[LinuxBIOS] [Fwd: Re: Intel 440bx]

[Peter Stuge]

On Tue, Nov 14, 2006 at 11:39:39AM +0100, Svante Signell wrote:
> BTW: How to backup the old BIOS to a replacement chip before
> starting? Is that supported by flashrom?

Yes. You can use flashrom to read and save your original BIOS, then
hotswap the flash chip, then write out your original BIOS to the
newly inserted chip.


> I found the BIOS chip brand and version: Its a Winbond W29C020-90
> Any suppliers available somehere?

Seems it's a bit hard to come by those old DIP packages in Sweden.
ELFA and Bejoken only have PLCC or TSOP. Farnell has something:

1201510 Am29F040B-90PD 40.43kr in stock


> Is it large enough to host LinuxBIOS?

Your original chip is 256kb, LinuxBIOS is typically 16 or 32kb
excluding the payload.

The Farnell chip is 512kb so unfortunately not enough room for a
Linux kernel without quite an effort. :\

Payloads like FILO or Etherboot will fit just fine and leave plenty
room for a VGA BIOS.


//Peter