Gave Up on M28W flash

[skinerd]

I think if you can change that chip, you have a lot more confidence than I do, I would never even attempt that. I don't think I could get those tiny pins correctly soldered, and that may be why you can't get it to read.
You will need to apply power somewhere to enable the erasing / reflashing so why would you reconnect the trace??

[skinerd]

Have you seen my pics of where I cut and apply 3.3v??
It's really easier than shown anywhere else and works fine.

[skinerd]

A new chip should be blank, but I think it will still have to be unlocked to program it, so might as well erase while you are there.