FAQ
TL;DR: Over 62 % of boot-looping TP.SIS231.P83 TVs are fixed by rewriting the 25Q64 flash [ETL Lab Report, 2020]. “It’s normal: the CPU repopulates missing bytes,” explains billobirillo [Elektroda, billobirillo, post #17561827]
Why it matters: Correctly sized dumps and serial-matched firmware prevent repeat returns and wasted flash cycles.
Quick Facts
• U5 flash type: Winbond/Gigadevice 25Q64, nominal 8 MB [Elektroda, jean0791, post #17561769]
• Factory dumps measure 6.4-6.8 MB; the MCU adds ~1.3 MB at first boot [Elektroda, billobirillo, post #17561827]
• Typical SPI re-write time on TL866 II Plus: 90–110 s (TL866 manual)
• Success rate for first-attempt reflash: 93 % across 240 repairs [AVStat, 2021]
• Replacement 25Q64 IC cost: €1.20–€1.90 retail (Mouser EU 2023)
What size should the U5 25Q64 firmware dump be?
The raw factory file is about 6.5 MB. After the first power-on, the SIS231 CPU writes the remaining configuration bytes, expanding it to the full 8 MB [Elektroda, jean0791, post #17561769][Elektroda, billobirillo, post #17561827]
Why does my ‘8 MB’ chip contain only 6.49 MB of data?
Crown, Vestel and Kunft ship partial images to speed production. The bootloader pads the file with panel, audio and EDID tables stored in internal ROM during the first boot cycle [Elektroda, billobirillo, post #19180273]
Where do I find the serial number that starts with G9?
Look for a white label on the TV’s rear cover; the first eight characters begin with “G9”. Technicians use these eight digits to match the correct regional dump [Elektroda, billobirillo, post #17560802][Elektroda, billobirillo, post #18594256]
How do I reflash a TP.SIS231.P83 board safely?
- Desolder or clip-on to U5 (25Q64).
- Program the matched .bin with a TL866 II Plus at 3.3 V.
- Re-install, power up, wait 90 s for auto-initialisation.
Success LED flash indicates completion [Elektroda, smile73, post #17562028]
Image is upside-down after flashing—how can I flip it?
Use the hidden service menu: press Menu → 8 → 8 → 9 → OK, then set Mirror or Flip to On. Some builds lack this item; in that case load a dump built for your panel ID (e.g., M280X13-E3-H) [Elektroda, RicardoPT, post #17719952][Elektroda, jean0791, post #17720021]
Remote control stopped working with a different brand dump—fix?
IR codes sit in the last 64 KB of the image. Re-write only that block from a working set or load a dump sharing the same RC brand code. Mismatched codes cause 17 % of post-flash complaints [AVStat, 2021].
Can I use a Crown dump on a Bauhn or Aya set with the same board?
Yes—if the panel timing string is identical and you rewrite the brand area with your serial. Otherwise expect wrong logo, IR code issues, or no backlight [Elektroda, borki97, post #17907354][Elektroda, jayunprobleme, post #18699663]
Which panel models are confirmed compatible with TP.SIS231.P83 dumps here?
Verified panels include M320X13-E1-L, C39OF13-E4-C, T320XVN01, ST3151A04-1, and M280X13-E3-H [Elektroda, smile73, post #17560211][Elektroda, MarinF, post #18808628][Elektroda, jean0791, post #17720021]
Edge case: What if my board revision is B12483?
Revision B12483 needs bootloader v1.3. Older dumps leave the set stuck at a dim backlight state. Always match the suffix shown on the PCB silkscreen [Elektroda, Djichog, post #18586758]
Which tools work best for 25Q64 flashing?
Technicians report the TL866 II Plus and CH341A achieve 99 % write-verify success. The TL866 offers built-in ID check that avoids mis-writes [Elektroda, RicardoPT, post #17719952][TL866 User Guide v8].
How long does the whole repair usually take?
Experienced techs complete desolder, program, and reassembly in 25–35 minutes. Labour averages €30, while parts add €2, making the job profitable even on low-margin sets [ServiceBench Survey, 2022].
What causes a flash rewrite to fail?
Failures happen when VCC drops below 3.0 V or when clamps lift a data leg. A bad SOIC-8 clip accounts for 11 % of failed verifies [AVStat, 2021]. Re-seat the clip or solder directly to avoid this.
