How To: Enable SLI on pre-i7/i5 hardware

[TheWolf]

First of all, excuse my poor English. I'm from Spain, and trying to do my best explaining this, and to "translate" from my Spanish OS to what it should say in English.

Anyway, YES, I think you must use modded drivers to get SLI hack working on Vista x64. At least I did that way. This is what I did (for Vista x64):

Step 1 Disable UAC, if not already disabled.
Step 2 Download SLI String Installer v1.81 and unpack in to folder on HDD. Run slistringinstall.exe.
Step 3 Press ASUS, regardless of real motherboard, to patch Windows registry with SLIC certificate
Step 4 Download and install ORIGINAL Forceware drivers v190.62. Reboot. (The link given is for US original v190.62. If you want any other language, choose it here and then download v190.62 drivers for that language)
Step 5 Replace original "nvlddmkm.sys" file with modded one. Original one should be at "C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\" folder. (Remember to first make a backup of the original one!!!)
Step 6 Download and run Driver Signature Enforcement Overrider 1.3b. Choose "Sign a system file" and give the path to the modded "nvlddmkm.sys" file (it should be "C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\nvlddmkm.sys"). If you already don't have your system into Test Mode, you can also use this tool to enable it.
Step 7 Once the Dseo13b.exe tool says "The system file has been signed successfully", reboot again.
Step 8 At restart, you should see a message saying something like "SLI compatible system". You can go now to nVidia Control Panel and under "Set SLI and PhysX Configuration", activate SLI.
Step 9 Enjoy.

Hope it helps. I think I didn't forget anything I did to get it working. Sorry for my English.

Very good layout!
I'd like to stress step #3 is very important that you use only the ASUS cert.
All hal.mods & modded drivers are set to work best with the ASUS cert.
Step #5 should be ran & install from a CMD prompt, ran as Admin.
You should have to answer "yes" to overwrite.


Say the driver is in the C:\ACPI folder do copy with CMD=Command Prompt as admin: copy C:\ACPI\nvlddmkm.sys C:\windows\system32\drivers\
Make sure UAC is disabled.

To make it more simplified you can place the modded: nvlddmkm.sys file in the root of C: then the command you run would looks like this:

copy C:\nvlddmkm.sys C:\windows\system32\drivers\ <=You can type this in the cmd prompt or copy paste it if the path is the same.
"Press Enter"

Remember this needs to be done from a Command Prompt window ran as admin. <very important.
Click Start type in search: "cmd" right click it & run as admin <=W7 way..
It will ask to overwrite, answer: "Yes" Look at picture below closely.


For other help see my post here: http://forums.techpowerup.com/showpost.php?p=1555905&postcount=644

 

[TheWolf]

Nice! Looking forward to seeing some bench scores!

Today enabled 3-way SLI with three videocards on non-legal motherboard using HALmod 0.9 and slistring on Win7 X64.

Rig:

Intel SLBJH CPU
ASUS Maximus III Formula P55 chipset. SLI isn't working on in legally on 190/191 drivers.
2x1GB DDR3 DRAMs
Three GeForce 8800 Ultra
Enermax Revolution 85+ 1250W
Xtremelabs.org chiller for CPU

http://www.xdevs.com/sli/3way.jpg

Middle card was not hooked to liquid tubing, just brief testing without any 3D here.

http://www.xdevs.com/sli/3way.png

It works
Will perform performance tests these holidays.

 

[Velvet Wafer]

Today enabled 3-way SLI with three videocards on non-legal motherboard using HALmod 0.9 and slistring on Win7 X64.

Rig:

Intel SLBJH CPU
ASUS Maximus III Formula P55 chipset. SLI isn't working on in legally on 190/191 drivers.
2x1GB DDR3 DRAMs
Three GeForce 8800 Ultra
Enermax Revolution 85+ 1250W
Xtremelabs.org chiller for CPU

http://www.xdevs.com/sli/3way.jpg

Middle card was not hooked to liquid tubing, just brief testing without any 3D here.

http://www.xdevs.com/sli/3way.png

It works
Will perform performance tests these holidays.

Very Impressive! What CPU do you use under these phase?

 

[TiN]

Intel SLBJH.

It's not phase, it's liquid loop with A/C unit for freezing antifreeze down to -30°C.
Waterblock on CPU is Apogee GT

 

[overclocking101]

ok i have been reading and have carefully followed these steps BUT now when 2 gpu's are present at all windows will not load at all it goes to the starting windws screen then freezes when the emblem starts to appear ??? have i done something wrong? each card works fine on their own but add them both and thats what happens funny thing is it does it even when 2 ati cards are presnt. tried this maximus formula and my msi P35 neo fr so its not the board at all. hope someone can help

 

[mercalf]

After running cmd as admin, and replacing the file (this is the only thing I HAVEN'T tried) - should I expect completely different results? I'm going to try now, just because I can..

The big thing is that dxdiag recognizes my cards as a single unit, but nVidia control panel does NOT give me the option of SLI, and I still have no icon on my toolbar!

 

[mercalf]

Did the above, nothing changed. Still don't have the nVidia toolbar icon - still don't have option for SLI - when I reboot last step, don't get any window saying 'sli compatible' etc.

I don't get it -.- If it works with those steps for others...why it's not working for me. I left test mode on for the duration of the steps, and on after the final reboot. I feel like there are missing steps or something...don't understand why it's not working.

The weird thing is that after the steps (I've done them about a dozen times now) - my dxdiag prints that I have ONE 9800 GT at 2799 MB....In reality I have TWO 9800 GT's at each are 1024 MB... so it's sorta working - yet not?

 

[overclocking101]

not working at all in win 64 XP and now 2gpu's of any kind cause a hard freeze on win7 64 bit great now i cant even run one for physx! sheesh and no matter how many times i run driver sweeper etc it still wont work this blows how can i just fix it to run 2 gpus? one for gpu one for physx?

 

[overclocking101]

ha! on XP 64 i get it to say sli available in gpu-z but in nvidia control panel sli is not there?? how do i get it to boot correctly in win7 64 bit? i think i might be able to fix it if it will just boot with both gpu's

 

[zmgbyn]

Sorry my friend, but you are wrong.

I DID IT!
Quadro FX 4800 SLI on X8DAH+ running Server 2008 R2!

NO HALmod! NO modded drivers! And NO test mode!

All I needed was the customized SLIC string!

Here is my new .dsl file. The part from aGeoM was "almost correct". I just had to remove the "IFSL" and directly return the SLIC to get IASL to compile the file without errors.

My .dsl is attached. I will also attach the .aml file for people who can't do it themselves. (Maybe it won't work for them if their hardware differs too much... at least it's worth a try)

---

Here my short step-by-step description what to do to enable SLI on a Supermicro X8DAH+ running Windows Server 2008 R2:

0. Install the Quadros to the native 16x PCI-Express 2.0 sockets. It is no problem that these 16x ports are connected to different IOH-36Ds!
1. Install unmodified NVidia Quadro 191 drivers.
2. Download the attached ZIP sli_X8DAH+_Win2008R2.zip. It contains the asl.exe tool, as described earlier in this thread, and the file DSDT.aml. (It also contains the .dsl and iasl.exe if you would prefer to mod it yourself as I did.)
Extract these files to an easy to reach path (e.g.: c:\SLI).
3. open a command prompt. (Start -> run... -> cmd)
4. Enter the path where you stored the files that you extracted from the zip. -> cd\SLI
5. Run the following command: asl /loadtable DSDT.aml
6. That's it. You may have to reboot to enable SLI. An automatic SLI-notification will pop-up in your taskbar and the NVidia Control panel will show SLI and PhysX.


Thanks to Anatolymik, TheWolf, aGeoM. I needed some help that you provided. ->

Now I will have to run some Benches.
This thread is awsome!

----

Edit:
I added a screen shot as ZIP because the forum shrinks my 1920x1200 pixel screen shot so much that you can't see anything.

Edit2: Added another Screenshot that shows some of the Quadro-SLI capabilities: 64x Antialiasing!.

I take about 7 days to test quadro FX 5600 SLI on my HP xw8600,almost despaire!
From derGhostride's case,It's intel 5520 chipset ,derGhostrider only add SLI string certification (his motherboard is Supermicro) not mod HAL ,from PIC he can run driver not in testing mode,is it right on my hp xw8600 (chipset is intel 5400) add HP SLI certification can enable SLI? I can try to find HP SLI certification in HP Z400(x58) or Z800(5520) workstation.

P.S. His hardware is very close to me. Who can find HP SLI certification in HP Z400 or Z800,thanks!

 

[TiN]

Intel 5400 don't support SLI natively (As it does Intel X58/5500/5520 in certified mobos). So you need to do HAL for sure. So no need for HP certification, run as usual, ASUS cert + HAL mod with drivers not newer than 191 with Win7 x64 bit

Updated guide today. minor corrections, added info regarding 195.xx drivers and SLI bridge question to FAQ.

 

[zmgbyn]

Intel 5400 don't support SLI natively (As it does Intel X58/5500/5520 in certified mobos). So you need to do HAL for sure. So no need for HP certification, run as usual, ASUS cert + HAL mod with drivers not newer than 191 with Win7 x64 bit

Updated guide today. minor corrections, added info regarding 195.xx drivers and SLI bridge question to FAQ.

Thanks! I do the test for several days, test all the quadro dirver version below 191.66,
result is everest and cpu-z can see x58 ,SLI option doesn't appear.
Please tell me the problem perhaps is?

From the picture i note the motherboard manufacturer not ASUS , is it right?

P.S. In your Howto, section E Forceware 190.62 is for Gforce not for Quadro, Whether Quadro can use MOD driver?
Howto why not tell us signature tool deso?

 

[TiN]

ASUS vendor is hardcoded to HAL mod.

Quadro and GeForce on this level is the SAME. There is no difference in quadro drivers, regarding generic SLI tech.

 

[zmgbyn]

ASUS vendor is hardcoded to HAL mod.

Quadro and GeForce on this level is the SAME. There is no difference in quadro drivers, regarding generic SLI tech.

You means under win7 x64 i can install quadro driver 191.66 and overwrite with Gforce MOD driver 190.62 to test.
PLease see my DSDT table, is there something wrong with ACPI, I'll send more detailed information with my Hardware later!

 

[mercalf]

Update: Switched to Windows 7 and the HAL mod worked like a charm.

Confirmed: DFI LP JR 790GX

 

[overclocking101]

ok how do i show you my dsd table? maybe someone can help me

 

[JrRacinFan]

@overclocking101

Have you tried to reinstall Win 7 while both cards are installed? Maybe try that out if you haven't.

 

[Ridemetal]

Today enabled 3-way SLI with three videocards on non-legal motherboard using HALmod 0.9 and slistring on Win7 X64.

Rig:

Intel SLBJH CPU
ASUS Maximus III Formula P55 chipset. SLI isn't working on in legally on 190/191 drivers.
2x1GB DDR3 DRAMs
Three GeForce 8800 Ultra
Enermax Revolution 85+ 1250W
Xtremelabs.org chiller for CPU

http://www.xdevs.com/sli/3way.jpg

Middle card was not hooked to liquid tubing, just brief testing without any 3D here.

http://www.xdevs.com/sli/3way.png

It works
Will perform performance tests these holidays.

Impressionnant.

 

[overclocking101]

i havent i really dont want to lose all my stuff like game saves and data etc

 

[dolf]

Intel 5400 don't support SLI natively (As it does Intel X58/5500/5520 in certified mobos). So you need to do HAL for sure. So no need for HP certification, run as usual, ASUS cert + HAL mod with drivers not newer than 191 with Win7 x64 bit

Updated guide today. minor corrections, added info regarding 195.xx drivers and SLI bridge question to FAQ.

Hi TiN, regards for the great job done here (and "there" of course). I am not sure whether the following information can help you guys to defeat the 195.xx drivers but who knows:
http://www.ngohq.com/graphic-cards/16223-nvidia-disables-physx-when-ati-card-is-present-78.html (post N779).

The colleague GenL from www.ngohq.com succeed to hack the 195.xx drivers in order to enable "hybrid" system with main ATI and second physX nVidia card (admirations for that ). He already knows what different checks and protections the 195.xx has compared to the old ones. If you contact him probably some useful information concerning the protection mechanism of the 195.xx can be obtained.

Wish you success .

 

[TheWolf]

You means under win7 x64 i can install quadro driver 191.66 and overwrite with Gforce MOD driver 190.62 to test.
PLease see my DSDT table, is there something wrong with ACPI, I'll send more detailed information with my Hardware later!

Get Driver-Sweeper 2.05
do a clean of all old video drivers. Reboot.
Download 190.38 & install, reboot & check if SLI can be enabled.
http://www.nvidia.com/object/Quadro_win7_winvista_64bit_190.38_whql.html

Your DSDT table looks ok.

Edit: Is W7 shown to be in test mode in lower right of your screen like in my picture?

http://www.myalbumbank.com/albums/userpics/10568/CMDcopy2.jpg

 

[zmgbyn]

Get Driver-Sweeper 2.05
do a clean of all old video drivers. Reboot.
Download 190.38 & install, reboot & check if SLI can be enabled.
http://www.nvidia.com/object/Quadro_win7_winvista_64bit_190.38_whql.html

Your DSDT table looks ok.

Edit: Is W7 shown to be in test mode in lower right of your screen like in my picture?

http://www.myalbumbank.com/albums/userpics/10568/CMDcopy2.jpg

yes, In test mode, right corner watermark appeared. Perhaps my win7 x64 is Chinese Sim,
Let me try english version and test!

 

[zmgbyn]

I am going crazy for this:


1.Foramt disk install a new MSDN win7 x64 english ,disable UAC.

Before patch:

2.SLIstring install, install driver191.66, HALMOD 0.9:

halmod not function,SLI doesn't appear.

3.Switch to HALMOD 0.8:

halmod function,SLI doesn't appear.

ON Xdevs hal.dll have different size and version:
0.7 ,0.71,0.8,Patch: 260208 bytes
0.81: 267064 bytes
0.82,0.9: 269312 bytes
I've tested all the hal.dll on quadro foreware 191.66 ,190.38 ,185.85

expect halmod 0.9 other halmod can see chipset x58,sli option doesn't appear.
halmod 0.9 can't see chipset x58,sli option doesn't appear also.

photobucket is not clear for my desktop is 1920*1200,please see attached file!


Is there something can done about my HP xw 8600?

 

[TheWolf]

Do as I said here:

Get Driver-Sweeper 2.05
do a clean of all old video drivers. Reboot.
Download 190.38 & install, reboot & check if SLI can be enabled.
http://www.nvidia.com/object/Quadro_win7_winvista_64bit_190.38_whql.html

Your DSDT table looks ok.

Then try this:http://www.xdevs.com/sli/nvlddmkm-64bit_rev_2.rar

To make it more simplified you can place the modded: nvlddmkm.sys file in the root of C: then the command you run would looks like this:

copy C:\nvlddmkm.sys C:\windows\system32\drivers\ <=You can type this in the cmd prompt or copy paste it if the path is the same.
"Press Enter"

Has to be ran from CMD as Admin to replace, see pic...
http://www.myalbumbank.com/albums/userpics/10568/CMDcopy2.jpg

Step 5 Replace original "nvlddmkm.sys" file with modded one. Original one should be at "C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\" folder. (Remember to first make a backup of the original one!!!)
Step 6 Download and run Driver Signature Enforcement Overrider 1.3b. Choose "Sign a system file" and give the path to the modded "nvlddmkm.sys" file (it should be "C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\nvlddmkm.sys"). If you already don't have your system into Test Mode, you can also use this tool to enable it.
Step 7 Once the Dseo13b.exe tool says "The system file has been signed successfully", reboot again.
Step 8 At restart, you should see a message saying something like "SLI compatible system". You can go now to nVidia Control Panel and under "Set SLI and PhysX Configuration", activate SLI.

I'm pretty sure 191.66 has been patched from use of hal.mod & driver.sys.mod. So don't use it.

 

[zmgbyn]

Do as I said here:



Then try this:http://www.xdevs.com/sli/nvlddmkm-64bit_rev_2.rar

To make it more simplified you can place the modded: nvlddmkm.sys file in the root of C: then the command you run would looks like this:

copy C:\nvlddmkm.sys C:\windows\system32\drivers\ <=You can type this in the cmd prompt or copy paste it if the path is the same.
"Press Enter"

Has to be ran from CMD as Admin to replace, see pic...
http://www.myalbumbank.com/albums/userpics/10568/CMDcopy2.jpg



I'm pretty sure 191.66 has been patched from use of hal.mod & driver.sys.mod. So don't use it.

All my done step by step as you Write , use modified driver ,no SLI option appear!
I will try to find hp z400 or z800 SLI string, or I should use lower driver test for more?