[flashrom] Buspirate Erratic Results : WInbond W25Q128.V

[Roberto Denis]

Yes it is an Intel based board (internal programmer is a no-go) and yes the 
ME code is in the flash chip along with the BIOS code.  The ME code portion 
is indeed signed and changing any part of it renders the ME/ATM feature 
'disabled'.

I thought I explained that I am using the ISP approach and have successfully 
flashed (using the layout file feature in flashrom) the BIOS portion two 
other identical boards. I am using a Pomona 16-pin SOIC clip and a 
buspirate. What is stumping me is the third board where the same ISP 
procedure results in the flash not being found. I attached the logs in hope 
someone could see something I am missing.

Thanks for the quick reply.

-----Original Message----- 
From: Stefan Tauner
Sent: Monday, May 12, 2014 3:31 PM
To: Roberto Denis
Cc: flashrom at flashrom.org
Subject: Re: [flashrom] Buspirate Erratic Results : WInbond W25Q128.V

On Mon, 12 May 2014 13:40:42 -0700
Roberto Denis <roberto at godenis.com> wrote:

> I have three workstations with the same motherboards, all identical (same 
> revision, chips, etc.). Motherboards have a Winbond W25Q128 flash chip.
>
> I have flashed two of those successfully several times with Buspirate 
> (internal programmer is a no-go on these boards).
>
> On the third motherboard flashrom fails to identify the flash chip 8 out 
> of 10 times and terminates. Then on the few occasions when it does 
> identify the flash chip it fails to complete the flashing process 
> successfully (errors erasing).
>
> I have tried two different Buspirate flashed with firmware 5.1, 6.0, 6.1, 
> and 6.2 (same results regardless of firmware). All the hardware 
> connections are fine - I have checked continuity from the flash chip legs 
> to the Pomona clip to Buspirate. My wire leads from Buspirate to the 
> Pomona clip are short, 10 cm. I am certain this is not a hardware issue 
> since Buspirate/flashrom work on two other motherboards.
>
> I just do not know what other test should be pursued to get to a 
> resolution. I have attached the –V logs for a successful  flash from one 
> of the two boards flashrom works,  log where flash chip found but aborts 
> on errors, log where flash chip  not found, and a –VVV log for the latter. 
> I note that the ‘probing’ results are very different but do not know what 
> that may lead to conclude.
>
> Any pointers, comments, help welcome.

Intel-based boards? The following page was not written with external
programmers in mind, but it is probably the underlying cause...
http://flashrom.org/ME
see also the last point in the problems section here:
http://flashrom.org/ISP

-- 
Kind regards/Mit freundlichen Grüßen, Stefan Tauner