Can I flash a BIOS with an EEPROM programmer?

MGMorden

Diamond Member
Jul 4, 2000
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I recently screwed up my first BIOS :). I though I recalled hearing that I could reflash a BIOS using an EEPROM programmer. Since I can get the parts to one of these for $14.95 which includes a printed PCB (and I'm resonably competant with a soldering iron), I figured I might go ahead and grab one. It would be good for future secuirity and it would be a nice project to try out anyways. So, does anyone know if I can flash a BIOS using one? If not, where can I get a machine to do this(kits, schematics or pre-built gadget)?
 

MGMorden

Diamond Member
Jul 4, 2000
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Yeah, I went to badflash.com. It looked interesting (especially those blue BIOS chips :)), but the price I'd pay for a new chip would be more than I paid for the motherboard in the first place. If I can get a way to program my own chips I'd like that, since it would be a cool project. There is also software available (with source ;)) for DOS, Win 3.1, Win95, and WinNT. Porting it to Linux would be something cool to work on . . .
 

MGMorden

Diamond Member
Jul 4, 2000
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After looking around some on Google I found that the $15 programmer won't do it. The home built versions I see plug into an ISA slot. That sounds kinda risky as I don't want to mess up a motherboard if I mess up building it. Some of the better mor professional ones plug into the parallel port so that's not as bad. They cost $200 dollars though, so I doubt that I'll be able to get one.
 

TunaBoo

Diamond Member
May 6, 2001
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<< After looking around some on Google I found that the $15 programmer won't do it. The home built versions I see plug into an ISA slot. That sounds kinda risky as I don't want to mess up a motherboard if I mess up building it. Some of the better mor professional ones plug into the parallel port so that's not as bad. They cost $200 dollars though, so I doubt that I'll be able to get one. >>



He told you to go to badflash to talk to the guy about making one and if it would work, NOT having him do it for you.

Put it in an old beater mobo, nothing to lose.
 

Pederv

Golden Member
May 13, 2000
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I've flashed a bios chip with an eprom programmer on more than one occasion, so it can be done. I used a DATAIO 3900 to do it with, which costs way more than what you're looking at. The main problem, besides finding an affordable system, is getting the file properly setup. When I was working in the Shop as a tech, I found out that not all programmers treat the same file the same way.