BIOS FLASH DISASTER (I think)

[Sapientwolf]

Ok so just yesterday I wanted to flash my ATI Radeon 9550 256mb to an ATI Radeon 9600PRO 256 memory. I made sure I checked core speeds, mem speeds and memory manufacturer. I downloaded the BIOS for the new card and then attempted flashing my card with ATI winflash. The progress bar went to one hundred, then it told me "Vbios flash successful, restart?". I clicked yes. I then got diagnostic beeping from my motherboard, and the card failed to initialize... (Boy is that a frightening experience for your first time flashing a Vbios). I then attempted to reflash the card by going in with my PCI card. This time I tried using ATIFLASH... but trying to get the card to flash failed like so.

Flash Type:NX25F001B/C
Write Fail
0/10000h bytes programmed
Error OFL01

First... do you think this is typical of a non-compatible BIOS, or
Second... do yout think I corrupted my BIOS memory? (hope not)

Also I didn't back up my original BIOS like an idiot
if anyone has a BIOS for an ATI Radeon 9550 256mb Hynix that would be awesome!!!

advice???

 

[Changis]

buy a new and better card, and read forums before fooling around
(you wouldnt go swimming if you cant swim)

 

[Sapientwolf]

Well I do plan on building a new comp soon, but some advice about the current situation regardless of how it was caused would help.

 

[Changis]

have you read the various threads about bios flashing on gpu's?
there is a "-switch" that forces the bios to be flashed, if it doesnt work, i think it has ceased to be, gone to see it's maker, pushin up the daisies and shit...

what are the major differences between the 9550 and the 9600 pro? both with 4 pipes, and same clockspeeds? why flash it?

 

[SlipSlice]

Changis chill out man...Sapientwolf, I did the exact same thing you did, but the first time I did it, it worked fine...I tryed to flash it back, and that is when I got what you got.. I tried all the rubish about using your pci, and flashing it back..well don't listen to that, I tried at least 20 times.. If you still have warranty on you ATI Radeon 9550, go to www.ati.com, login, and request a ticked for a RMA. They gave me a brand new one for free. Make up an excuse, that it just stopped working or something, they don't really care, they are a multimillion dolla, company.. I'm sry that it happened to you, it happened to me to, but things usually happen for the best I guess

Slip-

 

[Sapientwolf]

http://www.techpowerup.com/articles/overclocking/vidcard/107

Well this article seemed very informing and it was good to know that it can be done. I wanted to achieve this flash for the very reasons stated in the article, I wanted to use Ati's original drivers, but when it all went wrong I got robbed.

I read the 9550 to 9600 article, as well as the more extensive article on GPU flashing and understood everything it was telling me.

Now that this happened I just want to get my card in working condition again if it is possible.

 

[Changis]

was i being hard on him? well if so it wasnt meant that way. (just incorperated a monty python joke)

and
what are the major differences between the 9550 and the 9600 pro? what do one gain from this change? (asking seriously)

 

[Sapientwolf]

^^^

Thx slip, but I think my warranty has run out, it's usually a year warranty right? That is a good idea though, my friend sent them an x700 once because he fried it overclocking, they sent him a brand new x800 instead!

thx appreciate the help, and it's good knowing I'm not the only one

 

[Sapientwolf]

And changis don't worry about it, you weren't being hard, you were just being honest .

 

[SlipSlice]

np bro, anytime

 

[Changis]

thank you, just trying to lighten the mood a little, you just lost your beloved videocard :`(
thinking of a new system, check out my system specs, very happy with everythin (Exept that F*@$# asus crap its running on (have to fondle the powerbutton to turn it on so i can time turning it off just to immediately turn back on if i want it to boot with fsb's higher than 245-250) works fine @ default though but loving my opt. 165 1800 @ 2600 (FX 60) (aprox. 50% OC.)

 

[dolf]

Search for the BIOS here: http://www.techpowerup.com/bios/. Download a BIOS and rename it to something short like: "bios.bin"

When you find proper BIOS use flashrom (or atiflash) in DOS mode with the following command line:

1. If you are flashing "blind": flashrom -f -p 0 bios.bin (0 - it is zero not "o")
2. If you are using PCI video card like first device use: flashrom -f -p 1 bios.bin

 

[SlipSlice]

That is all a bunch of poop..it don't work..but i guess you can try.

 

[x800professor]

was i being hard on him? well if so it wasnt meant that way. (just incorperated a monty python joke)

and
what are the major differences between the 9550 and the 9600 pro? what do one gain from this change? (asking seriously)

9600PRO
Core clock – 400 MHz
Memory - 300MHz (600 MHz)
Pixel Processors – 4
Vertex Shaders - 2

9550
Core clock - 250 MHz
Memory - 200MHz (400 MHz)
Pixel Processors – 4
Vertex Shaders - 2



They have the same core (RV350)…one is just an overclocked version of the other.

 

[cjoyce1980]

9600PRO
Core clock – 400 MHz
Memory - 300MHz (600 MHz)
Pixel Processors – 4
Vertex Shaders - 2

9550
Core clock - 250 MHz
Memory - 200MHz (400 MHz)
Pixel Processors – 4
Vertex Shaders - 2



They have the same core (RV350)…one is just an overclocked version of the other.

A true 9600 has the RV360 core, the cheaper version on the 9600 has an overclocked RV350 core and faster memory than the 9550, so the above is wrong. peeps, do your research first please!

 

[x800professor]

A true 9600 has the RV360 core, the cheaper version on the 9600 has an overclocked RV350 core and faster memory than the 9550, so the above is wrong. peeps, do your research first please!

You're talking about the 9600XT, this thread is about a 9600PRO. Read the thread first, please.

 

[x800professor]

By the way, I believe ATI tool can remove the overclock lock on a 9550 that was put in place to stop people from simply overclocking a 9550 into a 9600PRO.