Can’t flash 7900XTX bios

[docdig]

I just got a ch341a programmer to flash the aqua bios to my xfx 7900 xtx and it seems to connect ok (using the additional 1.8volt add on board) I can read the bios from the IC ok but when I go to write a bios file all I get is ''File size larger than IC size'' actual IC is an IS25WP016, anyone have any thoughts?
thanks

 

[Solaris17]

Try the non-oc bios (1)

followed by the OC bios in windows (2)

designated 1 and 2 in the file names

 

[docdig]

was trying the standard aqua bios first, but think I've solved it, the bios IC is a IS25WP016 which has 2mb storage on it (apparently some Nvidea GPU's use the same chip).

going through the listings for the spi chips then ISS on asprogrammer it only goes up to IS25WP080 which only has half the memory capacity, so I used the IS25WP080_1.8v but instead of having the memory set at 1048576 set it to 2097152 manually, I can now write and read different bios files no problem.

I hope I'm on the right track, if anyone has any experience doing this could you confirm?

 

[Solaris17]

was trying the standard aqua bios first, but think I've solved it, the bios IC is a IS25WP016 which has 2mb storage on it (apparently some Nvidea GPU's use the same chip).

going through the listings for the spi chips then ISS on asprogrammer it only goes up to IS25WP080 which only has half the memory capacity, so I used the IS25WP080_1.8v but instead of having the memory set at 1048576 set it to 2097152 manually, I can now write and read different bios files no problem.

I hope I'm on the right track, if anyone has any experience doing this could you confirm?

yes actually that sounds very reasonable. I cover this type of scenario with unknown chips in the guide.

Thread 'Guide: Flashing with a hardware programmer'

Nov 12, 2022

Lets get physical
​

So; you tried flashing your GPU and you didn't backup. Now you have some dude on the forum linking you a BIOS but you have no way to apply it because you don't have a spare GPU either. Well no worries friend. In this guide we are going to cover the simple procedures of recovering a BIOS with an eeprom programmer. Lets get a few things out of the way first.

It's pretty easy to get nervous or carried away when thinking about flashing a physical chip. Fear not though, once you grasp the concepts its really no different then using a USB drive. Before...

• Solaris17
• Replies: 18
• Forum: Graphics Cards

• 
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sometimes its easier to simply pick a chip from the family unless you make the modifications yourself, which in your case is basically the same as going by the IC schematic.

 

[docdig]

I was a bit worried about possibly bricking my gpu, so I ordered a few IS25WP016 IC's to test on first

 

[Solaris17]

I was a bit worried about possibly bricking my gpu, so I ordered a few IS25WP016 IC's to test on first

TBF GPUZ does a raw dump. You could save the BIOS via GPUZ

Then make your modification in asprogrammer and read the rom

then compare them. If they match you are ok to go.

 

[docdig]

now trying to write to the actual gpu, it seems to write ok but it fails on verify every time unless its a verify after an erase, even if I use the original rom file, tried playing with protection etc but no joy, any suggestions?

 

[Solaris17]

now trying to write to the actual gpu, it seems to write ok but it fails on verify every time unless its a verify after an erase, even if I use the original rom file, tried playing with protection etc but no joy, any suggestions?

Are you still modifying the total size manually?

Have you tried dumping the written imagine and comparing it to your known good backup? To make sure there are not byte differences?

 

[docdig]

modifying manually, did a comparison with HXD and one line is different

 

[Solaris17]

modifying manually, did a comparison with HXD and one line is different

OF what?

Jeez brother.

Try and flash the stock and then dump and check with a dump from GPUz (of the original bios)

Then try to flash the modification, dump it, then compare it to the one attached.

That way we can see.

It looks like you are doing the aqua now, but this is like pulling teeth.

Do you have the schematic for the bigger 2mb IC? What does it say the size is in bytes? Does it mention the page size it uses? That would be the next thing to check. Make sure you are accurate so the alignment matches.

It may also be worth trying a different tool. I mention several in my guide to see if one of them has the entry for that IC. It also goes without saying, make sure you are checking the connection.

 

[docdig]

the one on the left is the one you posted the one on the right is the same file after writing it to the IC then dumping it, the data sheet says - IS25WP016: 16Mbit/2Mbyte (attached data sheet) couldn't get any other tools to connect for some reason, also I have tried 2 ch341a usb programmers with separate clips.
I'm sorry but the software side of things are not my strong point and your help is much appreciated

 

[Solaris17]

couldn't get any other tools to connect for some reason

idk what that means.

I have tried 2 ch341a usb programmers with separate clips

but have you done what I mentioned?

Try and flash the stock and then dump and check with a dump from GPUz (of the original bios)

Then try to flash the modification, dump it, then compare it to the one attached.

???

he one on the left is the one you posted the one on the right is the same file after

It looks like you are doing the aqua now, but this is like pulling teeth.

yes I know that.

(attached data sheet)

no need I already have it: https://www.issi.com/WW/pdf/25WP016_080_040_020.pdf

Looks like you were expecting ME to read it for you though.

In as programmer do you have the proper device selected?

 

[docdig]

tried Neoprogrammer but get a IS25WP016 [1.8V] IC not responding / Disconnected error every time, I made sure I installed all drivers etc and selected correct IC and ch341 black in hardware but no joy.

Ch341a device is correctly selected in hardware on asprogrammer

Tried HXD and compared the original dump file from GPUZ and after it was re written and dumped it was identical but I still couldn't verify it (Verification error on address: 00000000).

 

[Solaris17]

Those screen shots show no data. I hope there is some????

Anyway. I dont really like the fact that the IC didnt respond in neo programmer. It tells me something on your OS, Driver or the device is having issues. I hope you are running all this as admin.

If a stock flash and dump using the ch341 matches a GPUz dump then that gives me some confidence.

I would try to flash again the aqua bios (make sure to do a chip wipe etc following the guide) then dump and compare. to the one I uploaded again. One byte off honestly seems like a fluke, but you could also try turning your "Page" down to 128 or even 64 and trying again. Maybe writing less memory at once will make the chip happier. If its still 1 byte off I would be curious if it boots and gets to windows regardless.

 

[docdig]

back again, in case I had issues with the ch341a usb adapter I just got the 1.7 version with the selectable voltage switch, and so far I've flashed quite a few of the spare IC's with no problem, it looks like it may of been the 1.8v add on board or the black 341a adapters I have, I put the GPU back into my pc as I was getting fed up with it, so today I'm going to take it out and try it again

complete success, now I gotta get the waterblock, thank you Solaris17 for your help

 

[Solaris17]

back again, in case I had issues with the ch341a usb adapter I just got the 1.7 version with the selectable voltage switch, and so far I've flashed quite a few of the spare IC's with no problem, it looks like it may of been the 1.8v add on board or the black 341a adapters I have, I put the GPU back into my pc as I was getting fed up with it, so today I'm going to take it out and try it again

complete success, now I gotta get the waterblock, thank you Solaris17 for your help

Sweet nice work!

 

[docdig]

it seems to have worked even better than I thought it would, I don't seem to need a water block as hotspots don't go above 82 degrees, (maybe as I can undervolt down to 1020mv)
I ran 3dmark fire strike extreme and got the highest score for a 9800x3d with an rx7900xtx, only thing is as my gpu is running around 100 watts more than it was my psu trips out occasionally, got a 1000watt psu going in tomorrow, but all in all I'm very happy with the improvement.