Excellent pictures! I guess this is proof that this "STM32F103C8T6" is in fact fake, being a relabeled CKS32F103C8T6. Your testing this chip with my "STM32F103C8 Diagnostics" binary also proved it has a fully working second 64kB Flash, giving 128kB as indicated by the chips "Flash Size Register"
A genuine STM32F103C8T6 will always indicate it has only 64kB flash in the chips "Flash Size Register", even if it has 128kB of flash. This means programs like your ST-Link will show it as only having 64kB Flash and will refuse to flash the second "hidden" 64kB block unless the ST-Link configuration is modified.
Thanks, I guess its now beyond doubt that my Bluepill boards have the CKS32F103C8T6 isn't it ?
Regarding the laser marking on the chip, it looks pretty convincing, at least to me, also remember the "F" character position, its just weird compared to many that I've seen on the net.
Now the STM32F103CBT6 and the CKS32F103C8T6 are not identical with the CKS throwing up a USB ID error such as :
"Warn : UNEXPECTED idcode: 0x2ba01477 Error: expected 1 of 1: 0x1ba01477" on GDB etc and requiring config file changes before it will work.
see: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/microcontrollers/issue-with-chinese-blue-pill-cks32f103c8t6/msg2767816/#msg2767816
Sorry, just tried to install a freshly downloaded STM32CubeIDE 1.2.0 Windows, it gives me error during the installation, and I have no interest to pursue further.
Interesting information about the cheap ST-Link 2, I wonder if just runs the STM ST-Link 2 binary ?
Note that your Windows STM32 ST-LINK Utility picture in one of your previous posts in this thread reports this chip as a "STM32F10xx Medium-density", meaning it can't tell that the chip is in fact a CKS32F103C8T6.
What do you mean by that ? See the attached below, screen shots of the ST-Link Utility when upgrading the dongle firmware, its the latest that I downloaded few days ago.
This cheap ST-Link V2 dongle can be upgraded just fine, no problem what so ever. I assume the latest ST-Link firmware was downloaded straight from ST's host by the program.
My free "STM32F103C8 Diagnostics" binary allows a deeper investigation and conclusion of whats in a Blue Pill, especially with feedback like yours
Infact, its your fault.
I have zero experience in STM32, when visiting, I briefly brought up your discovery with my friend, and then he suddenly gave me this two boards, then here I am now.
The Blue Pill story is certainly one of intrigue, of secret deals in low places and the sophistication of the Chinese "fake" industry. I wonder if someone will write a book about it one day ?
I guess this will be drowned into the abyss and forgotten by time.
Beyond doubt ? only until some logical poster with contrary proof comes along
Personally I think your chip is a CKS32F103C8T6 based on the following.
1) STM32F103C8 chips *always* give their flash size as 64kB, NEVER 128kB like yours
2) The LOT numbers are hexadecimal on your chip, STM only use decimal LOT numbers.
3) The Die number is very close to a known CKS32F103C8T6 data in my collection.
We could do with a correctly positioned, clear pic of that chips marking for future reference, if you have the time. The pic you have supplied is pretty good tho and serves as a example of what fake markings look like in this case.
Regarding ST-Link V2, what I meant was that it would seem that the STM ST-Link V2 binary doesn't check for fake chips, perhaps they have no way of telling, don't care or haven't got around to it yet ?
Any self respecting manufacturer would block updates to fake chips with a big fat "FAKE DETECTED" and just stop the update. Note: (just in case STM are reading here), they would
NOT try and BRICK the chip like FTTDI stupidly did years ago when they discovered Chinese clones of their chips. They have been universally reviled for that ever since, with a suspected massive loss of market share to their competition.
You have no interest installing STM32CubeIDE 1.2.0 for Windows ? ... well neither do I, being a Forth user
However, those boards are in fact pretty useful and the chips are quite fast, running at 72MHz as they do, have tons of peripherals and even USB.
They aren't recycled STM32's they're brand new fake STM32's on boards costing under $2!
What's not to love apart from the ugly, ugly STM32F10x GPIO register design ?
gpioa.
GPIOA_CRL (read-write) $44444AA8
3|3|2|2|2|2|2|2|2|2|2|2|1|1|1|1|1|1|1|1|1|1|
1|0|9|8|7|6|5|4|3|2|1|0|9|8|7|6|5|4|3|2|1|0|9|8|7|6|5|4|3|2|1|0
0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0
GPIOA_CRH (read-write) $88854444
3|3|2|2|2|2|2|2|2|2|2|2|1|1|1|1|1|1|1|1|1|1|
1|0|9|8|7|6|5|4|3|2|1|0|9|8|7|6|5|4|3|2|1|0|9|8|7|6|5|4|3|2|1|0
1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0