Panasonic CF-31 BIOS update

Yes, no problem; the OS-based software tools (such as Universal BIOS Backup ToolKit) access the shadowed copy in the system's memory. The DOS tools at the least and likely most flash tools use a direct read from the eeprom.

Either copy is directly usable for the programmer, yet both will be slightly different from the plain, pre-flashed binary due to the non-volatile storage sections being filled, even if with a modicum of data. These storage containers are necessary in order to keep settings after powering down. This is something to remember when fixing a corrupt bios; best erase these bits completely, otherwise it's back to square one.

 

I tried a afuwingui backup on the programmer, it failed to boot. This was a while back on a different CF 31.

If I use afudos, it has a better chance to work.

I have a CF31 mk3 here that I put a socket on the mb for the bios. I can experiment with it..

I assume those sections are the serial/model numbers..etc.

 

That would be very odd; it's meant for date/time, SATA specifics, boot order and anything else that is changeable. The model and serial numbers ought to be a fixed property; these should report the same values after a cmos reset or running without any cmos battery at all.

The serial is a bit strange, come to think of it; it can't be part of the generic bios since everyone would have the same number. It might be in a protected section, but the programmer would wipe it then, which is something that can be checked. Alternative is that it's a hash, based on uniquely identifiable peripherals such as onboard audio or lan (which have their own firmware and ids, such as a mac address). That way the resulting hash will always be the same, even after writing a 100% pristine binary.

 

I am guessing the model/serial is in a protected section then.
The programmer WILL wipe it. It has in the past.
I am have issues with software that is supposed to change them. Such as when you swap motherboards with a new one.

 

Universal Bios backup could not identify the BIOS on a CF 31 mk3. So it will not back it up..
AFUDOS backed it up as a 2048kb file size.

 

Figured out Universal backup toolkit. Neither of the rom backups made with afudos or Universal backup will work when flashed back with a programmer.
They also looked different when examining them in the hex of the programmer software. Especially when compared to a programmer backup.

These sockets sure make it easy to play around with the BIOS. I also have several chips to flash back and forth.

 

Yes, the backup size should be 16MB anyway; usually the ME is the first section of the chip, so writing those 2MB bios backups would overwrite the wrong part of the eeprom.

Could you upload them somewhere and drop a link via a pm? Same for the original, pre-flash files. We could check as to how they're arranged with this model and what needs to be done to assemble a proper binary that can be flashed with the programmer. Knowing that we can also insert the latest, security-patched ME, in case no update is forthcoming from Panasonic.