In case you haven't noticed yet, for some time now, motherboards are coming with a new SPI BIOS chip, instead of the regular PLCC ones.
This is a smart move by manufacturers since, when using the proper tools, the SPI chips are easier to debug in case of malfunction and require less motherboard traces to do the same work, bringing some costs down with it.
The SPI approach is a serial one, contrary to the parallel approach used by PLCC BIOS chips. This is similar to the move from PATA to SATA interface for ODDs and HDDs.
Of course, from an enthusiasts point of view, this is not always good - forget about hot-flashing with these chips, they are soldered on the board.
Sockets do exist, but I wouldn't count on them being provided since many boards have been constantly losing their PLCC sockets for some time now. These sockets are more complex, possibly more costly, further mitigating that possibility.
Most computer users do effectively flash their BIOS to a new one somewhere along their life time, so this is a serious issue when things go wrong, something not too uncommon.
Keywords: SPI Bios flash recovery PLCC AMI AwardThe manufacturer has two ways of flashing these chips, either when manufacturing or when fixing a broken BIOS, both will need a special flashing device.
The first way is simply connecting it to the header shown above, next to the Macronix SPI BIOS chip, and flash it. Most boards don't provide this header and an in-board flashing cable costs $50 more. The regular flashing device costs about $150. That's more than some motherboards cost - definitely not good news.
Also take note that even with the SPI debug header provided, flashing from there isn't guaranteed if the manufacturer didn't chose to implement it.
If you are really extreme, you can solder the sockets yourself, but I don't think anyone would go so far frequently, especially if the board still has warranty. The only thing left for enthusiasts to do in case of a bad BIOS flash is to sent it back and wait, something that was previously circumvented with some relative ease.
To avoid these kind of problems, remember to never, ever order the flashing software to delete the bootblock. If the flashing goes wrong there are methods for both Award and AMI BIOS to restore the corrupted part of the flash memory from a floppy or CD/DVD.
If the bootblock is gone, you can enter the "panic mode", because it will never work again without being flashed.
6 comments:
The cost saving on SPI Flash (10-15 cents) has to be calculated on millions of motherboards at the manufacturer point of view.. As the margin on motherboard is very tie, you can imagine that they don't have hesitated. There is many different solution to recover from the boot with a SPI Flash even without pin header. you can find many accessories on the following web site: www.dediprog.com
It's a good move since the SPI chips are a lot easier to flash with some cables connected to a parallel port of a computer, the PLCC needs a special programmer.
And it's also easier to remove, 4 legs on 2 sides is far easier to desolder and resolder again that the 64 pin on all sides of a PLCC
Having bricked only month old ASRock ALiveNF7G-HDready earlier this year, I hate SPI type BIOS. ASRock does not even have any recovery function in BIOS, as they claim there was not enough space. I was stupid and did not find that fact before it was too late. Even while the chip has actually DIL-8 case and it's in socket, the board stays bricked because I've got no programming equipment or another board hot-flashing.
...that should be "or another board for hot-flashing.", of course.
Can you not just use a SPI Flash Programmer to load the bios roms? You can get one for $30.00 these days.
It is probably cheaper these days, back when this was published SPI programmers where expensive. The big problem currently is when they don't have the header on the motherboard or the chip isn't in a socket.
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