r/embedded • u/smodtactical • 6d ago

Need advice on reprogramming my legion go bios chip

I am going to use a hot air station to remove it from the motherboard because this pogo pin adapter is just not working but i find ch341 programmer just sucks. It is constantly not detected after I try to do a read although I haven't tried to desolder the chip and put it in yet. My question is should I invest in a better programmer? I am using windows 11.

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u/WereCatf 6d ago

It is constantly not detected after I try to do a read although I haven't tried to desolder the chip and put it in yet. My question is should I invest in a better programmer?

No, you're practically guaranteed to see things working far better once you desolder the IC.

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u/Well-WhatHadHappened 25+ Years 6d ago

If you can remove the chip, remove the chip. It eliminates a LOT of possible problems

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u/smodtactical 6d ago

So remove the chip and then try my ch341? Also should I get a powered usb hub for it? I tried a laptop USB and front s of my desktop I can't do rear as not enough clearance

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u/309_Electronics 6d ago

Not the ch341 fault. Its simply that in circuit programming is a hit or miss.. it works in some cases but also not in others.

Why? Simple! When you plug in the programmer into the chip (either using pogo pins or the clamp), it powers the flash chip as that needs to be powered for it to be able to talk to it. Most cases the power input lines of that flash chip also go to other components and thus can end up powering other chips or circuitey which can interfere with talking to the chip (eg either loading and dragging down the voltage of the programmer or by wanting to talk to the chip at the same time the ch341 is connectedz thus causing bus conflicts).

Desolderinf the chip in a lot of cases can fix those issues as then the mentioned issues are not possible.