Acer MXM BIOS Mods and discussion (was: x920G vs. 9600M GT)

Something I really feel needs mentioning at this point is the following.

With specific reference to struggling with flashes, there is an issue which I really want to explain through. I did mention it before on this thread but it might have been overlooked.

We are told by instructions (in WinCris) that we must depress our bios-flash* keys before we attach the power supply. (*Fn+Esc in the case for the 5920, which is the correct info from iJo09.) Then keeping Fn+Esc keys pressed, attach the power cord, then press the power button. The principle I figure is that there must be no current at all on the board before the correct order of keys are used.

However when we have repeated failed attempts at flashing, the idea seems to be, we need to remove the power cord. Only by removing the power cord after each failed attempt can it be replaced during the next attempt.

I don't like that idea. The power cord need not be removed. After a failed attempt, simply turn off the power at the wall socket power supply. Turn it on again, then off again. The indicator blue power line on the 5920 will stay on, even though the electricity supply is turned off. It's just like the green LED on the transformer stays on. That's because the adaptors maintain some converted charge.

*NOW*, with the electric still off, press the power button of the laptop, and this alone will discharge the residual charge.

Now you are ready to perform your next flash attempt. Hold your keys, switch on the electicity, and press the power.

I wanted to share this info because it's not a good idea to be constantly removing and pluging in the DC jack. Most of us have probably heard of a laptop somewhere that the DC socket has broken on.

I used an extension cable so that I could operate switching the electric supply on and off, while I was near the laptop. Also in my repeated flash attempts I could power off the laptop after each fail, with the laptop power button. [Not by removing the cord]. Then I could switch off the electric supply, then proceed to clear the charge in the circuit.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

@ raserdk and iJo09,

I'm really wishing your chip replacements go OK. (Sorry for you.)

@ ugly bear,

Maybe you can get this spares and repairs for a bargain price, it has all the parts you will need.
Acer Aspire 8930G 1GB Nvidia Geforce 9600M GT | eBay UK

Alternatively that is a heatsink,
ACER ASPIRE 8930 GRAPHICS BOARD HEATSINK | eBay UK

Finding the heatsink is the easier part. I've had difficulty conjuring a search for the MXM II brackets which the heatsink eventually clamps to. I'm sure they are available on eBay though; the 6920/8920/8930 use them.
However I'm sure I can locate a set locally, if you don't succeed.

You know though I wonder if the 8920 will run the 9700M GT, and it will most likely outperform the 9600M GT. You see your MXM III heatsink, if I were you I would not consider adapting to MXM II. (Isn't the 9700M GT MXM III?)

The 8930 runs the 9700M GT
Acer Aspire 8930G-944G64Bn Gemstone Blue Laptop LX.AT10U.003 - Acer Direct

The only real difference I see between the 8930 and the 8920 is the higher FSB on the CPU, so a different chipset. I may be wrong because I don't know. One point being, I'll bet the power supply is the same, (4.74amps.)

9700 and 9650 are quite rare though. The only 9700 at the moment on eBay are Asus and a different heatsink yet again.

Realistically you will need to put a heatsink in to do the flash. Though if you did it by floppy you would most likey get away without a heatsink.

 

Good news! I'm actually able to boot into windows (still haven't tried it with an external display, as I don't have one at home, but I hope to be able to tomorrow). What happened was that the last time I turned off the laptop by holding the power button, and I realized it must be stuck at the "do you want to boot into safe mode or not" screen, so I randomly pressed enter and it continued booting. So now I only have the heatsink issue, which brings me to...

u6b36ef: You're great - thanks for the links, I'll try to pick up the first one (I'm outside the UK, but I'll see if I can arrange shipment with the seller). I think I'll stick with the 9600GT now, but I hope to get the heatsink and work everything out.

Will keep you guys posted.

 

@ ugly bear,

I just noticed that there seems to be a part missing from the item, in that first link I gave you. Acer Aspire 8930G 1GB Nvidia Geforce 9600M GT | eBay UK

Look again at the picture you added Yesterday, 01:32 PM (your link,) http://forum.notebookreview.com/gallery/uploads/158561/8920G_MXMII.jpg

The part I'm referring to is the silver coloured 'n' shaped clamp that holds the heatsink to the bracket. *Check with the seller that this part is included*. If it's not you will need that part from somewhere else, and could be tricky to find. I’ve seen it called a ‘finger’ before.

This silvery ‘n’ shaped piece can be seen in the item picture in the second link I gave you. ACER ASPIRE 8930 GRAPHICS BOARD HEATSINK | eBay UK
It’s visible to the right of the heatsink.

BTW when you fit the entire GPU brackets and heatsink, you will need to loosen some of the screws on the laptop. The laptop bodywork is very close to the MXM socket, and that MXM II bracket makes fitting tricky. Loosen a few of the laptop bodywork screws down that side of the laptop, and lift the bodywork slightly. You’ll be pulling bodywork away from the MXM socket.
You’ll know when you try it.

 

@u6b36ef: Thanks, I'll keep that in mind & check with the seller. Worst case scenario do you think I can ghetto-fix the heatsink with duct tape?

@NetRolller: Looks like I spoke too soon - when I plug into an external monitor via D-SUB, it boots into windows and all, but there is nothing on the external monitor. Do you have any ideas on that? I don't have a floppy drive, so I suppose the only way I could try a blind flash is if I can somehow do it via a bootable USB.

 

@ .NetRolller 3D,

I tried to use the quote function but I rarely get it right. Anyway I have been wondering about what to do next.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/acer/575866-possible-fix-acer-x920g-vs-geforce-9600m-gt-issue-9.html
Quote NetRolller 3D,
".NetRolller 3D;7543759]BIG UPDATE!

The BIOSes in the first post (all 3 of them + a new one, for 4720G) have been updated today:......

-The display order of the 6920G/8920G was altered to internal-first. This should help mookill's issues.
-All 4 BIOSes have had their MXM structure version bumped to v2.1 (previously, they were v2.0). This may help u6b36ef's throttling problem."

The 9600M GT worked in the 8920 with the first modded SBIOS in all performance modes. From what you have written on 05-29-2011, 12:36 AM, it had MXM2.0. Is there much hope then of the newest SBIOS for the 5920 with MXM2.1 fixing the throttling problem with the 9600M GT?

The 9600M GT problem seems quite common, I've discoved. Internet searches for stuff like, "9600M GT 2d, Throttle, 3D, Extra", turns up lots of stories about this. Many are finding upgrading to the 9600M GT, meets the problem. The GPU will just not increase from the 2nd performance level, (coincidentally named "throttle"), to the 3d or extra.

@ iJo09,

This is a link for 4670 in the 5920.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/gam...424963-msis-hd4670-running-my-acer-5920g.html
I picked it up from the main article on MXM.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/acer/396320-acer-mxm-models-cards.html

@ iJo09 and raserdk,
One last faint hope I thought of to get power back in your 5920's. Before, and on two occaisions I have rescued a laptop that did black screen of death. The issue in my cases was not faulty hardware, (though faulty hardware does cause it). I know your symptoms are very different to BlackSOD but it might be worth a go. Nothing to lose but time.

Maybe do the technique where you remove components and try to power on with each part removed. I.E., remove the DVD drive, try a boot, then maybe the HDD and try a boot. You have to be patient and maybe try a couple of boots with each bit removed. Even maybe replacing a component, try a boot, remove the same component again, and try a boot.
Like I say I know you symptoms are different. However, it's tried and tested: http://bios-repair.co.uk/bios/bsrecover.htm, with a section called 'Other Recovery Options.' (Sometimes too, once reboot is made, replacing the part is ok.)

I'm hoping, and it's just a slim chance, there is something pulling down your power. (Something that got upset in the failed flash attempt.) Also raserdk double check your laptop charger too. I know iJo09 reported that one was OK, but you have nothing to loose by making sure you have 19V on it, (if you haven't allready.)

@ ugly bear,
I hope the seller will have all the parts. That's a 100% feedback, and the seller states the whole laptop is being scrapped.
A. Answer to your question. Probably there is no way you will be able to tape the heatsink to the core of the GPU succesfully. There is tension provided by the correct set up. With tape, temperatures may hold for a while under minimal GPU load. Sounds dicey though.

 

@u6b36ef : If the problems with my HD4670 don't go away I'll RMA it!
I think that my HD4670 is burned due to high temps (about 130-135 degrees) or extreme overclock/undervolting

@raserdk : The output power of my laptop charger was 19.4-19.5v
So mine is OK

@u6b36ef : I don't want to randomly pull out components to see if are broken because I am sure that the BIOS Chip needs to be changed!

@.NetRoller 3D and @u6b36ef: I only want to upgrade MXM version 2.0 to 2.1 to see if problems vanish! can you do a modded BIOS only with this? Thanks!

 

@iJo09: See http://forum.notebookreview.com/ace...vs-geforce-9600m-gt-issue-15.html#post7567004 for an MXM2.1 BIOS. This one was built exactly the same way as the first (working) BIOS image; so it should evade the build errors that killed the original V2 series, but it is still untested.

However, if your notebook doesn't even react to pressing the power button (even with Fn+Esc), then I fear it is not the BIOS chip, but something in the power circuit (perhaps the power jack got worn out). Anyway, try pressing Fn+Esc while inserting the battery (rather than plugging in the AC). Make sure you are using a sufficiently charged battery (should have at least 1 hour of juice left). This may bypass the power jack, if it is faulty.

Also, does your Charging LED light up when you plug in both battery and AC?

u6b36ef: Did your charging LED work in the same situation (when you were bricked)?

 

Warning: Newest V2 (MXM v2.1) BIOS for 5920 causes failure. SBIOS flash completes, but laptop will not start.

@ .NetRolller 3D,

1. The battery charging light was there when the laptop had both failed version 2 modded SBIOS.

2. Your new 5920 V2 (MXM v2.1) modded SBIOS does not work. Same symptoms as before.
(Please remember to take down the link for the SBIOS from you post 06-04-2011, 10:24 PM.)
I hope this helps you find the problem; shame it wasn't a success for you.

3. Please, I'm asking,
The 9600M GT worked in the 8920 with the first modded SBIOS in all performance modes. From what you have written on 05-29-2011, 12:36 AM, it had MXM2.0 structure. Is there much hope then of a newest V2 SBIOS for the 5920 with MXM2.1 fixing the throttling problem with the 9600M GT.

Please can you give an opinion on this third point. It’s always said you should not update your SBIOS if there is no new features in it that you need. The reason being the risk of the procedure. Anyway, I’ve tested the new V2. However I was worried from right before trying until I had the recovery done; Acer version with the 8600M GT installed. There is still the risk I might not make a recovery.

It might be helpful if you could make a table of what mods are in which, and include it on page 'one'. (Including points like you thought the audio on HDMI was down in mod one of the 6\8920.) You did make a list like that on 05-29-2011, 12:36 AM, but it would be easier info to find on page one. Only a thought.

4. I have read recently of another SBIOS updater hitting the same problem as all power going down. (Not related with this thread though.)

5. BTW I never reported that the performance level problem with the 9600M GT/Acer 5920 did not go away. I flashed the card with the TechpowerUp VBIOS. (Same version as was on this 9600M GT.) I did that ages ago actually, when the first modded SBIOS was working fine. I forgot about it because of the failed SBIOS upset. Also you asked for a copy of the VBIOS I had originally on the 9600M GT. Was it informative?

I have in fact found an Acer 5920 driver on the Acer website which caters individually for 9000M series cards. Seemingly it includes the 9600M GT, as the GPU core code is listed with it. Unusual given that the 9600M GT never worked in the 5920 until you delivered an SBIOS fix. I wonder and think this driver might fix the perfomance step issue. The driver install reports it is for a 64-bit system, and I am using 32. Sadly then I can't test it because the installation proceedure will not run past checking the system.

 

NetRolller, one more thing: I just realized since I don't see anything during POST (or after, for that matter), I can't even do a blind BIOS update, since I can't select what drive to boot from...so I am afraid I'm pretty much screwed - I have until the weekend to return the 9600GT, so I welcome any solutions until that time.

 

@ ugly bear,

I think you are in a tough spot. As you have no video, you can’t do the BIOS flash in windows. Therefore your only option is to use an external floppy disc drive and make a blind flash. You could try this, but I probably recommend against it, based on what ‘think’ I have understood so far.

If you look at my post on this page: 06-04-2011, 01:53 AM;
http://forum.notebookreview.com/ace...-acer-x920g-vs-geforce-9600m-gt-issue-14.html
you'll see I'm trying to surmise what's happening, for this very reason.

At every attempt that iJo09 and raserdk made, using Wincris to flash to a modded BIOS, failed. Whereas I and others made successful flashes with Winphlash in windows. I have flashed the 5920 and the 8920, to the first versions of .NetRolllers 3D’s BIOS’s (in windows). Any attempt at version 2 (V2) SBIOS’s failed too in the 5920 I should add; in windows. Concluded that those V2's don't work.

I have recovered the 5920 using WinCris on external floppy drive flash, but using the Acer website BIOS. I am now inclined not to use modded BIOS with Wincris.
1. RECOVER - only using WinCris and original Acer website BIOS.
2. FLASH TO MODDED bios only in Windows.

If it doesn’t quite make sense then I suggest re-reading posts from page eleven onwards.
If I have mis-understood anyone’s information please-please-please correct this. Please forgive me too, any mistakes are not intentional.

 

Thanks for the feedback.

Apparently the problem was not how I prepared the BIOSes - a BIOS built the old way is still broken.

I will soon post two new test BIOSes - expect one of them to fail, while the other will likely work correctly. The reason is that there are 2 key changes in the 5920G V2 BIOS - one is a new MXM structure (with further fixes & upgraded to 2.1), the other is a change to the MXM interrupt handler. I need to figure out which one breaks the BIOS.

 

.NetRolller 3D

the powerjack is not likely to brake because its basicly a Wired input, how to explain

the dc is not on the motherboard its connected through a wire, 4 to be correct

 

Hello guys,
I have 5920G laptop with a strange issue. When I turn it on nothing happens, exept you can see how the inverter powers up the screen, but it stays black (as black it can be) and there is darker line in the middle. No sounds of Windows loading or anything.
I've tried with external monitor (VGA) and TV (HDMI), but nothing comes out on them - do I have to press something?
Also I have GT9600M and I tried with it also, but as I read here it is not working with standard BIOS.
So basicly my question is - do you thing is something wrong with MXM structure, as I read here, or it is something else?

 

if it has the original 8600gt or gs you could try to bake to get it working.
allso to test if it is the gfx that is broken, you should be able to hear windows start IF u have pulled out the gfx and booted the machine.

 

I couldn't understand you, raserdk. How can I flash it? Only thing I see is that the screen lits, but stays black with that darker line in the middle. No sound, no nothing. The other outputs are not working also.
I don't think that is video issue, because when I cange it with GF9600M GT for test, the screen even didn't lit, but when I put back the original GF8600M GS it started. I switch it off in order to screw all screws and after it was with that dark line in the middle again. Swap the cards, hopefully it will run again, but no. Any ideas?

 

@ Genna,

Theoretically raserdk is absolutely right. The suggestion was remove the 8600M GS and see if it boots without your graphics (gfx) card in it. The windows sounds will be heard if it does. If it does boot then, you could try replacing the graphics card and see if it boots with it replaced again.

I added a link to a post I made on the last page in this thread. Here it is again.
http://bios-repair.co.uk/bios/bsrecover.htm
Read the part called other recovery options. Specifically 'I think' the part that says remove all unneeded hardware.

The principle is that any hardware can prevent a boot. Even a faulty inverter can cause a laptop boot to fail. In your case it may be less likely it's hardware that is faulty, more that there may be a small electric charge across something. Sometimes hardware can develop an electric charge across it's inputs. Simply by removing the part and attempting a couple of boots with the part out, can get the laptop to boot. Replacing the part after in this case, is usually ok.

If all goes well and you restore normal activity your ok. If every time you replace the GPU your boot fails, it may be time to bake the GPU as raserdk said. I've read that it can cure this.

 

Sorry, the laptop is not mine and I know very little for it. How is it possible to boot without GFX? I've played with PCs for 12 years now and recently with laptops, but I hear about this just now. Or did Acer change that on their laptops? Usually when there is no/faulty mem, there are 3 short beeps and when there is no/faulty GFX - 1 long folowed by 2 short beeps. I've seen this sounds on few laptops only, but neither of them (PC or laptop) never continued to boot to Windows.
Any how Acer is something that I encounter now ...

@u6b36ef
I tried that with removing all unneeded hardware, also swapping the mem sticks (by the way they are ok, I've tested it on my machine - signature). I noticed something interesting though, without GFX the screen stays much more dark (still the backlight starts) when it is with it and after some time it becomes full white. No sounds though and for sure is not continuing to load Windows, because pressing the power button swithes it immediately.
I have also tested the GFX on my machine and it didn't start, but I thought that is matter of incompatibility, because as I've said earlier right after I put it back it started. By the way MSI has no restrictions in their MXM table or anywhere in BIOS (I'm not familiar with this restriction part), like HP and as I've read here Acer also do. So my ... do you think that the GFX went bad?

 

progress from my end, i recived my bios today, removed the old one put in the new one,

well atleast my laptop turns on now but its still dead, no boot no picture, maybe i fried something else on my motherboard,

 

@ raserdk,

Have you read this; maybe this is what you need now.
http://bios-repair.co.uk/bios/bsrecover.htm
Read the part called other recovery options. Maybe specifically 'I think' the part that says remove all unneeded hardware.
I explained the principle to Genna in above post.
Good news though, well done!

@ Genna,

If it doesn't load windows, and switches straight off without the graphics in, it is not booting. If you tried the hardware removal technique a couple of times and it doesn't work, I can't remember anything else at the moment. You might want to try searching for 'laptop not booting', in a forum.
It's not the first time I read about this. Someone else changed for a vendor incompatible HD3650, and it caused the same situation.

 

@raserdk: "Do not use a different type of BIOS chip in your board as you may damage the board, they need to be the same."
Are you sure that the new BIOS Chip and the old BIOS Chip are the same?

 

Is the BIOS chip soldered on the mainboard? I was wondering if it is not just to swap it with new one (flashed with .NETRoller 3D's one), just to test with 9600M GT I have ...
Of course this can happen if any of you is willing to flash one for me?!?
Do you guys know what other cards are supported with original BIOS?

 

yes im sure i orderd a bios for an acer aspire 5920g, and they look the same, and all that,

i removed it again, im going to buy another laptop the same kind because i have upgraded it, i allso recived my new gfx for it today so,
a gt240m, mxm2 with 1gb ddr3 ram, but cant test it yet because u know, i dont have a working laptop

 

@raserdk: Have you tried using the recovery disk with the new BIOS chip? Possibly it came with an old BIOS that does not support 45nm CPUs.

 

it stated on their site that it would be with the newest version from acers website,

it does not matter now i bought FragZero´s 5920g motherboard
just waiting to recive it,

 

Hey gyus is here anybody who is willing to give his nVidia 8600M GS card for a day just to reflash the BIOS? We can arrange this with some money garantee through PayPal.
It's not worth it to buy again 8600M GS from anywhere when I can have a better card in it.

 

Hey guys! I just did it!! WOOOOOOOHOOOOOO!!! My 5920G is working...AGAIN!! I'm writing from it
The BIOS Chip is veeery small... and I think that when I was desoldering the old chip I took out a small piece of the circuit board! (I'm not sure, because it works now!)
I'm very very very very happy... OMG I can't describe it!!!
The only bad news is that I don't know how, but I had ERASED my HDD while I was running CRISIS BIOS Recovery!
Well f**k...Now I'll do a fresh install of Windows 7 Ultimate and Ubuntu!
Then I must remove the heatsink, because my 5920G is running without thermal paste! Obviosly I'll put Tuniq TX-3

And now no more modded BIOS!

EDIT: Just for saying... the BIOS Chips weren't the same!

 

.NetRolller 3D:

I have a problem you might be able to help me with.

I have a 8935G and I experience a problem similar to the one you describe here. When upgrading the 8935G with a HD6770M, there is nothing displayed on the LCD of the laptop when booting discrete graphics card, but POST messages etc do come up on the VGA and HDMI.

Could this also be a similar case of a BIOS with the MXM-part incorrectly configured?

Perhaps you could take a look at the BIOS version 3207 (the one I am using) or the later 3210 and 3211 (the later two fix something regarding the fingerprint scanner)
http://global-download.acer.com/GDF...=Aspire 8935G&OS=V10&LC=en&BC=Acer&SC=EMEA_27

Also take a look at this thread where I describe the problem in greater detail; I do however, belive the problem I am experiencing is similar to the one discussed in this thread.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/acer/396320-acer-mxm-models-cards-168.html#post7592413

Any help would much appreciated!

raserdk: hej med dig! Ikke mange fra DK man møder her

 

I can't see any obvious errors in the MXM structure that could prevent internal boot display - but also, I can't completely parse it, as it is a V3.0 MXM structure, while I only have specs for V1.0 and V2.1 (though I do know the new field lengths used in the new MXM structure from reverse-engineering VGA BIOSes, I can't interpret the "new" features without a spec - and also, old fields may have also changed meanings). There are several apparent errors in the MXM structure (e.g. the internal LVDS panel using a DDC line that, at least on previous MXM versions, is reserved for external displays) which could easily be simply v2.1 -> v3.0 changes.
Until someone manages to convince the MXM-SIG that he or she is a corporation, I will be unable to decode (and fix) v3.0 structures.

(Hmm, now that I think of it, we should get the Open Graphics Project to design an MXM development platform... it would be hypocrisy then for MXM-SIG not to grant access to OGP, given that the access restrictions are supposedly there to protect the MXM standard from submarine patents.)

Also, the schematic for the 8935G is not publicly available on the Internet - only paysites have it. Obviously, I'm not gonna pay for volunteering to fix someone else's laptop.

 

@ raserdk,
Commiserations.

@ .NetRolller 3D,
I found a link for people using the 9600M GT on laptops that suffer the same refusal to clock up to high performance levels. They were linux systems though. It turned out for them that Nvidia wrote new drivers for the Linux OS and it fixed the problem. (Last few posts on this page are folk saying it was fixed.)
9600M GT won't throttle up under load [Archive] - nV News Forums
Shame the 5920 MXM2.1 structure SBIOS didn't work. It would have been good to have seen what happened.

Also, am likely to try the 8920 V2 SBIOS soon, but I want to get another floppy disc and create the recovery first. (Id' rather keep the 5920 recovery disc in tact; I only have one disc, so I'll need to get another floppy for 8920.) I imagine it will concur with mookill that the V2 works.

@ gazzacbr,
Please can you tell me how many performance levels there are on the 9600M GS. I have searched lots for vBIOS info on it. There is nothing anywhere. Even TechPowerUp have no Acer, MSI or HP vBIOS. (You might want to make a back-up of your vBIOS then, since there is no source for it.)

-------
The temps in the 8920 with 9600M GT are good. I wrote before they were high, but it was resolved.

 

ahh, if only i could. cant backup/dump the bios or overclock it
tried many tools over the months but nothing works.
it is an engineering sample so i assume that is why. suppose i cant complain too much. i always get the nvidia "not enough power" message also. but, it has been working fine for about the last 2 years and is reasonably faster than the 9500.
anyway, back on track, not sure what you mean by performance levels how can i tell? from Everest or RM clock?
i am not at home now but will have a look later.

 

I have MSI version of GF 9600M GT and considering the fact that GT and GS use the same core - G96, GF9600M GS will have same number of performance levels like GF9600M GT. In other words - 4 as follows:
1 - 2D; 2 - Throttle; 3 - 3D; 4 - Extra

Here you can see what GF9600M GT is capable. Defaults and with Turbo as attachments (settings on MSI G series laptop to OC CPU and Mem, I OC'ed the GPU to GF9700M GT clocks).

By the way guys, no body answered to a previous post of mine. Here. Please let's arrange something, because I have 9600M GT which I want to use inside. Thanks.

 

@ gazzacbr,
If Nibitor does not show you anything (in the first tab - clockrates), I hope GPU-Z will.
As soon as you open GPU-Z the clocks go to full; highest performance level.

If you select the sensors tab, then you'll see the clocks at full: 430MHz for the 9600M GS core, (memory and shader speeds too). If you leave the laptop idle for a few moments soon the clocks will reuduce to lower performance levels. These are like idling and 2D performance levels. You would just have to count the number of different levels.

I'm wondering how you manage the 'not enough power message'. The 9600M GT seems fine in the 8920. The charger stays comfortably medium-hot temp, during 3D work. I'm sure that the 6920 and the 8920 both use 4.74A. Same chipset, features, and the 8920 has a larger screen.

I have been puzzling about the power consumption of the 9600M GT, incidentally. There is no direct info on it. Notebookcheck state 23W, which is a breeze for these laptops. However Notebookcheck also used to say in the main body of text that 23W is the TDP. (Basically how much heat in energy the cooling system has to remove.) Respectively though the Quadro FX770 (which is based on the G96 core) uses up to 35W power consumption. This is an Nvidia confirmed specification; (go to the specs tab here) - NVIDIA Quadro FX 770M is a 32-core CUDA parallel computing processor, mid-range mobile workstation graphics solution delivering up to 512 MB memory and excellent image quality and optimized visual computing application performance meeting the demands. This I think is more than say an 8600M series card, which are around 22W or 23W. Likewise the 9500M GS.

Your 9600 is a good 3DMark06 score that is at stock clocks. Thanks for your reply. (Hope there is some perform levels info soon.)
-------
@ Genna, I think the 9600M GS has three performance levels.

@ .NetRolller 3D, I figured out one thing. It was flashing the 8920 that made 16 operations. The 5920 made 24, and it seemed to start at six, and skip some and end on twenty-four. That was for both your successful V1 modded SBIOS, and both the failed V2 SBIOS's, for 5920.

 

If you can't dump the vBIOS, then you can install RivaTuner and there clearly you can see performance levels. Check my pictures in previous post.

 

This is my first post, I want to say hello, and thanks for giving me hope to see my 5920g boot again

long story short: I have a 5920g and 9500M GS (checked-working, pulled out from 6920g). Without graphic card i get one-long-two-short beep. With 9500M GS i have black screen, fan, led, and no beep - known behavior from what i understand so far.

But I don't have any working mxm graphic card to use with my 5920g.

Now the silly part - is it possible to flash my BIOS that i will be able to use 9500M GS WITHOUT any card installed or I need to buy first any working card to make this operation, and second - usb floppy is absolutely only method to make this flash or can i use my harddrive with bios, or usb drive?

.NetRolller 3D - Big thanks!

btw - sorry for my english i hope that it is understandable.

 

@zoltan7: Yes, it is possible to flash a working (non-bricked) 5920G with no video card installed using a CD or an USB flash drive - a floppy drive is only needed for recovery if your BIOS is damaged during a flash. The procedure to flash is the following:
1. Get a copy of Phlash16.exe (the one in the recovery packages posted earlier in this thread shall suffice).
2. Download my modded BIOS image. (It should be a WPH file.) Rename it to BIOS.WPH.
3. Create an AUTOEXEC.BAT file with the following contents:

Code:

phlash16 /bu /mfg /mode=3 bios.wph

(omit "/bu" if you are using a CD or other write-once/read-only medium)
4. Copy PHLASH16.EXE, AUTOEXEC.BAT and BIOS.WPH to a DOS-bootable removable drive (floppy, USB flash drive, USB HDD or a CD/DVD).
5. Remove the MXM card and the HDD from the computer (keep the optical drive plugged in).
6. Turn on the machine (regularly - do NOT use Fn+Esc), and insert the bootable drive you have just created. It should beep a few times, then turn off - if it doesn't turn off in 15 minutes, try pressing Enter (to bypass any "Insert system disk" prompts).
7. After the machine has shut down/rebooted, reinstall the HDD and the MXM card. If you can boot after this & have working display, you are done.

BTW, I'm Hungarian too, so if you don't understand something, feel free to ask in PM.

 

@.NetRoller_3D

Thanks for help <s>but I couldn't manage to flash my BIOS.
I'm not sure what i am doing wrong.</s>

I downloaded 5920G bios from first page of this threat (5920G (Phoenix, Intel VT and EIST unlocked): request download ticket | ifile.it )
Then i copied everything (phlash16.exe (150kb) autoexec and bios) to bootable (dos 6.22) usb pendrive (at night i cant buy empty cd near my house ) Then I removed MXM card and HDD, power off, power on, caps lock works, boots from pendrive for sure because i hear phlash16 long low beep and after 3-4sec three short standart beeps. Computer didn't rebooted and after 15 min i pressed enter. After another 10-15 min i just turned it out and it is acting like nothing happened. I can repeat that long low and three normal short phlash16 beeps but my mxm still not working. Happily it still boots to blind dos I even checked putting in autoexec echo alt-7 code for beeps so i know that DOS is executing it. wrong bios? tried to find beep codes of phlash but failed. Maybe too exhausted after whole night fight with that. But i see a light aat the end of that tunnel, and it is thanx to you!

offtopic: my mom was hungarian, i borned in poland and i live here - but my first language was magyar.


EDIT: Ok my bad - needed to turn off himem. Now at blind flash phlash16 starts, then i hear 2 short regular beep then computer reboot immediately. So i suppose is to fast for flashing (not even 30sec from moment when capsloc react). Anyway after reboot my mxm card still makes black skreen and freeze.

EDIT2: !!SUCCESS!! My 5920G booted with 9500M GS ..but i don't know why phlash16 didn't do the job at 4am from that time i only tried to blind flash. Big thanks again NetRoller!!

Before i bad flash my bios with other modded bios version tell me what is wrong with that working one ? No audio on hdmi?
Going sleep!

 

Good news!

The problem with the original BIOS was that some users reported throttling issues with 9600M GT cards. Also, there are still some errors in the MXM structure with the current version (I reverted to the older version because the newer one did not work), which may still cause problems with some MXM cards. The MXM structure is now syntactically correct, but it sometimes "lies" about the actual hardware configuration.

BTW, can you make a screenshot of memory address 0x54 in RW-Everything?

 

@.NetRoller 3D

hope this is what you need.

btw. 9500m gs working but it flicker (horizontal colorfull garbage like when overheated vram on old cards). I found that it flicker only when driver is changing core speed depend on usage. I need to use wery old driver to avoid that flickering. Is it a driver problem or that bios hack? Is there any reason why manufacturer somehow blocked upgrade posibilities or it's rather bug like you described in first post? Flickering is annoying so I am using on win7x64 179.28beta for vista64 - hint found on another forum and it is work for me, but that driver isn't good for lot's of game

 

Thanks for the shot! Can you now make a screenshot of address 0xFF859?

About the flicker issue: That is probably a driver bug. Try different driver versions to see if one fixes it.
There is no manufacturer lock in the 5920G - the entire problem is caused by a truncated MXM structure. It's a bug, absolutely.

 

@ zoltan7,

Use the Acer website drivers to eliminate flicker. They may be a few points slower at 3dMark'06, but they work every time ( edit: when using Vista 32). (Mostly the latest Acer driver is as quick as the latest nVidia.)
http://support.acer.com/us/en/product/default.aspx

Good SBIOS flash. I think that is what "ugly bear" and "genna" need to use.

 

@u6b36ef:

That's what I did for a first time. after experiments with drivers from acer support page I started to search for a topic, and found info about 179.28beta but there is no win7x64 version of that earlier driver. Fortunately I was able to instal vista version. No flickering when core speed is changing.
Btw what temp you get on 9500M GS? I need some good silver or copper paste i think because of 92C after 15min of playing

@.NetRoller 3D

screenshot in attachment

 

Thanks! <s>Now, I am interested in memory address 0xF518C.</s>Edit: Not needed anymore.

(In case you are wondering: I'm trying to figure out how control is passed from the Int 15h handler to the actual MXM interrupt code.)

EDIT: I think I found the solution for injecting MXM structures into Phoenix BIOSes that contain none. So, 5520G, 4920G, 4520G, 9920G, etc. may finally be patchable!

 

@ zoltan7,
A thousand pardons.
With using Vista 32-bit OS, I've allways relied on the Acer site drivers, to be flicker free.
I assumed that the Acer Win 7 drivers would be as successful. It's good that you managed to get a driver, and the much critisized Vista was good for something. Hopefully the easy to find Acer website Vista 64 will work too, for Win7.

1. With this 8600M GT in its original vidBIOS, any driver version can be used.
2. If it has it's vidBIOS changed to a later version, it needs the Acer site driver to be flicker free. This second combination is faster by about 300 points in 3DMark'06; due to the vBIOS, and runs 3'C hotter.

3. Using the 9500M GS it needs the Acer VGA driver for no flicker.
I have not attemped to alter the vBIOS, to see if nVidia driver versions work.

Using a pure copper shim 0.5mm - 0.55mm thick, with any nice paste; temps peak around 80'C. (Room temp 21'C: and default clocks.)

---------

@ gazzacbr,
Any news on performance levels in 9600M GS?

 

Hi there,

Sorry to bump a week old thread but I need urgent help and was directed here.

I recently sold a 9500m GS GPU (originally from a 6920g) to someone on eBay but he didn't check the compatibility; while it was his responsibility to check I'd rather not go through all the hassle and would rather just sort it out.

He has an Acer 5920g but he's getting the blank screen at startup with it, also, it's hard to know how clued up he is in regards to computers due to a minor language barrier.

I'd like to be able to send him whatever files are required and a list of clear instructions.

Are what's written in post #186: http://forum.notebookreview.com/7619684-post186.html ...the correct steps to take?

Also, the ".WPH" file you mention in step 2; is that the one that now resides in the 5920g link in post #1 ?

Finally, how is a USB drive made dos-bootable?

 

Yes, post #186 has the right steps. The .WPH you need is the one in post #1.
To make the USB drive bootable, use HP's USB disk format tool.

 

Thanks.

Edit:

Just gonna stick this read me.txt in a folder with the files so he knows what to do (will credit you with a link).

Does this sound fine to you...

"Step 1: Create a bootable USB drive, follow the instructions at the link below:
http://www.bay-wolf.com/usbmemstick.htm

Step 2: Take the 3 other files in this folder, "PHLASH16.EXE", "AUTOEXEC.BAT" & "BIOS.WPH"; and put

them straight on to the USB drive next to the files created in the previous step.

Step 3: Make sure the computer is off, then remove the graphics card and remove the hdd (hard disk).

Step 4: Put the USB drive in to the computer and then turn it on as normal.

Step 5: The computer should beep a few times and turn itself off or reboot. If it doesn't turn itself

off/reboot after 15 mins, press the enter key. You shouldn't get anything on the screen while it's

doing this.

Step 6: Once it's all done turning itself on and off (make sure to keep an eye on it). You can

reinstall the graphics card I sent you and reinstall the hdd (hard disk).

Step 7: You should now be able to turn it on with the screen working.


MAKE SURE THE LAPTOP IS PLUGGED IN AND FOLLOW EACH STEP EXACTLY OR ELSE YOU RISK DAMAGING YOUR SYSTEM."

A few final things, is FAT32 ok, does the USB need any specific volume label and do I just take the "flashBIOSv.1.3.exe" file linked to in this post: http://forum.notebookreview.com/sag...x-bios-bios-recovery-methods.html#post4222434 ..and rename to to "PHLASH16.EXE"?

 

FAT32 is OK if you use a DOS version that supports it (e.g. FreeDOS). However, most DOS versions only support FAT16.
No volume label requirements.
Get Phlash16 from the official Acer BIOS update, or if it doesn't have it, google for "Phlash16 1.7.0.18".

For anyone who has already managed to get a 5920G to work: can you post a screenshot of the memory address 0xF518C in RW-Everything?

 

I've uploaded a test BIOS for the 9920G @ request download ticket | ifile.it. This adds an MXM structure & associated interrupt handlers, to improve MXM compatibility.

Be aware that it is completely untested - it may even brick your machine, kill your cat, your granddaughter (well, maybe not), etc., no warranties provided. Make sure you have a working Crisis recovery disk (or spare BIOS chip) ready before trying this BIOS.

Report any results or issues here or in the 9920G GPU topic.

 

Here is a handy tool for people trying to mod their MXM BIOSes. It is a command line tool to dump any MXM structure contained in an extracted BIOS image in a human-readable form. It also reports many common errors in MXM structures.

Syntax is simply "mxmparse whatever.bin".

Open-source, licensed under ISC.

Example output for the Aspire 5920G's original MXM structure:

Code:

>mxmparse BIOSCOD02.ROM
Found MXM structure at offset 0x643 (version 2.0).
   Output device #1:
    Device type: LVDS (internal LCD)
    DDC/Aux port: DDC C
    Connector type: Internal LVDS
    Connector location: Internal
    Digital connection format: Dual-link LVDS (18-bit)
    Digital audio connection: Audio over S/PDIF
    ERROR: Audio support claimed over video-only connector.
    Digital drive strength: High (for long-distance connections)
    ERROR: Long-distance internal connection.
    Digital reserved field: Incorrect (0x0)
    Output selection via GPIO: Disabled
    Output selection via Int 15h/ACPI: Disabled
    DDC selection via GPIO: Disabled
    DDC selection via Int 15h/ACPI: Disabled
    Device detection via GPIO: Enabled on GPIO #0, active on logical 0
    ACPI hotplug notification: Disabled
   Output device #2:
    Device type: Analog RGB
    DDC/Aux port: DDC A
    Connector type: D-Sub
    Connector location: Internal
    Digital connection format: Unknown / reserved (0x0)
    TV format: NTSC-M
    ERROR: TV format set for non-TV output.
    Output selection via GPIO: Disabled
    Output selection via Int 15h/ACPI: Disabled
    DDC selection via GPIO: Disabled
    DDC selection via Int 15h/ACPI: Disabled
    Device detection via GPIO: Enabled on GPIO #0, active on logical 0
    ACPI hotplug notification: Disabled
   Output device #3:
    Device type: TMDS (DVI or HDMI)
    DDC/Aux port: DDC B
    Connector type: HDMI
    Connector location: Internal
    Digital connection format: Single-link TMDS on DVI_A
    Digital audio connection: Audio over S/PDIF
    Digital drive strength: High (for long-distance connections)
    ERROR: Long-distance internal connection.
    Digital reserved field: Incorrect (0x0)
    Output selection via GPIO: Enabled on GPIO #0, active on logical 0
    Output selection via Int 15h/ACPI: Disabled
    DDC selection via GPIO: Disabled
    DDC selection via Int 15h/ACPI: Disabled
    Device detection via GPIO: Enabled on GPIO #0, active on logical 0
    ACPI hotplug notification: Disabled
   Output device #4:
    Device type: Analog TV
    DDC/Aux port: None or not applicable
    Connector type: Component video connector on HDTV_Y/HDTV_Pb/HDTV_Pr
    Connector location: Internal
    Digital connection format: Unknown / reserved (0x0)
    TV format: NTSC-M
    Output selection via GPIO: Disabled
    Output selection via Int 15h/ACPI: Disabled
    DDC selection via GPIO: Disabled
    DDC selection via Int 15h/ACPI: Disabled
    Device detection via GPIO: Enabled on GPIO #0, active on logical 0
    ACPI hotplug notification: Disabled
   System cooling capability:
    Type: Maximum cooling capability
    Value: 12.0 W
   Thermal limit:
    Type: Maximum temperature
    Value: 95.0 C
   Input power limit:
    Power mode: Battery
    Value for 4-amp connector: 3.2
    Value for 16-amp connector: 12.0
   Input power limit:
    Power mode: AC power
    Value for 4-amp connector: 3.2
    Value for 16-amp connector: 12.0
   Vendor specific data:
    Vendor: 0401
    Data: 0x00000012000
   ERROR: Unknown descriptor 0xd in structure.
   ERROR: MXM structure checksum incorrect.

EDIT: New version v0.1.0 released, now also supports V1.x MXM structures (experimental, the spec is incomplete and I had to fill in many values myself).

 

@.NetRoller3d: Hope this is what you need!

@Mitchings: I was in same situation - bought a 5920g and 9500m gs from acer 6920g and got only black screen.
If he will try to install win7 64 (like I did) he will get flickering when gpu speed will change. To avoid that 5920g+modified rom+9500m gs from 6920g acer need to run with 179.28beta nvidia drivers for vista. (if anyone find a solution that will allow to use latest drivers that would be great! )