Onkyo TX-NR636 W25Q80BV SPI Flash Q8406 .bin Dump Process and Board Identification

User question

Onkyo TX-NR 636, W25Q80BV, Q8406, dump, .bin

Artificial Intelligence Response

Direct answer to the question

• You’re referring to the small SPI flash on the TX‑NR636 HDMI/digital section (Winbond W25Q80BV, 8 Mbit = 1,048,576 bytes). You want a raw dump (.bin) associated with the board location you’ve noted as “Q8406.”
• I can’t supply copyrighted firmware dumps, but I can help you: confirm the part and location, read/verify your chip, and safely reprogram it with a correct 1,048,576‑byte image from a matching donor/repository.

Key points

• W25Q80BV = 8 Mbit (1 MB) SPI NOR, 3.3 V, JEDEC ID EF 40 14, 4‑KB sectors, 64‑KB blocks, 256‑byte pages.
• “Q8406” is likely a board reference on the HDMI/digital PCB; the SPI flash itself is usually silkscreened as IC/U (not “Q”). Please verify the silkscreen and the top mark on the package (e.g., “25Q80BVSIG”).
• Always back up the original contents before any erase/write; do not overwrite any device‑unique data.
• Official USB/network firmware packages are not the same as a raw SPI dump and cannot be written directly to the W25Q80BV.

Detailed problem analysis

• Function of the W25Q80BV in this platform:
  • Stores boot code and/or peripheral firmware for devices on the HDMI/digital board (e.g., HDMI switch/microcontroller). It is distinct from larger NAND/eMMC used by the main processor and from the network module’s own NVM.
  • Corruption here can cause boot loops, HDMI initialization failures, or blank OSD even when main power rails are good.
• About “Q8406”:
  • Onkyo schematics/PCBs typically use “IC/U” for ICs and “Q” for transistors/regulators. Your “Q8406” note may be the local designator printed near the flash area or an adjacent transistor powering the 3.3 V rail to that flash/HDMI device.
  • To avoid targeting the wrong device, positively identify by top marking and pinout: SOIC‑8 with pins 1=/CS#, 2=DO, 3=/WP#, 4=GND, 5=DI, 6=CLK, 7=/HOLD#, 8=VCC.
• When to suspect this SPI vs. other common TX‑NR636 faults:
  • SPI flash: Receiver powers, relays click, but OSD/HDMI init fails or unit loops early; front panel may be responsive but setup/HDMI is unstable.
  • DSP/HDMI BGA issues or power rails: “No sound” with otherwise working OSD is more often DSP/BGA/regulator related, not SPI contents.
  • NAND/eMMC: Stuck on logo or late boot crashes point to the larger system flash rather than this 1 MB SPI.

Current information and trends

• Community repair practice for mid‑2010s AVRs like the TX‑NR636 favors:
  • Chip‑off reads (to avoid bus contention) with TL866II/RT809H or in‑circuit reads using high‑quality SOIC‑8 clips and a well‑regulated 3.3 V.
  • Verified donor dumps from the identical HDMI/digital PCB revision, not just the same model number, to preserve peripheral firmware compatibility.
• Note: Some receivers store HDCP/EDID‑related data or peripheral configuration in SPI. Overwriting with a mismatched dump can break HDMI handshakes even if the unit boots.

Supporting explanations and details

Technical details you’ll likely need

• Device parameters (W25Q80BV):
  • Capacity: 1,048,576 bytes total; sectors 4 KB; blocks 64 KB; page size 256 B.
  • Commands: Read 0x03, Fast Read 0x0B, Page Program 0x02, Sector Erase 0x20, Block Erase 0xD8, Chip Erase 0xC7/0x60, RDSR 0x05, WREN 0x06, WRR 0x01.
  • Status register bits: BP0..BP3 (block protection), SRP (status register protect). Clear protects before writing.
• Programmer setup:
  • Tools: TL866II Plus or CH341A (with a proper 3.3 V adapter), Pomona‑style clip, AsProgrammer/NeoProgrammer/flashrom.
  • In‑circuit read reliability improves if you hold the target SoC in reset or remove standby power to avoid the SoC driving SPI lines. If reads don’t match, lift /CS# or remove the chip.
• Robust read/write/verify workflow: 1) Power fully off and discharge rails. Identify the chip by marking and pin 1. 2) Clip or remove the chip. Supply a clean, current‑limited 3.3 V; tie /WP# and /HOLD# high. 3) Read the device 2–3 times; compare SHA‑256 (exact match) to confirm a stable capture. 4) Save backups: original.bin, original_altread.bin. Keep them immutable. 5) If writing: Erase → Blank‑check → Program → Verify. Also reread the entire device and compare to the buffer file byte‑for‑byte. 6) Inspect under magnification and clean flux; refit with correct pin‑1 orientation.

Example flashrom usage

• Probe and read:
  • flashrom -p ch341a_spi -r nr636_q80_backup1.bin
  • flashrom -p ch341a_spi -r nr636_q80_backup2.bin
  • sha256sum nr636_q80_backup*.bin (must match)
• Clear protection before programming (some GUIs do this automatically):
  • Use programmer’s “Unprotect” or write 0x00 to the status register after WREN.
• Verify size: Resulting .bin must be exactly 1,048,576 bytes.

Why official USB firmware won’t substitute a raw SPI dump

• The USB package is a vendor update container the main firmware interprets; it updates multiple partitions/devices and often excludes low‑level peripheral SPI images. Writing it raw into W25Q80BV will not work and risks bricking.

Ethical and legal aspects

• SPI dumps may include device‑unique data (e.g., keys/IDs). Sharing or using dumps from other units can violate license terms (HDCP) and local law. Keep your own backup private, and obtain donor images only from legitimate sources with proper rights.
• If the unit is under any service program/warranty (unlikely for this model’s age), reflashing could void it.

Practical guidelines

Implementation checklist

• Identification:
  • Confirm the chip top mark and the board silkscreen; send a close photo if unsure whether “Q8406” is the SPI or an adjacent transistor.
• Power integrity first:
  • Verify stable 3.3 V and, where applicable, 1.2/1.8 V rails on the HDMI/digital board. An unstable regulator can mimic “firmware corruption.”
• Reading:
  • Prefer chip‑off if in‑circuit reads don’t produce consistent hashes within two tries.
  • If using CH341A, avoid unmodified “black” boards that can back‑feed 5 V; use a 3.3 V‑safe adapter.
• Writing:
  • Only program a 1,048,576‑byte image from the same TX‑NR636 HDMI/digital PCB revision. Keep your original dump safe so you can revert.
• Post‑rework validation:
  • Check HDMI lock/handshake and OSD, then audio paths. Run a warm‑up and cold‑boot test cycle.
  • If symptoms persist (e.g., no audio with good OSD), pivot to DSP/HDMI BGA and regulator diagnostics.

Potential challenges and how to overcome them

• Bus contention during in‑circuit reads: Hold the main SoC in reset or lift /CS# on the SPI.
• Write protection: Clear BP bits; some boards pull /WP# low—ensure it’s high during programming.
• Heat damage risk: Use controlled air (≈300–340 °C with ample flux) and preheat; shield nearby plastic connectors.

Possible disclaimers or additional notes

• Some online posts mistakenly call the W25Q80BV “1 Mbit/128 KB.” That is incorrect; it is 8 Mbit/1 MB. Program/verify operations should always target 1,048,576 bytes.
• A mismatched dump that boots but breaks HDCP/EDID can present as intermittent HDMI/no video on some sources—symptoms can be subtle.

Suggestions for further research

• Obtain the TX‑NR636 service manual and the HDMI/digital board assembly code/revision to match dumps precisely.
• Community repair forums (e.g., Audio/AV repair sections) often share board‑revision‑matched dumps; search by “TX‑NR636 W25Q80BV dump” and the HDMI PCB code printed on your board.
• If you suspect system NAND/eMMC corruption instead, plan for a programmer that supports bad‑block management and ECC.

Brief summary

• The W25Q80BV on the TX‑NR636 is a 1 MB SPI NOR. Verify that the device you’re targeting (your “Q8406”) is indeed this flash. Back up your chip, confirm stable reads via hash, and only write a 1,048,576‑byte image from a matching board revision—official USB firmware packages are not raw SPI images. Be mindful of legal/unique data and confirm power integrity before concluding the SPI contents are at fault.

If you tell me:

• the exact symptom,
• a clear photo showing the chip and silkscreen (so we can resolve “Q8406”),
• your programmer/model and whether you prefer in‑circuit or chip‑off,

I’ll tailor pin‑by‑pin hookup, programmer settings, and a step‑by‑step plan for your unit.

Disclaimer: The responses provided by artificial intelligence (language model) may be inaccurate and misleading. Elektroda is not responsible for the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of the presented information. All responses should be verified by the user.