cap file, you’ll need to use UEFITool to extract the correct content. To obtain a writeable BIOS image from the downloaded. As can be seen in the image below, the board was running version BIOS version 4023 (from August 2018), while the update is 5220 (from September 2019). If you care to find out what BIOS version the board is currently running, you can search for its identification name in the saved file (the version number is usually close by).

cap file has additional content in the header of the file (the saved BIOS begins with the board identification strings directly). You can confirm this by comparing the saved BIOS and the downloaded file with a hex comparator.Īs you can see in the image above the. Unfortunately, you cannot use this file directly to program the BIOS as it contains extra identification/verification code. Verify the read process to ensure no data corruption occurred.ĭownload the most recent BIOS update file for your motherboard and extract it – you should obtain a. If you’re having any trouble with the read process make sure that the connections are firm (cheap tools aren’t the most relying ones).

Use the programmer’s Identify chip procedure or manually select it from the supported list then attempt to read the chip’s contents. Identify pin 1 (it’s normally indicated by a dimple or a dot on the chip package) and attach the programmer clamp to it with the correct pin orientation.Īfter making the connections (always double check that the pin alignment and numbering match on the programmer, the extension and the chip), plug the programmer in the computer and start up its software. My board uses a 25LB128, which is a 128-Mbit (16MBytes) serial flash. When you think you found it, read its identification number and look it up to confirm. I’m using a cheap CH431 based USB programmer which supports plenty of the 24 and 25-series EEPROMs:įirst step is to identify the BIOS chip on the board – on current generation boards it’s usually a small 8-pin SOIC-8 chip located somewhere around the CMOS battery. The in-circuit programming clamp accessory will be also required to connect to the BIOS chip without de-soldering it from the board. When there’s no older gen CPU around to use or you’re simply in the mood for some hardware tinkering, you can get your elbows dirty (figuratively, since the board is brand new and not dusty yet) using an EEPROM programmer ( eBay / AliExpress).

This, unfortunately, requires the older gen CPU to be around and available for the procedure. This can normally be done by using a recognized older gen CPU to power on the board and access the built-in BIOS updater function. As we all know AMD motherboards need BIOS updates to support new generations of Ryzen CPUs.

Fairdell hexcmp2