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Michael Joya
Michael Joya
Associate
September 17, 2020
Solved

How do I put the original flash bootloader back onto a device if I've erased or corrupted it?

  • September 17, 2020
  • 6 replies
  • 8051 views

I'm not sure how I did it, but my Blue Pill STM32F103C8T6 doesn't respond to st-info --probe any more. This has happened twice in a row with identical devices. It seems that if I Ctrl-D out of GDB (an old bad habit) the device seems to brick itself and won't respond to programming or STLINK probes. I'm using an STLINK/V2 programmer attached to the SWIO/SWCLK pins.

I can still set the BOOT0 pin to boot the system ROM bootloader and get proper responses from the STLINK/V2 programmer. So, I'm wondering where I can download the original flash bootloader and what address I'd need to use with st-flash to flash it back onto the device so that I can return to a nice wholesome flash bootloader.

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Best answer by Peter BENSCH

    This thread relates to a so-called Blue Pill, which uses illegally cloned STM32F103. ST resources are only dedicated to supporting genuine ST products. We are not committed to ensuring that clones/fakes products work properly with the firmware we provide.

    We recommend to purchase genuine products from STMicroelectronics and purchase them from known and trusted distributors.

    This thread will now be locked. However, if you face difficulties while using genuine ST products, we’re here to assist you. Please feel free to start a new thread, and our team, along with community members, will be ready to help you with any issues/questions you encounter.

    Thank you for your understanding.

    Regards
    /Peter

    6 replies

    Tesla DeLorean
    Tesla DeLorean
    Guru
    September 17, 2020

    https://www.instructables.com/id/Programming-STM32-Blue-Pill-Via-USB/

    https://github.com/rogerclarkmelbourne/Arduino_STM32/wiki/Flashing-Bootloader-for-BluePill-Boards

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    Michael Joya
    Michael JoyaAuthor
    Associate
    September 17, 2020

    I mean these are both respectable USB bootloaders but the original flash bootloader that I had was just an STLINK/V2 over SWD programmer. Do you know if that is available for download?

    Uwe Bonnes
    Uwe Bonnes
    Chief
    September 17, 2020

    Look on github

    SSoor.1
    SSoor.1
    Associate
    April 30, 2023

    I'm facing the same issue.

    The ST-link want respond. but the code uploads over uart

    Tesla DeLorean
    Tesla DeLorean
    Guru
    April 30, 2023

    No you're here with a "Me Too" issue 3 years later

    The Blue-Pill board does not include an ST-LINK, you'll always get an "ST-LINK Not Found" type error with them. STM32 Cube Programmer can connect via USART/COM methods.

    What "errors" specifically are you getting?

    There are precompiled binaries for the code reside ON the Blue-Pill board that are called out on the pages already cited.

    https://github.com/rogerclarkmelbourne/STM32duino-bootloader/tree/master/binaries

    https://github.com/rogerclarkmelbourne/Arduino_STM32/wiki/Flashing-Bootloader-for-BluePill-Boards

    Tips, Buy me a coffee, or three.. PayPal VenmoUp vote any posts that you find helpful, it shows what's working..
    AScha.3
    AScha.3
    Super User
    April 30, 2023

    >I'm facing the same issue.

    really ?

    i didnt see any specification , what "original" bootloader he is talking about...you can tell this ?

    is it arduino ???

    "If you feel a post has answered your question, please click ""Accept as Solution""."
    Peter BENSCH
    Peter BENSCHAnswer
    Technical Moderator
    April 25, 2025

    This thread relates to a so-called Blue Pill, which uses illegally cloned STM32F103. ST resources are only dedicated to supporting genuine ST products. We are not committed to ensuring that clones/fakes products work properly with the firmware we provide.

    We recommend to purchase genuine products from STMicroelectronics and purchase them from known and trusted distributors.

    This thread will now be locked. However, if you face difficulties while using genuine ST products, we’re here to assist you. Please feel free to start a new thread, and our team, along with community members, will be ready to help you with any issues/questions you encounter.

    Thank you for your understanding.

    Regards
    /Peter

    In order to give better visibility on the answered topics, please click on Accept as Solution on the reply which solved your issue or answered your question.
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