diff --git a/bitbang_spi.c b/bitbang_spi.c
index f60a7e1..adb1038 100644
--- a/bitbang_spi.c
+++ b/bitbang_spi.c
@@ -139,10 +139,8 @@
 	return spi_read_chunked(flash, buf, start, len, 64 * 1024);
 }
 
-int bitbang_spi_write_256(struct flashchip *flash, uint8_t *buf)
+int bitbang_spi_write_256(struct flashchip *flash, uint8_t *buf, int start, int len)
 {
-	int total_size = 1024 * flash->total_size;
-
-	msg_pdbg("total_size is %d\n", total_size);
-	return spi_write_chunked(flash, buf, 0, total_size, 256);
+	spi_disable_blockprotect();
+	return spi_write_chunked(flash, buf, start, len, 256);
 }
diff --git a/buspirate_spi.c b/buspirate_spi.c
index e0683ec..e93cf1a 100644
--- a/buspirate_spi.c
+++ b/buspirate_spi.c
@@ -309,18 +309,8 @@
 	return spi_read_chunked(flash, buf, start, len, 12);
 }
 
-int buspirate_spi_write_256(struct flashchip *flash, uint8_t *buf)
+int buspirate_spi_write_256(struct flashchip *flash, uint8_t *buf, int start, int len)
 {
-	int total_size = 1024 * flash->total_size;
-
 	spi_disable_blockprotect();
-	/* Erase first. */
-	msg_pinfo("Erasing flash before programming... ");
-	if (erase_flash(flash)) {
-		msg_perr("ERASE FAILED!\n");
-		return -1;
-	}
-	msg_pinfo("done.\n");
-
-	return spi_write_chunked(flash, buf, 0, total_size, 12);
+	return spi_write_chunked(flash, buf, start, len, 12);
 }
diff --git a/chipdrivers.h b/chipdrivers.h
index aeee095..ca3b190 100644
--- a/chipdrivers.h
+++ b/chipdrivers.h
@@ -43,6 +43,8 @@
 int spi_block_erase_c7(struct flashchip *flash, unsigned int addr, unsigned int blocklen);
 int spi_chip_write_1(struct flashchip *flash, uint8_t *buf);
 int spi_chip_write_256(struct flashchip *flash, uint8_t *buf);
+int spi_chip_write_1_new(struct flashchip *flash, uint8_t *buf, int start, int len);
+int spi_chip_write_256_new(struct flashchip *flash, uint8_t *buf, int start, int len);
 int spi_chip_read(struct flashchip *flash, uint8_t *buf, int start, int len);
 uint8_t spi_read_status_register(void);
 int spi_disable_blockprotect(void);
@@ -51,7 +53,7 @@
 int spi_nbyte_read(int addr, uint8_t *bytes, int len);
 int spi_read_chunked(struct flashchip *flash, uint8_t *buf, int start, int len, int chunksize);
 int spi_write_chunked(struct flashchip *flash, uint8_t *buf, int start, int len, int chunksize);
-int spi_aai_write(struct flashchip *flash, uint8_t *buf);
+int spi_aai_write(struct flashchip *flash, uint8_t *buf, int start, int len);
 
 /* 82802ab.c */
 uint8_t wait_82802ab(chipaddr bios);
diff --git a/dummyflasher.c b/dummyflasher.c
index 5f88fc4..479a938 100644
--- a/dummyflasher.c
+++ b/dummyflasher.c
@@ -167,3 +167,12 @@
 	return spi_read_chunked(flash, buf, start, len, 64 * 1024);
 }
 
+/* Is is impossible to trigger this code path because dummyflasher probing will
+ * never be successful, and the current frontend refuses to write in that case.
+ * Other frontends may allow writing even for non-detected chips, though.
+ */
+int dummy_spi_write_256(struct flashchip *flash, uint8_t *buf, int start, int len)
+{
+	spi_disable_blockprotect();
+	return spi_write_chunked(flash, buf, start, len, 256);
+}
diff --git a/flash.h b/flash.h
index cd7cb46..1b82d42 100644
--- a/flash.h
+++ b/flash.h
@@ -456,6 +456,7 @@
 int dummy_spi_send_command(unsigned int writecnt, unsigned int readcnt,
 		      const unsigned char *writearr, unsigned char *readarr);
 int dummy_spi_read(struct flashchip *flash, uint8_t *buf, int start, int len);
+int dummy_spi_write_256(struct flashchip *flash, uint8_t *buf, int start, int len);
 #endif
 
 /* nic3com.c */
@@ -529,7 +530,7 @@
 int ft2232_spi_init(void);
 int ft2232_spi_send_command(unsigned int writecnt, unsigned int readcnt, const unsigned char *writearr, unsigned char *readarr);
 int ft2232_spi_read(struct flashchip *flash, uint8_t *buf, int start, int len);
-int ft2232_spi_write_256(struct flashchip *flash, uint8_t *buf);
+int ft2232_spi_write_256(struct flashchip *flash, uint8_t *buf, int start, int len);
 
 /* bitbang_spi.c */
 extern int bitbang_spi_half_period;
@@ -537,7 +538,7 @@
 int bitbang_spi_init(void);
 int bitbang_spi_send_command(unsigned int writecnt, unsigned int readcnt, const unsigned char *writearr, unsigned char *readarr);
 int bitbang_spi_read(struct flashchip *flash, uint8_t *buf, int start, int len);
-int bitbang_spi_write_256(struct flashchip *flash, uint8_t *buf);
+int bitbang_spi_write_256(struct flashchip *flash, uint8_t *buf, int start, int len);
 
 /* buspirate_spi.c */
 struct buspirate_spispeeds {
@@ -548,7 +549,7 @@
 int buspirate_spi_shutdown(void);
 int buspirate_spi_send_command(unsigned int writecnt, unsigned int readcnt, const unsigned char *writearr, unsigned char *readarr);
 int buspirate_spi_read(struct flashchip *flash, uint8_t *buf, int start, int len);
-int buspirate_spi_write_256(struct flashchip *flash, uint8_t *buf);
+int buspirate_spi_write_256(struct flashchip *flash, uint8_t *buf, int start, int len);
 
 /* dediprog.c */
 int dediprog_init(void);
@@ -668,7 +669,7 @@
 
 	/* Optimized functions for this programmer */
 	int (*read)(struct flashchip *flash, uint8_t *buf, int start, int len);
-	int (*write_256)(struct flashchip *flash, uint8_t *buf);
+	int (*write_256)(struct flashchip *flash, uint8_t *buf, int start, int len);
 };
 
 extern enum spi_controller spi_controller;
@@ -689,7 +690,7 @@
 int ich_spi_send_command(unsigned int writecnt, unsigned int readcnt,
 		    const unsigned char *writearr, unsigned char *readarr);
 int ich_spi_read(struct flashchip *flash, uint8_t *buf, int start, int len);
-int ich_spi_write_256(struct flashchip *flash, uint8_t * buf);
+int ich_spi_write_256(struct flashchip *flash, uint8_t * buf, int start, int len);
 int ich_spi_send_multicommand(struct spi_command *cmds);
 
 /* it87spi.c */
@@ -701,13 +702,13 @@
 int it8716f_spi_send_command(unsigned int writecnt, unsigned int readcnt,
 			const unsigned char *writearr, unsigned char *readarr);
 int it8716f_spi_chip_read(struct flashchip *flash, uint8_t *buf, int start, int len);
-int it8716f_spi_chip_write_256(struct flashchip *flash, uint8_t *buf);
+int it8716f_spi_chip_write_256(struct flashchip *flash, uint8_t *buf, int start, int len);
 
 /* sb600spi.c */
 int sb600_spi_send_command(unsigned int writecnt, unsigned int readcnt,
 		      const unsigned char *writearr, unsigned char *readarr);
 int sb600_spi_read(struct flashchip *flash, uint8_t *buf, int start, int len);
-int sb600_spi_write_1(struct flashchip *flash, uint8_t *buf);
+int sb600_spi_write_256(struct flashchip *flash, uint8_t *buf, int start, int len);
 extern uint8_t *sb600_spibar;
 
 /* wbsio_spi.c */
@@ -715,7 +716,7 @@
 int wbsio_spi_send_command(unsigned int writecnt, unsigned int readcnt,
 		      const unsigned char *writearr, unsigned char *readarr);
 int wbsio_spi_read(struct flashchip *flash, uint8_t *buf, int start, int len);
-int wbsio_spi_write_1(struct flashchip *flash, uint8_t *buf);
+int wbsio_spi_write_1(struct flashchip *flash, uint8_t *buf, int start, int len);
 
 /* serprog.c */
 int serprog_init(void);
diff --git a/flashchips.c b/flashchips.c
index 32caee0..5954eb2 100644
--- a/flashchips.c
+++ b/flashchips.c
@@ -1423,7 +1423,7 @@
 				.block_erase = spi_block_erase_c7,
 			}
 		},
-		.write		= spi_aai_write,
+		.write		= spi_chip_write_1,
 		.read		= spi_chip_read,
 	},
 
diff --git a/ft2232_spi.c b/ft2232_spi.c
index 1dd2e0c..ee8515f 100644
--- a/ft2232_spi.c
+++ b/ft2232_spi.c
@@ -288,20 +288,10 @@
 	return spi_read_chunked(flash, buf, start, len, 64 * 1024);
 }
 
-int ft2232_spi_write_256(struct flashchip *flash, uint8_t *buf)
+int ft2232_spi_write_256(struct flashchip *flash, uint8_t *buf, int start, int len)
 {
-	int total_size = 1024 * flash->total_size;
-
 	spi_disable_blockprotect();
-	/* Erase first. */
-	msg_pinfo("Erasing flash before programming... ");
-	if (erase_flash(flash)) {
-		msg_perr("ERASE FAILED!\n");
-		return -1;
-	}
-	msg_pinfo("done.\n");
-	msg_pdbg("total_size is %d\n", total_size);
-	return spi_write_chunked(flash, buf, 0, total_size, 256);
+	return spi_write_chunked(flash, buf, start, len, 256);
 }
 
 #endif
diff --git a/ichspi.c b/ichspi.c
index fead7e6..8fa3c29 100644
--- a/ichspi.c
+++ b/ichspi.c
@@ -683,36 +683,15 @@
 	return spi_read_chunked(flash, buf, start, len, maxdata);
 }
 
-int ich_spi_write_256(struct flashchip *flash, uint8_t * buf)
+int ich_spi_write_256(struct flashchip *flash, uint8_t * buf, int start, int len)
 {
-	int i, ret = 0;
-	int total_size = flash->total_size * 1024;
-	int erase_size = 64 * 1024;
 	int maxdata = 64;
 
 	if (spi_controller == SPI_CONTROLLER_VIA)
 		maxdata = 16;
 
 	spi_disable_blockprotect();
-	/* Erase first */
-	msg_pinfo("Erasing flash before programming... ");
-	if (erase_flash(flash)) {
-		msg_perr("ERASE FAILED!\n");
-		return -1;
-	}
-	msg_pinfo("done.\n");
-
-	msg_pinfo("Programming page: \n");
-	for (i = 0; i < total_size / erase_size; i++) {
-		ret = spi_write_chunked(flash, buf + (i * erase_size),
-					i * erase_size, erase_size, maxdata);
-		if (ret)
-			break;
-	}
-
-	msg_pinfo("\n");
-
-	return ret;
+	return spi_write_chunked(flash, buf, start, len, maxdata);
 }
 
 int ich_spi_send_command(unsigned int writecnt, unsigned int readcnt,
diff --git a/it87spi.c b/it87spi.c
index 3019729..69d10a6 100644
--- a/it87spi.c
+++ b/it87spi.c
@@ -292,7 +292,7 @@
 }
 
 /* Page size is usually 256 bytes */
-static int it8716f_spi_page_program(struct flashchip *flash, int block, uint8_t *buf)
+static int it8716f_spi_page_program(struct flashchip *flash, uint8_t *buf, int start)
 {
 	int i;
 	int result;
@@ -305,7 +305,7 @@
 	OUTB(0x06, it8716f_flashport + 1);
 	OUTB(((2 + (fast_spi ? 1 : 0)) << 4), it8716f_flashport);
 	for (i = 0; i < 256; i++) {
-		chip_writeb(buf[256 * block + i], bios + 256 * block + i);
+		chip_writeb(buf[i], bios + start + i);
 	}
 	OUTB(0, it8716f_flashport);
 	/* Wait until the Write-In-Progress bit is cleared.
@@ -334,29 +334,39 @@
 	return 0;
 }
 
-int it8716f_spi_chip_write_256(struct flashchip *flash, uint8_t *buf)
+int it8716f_spi_chip_write_256(struct flashchip *flash, uint8_t *buf, int start, int len)
 {
-	int total_size = 1024 * flash->total_size;
-	int i;
-
 	/*
 	 * IT8716F only allows maximum of 512 kb SPI chip size for memory
 	 * mapped access.
 	 */
-	if ((programmer == PROGRAMMER_IT87SPI) || (total_size > 512 * 1024)) {
-		spi_chip_write_1(flash, buf);
+	if ((programmer == PROGRAMMER_IT87SPI) || (flash->total_size * 1024 > 512 * 1024)) {
+		spi_chip_write_1_new(flash, buf, start, len);
 	} else {
+		int lenhere;
 		spi_disable_blockprotect();
-		/* Erase first */
-		msg_pinfo("Erasing flash before programming... ");
-		if (erase_flash(flash)) {
-			msg_perr("ERASE FAILED!\n");
-			return -1;
+
+		if (start % 256) {
+			/* start to the end of the page or start + len,
+			 * whichever is smaller. Page length is hardcoded to
+			 * 256 bytes (IT87 SPI hardware limitation).
+			 */
+			lenhere = min(len, (start | 0xff) - start + 1);
+			spi_chip_write_1_new(flash, buf, start, lenhere);
+			start += lenhere;
+			len -= lenhere;
+			buf += lenhere;
 		}
-		msg_pinfo("done.\n");
-		for (i = 0; i < total_size / 256; i++) {
-			it8716f_spi_page_program(flash, i, buf);
+
+		/* FIXME: Handle chips which have max writechunk size >1 and <256. */
+		while (len >= 256) {
+			it8716f_spi_page_program(flash, buf, start);
+			start += 256;
+			len -= 256;
+			buf += 256;
 		}
+		if (len)
+			spi_chip_write_1_new(flash, buf, start, len);
 	}
 
 	return 0;
diff --git a/sb600spi.c b/sb600spi.c
index b44a585..72181d1 100644
--- a/sb600spi.c
+++ b/sb600spi.c
@@ -48,25 +48,10 @@
 	return spi_read_chunked(flash, buf, start, len, 8);
 }
 
-/* FIXME: SB600 can write 5 bytes per transaction. */
-int sb600_spi_write_1(struct flashchip *flash, uint8_t *buf)
+int sb600_spi_write_256(struct flashchip *flash, uint8_t *buf, int start, int len)
 {
-	int total_size = flash->total_size * 1024;
-	int result = 0;
-
 	spi_disable_blockprotect();
-	/* Erase first */
-	msg_pinfo("Erasing flash before programming... ");
-	if (erase_flash(flash)) {
-		msg_perr("ERASE FAILED!\n");
-		return -1;
-	}
-	msg_pinfo("done.\n");
-
-	msg_pinfo("Programming flash");
-	result = spi_write_chunked(flash, buf, 0, total_size, 5);
-	msg_pinfo(" done.\n");
-	return result;
+	return spi_write_chunked(flash, buf, start, len, 5);
 }
 
 static void reset_internal_fifo_pointer(void)
diff --git a/spi.c b/spi.c
index ea64882..94dbe9e 100644
--- a/spi.c
+++ b/spi.c
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@
 		.command = sb600_spi_send_command,
 		.multicommand = default_spi_send_multicommand,
 		.read = sb600_spi_read,
-		.write_256 = sb600_spi_write_1,
+		.write_256 = sb600_spi_write_256,
 	},
 
 	{ /* SPI_CONTROLLER_VIA */
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@
 		.command = dummy_spi_send_command,
 		.multicommand = default_spi_send_multicommand,
 		.read = dummy_spi_read,
-		.write_256 = NULL,
+		.write_256 = dummy_spi_write_256,
 	},
 #endif
 
@@ -117,7 +117,7 @@
 		.command = dediprog_spi_send_command,
 		.multicommand = default_spi_send_multicommand,
 		.read = dediprog_spi_read,
-		.write_256 = spi_chip_write_1,
+		.write_256 = spi_chip_write_1_new,
 	},
 #endif
 
@@ -196,8 +196,11 @@
 /*
  * Program chip using page (256 bytes) programming.
  * Some SPI masters can't do this, they use single byte programming instead.
+ * The redirect to single byte programming is achieved by setting
+ * .write_256 = spi_chip_write_1
  */
-int spi_chip_write_256(struct flashchip *flash, uint8_t *buf)
+/* real chunksize is up to 256, logical chunksize is 256 */
+int spi_chip_write_256_new(struct flashchip *flash, uint8_t *buf, int start, int len)
 {
 	if (!spi_programmer[spi_controller].write_256) {
 		msg_perr("%s called, but SPI page write is unsupported on this "
@@ -206,7 +209,28 @@
 		return 1;
 	}
 
-	return spi_programmer[spi_controller].write_256(flash, buf);
+	return spi_programmer[spi_controller].write_256(flash, buf, start, len);
+}
+
+/* Wrapper function until the generic code is converted to partial writes. */
+int spi_chip_write_256(struct flashchip *flash, uint8_t *buf)
+{
+	int ret;
+
+	spi_disable_blockprotect();
+	msg_pinfo("Erasing flash before programming... ");
+	if (erase_flash(flash)) {
+		msg_perr("ERASE FAILED!\n");
+		return -1;
+	}
+	msg_pinfo("done.\n");
+	msg_pinfo("Programming flash... ");
+	ret = spi_chip_write_256_new(flash, buf, 0, flash->total_size * 1024);
+	if (!ret)
+		msg_pinfo("done.\n");
+	else
+		msg_pinfo("\n");
+	return ret;
 }
 
 /*
diff --git a/spi25.c b/spi25.c
index 51be397..fa76531 100644
--- a/spi25.c
+++ b/spi25.c
@@ -874,6 +874,7 @@
 
 /*
  * Read a part of the flash chip.
+ * FIXME: Use the chunk code from Michael Karcher instead.
  * Each page is read separately in chunks with a maximum size of chunksize.
  */
 int spi_read_chunked(struct flashchip *flash, uint8_t *buf, int start, int len, int chunksize)
@@ -913,6 +914,7 @@
 
 /*
  * Write a part of the flash chip.
+ * FIXME: Use the chunk code from Michael Karcher instead.
  * Each page is written separately in chunks with a maximum size of chunksize.
  */
 int spi_write_chunked(struct flashchip *flash, uint8_t *buf, int start, int len, int chunksize)
@@ -963,20 +965,13 @@
  * and for chips where memory mapped programming is impossible
  * (e.g. due to size constraints in IT87* for over 512 kB)
  */
-int spi_chip_write_1(struct flashchip *flash, uint8_t *buf)
+/* real chunksize is 1, logical chunksize is 1 */
+int spi_chip_write_1_new(struct flashchip *flash, uint8_t *buf, int start, int len)
 {
-	int total_size = 1024 * flash->total_size;
 	int i, result = 0;
 
 	spi_disable_blockprotect();
-	/* Erase first */
-	msg_cinfo("Erasing flash before programming... ");
-	if (erase_flash(flash)) {
-		msg_cerr("ERASE FAILED!\n");
-		return -1;
-	}
-	msg_cinfo("done.\n");
-	for (i = 0; i < total_size; i++) {
+	for (i = start; i < start + len; i++) {
 		result = spi_byte_program(i, buf[i]);
 		if (result)
 			return 1;
@@ -987,11 +982,23 @@
 	return 0;
 }
 
-int spi_aai_write(struct flashchip *flash, uint8_t *buf)
+int spi_chip_write_1(struct flashchip *flash, uint8_t *buf)
 {
-	uint32_t addr = 0;
-	uint32_t len = flash->total_size * 1024;
-	uint32_t pos = addr;
+	spi_disable_blockprotect();
+	/* Erase first */
+	msg_cinfo("Erasing flash before programming... ");
+	if (erase_flash(flash)) {
+		msg_cerr("ERASE FAILED!\n");
+		return -1;
+	}
+	msg_cinfo("done.\n");
+
+	return spi_chip_write_1_new(flash, buf, 0, flash->total_size * 1024);
+}
+
+int spi_aai_write(struct flashchip *flash, uint8_t *buf, int start, int len)
+{
+	uint32_t pos = start;
 	int result;
 	unsigned char cmd[JEDEC_AAI_WORD_PROGRAM_CONT_OUTSIZE] = {
 		JEDEC_AAI_WORD_PROGRAM,
@@ -1006,9 +1013,9 @@
 		.writecnt	= JEDEC_AAI_WORD_PROGRAM_OUTSIZE,
 		.writearr	= (const unsigned char[]){
 					JEDEC_AAI_WORD_PROGRAM,
-					(pos >> 16) & 0xff,
-					(pos >> 8) & 0xff,
-					(pos & 0xff),
+					(start >> 16) & 0xff,
+					(start >> 8) & 0xff,
+					(start & 0xff),
 					buf[0],
 					buf[1]
 				},
@@ -1026,17 +1033,21 @@
 #if defined(__i386__) || defined(__x86_64__)
 	case SPI_CONTROLLER_IT87XX:
 	case SPI_CONTROLLER_WBSIO:
-		msg_cerr("%s: impossible with this SPI controller,"
+		msg_perr("%s: impossible with this SPI controller,"
 				" degrading to byte program\n", __func__);
-		return spi_chip_write_1(flash, buf);
+		return spi_chip_write_1_new(flash, buf, start, len);
 #endif
 #endif
 	default:
 		break;
 	}
 
+	/* The even start address and even length requirements can be either
+	 * honored outside this function, or we can call spi_byte_program
+	 * for the first and/or last byte and use AAI for the rest.
+	 */
 	/* The data sheet requires a start address with the low bit cleared. */
-	if (addr % 2) {
+	if (start % 2) {
 		msg_cerr("%s: start address not even! Please report a bug at "
 			 "flashrom@flashrom.org\n", __func__);
 		return SPI_GENERIC_ERROR;
@@ -1048,15 +1059,14 @@
 		return SPI_GENERIC_ERROR;
 	}
 
-	if (erase_flash(flash)) {
-		msg_cerr("ERASE FAILED!\n");
-		return -1;
-	}
 
 	result = spi_send_multicommand(cmds);
 	if (result) {
 		msg_cerr("%s failed during start command execution\n",
 			 __func__);
+		/* FIXME: Should we send WRDI here as well to make sure the chip
+		 * is not in AAI mode?
+		 */
 		return result;
 	}
 	while (spi_read_status_register() & JEDEC_RDSR_BIT_WIP)
@@ -1065,7 +1075,7 @@
 	/* We already wrote 2 bytes in the multicommand step. */
 	pos += 2;
 
-	while (pos < addr + len) {
+	while (pos < start + len) {
 		cmd[1] = buf[pos++];
 		cmd[2] = buf[pos++];
 		spi_send_command(JEDEC_AAI_WORD_PROGRAM_CONT_OUTSIZE, 0, cmd, NULL);
diff --git a/wbsio_spi.c b/wbsio_spi.c
index ca7bd01..8db6524 100644
--- a/wbsio_spi.c
+++ b/wbsio_spi.c
@@ -189,16 +189,14 @@
 	return read_memmapped(flash, buf, start, len);
 }
 
-int wbsio_spi_write_1(struct flashchip *flash, uint8_t *buf)
+int wbsio_spi_write_1(struct flashchip *flash, uint8_t *buf, int start, int len)
 {
-	int size = flash->total_size * 1024;
-
-	if (size > 1024 * 1024) {
+	if (flash->total_size * 1024 > 1024 * 1024) {
 		msg_perr("%s: Winbond saved on 4 register bits so max chip size is 1024 KB!\n", __func__);
 		return 1;
 	}
 
-	return spi_chip_write_1(flash, buf);
+	return spi_chip_write_1_new(flash, buf, start, len);
 }
 
 #endif