[xps m1730] has anyone flashed their 8800m gtx sli with 9800m gt sli bios succesfully?

EDIT: I DID IT!
Check post 2 for step by step guide...in other words:



8800m GTX IN XPS CAN BE FLASHED TO 9800m GT WITHOUT PROBLEMS!
SO THIS SHOULD NAIL ANY DOUBTS!

 

Okay i took the risk and did the bios flashing. Now my old 8800m GTX are flashed as 9800m GT AND SUCCESFULLY UPDATED to newer BIOS for these cards released by dell. This is a step-by-step guide for you!

1: Flashing SLI 8800m GTX as 9800m GT

- FIRST BE SURE THAT YOU'RE RUNNING LATEST BIOS (A11 as time of the writing)
- Get NVFlash. Ive used 5.18 version, but any version will do
- Get original 9800m GT Bios here techPowerUp! Forums - View Single Post - Request for Geforce 9800M GT BIOS Dell Version for M1730
- Make a bootable usb stick using HP tool (theres a guide around), put NVFLASH zip contents inside it, then put the bios you just downloaded there (1.rom, 2.rom)
- Reboot, hit F12, select bootable USB
- When DOS boots, you need to flash both your gpus.

First, list all the adapters to check that both are seen and working correctly. Command should be:

NVFLASH --LIST

And it should output something like:

- Adapter Index 0 8800m GTX
- Adapter Index 1 8800m GTX

Take a good look at INDEXes as they specify what card to flash. Now move on to flash the first card.
Ive used this command line:

NVFLASH -i=0 -5 1.rom

It should ask for confirmations a few time, hit Y when it asks so.
REBOOT once flashed the first card.
Boot to USB flash drive as explained above thru F12 key.
Now try to LIST the adapters by NVFLASH --list (otherwise just type NVFLASH and check the commands)

At this time it should says something like:

- Adapter Index 0 9800m GT
- Adapter Index 1 8800m GTX

Now flash the second card with:

NVFLASH -i=1 -5 2.rom

Reboot, boot again in USB, do a LIST adapters and check if both cards are listed as 9800m GT.

ITS IMPORTANT THAT: you flash 1.rom to INDEX 0 and 2.rom to INDEX 1. If this causes confusion, rename 1.rom to 0.rom AND 2.rom to 1.rom.

Done. Boot in windows. First it should find both cards, then install the appropriate drivers if you didnt removed the last ones.

2: Upgrading the 9800m GT to last DELL OFFICIAL BIOS

This bios upgrade release by dell aims to fix the yellow tinting, lowering temperatures and getting your card life longer.

- Get the bios here: Drivers and Downloads - Public Sector
- Once files are extracted, you should have an ISO image
- Burn the iso image with any programs, embedded windows 7 feature will do, but anything will do fine
- Reboot with the disc inserted, hit F12, select the CDROM and follow onscreen instructions

Done! Process should end succesfully without hiccups. Enjoy your old 8800m GTX as a brand new, sparkling and upgraded 9800m GT at zero costs!

Cooling is improved, stability is improved and also it overclocks at the same level as my 8800m GTX did. Crack it up to 640/1600/950 and be happy
Hope it helps someone, good luck guys