Flashrom Will Not Detect SPI Flash Chip While Reflashing BIOS

Support
1

I am currently using the Mr.Chromebox guide to unbrick my chromebook code named LICK using a ch341a reprogrammer

The flashrom software sees the chip as a Unknow SPI chip (RDID) and doesn’t write when i try

ubuntu@ubuntu:~$ sudo flashrom -p ch341a_spi
flashrom unknown on Linux 6.14.0-27-generic (x86_64)
flashrom is free software, get the source code at https://flashrom.org

Using clock_gettime for delay loops (clk_id: 1, resolution: 1ns).

Found Generic flash chip “unknown SPI chip (RDID)” (0 kB, SPI) on ch341a_spi.

This flash part has status NOT WORKING for operations: PROBE READ ERASE WRITE
This flash part has status UNTESTED for operations: WP
The test status of this chip may have been updated in the latest development
version of flashrom. If you are running the latest development version,
please email a report to [email protected] if any of the above operations
work correctly for you with this flash chip. Please include the flashrom log
file for all operations you tested (see the man page for details), and mention
which mainboard or programmer you tested in the subject line.
Thanks for your help!
No operations were specified.

The model written on the chip is Gigadevice 25LQ128DSIG

Any help is appreciated.

2

per the specs, the 25LQ128DSIG is a 1.8v flash chip. You’re using the voltage adapter with the ch341a?

3

Yes I am using the blue 1.8v adapter

4

then it’s a connection issue most likely. or try without the 1.8v adapter in case there is current leakage

5

İt does see the chip though? Because when the clip connection is loose it doesn’t register anything

Also wouldn’t using it without the 1.8v converter fry the chip

6

it says unknown chip, it’s not identifying it properly.

no, you won’t fry the chip

7

İt is however a very cheap one so I am concerned for my Chromebook as I currently cannot buy a new one

8

well it’s already bricked, you’re not going to make it any worse. Make sure that you have both external power and the internal battery disconnected when flashing