VOGONS

Need Help Identifing BIOS Chip For PCChips M560 v3.1

Topic actions

First post, by sdw

Posted on 
User metadata
Rank Newbie
Rank
Newbie

Hello

I purchased a very cheap PCChips M560 v3.1 motherboard. It is missing the BIOS chip. I know it uses an AMI BIOS. Does any one know what replacement BIOS chip I need to purchase to flash?

Not sure this will help, but I own a PCChips M577 running Aware BIOS that most likely is a Winbond W29C010 or W29EE011 per Uniflash. I also own a PCChips A101 running Award BIOS Uniflash identified as a Macronix MX28F1000P.

https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/pcchips-m560-v3.x

Close up of BIOS on theretroweb motherboard photo.

The attachment PCChips M560 V3_1 BIOS.JPG is no longer available

Thank you in advance for your help,
SDW

Reply 1 of 4, by Horun

Posted on 
User metadata
Rank l33t++
Rank
l33t++

Based on the original ~2000 archives for Amptron PM-8500 AKA Pcchips M560:
https://web.archive.org/web/19991104093214/ht … ios.html#pm8500 note - support greater than 8.4GB HD

the bios file v4.10 included AMI flash 6.33 (internal 6.31) util (which lists (hexed may be incomplete) these as compatible to flash:
AMD.28F256A. 28F512. 28F010. 29F010. 29F002T. MEGAFLASH.BL1988.
Atmel.29C010. 29C020. 49F020.
Catalyst.28F010. 28F020. 28F001. 28F002.
Intel.28F256A. 28F512. 28F010. 28F001BX-T. 28F020. 28F002BX-T.
ISSI.28F010.
MXIC.28F1000. 28F1000PPC. 28F2000PPC
SST.29EE010. 29EE020.
Winbond.29EE011. 29C020.
SGS-THOMSON.28F201. 28F211.
IMT.29F002T

Being a 128K ROM (1Mbit) the Atmel 29C010, SST2900EE011 or Winbond 29EE011 or equal would be what I would go for. Attached the Amptron BIOS+flash file...
You would need to program it in a eeprom programmer like a Xgeku, do not try to hot flash (bad era to do that IMHO).
Can someone else double check or verify my info ?

Hate posting a reply and then have to edit it because it made no sense 😁 First computer was an IBM 3270 workstation with CGA monitor. Stuff: https://archive.org/details/@horun

Reply 2 of 4, by sdw

Posted on 
User metadata
Rank Newbie
Rank
Newbie

Horan

Thank you for all the information. Any suggestions on access time? There are several variants of each chip. Below is a screenshot of the Atmel datasheet.

The attachment Screenshot_20250614_084249_Drive.jpg is no longer available

Thank you
SDW

Reply 3 of 4, by Horun

Posted on 
User metadata
Rank l33t++
Rank
l33t++

Suggest a -12PC or -15PC in DIP32. have two spare AT29c010a in my hand and that is what they are, one from Giga 586atv other from dead FIC pt2006 board.

Hate posting a reply and then have to edit it because it made no sense 😁 First computer was an IBM 3270 workstation with CGA monitor. Stuff: https://archive.org/details/@horun

Reply 4 of 4, by sdw

Posted on 
User metadata
Rank Newbie
Rank
Newbie

Thank you again. I have a couple different chips ordered.

Go to top of page Go to top of page
Back to General Old Hardware
Close window
Close window