for 3.3v use as some devices won't program. If you get any verification errors, check all the options under the write drop menu item. Until I did that I kept getting errors.

[@marksands9196]

There is a jumper to select 3.3v or 5v on the board

[@jhaymarkpineda8081]

can i still flash the bios just using the test clip?

[@deftdawg]

If chip fits and you can read the contents, you should be able to write to it as well.

[@splat2glitcher]

the clip won’t stay :/

[@Seroplex10mg]

nice ! it's working with last gen graphic card ? like rx 6800? she is not detected anymore by atiflash :(

[@lottalava]

thanks so valuable knowledge!

[@LorisPeretto]

Hi! Great video, I am using the windows version of the program, it's more simple. But after a couple of success, now it's like the clamp doesn't work anymore, when I place it on the bios it always slip me out, it cannot stay firmy on the chip. DO you know why? The plastic is gone? This clamp probably sucks, I don't know if I can find on internet a better clamp. Is it possibile?

[@johngreco7987]

I NEED THIS REALLY BAD

[@Sebastian-wm5es]

In linux was a tool you could see and extract the partitions of such an image, do you know what I mean?

[@deftdawg]

binwalk

[@Sebastian-wm5es]

@@deftdawg Thats it, thanks man!

[@rarapas]

Thank you, I just bought the programmer to try writing a correct bios to a fake 1060 6GB gpu I bought off ebay and I was wondering how that would work. Hope I find a bios that makes the card being properly detected afterwards.

[@whocares3132]

mine is CH341B* its B! what now?

[@Dan00tz]

can i fix a bricked gtx 1070 with this method?

[@itlondon2053]

Awesome really good one

[@gwulostboy9752]

so where can i download a bios bin? you forgot to put the link

[@deftdawg]

Didn't think anyone would want a bios bin from a card that's more than 15 years old... do you need it? lol

[@gwulostboy9752]

@@deftdawg yes plesae

[@uniswapnft]

Thank u for teaching

[@rogerweihrauch9195]

Thanks for sharing this on Win/Linux. Do you think I will be able to re-flash a Asus B450F Gaming MB Bios Chip with this? (I bricked it ;) Thanks for Reply, Roger

[@i_mohan]

hlo bro ,how much will b charged for BIOS flashing?

[@forsfullcommunications1561]

Greetings, interesting resolve being clueless such a fix existed. Considering I've been spending endless hours attempting to normalize my corrupt BIOS that invaded my gravity standing sideways. I have a dysfunctional Lenovo YOGA 730-15IKB Laptop, question; Are the flasher Test clip Devices universal for all computers or device specific for specific model computers? Thank you very much for posting this vital educational post for all of us, remain well...

[@aurichio7783]

the controller is universal, depending on where you buy ot from it will be ready to flash BIOS for motherboard/GPU just double check on your chip what kind of voltage it needs so you don’t fry your chip. It usually comes setup for 3.3/5V but some chips are 1.8V and you’ll need an adapter for them, look up everything before doing the procedure so you don’t have any problems!

[@cdoublejj]

MUCH BETTER!

[@aliissa8347]

Thanks for the sharing. I have 2 questions 1. My bios chip is Mx25L12873, can I replace it by another mx25 bios chip or w25Q? 2. I tried to flash my bios chip using the ch341a and the test clip but after that my laptop don't power on and the charging led is blinking white and orange. Could you please help? Many thanks to all

[@tbskitt]

Did u fix bro

[@aliissa8347]

@@tbskitt Yes I did

[@tbskitt]

@@aliissa8347 how

[@briggsmedia]

Awesome! thanks

[@valtuber]

Great tutorial, buddy! I've got the same ch341a programmer, I know where to start from, but just wanted to confirm, other hackers have used it successfully. Thanks!

[@otkrivenje0]

Hey mate, How does this work if the file is .rom type? For Amd RX cards.

[@brcisna]

Hi deftdawg,,, Have you ever attempted any Chromebook bios's with this outfit? Thanks for informative video

[@deftdawg]

Only machine I tried it on was the Lenovo (windows laptop) shown in the video.

[@Zimboltor]

ty so much man

[@valtuber]

Also helpful vid is in kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y53RZIl_j7B-l6c , showing what to do if you need 3.3V logic support.

[@rolandberendonck3900]

Very cool!! 😎 👍

[@JesTheii]

master laptop

[@SimasMc]

im on my 3d bios chip flasher. and none of these read any of my bios chips. would not recomend it.

[@inachu]

in the 90's we just used UV light. lol I still prefer the old method..... but too bad the old method no longer works.

[@leploeo7145]

thanks bro

[@541_CoyotePower]

wtf how did you clip it so fast man ive been here an hour and im pulling my hair off shits pissing me off it wont clip!

[@johnloydotadoy5152]

Is this supported with mxi25l6473e? Please help me 😭

[@looterin8986]

Hey please do it on Windows I don't understand Linux please

[@deftdawg]

Okay, done... just skip to the second half of the video 😋

[@looterin8986]

@@deftdawg thanks, does this work on a laptop

[@deftdawg]

@@looterin8986 the clamp is far too small to clamp an entire laptop, it's meant for chips.

[@looterin8986]

@@deftdawg I meant a laptop vbios chip

[@55555edward]

Thank you >>>>

[@codyhernandez3230]

Reminded me of the NES game lol

[@nikeshpoddar4926]

Mpeg2 Rom file dawnload

[@stoptheirlies]

Keep stabbing the board with your screwdriver when pointing and you may knock some surface mount components off, be more delicate!

[@deftdawg]

'twas on a 15 year old video card I pulled out of a old junk bin, not too worried about it. :D

[@spinny2593]

@@deftdawg Your off a year. 14.. and that's if you got it the day it was released... just messing with ya. Good vid.

[@pontiacsunfire2754]

Thanks for the informative video. Couldn't connect with the clamp, impossible. Mine is defective, the teeth on one side are about 1mm longer than the other. Found another video, check out these connectors, they seem to be quite the find and I will be planning to look into them! kzbin.info/www/bejne/qGjNaH6KndaHjq8

[@rarapas]

Thank you for this!

[@y2kenh]

woohoo! like # 1000