Hmm maybe because is says "Unknown Flash", you might need to use the Flash tool version designed for the FIC board ROM version (Award v5.3 flasher iirc)..
Also are you sure your new bios chip is flashable ? You might have to go into the ABIT bios and turn off all shadowing, specifically bios......

Horun wrote on 2023-01-14, 04:10:

Hmm maybe because is says "Unknown Flash", you might need to use the Flash tool version designed for the FIC board ROM version (Award v5.3 flasher iirc)

Possibly, Ill try that tonight.

Horun wrote on 2023-01-14, 04:10:

Also are you sure your new bios chip is flashable ? You might have to go into the ABIT bios and turn off all shadowing, specifically bios......

The original ABIT chip is a Winbond w29c011a-15, and the chip im trying flash for the FIC board is a MXIC 28f1000ppc-12c4, both flash memories.
I have not changed shadow settings in bios, so could that be it?

Had a quick look at the datasheets and the original w29c011a supports 5V erase and programming, but the mx28f1000ppc needs a 12V supply. So it's possible that the motherboard can't write to the mx chip.

I haven't checked to see if there are other differences, but things like block sizes might cause problems.
Datasheets:
https://pdf1.alldatasheet.com/datasheet-pdf/v … 29C011A-15.html
https://www.digchip.com/datasheets/parts/data … PC-12C4-pdf.php

From my experience making hotflash, the awdflash version is the most problematic since it has to work with your motherboard and recognize the eeprom chip you are using. I have always achieved it after trying a lot of versions of awdflash until I found the right combination.
You can use the version of awdflash that your motherboard manufacturer provides but that version may not recognize the chip you are using.
Voltage isn't always an issue as long as you don't try to use a 3.3v chip on a board that only supports 5v or a 5v chip on a board that only supports 12v or isn't configured for 5v.
In short, my recommendation is the tedious task of trying different versions of awdflash (and there are many) until you find the right combination.
As a note, I always use a Biostar M6TBA motherboard for hotflash.
On this page you can download, I think all versions of awdflash. https://www.wimsbios.com/awardflasher.jsp#gsc.tab=0

snufkin wrote on 2023-01-14, 10:02:

Had a quick look at the datasheets and the original w29c011a supports 5V erase and programming, but the mx28f1000ppc needs a 12V […]
Show full quote

Had a quick look at the datasheets and the original w29c011a supports 5V erase and programming, but the mx28f1000ppc needs a 12V supply. So it's possible that the motherboard can't write to the mx chip.

I haven't checked to see if there are other differences, but things like block sizes might cause problems.
Datasheets:
https://pdf1.alldatasheet.com/datasheet-pdf/v … 29C011A-15.html
https://www.digchip.com/datasheets/parts/data … PC-12C4-pdf.php

Just checked Pin 1 (VPP) on the Acorp ROM socket, and it is at 5V. The datasheet for the MX chip states that pin 1 goes to 12v only when programming, so maybe?

On boards with flash chip that requires 12V for programming, there is a exception: when flashing you move the jumper from 5V to 12V and program. Once done, move back to 5V for normal operation.
If the flash chip is 5V, leave the jumper at 5V as usual. But if doing hot swap flashing, and the chip to be programmed is 12V, during hot swap flash, move to 12V after the hot swap then flash 12V flash chip.

When done power down and put original chip back in and don't forget to move the jumper from 12V to 5V.

Cheers,

pentiumspeed wrote on 2023-01-14, 23:55:

On boards with flash chip that requires 12V for programming, there is a exception: when flashing you move the jumper from 5V […]
Show full quote

On boards with flash chip that requires 12V for programming, there is a exception: when flashing you move the jumper from 5V to 12V and program. Once done, move back to 5V for normal operation.
If the flash chip is 5V, leave the jumper at 5V as usual. But if doing hot swap flashing, and the chip to be programmed is 12V, during hot swap flash, move to 12V after the hot swap then flash 12V flash chip.

When done power down and put original chip back in and don't forget to move the jumper from 12V to 5V.

Cheers,

Maybe I'm very wrong on this, but don't boards that come with a 5V chip usually (I refrain from writing always) don't have such a jumper because they don't need it?

konc wrote on 2023-01-15, 10:13:

pentiumspeed wrote on 2023-01-14, 23:55:

On boards with flash chip that requires 12V for programming, there is a exception: when flashing you move the jumper from 5V […]
Show full quote

On boards with flash chip that requires 12V for programming, there is a exception: when flashing you move the jumper from 5V to 12V and program. Once done, move back to 5V for normal operation.
If the flash chip is 5V, leave the jumper at 5V as usual. But if doing hot swap flashing, and the chip to be programmed is 12V, during hot swap flash, move to 12V after the hot swap then flash 12V flash chip.

When done power down and put original chip back in and don't forget to move the jumper from 12V to 5V.

Cheers,

Maybe I'm very wrong on this, but don't boards that come with a 5V chip usually (I refrain from writing always) don't have such a jumper because they don't need it?

This one does have a spot for a jumper, but has traces hard wired for 5v. I have tried Eproms too like a 27c020 and M27c200l, still no luck. Guess that gives more credence of this being something to do with the AWDFlash version.

Been there done that three days ago. Just raise the vpp pin and solder 12v wire to some molex connector. I use uniflash since awdflash does not allow flashing a different bios version that the one found on the boot chip.

Hot flashing using uniflash and flash rom. You can easily find then on hirens CD 8,7 and rescuesystemcd 3.3 and please check your floppy discs because usually they are damaged. You can alternatively write the bios roms to a CD.

amijim wrote on 2023-01-18, 12:49:

Hot flashing using uniflash and flash rom. You can easily find then on hirens CD 8,7 and rescuesystemcd 3.3 and please check your floppy discs because usually they are damaged. You can alternatively write the bios roms to a CD.

Lifting the VPP pin and using Uniflash, It finally detected the chip!
But i have ran into another issue. The Flash rom i'm trying to use is 128K, while the bios bin file is only 64k... Is there a way to flash a larger rom chip with a smaller file? cause i keep getting an error in Uniflash and unfortunately i do not have another Flash ROM chip of the right capacity, only eproms.

Yes you can add the .bin file twice "binarily" to double it's size. Best to Use a Hexeditor and open the rom then at end insert same file and save with diff name.
Are you sure your board will work with a 128k eeprom ?

Horun wrote on 2023-01-22, 22:45:

Are you sure your board will work with a 128k eeprom ?

The motherboard has 128k*8 silkscreened on it under the rom socket, so i believe so.

After Concatenating the file and successfully flashing it, the FIC board Booted!

Thank you all for all the help <3

The re-jumpering to 12V for programming is documented in some motherboard manual, Asus is one of these on pentium boards, which I have knew as I had Asus pentium boards back in the day and current Asus with SiS chipset pentium board too. This depends on the flash storage IC programming voltage required.

Cheers,