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HOWTO: nVidia BIOS Flashing

269K views 506 replies 145 participants last post by  Retrorockit 
#1 ·
GeForce 7, 8, 9 & 200 Series cards
This works for 4xx cards also but you have to use nvflash 5.95 LINK...
First some cards have 256mb and 512mb make sure get the correct BIOS, you can cross flash cards like using a BFG BIOS on a eVGA it works some people do it As long as both cards are the same like 8800GTS & 8800GTS, but I prefer to use eVGA BIOS on a eVGA card ECT.

I've only ever had one bad flash when flashing a FX5900GS to a FX5950ULTRA but I had a backup and flashed it back.


1. Download the correct BIO's file you need here NVIDIA BIOS LINK

2. After it's downloaded Rename this file to 1.rom

3. Download this program nvFlash v5.38 nvFlash LINK

4. Unzip nvFlash v5.38 create a folder on your desktop paste all of it in the folder.

5. Install a floppy in my computer right click it format and reformat it for MSDOS then open it.

6. open the folder with the nvFlash,cwsdpmi and the new bios 1.rom copy and paste them to the floppy, now the floppy should look like this,



7. Restart the computer with the floppy in.

8. Making a backup once you get to MSDOS and see the {A:\\} prompt next to the prompt type, nvflash -b backup01.rom (This Backs up your stock BIOS, just in case you have to flash it back)
IT' ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA TO CHECK THE FLOPPY TO MAKE SURE THE BACKUP TOOK



9. Normal BIOS Flash, next to the {A:\\} prompt type, nvflash -5 -6 1.rom This should flash it if it doesn't you force flash it.

10. Force flashing, next to the {A:\\} prompt type, nvflash -4 -5 -6 1.rom
That's it remove the floppy and restart, DONE

Now if for any reason something went wrong you have the backup on the floppy so you just do step 9. again with nvflash -5 -6 backup.01R flashes it back to stock.

nvFlash v5.38 Commands...
"nvflash -b backup.rom" (Backup your BIOS)
"nvflash -5 -6 1.rom" (Normal BIOS Flash)
"nvflash -4 -5 -6 1.rom" (Forced BIOS Flash)

I've never done a USB Flash but for anyone that needs info on it this might help,

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChickenInferno View Post
Okay, I have vista x64 and have been trying to do this for awhile but just couldn't. Finally, I figured out a bunch of workarounds
How to Flash Your Nvidia Bios with Vista x64 with a Flash Drive
1.)Download Winimage
2.)Download BootDisk2BootStick
3.)Download DOS 6.0
4.)Download New Bios
5.)Download NvFlash
a.) Double click on nvflash.exe to unpack the real nvflash.exe and cwsdpmi.exe
6.)Install Winimage
7.)Open Winimage and open up boot600
8.)SaveAs Floppyimage.img
a.You have to select all file types and save it like that
9.)Open BootDisk2BootStick
10.)Click the WritetoUsbFlash Tab
11.)Select the Drive Letter for your Flash Drive
12.)Click Start
13.)Select our Floppyimage.img
a.We now have a bootable flashdrive
14.)Rename the New bios to 1.rom
15.) Copy 1.rom onto Flash Drive
16.) Copy cwsdpmi.exe and nvflash.exe onto Flash Drive
17.)Boot computer from flash drive
18.) Type in nvflash -b backup01.rom
19.)Type in nvflash -4 -5 -6 1.rom
20.)Reboot, You're Finished

Quote:

Originally Posted by fang_laluna View Post
I'm using modded BIOS from this forum that allows voltage tweak up to 1.2mV I think. Right now both cards are running @ 1.125mV 870/2000 and 34596 vantage score. They were running @ 1.188mV 900/2100 for benching but crashed when I was playing BFBC2 so I use 870/2000

Yep I just downloaded nvflash 5.95 never used it before though.
So all I have to do is use Nvflash -i2 -4 -5 -6 name.rom? I want to flash the second card so in this case I need to do it separately. Why do you need USB? (sorry I really appreciate if you can explain the process a bit).

Flashing a GTX 480 using a USB flash drive

Update GTX 670-680 uses Nvflash 5.117.0.1

nvflash -4 -5 -6 name.rom works fine

http://www.techpowerup.com/downloads/2128/mirrors.php

Process, using nvflash found on the internet
Using a USB flash drive you need HP USB storage format tool and win98boot found on the internet.
1st you use HP format and create a DOS startup on the USB drive then put win98boot files on it and let it format like so then hit start,


Once it's done you put the Nvflash and CWSDPMI files along with the BIOS.rom you want to flash on the USB and restart you computer and bootup on the USB, then type the commands.

EDIT: Here are a few commands,
nvflash --list (lists your cards position)

Card should be under 1 if it's SLI card 1, and card 2 or what ever the number is if anything else shows up you like your SLI controler you have to flash like this.
nvflash -i1 -4 -5 -6 name.rom that flashes card 1, If you have SLI you have to flash card nvflash -i2 -4 -5 -6 name.rom also with a seprate flash.

nvflash -b backup.rom (Backup your BIOS)
nvflash -5 -6 name.rom (Normal BIOS Flash)
nvflash -4 -5 -6 name.rom (Forced BIOS Flash)

Have any questions PM me.
Forces
 
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6
#2 ·
Mavke is the bomb! I've been visiting MVKtech for awhile now. You can find some really interesting modded gpu bios there if you hunt around. He has written so many bios flashing tools, he should get an award or something


I've used this process on several 7800 series cards. Lots of potential (as long as you don't fry the card or corrupt the bios)
 
#4 ·
If you have Windows 2000, which has no built-in ability to create bootable floppies, you can use drdflash instead.

Just stick a floppy in the drive, and it'll unpack its image onto the disk. You then add whatever files you need to it.
 
#5 ·
Quote:

Originally Posted by Kramy View Post
If you have Windows 2000, which has no built-in ability to create bootable floppies, you can use drdflash instead.

Just stick a floppy in the drive, and it'll unpack its image onto the disk. You then add whatever files you need to it.

Cool thx,
You can also use a USB stick to flash your BIOS, I don't know how it's done though.

Quote:
To use a ThumbDrive images you will need to use this tool, made by HP, Drive Key Boot Utility. First download this and then follow the below instructions.
HP Drive Key Boot Utility v7.41.3790.0
Plug in your ThumbDrive/USB Memory Stick
Install and Open the HP Drive Key Boot Utility
Choose the Drive Letter of your ThumbDrive
Create New or Replace existing Configuration
Next you Change to Floppy Disk
Select Image from File, and Point to the Image
The Utility should ask you to Remove your USB Stick
Take it out, and Plug it back in and Check the Files
Leave the USB Stick in, Reboot into the BIOS
Goto the Boot Order and Select Removeable USB Drive
Select it as First Boot Device, Save and Reboot
After Bootup, it will Automatically Flash the BIOS
 
#10 ·
Quote:

Originally Posted by killerfromsky View Post
I don't have a floppy?
what can I do?
(I have a usb romba? or a cd writer?)
You can flash it through CD, but you will need to make it bootable. I've done it before, however I never tried flashing through USB.

And yes, you can unlock pipelines if those can be unlocked, however you will need to know how to opereate with hexadecimal code, which I doubt you do (I dont either beside some noob voltage editing). Use Riva Tunder to unlock if possible.
 
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#12 ·
Quote:

Originally Posted by USFORCES View Post
GeForce 7 & 8 Series cards
First some cards have 256mb and 512mb make sure get the correct BIOS, you can cross flash cards like using a BFG BIOS on a eVGA it works some people do it As long as both cards are the same like 8800GTS & 8800GTS, but I prefer to use eVGA BIOS on a eVGA card ECT.

I've only ever had one bad flash when flashing a FX5900GS to a FX5950ULTRA but I had a backup and flashed it back.


1. Download the correct BIO's file you need here NVIDIA BIOS LINK

2. After it's downloaded Rename this file to 1.rom

3. Download this program nvFlash v5.38 nvFlash LINK

4. Unzip nvFlash v5.38 create a folder on your desktop paste all of it in the folder it should look like this,



5. Install a floppy in my computer right click it format and reformat it for MSDOS then open it.

6. open the folder with the nvFlash,cwsdpmi and the new bios 1.rom copy and paste them to the floppy, now the floppy should look like this,



7. Restart the computer with the floppy in.

8. Making a backup once you get to MSDOS and see the {A:\\} prompt next to the prompt type, nvflash -b backup01.rom (This Backs up your stock BIOS, just in case you have to flash it back)
IT' ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA TO CHECK THE FLOPPY TO MAKE SURE THE BACKUP TOOK



9. Normal BIOS Flash, next to the {A:\\} prompt type, nvflash -5 -6 backup1.rom This should flash it if it doesn't you force flash it.

10. Force flashing, next to the {A:\\} prompt type, nvflash -4 -5 -6 backup1.rom
That's it remove the floppy and restart, DONE

Now if for any reason something went wrong you have the backup on the floppy so you just do step 9. again with nvflash -5 -6 backup.01R flashes it back to stock.

nvFlash v5.38 Commands...
"nvflash -b backup.rom" (Backup your BIOS)
"nvflash -5 -6 backup.rom" (Normal BIOS Flash)
"nvflash -4 -5 -6 backup.rom" (Forced BIOS Flash)
Lol Korndog2003 posted this in the faq section of this site sometime ago
 
#13 ·
Quote:

Originally Posted by Das_GroBe View Post
LoL Korndog2003 posted this in the faq section of this site sometime ago
He didn't post this one because I wrote this one,


I searched for Korndog2003 in the faq section he doesn't give you enough details if you ask me, try FLASHING it the way he tells you and see what happens...

http://www.overclock.net/faqs/97340-...ht=Korndog2003
 
#14 ·
Hey guys,

Quick question - My GFX card is a XFX nVidia GeForce 8800GTX 768MB DDR3 Dual DVI/TV Out (PCI-E) which has so far been oc'd with Rivatuner to 605 / 982.

Anyway i was looking through the XFX bio's category on mvktech.net, and found this one - XFX 8800GTX (XXX) PCIe 768MB - Rev 01 which was submitted on 08 January 2007.

I was wondering what benefit would this actually bring flashing my xfx card, and is it actually recommended for someone who knows very little about oc'ing. Also can we trust that the bio's files from mvktech.net are actually geniune and not half arsed files that could seriously damage our cards.

Thanks

CC
 
#15 ·
is there any way of doing this through windows or do i have to do it in msdos

I have a Gainward 7800GS+ AGP 512MB the 8255 version and my standard clocks are 450/1250 and should be 500/1400 Gainward say they sent some cards out with the wrong bios mine is 5.71.22.12.GP and i have found 5.71.22.12.03 i assume it should knock it up to the proper settings and looking at the 71 i think this means G71 chip which should have 24 pipes and 8 vertex so will i be able to unlock the 4 pipes i'm missing.
 
#17 ·
You have to do it in dos only. the only benefit to flashing bios on an 8800gtx would be to go to a factory overclocked bios (this will invalidate your warranty if the card dies before you have an opportunity to flash it back).l Also, you can overclock the card manually.
 
#19 ·
Cool, now i've sorted my standard clock settings they should have been 500/1400 but Gainward reckon they sent out some with the wrong bios so i ended up with 450/1250. Now all i need to do is unlock the 4 pipes i'm missing. How do i do that?
 
#20 ·
Quote:

Originally Posted by Robilar View Post
You have to do it in dos only. the only benefit to flashing bios on an 8800gtx would be to go to a factory overclocked bios (this will invalidate your warranty if the card dies before you have an opportunity to flash it back).l Also, you can overclock the card manually.
It doesn't void eVGA's warranty,
I like it because I don't have to mess with it, also it's good for vista since you can't OC with vista yet.
 
#24 ·
USFORCES, I am not sure but I think you made a mistake. I tried to flash my BIOS by using the following command:
nvflash -5 -6 backup1.rom
But I think you made a mistake on that line, because you said to rename the ROM 1.rom, so in order to load the new BIOS, you will have to do
nvflash -5 -6 1.rom
At least it worked for me, because I've tried the one you said and it didn't work, I kept on pressing Enter on DOS and nothing changed. But anyway, really nice FAQ, I just did what I thought I would never do, REP+ for you!
 
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