XFX RX6600 Code 43 can't flash BIOS

[phatdunny]

Bought a 2nd hand graphics card -XFX SPEEDSTER SWFT210 RADEON RX 6600 to spoil myself for Christmas. It's been working great until today when I suddenly got code 43 in device manager.

So far I've tried removing and reinstalling drivers - no difference. I noticed a lot of people suggesting flashing the BIOS is a good idea.

I found this BIOS - https://www.techpowerup.com/vgabios/238733/238733. I started trying to flash with amdvbflash_win_3.31.

I installed the flash driver using the AMDVBFLashDriverInstaller tool.

When I try to run the GUI tool I get "Error reading from ROM". So I moved to CLI.

I can run the -i command;

.\amdvbflash.exe -i
AMDVBFLASH version 3.31 EXTERNAL, Copyright (c) 2021 Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.


adapter bn dn fn dID asic flash romsize test bios p/n
======= == == == ==== =============== ============== ======= ==== ==============
0 03 00 00 73FF Navi23 SOC15 SPI 40000 fail -

I can run -ai command;

AMDVBFLASH version 3.31 EXTERNAL, Copyright (c) 2021 Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.

Adapter 0 (BN=03, DN=00, FN=00, PCIID=00001002, SSID=000073FF)
Asic Family : Navi23
Flash Type : SOC15 SPI (256 KB)
No VBIOS

I can run -unlockrom 0

AMDVBFLASH version 3.31 EXTERNAL, Copyright (c) 2021 Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.

ROM Unlocked

If I try to save the current BIOS it says

AMDVBFLASH version 3.31 EXTERNAL, Copyright (c) 2021 Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.

Failed to read ROM

If I try to upload the BIOS I found I get this:

.\amdvbflash.exe -p 0 241221.rom
AMDVBFLASH version 3.31 EXTERNAL, Copyright (c) 2021 Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.

Failed to read ROM

ERROR: 0FL01

If I try to force the upload of the ROM I get:

.\amdvbflash.exe -p -fa -fp 0 .\241221.rom
AMDVBFLASH version 3.31 EXTERNAL, Copyright (c) 2021 Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.

Failed to read ROM

ERROR: 0FL01

Me and my son just want to play games. Is anyone able to help me please?

 

[pavle]

Try flashing the card from a PE CD (preboot environment), like Hiren's BOOT DVD (you can make a bootable USB drive) to make sure there's no interference from the OS. You can still access all your disk partitions.

 

[Imperator]

Hello
I happened to have the exact same card as you do.
I received at the fist some 43 errors and in the end the card didn't let the computer to boot at all.
I returned the card to XFX via warranty page.
They swapped it with a new one.
Maybe it is your case also.

 

[phatdunny]

Great idea @Imperator I'll give that a go first. It's only 8 months old according to the guy I got it off.

 

[phatdunny]

Tried it on another machine and got the same result.
Created a case with XFX and they suggested that it was faulty hardware and to contact the reseller. Reseller have been gracious enough to consider replacing it under warranty. Hoping to hear back from them soon.

 

[bobbybluz]

Tried it on another machine and got the same result.
Created a case with XFX and they suggested that it was faulty hardware and to contact the reseller. Reseller have been gracious enough to consider replacing it under warranty. Hoping to hear back from them soon.

If your reseller is a private individual who purchased the GPU and registered it with 30 days of buying it XFX will warranty it through them (if you're lucky). I've had several years of experience dealing with XFX and RMA'ing GPU's with them. They can be great or a nightmare depending upon purchase circumstances. I've been through both extremes with them.

 

[phatdunny]

Reseller replaced it for me with a 6600XT

 

[pavle]

Mighty fine. I hope this one works for a long time.