[NW] Upgrade the C90S to a 9600M GT 512MB DDR3 [FIXED!]

Sad to learn of the death of such a glorious beast. It will be sorely missed in the community.

Unfortunately my 9600m GT seems to be losing its mind. After the last driver update it has not wanted to run a few things, and upon trying to revert it failed. Now the new drivers fail to see any Nvidia hardware, and when auto detecting the proper driver, Nvidia's site tells me that Apple requires I download Mac drivers from them. Any thoughts on this?

 

I don't mean to resurrect nor hijack this thread, however it seems appropriate to bring up after my 2nd GPU, an ATI, has died.

So, I am not convinced in getting an 8600M ddr2/ddr3 nor going with ATI again. I'm would like to try the 240m but I have serious reservations about compatibility. Alternatively, I am interested in the 9600m ddr3, but noticing that there is also a 9700m ddr3 for the newer ASUS G50 series. They're all MXM-II, so I know that's not a problem.

Can anyone remark on the those 2 cards? The 9700m and 240m for compatibility of the C90S??

 

Hello,

Ask here ?
Official C90/C90S/C91/C80 Owners Lounge

@+

 

Thanks, I will.

 

Hello.

In my C90s 8600GT died. I bought used 9600M GT whitch was used in MSI GX630X
But my notebook dont want boot up. Just black screen. Where can be problem? C90s have no vendor lock Bios, or? Or is it problem with card BIOS?

 

It will need an Asus vbios at least I would have thought.

 

Where I can find some?
Or may I modify BIOS from card to be accepted by C90S?

 

Hi RakDrak,

The vBIOS mod/update is the last thing you should to do!
Please follow the next steps:

1. Unplug the AC
2. Remove the battery
3. Reseat the card
4. Attach the battery
5. Use 120W PSU and plug in the AC

Let me know after that is the POST screen is available?

 

120W PSU is needed? 8600M have 20W consumption against 9600m with 23W

I try your procedure with standart PSU, but same result - just black screen.

 

Hello everyone. Please can someone upload a vBIOS for ACER 9600M GT 512Mb DDR3 G96-630-A1 with GPU-Z so that i can modify it for my HP Touchsmart iQ820sc (replacing my 9600M GS). I bought a ACER card from eBay and i need to flash the vBIOS if i want it to work. Can someone more experienced also post instructions to flash the vBIOS at boot ? Do i need to burn a bootable-CD/DVD or can i use a USB-stick ? I have the card here in my table, so as soon as possible..

 

Also correct me if i am wrong but when i open the vbios file with nibitor, can i just change the "manufacturer" to HP --> save and use the file as is with a HP Touchsmart iQ820sc ? Or do i really need a HP vBIOS file instead, because it seems to be hard to find..

 

Guys,

The NightWalker’s vBIOS is on the first post at the thread!
Read it carefully.

 

Hi. Yes i did have a look at the guide, but the problem is that i am upgrading from a 9600M GS (HP) --> 9600M GT (ACER), so the guide does no help me a bit. The main problem i have is that i can't use GPU-Z to extract the vBIOS from the 9600M GT, because it is sitting on my table as we speak. I have no ACER computers, just HP laptop & Touchsmart iQ820sc. Other problem is that my 9600M GT HAS the Qimonda memory chips "http://www.ebay.com/itm/261166475542?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649" so the guide is not for me.

So do i really have to extract (somehow) the vBIOS of my 9600M GT (ACER) and modify it ? Or can i modify the vBIOS file attached to fit my card ? Because the hardware ID maybe is the same or maybe not, who knows.

 

Hi Alajarvi84,

Don’t try to flash the vBIOS from a different model as GT to GS because you probably will brick the card! They have different memory types (DDR3 against DDR2) that you can't switch between them using nibitor. I can't remember where but there was a thread about the subject, check the forum here or the TechPowerUp's one.

Take a look at NVidia vBIOSes at TechPowerUp.


@RakDrak
If your card is not a new one and the vBIOS is with overclocked settings then your assumption for 23W is not correct. BTW the real power consumption of the video card is higher.

Maybe you should to try a blind flash of the vBIOS. It’s a risky procedure because you can brick the card if you use the wrong vBIOS. That is why you’ll need to identify properly your model (memory brand, type, size, and GPU). I can give you my vBIOS (9600GT/DDR3/512M/Quimonda) if you want. I think it is the same as the NightWalker’s vBIOS.

 

Ok, i check those out.

By the way, i am NOT downgrading from 9600M GT to GS. I (now) have a working 9600M GS 512Mb DDR3 in my HP Touchsmart iQ820sc (the original gpu that shipped with the PC). I wanted to upgrade from the slow GS ---> GT and bought a 9600M GT 512Mb DDR3 G96 - 630 - A1 (ACER) from eBAY.

So what i am trying to do is to find a vBIOS for the (ACER) 9600M GT card so that i can install it to my (HP) machine.

I attached a screenshot of my (CURRENTLY) installed 9600M GS card.

This is the link to my (NEW) 9600M GT card "http://www.ebay.com/itm/261166475542?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649"

I think that my current card (9600M GS) is vBIOS locked (HP), but still when i extract the vBIOS with GPU-Z and open with NiBitor it says Manufacturer = ASUS ?

I am not a professional in any way with these vBIOS files, so that is why i am asking what to do.

 

So i downloaded this vBIOS from the TechPowerUp site you (duhai) recommended.

1. What do i have to do with this file to make it work with the 9600M GT 512Mb GDDR3 G96-630-A1 i have ?

2. How do i trick my PC to think that this is a vBIOS for (HP) and not (ACER)

3. How do i trick my 9600M GT to think that it is a (HP) card and not a (ACER) card. Even if it is (ACER) vBIOS locked ?

4. The information that the 9600M GT is locked to (ACER) came from the seller, because it is ripped from a working (ACER) PC.

 

Just a moment, I have a vBIOS from (ACER) 9600M GT and I will attach it, but I don't know if it will work for in your case! It's your responsibility!

Check these Acer's vBIOSes, maybe mine is one of them.

1. Format the USB with DOS (use HP DOS format utility)
2. Copy the vBIOS (in e.g. 9600M.ROM) and nvFlash (nvFlash.exe & cwsdpmi.exe). Use the file names convention 8.3.
3. Boot from the USB and run at the prompt:
4. nvflash -4 -5 -6 9600M.ROM
5. Wait to finish and then restart the machine

​

Did you try your card to check if it works in its current condition?

 

This is the (NEW/REFURBISHED) 9600M GT 512Mb GDDR3 G96-630-A1 (ACER) i bought (and need the vBIOS for HP)

Ok. But how do i make this vBIOS (yours) to work with HP ?

 

Did you try your card to check if it works in its current condition?

Your card should works without vBIOS mod. The HP cards work fine at Acer.

 

I give it a try first, but i am just trying to save time by making everything ready (if it does not work). Touchsmart is a very complex project to take apart, so when i do so i like to have at least a few options ready

To save thread space, the main problem for me is to obtain the hardware ID of the 9600M GT. Because one would think that i need it for the vBIOS (whatever the vBIOS is) am i right ?
Or does the vBIOS just change the hardware ID of the card ?

God this is so hard to explain properly... (not so good with words)

Ok, to put it simply

1. If i flash the vBIOS with some of those (ACER) ones, does this change the fact that it should work in (HP) machine ?

2. I dont even understand this "BIOS locked" matter anymore, because my current 9600M GS card is apparently made by ASUS ?

3. No matter what vBIOS i flash for the GT, it still has this "manufacturer lock" somewhere ? So does this mean that the only proper step would be to start soldering the (something) from my HP compatible GS to the GT ?

I am so confused right now that i need to take a break before i have a headache...

OK, i give it a try. Thanks very much

 

Let’s assume that your system BIOS checks for the digital signature that is a part from your vBIOS. In that case it is clear that the video card without proper ID will not work. To make it work you will need a HP vBIOS for the same card and then to flash that HP vBIOS at the card. You can do that with a blind flash at the same machine or to another with a regular flash procedure.

I don’t have HP vBIOS for your card. Maybe you should check the HP forum.

So I think that you have to try the card at first because we will have some answers and then to try to fix it.

I know how difficult is the situation and that is why try to not rush.

No! There is no need to flash the vBIOS because it is already the correct one. It’s not locked and it is the best vBIOS for the card. ​

It means that your machine will work with the other brands too, namely your system BIOS doesn’t check strictly for HP video cards. That’s good in this situation for you and also means that the new card will run without a problem.

My personal advice is to check is it works and I think it will :thumbsup:.
​

No! Your new card is not locked!​

No! It will not help . Your card is fine.​

The vBIOS/BIOS updates are the last thing you should to do. It is a risky action and it can break the video card/machine. That’s why it must be initiated only when you have a good reason for that and in a proper way. Using the vBIOSes from other cards is the best way to brick the current one. The vBIOS contain specific information for the card as video memory type, size, bus speed, clocks, GPU and so on.

I’m waiting for your good results! If you have a problem I’ll try to help you with what I can!

 

Hello. Finally got the Touchsmart back together.. So the result is a black screen (computer boot normally to windows on the background). Immediately when i boot up the computer i get 1 beep every second.. Before i disassembled the PC i uninstalled display drivers, so does this mean that the "easy way" does not work

 

When you turn on the laptop (sorry your special desktop) can you see the POST screen with the messages?

 

Nothing. The screen stays black and the beeping starts almost immediately. First 2 fast beeps, then a beep every second for maybe 20-30 seconds and finally two fast beeps. The windows has started on the background but I cant see anything...

Also changed the P7450 --> P9600 (CPU). Those have the same TDP, so no problems there i think.. The 9600GT has the same TDP also than the 9600M GS.

Also i did flush the CMOS by taking the battery away and pressed power button for 30-gabillion seconds but nothing...

 

The problem is in the vBIOS. I will check your vBIOS and the link to the seller.

 

Even if the 9600M GT would not work with the HP, i thinki it should work as a VGA adapter at least ? So i am out of ideas...

Ok, i wait.

 

Could you check if you are using the latest system BIOS version from HP? Use the CPU-Z or enter the setup bios settings and check it there.

 

Yes i am. Well, the latest is very old already but still yes. At the moment i cant check anything because the screen is blank. I am using my laptop to read the forum for now. The replacing of the GPU took about 4 hours, because the Touchsmart is a nightmare to disassemble.. So i guess i have to make the vBIOS flash BLIND...

Preparing the USB flash drive now with win98 files.. .. ..

 

Yepp, the blind flash is the next step. First lets read these two post and check the second one (it seems that HP is offering the vBIOS we need):

1. Need an advice on 9600m GT
3. New 9600M Bios update from HP.

We are very close to the solution.

Edit:

I can't see the vBIOS for 9600M/GT in the archive sp41342.exe from the second thread.
From the first it seems that you are maybe right about the vBIOS exchange between GS & GT for theirs DDR3 versions.

For the blind flashing you will need to create an autoexec.bat in the root folder with the next lines:

 

The usb stick is ready. I copied the nvflash.exe and the CWSDPMI.exe to the drive. Downloaded also the HP file (SP41342) and extracted it, but there is no BIN or ROM file inside ?

The files included are in the screenshot.. What now ?

 

The contents of the autoexec.bat must be:

beep
pause
nvflash -4 -5 -6 9600M_GS.ROM
beep​

When you boot from the USB then you will get the first beep and when press a key then flash will be run and after the second beep you can restart the PC. If the PC is without a speaker then remove the line into the autoexec.bat with 'pause'. In that case you should wait about 10 min. to be sure that the flash was finised.

You can use your GS vBIOS version if it was with DDR3. It is DDR3, right?

 

Yes, GDDR3. So i make a txt file with those lines and save as autoexec.bat

It is done. The files are in place and i placed the 9600M_GS.ROM file too. What now ? How do i know what to press.. and when..

 

yes, in the root folder you should have the files:

autoexec.bat
nvFlash.exe
cwsdpmi.exe
9600M_GS.ROM​

where the 9600M_GS.ROM is the vBIOS. Also you can see the COMMAND.COM file if it is not hidden.

When you restart the PC you should choose to boot from already formatted USB with DOS and then when it boot you should hear the first beep and after that press Enter. The flashing will start and when finish will beep again. Then restart the PC with ctrl+alt+del or reset.

 

Yes, exactly like that.

Does the autoexec.bat run automatically or do i have to type run autoexec.bat or something ?

Ok, i am having trouble to boot from the usb.. i will try and take the sata hdd conncectors away, so that it cant boot to windows 8. Tried already without pressing anything and with enter... nothing..

 

It will start automatically and that is why the name is autoexec.bat

You should press the key at boot time to show you the list with boot devices and then to choose one, in our case the USB. For the Asus the key is ESC, for MSI is F11, I can't remember for HP. It's in the user manual.

 

Ok. i will fiddle around and inform tomorrow. So tired already that i must sleep for a couple of hours... I'll be back

 

OK, if you want we can save your current vBIOS and then to flash the new one.
The key is ESC and then F9 for the list with the boot devices.

 

Good morning. No luck so far getting to even boot from USB, the blind part makes it a little hard How does the "saving part" actually work ?

By the way, is there any way of making the system boot from the USB directly ? Like disconnecting the SATA HDD ?

I will fiddle around for this day and then i maybe have to install the GS back, because i am not as patient as i used to be with these things anymore

By the way, the windows 98 boot files allready have autoexec.bat file in it. So should i edit the existing file instead of making a new one, because i think that when i place the autoexec.bat we made to the USB drive it overwrites the existing one. For what i know that kind of makes the Win98 file system useless ?

 

Good Morning!

Unfortunately to do that you need to enter the Setup BIOS Setting and in the Boot Device Order Section to set the first, second, third devices. Some BIOSes will loose the USB device as the first boot one if you remove the USB stick and plug in it again.

If you set the first boot device to be CD/DVD then the PC will try to boot from it every time. Of course then we have to make a bootable CD/DVD with the same files in a different way. It is more complicated than the USB method.​

Only from the Setup BIOS settings. The HDD disconnecting should helps but if the Boot Device Order is set with only one type boot devices as HDD then when the BIOS can't find out the HDD it will stop if there is no set a second boot device. In your User Manual there is a BIOS section where the Boot Device order is explain shortly with picture(s). The hard way is as you said to put back the working video card and then to set the Boot Device Order in the Setup. How to enter the Setup check the manual. Usually it is DEL, F2, or something else.​

1. At first when the USB stick is formatted with DOS (win98) we need to check if it works. Try to another machine to boot from it and you should see the DOS command prompt.
3. In the root folder you should have only the files as I said plus 3 system files – 2 hidden and 1 command.com. All other files as drivers, config.sys … must be deleted or moved in other folder. The point is when you are dealing with the BIOS updates your OS to be clean from any other drivers that can interfere with the BIOS update tool.

​

You are correct and that is the goal. If you have a config.sys file just remove it because it contains the device drivers that will be loaded too.​

Nope. That makes the DOS OS clean and ready for BIOS updates.​

Note:

While you are testing the bootable USB stick it will be safe to put nvflash line in a comment (autoexec.bat):​

beep
pause
REM nvflash -4 -5 -6 9600M_GS.ROM
beep​

 

Ok i try. I have been in a point where i get the usb drive to blink a couple of times, but usually it ends to a very fast double beep (very sharp and short). I think that the PC freezes when that happens (just a guess)...

I prepared the usb drive again (removed config.sys) and used the original autoexec.bat (added your lines to the bottom). I will see if it works now.

 

The autoexec.bat should contains only the lines:

beep
pause
nvflash -4 -5 -6 9600M_GS.ROM
beep​

and in the root folder of the USB you should have the files:

autoexec.bat
nvFlash.exe
cwsdpmi.exe
9600M_GS.ROM​

The flashing process is fast and will take not more than a minute. Once started it must finish without interruption! The second beep shows the end.

 

The root contains MSDOS.SYS, IO.SYS, COMMAND.COM, nvflash.exe, CWSDPMI.exe, 9600M_GT.ROM (modified GS.ROM with GT values)

 

And you maybe missed the autoexec.bat.

You mean that you are adjusted GS vBIOS with the proper values from the GT using nibitor? It's fine!

If the beeping sound is confusing you just make the change (autoexec.bat):

REM beep
REM pause
nvflash -4 -5 -6 -L Log.txt 9600M_GS.ROM
REM beep​

The -L option will tell nvflash to create a log file with the name Log.txt. Please post the file.

 

Ok i try to make the log file. I also downloaded a NVIDIA vBIOS 9600M GT 512Mb GDDR3 and try that instead, because noticed that ASUS does not even offer a vBIOS for 9600M GT So this might take a moment..

 

I think the same. nvflash checks the video card vBIOS against the new one to prevent a wrong action. There are options to force flashing but we have to know what stops the current attempt. ​

Please remove the pause line and add the option -L Log.txt (autoexec.bat):

beep
nvflash -4 -5 -6 -L Log.txt 9600M_GS.ROM
beep
​

The -L option will tell nvflash to create a log file with the name Log.txt. Please post the file.

 

Here is the LOG

By the way, does it matter what version of nvflash i use ? i used 5.127

 

Definitely! I'm using the version 5.63 and it works for me in all situations. BTW thanks for the screen shots and the log file. We are close to make a success.​

Try to use the attached nvflash version 5.63 and add the line that will make a backup of the current vBIOS.

AUTOEXEC.BAT

beep
nvflash -b VBIOS.ROM -L Log_Save.txt
beep
nvflash -4 -5 -6 -L Log.txt 9600M_GS.ROM
beep
​

After the update save the file VBIOS.ROM on the HDD or just rename it to be safe.

If after the update the thing are the same we will use an additional option to force flashing.

Here it is the nvflash 5.63

 

Ok. Tried a MSI BIOS but no luck either..

Used the nvflash you provided.

Includes the extracted vBIOS

 

Change the AUTOEXEC.BAT contains to:

beep
nvflash -4 -5 -6 -r -L Log.txt 9600M_GS.ROM
beep
​

The option -r will remove EEPROM write protection if it exists.

Please use the original unmodified 9600M_GS.ROM from the backup you have done at first. The memory size of both cards are with 512MB GDDR3. We must be sure about that! After a successful vBIOS update you can make adjustments to the vBIOS and flash it again.

If after the last action there is not success then we will use the Jedi’s Force.
We will should ground the “STRAP_SUB_VENDOR” pin of the vBIOS chip plus the nvflash option -j.

 

Allright, i give this a try