MP 1,1-5,1 MacPro5,1: BootROM thread | 144.0.0.0.0

[idjego]

The chip is new, just bought and welded.
I think it's the same chip, the SST25VF032B-80-4I-S2AF.
What would the terminal command be like to read the chip from flashrom?

 

[tsialex]

The chip is new, just bought and welded.
I think it's the same chip, the SST25VF032B-80-4I-S2AF.
What would the terminal command be like to read the chip from flashrom?

I just answered that…

 

[flyproductions]

What exactly is the chip to desolder?

Does it have to be desoldered at all?

I have this programmer too and could quite easily read, erase and write the soldered chip of a GTX 1070, using a testing clamp. But, instead of flashrom, i used an old windows notebook i had around, using software which i downloaded from here. Flashrom sadly refused to recognize my chip.

 

[tsialex]

Does it have to be desoldered at all?

I have this programmer too and could quite easily read, erase and write the soldered chip of a GTX 1070, using a testing clamp. But, instead of flashrom, i used an old windows notebook i had around, using software which i downloaded from here. Flashrom sadly refused to recognize my chip.

Desoldered. Apple wired the SPI flash in a way that you can't read while on board.

 

[tommy chen]

man flashrom shows the info page for flashrom. It's the -r option.

Yeah, I know, but it wasn't working.

I entered the same command after a restart and now it worked?

[automerge]1577755013[/automerge]

Desoldered. Apple wired the SPI flash in a way that you can't read while on board.

how does dosdudes ROMtool reading?

only on a running board, so you cannot read on a dead board if its soldered?

 

[tsialex]

how does dosdudes ROMtool reading?

only on a running board, so you cannot read on a dead board if its soldered?

Again, you can't read a Mac Pro SPI flash while it's soldered on the backplane, this is valid for early-2009 to late-2013, Apple wired the circuit in a way that is incompatible to SPI flash programmers. You can't read or write to FWB flash memories while soldered on 2006 to early-2008 Mac Pros too, but for slightly different motives.

ROMTool is just a GUI for flashrom, with a working board flashrom can access the SPI Flash via the internal Intel chipset SPI connection.

 

[tommy chen]

THX alex

but the problem with this board is not the bootrom : -(
(the PSU shut off after 10 sec)

need boardschematic - but no one has any of the macpro :- (

 

[startergo]

THX alex

but the problem with this board is not the bootrom : -(
(the PSU shut off after 10 sec)

Try reseating the CPU tray. Check the pins.

 

[tommy chen]

Try reseating the CPU tray. Check the pins.

pins are ok - different CPU trays and different PSU > no way

have also an other backplane with dead front USB : -(

 

[tsialex]

pins are ok - different CPU trays and different PSU > no way

have also an other backplane with dead front USB : -(

Check the USB protection fuses, usually they blown before damaging the rest of the USB circuit. Remove the components that you'll need from the board that don't keep powered on.

I don't ever throw away parts, I'm always needing components to repair other boards.

 

[tommy chen]

thx alex

if i find it on the board ; -)

 

[NoLemon]

To make a MATT card work correctly you just flash it with the correct BootROM image for your Mac Pro. The BootROM image cmizapper sends you is a clone from a mid-2010 Mac Pro that still have MP51.007F.B00, from August 2010. Once you have the correct image for your own Mac Pro flashed, it's a top notch product.

That means I need the exact dump from my 5.1 machine ?
didnt find it yet, I hope I will, it must be some where, Im sure I dumped it.

 

[tsialex]

That means I need the exact dump from my 5.1 machine ?
didnt find it yet, I hope I will, it must be some where, Im sure I dumped it.

Yes. If you lost the original dump, it's possible to reconstruct the BootROM, but it's a lot of work.

 

[NoLemon]

I cant reconstruct that, no dice.
If I dont find it, it is probably easier to get a working Pro and keep the broken one for spare parts, or give it away for salvage.

 

[Macschrauber]

you may find a file with name untitled.bin and file size 4.194.304 bytes

 

[NoLemon]

Ok will do.

 

[tsialex]

I cant reconstruct that, no dice.
If I dont find it, it is probably easier to get a working Pro and keep the broken one for spare parts, or give it away for salvage.

If I had a little more time available, I'd try to provide a service for people in countries that Mac Pro backplanes are exorbitant, basically the person would send photos from the ESN and MLB labels and I'd send a SPI flash replacement card with the correctly reconstructed BootROM. Even with shipping and taxes this probably would resurrect some Mac Pros a lot cheaper than buying a backplane at European or Australian prices.

 

[NoLemon]

Thanks a lot tsialex, Macschrauber is helping me out, he isn't too far away.
I just hope i find the .bin.
Im pretty sure I saved it before I flashed the firmware from MP51.0089.B00 to 140.0.0.0.0 or from 140.0.0.0.0 to 144.0.0.0.0.
There is a chance it is somewhere on the drives.

 

[idjego]

Hi @Macschrauber,
Can you check if the chip is correctly placed in the programmer?
Thank you!

MP5,1: BootROM thread | 144.0.0.0.0

Hello again, I am at the point where I soldered the chip to the adapter, but I think it is not in the correct position, since the chip does not recognize me. Is the chip well placed?

forums.macrumors.com

 

[Macschrauber]

Hi @Macschrauber,
Can you check if the chip is correctly placed in the programmer?
Thank you!

MP5,1: BootROM thread | 144.0.0.0.0

Hello again, I am at the point where I soldered the chip to the adapter, but I think it is not in the correct position, since the chip does not recognize me. Is the chip well placed?

forums.macrumors.com

Today I am in my shop, yes, exactly the same. I have the same programmer and same adapter.

Check that jumper 1 to 2 is set on the programmer, all other jumpers are open.

 

[idjego]

Hi, thanks for you reply.
I looking the original chip and I can see that model are different.
The model are 25L32050....

 

[tsialex]

Hi, thanks for you reply.
I looking the original chip and I can see that model are different.
The model are 25L32050....


View attachment 887347

Your chip is a MX25L3205D and it's not compatible with MP5,1, not even has the size required since it's 16Mb.

Sorry, looked at the wrong table row, it's a 32Mb SPI flash memory too and works.

Apple used with MP4,1 and MP5,1 backplanes:

SST 25VF032B
Macronix 25L3205D/25L3206E

EfiFlasher supports:

Atmel 45DB321
Eon M25P32
Macronix 25L3205D/25L3206E
SST 25VF032B
ST Micro M25P32
WinBond 25X32

 

[idjego]

This chip is the original from motherboard

 

[Macschrauber]

what happens when you let flashrom detect the chip?

flashrom -r test.rom -p ch341a_spi

automatic detection worked for me for reading SST25VF032B
[automerge]1578441468[/automerge]
Flashrom supported list has MX25L3205D in.

Supported hardware - flashrom

flashrom.org

 

[tsialex]

what happens when you let flashrom detect the chip?

flashrom -r test.rom -p ch341a_spi

automatic detection worked for me for reading SST25VF032B

Macronix uses the same CHIP ID for different SPI flashes with the same capacity, auto detection won't work with MX SPIs. You have to specify the correct one. That's why some MacBooks bricked with ROMTool.

flashrom -p ch341a_spi -c MX25L3205D -r test.rom