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

good catch tron! seems like ive missed a thing or two here in my absence

@very:

- safe bet would be to go for a HM upgrade kit on ebay which includes a 680m with compatible vbios (not all versions work on HM) a fitting heatsink (u cant reuse the amd heatsink without having to retord to metal work) and ull also need some modded drivers for the gpu to work properly on ur machine (google is ur friend: 680m modded .inf driver clevo HM)

 

Yes these should work no probs make sure it is the clevo 4Gb version like this one
Wowza just look at the price.. ai caramba!

 

And if you buy a dell 7970 card and flash programmer directly to the BIOS chip that at the beginning ? Who - anyone tried ?

 

Sure, it would work. After all, it's the same thing. Did that for a 5870M (f*ed up flash ) and it has the same type/size vbios chip. But why bother with a last ditch option when this blind-flash method is much more convenient?

Though perhaps, for reassurance, you may want to have a programmer standing by (in case ). Used this one: Sofi Technology SP8-B along with a SOP8 adapter (saves soldering twice), did the job perfectly.

 

I agree it reaches exactly the same end state just in a different manner. I may pick something like that up for myself.

 

Hi all, have picked up a 7970m to do this blind flash for a p150hm, but I'm aware that the newer cards are not supposed to work? Is this limited to the v1.1 versions (which are the newer type)? I have picked up a v1.2 2g with bios revision BR042817.010 and am looking to blind-flash it as per this thread. As it hasn't arrived yet and i have just prepared the usb, is this going to brick this card; as it is a new one? (states OCT 2014) on the back and is from a NON ENDURO Eurocomm laptop, so it is the right type of non enduro card.

Any quick advice would really be appreciated! I would rather not risk a flash if you far more knowledgeable people think it will be unwise.

Thanks

 

Hello, sorry to bump an older thread. I'm looking at purchasing a 7970m to upgrade my 6990m (it's slowly dying, keep having to bake it in the oven haha). I have a NP8170 / Clevo P170HM.

I found a 7970m here: CEG ATI Radeon HD7970M 2GB GDDR5 MXM 3 0B Clevo P15XEM P17XEM 1 Year Warranty | eBay

It's listed as v1.1 which I researched generally doesn't work well, but I messaged them and they said do have "revision 1.2 without enduro" - Would this be the v1.2 enduro disabled 7970m that I need? Would I still need to flash it with the modded vbios here or since they say "without enduro" is it good to go ahead and install as is?

Thanks for your time and I really appreciate all everyone does here to help out!

 

yep, the 1.2 without enduro would be plug and play, no flashing required. just make sure u tell the seller which laptop model u have so they know whats up

 

Awesome, thanks so much!! And thanks again for making this guide! :thumbsup: The whole thread is a great source of info.

 

Hi guys, Doust I buy this card. What do I need to do to make it work on 150hm? https://www.avito.ru/moskva/tovary_dlya_kompyutera/msi_ati_amd_radeon_hd_7970m_2gb_ddr5_408925873

 

hmmm, im not sure about the compatibility of MSI cards on the P150HM....maybe someone like meaker or prema could chime in there...

 

seem to have trouble downloading off the box website, like doesnt download when i click the download button =O

 

really? weird, the files are definitely there have u tried a different browser / computer?

edit: if it still doesnt work, i might know the reason - my monthly bandwidth is already maxxed out so dec 1st at the latest then

 

Ya hopefully I can get them then, do I still need to do bios with an amd Wimbledon v1.2 2g vbios 015.018.000.000 card

 

it depends if that card was preflashed or not. a v1.2 card is flashable and will then work in an HM machine, but wont work with stock vbios. a v1.1 card on the other hand wont work at all, no matter what kind of vbios ure trying to flash onto it.

 

Its from a p170hm machine going into a p150hm

 

in that case it should be just plug and play

 

Yeah i think i do need to flash the bios and all that with the files inputted in the guide, just blank screen at startup, well i wont be able to tell if i have a dud card or what till the 1st =[

 

hmmmmm, lets hope the card is really functional then....

if you like i can send u the necessary files via email though. just hit me up via pm with ur adress and ill see to it that u get everything u need

 

Yeah so I installed the card again and tried to let it run blind flashed with autoexec to no avail. Then true to reboot was just black but seemed liked it went into windows, I don't even see bios or anything, don't know if its because its not executing the flash properly or just the card itself

 

please check the following:

- usb stick has first priority boot in bios (since ur screen is blank, u can ensure this by removing all other storage drives and optical drive)
- usb stick is indeed bootable into DOS (u can check this on another computer, just make sure that u remove the autoexec.bat file first, otherwise it will go through with the vbios flash)
- atiflash.exe, 7970M.ROM and autoexec.bat files are all on the usb stick

 

Yeah i made sure those files are all on there right in the root, and it does boot DOS on normally with the other gpu, quick question, is it possible to install it with the old gpu in there then just do a swap? or it actually needs the 7970m in there, i would do that as a last resort cause i dont really care if i brick my 6990m lol.

 

u mean boot into dos, then swap gpu and flash the 7970m? im afraid thats not possible....and definitely not recommendable to even try! aside from potentially burning ur fingers u could also brick ur laptop trying to take out a running gpu :-/

anyways, where did u get the 7970M from? are you 100% sure it worked before in that p170hm?

edit: oooh now i get it...the vbios ure flashin goes onto the gpu and not the system! thus, ud brick ur 6990m with the wrong vbios and ur system would be left untouched, again just showing a blank screen with ur 7970m so that wouldnt help any...

that reminds me of something, do you have the latest system bios and EC installed? plase check in your bios and tell me which versions u have!

 

Well right now im assuming its running the batch file, yet it hasnt restarted or i have not recieved a beeps notice, how long does the flashing process take? especially since its in boot sequence and im not doing the autoexec way, as for bios version id have to swap out the card, which i might do in awhile since i havent had any noise confirming its been flashed, but could that also be another issue? its stock bios and what do you mean by EC?

It honestly feels like either its not running the command since i dont get any sort of restart esp after waiting 20 mins, im swapping back cards and let you know bios and ec (embedded controller?)

 

american megatrends inc.
4.6.4
2/15/2011

in the bios it sayss
mb series p150hmx
bios rev 1.01.06
kbc/ec firmware rev 1.00.04

vga 6970m
vbios for this one is BR39419.012

 

also, should i update to the latest bios and ec? If so where would i find them before i try to flash again, im even trying to flash the dell version, but it seems like its not running as usual

And btw the card came from a metabox p170em by clevo

 

ok, first things first...

- please be aware that when u use the regular batch file u still need to (blindly) input the respective command to execute it! thats what the autoexec.bat file is for, it removes the need for user input and executes on its own

BEFORE you try to flash again, please update your system bios and EC (embedded controller) firmware to the latest versions!!!! this is very important to ensure compatibility with the 7970M! In order to do that, please follow the instructions given in this thread to the latter. It also points you to the latest system Bios and EC versions for your respective laptop: http://forum.notebookreview.com/sager-clevo/556299-clevo-bios-older-models.html

 

so i followed with that, did the EC then the BIOS and double checked they were updated, reinstalled the card and still attempting to blind flash, typed in my command and enter to ensure it ran then its just black no sound so im unsure whats going on. ALSO hasnt rebooted even after another 15-20 minutes.

the command in my k.bat is also C:\atiflash.exe -p 0 -fs -fp -reboot 7970M.rom

also when i reboot with the usb out, i can see by the lights its going all the way into windows, just black screen... so what seems to be the issue, its just got to do with the command not running, ill even redo the autoexec.bat style

 

what exactly do u type in when trying to run your k.bat file? do u just type "k" or "k.bat" before hitting enter?

just trying to cover all your bases here

btw, the flash process normally doesnt take so long, just a few minutes, if at all. of course, its definitely safer to wait at least 10 minutes before attempting something else. also, during the flash process, the fans will go to 100% for a short while before the computer shuts down on its own.

 

well thats it, and yeah obv k.bat

it doesnt do the whole fan speed up process after i hit the enter, so thats where the issue lies, and i know it boots into the dos, ive tried that while the 6990m was in, could there be an issue with the bat command line? like could it be missing something? i have a stock charger, could that also somehow be the issue even though i doubt it? and it doesnt even attempt to reboot at any stage either after running the command

 

please go ahead and try the autoexec.bat file instead, see if that works.

also, where did u get the card from? are u 100% sure it worked in the P170HM before?

 

The laptop was a metabox p170EM and apparently it did, also attempted the autoexec same deal

 

aaah so it was an EM machine, then it definitely did not come preflashed, good to know

next question: is it 100% sure that this is a v1.2 7970M? please look at the stickers on the GPU. in case of a v1.1 model it wont work in HM machines, no matter what kind of vbios ure trying to flash to it.

 

amd Wimbledon v1.2 2g
vbios 015.018.000.000 card

 

sounds good....

but in that case im afraid that more and more indications are pointing towards a faulty card...

do u have another machine u could test the card on? preferably an EM model?

 

Was looking over at techinferno forums I might try to do a p170em hd7970m vbios or see if there are any p150hm versions but I'll have to leave that for tomorrow , the only other thing I can think of is probably I should see if maybe the card has gathered static.

And nah I've just got the one lappy sadly, might just start looking for a DIY water cooling to just rectify the 6990m overheating fttb

 

i can also recommend the dell vbios versions from svl7 over at TI, they also work on the HM series. the EM vbios wont do you any good, since u wouldnt see any difference from your current situation, even if the flash was successful

 

Hmm yeah I'd try that later today but the real problem is it isn't executing the commands for flash I believe. I'll try with the actual string and maybe I'll remake the USB with the 98 does boot,

 

doubtful that the command is faulty, since it has worked for so many others, but sure, keep us updated on your progress

 

It seems that ive bricked my 6990m now hahaha -_-

 

aw crap... well im gonna drop off the card at the post office today, so hopefully it will arrive by the end of the week!

 

dont get ya haha

 

nevermind was just a little out of it

 

Haha, I think he meant the 7970m he sent me. Just to thank Jaybee83 for this guide and the gpu, add another person to the list of successful blind flashers/7970m installers.
Steps I took to install a v1.2 Enduro off 7970m in a p150hm laptop:
:
1) Cleaned out all old 6990m drivers.
2) Checked C:/ drive for left over AMD and ATI folders manually.
3) Used CCleaner to get rid of remaining junk left behind by AMD (shouldnt be much but doesnt hurt as long as you are careful with what you delete)
4) Checked laptop booted up ok without card installed.
5) Changed boot order in bios to make sure usb was top of boot list and therefore going to boot first
6) Copied all necessary files from Jaybee83's opening post onto Usb after formatting it etc.
7) Installed new 7970m with Mx-4 thermal paste and NEW thermal pads (bought from ebay 100mm x 100mm x 1mm will be fine).
8) Booted laptop up to check if it boots into windows (there will be no display but you should hear the windows bootup sound) - If it does not, you have either got a defective card (most likely) or the wrong version.
9) Power off laptop using power button (As you cant see ) - no need to worry about the windows didnt shut down properly screen as you will perform 10) and it will boot from usb and blind flash before this occurs.
10) Insert blind flash prepared usb; wait 2 mins. System will inform you blind flash is sucessful and will attempt to reboot in 10 secs.....at which point take the usb stick out only when you see the success message.
11) Your laptop will restart with 7970m installed but no drivers. You will notice now that you can also select 1920x1080 from the resolution screen even with no drivers installed. Change this now as AMDs driver installation screens wont fit on a low resolution screen and you wont be able to proceed.
12) Download the latest drivers from AMDs website. I used the latest beta 14.11.2 beta. Dont forget to pick custom installation and untick RAPTR unless you really want that.
13) Reboot pc; drivers should be installed fine. However, there will be no performance tab on catalyst control centre to monitor temps and overclocking. Download MSI Afterburner (latest version) and install it.
14) On your shortcut to afterburner in target line add /xcl to the end and hit apply. If successful it will come up with CCC limits have been increased. Now delete the extension to the target line on the shortcut.
15) Reboot your pc and now ccc will display a performance tab for overdrive settings and temp monitoring.
16) Enjoy your new card. Mine idles at 38 degrees and gets up to about 75 degrees when fully stressed.

Hope this guide will be as useful to you as it was to me; and thanks again Jaybee83 for it and the time taken to help peeps.

 

yup, i mixed up the nick names here. sometimes hard to keep the overview with so many people in so many threads

thx for the detailed steps btw, im sure itll help other users unsure how to proceed on the steps given in the OP

enjoy ur new gpu

cheers

 

@jaybee83

Is it possible to use your Flashing-Guide to pre-flash a 7970m in a P570WM and then just plug'n'play it in a P170HM?
My intention is to avoid the "Blind" in the flashing process.

 

sure, i dont see why not. the flash process itself is pretty much universal

 

First of all, wanted to say thanks for the detailed guide, it took me a fair bit of looking around to find this, but it's exactly what I've been looking for!

I'm looking to upgrade my sager np8130, which is apparently the same thing as a Clevo P151HM, so would that be compatible with this swap? I'm assuming I would have to upgrade the power supply since I'm moving from a 75w to a 100w GPU. (Though I've heard other people have done this without major problems, Sager/Clevo seem to say officially that they don't support it).

Other than the steps listed in the official guide, is there anything else I need to do besides buying the card/heatsink/thermal paste and a more powerful power supply? I saw someone mention that you should be updating your BIOS before doing this as well, so just want to make sure I'm not missing anything that would be assumed to be common knowledge, as I don't have as much experience as most people here with tweaking and power computing. (I've done stuff like build a desktop before, but stuff where you can accidentally brick your computer / weird laptop compatibility issues seem trickier to me).

Any advice would be most appreciated.

[edit]

From what I'm hearing, if you go Ebay (is there any other option?) you basically have to get the Sager / Clevo cards, Alienware or other brands won't be compatible. Is this true? (Or is there another brand that might be compatible with Sager / Clevo or another name it could be listed under?) Thanks.

 

hey there, welcome to the HM 7970M club

its true that its best to update ur EC and system bios (in that order) to the latest versions first before proceeding.

also, the psu ure using depends on the hardware ur machine sports and if ure planning to overclock or not. as far as i remember the 151hm comes with a 120w (or 150?) psu at stock. that "should" be sufficient for stock clocks, but its already cutting it close, to be honest. ull just habe to try and see i guess. worst case scenario, ur psu gives out on u and the laptop just instantly switches off when u put load on it. then ull know u need to upgrade to a 180w model

other than that, u seem to be good to go

btw, make sure u get urself a clevo card, and not dell! msi kind of works but im unfamiliar with the modifications it would need. also, it has to be a clevo v1.2 version, 1.1 or 1.0 will not work in ur machine! so make sure to check with the respective seller first what kinda card ure bidding on. ceg (clevo extreme gaming) is a recommendable seller that provides clevo parts, btw

cheers

 

Is there any known issue why a 7970m Rev 1.2 won't work in a P170HM(3)?

To be more precisely: When I plug in the card it powers on but don't boot into Windows, it simply powers on and screen stays black. When I put it back into a P150EM it works like a charm. The problem is that the flashing process won't simply start in the P170HM. When I try to flash it in a P570WM I got the following error message:



UEFI is disabled and I followed every step of this guide.

BIOS P170HM_1.00.10 (and P170HM.1.00.14c -> tried this one too)
EC P170HM_EC_09

Any ideas? Did I miss something?