SOP 8 to SOP 16 conversion for BIOS programming with CH341a programmer

[MrWooh]

Hi,
I'm trying to save my bricked ASRock x470 Taichi motherboard. After a bios update it unfortunately doesn't boot anymore. Hence, I'm trying to program it with an CH341a programmer (MiniProgrammer). The bios chip on board is a 16 PIN, 1.8V Macronix MX25U25645GMI00 chip.

I have used the black version of the the programmer with a 1.8v converter (to reduce it from 5v) in combination with ASProgrammer (Windows) and IMSProg (Linux) tool. With both I was able to read out some 8 PIN chips with an SOP 8 testing clip.

Now I'm wondering how I can convert the 8 PINs from the programmer to attach it to the 16 PIN bios chip. I have a SOP 16 testing clip. Based on my research the PIN conversation should look as following:

8 PIN CH341 programmer -> 16 PIN SOP Testing Clip
1 -> 7 (CS)
2 -> 8 (MISO)
3 -> 9 (WP)
4 -> 10 (VSS)
5 -> 15 (MOSI)
6 -> 16 (SCK)
7 -> 1 (HOLD)
8 -> 2 (VCC)

I tried to do the conversion with with DuPont cables, but wasn't able to get any results. I'm aware that the SOP testing clips can be very finicky to attach, but at this point I'd still try to avoid soldering.

Does this PIN conversion look right?

Thank you!

[MrWooh]

For those who are interested a quick introduction about the CH341a programmer: https://www.onetransistor.eu/2017/08/ch3...matic.html

As well some background about IMSProg (Linux) and ASProgrammer (Windows):
- https://www.onetransistor.eu/2023/10/ims...linux.html
- https://www.onetransistor.eu/2018/11/use...ndows.html

[SonixSquad]

Hi,
I'm trying to save my bricked ASRock x470 Taichi motherboard. After a bios update it unfortunately doesn't boot anymore. Hence, I'm trying to program it with an CH341a programmer (MiniProgrammer). The bios chip on board is a 16 PIN, 1.8V Macronix MX25U25645GMI00 chip.
I have used the black version of the the programmer with a 1.8v converter (to reduce it from 5v) in combination with ASProgrammer (Windows) and IMSProg (Linux) tool. With both I was able to read out some 8 PIN chips with an SOP 8 testing clip.
Now I'm wondering how I can convert the 8 PINs from the programmer to attach it to the 16 PIN bios chip. I have a SOP 16 testing clip. Based on my research the PIN conversation should look as following:
8 PIN CH341 programmer -> 16 PIN SOP Testing Clip
1 -> 7 (CS)
2 -> 8 (MISO)
3 -> 9 (WP)
4 -> 10 (VSS)
5 -> 15 (MOSI)
6 -> 16 (SCK)
7 -> 1 (HOLD)
8 -> 2 (VCC)
I tried to do the conversion with with DuPont cables, but wasn't able to get any results. I'm aware that the SOP testing clips can be very finicky to attach, but at this point I'd still try to avoid soldering.
Does this PIN conversion look right?
Thank you!

Hello.

I have found myself in a similar situation after a failed Bios flash on my Taichi x470 board because it lost power during the flash.
I have already obtained a ch341A kit but I got the 8Pin Test clip not realising the bios rom is 16pin so I will order one of those also.
I wanted to reply to you specifically to find out if there were any other difficulties you encountered you can give me a heads up about before I proceed. Also did you find the answer t your question regarding the pin order etc.

I'm about to go through the same ordeal so any tips and pointers appreciated.

[MrWooh]

I'm about to go through the same ordeal so any tips and pointers appreciated.

Unfortunately, I didn't succeed so far with programming the chip. It is only my backup computer, so I didn't try too hard.

However, based on what I tried so far, I'm not entirely sure if the test clip will work. It is at least very challenging to attach correctly and quite a few blog posts about similar situation talk about de-soldering the chip and putting it in a proper chip reader.

Hopefully you have more luck than I did so far.

[SonixSquad]

I'm about to go through the same ordeal so any tips and pointers appreciated.

Unfortunately, I didn't succeed so far with programming the chip. It is only my backup computer, so I didn't try too hard.

However, based on what I tried so far, I'm not entirely sure if the test clip will work. It is at least very challenging to attach correctly and quite a few blog posts about similar situation talk about de-soldering the chip and putting it in a proper chip reader.

Hopefully you have more luck than I did so far.

Okay, thanks for the response.
This is my main PC so I am keen to get it back online although I do have a backup I am using, the upgrade was intending to turn this into a server to host VM's and I don't plan on buying an x470 replacement board, the price on those are still around £150 for a 5-6 year old used board.

I'll post progress when i have some, I have ordered the 16pin test clip.

[SonixSquad]

I'm about to go through the same ordeal so any tips and pointers appreciated.

Unfortunately, I didn't succeed so far with programming the chip. It is only my backup computer, so I didn't try too hard.

However, based on what I tried so far, I'm not entirely sure if the test clip will work. It is at least very challenging to attach correctly and quite a few blog posts about similar situation talk about de-soldering the chip and putting it in a proper chip reader.

Hopefully you have more luck than I did so far.

Quick update.

I also gave up lol. I was using the 16 pin clip and had to wait for the 1.8 volt converter to arrive but after a few hours I was not able to get the clip to sit correctly on the chip enough to get a reading. It just kept coming back as unknown. I did install the driver for the ch341a device which took me a step forward but after that nothing.

I just bought a newer board which on the plus side gave me pcie 4.0 and some extra nvme slots.
Board works a treat although I had to undervolt my 5950x because it was idling at 50c even with a custom loop and redoign the thermal paste made no difference. Undervolting is key it seems with this processor. 

Anyway good luck to anyone else trying this, might just need a bit more patience than me and I have a lot of that.