Programming Hardware - ISpillMyDrink/UEFI-Repair-Guide GitHub Wiki

A few words on some of the more popular programming devices that can handle SPI flash, their benefits, and disadvantages. TODO: Instructions on how to use any of these programmers.

24/25 Series Programming Hardware

UEFI/BIOS firmware on modern computers is usually stored within 25 series SPI flash.

EZP2019

The EZP2019 is a programmer based on the CH552G supporting 24/25 series flash and 93 series EEPROMs. It only works in Windows with the EZP2019 software.

CH341A Mini Programmer

The CH341A Mini Programmer is a very cheap programmer which supports 24/25 series chips, and works with a variety of programmer software in Windows, Linux, and macOS.

Some versions of the CH341A programmer PCB have a significant design flaw; whilst VCC is powered by a 3.3V LDO, in a lot of cases the CH341A itself is powered by 5V, so all logic signals sent to the SPI flash will be at 5V level, which in theory can lower the life expectancy of the flash chips. Not all versions of the CH341A have this problem and it can be fixed by modifying the PCB on those models that are affected. Probing the MISO line of the CH341A with an oscilloscope whilst programming shows whether a given model is affected.

Oscilloscope reading of the MISO line whilst programming with the CH341A

Xgecu TL866II+/T56

  • powerful allround programmers
  • functional software, easy to use, with powerful features
  • expensive compared to stated alternatives, 50€ for the TL866II+ and around 150€ for the T56

Raspberry Pi

  • functional alternative to specialized programmers

RT809F/H

EC Programming Hardware

Vertyanov JIG

TODO