VOGONS


First post, by Kahenraz

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I'm trying to update the BIOS for my FIC VL-603 but it has a 128K EPROM chip and the updates require 256K.

The Intel P28F020-120 looks like it might be the right part. The pinout appears to be the same but the GND pin is labeled as VSS. I don't know what this means.

Datasheets for both these chips and others can be found here:

https://www.alldatasheet.net/view_datasheet.j … 28F001&sField=2

I've also attached the datasheets for the two chips I mentioned.

There is a set of pin headers next to the chip which I think will allow me to change what chip is supported but I don't know if this can be done with the system powered on since I will have to hot flash this.

The attachment P28F001BX-T120.pdf is no longer available
The attachment P28F020-120.pdf is no longer available
The attachment IMG_20211007_192344.jpg is no longer available
Last edited by Kahenraz on 2021-10-08, 03:23. Edited 2 times in total.

Reply 1 of 5, by Repo Man11

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Pet peeve: the CMOS chip (Complimentary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor) is the memory chip that uses battery backup to store configuration data and is soldered to the motherboard. You need to replace the BIOS chip.

After watching many YouTube videos about older computer hardware, YouTube began recommending videos about trains - are they trying to tell me something?

Reply 2 of 5, by Repo Man11

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I found a photo of your board, and used the image to track down the original BIOS chip: https://www.digchip.com/datasheets/parts/data … 000PPC-12C4.php
They also list a 256K chip that ought to be compatible, but check the data sheets to be sure. https://www.digchip.com/datasheets/parts/data … /MX28F2100B.php

After watching many YouTube videos about older computer hardware, YouTube began recommending videos about trains - are they trying to tell me something?

Reply 3 of 5, by Repo Man11

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In my experience the BIOS chips are pretty interchangeable, so if you have a dead donor that has a 256K chip, it ought to work, but make sure the notches on the chip and the socket line up!

This is the flash BIOS chip that my Epox MVP3G-M has, and it's cheap and readily available. Data sheet is also there. https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/mi … -4C-PHE/2297831

After watching many YouTube videos about older computer hardware, YouTube began recommending videos about trains - are they trying to tell me something?

Reply 4 of 5, by Kahenraz

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Repo Man11 wrote on 2021-10-08, 02:14:

Pet peeve: the CMOS chip (Complimentary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor) is the memory chip that uses battery backup to store configuration data and is soldered to the motherboard. You need to replace the BIOS chip.

Fixed. 😀

Thanks for pointing this out.

Reply 5 of 5, by Repo Man11

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Looking at the jumper manual I found, there's nothing about needing to change anything for a different BIOS chip. AFAIK it's plug and play. Make sure you have a chip extractor (it's hard to not bend the pins when pulling the chip with one, never mind without) and reinsert the chip gently with some dental floss under it so you can easily remove it once you're at the A: prompt.
http://www.win3x.org/uh19/motherboards/2414

After watching many YouTube videos about older computer hardware, YouTube began recommending videos about trains - are they trying to tell me something?