Welcome to Pawn America Online Shopping Store
Warning: Modifying clone firmware may violate intellectual property laws in your jurisdiction. Proceed at your own risk. This information is for educational repair purposes only.
If your clone was working with VCDS 21.x or 22.3.0 but died after an update, you can try a soft recovery using community tools.
Cut the trace to pin 3 (WP#) of the SPI flash. Solder a small slide switch between the pad and VCC. When the switch is ON (connected to 3.3V), the flash is write-protected. No software, not even the STM32, can alter it.
Step 1: Open the Case The HEX-V2 case is glued, not screwed. Use a heat gun (low setting) or a sturdy guitar pick to pry the seam. Inside, you will see the main board. Locate the STM32F405 chip (the big square one).
Step 2: Locate the SWD Pins We need to flash the microcontroller directly. On the clone board, look for four vias or pads usually labeled: SWDIO, SWCLK, 3.3V, GND. If they aren't labeled, follow the traces from the STM32 pins:
Pro-tip: Solder tiny wires to these pads. Do not try to hold the probe with your hand; you will short something.
Step 3: Connect the ST-Link Wire your ST-Link to the board:
Important: Do not power the board via USB while doing this. The ST-Link provides power.
Step 4: The Software Wipe Open STM32CubeProgrammer. Connect to the ST-Link. Go to "Memory & File editing." Read the current Flash. If it's garbage or locked, hit "Full Chip Erase." Yes, this deletes everything. That is the point.
Step 5: Flashing the Bootloader & Firmware
This is the 22.3.1 specific part. You need a working .hex or .bin file of the clone firmware that bypasses the loader authentication. Load the file. Set the address to 0x08000000. Hit "Program & Verify."
The trick for 22.3.1: You must also flash a specific "Dump" for the Atmel EEPROM (if your board has one) or the 93C56 chip. Without this, VCDS will see the cable as "Unlicensed."
Step 6: The FTDI Fix (Driver Jailing) If your PC doesn't recognize the USB device at all, the FTDI chip needs its EEPROM re-flashed.