Hey there,
I have a situation. I've bricked my H170 Pro mobo trying to update the BIOS. I've tried all the possible recovery solutions and I guess that there is nothing left except these two options:
1.To buy a BIOS chip from ebay (Latest Bios version included).
2.To buy a programmer that support Winbond 25Q128FVIQ.

At this point I have some concerns and It will be great if I'll get your advice.
-Reading this [Guide] Using CH341A-based programmer to flash SPI EEPROM It looks like buying a new BIOS it could be tricky due to the ID mismatch and other problems related to this. Can someone please confirm (or not) this will apply on H170 Pro motherboards too having Winbond 25Q128FVIQ bios chip?

-Have anyone used any of these CH341A-based programmers flashing the above mentioned chip series writing .CAP bios files?
I can't find anymore on ebay for example Gzut DreamPro II which appears to be fine according to these technical specs. Is this programmer, still available on the market?

Thanks,

@plutomaniac Thank you for you feed-back, I've watched thi tutorial made by @Margus here:

Thanks, @plutomaniac I've read and watched more tutorials and now it's all clear how to remove CAP header, how to migrate MAC address UUID, etc fro the existing damaged BIOS file to the new one, etc. I've also find how the .bin files are created. My concerns are still related to the other Bios sequences.



As we can see above I suppose that Only BIOS are re-Writted the other parts (e.g GbE, ME, PDR) are not. As long as we are erase the chip, these should be written after that following another procedure? Or we will write only this part of the bios using the update file downloaded from the producer site taking in consideration the fact that the other parts are untouched? How about if there is more damage in that sections too? Pretty confused.

these locks prevent you to reflash with FTP asus not want hat everybody mess around with them you can reflash whole chip by using chip programmer witch not care about locks but even if you reflash separately only GBE its can make pc without post or unlimited loop because descriptor not valid anymore. I played with this only works if you reflash whole edited cap or bin file to chip and pc post for you. Its also annoying take chip out from mobo every time to play with it.

yeah

@plutomaniac, @Margus thank you,

I am not interested to modify the other parts except BIOS section but when the chip is erased by the programmer you are trying to say that the other regions (FD, ME, GbE, EC) are not erased being locked and it should work in this way?

Zitat von plutomaniac im Beitrag #10

---

It will erase and write whatever you input it.

---

downloadable asus cap file not include MAC adress for network MB SN all these stored in GBE. Rest stuff included in cap file but users cant never flash normal way descriptor and rest stuff. If you want fully restore your chip you have to take cap file put your data in and and program chip voila all works.

ASus bioses not worth to edit you get maybe 500-1000 more points but its cause some other weird effects. I removed all my edits in bios and retuned to UBU updated cpu microcode and network stuff rest i left to default its no need i can easily get all out anyway 5 ghz even not problem.
I found even ME flashing is not always best probably 1000 points more and different oc settings more os reinstalls. To me everything works éven with default also by now, Sometimes vbios reflash can mess up descriptor also thats why bit played with it got all working checked this and this all works again.

but its always fun to learn what is it?
I wish good luck and hope all works properly.

You can buy DREAM PRO 3 and its solve your problem. Look aliexpress or ebay You can use it long time probably helps on next mobos also waht you buy future. Save friend laptop or friend messed up BIOS CHIP.

Zitat von Margus im Beitrag #12

---

downloadable asus cap file not include MAC address for network MB SN all these stored in GBE. Rest stuff included in cap file but users cant never flash normal way descriptor and rest stuff. If you want fully restore your chip you have to take cap file put your data in and and program chip voila all works.

---

you get same file with fd44editor from cap what asus flash on factory if you copy paste numbers. There is no differnce HW keep its windows activation etc. Only you need fd44editor and backup from chip with usb programmer and usb programmer to reflash remade bios file from cap.

Good luck.

If fd44editor not detect ther mobo SN number or mac adre and uu code you have to use mobo stickers for that i restored to many ppl bioses from dead boards from bacup file i got always numbers out even if bios was corrupt

@Margus Danke schön, it's all clear now :)
One more question, I've found a programmer that supports W25Q128BV and I have W25Q128FVIQ will work?