Replacing laptop motherboard Super IO chip ITE8987

[dominicM]

I have a hp motherboard that has a short on the 5V rail due to liquid damage. Oddly enough it actually worked after cleaning but failed to power on after a couple of weeks of just sitting on the desk awaiting a new keyboard. I removed the 5V IC and applied external 5V to the rail to troubleshoot. The ITE8987 chip overheats. It seems to me like the chip is faulty as I see no other issues. The question is can this chip be replaced without programming it first?

[testpoint]

yes, IT8987 include program inside, you may use a second hand chip from a same board.

[dominicM]

So a generic part will simply not work at all? There is no scrap parts I can find so if it needs to be programmed then it's not fixable and the whole board will need to be replaced. I also assume a different board with same chip number will not work either as the software is different?

It's odd since I see plenty of videos of people replacing the ITE chip with no mention of reprogramming and it seems like the chip is new and not savaged. Can you link to some info about this as I cant find much about replacing these chips?

[testpoint]

can you give me your HP PC model? I can help you search the broken board in China.  IT8987E  ? which package ?

pls show me the picture of  IT8987E, the vendor said, particular version is NOT include program.

[dominicM]

Laptop is HP 15-p199na and the motherboard is DAY11MBB6Eo REV : E     MODEL : Y11A

Chip has this on it:

Code: [Select]

ITE
IT8987E
1435-BXA
SC26LA

[difinity]

The IT8987 is in the list of supported devices from programming with the SVOD programmer. One of a couple of devices for programming Super IO chips.

[testpoint]

the vendor said, BXA can be replaced directly, price is 2 USD only. new chip.

[dominicM]

the vendor said, BXA can be replaced directly, price is 2 USD only. new chip.

So any new chip can be used without programming? Could you elaborate on why BXA can be replaced? How can I know when a chip needs to be programmed and when not?

[testpoint]

do not know, the vendor said, maybe they have a document

[dominicM]

do not know, the vendor said, maybe they have a document

What vendor is it? Do they sell this stuff directly or do you just know someone personally?

[khaahk]

The 8987 should be programmed from main bios when mainboard is powered on. At least on this mainboard. It initially might contain some basic code to power on mainboard. Where did you inject the 5V, because the 8987 should be connected to 3.3V ?
Quanta Y11 schematic is freely available online.

[dominicM]

The 8987 should be programmed from main bios when mainboard is powered on. At least on this mainboard. It initially might contain some basic code to power on mainboard. Where did you inject the 5V, because the 8987 should be connected to 3.3V ?
Quanta Y11 schematic is freely available online.

You are correct, it is 3V in the schematic. I assumed it was 5V rail for whatever reason but it could well be 3V rail. Can't be sure as the markings on the 3V and 5V IC's do not match the schematic and all the ones for sale have varying markings too. Voltage never exceeded 1V due to short circuit so it should be fine.

So how can you tell that this ITE chip does not need to be programmed first?

[khaahk]

I believe there is no obvious way to tell - only experience - if not your's then somebody else's who has the will to share.
One indication is if the code is kept inside main bios - there would be no point to keep it there.

[dominicM]

I believe there is no obvious way to tell - only experience - if not your's then somebody else's who has the will to share.
One indication is if the code is kept inside main bios - there would be no point to keep it there.

So there is no extra hardware required for this un-programmed chip to work? If it's software only I don't understand the logic in making some motherboards require the ITE chips to be programmed externally, can you see a reason? Commenter above implied that BXA markings on the ITE chip are indicative of it not requiring programming, any idea what BXA means at all as I can't even find a datasheet for this chip.

[amyk]

The first two are paysites, the last one I was unable to successfully register. But if anyone can get the datasheet, please share

http://bios-fix.com/index.php?threads/it8987e-datasheet.481/
https://vinafix.com/threads/it8987e-datasheet.26578/
https://www.phang-nganotebook.com/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=8536

[testpoint]

can not find any document, the vendor just according the model number, they are not sure it was programmed or not, I think it has program, so you just use the used chip is OK.

[dominicM]

can not find any document, the vendor just according the model number, they are not sure it was programmed or not, I think it has program, so you just use the used chip is OK.

So which is it does it need to be programmed or not?? You said it doesn't need to be programmed but now it sounds like you are saying the opposite! There are no used chips I can see anywhere and certainly not from the same motherboard.

[khaahk]

It is a microcontroller to be used by many manufacturers, so it is made to be universal. By pulling some pins low it enters the spi programming mode. That depends on the mainboard on which it is installed. So i suggest you buy the new chip, put it on and see what happens. In worst case you lose a few $. If you want you can buy the programmer later if needed.

[dominicM]

It is a microcontroller to be used by many manufacturers, so it is made to be universal. By pulling some pins low it enters the spi programming mode. That depends on the mainboard on which it is installed. So i suggest you buy the new chip, put it on and see what happens. In worst case you lose a few $. If you want you can buy the programmer later if needed.

Programmer is not worth the cost but I will try a replacement chip, and report back then.

[Rasz]

why not buy preprogrammed chip?

[dominicM]

why not buy preprogrammed chip?

Because they are not available not to mention who knows what programming it needs for a specific board.

[Rasz]

why not buy preprogrammed chip?

Because they are not available not to mention who knows what programming it needs for a specific board.

 
people who repair laptops do, obviously
dumps of this KBC firmware are available
https://dr-bios.com/get/quanta-y11a-day11amb6e0-it8987e-ec-bios-download/29321
https://www.elvikom.pl/schemat-hp-pavilion-15-quanta-y11a-y11c-day11amb6e0-t43358.html
http://vlab.su/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=5916&start=760

its pretty self explanatory, find someone willing to sell you programmed EC on one of the russian/polish forums

[dominicM]

why not buy preprogrammed chip?

Because they are not available not to mention who knows what programming it needs for a specific board.

 
people who repair laptops do, obviously
dumps of this KBC firmware are available
https://dr-bios.com/get/quanta-y11a-day11amb6e0-it8987e-ec-bios-download/29321
https://www.elvikom.pl/schemat-hp-pavilion-15-quanta-y11a-y11c-day11amb6e0-t43358.html
http://vlab.su/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=5916&start=760

its pretty self explanatory, find someone willing to sell you programmed EC on one of the russian/polish forums

This is utter overkill for such a low cost board. It is absolutely not worth the time required to find it if it's not readily available.

[electra2017]

Can You please tell me with the your results about this issue as I am having same problem with mine?
And if anyone can provide me with vendors who sell this chip I will be very Thankfull

[dominicM]

Honestly I still haven't gotten around to it. Will try and do it shortly, will report back if I do...