That's funny right there about OEM! I hear ya! I just assumed FPT would be blocked no matter what I mod in the BIOS regarding E5/E6, due to FD locked, that is why I was thinking the stock OEM flashing procedure since it updates ME (via FW Updater, which cannot function here)
But yes, if he can unlock FD, we'll be good to go.... until we hit error 25 PRR and I cant find that one in his BIOS, it never ends

Unlock that FD @Mofoist I cannot find any datasheet from this company!
Found one site, here login to download PDF, so I find login info at bugmenot and then after login the PDF link becomes plain text
https://www.jotrin.com/product/parts/CA0132_4AN

Was just thinking forward...

Even if we get the datasheet, the pinmod method may not work.

Check this vid starting at 3:00. To get to the audio chip I have to remove the palmrest/keyboard along with all those cables. I don't think the I'll be able to perform the pinmod and have the laptop operational at the same time!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46De6dX9Sfg

And yeah I found that site and a few others that offer the "datasheet" only for it to disappear when you register.

I'm leaning towards buying the hardware to flash with. I dont want to keep tearing this thing apart unnecessarily (cheap plastic breaks eventually)...without a doubt I'll be using the CH341A flash programmer and SOIC8 test clip cable right @Lost_N_Bios ?

Yes, you would have to have things apart and plugged in at funky angles, it could be done though with enough gusto
Probably best to wait to tear it down until you have the programmer, especially since we can't find datasheet anyway. Yes, you'll need CH341A or other flash programmer and SOIC8 test clip cable,
BIOS is usually near the CMOS battery but not always. It's also almost always on that side of the board too, so you should be only have to remove the bottom only. Not a good or still enough view in that video to confirm it's location

@Lost_N_BIOS

I took a bunch of pictures of everything that was the size of a BIOS chip but here is a new development:

I did a last ditch uninstall of all "Intel" programs and uninstalled/reinstalled all chipset drivers. After I uninstalled/reinstalled my intel integrated graphics, a "Legacy Device" popped up in System Devices. I checked the ID and it's the ME controller!

I'm currently trying to install different versions of drivers to it via have disk but I keep getting a code 10 with The I/O device is configured incorrectly or the configuration parameters to the driver are incorrect.

Here's the legacy before I manually try to assign drivers....

Welp, I've tried 8 through 12 series drivers, all giving the same I/O error. Removed all old drivers as I went as well. Is this more evidence of firmware corruption?

Yes, still corrupted, don't waste more time with that stuff. BIOS chip I think it by the fan near the CMOS

This should be the chip. Of course it's directly under that bar which means I may have to take the entire mobo out.


http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/...h.797563/page-3 Here's a thread of someone flashing same chip/mobo. Going to order the tools now

That's it! you shouldn't have to take the board out, unless maybe that's how that shell is made?
Doesn't the bottom come off, and that plate/bar section come off too? You may need to remove the top cover/keyboard and remove through screws holding that panel in place from the front.

I've already disassembled it down to just Mobo remaining several times so a few more screws will be no biggie. I just hope it will complete without needing to remove/resolder the chip! Programmer should come tomorrow (Thursday)

With the test clip cable no soldering is needed. Here is two recent posts where I tried to explain how to connect the cables and programmer etc
#85 (Multi-software package also linked here if I didn't link you already) - InsydeH2O BIOS Modding Problems (6)
#218 - [Guide] Using CH341A-based programmer to flash SPI EEPROM (15)

I've got the programmer and everything ready to go. I've read the chip but not sure how to verify its a good dump? 1.31 from that pack of files you linked in another thread seems to be working

Edit: re-opened 1.31 and opened file and it verified same. Here's the dump.

@Lost_N_BIOS ping :D

@plutomaniac
So I've got some errors that aren't covered in the guide. First is the ME analyzer. (Pics attached) Then some warnings with FIT when opening the dump.

If I press ahead with instructions, I my decomp folder isn't as it should be.

Edit: Disregard the ME Analyzer. I dont get any error if I drag the whole dump there. I'm still concerned with the FIT errors and decomp contents.