vaio mainboard layout (bios IC identifying)

[firstcolle]

Hi all,
this is my first post here on the forum but i follow the blog from about 1 year now..

i'm in trouble with a sony vaio vpcsb... i bricked the bios, so i'm trying to find out the flash chip and replace with a new one correctly pre programmed.
i opened the laptop and found the mother board model: MBX-237 rev. 1.3, i've found the schematics and identified the flash on the schematics, but..... how can i find this component on the PCB?? i didn't found any layout or image that can point me the right IC...
by looking at the board i think i've found it but i'm not 100% shure.

in attachment the bios schematic and a shot with the 2 flash, i suppose the bios is the 25L32

many many thanks

[elecman14]

It more than likely is the 25L32. The 25L32 and the 25L512 both use 24 bit adresses for reads so it appears it would be possible to drop one in for the other. The larger chip would be more expensive though so barring a major part shortage it is probably unlikely a larger part was used if your schematic is accurate.

 Looks like the manufacturer opted to leave off the solder mask with reference designators. If you are able you should look for a reference designator or ref-des map (It should look something like this:) http://www.musicfromouterspace.com/analogsynth_new/SOUNDLABMINIMARKII/images/pcb_designators_large.gif

[amyk]

Look at the schematic, you'll find a 25L512 too and it happens to hold the firmware for the USB controller (observe that it's closer to the USB ports.)

[Rasz]

25L512 is usb 3.0 firmware?
edit: damn, amyk beat me to it

bios chips is so big because of all the UEFI bullshit (storage for variables)

[firstcolle]

yes, i also thought that the 25L512 is usb 3.0 firmware (is located near the USB ports).
so 25L32 is for BIOS..

many thanks, and finger crossed!!!

[RGB255_0_0]

Have you checked if there is a keyboard bind to recover the BIOS from USB? Usually Win+B and the BIOS may need to be renamed.

[RGB255_0_0]

I recovered an Acer I had using http://forums.mydigitallife.info/threads/13095-Undocumented-INSYDE-BIOS-recovery-method-Use-andy-s-tool-to-obtain-possible-names

Worth spending 10 minutes just trying that method at least.

[firstcolle]

I've tried this method but nothings happens.. I've tried some key combinations (win+b, FN +b, esc alt .....) and various name for the .rom files... The truth is that there is not a vaio procedure that explain exactly which keys to use and how rename the rom file..

[RGB255_0_0]

Have you opened the ROM up in Andy's tool to see if it specifies a name of the file as they often need to be renamed. If still not working then it's toast :/

BTW, what did you do to brick it? Update the ME Region?

[firstcolle]

yes.. i've opened the rom files with andy's tool but the only popup that comes up is the one attached.. no name for the rom file...

i've installed a modded bios and disabled the intel graphic card.. my vaio has 2 graphic cards: intel and AMD and i wanted to force the amd to work......

[firstcolle]

DONE!!
i changed the 25L32 with a one properly programmed!! all works fine!!
many thanks!

[RGB255_0_0]

Good stuff