pfSense on Watchguard M370

[ost0]

Completely blank reads could also mean an entirely dead SPI Flash (usually returning nothing but FF's if I recall correctly), if you've got access to a Linux machine and download flashrom, you can check for signs of life by connecting the clip to the SPI and the ch341a and running
sudo flashrom --programmer ch341a_spi --flash-name

With the expected output for a working flash being something like:
Found Winbond flash chip "W25Q128.W" (16384 kB, SPI) on ch341a_spi

[VioletDragon]

@v16v Blank read can either be, the clamp isn't making good enough connection or dead EPROM.

Are you using clamp or have you removed the EPROM from the board and soldiered it to the bracket / board ?

Regards

[stephenw10]

I would expect it's using some adapter via the SPI header. Usually the easiest way by far. But the board may need to be powered.

[VioletDragon]

Yeah had that problem with a MSI board.

Without having schematic or board in front of me it's hard to say. Does the M370 have all the same model/ make of board and 1 revision or are there different ones?

Regards

[stephenw10]

I've only ever seen one but... that's a pretty small sample!

[v16v]

I have connected as shown in the picture.

[v16v]

@v16v

[VioletDragon]

@v16v Attach a close up of the BIOS chip that the writing is readable. Make sure that white cable is on Pun 1 of the chip, Pin 1 on EPROM chips are marked with a little circle.

The clamp and EPROM Programmer is very different to the one I have.

Regards.

[stephenw10]

The header is not on the chip directly. I think the pinout is given here in the thread somewhere though.

However if it's anything like previous boards it requires power from the board to work. Otherwise you'll not see anything from the chip at all.

[VioletDragon]

@stephenw10 that could be a possibility. But I think it's better for a close up picture that the writing on the chip is readable so we know what chip it is, make and model not only that voltage of the chip too.

Some motherboards has it's own SPI Power Supply which requires some form of external power from the Power Supply of the machine at least.

Regards

[stephenw10]

Mmm, nope looks like it isn't: https://forum.netgate.com/post/1030176

Also that's where those pics are from!

[stephenw10]

So when you try to read the chip as shown here:

Note the following steps are for the AsProgrammer software. The steps are mostly same for both programmer software. Do not attempt the steps below unless the CMOS battery has been removed and the power cable has been disconnected from the M370.
a. Launch AsProgrammer
b. Click “Read ID” button and you should get a list of 3 chips (2 WINBOND W25Q128 chips and 1 Spansion. I believe you can select either of the WINBOND options but I used the W25Q128FV.

Do you see the chip ID'd?

[v16v]

Where is the bios chip itself, can't find it?

[VioletDragon]

@v16v attach a picture od the board. Preferably by chipset and CMOS battery.

Regards

[v16v]

I don't have a camera, just a cell phone, but it takes bad pictures.

[v16v]

[VioletDragon]

@v16v On the board take a look at PU16, left of that there is a EPROM. Attach what the chip says.

Regards.

[v16v]

@VioletDragon

[VioletDragon]

@v16v I'm not getting much online about that check,

What does this chip say ?

Regards

[stephenw10]

So can we assume your flash software is not recognising the flash chip via SPI?