Latest Updates: BIOS RSS

  • Video Card BIOS Upgrade

    The Truth 10:36 pm on February 7, 2010 | 0 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: BIOS, , ,

    Video card BIOS update, like the motherboard BIOS update, is gradually welcomed by DIY group. Fix the bugs in the card and tap its potential, Flashing your video card BIOS allows you to have your system as stable as possible.

    Nevertheless, http://www.driverchecker.com/" rel="nofollow" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/article_exit_link');" target="_blank" title="video card update" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview ('/outbound/www.driverchecker.com');">graphics BIOS flash has latent risks. How can we minimize these dangers?

    NVIDIA and ATI cards are two common graphics adapters in use. Before BIOS flash, the following preparation is necessary.

    First, find the video card model.

    Graphic card BIOS are distinct due to different brands and different models, generally they can not be applied universally. Do pay attention to the specific model, for example, the memory is SGRAM or SDRAM, it is 8MB or 16MB, PCI version or AGP version, is there any TV output…Otherwise, running an improper BIOS file may make the card going badly wrong or even scrapped.

    Second, find the version of the original BIOS; search the manufacturers’ website for BIOS details, download a compatible and newer BIOS file for the video adapter.

    Third, check if http://www.driverchecker.com/" rel="nofollow" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/article_exit_link');" target="_blank" title="drivers" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview ('/outbound/www.driverchecker.com');">any driver required.

    Fourth, a copy of the NVFLASH utility (used in NVIDIA BIOS flash, you can download it from websites and use it to restore the current graphics BIOS), or a copy of the FLASHROM utility (used in ATI BIOS flash).

    Fifth, make a boot disk. All video card BIOS flash is carried out more reliably in DOS, so we need to make a DOS boot disk. And then copy the downloaded BIOS file and the NVFLASH.exe file (for NVIDIA BIOS flash)/FLASHROM.exe file (for ATI BIOS flash) onto the disk.

    Since preparations are ready, then go to the next step-flashing graphics card BIOS.

    In order to let the operation go smoothly, try to keep the power supply working in gear in the whole procedure.

    NVIDIA graphic adapter BIOS update

    1. Make a backup of the current NVIDIA graphic card BIOS
    Utilize the BIOS flash disk to boot the computer and enter DOS, at the “A:” prompt, type “nvflash.exe -b backup.rom” and press Enter. The NVFLASH utility will restore the current NVIDIA graphics BIOS onto the flash disk (called backup.rom).

    2. BIOS update
    From the “A:” prompt, type “nvflash -p -u -f (name of the new BIOS file including the file extension)” and press Enter. NVFLASH will overwrite your old BIOS information with the new values. If you see any error messages or odd results, do not restart the system. Consult the troubleshooting below for further instructions.

    If everything seemed to work properly, restart the system.

    Depending on the BIOS version you used and the video card, you may need to install new drivers.

    ATI graphic adapter BIOS update

    Conventional method

    3. Make a backup of the current ATI graphic card BIOS
    Boot the computer with the flash disk, at the “A:” prompt, type “flashrom.exe -s 0 backup.rom” press Enter. Now the FLASHROM utility will restore the current video’s BIOS onto the disk (called backup.rom).

    1. BIOS update
    At the “A:” prompt input “Flashrom -p 0 ***.rom” (*** means created name for the BIOS update file) hit Enter then the new BIOS will be written into the current BIOS chip. Wait for a few seconds, if there is no error massage popping up then restart the computer. Updating succeeds.

    Special situation, add flashing command parameter

    Add parameter “-f”

    Some graphic cards would encounter ID error during the operation, try to add a mandatory updating parameter “-f”to force the BIOS flash; When the new BIOS file is confirmed supporting the video adapter ID, input “atiflash -p -f 0 ***.rom”, and finally press Enter.

    Add parameter “-atmel” or “-sst”

    For some video adapters with the mBGA packaging its memory, and adding parameter “-f” is unable to update BIOS. If the BIOS chip is from ATM Company, then input “Flashrom -p -f atmel 0 ***.rom”; if from SST Company, then input “Flashrom -p -f -sst 0 ***.rom”.

    Depending on the BIOS version you used and the video card, you may need to install new drivers too.

    In respect that reprogramming BIOS is not an easy job for all PC users, before flashing your video card with the new BIOS version, keep in mind to restore the current BIOS in case you run into trouble later on.

    What should we do when BIOS upgrading fails?

    Well, then, if screen dazzling and instability occurs after reprogram, is there any remediation?

    We can figure out this issue by upgrading the backup BIOS file over again into the video card just like updating the new BIOS, only to change the command line “newbios.rom” to “backup.rom”.

    If flash fails, we have several fixes as below:

    1. If Windows is accessible, but can not recognize the graphics card, use the DOS boot disk to start up the system, and rewrite the exact BIOS into EPROM. BIOS features can be resumed after start-up.

    2. Screen is black.
    Unplug the AGP video card firstly, and boot up the computer after plugging in a PCI card, after that enter the BIOS setting program in the motherboard, choose “Integrated Peripherals” option, change the option “Init Display First” value to “PCI Slot”, save this setting and shut down.

    Then reinsert the AGP card at the same time keep the PCI card still connected with monitor, and restart.

    Finally, upgrade the correct BIOS as we update the new BIOS.

    3. If there is no PCI card, we can try to “operate blindly”.
    First, find another computer, create an AUTOEXEC.BAT file in the DOS boot disk, and in this text file write “nvflash” (a filename of the backup BIOS in NVIDIA graphics card) or “Flashrom -p 0 Backup.rom ( inhttp://www.driverchecker.com/" rel="nofollow" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/article_exit_link');" target="_blank" title="video card update" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview ('/outbound/www.driverchecker.com');"> ATI graphics card).

    After the batch file finishes editing, boot up the former computer with the disk, when reading is over, wait for more than 10 seconds, and restart the computer. Then everything returns to be normal.

    If there is an EEPROM programmer, we can use it to rewrite the proper EPROM into BIOS.

     

  • Overclocking Tips

    The Truth 4:43 am on September 5, 2008 | 0 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: BIOS, Central processing unit, , , , , SDRAM,

    AMD Athlon XP Overclocking BIOS Setup on ABIT ...Image via Wikipedia

    Like hot-rodders in the 1960s and 1970s, overclockers are a somewhat-new breed of enthusiasts. When an overclocker’s PC just isn’t fast enough, they don’t whine about it or buy a new CPU. Hell no. That would be too easy, and often times, too expensive. Instead, they do what any hot-rodder would do — they tweak what they’ve got and modify it for maximum speed and stability.

    This guide is a compilation of my personal favorite CPU overclocking tips. Note that some of these tips can be found elsewhere on the Internet, and other overclockers’ opinions may differ from mine. Also, keep in mind that overclocking is considered by some to be dangerous and risky. This guide was written to help you, the average Joe Overclocker, reach new speeds (with stability) on your CPU overclocking adventure.

    Also note that this article is not for total newbies. You’ve got to have at least a CPU and motherboard combination that allows overclocking and you need to have some overclocking experience and knowledge.
    For more information on how to overclock a CPU, go to the How To Overclock a CPU article. With all that said, let’s get started…

    Cautions and Warnings: Is Overclocking Dangerous?

    Several times you’ve probably heard people say that CPU overclocking is dangerous. Usually it seems like newbies, PC retailers, and CPU manufacturers say these things. Is overclocking really dangerous? Well, yes and no. And keep in mind, it’s “dangerous” for your CPU; not for you, personally. If you truly know what you’re doing, it really isn’t that dangerous. But even an experienced overclocker can kill a CPU if they aren’t careful or overlook certain things like voltage. For the average PC user, overclocking is more dangerous. The safety precautions that an overclocking veteran would take may be overlooked by a newbie. So, when Intel (for example) declares that overclocking is risky and can be dangerous, they are usually saying so for all the newbies out there that are new or unfamiliar to overclocking. It’s simply for liability. If Intel encouraged or even supported overclocking, there would be plenty more Celeron keychains and Pentium II paperweights available.

    What’s the Problem?

    Now that I’ve addressed a few issues, let’s get into the gist of things. Since you are in fact reading this guide, I’m guessing you are looking for a solution to an overclocking problem you’re having. You can’t get into Windows? Your PC flashes up random BSODs (Blue Screens of Death)? Your PC can’t get past the BIOS? Your PC doesn’t turn on when you overclock? Your PC freezes after about an hour of running? Phew. No problem…

    There are way too many possible overclocking problems to cover in one article (or even five or ten articles), so I’m simply going to try to help you solve the some of the most common problems. Once you’ve decided on the problem, read on into the guide for tips on that specific issue.

    Your operating system (Windows, usually) crashes after a period of time (several minutes or more), without running any extremely intensive programs:
    If you didn’t run any intensive programs, this is most likely a heat issue. Consider lowering the voltage (unless it means sacrificing stability) or better cooling. Read on…

    Your operating system crashes immediately after a certain intensive program is run:
    If a single game or program crashes your PC immediately after it has been launched, this is usually a sign of a few possible problems. The issue is most likely the CPU itself, but it could be the memory. The CPU is overclocked beyond its limit with the supplied voltage, or the CPU simply cannot go that fast (eek!). Try increasing the voltage as long as it’s in the “safe” range. Generally a CPU can withstand a .2 or .3 volt increase (over default) for long periods of time. I generally don’t recommend going higher than .3 over the default voltage.

    If you’re sure it’s not the CPU, check to see the speed rating of the RAM in your system. 10 ns SDRAM (PC66) should be good up to around 100 MHz FSB. 8 ns SDRAM (most PC100) should be good up to around 125 MHz FSB. 7 ns SDRAM or faster should be good beyond 133 MHz FSB. Anything beyond those values could result in problems from the memory. Another thing to try would be to set the CAS latency in the BIOS setup to 3 instead of 2 (CAS latency determines how much time the computer allows the RAM to recover between ‘column’ access). This could solve the problem.

    Your PC doesn’t even turn on (maybe it turns on, but the monitor doesn’t receive a signal) once it’s been overclocked, or it can’t get past the BIOS:
    This is one of the most frustrating problems for newbies, because they seem to think their PC is toast when it won’t respond to the keyboard or it won’t even display video. But hey, we all learn the hard way when it comes to these sorts of problems. To recover the original clock speed, you’ll need to do one of the following: 1) Find the jumper on your motherboard that resets the CMOS configuration, 2) Find the key on the keyboard that resets the clock speed, or 3) Re-jumper the CPU for a more stable speed on the motherboard or slocket. If you need to find the key or the jumper that resets the clock speed (usually for software CPU configuration), consult the manual. This is different on just about every motherboard.

    Now that you know how to fix the problem by returning to default values, you probably want to know how to make the old value stable, right? Well, if it doesn’t even receive a video signal, it could be either the CPU is not getting enough voltage (remember, .2 or .3 volts over the default is about the maximum I recommend), or the memory may not be up to it. Make sure your memory can handle such a high FSB speed on another PC if possible. Heat probably isn’t an issue at this point since this is immediately after you start the PC.

    Original Article: Here

    Related articles by Zemanta
    Reblog this post [with Zemanta]
     

c
compose new post
j
next post/next comment
k
previous post/previous comment
r
reply
e
edit
o
show/hide comments
t
go to top
esc
cancel

Powered by Yahoo! Answers