Nvidia VGA Bios modification/flash/restore guide

I give up driver level oveclocking and decide do BIOS level overclock using BIOS Flash .My Guide will show you how to modify your Nvidia video card BIOS and flashing it. This guide also tells you how to backup/restore your original BIOS .

YOU WILL NEED FOLLOWING THINGS TO FLASH YOUR VGA BIOS

1. USB Flash Drive
2. HP Bootable Flash Disk Maker or any software that can make bootable flash Drive
2. Rivatuner or ATITool(To do a driver level overclock before the BIOS Flash)
4. NiBiTor(To change bios values)
5. NVflash utility (To Backup/Flash your Nvidia VGA BIOS)

THINGS YOU NEED TO DO BEFORE THE BIOS FLASH

# Clean Install stable driver

# Install RivaTuner or ATITool

# Do driver level overclock using RivaTuner or ATITool

# After set overclocking levels as you wish using Rivatuner or ATITool : Test them to make sure card is stable.
Run 3DMark06 Tests.Repeat each test 16 times or more(select SM 2.0 & Sm 3.0 tests only)
Additionally you can try some GPU power hungry games (Eg:FEAR /SCDA/COD2)

# 3DMark06 tests are very important!!! please do it.

# Remember to monitor your VGA temperature while you are running 3DMark06 tests.

# FLASH YOUR VGA BIOS ONLY If 3DMark06 works perfectly.

# Lower your clock speeds if you got BSODs /ERRORs or ARTEFACTS


HOW TO BACKUP ORIGINAL VGA BIOS

# First make bootable Flash Drive and insert(copy) Nvflash files into it

# Restart your system and Set computer to boot from USB Flash Drive in BIOS

# After the system boot from USB Flash Drive

Type "nvflash[space]-b[space]OLDBIOS.ROM
(Eg= a:nvflash -b OLDBIOS.ROM)

# Press enter key

That command will save your original VGA bios on USB Flash Drive as a OLDBIOS.ROM
You can use that copy to flash back to original state if something goes wrong.

# Done. press ctrl+Alt+Del and restart your system into Windows


HOW TO MODIFY YOUR ORIGINAL VGA BIOS

# Copy your original VGA BIOS into Nibitor folder from USB Flash Drive
(Do not cut & paste .You need to keep original VGA BIOS copy on your Flash Drive until you successfully flash your card)

# Run NiBiTor and open OLDBIOS.ROM from it

# Modify 3D values(Core/Shader/Memory)

# Make sure to enter tested values using driver level overclock.

# Do not forget to reset all the driver level overclock settings to stock values

# GeForce 7xxx card owners can forget shader clock modify part

# You can Modify Voltage values(Strongly recommended only for Desktop VGA cards)

# Save modified VGA BIOS copy as a NEWBIOS.ROM



HOW TO FLASH YOUR ORIGINAL VGA BIOS

# Copy NEWBIOS.ROM into bootable Pen Drive

# Make sure OLDBIOS.ROM and NEWBIOS.ROM both copies available on your Flash Drive

# Restart your system and Set computer to boot from USB Flash Drive in BIOS

# After the system boot from USB Flash Drive

Type "nvflash[space]NEWBIOS.ROM
(Eg= a:nvflash NEWBIOS.ROM)

# Press Enter key

That command will flash your VGA BIOS and press "y" key or press Enter key when program ask your
confirmation

# Done.press ctrl+Alt+Del and restart your system into Windows



FIRST THING YOU NEED TO DO AFTER THE SUCCESSFUL VGA BIOS FLASH


# Run 3DMark06 tests again and repeat 16 times or more to make sure your VGA is stable after the BIOS flash.



WHAT YOU CAN DO IF VGA CARD IS UNSTABLE OR IF YOU GOT BSOD
(BLANK DEAD SCREEN) AFTER THE BIOS FLASH


FOLLOW THESE STEPS IF YOUR VGA BEHAVES STRANGELY

Your Simple solution is restore your original VGA BIOS again or Modify your 3D clocks to lower values .

# Restart your system and Set computer to boot from USB Pen Drive in BIOS

# After the system boot from USB Flash Drive

Type "nvflash[space]OLDBIOS.ROM
(Eg:a: nvflash OLDBIOS.ROM)

# Press Enter key

That command will flash your VGA BIOS to it's original state and Press "y" key or press Enter key
when program ask your confirmation

# Done.press ctrl+Alt+Del and restart your system into Windows


FOLLOW THEASE STEPS IF GOT BLANK (Dead Screen) AFTER THE VGA BIOS FLASH


Your only available option is boot blindly from the Flash Drive (That's why I told you to Set computer to boot from USB Flash Drive in BIOS)

# After the system boot from USB Flash Drive (Oh...sorry you can't see anything...so wait 1-2 min after you restart your system blindly)

Type "nvflash[space]OLDBIOS.ROM blindly
(Eg:a: nvflash OLDBIOS.ROM)

# Wait 2-3 second and Press Enter key blindly

That command will flash your VGA BIOS to it's original state and Press "y" key or press Enter key

# wait 10-20 second

# Done.press ctrl+Alt+Del and restart your system into Windows

 

NVIDIA BIOS Editor (NiBiTor) 3.5a

nVFlash - NVIDIA Firmware Update Utility

HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool - v2.1.8

OR

GPU flash tools package upload by NBR member swoley2k

 

Guys Please don't PM me post your questions here(Forum).

 

Nice and detailed guide! The HUGE red letters were clear and straight to the point.

I've never really overclock before so please excuse these stupid questions:
1. For overclocking, is possible to just copy your settings without doing any testing since the system configuration is very similar?
2.If so, can you post your settings with Rivertuner?

 

For Q 1-
It's possible,But I'm recommend you to do it with your BIOS . You can send your original VGA BIOS to me ...then i can modify it and send it back to you.

For Q 2-
Wait for it

 

eeee by eck lad,everytime i modded my drivers all my games crash to desktop as soon as i start playing them ......very annoying it is too

 

Nice write up!!!

Will this allow me to overclock the 162.18's?

 

duh i didnt read the op properley

 

Hi, i'm not very good in these. Thus, i would like to know can i do these with my 5920G that installed Windows XP? And which version of driver consider stable for Windows XP?

Sorry i never deep into driver problem and overclock before i use a laptop.

 

Yes...Now I'm on 162.18...BTW 163.44 give two black line in every game otherwise it's cool(It's a driver bug)I tested my card with 158.45 & 162.18

 

This's not a driver level OC .Bios level OC can be forget after do it.No matter which OS you are using.

 

Cool thanks for replying!

Erm, still got 1 problem, do you know which XP 32bit driver is stable enough to start with?

 

Nope ...But my friend use 163.14 on his Dell 1520

 

did u try this?

In Nvidia Control Panel..."change flat panel scaling"...( number 2. tick "use nvidia scaling"...apply....ok

hope it help

 

Thaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaanks alot for the nice tutorial

I liked it soooo much

YOU ARE THE MAN

 

Just wanted to know what kind of performance increase you got on the 2 computers. I know if varies but give a "general" idea.

Thanks,

Nice guide too. (gives the simily thumbs up icon)

 

3DMark06 and Riva screen shots add to the first page

 

Hey bigspin, thanks for the screenie. Do you have a Vista Home Premium dl link? A torrent link maybe?

 

DL link ???For What??

 

Reinstall my 5920... = =

 

I'm also looking for that(If you got some location please let us know)

 

I just did this on my Dell 1520. Using drivers 163.44:

Stock clock: 475/400 - 3386 3dmark 06
OC BIOS: 595/475 - 4054 3dmark 06

Not too shabby! Thanks for the post!

Nyceis

 

Hey bigspin, i've successfully found something,

Words in red are directed from http://www.etplanet.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1037

As you can see below, the links are direct from the Microsoft website. This is a completely original untouched copy of Vista. It's the 32bit-Vista version (Ultimate/Business/Home depending on what serial number you use, of course). Full-Version (Also an upgrade).

Tested & Working as of 05.02.07 but be quick
You need all 3 files.
Size: 2.52Gb

http://msft-dnl.digitalrivercontent.net/01/60316070-3318705--NOA/msvista/pub/Vista_WIM/i386/boot.wim
http://msft-dnl.digitalrivercontent.net/...386/install.wim
http://msft-dnl.digitalrivercontent.net/01/60316070-3318705--NOA/msvista/pub/X13-49120/X13-49120.exe

Download to empty folder / run exe / it'll create a folder called VISTA run setup from there for UPGRADE or Full install/ or burn to dvd


Guide to burn Vista into DVDs

Important: The CDImage will ONLY work in Windows XP. Meaning, if you want to pack all three files into ISO file using the method provided, you need XP in order to do that.

 

didnt you guys get the vista anytime upgrade disk with your laptop?

 

but damn though i dont have a usb pen drive

couldnt i use a cd-rw instead of the pen drive big spin

 

I get 0 disc when I purchased my laptop...

 

How can you insert BIOS files?

 

Me toooooo....Poor Acer & MS(Vole)

BTW Thanks for the links nic

 

Hey...finally!!!! one success story

 

can this disk be used to restore our 5920 and restore/install original vista factory setting or is it just for upgrading our vista?

 

thanks for the guide! before attempting it myself, I would like to know: what are the risks of doing that? is heat the only factor? I don't want to shorten my gpu's lifespan

 

Every OC will shorten lifespan .No matter it's Driver level or BIOS level.That's why i said to do it @ safe values(I mean not too much OC)
For DDR2 version 8600M GT I think 580/470 is OK(Mine hit 93C while I'm playing SCDA, B'coz my ambient temp is 30C-32C always .I know it's hot but I'll never keep my Aspire 5920 more than 2 years,so I'm not worry much )Everything depend on the ambient temp.

 

On the vostro 1500 people have said that after OCing their card and putting it to use in games it would only reach around 70c. If the increase in temperature isn't too much, it wouldn't affect the card right?

 

Yes.BTW I never heard it B4.Hmmm..... are you sure it'll not going more than 70C !

 

My 1520 never exceeded 71 degrees celsius after running 3dmark06 in a loop for 15 minutes. I ended up at 590/470 - as 595/475 was crashing in 3dmark05 occassionally.

Nyceis

 

Its very depending on surrounding temperature though.

 

Your ambient temp please
My ambient temp 32c @ day time & down 28c @ mid Night

Hmmmmmm:yes:

 

74 Fahrenheit...

Also note, this is the Dell 1520, not the Acer 5920...

Nyceis

 

Vista Virtual memory address hotfix is grate & fix game slowdowns for me

 

Got any Links?

 

Update for Windows Vista (KB940105)-Graphics Virtual Address problem

Oh...You need 163.44 Driver too.....

NVIDIA recommends that its customers always stay up to date with the latest hotfixes from Microsoft

 

i dont see this available in windows update.

 

Cool! Thanks man

 

Try this.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/browse.aspx?DisplayLang=en&nr=20&productId=8D7DD8D7-1CA6-4632-BAEF-E7C0750ED02E&sortCriteria=date

It's not available on windows update.You need to down it from MS site

 

this is not good. i am expecting windows update as i don't have time to go look for drivers.

 

Thanks for the guide!

I ran my 3d mark and for some reason, i get a lower CPU score then yours. My 5920 is equip with a 2 Ghz core 2 duo and did not run other program other then 3d mark by that time.

 

What do you mean by lower cpu score?
Any way post screen shot please

 

err btw could you please make a guide on how to make a bootable pendrive? I just can't get my pendrive work (a sandisk cruzer micro).

btw here's my screenie

 

Hope you're using 163.44 drivers .I'll try to make a guide ,but not this week hopefully next sunday

 

Nope... not yet flash my bios, as i said, i face some problem create a bootable pendrive so still using a modded 158.45.