Which Nvflash version to use for GTX 680M?

Saltius was kind enough to send me a modded 680M vbios for the Clevo 4GB GTX 680M. I tried to do the bios flash with a bootable USB using Nvflash 5.117.0.1 (the same version I used to successfully flash a desktop GTX 680). However,I can't get it to work with the Clevo P150EM.

For those who have successfully flashed their 680M - is there a particular version of Nvflash that I need to use for the mobile version? Thanks.

I just tried my USB bootable drive with my desktop system again, and Nvflash seems to be working fine. I can do all the normal Nvflash commands without any problems

When I boot from the same USB on the P150EM, I get the C:\> prompt as expected, but when I type "nvflash -i" to display all the available adapters (...or when I type any other nvflash command for that matter), and hit enter, the cursor just hangs there indefinitely. I can still manually restart and go back into Windows, though.

 

What happens when it "doesn't work"?

Use the -6 switch: nvflash -6 yourrom.rom

 

I normally use "nvflash -4 -5 -6 xxx.rom" to flash the gpu, but the problem isn't that.

I first typed "nvflash -i" just to make sure that the graphics card is detected in the first place. When I do that and hit enter, the cursor moves to the next line and stays there indefinitely, and so it seems like there's something wrong.

Because of that, I don't want to run the actual flash command until I know the normal commands works first.

After looking around, I've read that the older Nvflash 5.105 will work with the GTX 680M mobile gpu (...the most recent version Nvflash 5.117 apparently does not work, at least in my experience). I'm currently searching for a DOS version of the program now...

 

I actually had the same issue ! (just read your email) and that's why now I'm only flashing into Windows using the NVflash for Win7 - the only thing is that I uninstall all the drivers first (Intel+NVIDIA) and then flash ! That works flawlessly.

 

Thanks for the reply. I didn't know that I had to uninstall the Intel & Nvidia drivers first and then flash - I'll give that a try.

By the way, which version of NVflash did you use? I recently tried the Win7 versions of 5.118 and 5.105 from the Techpowerup! - I entered the nvflash program via the start menu command prompt. When I entered "nvflash -b backup.rom" (I like to make a backup before flashing) it said "no Nvidia display adapters found" which I assume is because I haven't uninstalled the Nvidia/Intel drivers like you did?

Thanks for the help. I'll try pau1ow's suggestion and let you know if it worked.

 

Flash from a DOS boot disk. Doing it from Windows 7 is only asking for a brick.

 

I was finally able to successfully flash the 680M with a modded bios. Thanks to everyone for all the suggestions! Here is what worked for me:

1) Uninstall Nvidia drivers (the Intel drivers can remain) via the control panel, and then run driver sweeper in safe mode. Restart.
2) Download NVflash 5.118 (windows version), unzip, and place contents into a folder
3) Place modded bios into the same folder
4) Go to the start menu, open the DOS command prompt window, navigate to the above folder, and run Nvflash using the normal commands
5) Re-install the Nvidia drivers

I tried a lot of other permutations of the above, but this sequence worked really well for me. Hopefully this is helpful for anyone else who for some reason runs into problems with the usual DOS method of flashing. This was actually the first time I ever flashed a GPU via the windows OS, and it worked just fine.

 

in your earlier comments, when you said DOS mode, did you mean DOS command prompt or booting a bootable DOS flash drive?

 

I remember reading of some bricks on the Alienware forum haha had a good laugh back then

 

5.117.0.1: Download NVFlash 5.117.0.1 | techPowerUp

 

I've flash both 7970M and 680M dozens of times under Windows, I can say it's all OK but i can understand it's a bit safer under DOS

 

Sorry for the confusion. All the NVflash programs came from the Techpowerup! website, and here are the current versions they have:

NVflash 5.117 - This is the DOS version, and it did not work with the Clevo P150EM, at least for me. It always failed to recognize the GPU, so bios flashing was not even possible.

Nvflash 5.118 and 5.105: Both of these are Windows versions, so I flashed via the Start Menu -> command prompt box. Version 5.118 worked perfectly - it recognized the GPU and flashed it without a problem. However, as pau1ow noted previously, the video drivers have to be unistalleed for this to work (...uninstall Nvidia drivers via control panel, run driver sweeper in safe mode, restart, and then run NVflash 5.118 via Start Menu + "cmd")

Maybe this method will brick the card on Alienware laptops, but it seems to be a viable method for Clevo's with the 680M.

 

Hi, please help me understand.. where can i find the available bios options for the 680 and a guide where I can learn how to do it in details? your help would be much appriciated;

 

It's a simple process really. I take ZERO responsibility for you bricking your machine though. This worked for me, but can't guarantee will work for anyone else.

AGAIN, I TAKE ZERO RESPONSIBILITY SHOULD YOU BRICK YOUR MACHINE WHETHER MY INSTRUCTIONS ARE CORRECT OR FAULTY. YOU DO THIS AT YOUR OWN RISK!

Process:

(1) Make a DOS bootable USB flash drive (search the web, there's dozens of ways to do this)

(2) Download nvflash for DOS executable, extract the contents onto your USB flash drive. Add the ROM you want to use on the flash drive (i.e. 680M.ROM). Rename it to 8 characters or less with .ROM extension, due to DOS 8.3 filename limitations. So if your ROM is 'saltius 680m MSI 1037v.ROM' rename it to s680m.rom or something.

(3) Restart your PC and boot off the USB DOS flash drive. MAKE SURE YOUR PC HAS THE BATTERY INSTALLED AND AC POWER ATTACHED. DO NOT FLASH ON BATTERY ONLY!

(4) After it boots to a C:\ prompt, type (without quotes of course): 'nvflash --list' and hit ENTER (and yes that's TWO dashes --). This should show if it detects your GPU, if it does, then continue to step (5). If it doesn't detect your GPU then that's a whole different set of issues, stop here, remove flash drive and reboot... search for help

(5) Now would be a good time to backup your original ROM file (thanks to cl2500). Type 'nvflash -b backup.rom' where 'backup' is any file name you want to give it 8 characters or less, just not same as the new ROM file you want to flash.

(6) Type 'DIR' and hit ENTER and double check the name of your ROM file you want to flash and also your backup ROM exists.

(7) Time to flash your 680m. Type: 'nvflash -6 YOURROM.ROM' and hit ENTER. YOURROM.ROM is of course your ROM on your flash drive that you want to flash to your 680m. It will ask if you're sure you want to flash, there's a card ID mismatch or somesuch, just select 'Y', you might have to hit Enter, I don't remember. And it will flash your 680m BIOS and tell you when it's done.

(8) Power off your machine (hold down power button) ONLY WHEN IT HAS RETURNED TO THE C:\ PROMPT and then remove the USB drive. Ideally, remove power plug and battery for 10 seconds, plug back in, boot up, and you're good to go.

 

That's very nice, thanks a lot;+rep

I have a P150EM, I would love someone with that lappy to share his experience before doing it..
And where do I pick up the bios.rom with light overclock ?(I do not want to push too much, keeping temps as lowest as possible)

THanks so much

 

Ops now I see you too you have a P150em..mea culpa

 

Here's a link which describes how to make a bootable USB:

GUIDE for Flashing BIOS of NVIDIA GPU - techPowerUp! Forums

Just scroll down to step 4, 1b. It's pretty straightforward, just follow the instructions.

By the way, even though I flashed the 680M via a Windows version of Nvflash, I would highly recommend that you use the DOS method first (I resorted to the Windows version because I had no other options). Also, before flashing the new bios, be sure to type "nvflash -b backup.rom" so that you can make a backup of your stock GPU bios ("backup" is just an example - you can name the .rom whatever you like, as long as it's a continuous string of eight characters or less).

 

Excellent point about backup... will add that.

see my sig for link to 680m BIOS options.

 

Wow, thanks so much.. so typing "nvflash -b backup.rom" will be before typing the command to flash..

I am learning many things thanks a lot guys, this forum is so helpful, as usual!

 

Great, now I have a question. Does it apply to the 2gb dell version in the AW? Or only to compal 680m? Anyone AW owner flashed it? I'm so curious to test it, even though the actual settings deliver great performance in the games I play, but a peak of 67 Celsius DEMANDS an overclock!

 

nvflash should work with any nVidia video card if it can detect it. Just make sure the BIOS you are flashing is compatible with your video card!

 

If I remember correctly, the Saltius and SVL7 modded bios's which a lot of people are using here are only compatible with the 4GB version of the GTX 680M (i.e. the ones found in Clevo and MSI laptops). I don't think these bios's are compatible with the Alienware 2GB versions. Again, just make sure that your modded bios is compatible with your card!

Please correct me if I'm wrong about this...

 

^^ this is what I read also, that's why I'm trying to double check here. Still waiting for someone to confirm it does work with the 2 GB DELL version of the card.
Speaking of which, @Dox from laptopvideo2go, just released a working version of the newer 305.68 which I am about to download. Check it out guys!

 

why is flashing from a DOS boot disk in Windows 7 is only asking for a brick? Is that a floppy or a CD?

 

DOS boot disk will boot you into a pure DOS environment, no Windows. If you try to flash your BIOS from Windows there's a chance you can brick your GPU because of so many things that could happen while flashing due to Windows accessing, driver conflicts, a system crash, etc.

 

right I've read this so just stay out of windows to boot and a disk is fine? Is it better to use a CD or USB?

 

USB. I prefer USB so I can update ROM's and you won't be able to backup your ROM if you use a CD.

 

Thanks again for the flashing guide, it really came handy. I flashed slv vbios, everything went smooth. Here is a screen, peaking at 66 C. Should I use AB or nvidia inspector to go up?

Imageshack - clipboard01vp.jpg :thumbsup:

 

HTWingNut, how did you get your P150EM to flash with nvflash? I'm using the files you suggested but when I type any commands in DOS, the program just hangs and does nothing, forcing a reboot.

 

Did you boot off a DOS boot disk with the files on it I recommended? Or are you doing it from within windows command prompt?

 

can anyone make a youtube video for it pleaase??

 

Amen to this! Could someone please upload a vid tutorial for NVflashing a GTX 680M for this? I will be sure to give REP points to anyone who does this.


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I also received no nvidia display adapters found with nvflash.
Using nvflash 5.117.0.1 resolved it and I finally flashed svl7's vBIOS on my nVidia 680M GTX (DELL 2 GB) in DOS mode (Alienware m15x).