NEO Z83-4U: BIOS [CHT0C04-001]

MINIX - Martin

Staff member
Some users may encounter the problem when the HDMI display shuts off during booting.

This BIOS version (Projection version) could resolve it.

This BIOS version can be downloaded here:
https://files.theminixforum.com/shared/bios/Z83-4U-BIOS-[CHT0C04-001].7z

Instructions:
  1. Download the BIOS.
  2. Unzip the BIOS files to the root directory of a NTFS or exFAT formatted USB drive.
  3. Attach this USB drive to a USB-A 2.0 port on the Z83-4U, and also attach the power adapter and a conventional wired keyboard to it.
  4. Press the POWER button on Z83-4U to boot, then press ‘F11’ key, and then select the ‘UEFI: Built-in EFI Shell’.
  5. In the UEFI, type ‘fs1:’ or ‘fs2:’ command to go into the USB drive.
  6. Then run this command to flash the BIOS:
    fpt64bsw.efi /f CHT0C04001.bin.
    Please note, during the updating process, do NOT unplug the power adapter.
  7. When the updating procedure is finished, type ‘exit’ command to exit the UEFI.
    Please note, even when the BIOS is successfully flashed, the ‘Project Version’ remains ‘CHT0C04-000’, that’s because we didn't change it.
  8. The device will restart and go to Ubuntu, then shut down.
  9. Finished.
 
At step 5 my EFI shell gives me Invalid mapping name - 'fs1:' (same for fs2, etc.)
If I run the
map command it shows me a list of drives, with blk5 described as Removable HardDisk - Alias (null).
However, none of the files are visible. My USB stick (32GB) is formatted as ExFAT, the files are downloaded and extracted on Mac, and all three files are visible in the root directory of the stick when plugged into the Mac:
CHT0C04001.bin
fparts.txt
fpt64bsw.efi

Am I missing some detail?
 
I had to format the USB drive to FAT instead of EXFAT in order for the UEFI shall to be able to read the drive. My USB stick is 32GB, and apparently 32GB and below are better formatted with FAT instead of EXFAT.

Then when I execute the line fpt64bsw.efi /f CHT0C04001.bin then I get this error message:

Platform: Cherry Trail
SpiLoadDevicesFile(fparts.txt)...
assertion "tmp != NULL" failed: file "sys\open.c", line 71

These are my BIOS settings:
BIOS Vendor: American Megatrends
Core Version: 5.011
Project Version: CHT0C04-000
MINIX Firmware Version: CHT-T3 2017-03-30 0.5



Edit:
Not sure I can explain, but on the second attempt the instructions worked and I get:
FPT Operation Passed

As predicted, the Project Version is still unchanged at CHT0C04-000. However Ubuntu now starts up and the connected HDMI display works perfectly, so the issue is resolved.

Thanks for the help!

Some users may encounter the problem when the HDMI display shuts off during booting.

This BIOS version (Projection version) could resolve it.

This BIOS version can be downloaded here:
https://files.theminixforum.com/shared/bios/Z83-4U-BIOS-[CHT0C04-001].7z

Instructions:
  1. Download the BIOS.
  2. Unzip the BIOS files to the root directory of a NTFS or exFAT formatted USB drive.
  3. Attach this USB drive to a USB-A 2.0 port on the Z83-4U, and also attach the power adapter and a conventional wired keyboard to it.
  4. Press the POWER button on Z83-4U to boot, then press ‘F11’ key, and then select the ‘UEFI: Built-in EFI Shell’.
  5. In the UEFI, type ‘fs1:’ or ‘fs2:’ command to go into the USB drive.
  6. Then run this command to flash the BIOS:
    fpt64bsw.efi /f CHT0C04001.bin.
    Please note, during the updating process, do NOT unplug the power adapter.
  7. When the updating procedure is finished, type ‘exit’ command to exit the UEFI.
    Please note, even when the BIOS is successfully flashed, the ‘Project Version’ remains ‘CHT0C04-000’, that’s because we didn't change it.
  8. The device will restart and go to Ubuntu, then shut down.
  9. Finished.
 
Last edited:
Ich brauche es für meinen Minix Neo Z83-4. Ich habe das gleiche Problem. (Install Debian11, Ubuntu22,04 ->Blackscreen)
It is posible to flash this bios on my minix neo z83-4 ?
 
I had to format the USB drive to FAT instead of EXFAT in order for the UEFI shall to be able to read the drive. My USB stick is 32GB, and apparently 32GB and below are better formatted with FAT instead of EXFAT.

Then when I execute the line fpt64bsw.efi /f CHT0C04001.bin then I get this error message:

Platform: Cherry Trail
SpiLoadDevicesFile(fparts.txt)...
assertion "tmp != NULL" failed: file "sys\open.c", line 71

These are my BIOS settings:
BIOS Vendor: American Megatrends
Core Version: 5.011
Project Version: CHT0C04-000
MINIX Firmware Version: CHT-T3 2017-03-30 0.5



Edit:
Not sure I can explain, but on the second attempt the instructions worked and I get:
FPT Operation Passed

As predicted, the Project Version is still unchanged at CHT0C04-000. However Ubuntu now starts up and the connected HDMI display works perfectly, so the issue is resolved.

Thanks for the help!
My removable drive was at fs3: Since I am not knowledgeable in linux. It took me a bit to realize I had to type the : at the end of fs3: to get it to work. Then I was able to boot and install Ubuntu 20.04 from USB. Installed as a dual boot on the existing hard disk that has Windows 10 Pro. The only issue I have now is when I boot into Windows I have a black screen after logging in. Ubuntu seems to work fine.
 
Tried this same BIOS install on another Z83-4 Plus I have, It already had Windows 10 Pro installed, wanted to install Ubuntu 20.04. All looked OK for the BIOS update. It showed a successful completion. It rebooted into Windows after the BIOS update. When I restarted from Windows it never finished booting. Just a green LED, no HDMI output at all. Can't even get to first screen to make any selections. Any ideas what can be done? Tried holding down with a pin for 10 seconds on the reset hole that is on the side next to the Antenna. I did not check the BIOS identifier before doing the update. Hopefully I did not brick this unit. The previous Z83-4 Plus I did successfully showed V2 and end of model. This one does not have the V2.
 
I have the same issue as djrees, my minix z83-4 neo plus just green light and never start again after followed thebios flashed, please help, thank you
 
I have the same issue as djrees, my minix z83-4 neo plus just green light and never start again after followed thebios flashed, please help, thank you
It is very important to check whether the "Project Version" in the BIOS starts with "CHT0C".
If "Project Version" starts with "CHT0A", you cannot use this BIOS, otherwise the device will become bricked, unresponsive, and unable to boot.

Note: (green LED)
Green: There is a problem with the motherboard (PCBA), or it is in a faulty state.
 
Last edited:
i am tying toupdate my neoz83-4 and the frmawarecloses immediately after press any key to continue, any suggestion? chtoa 1.2 imy bios
 
i am tying toupdate my neoz83-4 and the frmawarecloses immediately after press any key to continue, any suggestion? chtoa 1.2 imy bios
Do you have a Z83-4U or a Z83-4?

As your current BIOS is CHT0A I assume you should be using this BIOS update...
 
I figured out my error. i was typing chtoa180, which is what is in the directions but its actually cht0a180 which is a zero! it updated fine thanks for your help
 
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