ATIWinflash: Is it safe?

Hi,

I'm planning on changing the max TDP for my 7970M from 84W to 100W. My only issue is that which is the safest way to flash the vBIOS? I've heard ATIWinflash is easy to set up and use but is it safe? Hearing a few disaster stories about it though which is making me worried about using it..

 

The safest way to flash is using the DOS version. Although I think the risk is pretty minuscule, flashing in Windows can result in a bricked card if something goes south.

 

I actually flashed 2 times and no issues.. First time I increased max TDP from 84W to 100W and 2nd time, I increased max voltage from 1.05V to 1.10V.. I think the main issue occurs when people try to OC and their clocks are a fail.. I strangely use EVGA Precision X to OC my 7970M (don't know how it works but it does even though the software is for NVIDIA cards) so hell, I'm safe from that angle..

 

Ok I have a massive issue now. The BIOS flash failed and now it fails everytime. I've been told that restarting is a bad idea as it becomes a pain to recover. Can anyone help me fix this plz?

Edit: I fixed it.

 

LOL guess you almost had a heart attack there.

 

Let's see if the OP learned something from all this..

 

I had a heart attack too..

Well the issue was when I was using the latest version, the BIOS flash failed. I had to go to the previous version and it flashed successfully. It screwed up the drivers so I reinstalled them.. Had a few crashes but seems to be working stably now after a restart or 2..

 

Just because the flash in windows was successful 2 times doesnt mean its a safe procedure.
Listen to TBoneSan.

 

Yeah I know.. I'm probably never going to flash again anyways so I'm fine ...

 

It's not ever worth the risk. For future, it takes literally 10 seconds to do it in DOS. No one here wants to have to ever say 'told you so'

 

I have done over a dozen flashes with ati win flash. Never a single problem
As usual YMMV especially if you don't know what you are doing.

Good luck and going by the replies above you should opt for the dos method.

 

I'm not flashing anymore after this ... Maybe 2-3 years down the road if I don't upgrade to the 780M, I will flash and increase voltage to 1.1V and OC,... However, for now I have the TDP=100, voltage at 1.05V and stock 850/1250...