Bios Mods -The Best BIOS Update and Modification Source

Hello LnB,

My CH341A arrived today from China.

(Incidentally I think some crooked person there compromised my MasterCard credit/debit card because I got a fraud alert early last week.  I guess they sell you something for nearly free and then sell your credit card info to make up the difference.  Never again.)

Outstanding is the 1.8v adapter.  Technically I'm ready to go except for that.

(I'm also getting 8 Dupont cables which I talked GQ Electronics into swapping me for because they sent me a cable with a clip attached they claimed was a Pomona 5250 but it wasn't. So I'm getting the 8 Dupont cables free and they don't want the knockoff cable/clip back.)

I have no software to do this with so what should I be using?

Also if you can send me a picture of the orientation of pin 1 on the clip and where that attaches to pin 1 on the SPI and also how the wires attach from the clip to the 1.8v adapter's pins and how that adapter attaches to the CH431A I'll be golden.

Steve

I was watching this video...

https://www.techinferno.com/index.php?/f...er-ch341a/

Take a look at my two pictures...do I still need the 1.8v adapter because it seems like I have what I need?


#1:  Shows pin 1 on clip (red wire on front left) connected to pin 1 on chip (identified by tiny dent near corner on front left...

https://imgur.com/a/iGq4ohg

#2:  Shows pin 1 on header from cable plugged into pin 1 on SOP8 board which aligns with pin 1 on the back half (25 SPI BIOS half) of ZIF socket on CH341A...

(I think the red wire is going to pin 1 on the tiny board [not 100% sure] but I understand the direction the cable comes out of the header matters)...

https://imgur.com/a/NRaVaAY



Let me know if this is usable as is and why I'm waiting for a 1.8v adapter...is there a voltage issue that is adjusted by that board?

Thanks!

Steve

That was fast! Sorry to hear about the CC, I hate when that happens, you'll have to use paypal next time!

So you still didn't get the Pomona clip? Or they just sent you another cheap clip additionally

Here is software package with all the current versions of the main CH341A software, there is some others but I didn't include those I'll link them later if needed
http://s000.tinyupload.com/index.php?fil...5007472602

Here is a guide here on getting it all setup properly, you will use your cables and adapter as if it was a memory chip or clip shown in the guide (So adapter in first like it was a memory chip or clip, then clip/cable into that same way
https://www.bios-mods.com/forum/Thread-G...programmer

I didn't watch the video, yes you need 1.8V adapter based on your chips ID from the image you showed and the PDF, it's a 1.8V chip based on that ID (25Uxxxxx means 1.8V - see page 87 of PDF + Page 4 Features/General Info)

Yes, pin one (red wire) goes to pin one in the adapter (Middle block, pin one on lever side middle) and to the boards pin one

(04-10-2019, 12:45 AM)Lost_N_BIOS Wrote: [ -> ]That was fast!  Sorry to hear about the CC, I hate when that happens, you'll have to use paypal next time!

So you still didn't get the Pomona clip?  Or they just sent you another cheap clip additionally

Here is software package with all the current versions of the main CH341A software, there is some others but I didn't include those I'll link them later if needed
http://s000.tinyupload.com/index.php?fil...5007472602

Here is a guide here on getting it all setup properly, you will use your cables and adapter as if it was a memory chip or clip shown in the guide (So adapter in first like it was a memory chip or clip, then clip/cable into that same way
https://www.bios-mods.com/forum/Thread-G...programmer

I didn't watch the video, yes you need 1.8V adapter based on your chips ID from the image you showed and the PDF, it's a 1.8V chip based on that ID (25Uxxxxx means 1.8V - see page 87 of PDF + Page 4 Features/General Info)

Yes, pin one (red wire) goes to pin one in the adapter (Middle block, pin one on lever side middle) and to the boards pin one

Actually I did use PayPal so that must have been a coincidence...I don't use my credit card number for most things online.


I got a genuine Pomona clip on a previous order. The ribbon cable and SOP8 board that I needed to order was after that and came with what was supposed to be a Pomona clip (meaning that I would have had two of them). Fortunately it was not a genuine Pomona so I got GQ Electronics to send me 8 Dupont cables which I'm still waiting for...they didn't want that knockoff clip with ribbon cable and SOP8 board sent back to them.

I'll grab the software at the link you specified and check out the instruction PDF.

So I'm totally confused...can you send me a picture of how you use that 1.8v adapter?

Does something from the bottom of that mount into the ZIF socket of the CH341A ?

Thanks!

Steve

Yes, then maybe coincidence, because I think with PP when you use CC they never see it anyway.

I thought you ordered that clip separately, then showed me a link to the cables/PCB you ordered, which I saw then had the cheap clip I assumed you just ordered for the cables/PCB, both links you posted have the el cheapo clip - I just assumed you planned to pull the cables and resolder pins into them to put in your Pomona
http://www.gqelectronicsllc.com/store/in...arch=SOIC8
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07PQH...UTF8&psc=1

1.8V adapter goes into the programmer, same way the guide shows a clip or BIOS chip going into it. You connect it at middle block, and pin one is on lever side. Yes, there is a set of pins coming out of the bottom of the 1.8V adapter, same as the PCB that comes with the cables we discussed above.

As for an image example, I only know of this one off hand
https://www.win-raid.com/t3694f16-Query-...l#msg67484

I have one of these adapters on the way, for just such questions/images, but it hasn't arrived yet (ordered 2-3 weeks ago, so should arrive soon)

Ah...OK, you got a pretty good stack going there in that picture. Long as everything makes good contact.

I already had the Pomona 5250 when I ordered the other clip and ribbon cable...I ordered it for the ribbon cable and the SOP8 board, not the clip.
I decided after I got the clip with the ribbon cable I didn't like any of it at all. Didn't like the quality.
So FORTUNATELY because THAT (second) clip was not the Pomona 5250 they advertised it as, they're sending Dupont cables and I don't have to return anything back to them.

Dupont cables are probably better anyway. Ribbon cables can be flaky where they're crimped into those IDC headers.

I guess I'll have the 1.8v adapter next week (hopefully), and the Dupont cables I should have this week.

So hoping to get the SPI dumped next week and send to you.

I understand I should create at least two, maybe three dumps then compare them to make sure they're absolutely identical.

I can probably just run fc /b at the command line which compares binary files to see if there's any differences. Haven't used that in a while.

Doing that and coming out with three identical files ensures I got an accurate read.

Steve

Yes, it's programmer >> Adapter >> Cable or BIOS

Those ribbon cables are OK, but yes cheap and not easily/readily usable with a Pamona clip (you need those Dupont F/M cables
I don't see either advertising the cable with clip as a Pomona clip, in the links you posted here.

Maybe we'll have the 1.8v adapters arrive at same time, then if you need better/more images I can take my own for you.

If you are not familiar with BIOS editing then yes, make several dumps, once they match up then send to someone (me) to check to be sure it's a valid BIOS. Then you can write. This serves two purposes, one you get familiar with using the software, and you find which version works for your setup and which ID to use (exact not always best). And then second thing is you create a good backup that can be used anytime for recovery.

Do not use auto in the software, and I suggest going in an unchecking the first two boxes. My suggested method once you know what works and you plan to do a write is >> Erase manually >> Blank check manually, then open BIOS file and hit auto (Which has only write and verify boxes checked)

Got some good news from Kee Electronics regarding the Willem PCB6.0E LPT I purchased from them.

The specific SPI on my Intel Compute Stick is supported.  If the chip is supported, does that mean I don't need a 1.8v adapter?

Still gotta wait for my docking station though (which has a parallel port). That docking station takes care of some other things I need more of as well.

======================================================================

-------- Original Message --------
Subject:
Re: PLEASE REPLY: I need to know if Macronix MX25U6435F is supported
Date:
2019-04-10 12:28
From:
"support@keeelectronics.com" <support@keeelectronics.com>
To:
"steve@vwebr.net" <steve@vwebr.net>

 
It does support your chip.

Thanks !

Ken

<clipped>
 

On 2019-03-31 17:29, steve@vwebr.net wrote:

Quote:I just purchased a Willem PCB6.0E LPT.
This list you have might be very much of date and I need to know if that is the case.
http://keeelectronics.com/spi_bios_chip_device_list.txt
Your list shows compatibility of the Willem with these 3 similar Macronix devices (16-, 32- and 8-Mbit respectively:
Macronix                  MX25U1635E [SOP8-200]                       (1065)
Macronix                  MX25U3235E [SOP8]                           (1065)
Macronix                  MX25U8035E [SOP8-200]                       (1065)
Is my MX25U6435F supported?
It's the same chip but double the capacity of the next one down from it (MX25U3235E).
I don't know if the letter at the end matters, but mine is F and the chips in your list end with E.
Steve Sybesma

======================================================================

If they say it's supported on the Willem then yes it should be, and I think that has voltage selection thing on it already doesn't it? So you should be able to choose 1.6-1.8V. Tell them they need to update their compatible list!

(04-10-2019, 09:26 PM)Lost_N_BIOS Wrote: [ -> ]If they say it's supported on the Willem then yes it should be, and I think that has voltage selection thing on it already doesn't it?  So you should be able to choose 1.6-1.8V.  Tell them they need to update their compatible list!

I'll have to find out how to set the voltage but until I get my Dell E-Port Plus II with the parallel port I can't use it.
Got one brand new in the box for $29.00 on Ebay.
Got an older Dell laptop that still works like a charm.