Location of EC firmware module on motherboard (MS-1722)?

Anybody know the MS-1722 well enough to point out the location of the EC firmware module on the MB? Is this stored on the same chip as the BIOS, or is it a separate chip (one of the circular plug-ins under the maintainance cover?).

Basically, I'm looking to do a hot flash with a working MS-1722 to fix a bad EC flash (my laptop won't even turn on anymore!)

 

Hmm interesting, i was dreaming of this the other night, but if you want to fix a bad EC flash, cant you just reflash the EC firmware?

 

I thought so, but when I ran the last flash, the laptop shut off immediately after writing the EC, and hasn't turned on since. If I can figure out a way to get it to turn on, then yes, I think you're right, I just need to re-flash it.

What I was thinking was (once I find the EC module) to remove it and put one in from another laptop, boot up into DOS, then hotswap my old module in and start the flash. Problem is, I don't know where it is on the board, or perhaps I'm looking at it and just don't know it.

 

Aha, there may be a chance, i will take a close look at the mobo tonight for ya, see if i can track it down.

 

uploaded recovery document and diagram for BIOS and EC CHIP location.
@blaydes99 check you PM.
@catacylsm all help to get this up and running is al we hope for.

 

@RePaRaQu - Thanks a million for the docs you PMed me. I was able to confirm some things:

1. BIOS chip is separate from EC chip
2. BIOS chip is labeled "25x80VSIG" and is placed between the wireless card and the modem/coin battery (just open the back cover of the laptop).
3. The EC is an 8-pin chip, but in the pdfs you sent have a red line drawn right over the serial number of it. Arg. I think it starts with "WM" or "MW"...

From what I can remember of the EC flash (ecall.bat), I could tell that it just quickly flashes one chip, so if I can just narrow it down, I think this place online that I found can re-flash it or just send me a new one that I solder to my MB.

If you get word of which chip exactly is the EC, just let me know. I wonder if it's on the same sub-board next to the power button, etc.?

 

btw blaydes99, how did you get a bad ec chip?

 

Well i couldnt find it on the mobo, prehaps its on the PCB with the touch sensors on, it could be due to the fact that the touch buttons have to communicate with ecware chip to know what they do, otherwise they'd be duds.

 

I flashed the EC back to an earlier version to fix the fan issue (like Darth Bane is having) and the laptop shut off right after flashing, which is not normal. Wouldn't turn on after that.

I went back and checked the EC file that I used, and all the "." had turned to " ". I had opened it in a hex editor and it must've changed the file. So I got a new EC binary and triple checked it, and I'm ready to re-flash, but I can't even get the thing to turn on. I think I'm going to have to completely disassemble the laptop to find the chip.

 

I know for 100% there is an power board located on the left side.
This power board is detected by the mainboard trough the instructions you will give the EC Firmware chip.
In your case try this.
Remove the battery default notebook battery.
Remove the small BIOS battery.
Get the USB drive with the BIOS and EC firmware files, make sure to get the correct version.
connect the USB drive, make sure to get a bootable disk ready with the BIOS file and EC file.
Connect the AC adapter.
Power the notebook and check what it will do, use the BIOS recovery document i send you the check the steps.
I know this must work but i am not 100% sure, because of the broken EC chip.

 

I think there are also CMOS jumpers arent there? I believe i skimmed through the guide posted. (Cant remember where i saw it)

 

Appreciate the great help so far guys.

I will disassemble the laptop today or tomorrow to get at the EC chip which is most likely on the power board near the buttons like you mention. I can't try any BIOS recovery because my laptop will literally not turn on. Pressing the power button does nothing. It's not that it just won't post, it won't do anything when the press the power button. No lights, sounds, no drives spinning up, nothing...

I just need to get at that EC chip and figure out what chip it is (serial#) and get another one re-flashed and solder it in place of the current chip. In the meantime, if anyone has hi-res pics of the MB and that EC board, please send them over.

 

Please check this it might help you figure out the issue and solve it.

http://global.msi.eu/index.php?func=html&name=service_note#recovery

http://global.msi.eu/index.php?func=html&name=service_bootup

Good luck

 

99% positive that I've located the EC chip! (seems kind of obvious now that I think about it)

It's the chip UNDER the video card, labeled "SPI socket 2". proper chip name is "MX25L1005MC" (MX126 25L 1005MC)

It's outlined with the same shape as the BIOS is, and it's the only other chip like this. The crossed out text in the EC_BIOS.pdf starts with MX... this has to be it! Now, just to confirm that my supplier has this chip. I'll report back, but this will be easy to resolder so I'm expecting success with a pre-flashed chip.

YESSSSSSSSSS!