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Windows 10 does not detect FlashCat, does not show under Other Devices, installing driver didn't work

VVictoria

New Member
Windows 10 doesn't detect it and it isn't under other devices in device manager. I followed the guide. So I tried just installing it via action as "legacy software" and it installed but the tool from the zip file doesn't detect the FlashCat as being connected. What am I doing wrong? I thought the .exe from the zip would install everything automatically. This is the flashcat USB, this one

Please help. Thank you for reading.
 
Update: I figured out that if I set the flashcat to 5v via the switch on the side, it works and I can install the drivers, but it disappears as soon as I switch it back to 3.3v. I am trying to flash my Asrock x470 master sli/ac's BIOS, do I need 3.3v for that or is 5v fine? I just don't want to fry my board.
 
Update 2: I am now able to flash the board properly, but it still boot loops. I've tried every BIOS version, what should I do now?
 
A binary file of a working BIOS is typically the same size as the SPI Flash it is saved/written to. So a 16mbit SPI Flash would have a file of exactly 16mbit. A SPI Flash is just memory, starting at 0x000000 and advancing byte for byte. Its very simple compared to other storage mediums.
 
I think the mistake you made was you took the bios from the manufacturer and flashed this to your SPI chip, this is not the correct was to update your bios. Usually bios updates released by OEMs will only be flashed to a specific region in the SPI chip, this could be in the middle somewhere, other sections may contain your bios settings, intel management engine, etc.

For instance today I used my Flashcat to back up and update the bios from one of my Intel NUC boards, you can see the details in the link bellow

https://www.win-raid.com/t4297f36-Intel-NUC-DCCP-DYE-Results.html
 
Never mind, now that I took a look at the bios file in a hex editor, it does appear to be a full 16MB bios image

https://www.asrock.com/MB/AMD/X470 Master SLIac/index.asp#BIOS

What could have happened is after flashing your bios the old settings were lost, now you have to go back in the bios and try changing stuff like UEFI vs Legacy, AHCI vs SATA, Secure Boot, etc... Because it could be that your Windows installation does not like the current bios settings.

Edit: anothe thing that is wierd about these bioses, is if you open/extract them with 7zip you will find a couple files, one appears to be the default nvram settings

bios.jpg

nvram.jpg
 
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Thank you. Now I once again have a problem where 3.3v mode makes it not detected in the software. Also, for some reason, I can't detect the chip anymore either. I'm worried I accidentally destroyed it when I put it into 5v mode.
 
Not likely, just have to make sure you have the wires connected correctly and play around with the SOIC clip.

Watch this video, its me flashing a switch but the principle is the same:

 
Not likely, just have to make sure you have the wires connected correctly and play around with the SOIC clip.

Watch this video, its me flashing a switch but the principle is the same:


Thank you, I got a clip recently too. I just disconnected from the clip and connected manually because I was having issues. It seems the BIOS chip is fine but I don't understand why I can't get into 3.3v mode. I used a multi-meter and it seems to read 5.1 volts and nothing on the 3v hole on the board, even when in 3.3v mode. The capacitor also reads like 1.5 volts or so. Any suggestions? Currently, I'm flashing the board again with a BIOS from a new board. With the clip, I think I often have issues aligning the pins correctly, which is probably why it doesn't always see the BIOS chip. I don't understand why 3.3v stopped working, though.
 
Any ideas on how to make the flashcat get detected by my PC when in 3.3v mode? It disconnects when I change the mode to 3.3v.
 
This is the BIOS file as read from a new board of the same model. I tried flashing this onto my old board but it still doesn't boot. Do I need to modify this in some way? This is exactly what was on another board's BIOS chip, why wouldn't it just work?
 

Attachments

  • REAL-BIOS.zip
    7.6 MB · Views: 8
Looking at the board you purchased , it seems it is a V2.1 is that correct ?
This board is now obsolete , but there could be an issue with the 3.3v setting on the switch ,
As long as you have the 5v option , you should not have an issue .
When you load the bios on the chip , have you done a read back and compared it to the file that you have flashed ?
 
D3m0n I don't think she mentioned what PCB she had, if you are going by the video that is mine and it is a Classic PCB v2.2

VVictoria your full dump looks to be the 1.40 bios, I don't see anything wrong with it right off the bat but I cant say for sure. Did you do a compare after you dumped it to see if it was 100% match?
 
@ricktendo , in their first post linked under "This one" it takes you to an amazon link which shows a v2.1
 
Yea VVictoria as per D3m0n you definitely want to upgrade to the latest PCB v2.2 from Embedded Computers, VCC has been much improved (read more)

Now you can still use v2.1 but I would recommend you do not use the VCC of the FCUSB to supply the voltage, if you have a USB to Serial/TTL adapter use this to apply the 3.3v to your SPI.

In these pictures I am flashing a SOIC 8 SPI with a PCB v2.1, you can see the green board is supplying the 3.3v

WP_20180224_15_05_49_Pro - Copy.jpgWP_20180224_15_06_09_Pro - Copy.jpgWP_20180224_15_06_17_Pro - Copy.jpg
 
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