[GUIDE] - Blind-Flashing AMD 7970M modded vBIOS for Clevo P1xxHM Laptops

You could sell your current one and get this one instead: https://www.ebay-kleinanzeigen.de/s-anzeige/nvidia-gtx-680m-4gb-ddr5/518401049-225-7040

If not from Germany, maybe asking him, if selling it via ebay would be possible. Just thinking.

 

hm this is weird. this could mean either of these things:

- u forgot to include the rom file on the stick
- the autoexec.bat file points to a filename different from that of the included rom file (either file name or file extension)

pls check and see that everything is in order!

 

Yes, that was to test the USB stick actually worked:

"Try the following: use the stick with the autoexec file, but without the vbios rom files on another computer. that way u can check if it properly executes. itll give u an error that the rom file wasnt found or that the detected hardware is incompatible. naturally, also make sure to include the atiflash tool on the usb stick "

 

aaah gotcha sorry, its been a while since ive checked the forums

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Since I've bought a gtx 260m, I tried to plug and play and I still got no screen, would I need to reflash gtx 260m bios onto my pc to work it? I think I've done goofed. What's the appropriate steps and would I need to nvflash (and whatever base bios files would I need?)

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hmmm good question. installing a gpu several gens older than the machine can be a hit n miss business. no vbios mod that im aware of, u basically have to try and hope for the best...

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Hm, generally you should have a screen, even if swapping from red to green. So I think you either accidentally messed up something (physically or technically) or one part of your rig is faulty (now).

What does your rig do when powered on? Does it boot up or something? Or simply do nothing, neither fans spinning?

 

Edit: It may be that your Bios doesn't support GTX 2x0m cards. If that's so, then you probably won't find a Bios which supports them.
Best bet is to look on the Clevo website under the Bios versions of the HM-Series, if a early Bios version supports them.

But to flash back from new to old could be a bad idea....

Better spending your money and efforts on a new (second hand) one.

 

Yesh cause I already flashed before ages ago to the vbios for the hd7970m, and so I don't have the original p150hm bios, also my laptop I believe boots up

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i wouldnt recommend going back to an older BIOS / EC... best to stick to the most current one

 

we have great NEWS [ $$ ] for USERS which looking still DEDICATED Plug&Play gpu for Clevo HM models - exactly ATI HD 7970M - more info on prv.

 

about time someone offered preflashed cards

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Hi,

I have a Clevo P170EM with an AMD 7970M.

Last year I tried to change the vBIOS of my 7970M, a friend of my tried to change it because he wanted to ''overlock'' the card. He said no worries I said okay do it, then later on he returned my laptop and bricked both my card and the normal BIOS. I had to repair the laptop trough a repair company in the city. They only could repair the BIOS by doing another BIOS on it. They said to try everything with the card but my laptop wouldn't accept it.

The problem:

After the Windows 10 installation I installed all the drivers from the manufacters site ( http://www.eurocom.com/ec/drivers(226)ec). Including the SSD driver, then I FIRST installed and fully updated the Intel HD Graphics. After that I installed the AMD videocard drivers (crimsons edition), the weird part is, AMD autodetect sees my card and so does Windows. Then the driver ask me to restart my laptop, after restarting the Windows logo appears then the screen goes black with a blinking cursor left upper screen.

I believe it has someting to do with the vBIOS of the card and I also believe that the card is not bricked but just wrong BIOS.


I asked the manufacter and they say that the card may be bricked, when I ask for the BIOS they would not provide it for free (bastards). I asked for both the motherboard and AMD card BIOS, they said I have to pay for it.

Question:

Can you provide the right vBIOS for my card that works with the motherboard BIOS I have at this moment? I tried to download the files you provided in the guide but I guess the link is to old because I don't get the files

Greetz,

Jamie

P.s I have some pictures and screenshot of Windows and the BIOS detecting the graphic card, the weird thing is both OS and BIOS detect the card but when I install the drivers it goes black

P.s.s I already tried everything AMD support provided so I have no use for comments like ''Try unistall with DDU'' or try with second monitor etc.


As you can see I've disabled the card because when I enable, Windows freezes and screen goes black.

 

Most likely your friend flashed a non-enduro vbios (most versions are ne), which would not play nice with your Enduro system. This vbios will work and is probably identical to your old one:
v018_e_MFR_7970M_clevo_001.rom

 

Okay and it's the same way to open as the guide says? with the batch file and blind flash

 

Close, but there's no need for an autoexec or 'blind' since you can flash it normally by booting to dos and typing the commands. That's the benefit of enduro; you still have a screen because the igpu is driving it. Heck, you could probably even use ATI Winflash.

 

So I download the DOS for usb then start from there and find the rom with the DOS commands. then install

I heard that ATIflash in windows is a bit tricky

 

Okay I figured it out, and here is my conclusion.

Version ATIFLASH: 4.17
CLEVO BIOS VERSION: 1.02.17

I downloaded the ROM from this site for my 7970M for Clevo models. Then installed Rufus, did a test drive for 1 round to check then formatted the usb drive (without quick format) and FreeDOS.

I did all the files to the usb drive and restarted my laptop, then I putted the usb as first in the boot order. When I was in FreeDOS I did the following commands:

atiflash -i

It shows the GPU in slot 0 then I read rom 1000 and test: fail

Then I did the command atiflash -ai

It shows that my card has no vBIOS at all.

I was unsure what to do next so I just followed the guide as usual and tried to flash with the commands

atiflash -unlockrom 0

ROM UNLOCKED

atiflash -f -p 0 amdclevo.rom

It said atiflash error 0fl01

Then I just CTRL ALT DEL because I don't want to **** up my laptop and waiting for a reply from you guys.

Did I tried to installed the wrong ROM? are my named files to long for DOS?

This is the photo by the way



I've discovered also a problem in Windows 10, after i booted up because of a failed flash (could not read rom error). Windows 10 instant tried to download the driver for the card and everything freezes. This is a common issue with Win10, I fix that later.

Another question (sorry for all the questions xD) do I need to remove the driver completely before flashing the card?

EDIT:

I tried it with the short file names and it gives me the same error. Actually no problem because there is no vbios to **** up

 

Ah, right; EM series bug. See @Meaker@Sager's info here and here, for instance. Also, better use MS-DOS. Can't recall which, but some flashing programs didn't play nice with FreeDOS.

Anyway, the 'R600 SPI' cannot be right; every 7970M I've seen had a PM25L*** series chip. The 1st pin of an SPI eeprom is used to identify it, so it looks like Clevo has routed its wire wrongly or not at all after it exits the mxm socket. Try the '-sst' switch to force the proper flashing protocol, but first do the same for the '-unlockrom' command, just to be sure. This eeprom cannot be write-protected by the eeprom pin alone since the write-protect bit has the final say.

If that didn't help, then resort to Winflash. Failing that, too; send a pm and I'll flash it with a programmer. Though ... if it comes to that, it begs the question as to however your friend flashed it in the first place?

 

It was similar for most enduro machines I think, it messed with the configuration some how.

 

Hey I've emailed the manufacterer and they provided my with the vBIOS and a batchfile for the flashes

I've make also another thread on TPU a few days ago and I think it is good to merge these threads or that people look on both threads for the information

Thread:

https://www.techpowerup.com/forums/conversations/amd-7970m.341023/

And as a respond on your reply,

I think you're right at a point that my card isn't installed properly but before I go dive into my Clevo I have to be sure I've done every other solution possible before opening the laptop.

here is the email:

Hello Jamie.

You are missing 1 very important thing.

The PCIE command that switches it from the Intel to the AMD for flashing.

I have attached the default vbios and flash util for the card.

Please rename the file from .zif to .zip

Extract it to a bootable USB

Please flash it off a DOS boot like you have been doing, but run PX.bat.

The will auto run the PCIE command, and flash the card.

 

Hi I flashed my main BIOS back to the BIOS of the reseller (BTO Notebooks) and then checked in ATIflash if the card worked properly. It still didn't work so I rechecked the info from @Meaker@Sager that you provided but couldn't find it (or overlooked it). I've now again the offical BIOS that came with the laptop so that couldn't be the problem. The problem is ATIflash says the card has no vBIOS and it will not flash a vBIOS on the card.

How do I get the proper vBIOS on that card xD?

I checked the info link you provided PM25L series but couldn't entirely understand what was going on

 

So the PCIE.EXE trick didn't help then?

Sent you a pm.

 

Dear All,

I tried to flash blind the GPU of my new 7970M but it seems that something went wrong.
I created the USB key with no issue. Make sure it is bootable on an other PC as my previous GPU is dead. Then I start the upgrade. After 10-15 minutes, my P170HM didn't restart so I stopped it.
When I start it, the screen is black as it was before I try to flash it.

I manage to get the result of atiflash.exe -i and atiflash.exe -ai. It say that there is no vbios.
Is there anything I can do to make my GPU card work ?

Here is the result of the 2commands :

Adapter 0 (BN=01, DN=00, PCIID=68001002, SSID=71001558)
Asic Family : Pitcairn
Flash Type : M25P10/c (128 KB)
No VBIOS
​

and

adapter bn dn dID asic flash romsize test bios p/n
======= == == ==== =============== ============== ======= ==== ================
0 01 00 6800 Pitcairn M25P10/c 20000 0000 -
​

Thx in advance for your answer

 

If you know someone with an Alienware that has switchable graphics, you could have them put the machine in 'SG Mode' to boot from Intel HD Graphics and flash the card. (This will not work on a 17-inch model with 120Hz 3D capable display since that has Intel HD Graphics disabled.)

You could also flash the vBIOS chip manually with a programmer if all else fails. Not convenient, but the card itself should not be harmed by the failed flash.

 

Many thanks for your answer. The good news is that the card is not dead. The less good news is that I don't know anyone with an Alienware nor a programmer. I guess I have to find a professionnal for that.

Is it conceivable to flash the card back with the original vbios then try again to flash it with the mod vbios ?

 

Sure, first on the agenda is blind-flashing the original vbios. Now, which vbios did you flash, exactly? Not all are compatible with your system, you see.

If blind-flashing the original didn't help; could do that programming bit for you, if you like. Pay the return shipping and we're good.

 

On the card, it is written that vbios is 015.018.000.000.

I didn't find it on google but might this one be compatible https://www.techpowerup.com/vgabios/128794/clevo-hd7970m-2048-120605 ?
Can I check something to be sure it is compatible,maybe some atiflash.exe command ?

@t456, many thanks for offering your help. I keep it in mind if I can't manage to do it by myself.

 

Yes, the v18 is compatible, but meant the mod you tried to flash.

Err ... btw, you have an image, even though the flash (seemingly) failed? If so, then everything's fine; the bios simply can't recognise the vbios and/or card. That's fairly common when using newer cards on older systems. Only thing that matters is getting the driver installed and running.

 

Sorry, I explain it badly. On the cardI have a sticker that say that original vbios was 015.018.000.000.
Right now, atiflash.exe -ai say no vbios.

I try to boot on windows but the screen stay black. I only got the bip from the bios when I try to boot the computer, the screen is black and I don't even see the bios from the motherboard.


Unfortunatly, I don't have a backup of the original vbios(my mistake of not doing it). On the web I found a version 015.018 https://www.techpowerup.com/vgabios/148551/148551 that seems compatible but I am not sure.

 

So, I manage to make it work. But I really don't know how.
I was trying to get the more info I can about the card, the vbios ... when I found the option -log for atiflash.exe. So I decide to flash the vbios again with the option so I will have more information of why it fail. Suddenly, my computer reboot and was able to see it starting the bios.

I really want to thx everybody for helping me.

 

Finally, I really don't understand my computer. It worked yesterday, I was able to play some games but now, I have a black screen like if the motherboard don't recognize the card.

I know I don't have the last bios on my motherboard, can it be this ?

 

Actually the vBIOS version doesn't matter too much. Maybe driver issues?

 

Sorry for the late answer. I haven't been at home for some days.

It cannot be the driver because, the screen stay black from the start. I don't see the bios when the computer start.
For the few times, I have been able to boot, I was able to go to windows, play some games.

From my point of view, the motherboard doesn't recognize the graphic card. Maybe it come from a bad vbios.

 

please help me !

Dell hd7970m
clevo w870cu

i did vbios flash.

and now my screen is green , i can boot ,NO vga info in GPUZ and laptop bios

how can i solve it?

 

Sorry, you used the wrong card! Never use a DELL-card in a Clevo-System!

You need a Clevo card Rev. 1.2.

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thanks you for reply

i installed driver , and it works ONLY EXTERNAL MONITOR my laptop screen is green

full infomation gpuz, hwinfo ,etc...

 

It was mentioned very early in this thread that HDMI output / external monitor output is not possible with this flashing procedure.

So it seems that you card is working as intended.

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It looks that he has the opposite problem which is weird.

 

weird indeed. however, its actually a good thing that the dell card works at all in his machine. probably cuz its such an old model, being the predecessor of the HM series, actually...

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Yesterday, my laptop is shut down while playing battlefield 4 and i can hear 1-2-2 beep with black screen
Today, i can hear 1-1 beep sound with black screen

(Enough power)

So I installed original Vga (5870) and it works with no problem

(It mean is No problem on my laptop motherboard because 1 2 2 beep is m/b error)

My 7970m is died?
....

 

It might be. If still no display + beep code after putting the card back in, you could consider a reflow or reball of the card, but it's a temporary fix if it works.

 

help me

i did re install and it works but laptop saw me a green screen

what do i do?

flash original file and re-flash modded flash file?
or flash modded file again?

 

Green screen on my latop monitor (NO PROBLEm ON LCD)

 

Hello,
if there is no display error on an external display (displayport/hdmi/dvi) the GPU itself should be fine.
in most cases only the display cable connecting the internal LCD to the mainboard is defective.

For P150HM this should be the correct cable: "6-43-X5101-011-A"
You can find that on ebay, aliexpress, etc.

I had the same problem on my P150HM and a new cable fixed it all.
OK, I had a similar, not the same problem - my screen went pink, not green...
But everything worked fine when connected to an external display - even benchmarks, GPU burnin tests, etc.

 

short update - I successfully transplanted a 7970m from a P150EM into my P150HM.

The 7970m was v1.1 - not v1.2 - even it had large capacitors which were re-soldered by Clevo.
It did NOT work with the Clevo vBios attached in this thread, it only worked partially until I installed the latest AMD driver for it, resulting in a bluescreen.

I then tried different vBIOS-versions, dead-flashing the card twice (I have an USB programmer, so no problem at all), and in the end I flashed an old DELL vBIOS v015.017.000.001.042717 onto the card, from techpowerup (will upload the flashed bios later...):
https://www.techpowerup.com/vgabios...&version=&interface=&memType=&memSize=&since=

With this vBIOS, everything works now - driver installation, no bluescreens, GPU fan only gets loud on load, runs stable (benchmarks & gaming - Wolfenstein II for hours).

 

wow this is amazing work! happy that this worked out for you man wish we had this kind of info when it was still more relevant with lots of users! +rep

 

Hey guys, with this guide I get a 7970m from a P150EM working in my old Medion Erazer X6811 with I7-720qm. Tomorrow I want to upgrade to 16F2 Board with I7-2630qm, because the 720qm is Not a cold cpu

 

haha im impressed that this guide still helps users even now! good job there mate

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Yeah, 6 years is a lot of mileage from the guide. It has been helpful to many and you did a super job on it. It's also pretty amazing that there are still some functional 7970M cards after this long.