Z64 Bios Modifications

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Z64 BIOS-CHIP Rescue Page

FLASHING the BIOS chip can go wrong and leave you with an unusable Z64.
In this case you have to open the Z64 and remove the flash-chip for reprogramming.
If you don't want to do it yourself, you should ask in a PC repair shop. The Z64 is a PC.

Locating the chip:
The red arrow marks the flash-bios chip in my Z64 HW2.
It is a 5V 4Mbit 150 ns flash EEPROM (28SF040 from SST)
The chip is in a 32PIN DIP socket.

Remove the flash chip:
Make sure the power is off and observe the usual anti-static procedures.
If you have no special IC extraction tool, take a small flat-tip screwdriver. Place it between the IC and the socket. Pry up both ends of the chip a little at a time so that all pins come out at the same rate.
Store the chip in a few layers of aluminum foil.

Self made chip removal tool(L).
From an old pair of tweezers.
But if you can afford a few $,
you should get a commercial (R) tool

Reprogramming:
There are many options to get the chip programmed.
- Ask a Z64 distributor to send you a new preprogrammed chip.
- Download the chip copy below and ask in a PC repair shop for programming the file to the chip.
- A PC-BIOS programming service:http://www.badflash.com .

And for experts only:
Use a PC with a 5V 32PIN DIP flash BIOS as chip-programmer (remove the sticker from the top of the PC-BIOS chip and get the chip data from the internet):
The UNIFLASH pc-flash program supports the Z 4Mbit chip for mainbord bios updates.
5V flash chips may also be in expansion cards -SCSI,Network- but you need the corresponding upload program.

Insert the new or reprogrammed chip:
Align the notch in one end of the chip with the drawing on the main-board. Check that all pins of the flash-chip line up with the holes in the socket.
Slowly press the chip into the socket and watch the pins of the chip to be sure they are going down in to the socket and do not bend.

Downloads:


Z64 BIOS 2.17 chip-dump
	- HW2-PAL - don't know if that's important - checksum 04009C0D

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updated: 14.Aug.2000
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