Part 2.2 : Rebuilding So, since I have to do some coding in order to get the firmware out and that I can get the data without having the chip off the board, I decided to resolder everything to be sure that it was still working. It was also a good way to test my […]

Part 2.1 : The sad realization So, I’ve been fiddling with the memory chip on the WiFi repeater, thinking it was a MX25L1606E, but I got a little surprise when I closely examined the chip after desoldering it. it is NOT a chip from Macronix, I was a bit shattered… instead the chip is a […]

Part 2 : Unknown device So, I DID receive my new test clip to read ICs. It is quite a lovely little tool to work with and didn’t thought I’d appreciate it that much. so, YaY? Review post coming soon. Back to the WiFi repeater, it didn’t fully solve my problem of reading the chip. […]

Part 1.1 : Tool failure… So, I figured out that I would need to extract the firmware from the Flash memory. I found the tools needed (flashrom and binwalk) for the rPi and they installed great! Also found the correct pinout for the chip!… mega good news right? Indeed, It went super well for gathering […]

Part 1 : Talk to me… So, I’ve been fiddling with this old device from 2013ish. it’s a WiFi repeater from an unknown brand. On the bright side, I managed to crack it open and find out the potential UART port (without pins obviously), and the chip inside seems to be a genuine Realtek RTL8196E, […]