Stuck in a non posting boot loop

[Journey]

MX25U12873F
There is also a JSPI1 header right next to it.

Weird doesn't list it in the manual, so you are in luck it is nice and easy then.

Have a look at something like this "1.8V Adapter USB Programmer 24 EEPROM BIOS Writer 25 SPI Flash Burner Chip Kit" on that famous auction site, contains all the parts required, just need to download the software. A bit convoluted vs the all in ones programmers that I use, but it should do the job, no doubt you'll spend many hours making yourself familiar with it before it will work though

 

[Nutty_Death]

Thanks for your help! Just need to wait a month before I have the chance to get it working again.

 

[Journey]

Thanks for your help! Just need to wait a month before I have the chance to get it working again.

It might come sooner, you never know. In the mean time I suggest finding the software you'll need, and figure out if the SPI layout is standard(ish) and the VCC is where it should be etc.

 

[Nutty_Death]

Thanks, I'll look into that and find out what those acronyms mean.

 

[Nutty_Death]

@Journey
You've been far more supportive than MSI just were...
"RMA process for components requires returning product to us through the distributor.
The distributor is important part in RMA process, therefore we cannot process product directly in RMA.
All warranty responsibilities are given only to distributor, which means for end users that warranty repair request must be made to shop where unit was bought.
Please contact with your shop directly and make repair request to them."
They didn't engage in trying to support me.

 

[Journey]

@Journey
You've been far more supportive than MSI just were...
"RMA process for components requires returning product to us through the distributor.
The distributor is important part in RMA process, therefore we cannot process product directly in RMA.
All warranty responsibilities are given only to distributor, which means for end users that warranty repair request must be made to shop where unit was bought.
Please contact with your shop directly and make repair request to them."
They didn't engage in trying to support me.

Well that is sucky, Especially given the fact it is probably in the cusp of being in/out of warranty.

 

[Nutty_Death]

For anyone interested in flashing their bios. My currently plan is to use: https://flashrom.org/Flashrom
There's a guid version posted in: https://www.win-raid.com/t796f16-Guide-Using-CH-A-based-programmer-to-flash-SPI-EEPROM-36.html

I'll update this post when the programmer arrives and I try it out.

 

[Nutty_Death]

Programmer arrived today.

Managed to flash a new bios (backed up original first). This seemed to have worked but I was a bit confused by it wanting a bin file. I decided to just rename the bios file from MSI to .bin, since it was the same size as the extracted one...

Computer no longer boot loops but it also still doesn't post. The CPU led on the motherboard is on and all fans apart from the GPU are spinning (it spins initially then stops).
I've tried reseating the CPU twice, ram in various combinations, GPU in and out.

I'm now not sure if the bios is still messed up.
CPU is bust or perhaps the motherboard.

 

[Journey]

Sounds like a bad flash. Renaming the file to .bin is fine and exactly how it should be done. Did your do a flash erase cycle prior to flashing it?

 

[Nutty_Death]

Sounds like a bad flash. Renaming the file to .bin is fine and exactly how it should be done. Did your do a flash erase cycle prior to flashing it?

No and to be honest, the validation step did state it failed in flashrom but I figured since the booting sequence had change, that it had done something. I'll try reflashing again. Thanks

 

[Journey]

No and to be honest, the validation step did state it failed in flashrom but I figured since the booting sequence had change, that it had done something. I'll try reflashing again. Thanks

Ah, I see. Blanking the chip first will also tell you if it has selected the correct chip type with some flashing tools as it will indicate an error if it cannot erase or if the flash chip has gone bad. Give it another shot, and make sure you've got a good file to work with too, I've inadvertently flashed badly truncated files due to errors during download or transfer between machines even on to the flashing device.

 

[Nutty_Death]

Spent all evening on this, whilst getting some support from people in flashrom irc and still can't get it to verify.

Something about getting 0xff. They seemed to be suggesting maybe the ribbon cable is too long... I've resat the clipper, made sure the motherboard is completely disconnected, cmos battery out and cleared. I don't think it's doing a clean write and then it fails verification.

I think it's time to give up and say this is a write off.

 

[Nutty_Death]

urgh, what bad timing to be looking for a new motherboard!

I have a Ryzen 2700x which I have considered upgrading when the 4000 comes out but was in no rush to do so and potentially would have skipped another generation.
Now I either have the choice of getting a 2000 series motherboard as a stop gap, which I'd then have to upgrade to get a 4000 CPU or a x570 because the b550 doesn't support the 2000 series.......
To make matters worse, I use matx boards, which there only seems to be one x570 instance of.

I hadn't realised the effect of limiting comparability on future generations and being stuck on an old generation whilst waiting for a new one to be released.

 

[Journey]

I think it's time to give up and say this is a write off.

Awee, that is a shame. It does sounds like a bad flash though, which makes it even more annoying.

which I'd then have to upgrade to get a 4000 CPU

You don't they've said Zen3 will be supported on B450's. The likes of the MSI Mortar Max which is MATX would be a good shout, and it's not too expensive, as much as you probably hate MSI now, they have a BIOS flashback button which means no messing around with SPI.

 

[Nutty_Death]

Awee, that is a shame. It does sounds like a bad flash though, which makes it even more annoying.


You don't they've said Zen3 will be supported on B450's. The likes of the MSI Mortar Max which is MATX would be a good shout, and it's not too expensive, as much as you probably hate MSI now, they have a BIOS flashback button which means no messing around with SPI.

Yeah from what they were saying on the IRC channel it probably is a bad flash but to work that out I need to sink more time and money into it. Either by desoldering the bios chip or getting a new shorter ribbon cable.

I'll check out the MSI Mortar Max. You're right, i'm not exactly their fan anymore. I really would prefer to be putting £100 towards a 3000 or 4000 series motherboard.

The only reason I updated the bios was because I was playing with getting my ram to run at its rated 3600mhz instead of crapping out beyond 3200mhz.

 

[Journey]

Yeah from what they were saying on the IRC channel it probably is a bad flash but to work that out I need to sink more time and money into it. Either by desoldering the bios chip or getting a new shorter ribbon cable.

Can you not just cut the cable and re crimp it? It may be different to the cables I use so not as easy as that, but its early and I'm not fully awake.

I really would prefer to be putting £100 towards a 3000 or 4000 series motherboard.

The board should easily hold 50% of its value, or even more if sold with a CPU in 6-12 months time.

The only reason I updated the bios was because I was playing with getting my ram to run at its rated 3600mhz instead of crapping out beyond 3200mhz.

I like tinkering too, hence why I ended up breaking stuff. So I just got a job in I.T. engineering and learned more then had access to more tools

 

[Nutty_Death]

If I get a new 2x4 pin connector I probably could recrimp it, I guess that's worth chucking a few quid at.
Something like https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/idc-...K5Ks5LOIolMyDeaCncBoCr-QQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds (assume it's ok to post as not a competitive product)

I like tinkering too, it's how I broke it in the first place

I do it with my pedal bikes too. Often learn the hard and expensive way by making mistakes first...

 

[Nutty_Death]

I can order a few bits from them and go and collect tomorrow, to save on delivery.

I'd like to make a new cable which goes from the JSPI1 9 pins to the 4x2 but not really sure how to do that.

 

[Journey]

If I get a new 2x4 pin connector I probably could recrimp it, I guess that's worth chucking a few quid at.

You should be able to remove the old one if you are careful, they are only push fit, I've done in many times with RS232 etc.

I like tinkering too, it's how I broke it in the first place

Far too tempting just to leave it alone, bay NAHHHH.

I'd like to make a new cable which goes from the JSPI1 pins to the 4x2 but not really sure how to do that.

You'd need to get some pin crimps that fit the header, if it is the 4x2 connector I think you are talking about the pitch of the socket it 2.54mm, and the pins are easily available, usually about 2p each. Best post a picture if you want more help, as I'm just part guessing about the connector you are referring to.

 

[Nutty_Death]

You should be able to remove the old one if you are careful, they are only push fit, I've done in many times with RS232 etc.


Far too tempting just to leave it alone, bay NAHHHH.



You'd need to get some pin crimps that fit the header, if it is the 4x2 connector I think you are talking about the pitch of the socket it 2.54mm, and the pins are easily available, usually about 2p each. Best post a picture if you want more help, as I'm just part guessing about the connector you are referring to.

The RS link I posted above is the connector. I've already destroyed the current one by trying to take it apart. It uses teeth rather than something which goes around each cable.

Yes I think you're right about the pitch.

I'll do some research today.