asus F556-UA54, possibly bricked

[Lost_N_BIOS]

You can fix it for less than $7 though, why pay $150 for a new board and CPU?

[andrewjs18]

You can fix it for less than $7 though, why pay $150 for a new board and CPU?

is there any soldering/wiring required?

[Lost_N_BIOS]

No soldering or wiring, but you do have to connect some things.

First thing to do is open all software versions and on the "auto" function, uncheck erase and blank check, this way nothing gets accidentally erased. Then on the "Operate" menu for each, second tab 25/26 function, make sure only "Main Memory" is selected.

Then goal is read, verify and then if buffer or main memory and chip match save the file. Then check this file, is it all FF or 00 or same similar set of characters only, if it is that's invalid dump, try again with different software. Send me the file once you get a good dump, it will look "similar" to the stock BIOS but not same. YOu can also compare in BIOS tools such as UEFITool, or AMIBCP 5.02.0023 or 0031 - good BIOS dump will look similar to stock BIOS in those tools, but not same, bad dump will not open or will show a bunch of errors vs the stock one in UEFITool parser tab,

Do not erase or write anything to the chip until I tell you we're ready,

Here is software http://s000.tinyupload.com/index.php?fil...5007472602

And here is a guide on how to use and setup
https://www.bios-mods.com/forum/Thread-G...programmer

[andrewjs18]

No soldering or wiring, but you do have to connect some things.

First thing to do is open all software versions and on the "auto" function, uncheck erase and blank check, this way nothing gets accidentally erased.  Then on the "Operate" menu for each, second tab 25/26 function, make sure only "Main Memory" is selected.

Then goal is read, verify and then if buffer or main memory and chip match save the file.  Then check this file, is it all FF or 00 or same similar set of characters only, if it is that's invalid dump, try again with different software.  Send me the file once you get a good dump, it will look "similar" to the stock BIOS but not same.  YOu can also compare in BIOS tools such as UEFITool, or AMIBCP 5.02.0023 or 0031 - good BIOS dump will look similar to stock BIOS in those tools, but not same, bad dump will not open or will show a bunch of errors vs the stock one in UEFITool parser tab,

Do not erase or write anything to the chip until I tell you we're ready,

Here is software http://s000.tinyupload.com/index.php?fil...5007472602

And here is a guide on how to use and setup
https://www.bios-mods.com/forum/Thread-G...programmer

you know what, it doesn't look too bad and I found the programmer and test clip within the United States for dirt cheap so I'll order them at work this afternoon and give it a try.  I don't think I can [censored] up the bios worse than it is now, and if I can't get it to work, I'll replace the motherboard as I was planning on doing anyhow...

thanks, I'll be in touch soon!

[Lost_N_BIOS]

make sure they are actually shipped from the US, check seller neutral and negs, some sellers say shipped from US but then still chip from China.

No, you can't mess it up worse, and don't worry you'll be able to fix it with this, people do it all day long!

[andrewjs18]

make sure they are actually shipped from the US, check seller neutral and negs, some sellers say shipped from US but then still chip from China.

No, you can't mess it up worse, and don't worry you'll be able to fix it with this, people do it all day long!

good point, and that's what a lot of the negative feedback was for with these sellers - late delivery.

I ended up picking up the test clip and programmer on amazon for a little less than $17.  they'll be delivered tomorrow...

[Lost_N_BIOS]

There are some that sell and ship from US, and some that are in China that do ship items from US, you just have to dig through feedback on the actual items for the ones you think are in China and see if they ship those items from US.

$17 is a lot, I would have ordered the cheapest way from China and waited, if this was not my main system.

[andrewjs18]

There are some that sell and ship from US, and some that are in China that do ship items from US, you just have to dig through feedback on the actual items for the ones you think are in China and see if they ship those items from US.

$17 is a lot, I would have ordered the cheapest way from China and waited, if this was not my main system.

I'm perfectly fine with $17 - I was going to pay $160-$170 to replace the motherboard...even on ebay, the prices for the programmer and test clip from a "USA" seller would be pretty close to $14-17 after taxes.

I use this laptop for work, I definitely can't have it down for 3-5 weeks while I wait on parts from China..

[Lost_N_BIOS]

Yes, I forgot about that! I'm so glad you at least didn't go that route!!

Next time now, at least you'll have programmer in advanced, if you ever have a system brick on you, or need to flash in Mod BIOS without any hassles

[andrewjs18]

hi @lost_n_bios,

I got the test clip and programmer today. I also just took the bottom of my laptop off.

I want to be 100% sure which is the bios chip before messing with it.

the two chips that I think are likely the bios chip have the following inscribed onto them:

AS358M-E1

&

mxic mx25l6473e

see some pics here:
https://imgur.com/a/tO69Wsa

thanks!