AiTrip EEPROM BIOS USB Programmer CH341A + SOIC8 Clip + 1.8V Adapter + SOIC8 Adapter for 24 25 Series Flash

Working perfect

I'm reviewing the Black CH341A EEPROM & BIOS USB programmer bundle, with 1.8v adapter. I needed this for a BIOS flashing I had to do, but the tool I'd normally use was no where near me nor did I have the ability to go drive a couple hours to get it. That is a TL866II Plus. This tool, for the price alone, is amazing. I was quite skeptical just because it's incredibly inexpensive, but quite a powerful tool. Some of the observations I've made.... For the construction, there is no case, so you NEED to be extremely careful when using it. That the area where the tool sits isn't conductive or that nothing conductive falls on it. Because there's no case, I can clearly see the solder joints are well made, the board is a nice thickness with 2 conductive layers. There are 2 LEDs that allow a user to see power to the board (red LED) and another to alert the user when it's writing or reading (green LED). There's 2 functional sides to the board, 1 with the spring tensioned clamp, and the other with solderable traces for at least 2 different style or size chips. The smaller of the 2 fitting a Winbond BIOS 25Q64FV chip (5.30mm wide), which just happened to be the chip I needed to flash. Once I downloaded the appropriate software & drivers, this tool was quite simple to use. I'm not very techy, but do mess around with all sorts of electronics. I'm more advanced than a beginner, but I can't say I'm that experienced with flashing BIOS chips very often... I'm more comfortable with the automotive side, with modules and EEPROM chips, but still not a pro there either. I'm stating this so that a reader can understand where I'm coming from better, and make a better judgment. It's not "so easy for you because you do this all the time" type of deal. Be aware, anytime you're dealing with tools, you need to know their limitations. It's not "which is the best BIOS tool?" or "this tool will do anything you need", no. Some tools can do some chips better than others, just make sure that BOTH the tool AND the software have the capability before purchasing any tool for a specific job. I've only used the tool a handful of times on 2 different BIOS chip series, with one being the chip I mentioned above and the other was a MX25L12873F. I'm also including pics with the tool in use. I think you get a nice bang for your buck on this purchase. I just may purchase a 2nd one, because it just works!

This one follows the flawed design where the IC woukd be exposed to 5v regardless of the jumper position. I had to mod it so that the power and data lines are now at 3.3v. Once done, it worked just fine. The clip takes a bit of fiddling around before it would give a proper connection. Once you get a knack of it, it works everything. Can't fault at all, except for the design around voltage limiting.

The CHA341A programmer is acceptable for the price... but the CLIP is a total joke. Get a 5250 Ponoma clip to complete your kit!

Needed to resurrect an airgapped 15 yr old HP notebook running a special software that is not available anymore. Dead battery, blank screen and flashing LEDs indicated that something was wrong. Tried several tips and tricks including a fresh battery and key combinations to attempt to POST into a BIOS copy on a USB stick. Nothing worked and I was frustrated. Chasing this problem on YouTube, came across multiple channels with videos using the CH341 programmer to flash the BIOS. I am fairly adept at DIY and can test/fix common electronic/electrical issues. Decided to embark on the attempt to flash the BIOS chip using this platform and a programming s/w (AsProgrammer and NeoProgrammer). Day 1 thro Day 3, went in circles and a learning journey. The first CH341 I bought was defective so ended up ordering a second one. This one worked flawlessly. I was done in 15 minutes and the laptop came back to life. The product is well put together and came with plenty of accessories including the 1.8v adapter. Also, I didn't need to do the 5V to 3.3V conversion but the internet community thinks that completing the bypass hack will correct the defect of 5V supply instead of the 3.3v the SPI Chip expects. Not needed. There were no documentation so one must be willing to go through a learning journey. Otherwise, this hardware tool works flawlessly. I didn't have any problems with this item.