BIOS Updates forum

I'm not sure what you mean by parallel programming mode, but I wanted to hotflash a W49V002F flash ROM (3.3V only erase/program) on a "standard 5V only" flash ROM socket found on most boards.

I've got a few dead boards to revive having a corrupted BIOS image, but the flash ROM supply voltage is 3.3V. I know I may have to look for boards with same supply voltage to the flash ROM to do the hotflash, but the quick fix I'm thinking about is to use my existing board having a 5V flash ROM supp...

SST 39SF020 is indeed a supported flash ROM by Uniflash. Got some good chips from other boards and all of them flashed with no problems.

The one I'm having problem with is indeed a defective chip, as it was not able to retain the firmware after a few days.

Can I hear what Rainbow has to say on this?

The voltage supplied to the flash ROM is indicated in the datasheet of the original flash ROM for that board, or you can take a direct voltage readout using a DC voltmeter from GROUND to PIN 32 of the installed flash ROM.

I don't think so.

AFAIK, the majority of boards are designed with a fixed flash module voltage (can either be 5V or 3.3V/12V p-p), unless the board has jumpers to set this voltage.

This being the case since your Acorp board doesn't have voltage setting jumpers.

Your Acorp board can accept lower or higher capacity flash ROM, but the chip has to have the same voltage supply rating as the original flash ROM. I mean, if you hotflash a 3.3V flash ROM it would be burned if the voltage supply for the original flash ROM is 5V.

It's not a problem flashing a 1MBit Flash ROM on a board that originally had a 2MBit chip.

No other changes to make.

Try increasing your total RAM to at least 64mb.

It's not a corrupt flash if your PC is able to boot, but there seems to be an issue with these PCChips boards being unable to retain CMOS settings.

As long as you don't see this msg "Unknown Flash" and you are able to flash that chip but got the Data Verification Error msg, I'm quite sure it's a defective BIOS chip.

If you see a Data Verification Error msg after the flashing process, the BIOS chip is defective.

I've encountered this same problem with some of my BIOS chips that were really defective. But replacing with a known good chip having the same capacity/pin-out/supply voltage fixed the problem.

I wonder if this reverting back to default CMOS settings every boot up is a common issue for PCChips boards. These boards cannot seem to retain your last saved CMOS settings, including Date & Time. I've got 2 PCChips boards with this same problem (LM756 series) and the problem stays there even if CM...

You can try entering the Awdflash option, but disconnect your HD before powering up so that your floppy drive will be detected.

You just need to copy the .bin file suggested to your floppy disk.