External Flashing

SOIC-8 and DIP-8 Flash Chips

The orientation the flash chip can be determined by identifying the circle near pin 1 (SOIC-8, soldered) or the semicircle at the top of the chip (DIP-8, socketed). Before removing DIP-8 flash chips, be sure to note the original orientation on the motherboard to ensure correct reinstallation.

CH341a

DIP-8 flash chips can be inserted into the CH341a for flashing, as depicted above.

Voltage Verification

Many different USB flashers are sold as "CH341a", often without any specific product identifiers in the name besides "CH341a". Some flash tools using the CH341a supply the incorrect voltage, often 5.0V, to the data lines (pins 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, and 7) instead of 3.3V. A voltmeter can be used to test your specific CH341a variant. To measure the voltage at each pin, hold the voltmeter's ground to pin 4 (GND) and touch the probe to each of the other pins on the CH341a. In the image above, the red probe is connected to pin 8 (VCC) and the black probe is connected to pin 4 (GND). If they all ready ~3.3V, your CH341a was designed correctly. It is possible to fix a faulty CH341a, but this requires soldering.