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SPI Serial Flash ISP Programming

Standards are in place to ensure that new equipment can be reprogrammed or reclaimed without having to remove components from motherboards.
We are able to program motherboards that utilize the SPI Serial Flash EEPROM without resorting to major surgery in most cases.

If you have a soldered SOIC SPI Serial flash EEPROM on your board, and need to recover it please feel free to send your board to us for programming. If you live abroad it may be a cheaper option to order the chip and replace it yourself.

Handle your board carefully to avoid Static damage, and make sure you use a good strong box, and NOT A JIFFY BAG and an anti static bag if possible.
 

SPI Serial Flash-ISP Programmers

Programmers are available to program these EEPROM in place on the board. We are also able to offer a devoted SPI Serial Flash EEPROM programmer P.O.A.

The PDIP type are usually fitted in a socket for easy removal and servicing. If a SOIC type is used then there should be an ISP header maybe marked as SPI near the BIOS/CMOS part

We currently have a few different types of both SOIC and PDIP SPI Flash Parts, on the EEPROM page.

The image on the right clearly shows the Asus P5K-VM In system programming header (ISP or SPI programming header).

SOP 8-SOIC-PDIP

Asus, Biostar, Gigabyte, Shuttle and other makers are using SOP 8, SOIC and PDIP SPI Serial flash EEPROM's on new motherboards. Some Economy motherboards do not have an in system programming header fitted.

 

Winbond W25X80VDAIZ Image

W25X80VDAIZ
Asus P5K-VM BIOS chip and SPI header Image
P5K-VM Header

Programming with SPI Header

The pins needed for programming these devices are brought out to the SPI header on the board. Consult the data sheet for your device.
It is possible to program these devices in place on the board providing you are using a suitable programmer.
Most modern programmers are fail-safe and will warn you if the device is inserted incorrectly, in which case you would need to amend your header connections.

An ISP (in system programming) adaptor is needed to connect the programmer to the mainboard. You can improvise by using the the front panel wires from an old PC i.e. the power on switch, reset cables and old com port headers for instance would have sockets suitable for connecting to most makers ISP headers.

The pin outs probably conform to one of the common standards, you should be able to get more information from your motherboard manufacturer.

Arm yourself with the data sheet for the SPI Serial Flash device fitted to your motherboard a good universal programmer and a Multi meter.

You should then be able to trace out at least 70 % of the header pins directly from the SPI device fitted on the motherboard to the ISP Header on the board. The rest can usually be located by trial and error even if you cant prove them with the meter.

In System Programming Standards

The IEEE in the U. K. have Introduced various standards that deal with these interfaces or access points on mainboard's and other equipment. IEEE 1149.1 ( JTAG). This is just one example of the many standards used today.
Amongst other things the interface allows you to re program flash devices which are hard soldered to the motherboard.

Normally one would expect motherboard makers to conform to these and or other standards when applying new technology on their systems. However ISP motherboard headers can come as a 9 pin block or a 7 pin block. In some case an old COM port Header plug is ideal for connecting your programmer to the ISP header connector on the motherboard.

SPI Header

Providing you have the required SPI connector on your mainboard then it should be possible to replace the data in the SPI Serial flash EEPROM without lifting the EEPROM.
Programming should be possible assuming the flash part itself hasn't developed a problem and is supported by your programmer.

Most PC mainboard's that use the SOIC SPI serial flash chips do have the required header needed for programming the SPI Flash Device.
P5B SPI Header

P5B SPI Header Image
The Asus P5B SPI flash chip can be seen quite clearly above the SPI header to the right.

Motherboards with SPI Flash parts

We are adding the boards to the reference section as we receive them. Examples include the following, Asus P5B, 8 pin SOIC, MSI MS-7280--8 pin SOIC, Asus P5K W25X80VAIZ 8 Pin PDIP, P5KC W25X80VDAIZ 8Mb PDIP, P5K-VM ST-25P80V6, MSI P965 Neo-F, ??????? .

Most mainboard makers are now using the SPI Serial Flash EEPROM