Bricked trying BIOS update

[Bill Christiansen]

OlliFromGermany wrote:

I had the same problem. No sign of life and the battery at 3.1v – fully discharged. (at 3.1v stops the pmic – axp288c) First of all: the BIOS Chip is a Winbond FW Type. That means: 1.8V. Most programmers (the ch341 for example) are only for 3.2v eeprom types. so you have to use a level converter from 3.2v to 1.8v. If you didn’t do that, you have inserted 3.2v on the motherboard where only 1.8v were expected…… I had to desolder my bios chip and change it to a new one. the old chip was possible to program and verify but it doesn’t work. a new one was able to start my tablet with the same bin file. it seems that my old bios chip has problems at normal working frequencies (20mhz). After changing the chip and charging the lipo with an external lipo charger my chuwi works well since a couple of weeks.

Thanks for the additional info, I’ve now ordered a 1.8v adapter. What sort of charger and method did you use to revive the lipo above the 3.1v? I don’t want to buy a special charger but may be able to modify a usb charger to control the current to get it above threshold.

[OlliFromGermany]

I used a B6 mini charger. 1S 1A for charging. That will take a while – but the lipo stays cool. USB charger have much less power and may be not as accurate as the B6.

[Bill Christiansen]

I’m still waiting for some of the tools I ordered to repair my Hi12 but I decided to make a start getting it ready. I opened up and disconnected +ve to battery and cut a little corner of the thermal pad away to expose BIOS chip but I see there is a metal plate under the thermal pad that will have to be removed as well for the test clip to fit on the chip. Should the metal plate lift away easily enough?

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[Richard Russell]

Bill Christiansen wrote:

I’m still waiting for some of the tools I ordered to repair my Hi12 but I decided to make a start getting it ready. I opened up and disconnected +ve to battery and cut a little corner of the thermal pad away to expose BIOS chip but I see there is a metal plate under the thermal pad that will have to be removed as well for the test clip to fit on the chip. Should the metal plate lift away easily enough?

yeah it’s super easy, those two pieces of gray tape on the USB ports at the bottom of the picture act as hinges, so grip it by the metal at the top near the bios chip and to the right by the gray pad and pull up, there is no latch or anything, it just kinda clicks in and out

[Bill Christiansen]

Great thanks, I folded back the cover and it looks like the test clip attaches just fine. I’m still awaiting the usb programmer from Banggood, it was shipped the same time as the test clip but taking a bit longer. Also got a 1.8v adapter coming from Aliexpress.

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[Richard Russell]

don’t forget to cut the power from the cmos batteries on the left before you get to work

[Jorge]

Hi Bill Christiansen, could you make a tutorial with videos or pictures please?? let us know if you can fix it!

Best of luck!

[Bill Christiansen]

Richard Russell wrote:

don’t forget to cut the power from the cmos batteries on the left before you get to work

I’ve disconnected the red wire from the main battery but haven’t noticed any cmos batteries. The smaller sets of red and black wires go to the speakers.

[Bill Christiansen]

Jorge wrote:

Hi Bill Christiansen, could you make a tutorial with videos or pictures please?? let us know if you can fix it! Best of luck!

Sure, if it’s a happy outcome I’ll post some more detail 🙂

[Henry Atcorner]

Bill Christiansen wrote:

Jorge wrote:

Hi Bill Christiansen, could you make a tutorial with videos or pictures please?? let us know if you can fix it! Best of luck!

Sure, if it’s a happy outcome I’ll post some more detail

 

Hi Guys,

I have just faced the same problem this morning. So I will have to undertake the process of flashing the BIOS.

It would be nice if those who have started to investigate the various options mentionned in this thread could pots the list of tools and equipment they have ordered on various sites ( Bangood, Ali express, ebay…….) I would like to take a little time lookink at the different options before ordering.

Obviously I would rather choose the clip option than soldering a new chip if this is practical. If not what BIOS chip schould be ordered.

 

Thanks for your inputs

[Jorge]

I have purchased already this 3 tools, hopefully are the right ones!

· Programmer CH341A:

http://es.aliexpress.com/store/product/Free-shipping-Bios-Board-MX25L6405-W25Q64-USB-Programmer-LCD-Burner-CH341A-Progammer-for-24-25-Series/110055_2036622392.html?ws_ab_test=searchweb201556_0,searchweb201602_1_10017_10021_507_10022_10020_10009_10008_10018_10019_101,searchweb201603_6&btsid=cad38889-3ffe-4230-a2ab-97bd7fc86cf7

· Eeprom-Programmer Clip connection cable:

http://es.aliexpress.com/store/product/Free-Shipping-SOIC8-SOP8-Test-Clip-For-EEPROM-93CXX-25CXX-24CXX-in-circuit-programming-New/1185416_1790375417.html?ws_ab_test=searchweb201556_0,searchweb201602_1_10037_10017_10021_507_10022_10032_10009_10020_10008_10018_10019_101,searchweb201603_6&btsid=133a46b3-4b95-40c2-8eff-6d79924b97c0

· 1.8V Adapter:

http://es.aliexpress.com/store/product/1-8V-adapter-for-Iphone-or-motherboard-1-8V-SPI-Flash-SOP8-DIP8-W25-MX25-can/802270_32523880554.html?ws_ab_test=searchweb201556_0,searchweb201602_1_10037_10017_10021_507_10022_10032_10009_10020_10008_10018_10019_101,searchweb201603_6&btsid=1c9ff27b-7a8a-400f-9c5f-1ec44f18fed4

 

now just waiting for any tutorial well explained… good luck for the braves!!!

[Bill Christiansen]

here’s a photo of the chip, it’s Winbond 25Q64FWSIG

Seems to be readily available

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[Henry Atcorner]

Bill Christiansen wrote:

Richard Russell wrote:

don’t forget to cut the power from the cmos batteries on the left before you get to work

I’ve disconnected the red wire from the main battery but haven’t noticed any cmos batteries. The smaller sets of red and black wires go to the speakers.

Did’nt find the CMOS battery either? I have checked the voltage on all pins of the BIOS chip nothing since the main battery has been disconnected.

[Henry Atcorner]

Thanks for the inputs I have already placed the orders  but I have also done some research and taken some photos for those who are not familiar in working on electronics and chips. For the time being I don’t intend to remove the original chip and I will try to use the test clip. Removing SMD might be tricky and needs the right tools. See some links below.
<h2>Useful links to “ HOW TO”</h2>
<h2></h2>
<h2>Recover  BIOS,</h2>
<h2></h2>
<h2>http://diy.viktak.com/2014/07/how-to-recover-laptop-after-failed-bios.html</h2>
<h2></h2>
<h2> Replacing BIOS CHIP,</h2>
<h2></h2>
<h2>https://www.pctechguide.com/how-to-update-your-system-bios/replacing-your-bios-chip-how-to-update-your-system-bios</h2>
<h2></h2>
<h2></h2>
<h2>How to remove SMD chip without Hot air</h2>
<h2></h2>
<h2>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSzfNrbDfIY</h2>
<h2></h2>
<h2> Fix that bricked bios flash!</h2>
<h2></h2>
<h2>http://armtvtech.com/armtvtechforum/viewtopic.php?t=79751</h2>
<h2></h2>
<h2></h2>
<h2>USB EEPROM Programmer and links</h2>
<h2>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0ChYNwunUE</h2>
<h2> Attached are some pictures about how to remove the metal plate and some additionnal informations about the BIOS chip, in case you should want to buy the right one. ( I have already ordered one just in case</h2>

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[winston smith]

It depend the level of knowledge of the repair center… Probably not, indeed. Flash a bios in tablet from a ship programmer is not common since you need the file, which are not commonly put at disposal to customer.

[Author]

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