Hi,
I have a 440MX system here (that's basically a 440BX + 82371EB in an integrated part AFAIK), which was relatively popular in the past in laptops and other embedded stuff.
It _looks_ like this has a TSOP (or similar) part (Fujitsu MBM29F400TC), but I haven't yet opened the box (not sure if I will at all). With the flashrom patch I just posted I'm able to read back the original BIOS image. But how can I do useful development work here if this is really TSOP? Does it _always_ mean the part is soldered-on btw?
I'm _not_ willing/able to get into soldering too much, so is there any other possibility I can procede without bricking the box?
Thanks, Uwe.
On Sat, Oct 27, 2007 at 07:53:34PM +0200, Uwe Hermann wrote:
It _looks_ like this has a TSOP (or similar) part (Fujitsu MBM29F400TC),
MBM29F400 comes in three surface mount packages, 2 TSOP (pins normal and pins reversed) and 1 SOP.
but I haven't yet opened the box (not sure if I will at all). With the flashrom patch I just posted I'm able to read back the original BIOS image.
If the chip is identified you should have writes working too - yes?
But how can I do useful development work here if this is really TSOP? Does it _always_ mean the part is soldered-on btw?
In a factory produced system, yes. There are sockets for these SMD packages but they are never used for production systems, only for development, testing etc.
I'm _not_ willing/able to get into soldering too much, so is there any other possibility I can procede without bricking the box?
Not really. :(
TSOP is tedious to work with by hand. I do not recommend it without a good deal of soldering experience. (Each pin is .2mm wide, spaced .5mm apart.) This SOP package is easier (.4mm wide pins 1.27mm apart) but probably also more uncommon because the package is a lot larger.
There are TSOP clip-on adapters, see e.g. the milksop of Xbox BIOS hacking fame, but they usually cost several 100 EUR.
There are fairly cheap (few EUR each) TSOP sockets (emulation.com make them) but I haven't found them availble in small quantities anywhere. I can only buy 30-50-100-something from their sales rep. And that still needs the soldering work.
//Peter
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Peter Stuge -
Uwe Hermann