X800 Pro VIVO to XT PE Bios Mod

[W1zzard]

Introduction
ATI's X800 Pro, X800 Pro VIVO and X800 XT PE cards are all based on the same GPU Chip - the R420. As you all know the Pro series has 12 rendering pipelines while the XT series has 16. It wouldn't be cost effective to make two versions of the R420 chip, so ATI is disabling 4 pipelines on the chip after production, just like on R300 and R350 before.

On the R3X0 cores ATI used a resistor - on R420 a laser cut as shown in the following picture:
http://www.techpowerup.com/articles/100/images/r420lasercut.jpg

X800 Pro VIVO cores do not have the laser cut:
http://www.techpowerup.com/articles/100/images/r420nolasercut.jpg

The X850 Pro VIVO can be modded the same way, you just need another Bios.

It is still running with only 12 Pipelines, even after flashing an XT Bios to it. The reason why the XT Bios does not unlock the additional pipelines can be found in the Flashrom flashing tool. It "preserves" certain ROM Bios settings when flashing another BIOS:
http://www.techpowerup.com/articles/100/images/flashpreserve.gif

Several people have used a Gigabyte Bios and flashing tool to get around this, but for some reason you can not flash back to 12 pipelines with this method- if you have defective pipelines you keep them.

The method I present here uses a modified flashrom which does not preserve Bios settings.
This allows:

flashing of any Bios
going back to 12 Pipelines
can not be detected

It will only work on the X800 Pro VIVO and X850 Pro VIVO. Manufacturer does not matter. It will not work on any non-VIVO cards.

The modified flashrom has been updated on Jan 03 2005 to support both AGP and PCI-Express X800 Pro VIVO cards. The mod is the same, just get a X800 XT PE PCI-E BIOS when flashing a PCI-E card.

If you flash a PCI-E Pro VIVO and the card is detected as "X800 SE" after flashing, you flashed the wrong BIOS.

Instead of the modified flashrom you can also use ATI's atiflash 3.xx (http://bios.techpowerup.com#flash). Just add -newbios to the command-line switches to disable "Preserve BIOS settings".

Rumor has it that Gigabyte X800 Pro VIVOs come with activated 16 pipelines out of the box.

http://www.techpowerup.com/articles/100/images/vivo.jpg
All VIVO cards can be identified by this yellow CD-Audio connector near the power plug. If your card has not got this connector, it is not VIVO and can not be modded.

Performing the Mod

Download modified flashrom (http://www.techpowerup.com/articles/100/images/flashrom16p.zip).
Download Bios from here (http://bios.techpowerup.com).
I suggest the latest X800XT PE Bios (or X850 XT Bios if you are modding an X850 Pro VIVO).
A little sidenote: Many people complain that they get a "file not found" error when trying to flash the bios under DOS. The problem is that DOS does not know long filenames, so all files are truncated to some funky names like Powerco~1.bin. Either use the dir command, when in DOS, to find out the short filename or rename the file to something shorter while still in Windows.
Make sure the card can reliably run at the clock speeds of the new bios (with ATITool (http://atitool.techpowerup.com), for example).
If you know your card can't handle the XT PE speeds you can download a modified X800 Pro VIVO Bios from the Bios Collection as well (ATI X800 Pro VIVO 16P). This bios is just 16P enabled and is detected as X800 Pro by the drivers - clocks are unchanged.
Make a backup of the existing Bios of your card. Yes, make a backup, do not rely on the Bios collection. The reason is that different pipelines could be disabled on your card than in the Bios from the collection. So if you want to flash back because of artifacts, the Bios from the collection might disable the working pipelines and leave you running with the bad ones.
Use the modified flashrom to flash the Bios to the card. More extensive flashing instructions can be found here (http://www.techpowerup.com/articles/overclocking/vidcard/34). They talk about atiflash - you use the modified flashrom, usage is the same.
After bootup Windows should automatically install the X800 XT PE driver.
Verify the number of active pipelines using ATITool (http://atitool.techpowerup.com). Go to Settings -> Overclocking. The list there shows the number of pipelines the card is running with.


You can use this CD ISO Image (http://www.techpowerup.com/articles/100/images/boot.iso) (1.5 MB) to flash the 16P modded X800 Pro VIVO AGP BIOS to your card. After starting from the CD, a boot menu comes up. Please make sure you already have made a backup of your existing BIOS at this point.

If you want to remove all traces of previous Bios flashes (for example if you flashed the Gigabyte Bios):
Use modified flashrom to flash empty.bin (http://www.techpowerup.com/articles/100/images/empty.bin) (use "Save as..." if weird characters appear when clicking the link) to your video card, then flash the new Bios without rebooting. Be careful - if you don't flash a real Bios after flashing the empty Bios, your card will not work properly.

[Xenn0X]

Jup i tried this mod too with succes!

transformed my sapphire x800 pro vivo into a full x800 xt pe
stable @ 520/560 stockspeed of the xt.
did not try to clock furter cause i'm stuck with the original cooling in my barebane.
no space for artic kinda stuff:D

ahh well happy as it is.. went from 11k 3dmark03 to 13k
doom 3 goes @ 1280/1024 high quality 4x fsaa and 8x asf. fps not getting under the 40:)
most of the time 60 fps limit in doom 3!

[NemoNada]

I've been trying to buy an X800XT PCI-X card and I can't find one anywhere--not even ATI has one! First time in my life that I've had money and can't spend it

Anyway... maybe this would be a better answer (and cheaper) than waiting or doing without. Would the card being PCI-X affect any of the procedures?

Take care...

[Urlyin]

I did the BIOS flash from a Sapphire X800pro VIVO to an X800xt PE. The flash worked and I now have 16pipes. I used the Sapphire XT BIOS first and had lockup problems. Also the performance was still at the OC'ed pro speed. I then flashed to the ATI XT BIOS and what a difference. I now see XT speeds but all is not perfect. I tried ATITool to scan for artifacts and it locks after a few minutes. When I loop 3DMark03 VPU recover pops up. I would assume that I need a volt mod. It has been mentioned that some pros come with a 1.3 volt and not the 1.4 volt of a XT. I can still play Doom3 and PainKiller without any issues. I changed the stock fan to a Zalman ZM80d-HP running idle at 35c and 54c at the highest so far... I still like to see if I can change it back to 12 pipes but I'm enjoying the XT mod to much.. :D pencil time ...

[Urlyin]

The X800 series doesn't come in PCI-X... X600XT/X600pro and X300/X300se for ATI PCI-Express

[kovenant]

thanx w1zzard so much :)

this will help a lot of ppl here to beat the 6800gts...

hehe

kov

[Damn you logon]

PCIe X800s are coming soon...

W1zzard, you're the man... even though I can't use this mod.

[Urlyin]

W1zzard I'm confused about the Gigabyte Flash to an XT. If you use the regular Ati flash tool and Gigabyte XT BIOS to mod. You then have broken pipes are you stuck with them? Can the Flashrom and Empty BIOS get you back to 12 (flashing original BIOS before reboot)?

Thanks for posting the files :)

[W1zzard]

use modified flashrom and flash your original bios back to get 12p

[Urlyin]

Excellent...

[NemoNada]

The X800 series doesn't come in PCI-X... X600XT/X600pro and X300/X300se for ATI PCI-Express

:eek: I couldn't believe that! :( I was sure I'd seen something somewhere... :confused:

Anyway, my apologies, :o you were correct and ATI has indicated they do not have a planned release date for the X800 as PCI-X.

I know this is not the correct thread but I can't make new ones yet and I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for me? Should I go w/the X600XT or something totally different. I'd also read that ASUS has made some modifications to their version of the X*00 cards. Do you know anything about that?

Thanks for your assistance (and straightening out! :o )...

Take care,

Jim

"Guam: Where America's Day Begins!"

[Urlyin]

Well you're right about them being made. Their just not available yet, read this review for some good info http://firingsquad.com/hardware/ati_x800_x600_xt/ .

ASUS doesn't put anything different on their boards than any other mfg (other than PCB color and HSF mfg specific). There is a difference between an XT and a XT Platium Edition, about 20mhz I believe. All XT's come with VIVO (ati rage theater chip)

Which brand might depend on the bundled software and price. Each card preforms differently. ASUS usually has a good software bundle but is priced 20 to 50 dollars more than say a Powercolor with a limited bundle or why get the ASUS if you already have the software. ASUS does throw in a videocam as well...

Also don't buy a high end card if you're running a low end system. The card will never reach it's potential...

[NemoNada]

Well you're right about them being made. Their just not available yet, read this review for some good info ...

Thanks Urlyin, that link you provided cleared up the last of my confusion and I can see now why I thought there was supposed to be PCI-X cards.

I couldn't get ASUS to answer me regarding when they were going to release the X800XT Platinum PCI-X and ATI just said they "had no date projected".

So I decided to buy the ASUS X600XT card for now. Doesn't have near the specs but it'll work for now. Plus I want to check out mod'ding the card to a FireGL version. I saw some info on turning the Radeon 9800 into a FireGL, so I'm sure something similar will apply to the X*00 series cards. I'm not a gamer and I use multiple monitors so the firegl card is more in line w/what I need.

I didn't notice anything on this site regarding the firegl mod'ding. Is anyone here familiar with it?

Also, will ATITool work w/PCI-X? Guess I'll find out soon enough...

BTW, you're correct about needing a system to support the X800XT type of card. I'm pretty sure I'll be okay w/a P4 550, ASUS P5AD2 Premium MB, and 2GB of DDR2-533MHz RAM.

Take care,

Jim

"Guam: Where America's Day Begins!"

[Unregistered]

Just making sure that does it matter if its something els too like "CLUB 3D RADEON X800 PRO VGA+DVI+VIVO" for example ?

[pablofrogo]

If it's VIVO, it will work. VGA and DVI are just different types of plug sockets on the card, VGA is the blue one, DVI is the round black one.

[Urlyin]

Cool... Glad I could help.
W1zzard should be able to help you with AtiTool...

I'd like to also note anyone doing the Pro to XT mod should seriously consider upgrading their stock HSF

I did the pencil vmod on my modded XT. It took longer to take off/on the ZM80D-HP than to do the vmod. I checked the voltage and it was 1.39 :confused: before the mod. The card out I then checked the resistance which read 418ohm. I dropped it down to 400ohm. With the card back in and running the voltage read 1.45. Now having done that I went straight to the AtiTool and scanned for artifacts(stock XT settings). No lockups :D

Didn't have time to run max core/mem ...

[Paxil]

excellent work!!! did anyone hear anything about ati wanting to change that possible flash?

[Unregistered]

i used the modified flashrom to try and flash my Sapphire Pro Vivo to unlock the other 4 pipes. Everything seemed to go ok, and I used the ati x800xt bios. However, after i rebooted, my motherboard barks at me..

system failed vga test

F... any way to correct this other than getting a pci card?

[Unregistered]

Hallo Wizzard,

wie ich sehe bist du aus Deutschland, ich hoffe du kannst mir meine Frage beantworten.

Ich bekomme diese Woche noch eine HIS X800 Pro geliefert, kann ich die mit deiner Methode auch zu einer XT PE hoch"patchen"?

Ich denke schon, es steht ja zumindest hier in deinem Artikel, aber sage mir Bitte, man hat mir schon Hilfe bei dem BIOS flashen usw angeboten, dieses Verfahren für das man Disketten benötigt usw, leider ist mir dies nicht sehr geheuer ...

Ist deine Methode einfacher und löscht man damit nicht sein Normales BIOS? In meinem Falle ein MSI BIOS?

Lieben Gruß, Sven.

[Unregistered]

Ich nochmal:

Ich glaube so langsam bei deiner Methode geht es wirklich nur ganz konkret um das "Bios" der Karte nicht wahr? Das heißt selbst wenn es fehl schlagen würde, könnte man mit diesem Flash ROM das Alte Standard BIOS wieder draufladen nicht wahr? Habe nämlich Angst dass das BIOS des Boards flöten geht oder dergleichen, weil man ja bei der Anderen Methode ein ganz Anderes "Board Bios" laden muss gell?

Ciao

[Unregistered]

Huhu ...

ich mal wieder, kann ich mit dem hier: http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=11

meine Karte flashen, wenn ich nicht diese ViVo habe?

Gruß.

[papashex]

Has anyone tried this on an AMD64 s939 system? I have found some tools do not work outside of windows, i.e. memtest86 and the Acronis trueimage restore CD will not boot the system.

Standard dos floppies appear to boot ok but I would hate to crash mid flash!

[W1zzard]

es geht nur mit einer Pro _VIVO_

ja es geht nur um das bios das du drauf flashst

[Urlyin]

i used the modified flashrom to try and flash my Sapphire Pro Vivo to unlock the other 4 pipes. Everything seemed to go ok, and I used the ati x800xt bios. However, after i rebooted, my motherboard barks at me..

system failed vga test

F... any way to correct this other than getting a pci card?

At this point the answer would be Yes you'll need a second card...
Did you use the BIOS from the link http://www.techpowerup.com/bios/ ?
Did you verify your Pro could run at XT speeds?
There's two ATI XT BIOS one is 520 and the other is 526. Perhaps it might be that your card is a 1.3v and not 1.4 as some people have noted.
Have you checked your voltage?
The memory is 1.6 right?
You did do the backup for original BIOS as per instructions...
Sorry the flash went bad... do you have a pci card?

[Unregistered]

es geht nur mit einer Pro _VIVO_

ja es geht nur um das bios das du drauf flashst

So,

that means ... i only can flash up the card if it is an "ViVo" ???? OMG please don't tell me, that it is the truth ... to be honest ... then it would be 430€ for nothin' ...

I thought i can do it with an Normal Pro too?

[Xenn0X]

nop flash only with vivo,
normal pro has lasercut on pcb you need to unlock that..

[Unregistered]

Yeah ..

i have seen that ... the Memory on it has 2,0ns right? So it is protected i think ... oh boy ... *sigh*.

Well i hope the card is not shipped yet, so i can give it back to the merchant.

:( ... bye

[Freddy23]

First of all great Mod Description, thx W1zzard !

Does anybody know if the Vivo to XT mod is always successful? Are there possible checkerboards or other interferences after modding?
And which Heatsink do you guys recommend?


...looks like I don't have to wait for a XT card ;-)

[Urlyin]

First of all great Mod Description, thx W1zzard !

Does anybody know if the Vivo to XT mod is always successful? Are there possible checkerboards or other interferences after modding?
And which Heatsink do you guys recommend?


...looks like I don't have to wait for a XT card ;-)

Defiantly not 100% ... research the specs and make sure your card meets the requirements... then it's a toss up on the 4 pipes working. However with the flashrom tool here you can flash back to the original BIOS if you have issues....

[Freddy23]

I bought a Sapphire x800 pro VIVO yesterday, 1.6 ms Ram from Samsung on it.
Well, after flashing the card was recognized as XT PE , works perfectly with standard clock speed 520/560 and the nice Overdrive thing even overclocks the card...ahhh great :-)
Thx every1 and good luck with overclocking

[babalou]

I could use some advice if you folks don't mind.

I bought a BBA ATI X800 Pro,
I tried to flash using the gigabyte bios/utility, but after checking with ati tool, it still had 12 pipes.
SO I flashed back to my original.

Ati Tool shows my device as a 4A49.
I have Samsung ram on my board, although I'm not sure where to tell if its 1.6 or not.

I had read that the 4A49 was a no go, but I have also read that it does work..
As you can see, this is a pretty confusing scenerio.

Does anybody beleive that I can unlock those extra pipes?

[Urlyin]

Baboula... It needs to be a X800Pro VIVO ( look for the ATI Theater chip on the back ) to do the softmod... Just a Pro has a laser cut and can not be softmodded

[Unregistered]

Thanks for your reply
Looking at the card now, I see a Rage Theater chip.
I can always take the card out if you need numbers from it.
I'm looking through my side window

[babalou]

oh well I tried again using your instructions, and the ATI Bios, and it won't unlock the extra pipes.
So I guess my card even though a VIVO, must be laser locked.

[Babalou]

Sorry for the double post..
But I spoke too soon..
I re-installed my drivers and checked ATI Tool again, now it says 16 pipes!
Is this for real I wonder?

[W1zzard]

benchmark the card and you know

[ronsha]

I did the bios flash and this happend !

In atiTool I still have 12 pipeline's
My default core is 520 / memory 560

After flashing I should have 16 pipeline's ?

Help needed, how can I fix this ?????

Thanks,

Ronsha

[babalou]

ronsha

After I flashed, ATI Tool still said I had 12 pipelines.
It was after I installed the drivers that I got 16 pipelines to show up.

So try to install drivers, and check again

[ronsha]

Thanks, babalou, I'll try it later on

Ronsha

[LogaII]

Hi all

I flashed my Club 3D vivo with the modified flashrom and ATI X800XT bios and rebooted.
It still said 12 pipes, then I flashed with the Gigabyte flash program and still 12 pipes.
My fault was not to wait for the display drivers to reinstall it turned out, because after they where reinstalled it said 16 pipes. GREAT. Thanks W1zzard :)

I still have one problem VIVO does not install - I have two unknown devices - and pointing to the right drivers does not work - is this normal or do I have to use a different XT bios. I still have the Gigabyte bios.??? Is there a XT PE VIVO driver ??

Thanks in advance
LogaII

[Totenmond]

Baboula... It needs to be a X800Pro VIVO ( look for the ATI Theater chip on the back ) to do the softmod... Just a Pro has a laser cut and can not be softmodded

Hello, by reading this post i think its clear that i can´t flash my X800 Pro non-vivo to a XT, but i just wanted to ask because i want to know an not to believe ;) So it´s impossible to flash a non-vivo X800 Pro to a XT?

[pablofrogo]

Yes, it is unfortuantely. At this point in time anyway....

[Urlyin]

Hi all

I flashed my Club 3D vivo with the modified flashrom and ATI X800XT bios and rebooted.
It still said 12 pipes, then I flashed with the Gigabyte flash program and still 12 pipes.
My fault was not to wait for the display drivers to reinstall it turned out, because after they where reinstalled it said 16 pipes. GREAT. Thanks W1zzard :)

I still have one problem VIVO does not install - I have two unknown devices - and pointing to the right drivers does not work - is this normal or do I have to use a different XT bios. I still have the Gigabyte bios.??? Is there a XT PE VIVO driver ??

Thanks in advance
LogaII
I had that problem when I used the Doom3 fix 4.9 cat beta drivers... try the 4.8 cat drivers... it worked for me ... also I thought the ATI BIOS worked the best...

[Lt.Nutter]

hi guys,

i have a vivo version of the x800 pro, so this thread has caused some interest from me. I was wondering the first step - to check that the card can run at the stock X800XT speeds of 520 core/ 560 on the ram - through ATi Tool? If so, how long should i run it for.

if no errors are found, is it unlikely i will have to do any volt modding or anything? i am just thinking if i do this bios update, and it enables 16 pipelines, that more juice will be required?


thanks, in advance.

[W1zzard]

set xt pe clocks and PLAY your favourite games .. that the best test imo .. atitool artifact detection on x800 isnt that great yet ..

should have no power/heat issues when going to 16p .. pro vivo is physically the same card as xt pe

[Lt.Nutter]

hey W1zzard, thanks. how long would you game for before classifying it capable of XT speeds?

also should loops of 3dmark03 do the trick too? come back after a while and see if theres any artifacts?

also, is the arctic cooling ATI 4 cooler recommended? i think i should look at aftermarket cooling if i do this bios upgrade.

thank you


*update*

i have played games for several hours, ran 3dmark 03 in loops and used the ati tool to test. it looks like it runs fine over XT speeds! does this mean the only thing stopping it from being flashed to x800xt its now the 50/50 as to whether the 4 Additional pipelines aren't bad or anything?

[babalou]

Thats pretty much it!
Use ATI Tool perhaps to verify the heat after playing your card for awhile.
If your not too high, then your probably safe and can set those clocks.
but theres always the modified bios that runs at pro speeds with 16 pipes.
That is what I used for now, I plan on putting cooling on the ram since ATI doesn't beleive in that.

[Lt.Nutter]

thanks babalou,

i left it on last night running 3dmark03 in loops. when i woke up, there were no visible artifacts (question: i assume i am looking for white specs or out of place stuff or corruption in the screen colours?) so it had ran for quite a while.

i decided what the hell. i purchased that VGA Silencer ATi 4 cooler. currently ATi Tool has been scanning for artifacts at 520/560 for around an hour or so now. Its a bit bulky but it is overall pretty good. i like the ram cooling.

temperature reported fluctuates from 43|42 to 42|43 (GPU Temp|Temp of Temp chip) i assume this is not too high.
i admit i have used ATi tools override option and i have the fan set to 100% and i still can't hear it, so that would probably explain the lowish GPU temperature?


forgive me. i like to be 110% certain things are stable before attempting to flash it to XT speeds :p

P.S. am i wrong to assume that the 4 currently disabled pipelines should be error-free? (as it's a VIVO) or is it still a gamble if theyre not still erroneous? (as in, result in artifacts or something?)

thanks!


*update*

hellooooo X800XT :eek: :cool: :D
i see core temperature has gone up 5-6 degrees under load , with the additional 4 pipelines activated.

thank you to W1zzard, for your knowledge. :cool:

[Babalou]

Seems like you got a stable card!

I haven't gotten into permanently clocking mine to those speeds yet, I'd like to get better cooling.
But I have used Ati Tool to clock it to XT speeds for gaming, and it runs great, still runs at the same temps as it does a Pro speeds.
Although I can't speak for the memory, as AtiTool only registers the Core.

As far as the extra pipes being faulty, I guess its possible as these Pro cards possibly might have been the ones that didn't make the cut to XT's.

You likely would notice with some sort of visual problems if that was the case with your card,
as your trying to utilize 4 pipes that are damaged.


I shall begin my search for better cooling ;-)

[Unregistered]

use modified flashrom and flash your original bios back to get 12p

I have flashed my card with gigabyte, and it worked ok, but now I want to fash it back to 12 pipes & original bios.

your description does not seem to work! I use your modified flashrom and try to flash the 56kb-bin file bios but get only "ERROR01F1"

however if I then try to flash a 54kb rom file bios it works ok. but then again... I'm stuck with 16pipes.

how do I flash the renamed X800PROVIVO (BIN file) without getting ERROR? (tried "everything"! I even managed to reboot without working bios, so I had to flash again without seeing anything on my screen! I was pretty hot at one point there:-)

[mariuski]

I have flashed my card with gigabyte, and it worked ok, but now I want to fash it back to 12 pipes & original bios.

your description does not seem to work! I use your modified flashrom and try to flash the 56kb-bin file bios but get only "ERROR01F1"

however if I then try to flash a 54kb rom file bios it works ok. but then again... I'm stuck with 16pipes.

how do I flash the renamed X800PROVIVO (BIN file) without getting ERROR? (tried "everything"! I even managed to reboot without working bios, so I had to flash again without seeing anything on my screen! I was pretty hot at one point there:-)

oh, by the way! Now I'm registerred!

Marius

[eliSha]

thx 2 all, who make this possible!!

[Urlyin]

I have flashed my card with gigabyte, and it worked ok, but now I want to fash it back to 12 pipes & original bios.

your description does not seem to work! I use your modified flashrom and try to flash the 56kb-bin file bios but get only "ERROR01F1"

however if I then try to flash a 54kb rom file bios it works ok. but then again... I'm stuck with 16pipes.

how do I flash the renamed X800PROVIVO (BIN file) without getting ERROR? (tried "everything"! I even managed to reboot without working bios, so I had to flash again without seeing anything on my screen! I was pretty hot at one point there:-)
From Wombat...When you are using a boot floppy you should use the naming specification of this mode.
8 letters and extension. Just rename the rom file
Which means rename the X800PROVIVO to 8 characters are less...

Does that help?

[pablofrogo]

mariuski, you flashed with Gigabyte... Doesn't that mean you can't flash back?

[Urlyin]

mariuski, you flashed with Gigabyte... Doesn't that mean you can't flash back?

Your suppose to be able to with the flashrom here or use empty.bios and flash to your original bios

[mariuski]

mariuski, you flashed with Gigabyte... Doesn't that mean you can't flash back?

Never say never!

I THINK I can flash back with the modified flashrom! (I just have to learn how to make an "emty.bin" and make it "swallow" my bios) At least I can flash other Bios'es, either xtpe or provivo or whatever.

However, so far I'm not satisfied with performance and would like to reset the bios by flashing it with a "blank" bios, folowed up with the original ProVivo bios and hopefully close the last 4 pipelines.

I think I've got a "not so good"- card, and that I should keep default speeds and pipes!

Now, with original vga-bios, running 3dmark03 on default speed vs 500/500 the results differs only by 2-300 points at the most.

If I, instead of tweaking clock/mem speed on VGA card, tweak up FSB on mobo-bios from default 200 to 225 I get an encrease in 3dmark03 of about 2000 points, and if I try vga speed 500/500 with fsb on 225 3d-score dont get any higher. only decrease quality on frames. (I get spikes and triangles on screen)
I'm not even close to reach xtpe speeds even when I use xtpe bios.
winxp recognize my card as xtpe when using that bios, but it's just like putting a star from Mercedes on a Fiat. (Look's better but is just the same)

[mariuski]

From Wombat...When you are using a boot floppy you should use the naming specification of this mode.
8 letters and extension. Just rename the rom file
Which means rename the X800PROVIVO to 8 characters are less...

Does that help?

I think I'm gonna try renaming ATI.X800PROVIVO (bin-file) to ax800pv (or something). I hope maybe ati-bios is better than my sapphire bios.

the "rom-bios'es" I have are only 53,5kb but the "bin-bios'es" is 55,5kb.
isnt it better to use the bin-files?

[mariuski]

Don't EVER give up trying!

Managed to flash back to 12 pipes and no problems! (so far)

modyfied flashrom from W1zzard's receipt and Sapphire x800provivo bios from the bios collection. (renamed the bios to x800pro)

thanks guy's! knowledge is everything!

[Coppertop]

does the official X800 pro 256 from Ati.com have VIVO connectors...
I´m looking into getting one for myself but the only computerstore i get discounts at in the area, only has the official card direct from ati....

Do you think that is softmoddable to XT ??

With thanks
Stefán

[Babalou]

I got my card through Futureshop.
It is a Built By ATI product.

I had no problem unlocking the extra pipelines, using the method provided here.

Correct me if i'm wrong but ATI's own live of cards are all VIVO's
I've not had one that wasn't since the original radeon.

[cowboyb]

I just got the x800 pro and then I read this post, doh!
Will there ever be a way that I can open the remaining 4 piplines? I just updated the flash and it increased the mem/clockspeed, but I still have only 12 piplines. Should I keep this card or get the PNY 6800GT 1gmem/350clock?

[Unregistered]

I just got a MSI RX800 Pro TVD 256 (==> X800 Pro VIVO) here in France. Unlocked the 16 pipes without any problem, but I run with the X800 Pro speed 16 pipes BIOS, because I can only be at 520/490. A VGA Silencer will maybe help, but I won't buy it now, because this card is far enough powerfull for a lot of months :)

[Xenn0X]

i pushed the voltmod to 1.5v and getting 570/610 now on a external waterchiller. hitting 15k in 3dmark 03. oc'd my cpu from 3.2 ghz till 4 ghz and that in a shuttle barebone lol. just wanted to test the max:)

[Unregistered]

I have a PowerColor ATI Radeon X800 Pro 256MB DDR3 VIVO but the ati xt bios caused problems and so did the 16 pipeline only bios.
But the card will run standard 12 pipelines at 520/560 ???
What can i use to see gfx voltages , im using a gigabyte 8penxp mobo and in bios you can change agp voltage 0.01+ , 0.02+ or 0.03+

[Babalou]

========>cowboyb

Did you install the drivers after the flash?
Myself after flashing still only saw 12 pipes, untill I installed the video drivers.

[cowboyb]

yeah I did, its a x800pro not VIVO. I just returned it and got the 6800gt. Did you manage to get a standard x800pro to work with 16piplines? are all x800pro's vivo? Mine didnt work right.

[Sick]

I have a Sapphire X800 Pro ( laser cut :( ) and i try this hardmod (pic), i still have 12 pipes :(...
Someone knows another way to unlock the 4 pipes??? Thnx :....

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/daniel.furze/800/800Pins.jpg

[cowboyb]

This is the only thread I can type in, how do I get to type in the other threads under videocards and such? Also anyone know where I can get a x800 XT for a good price?

[mr-rusty]

Works a treat :-) Ordered my HIS X800 Pro IceQ II from www.ebuyer.com on Monday and when it arrived it was a VIVO (what an unexpected and very pleasant surprise)... checked the GPU and no laser cut, 1.6ns RAM so after re-assembling with some Artic Silver on GPU & RAM and checking it would run at 520/560 I flashed with the HIS X800 XT BIOS and 16 pipelines enabled fine... superb... thanks W1zzard.. Far Cry never looked so good! 8-D

[SoCa]

Hey Wizzard.
Ich hab mir mal die Sapphire x800pro toxic Vivo angeschaut.. die dürfte man doch auch flashen können, oder?

[Unregistered]

Greeting,

what is considered a safe temperature? I have X800XT PE bios running, fine in games and no artefacting. ATITool reports no errors for 8 - 9 hours

temperature reported : 59/55 Degrees Celcius - is this fine?

[Urlyin]

55/59c would be a good temp for your XT.... I would be concerned if you went over 80c... the cards are rated for higher temps but that's a lot of heat in your case and with the after market HSF out there why would you let it...

[Tiago]

Hi to all. My name is Tiago, and i´m from Portugal.

I recently purchased a X800Pro, and i was searching the www to check if i could "Mod" it to XT and i crashed at this excelente site. I downloaded ATItool and checked if my card eas ViVO. IT is !! :) i´m very pleased with that ... but i am not sure if i should flash my bios.
I have absolutely no experience with this and i´m afraid i just to greedy cause this card is excellent and i can play all games.
Do you really think it worth doing this?
How cab i check my card hold´s up to that temperatures.
How can i flahs the Bios (detailed instrutins please i really am a noob here)

Thanks a lot to all.

[Unregistered]

hi, i just scanned for artifacts on my unflashed asus x800 pro vivo with atitool.
When i put it on 520/560 it gives me 1 pixel that doesn't match after 3 minutes.
Also the temps in atitool go to 72/55 when i scan for artifacts.
If i put it on 510/550 it gives me no artifacts after 7 minutes of scanning, but the temps stay high ( 71/55 )

Is that to high to convert it too a XT ? Also, is it possible to permanently use the 510/550 values?

And if i flash it to an XT, should i use an asus XT bios, or the ati xt bios ?

[W1zzard]

dont worry about temperature or additional cooling needed - the pro, pro vivo and xt all have the same cooling

[Unregistered]

yeagh, but i wondered, if you scan for artifacts or open 3D tool, what's the maximum 'safe' temperature ?

[Unregistered]

Hmm, I have a HIS Radeon X800Pro ICEQ II 256MB ViVo.

I ran the artifact scan with 520/560 for 5 minutes with no dead pixels 35/50.
Isn't it so that 2.0ns memory only can handle 560, and 1.6ns up to 600. If I clock over 560 with my card and run stable should I presume I can safetly flash my card? It's ordered from 20 August.

I'm a bit afraid of removing the cooling.

[Iax]

Thank you!!!!
This saved me!
I have a saphire pro vivo and had previously done the gigabit flash, then flash back to original and keep the 16 pipes. And it worked great for most things, dawn of war, rome total war. BUT in doom3 and in the ATI demo 'crowd' I would get this annoying grid of blocks effect ontop of what was supposed to be the smoke effect. (the black smoke in crowd, and the spaceship engines in doom3)
Then when I went and checked atitool, the same block effect was in the background, not on the 3d object!
http://img11.paintedover.com/uploads/11/x800problem.jpg

I tried everything to fix it, but it didnt go away, new cat drivers just made it more pronounced in doom3.
I thought I had wrecked a 500 dollar card.
But your modified flashrom, and the stock saphire pro vivo bios, and now im back to 12 pipes and im not seeing those blocks anwhere yet.
If anyone knows how I can get 16 pipes and no blocks please tell.
thanks again.

[Spyder187]

Yes you should be able to presume that you can safely flash your card. I haven't done it myself but it looks like I'll be picking up a Sapphire X800Pro Vivo really soon. Can't wait to try this.

After flashing, even if you get some artifacts, I think it should be alright just as long as you don't play any games on it. Seems if you do get artifacts, the best thing to do is to dload the x800pro16 bios or the 500/500xt bios before doing anything else.

Good luck with the flash~

[Frumpco_]

Is there a way to get a AGP card to post after accidenly clearing the BIOS and having the machine restart on you? I have put in a PCI card set it to the default display int he bios but when I put the X800 in there the comptuer will not POST it just cont to beep

any idea's? I know once I get it post I will be fine and able to flash it again

[Lucas-10]

Is there a way to get a AGP card to post after accidenly clearing the BIOS and having the machine restart on you? I have put in a PCI card set it to the default display int he bios but when I put the X800 in there the comptuer will not POST it just cont to beep

any idea's? I know once I get it post I will be fine and able to flash it again

It’s a not solution but can help you :o
http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=699

[Frumpco_]

Thanks, I tried that advice but no luck it would either A not get past post or if it did get past post flashrom was unable to see any ATI cards. I also tried that in 2 diff machines and still no luck so I am thinking that this maybe a paper weight, a nice looking very expensive paper weight

[Urlyin]

Frumpco ... just a thought but have you tried the pci card in a different slot? or even a different pci card? for instance try slot three instead of slot one ...

[Unregistered]

Hi all,

Played around with my Asus x800 pro TD non vivo version last night seemed to work fine with the asus x800XT bios found on the webite, but when i started windows everything looked fine till the system tried to detect the RAge Video Chip set on the Vivo Version then restarted the machine. I'm hoping that i can get around the Plug and play detecion, Luckly i backup my old bios and was able to go back with out any issues.

Does anyone have any ideas on how i can get around the auto detect, i ahve tried to boot in VGA mode, and safe mode but cant see the device to diable it.

JOLLI

[Urlyin]

Hi all,

Played around with my Asus x800 pro TD non vivo version last night seemed to work fine with the asus x800XT bios found on the webite, but when i started windows everything looked fine till the system tried to detect the RAge Video Chip set on the Vivo Version then restarted the machine. I'm hoping that i can get around the Plug and play detecion, Luckly i backup my old bios and was able to go back with out any issues.

Does anyone have any ideas on how i can get around the auto detect, i ahve tried to boot in VGA mode, and safe mode but cant see the device to diable it.

JOLLI

You might try the beta cat 4.9 drivers ... When I tried them that was an issue with the beta that they didn't install the VIVO drivers .... Use the ATItool to see if you have enabled the 4 extra pipes... I don't think they will ... good luck

[Unregistered]

Thanks Urlyin,

I'll give it a go, i was just interested to see if this thing would work anyways once i get home ill give it a go, One thing i did notice is that when the system restsrted after the mod the system first detected the X800 pro again.... let see what happens

JOLLI

[Urlyin]

Jolli... you may need to reinstall the video drivers before it will detect it as an XT... still think it's highly unlikely that you'll have the 16 pipes though... sorry :(

[Unregistered]

Just to be clear:

I have a HIS Excalibur X800 Pro IceQII ViVo.

Following your guide, would I download (http://bios.techpowerup.com/) the BIOS for a "X800 XT PE IceQ II (AGP) 256 MB" as written on the BIOS page?

Thanks.

[Urlyin]

You can try that one... certain cards seem to do better with different BIOS. I like the ATI BIOS myself... works well on my Sapphire X800 pro @ XT. Have you read through the thread? Some steps you should take before you flash... like ocing the card to XT speeds to see if it can handle it..... good luck :)

[beanfondler]

I made a little bit of a mistake, I have a Powercolor x800pro vivo. I'd flashed it to enable the extra four pipes, they were enabled but either I wasn't getting enough volts or the extra pipes weren't functional. So I wanted to flash back to 12 pipes, I used the "empty.bin" to get rid of all the bios that I had flashed before, and I had my original x800pro vivo bios ready to flash afterwards. The empty.bin bios went nicely but the x800pro bios were corrupted and wouldn't access off of the floppy, so I was going to wait until I could get on another computer and get the bios.... That was yesterday, now I get home today, and I am ready to try and reinstall the x800 pro vivo bios, but a pesky member of my family had turned my computer off... Now the card isn't functioning too well.

So to summarize, I flashed the "empty.bin" file to clear all the old bios and my computer was turned off before I could reinstall the x800pro bios.

So my question is this... Is my card raped, or is it possible to flash it back to an x800 pro?

[Urlyin]

I made a little bit of a mistake, I have a Powercolor x800pro vivo. I'd flashed it to enable the extra four pipes, they were enabled but either I wasn't getting enough volts or the extra pipes weren't functional. So I wanted to flash back to 12 pipes, I used the "empty.bin" to get rid of all the bios that I had flashed before, and I had my original x800pro vivo bios ready to flash afterwards. The empty.bin bios went nicely but the x800pro bios were corrupted and wouldn't access off of the floppy, so I was going to wait until I could get on another computer and get the bios.... That was yesterday, now I get home today, and I am ready to try and reinstall the x800 pro vivo bios, but a pesky member of my family had turned my computer off... Now the card isn't functioning too well.

So to summarize, I flashed the "empty.bin" file to clear all the old bios and my computer was turned off before I could reinstall the x800pro bios.

So my question is this... Is my card raped, or is it possible to flash it back to an x800 pro?

Bean... you'll need a pci video card to boot the system to retry the flash. Go here (http://www.techpowerup.com/bios/) to find your model cards BIOS. Go here (http://www.techpowerup.com/articles/overclocking/vidcard/34) for instructions on how to recover from a bad flash... it's near the bottom...

[beanfondler]

Thanks for the help it is working nicely now.

[nd]

I flash my Asus X800pro VIVO with the "Asus.X800XT.256.Samsung16.bin" and with the "ATI.X800XT.256.Samsung16_0609.bin" Bios (flashrom v2.40), the Card ins now running with the X800XT PE clocks, but It is still running with only 12 Pipelines? is it possible to unlock the Pipelines und the clocks? Did somebody this with the ASUS Card ? THANKS! :rolleyes:

[Urlyin]

I flash my Asus X800pro VIVO with the "Asus.X800XT.256.Samsung16.bin" and with the "ATI.X800XT.256.Samsung16_0609.bin" Bios (flashrom v2.40), the Card ins now running with the X800XT PE clocks, but It is still running with only 12 Pipelines? is it possible to unlock the Pipelines und the clocks? Did somebody this with the ASUS Card ? THANKS! :rolleyes:

Have you tried to re-install the video drivers? Couple of members have mentioned that they still had 12 pipes until they re-installed the video drivers....

[Unregistered]

Can i use WINflash to flash my X800 pro vivo bios ?

[E1sK4lt]

just did the mod with my new asus ax800pro/tvd and it worked flawlessly! damn nice to have a x800xt pe for about 450 euros :)

[tom_12345]

Question to "E1sK4lt" - Did u use the "ATI - X800 XT PE (AGP) 256 MB" or "Asus - X800 XT PE (AGP) 256 MB" bios for ur Asus AX800 pro/TVD??? I ask u this becos i happen to have the same card as u do and i am a real chicken in these matters, so i aint sure which bios to use.

And I am more confused with this "nd" guy saying he used BOTH the "ATI - X800 XT PE (AGP) 256 MB" and "Asus - X800 XT PE (AGP) 256 MB" on his ASUS AX800 pro/TVD. How is this possible?!???????!

I thought u just flash one bios with the flashing tool, not 2.

"nd" can u plz clarify exalty what u did.

And W1ward, u really r a great man, working tirelessly and helping us out of every nook and corner. Can u help on this issue?? Which bios should i use, surely using the ASUS 1 makes sense as my card is built by them. ANother thing, can u plz write in details exactly how I can flash my ASUS X800 pro/TVD to an ASUS X800XT Pt e??? I have checked out the links u gave in ur original article, but it aint a great help for an amatuer like me. Also in "http://www.techpowerup.com/articles/overclocking/vidcard/34" they seemed to have generalized everything, also they go on about clickin some "Advanced" key or something, which i couldnt find. Moreover, they talk about creating boot disks from some website which i found horribly out of sorts and confusing. I have a winME boot disk, can i work with it?? (If i can) What am i meant to do with it? Copy the bios files in it and reboot my PC???

[I happen to run WinXP (with SP2) by the way.]

I wanted SPECIFIC instruction to flash my bios, as i have no past experience in such things. PLZ, plz. plz help me out W1zard and any1 who is bothered to help out this chicken guy. THx to u all.



------

Sorry for posting twice, i just registered so thought it was better to post again, so some1 can address me.

[nd]

Hallo tom_12345!

i tried both BIOS but it dont works, only the clock changes!
i use the wrong flashtool!

use the modified flashrom and the the last ATI X800XT PE (AGP) 256MB Bios
http://www.techpowerup.com/articles/100/images/flashrom16p.zip
http://www.techpowerup.com/bios/ATI.X800XT.256.Samsung16_0609.bin

follow the instruction:
http://www.techpowerup.com/articles/overclocking/vidcard/34

short instruction:
rename ati.x800xt.265.sam... to x800xt.bin
flashrom and x800xt.bin on the bootdisk
1. save the x800pro bios -> a:\flashrom -s 0 x800pro.bin
2. flash the XT bios -> a:\flashrom -p 0 x800xt.bin -f
reboot
install the newes catalyst or omega driver
finish

Verify the number of clock and active pipelines using ATITool (settings)
http://www.techpowerup.com/atitool/

run 3dmark03 -> 12000 - 13000 points

i made it and it works!!!
ASUS X800pro VIVO to X800XT PE in 5 minutes

greetings
nd

ps: sorry about my bad english

[tom_12345]

Thank ND, thx a lot mate. I really owe u 1.

So basically have to change the bios file name to make it work. So u change Ati's bios name and got it to work. But have u (or any1 u know) tried changing the name of "ASUS X800XT" bios to say "X800XT" (or sth) and tried to flash with it as well???? My concern is - since its an ASUS card, isnt it safer to use a ASUS bios instead of Ati's ones??? Another thing, did u have any probs with ur voltages. I ask u this becos i have the same card as u do, and i dont know how to check out the cards' volt ratings. Do u know how to do it?? If so, plz tell me how.


A lot of Saphire X800pro VIVO owners seemed (in this forum and in ohters as well) had problems (stability and heating mainly) with their cards after flashing it to a XT pte. It seems it becos their ones r 1.3v cards (atleast they say it). How do u know its 1.3/1.4v anyway?

So, did u have to change ur voltage with the "pencil" method?? I hope not, since i dont know how it works. And how about artifacts and spooky/broken images, have u experienced any of it after flashing?? If u had any probs, plz give me an account of it, i would possibly flash back instead of having a problematic card. But I sincerely hope u have had no such problems!!

ThX u again, i really cant thank u enuff!!!!!!

[nd]

the filename of the "bin" is not importent, but not longer as 8 and no symbols.
i try the asus XT PE bios and i cant unlock the 4 pipelines, but at my first run i use the wrong flashrom version, i think both are nearly the same?

use the ati.x800xt.256.sam..... it works by me with no problems!
i play farcry, doom, cod,.... never have any problems or errors!
i read the ASUS AX800PRO/TVD is 100% similar to the AX800XT/TVD
only the bios and the packing are different

and wenn you have problems flash the backup of your original bios back

greetings
nd

[tom_12345]

thx for the reply nd,

But i still have a couple of questions for u :

1. Did u have to voltmod (u know the pencil method) ur card?? Or was it 1.4v by default. If so, r all these ASUS X800pro/TVD cars 1.4v by default??

2. Where did u read that ASUS AX800PRO/TVD is 100% similar to the AX800XT/TVD?? Can u plz provide me the link??

3. How long have u been running ur card as a X800XT?? Is it stable??

4. I ask u again, have u had ANY problems after flashing, problems ranging from artifacts, temperatures to stability.

Thx again!!

[tom_12345]

I have a couple of questions to AX800pro/TVD users who have flashed their cards to a XT Pte. Just a quick look in this message boards told me that there at least 3 other AX800pro/TVD users, namely "E1sK4lt", "nd" and "Fahim".

1. Did u have to voltmod (u know the pencil method) ur card?? Or was it 1.4v by default. If so, r all these ASUS X800pro/TVD cards 1.4v by default?? Have u read about this any where?

3. What Bios did u use to flash the card?? The "ASUS X800XT" 1 or the "ATi X800XT"??

4. To those of u who tried using both bioses - which one works best?????


4. I have stripped the hsfs off my ASUS AX800PRO/TVD and an AX800XT/TVD to compare them?? Physcically they r 100% same, not even a transistor/capacitor a hair this way or that. So, have any1 of u seen any article in the www comparing the two cards, if so, then plz provide the link.

5. How long have u been running ur card as a X800XT?? Is it stable??

6. I ask u again, have u had ANY problems after flashing, problems ranging from artifacts, temperatures to stability.

Thx again!!

[Unregistered]

I have also a msi rx800VTD (vivo) flashed to an x800xt succesfully.
BUT i have NO artifacts at all in doom 3 at 1600*1200 but i have sometimes triangles in BF:V.... not always, those are glitches that appears and dissapears..... dont have it all the time.
What can it be? I use 4.10 drivers, artifact scanning gives me no faults.....
Greetings!

[Urlyin]

I have also a msi rx800VTD (vivo) flashed to an x800xt succesfully.
BUT i have NO artifacts at all in doom 3 at 1600*1200 but i have sometimes triangles in BF:V.... not always, those are glitches that appears and dissapears..... dont have it all the time.
What can it be? I use 4.10 drivers, artifact scanning gives me no faults.....
Greetings!
What BIOS did you use? Are you overclocking you MOBO too?

[Urlyin]

I have a couple of questions to AX800pro/TVD users who have flashed their cards to a XT Pte. Just a quick look in this message boards told me that there at least 3 other AX800pro/TVD users, namely "E1sK4lt", "nd" and "Fahim".

1. Did u have to voltmod (u know the pencil method) ur card?? Or was it 1.4v by default. If so, r all these ASUS X800pro/TVD cards 1.4v by default?? Have u read about this any where?

3. What Bios did u use to flash the card?? The "ASUS X800XT" 1 or the "ATi X800XT"??

4. To those of u who tried using both bioses - which one works best?????


4. I have stripped the hsfs off my ASUS AX800PRO/TVD and an AX800XT/TVD to compare them?? Physcically they r 100% same, not even a transistor/capacitor a hair this way or that. So, have any1 of u seen any article in the www comparing the two cards, if so, then plz provide the link.

5. How long have u been running ur card as a X800XT?? Is it stable??

6. I ask u again, have u had ANY problems after flashing, problems ranging from artifacts, temperatures to stability.

Thx again!!

Tom I see you posted in more than one thread... Did NRP answer all your questions?

[Unregistered]

What BIOS did you use? Are you overclocking you MOBO too?


I use the last ATI bios on the Bios page, the ****0609.bin

My system is not OC'd....
What's the best bios on that page?

Greetings

[Reservoir_Dog]

I use the last ATI bios on the Bios page, the ****0609.bin

My system is not OC'd....
What's the best bios on that page?

Greetings
I use the last ATI bios on the Bios page, the ****0609.bin

My system is not OC'd....
What's the best bios on that page?


Now i am registered!
I have been reading that the glitches was dissapeared in those games i mentioned when that person used new 4.11 beta drivers......

[Urlyin]

I use the last ATI bios on the Bios page, the ****0609.bin

My system is not OC'd....
What's the best bios on that page?


Now i am registered!
I have been reading that the glitches was dissapeared in those games i mentioned when that person used new 4.11 beta drivers......

I think some cards do better with a certain BIOS, while others do better with another. You'll need to test a couple to see which one works best for your card. I have tried several and can say my card seems to run best with the older dated ATI BIOS. Some like the Connect3D BIOS, so it's more the card than any one BIOS. You may want to try to uninstall your video drivers and use a driver cleaner to clean the .dll files left, then re-install them.

[Reservoir_Dog]

I think some cards do better with a certain BIOS, while others do better with another. You'll need to test a couple to see which one works best for your card. I have tried several and can say my card seems to run best with the older dated ATI BIOS. Some like the Connect3D BIOS, so it's more the card than any one BIOS. You may want to try to uninstall your video drivers and use a driver cleaner to clean the .dll files left, then re-install them.

I also have the 4.11 Beta drivers, and i must say, u should try it, it gives me a performance boost....
Those glitches are gone too....
Which older dated bios do u mean? So i can try it also.

Greetings!

[Urlyin]

Dog... it's the one dated 2004-04-30 17:24 under Date compiled...

[corny]

What R420 ROM settings are not preserved with the modified flash, pipes aside?

[Unregistered]

i think the pipes are the only setting preserved.. and the modified bios flash tool only changes that.

[GoLLuM4444]

i think the pipes are the only setting preserved.. and the modified bios flash tool only changes that.
Does this mean that certain flashtools will disable 4 pipes with x800pro bioses?

[W1zzard]

Does this mean that certain flashtools will disable 4 pipes with x800pro bioses?

they will not update the area where the # of pipelines is stored in the bios

[GoLLuM4444]

so how do i re-disable the 4 pipes?

[Urlyin]

I answered you here (http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?p=5820#post5820) in the other thread ... Gollu

[Unregistered]

simply flash the backup bios back again!!

[MonGalak]

Hello

I am a powercolor X800 pro vivo flashed to xt 16 p
atitool sees the 16 pipes.
When i change catalyst 4.6 (bundle) to 4.11, the directX games don't fonction with the error : "CreateVertexBuffer failed(D3DERR_OUTOFVIDEOMEMORY)." The opengl games fonction correctly.
When i use 3dmark03 with x800pro 12p, no problem. But now, the message "direct3d init failed".
I install catalyst 4.6 and i am the same problems.
I reflash with my origin bios (X800 pro 16p) and all the games fonction correctly but not 3dmark03.

How to make to install the new catalyst ?

Thanks and sorry for my english.

[orakulo]

Hy guys i , a make all in this link

http://www.techpowerup.com/articles...ing/vidcard/100

But after restart i no have de 16 pipes only 12 my MSI x800 is VTD 256 (VTD = VIVO) but the clock is = XT PE, so a i returned to original bios

Ahhh I Use the latest ATI X800XT PE bios....
Found here
http://www.techpowerup.com/articles...ing/vidcard/100

Any ideas ?

Bye...

[Urlyin]

Hello

I am a powercolor X800 pro vivo flashed to xt 16 p
atitool sees the 16 pipes.
When i change catalyst 4.6 (bundle) to 4.11, the directX games don't fonction with the error : "CreateVertexBuffer failed(D3DERR_OUTOFVIDEOMEMORY)." The opengl games fonction correctly.
When i use 3dmark03 with x800pro 12p, no problem. But now, the message "direct3d init failed".
I install catalyst 4.6 and i am the same problems.
I reflash with my origin bios (X800 pro 16p) and all the games fonction correctly but not 3dmark03.

How to make to install the new catalyst ?

Thanks and sorry for my english.

MonGalak...
What OS are you using? You should try to uninstall ATI drivers from the add and remove programs. Use Driver Cleaner or something like it to clear out all the drivers. Reinstall ATI cat drivers 4.11 and then reinstall DirectX, you can download it from Microsoft are if you have purchased a new game lately it should have the latest Directx on the CD...

[Urlyin]

Hy guys i , a make all in this link

http://www.techpowerup.com/articles...ing/vidcard/100

But after restart i no have de 16 pipes only 12 my MSI x800 is VTD 256 (VTD = VIVO) but the clock is = XT PE, so a i returned to original bios

Ahhh I Use the latest ATI X800XT PE bios....
Found here
http://www.techpowerup.com/articles...ing/vidcard/100

Any ideas ?

Bye...

Orakulo... make sure you have the VIVO by looking on the back of the card to see if the ATI rage theater chip is there. If so make sure you uninstall and reinstall the video drivers after you flash the card....

[orakulo]

No ati theater buahhhhhh, how i can turn my x800 non vivo ? i listen rumors but i cant find nothing about...
Maybe hard mod ?

[Urlyin]

No ati theater buahhhhhh, how i can turn my x800 non vivo ? i listen rumors but i cant find nothing about...
Maybe hard mod ?

I had seen a couple of pages that showed how to connect the laser cut, but I don't think to many were successful .... That doesn't mean it can not be done... just not sure it's worth the trouble... sorry :(

[Unregistered]

Hi!
Since I just want the 16 pipes and not overclock my card, Im looking for the modified bios with 16 pipes enabled, but the standard core/memory clocks for x800pro.

This bios has been mentioned numerous times in this thread, but I cant find it on the bios download page. Where can you download it? Or am I just blind?

[MonGalak]

MonGalak...
What OS are you using? You should try to uninstall ATI drivers from the add and remove programs. Use Driver Cleaner or something like it to clear out all the drivers. Reinstall ATI cat drivers 4.11 and then reinstall DirectX, you can download it from Microsoft are if you have purchased a new game lately it should have the latest Directx on the CD...
thanks Urlyin.
My os is wxp pro. i already uninstall catalyst from the add and remove programs then i use drivercleaner. This evening, i reinstall directx.
I have a question: under catalyst 4.11, i have no problems with atitool when i use find max core and find max mem (531 -573 no artefact) then why direct3d games don't fonction ?

[Urlyin]

thanks Urlyin.
My os is wxp pro. i already uninstall catalyst from the add and remove programs then i use drivercleaner. This evening, i reinstall directx.
I have a question: under catalyst 4.11, i have no problems with atitool when i use find max core and find max mem (531 -573 no artefact) then why direct3d games don't fonction ?
Hi MonGalak,
This behavior can occur if any of the following conditions is true:
• Your monitor is not configured correctly.
• Another program has locked the display resolution of your monitor.
• The video driver installed on the computer is incompatible with Microsoft DirectX.
• The video driver installed on the computer does not support a color palette higher than 256 colors.
• The video adapter installed in the computer does not meet the minimum requirements to run the game.
• DirectDraw or Direct3d are disabled in DxDiag.
From Microsoft Article Q229998 (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;229998)
More info to check
310353 How to Perform a Clean Boot in Windows XP
179113 How to Download and Install DirectX

[Ikasu]

Before I say anything I Want to apologize for all the questions that are gonna be on this post..I have a lot on my mind to get sorted out and I'm hoping you guys can help me out..^_^

Well..My current pc just died on me...Motherboard/cpu problems but I've decided to upgrade my computer instead of buying replacement parts for a agp system. I was just hoping to get some information reguarding this..

Graphic card wise I'm planning on transfering over to a x800 xt..Is there even a difference between platinum edition and the plain XT? I was trying to get my hands on the Asus x800 XT platinum edition card but after reading reviews is it even worth the extra 100 or so dollars? Also, What's the difference between the Ati 800XT/Platinum Edition to the Asus models?..If there isn't a big difference besides gaming packages? I'll probably just go with a ATI model if there isn't a difference but I wanna find out before I Start purchasing parts...

ATM I "had" a MSI Neo-Fis2r motherboard with a 3 gighz northwood cpu (800 fsb) and a 9800 pro...I'm probably going to be buying a Asus 915 or 925 chipset mobo and a 3.2 gigahertz prescott cpu...Am I going with the right type of hardware or (more related on prescott vs northwood)?...also which of the asus motherboards are actually worth buying?

Intel 925X = P5AD2 Premium | P5AD2 Deluxe
Intel 915P = P5GD2 Premium | P5GD2 Deluxe

God I feel like a jackass with so many questions...But about ram...ATM I have 2 gigs pc3200 400 mhz dual channel value ram from kingston...I bought them when I didn't know much about ram but now I'm going to be buying top quality ram. I was taking a look at Corsair and I was trying to figure out what's their BEST ram for 533 mhz Dual Channel DDR2?...I was looking at their chips and they said that some of their stuff has been tested to operate at 538 mhz and one of them says 675...I'm just trying to get 533 ram..but top of the line...that site has REALLY confused me and if anyone could comment on which is the best ram to go with that would be nice..^_^..Once again I apologize for all the questions...Just trying to get my thoughts sorted out on what to go with and what to not buy.


once again sorry about all the questions....especially the fact that most of these questions are off topic..>_<..sorry!..lol..=D

[Urlyin]

Before I say anything I Want to apologize for all the questions that are gonna be on this post..I have a lot on my mind to get sorted out and I'm hoping you guys can help me out..^_^

Well..My current pc just died on me...Motherboard/cpu problems but I've decided to upgrade my computer instead of buying replacement parts for a agp system. I was just hoping to get some information reguarding this..

Graphic card wise I'm planning on transfering over to a x800 xt..Is there even a difference between platinum edition and the plain XT? I was trying to get my hands on the Asus x800 XT platinum edition card but after reading reviews is it even worth the extra 100 or so dollars? Also, What's the difference between the Ati 800XT/Platinum Edition to the Asus models?..If there isn't a big difference besides gaming packages? I'll probably just go with a ATI model if there isn't a difference but I wanna find out before I Start purchasing parts...

ATM I "had" a MSI Neo-Fis2r motherboard with a 3 gighz northwood cpu (800 fsb) and a 9800 pro...I'm probably going to be buying a Asus 915 or 925 chipset mobo and a 3.2 gigahertz prescott cpu...Am I going with the right type of hardware or (more related on prescott vs northwood)?...also which of the asus motherboards are actually worth buying?

Intel 925X = P5AD2 Premium | P5AD2 Deluxe
Intel 915P = P5GD2 Premium | P5GD2 Deluxe

God I feel like a jackass with so many questions...But about ram...ATM I have 2 gigs pc3200 400 mhz dual channel value ram from kingston...I bought them when I didn't know much about ram but now I'm going to be buying top quality ram. I was taking a look at Corsair and I was trying to figure out what's their BEST ram for 533 mhz Dual Channel DDR2?...I was looking at their chips and they said that some of their stuff has been tested to operate at 538 mhz and one of them says 675...I'm just trying to get 533 ram..but top of the line...that site has REALLY confused me and if anyone could comment on which is the best ram to go with that would be nice..^_^..Once again I apologize for all the questions...Just trying to get my thoughts sorted out on what to go with and what to not buy.


once again sorry about all the questions....especially the fact that most of these questions are off topic..>_<..sorry!..lol..=D

LOL... yep that's alot of questions ... I'm not 100% sure of the difference between the two ASUS boards, both use the 775 socket. They both have PCI express and DDR2, but what I find confusing is they both offer HyperPath which I thought was ASUS (Intel) PAT. They offer or state the P5AD2 has Intel Pat and Hyperpath. Of course they have different chipsets. Anyway for the money you may be better off going AMD64 say a 3700 or FX53. I don't lean either way so I'm not trying to start a debate on Intel or AMD. If you're sure you want to go ASUS then take the P5AD2.

Don't get caught up in the 533 ram thing, I'm getting better performance at 1:1 which is 400mhz out of my OCZ PC4000 than I do at 500 or 533. It limits my FSB depending upon which setting I use. That's just my opinion though, you'll get better bandwidth at 500 or 533. I would reconsider getting DDR2 memory at this time sense it's more expensive and not really any faster at this time. Check the prices of the OCZ PC4200 verus the DD2 sticks... good luck

[Unregistered]

is the VIVO function still in order or not after all the flashing, would be some waist of money though
if you would lose that

was surprised i couldnt find that question answered here or is it 2 logical u go from pro vivo to
xt pe

[Urlyin]

is the VIVO function still in order or not after all the flashing, would be some waist of money though
if you would lose that

was surprised i couldnt find that question answered here or is it 2 logical u go from pro vivo to
xt pe

It has been asked before and the answer is the Pro VIVO, XT, XT PE all have the Ati Theater chip on board which is not lost due to flashing ... should not be an issue :)

[LouieV]

Success !!!
I bought one of BB ATI X800 Pros being sold by COMPUSA. The box says it's a standard Pro, but a Pro VIVO is actually what was inside. It has the Rage Theater Chip and GC 16 RAM.

I flashed the card and enabled the four extra pipelines with no problems. Though I decided to use the X800 Pro VIVO/16P bios. It runs at default clock speeds but keeps the additional pipelines active. I'll need additional cooling before moving up to XT PE clock speeds.

I used the modified flashrom 237 and Bios files located in the article below. Worked great!

http://www.techpowerup.com. Look under articles for X800 Pro VIVO to XT PE Bios Mod by W1zzard.

[MonGalak]

Hello.
I ended up finding what did not go. Flashrom or the bios that I had used were to be bad bus I started again with the modified flashrom and another bios and since everything works well.
Now, I have X800pro @ 16p and I make 5012 under 3DMark05.
All goes for best.
Thanks.

[Unregistered]

I want to soldering the laser-cutted bridge... it will enable the 16pipe if I reflash bios after this hw modding?
Help!!

[Unregistered]

I recenlty bought a Powercolor X800Pro w/ Vivo and when my girlfriend found out, she's like, "$440 bucks!!??!! Are you out of your freaking mind?" I was like, "Don't worry sweetie, I just save a bunch of money from flashing Powercolor x800Pro vivo to X800xt PE and I save a couple cent by switching my car insurance to Geico. (smirk)

Thanks guys.

Question: Can ATI tool alarm myself or shutdown the system incase of Video Card fan fail? I just want to protect my investment...

Thanks again...

[mR Yellow]

Hello.
I ended up finding what did not go. Flashrom or the bios that I had used were to be bad bus I started again with the modified flashrom and another bios and since everything works well.
Now, I have X800pro @ 16p and I make 5012 under 3DMark05.
All goes for best.
Thanks.

Do u have a x800pro or pro vivo?
Also, which bios did u use?

[mR Yellow]

Ive got a ASUS x800pro (non vivo). I flashed the card with x800xt bios (after connecting the lasercuts). I used the ASUS x800xt pe bios (edited the clock speed).

The device ID b4 flash is 4A49 (using ATI Tool)
The device after flash still reads as 4A49 (using ATI Tool)

But if i use rabit to check out the bios it reads 4A50? :confused:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v313/jakogvp/mR%20Yellow/Rabit.jpg

BTW i wasn't able to unlock xtra pipes. ATI tool still reads it as 12.
So maybe their is some other hardware lock. That doesn't allow u to change device ID even when the bios ID reads as 4A50!

Any insight will be appreciated

[Urlyin]

Yelllow... First there has not been a high success rate on modded laser cut GPU. You could try to use the empty.bin BIOS to clear out any preserved settings like this and try the 16pipe BIOS. Also make sure you are using the Flashtool from here (http://www.techpowerup.com/articles/100/images/flashrom16p.zip). The empty BIOS is here (http://www.techpowerup.com/articles/100/images/empty.bin). Also be careful using the empty BIOS, you need to have the 16pipe BIOS on the disk as well, because you have to flash another BIOS to the card after the empty BIOS are it when not come back up.

[mR Yellow]

Yelllow... First there has not been a high success rate on modded laser cut GPU. You could try to use the empty.bin BIOS to clear out any preserved settings like this and try the 16pipe BIOS. Also make sure you are using the Flashtool from here (http://www.techpowerup.com/articles/100/images/flashrom16p.zip). The empty BIOS is here (http://www.techpowerup.com/articles/100/images/empty.bin). Also be careful using the empty BIOS, you need to have the 16pipe BIOS on the disk as well, because you have to flash another BIOS to the card after the empty BIOS are it when not come back up.

I've done the above. Used empty bin and modified ATI Flashrom!
But had no success. Ive only tried the ASUS x800xt bios. Maybe i should try some others.

What bios do u recommend?

[Urlyin]

I've done the above. Used empty bin and modified ATI Flashrom!
But had no success. Ive only tried the ASUS x800xt bios. Maybe i should try some others.

What bios do u recommend?

I see that W1zzard replied to the same message in another thread and I would agree that It does not look as though you'll be able to enable the 16pipes. You can review this page (http://www.pcunleash.com/bbs/zboard.php?id=MyItemReview&page=1&sn1=&divpage=1&sn=off&ss=on&sc=on&select_arrange=headnum&desc=asc&no=26) to see if you can be successful .... good luck

[mR Yellow]

I see that W1zzard replied to the same message in another thread and I would agree that It does not look as though you'll be able to enable the 16pipes. You can review this page (http://www.pcunleash.com/bbs/zboard.php?id=MyItemReview&page=1&sn1=&divpage=1&sn=off&ss=on&sc=on&select_arrange=headnum&desc=asc&no=26) to see if you can be successful .... good luck

Thanx ;)

[Unregistered]

Hey I just wanted to know what kind of temps are acceptible when OCing a card, especially this one. What kind of fan or cooling do I need in my case or on the card to keep those temps safe? I am planning on buying a Sapphire Pro Vivo and modding it to the 16p AND 1040 core 1120 mem clocks.

Thanks for helpin a n00b

Aaron

[Urlyin]

Hey I just wanted to know what kind of temps are acceptible when OCing a card, especially this one. What kind of fan or cooling do I need in my case or on the card to keep those temps safe? I am planning on buying a Sapphire Pro Vivo and modding it to the 16p AND 1040 core 1120 mem clocks.

Thanks for helpin a n00b

Aaron
Read the begining of this article (http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=194&page=1) it talks about temps and the links for W1zzards HSF reviews... you'll never reach 1040 for the GPU ... only the mem is x2, I know you mean 520/560 .... good luck

[alteredNate]

I see that W1zzard replied to the same message in another thread and I would agree that It does not look as though you'll be able to enable the 16pipes. You can review this page (http://www.pcunleash.com/bbs/zboard.php?id=MyItemReview&page=1&sn1=&divpage=1&sn=off&ss=on&sc=on&select_arrange=headnum&desc=asc&no=26) to see if you can be successful .... good luck

I'm in the same boat. Tried everything but ATI Tool always reports 12 pipes. I've got a powercolor X800Pro VIVO. This is dissapointing, I would have grabbed a 6800GT instead, but I read so many reviews that said this worked I believed it! Oh well.

[Urlyin]

I'm in the same boat. Tried everything but ATI Tool always reports 12 pipes. I've got a powercolor X800Pro VIVO. This is dissapointing, I would have grabbed a 6800GT instead, but I read so many reviews that said this worked I believed it! Oh well.

AlteredNate, If it is a VIVO then you should be able to flash it to an XT ... Have you uninstalled/reinstalled the drivers? Look for the ATI Rage Theater chip ...

[JC]

Hey guys;
I flashed my card the Gigabyte route. Full on XT PE with 16 pipes... but, I have had a little instability now and then even if I drop the clocks down to XT speed. I want to go ahead and flash her back to the original BIOS.

To get the steps correct let me run through what I think to be the correct procedure (make sure and get it right):

1. Pull the modified flashrom files onto a bootable floppy
2. Have my "backup.bin" and "empty.bin" on the same floppy
3. Boot to created floppy
4. Run "flashrom -p -f 0 empy.bin"
5. Run "flashrom -p -f 0 backup.bin"
6. Reboot and reinstall drivers

Is this exactly, step by step the correct way to do it?

The reason I am so ultra caustious is I dont have a PCI card handy and dont want to botch a flash.

Thanks in advance!
Josh

[Urlyin]

Hey guys;
I flashed my card the Gigabyte route. Full on XT PE with 16 pipes... but, I have had a little instability now and then even if I drop the clocks down to XT speed. I want to go ahead and flash her back to the original BIOS.

To get the steps correct let me run through what I think to be the correct procedure (make sure and get it right):

1. Pull the modified flashrom files onto a bootable floppy
2. Have my "backup.bin" and "empty.bin" on the same floppy
3. Boot to created floppy
4. Run "flashrom -p -f 0 empy.bin"
5. Run "flashrom -p -f 0 backup.bin"
6. Reboot and reinstall drivers

Is this exactly, step by step the correct way to do it?

The reason I am so ultra caustious is I dont have a PCI card handy and dont want to botch a flash.

Thanks in advance!
Josh

JC ... it should work that way, but do you want to go back to 12 pipes? Have you tried any of the other BIOS? The ATI or Connect3d, maybe one of the XT BIOS before you go back to the pro VIVO(assuming that is what it was)

[ThreeNiL]

JC ... it should work that way, but do you want to go back to 12 pipes? Have you tried any of the other BIOS? The ATI or Connect3d, maybe one of the XT BIOS before you go back to the pro VIVO(assuming that is what it was)

Thanks for the quick reply.

No, in fact I havent tried any other BIOS than the ones outlined in the Gigabyte walkthrough found
HERE (http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid=31&threadid=1371898&enterthread=y). I would love to at least stay with the 16 pipes if possible, I just dont want to risk burning a $400 card for a couple extra FPS.

Do you think that the set of BIOS they provided could be the problem? I am doing this all to a new ABIT RX800 PRO VIO (VIVO) w/the Samsung 1.6ns mem. I was hoping it would be at least a decent overclocker. I will try and flash to another set of XT PE/XT/VIVO 16P BIOS before going back to stock. Which do you recommend?

BTW.. Got registered.. Im JC from above.

[Urlyin]

Some cards do better than others with certain BIOS... I have used the ATI BIOS mostly, some like the Connect3d and others the Sapphire... there is only one Pro 16pipe BIOS and you may want to try the XT BIOS at 500\500 first... Use ATITool to test your card to see if it can handle the 500\500 XT BIOS then the XT PE 520\560 by setting the speed with ATITool and play some graphic intense games ... good luck :)

[Unregistered]

Some cards do better than others with certain BIOS... I have used the ATI BIOS mostly, some like the Connect3d and others the Sapphire... there is only one Pro 16pipe BIOS and you may want to try the XT BIOS at 500\500 first... Use ATITool to test your card to see if it can handle the 500\500 XT BIOS then the XT PE 520\560 by setting the speed with ATITool and play some graphic intense games ... good luck :)

OK, I will give it a go. Thanks Urlyin!

[ThreeNiL]

Well Urlyin, I took your advice.

I based it mostly on the artifact checker in ATITool. I flashed back to XT BIOS. I tried the Sapphire and Conn3D versions. I came up with artifacts on both after only a few seconds. That sucks. Who would have thought ABIT would put out such a bad OCer.

So I went ahead and used the X800Pro 16p BIOS. Everything seems to be wonderful now..

Just glad I got the pipes open. Too bad though, its a nice lookin card.

http://atlas.walagata.com/w/jctravesty/ABITX800PROVIVO.JPG

Thanks for the help all the same!

[Unregistered]

Hello, I just ordered an Sapphire Atlantis x800 pro vivo but I see it has 2.0ns memory. Can I flash it with an xt pe bios which has 1.6ns memory or what should I do?

[Urlyin]

Hello, I just ordered an Sapphire Atlantis x800 pro vivo but I see it has 2.0ns memory. Can I flash it with an xt pe bios which has 1.6ns memory or what should I do?

If it's a VIVO you should be able to use the 16pipe pro BIOS... backup the original one first. You could try the Sapphire XT Bios 500\500 ....

[Urlyin]

ThreeNil,

Some cards need a shot to get to the XT PE speeds via a voltmod. I thought most would do the XT BIOS of 500/500... did you use a XT BIOS or PE BIOS ? Still nice to have the 16pipes though :D

[Unregistered]

Could I also flash it with the XT PE and put the speeds back to 500/500 or maybe 520/520 or is that not possible?

[Urlyin]

Could I also flash it with the XT PE and put the speeds back to 500/500 or maybe 520/520 or is that not possible?

You can flash it with the PE BIOS and use a BIOS editor to change the default speeds... you're a little handicapped with the 2.0ns memory... you can use ATITool to change the settings for memory so the timings aren't as tight... I would go with one of the XT BIOS first at 500\500 and work from there ... find what the card likes and where it tops out at... take your time

[ThreeNiL]

ThreeNil,

Some cards need a shot to get to the XT PE speeds via a voltmod. I thought most would do the XT BIOS of 500/500... did you use a XT BIOS or PE BIOS ? Still nice to have the 16pipes though :D

I orignally was using the ATI XT PE BIOS. I then flashed to the Sapphire and Connect3D regular XT versions. Something really strange is that with the Pro 16P BIOS I am using now, I can overclock to XT speeds and be fairly stable. I get one artifact after several minutes on the artifact checker. As with the XT PE and regular XT BIOS at 500/500, I couldnt even go more than 10 seconds without getting tons of artifacts.
http://media.TheInsiders.com/Media/Other/229031_confused2.GIF

Im not too disappointed, I got the pipes open and overclocking to 500/500 I can get 3DMARK03 scores over 11,500.

Thats good enough to play Doom and HL2 at the upper settings. Thats all I was looking for.

EDIT:
As for a voltmod, I came in with this card with the attitude that if I could flash it to an XT, great.. but if there was any hard modding neccessary, I would pass. Besides, when I was doing some tests at the 520/560 clocks, It was running smoking hot with 70+C load temps. With my current settings,
I dont even top 55* at full load. (stock HSF)

[Urlyin]

I orignally was using the ATI XT PE BIOS. I then flashed to the Sapphire and Connect3D regular XT versions. Something really strange is that with the Pro 16P BIOS I am using now, I can overclock to XT speeds and be fairly stable. I get one artifact after several minutes on the artifact checker. As with the XT PE and regular XT BIOS at 500/500, I couldnt even go more than 10 seconds without getting tons of artifacts.
http://media.TheInsiders.com/Media/Other/229031_confused2.GIF

Im not too disappointed, I got the pipes open and overclocking to 500/500 I can get 3DMARK03 scores over 11,500.

Thats good enough to play Doom and HL2 at the upper settings. Thats all I was looking for.

EDIT:
As for a voltmod, I came in with this card with the attitude that if I could flash it to an XT, great.. but if there was any hard modding neccessary, I would pass. Besides, when I was doing some tests at the 520/560 clocks, It was running smoking hot with 70+C load temps. With my current settings,
I dont even top 55* at full load. (stock HSF)

What you look for is lock ups and artifacts in games... ATItool will show artifacts way sooner than in any highres game... Do some back to back benchmarks or play your favorite game for some length of time ... as for the temps, obviously lower is better but the GPU is rated above 90c , so 70c isn't a big issue. If you have a well vented case it should be fine ... just running like you are is fine as long as you're happy, enjoy the speed :D

[ThreeNiL]

What you look for is lock ups and artifacts in games... ATItool will show artifacts way sooner than in any highres game... Do some back to back benchmarks or play your favorite game for some length of time ... as for the temps, obviously lower is better but the GPU is rated above 90c , so 70c isn't a big issue. If you have a well vented case it should be fine ... just running like you are is fine as long as you're happy, enjoy the speed :D

With the 520/560 settings and XT PE BIOS, I was getting some artifacts in the Trolls Lair game part of 3DMark03. I imagine I can get slightly better than XT speeds with this card but not quite 520/560. So it isnt as bad an OCer as I thought, it just didnt like the BIOS I was throwing at it. I can live with only XT speeds.. hehe

:)

[JJF007]

Hi!

I patched the bios from my Sapphire X800 Pro VIVO with the X800XT PE (ATI and Sapphire), even with the X800 Pro 16p Bios from the download Page. But everytime i have strange blocks over the screen.

I removed all Drivers, installed Catalyst 4.12 with no luck. Then the included from Sapphire - even no luck. With ATITool it runs perfect with 520/560 (even higher), but when i enable the 16 Pipelines (tried the X800 Pro 16p Bios too) i get this blocks you can see on the screenshot. Someone seen this before. I think that some of the disabled Pipelines are broken. I get the same blocks (not wild mixed over the screen, just like a nice build mask with same sized rects and the same space between them) when starting a DirectX Game (HL2 / Lord of the Rings).

<a href="http://jjf007.funpic.de/x800_blocks.htm">Screenshot</a>


Any help would be great. If someone can proofe that it is a Pipeline Problem it would be great too.

[Unregistered]

Hi!

I patched the bios from my Sapphire X800 Pro VIVO with the X800XT PE (ATI and Sapphire), even with the X800 Pro 16p Bios from the download Page. But everytime i have strange blocks over the screen.

I removed all Drivers, installed Catalyst 4.12 with no luck. Then the included from Sapphire - even no luck. With ATITool it runs perfect with 520/560 (even higher), but when i enable the 16 Pipelines (tried the X800 Pro 16p Bios too) i get this blocks you can see on the screenshot. Someone seen this before. I think that some of the disabled Pipelines are broken. I get the same blocks (not wild mixed over the screen, just like a nice build mask with same sized rects and the same space between them) when starting a DirectX Game (HL2 / Lord of the Rings).

<a href="http://jjf007.funpic.de/x800_blocks.htm">Screenshot</



Any help would be great. If someone can proofe that it is a Pipeline Problem it would be great too.

It's not a pipe problem ... make sure your're not loading any profiles from atitool and use drivercleaner3 to remove all the drivers and reinstall. Have you tried to go back to the original BIOS?

[Unregistered]

Hallo Wizzard,

wie ich sehe bist du aus Deutschland, ich hoffe du kannst mir meine Frage beantworten.

Ich bekomme diese Woche noch eine HIS X800 Pro geliefert, kann ich die mit deiner Methode auch zu einer XT PE hoch"patchen"?

Ich denke schon, es steht ja zumindest hier in deinem Artikel, aber sage mir Bitte, man hat mir schon Hilfe bei dem BIOS flashen usw angeboten, dieses Verfahren für das man Disketten benötigt usw, leider ist mir dies nicht sehr geheuer ...

Ist deine Methode einfacher und löscht man damit nicht sein Normales BIOS? In meinem Falle ein MSI BIOS?

Lieben Gruß, Sven.

Hallo Sven

habe eben meine Asus X800Pro VIVO gepatcht, funktioniert gut. Wie beschrieben, eine Bootdisk ziehen, mit dem Flashtool dein derzeitiges Bios speichern. Dann das passende Bios von der Biosseite flashen und ab sofort hast Du eine XT PE.

Wichtig, Deine MSI Karte muss eine VIVO also Video In und Out sein, nur dann klappt es!

Gruss
Adrian

[Unregistered]

Hello

works fine with my Asus X800 Pro VIVO :-)

Now I have a full XT PE an save 100$

Adrian

[Sarek]

Does this modification work with all x800 pro vivo cards? Or just with a special brand?

I want to buy an MSI or Asus x800 Pro Vivo and want to know if all x800 pro can be used for the mod
;)

[Urlyin]

Does this modification work with all x800 pro vivo cards? Or just with a special brand?

I want to buy an MSI or Asus x800 Pro Vivo and want to know if all x800 pro can be used for the mod
;)

So far Sarek to the best of my knowledge all VIVO have modded to at least a 16 pipe pro or XT...

[Unregistered]

For those who care:

Have an Asus X800PRO VIVO TVD which flashed to 16pipes fine, and OC's stable to 520/560 under ATITool, using Omega drivers.

Very happy!

[JJF007]

It's not a pipe problem ... make sure your're not loading any profiles from atitool and use drivercleaner3 to remove all the drivers and reinstall. Have you tried to go back to the original BIOS?


Hello!

I got back to the original BIOS and everything works fine. I tried this on two systems (the other one had a NVIDIA before). I will try drivercleaner3 to remove all the drivers.


Regards


Matthias

[JJF007]

Well, removed all drivers with DriverCleaner3, but after installing the latest Drivers the blocks appeared again. I had no ATITool installed.

[Urlyin]

Well, removed all drivers with DriverCleaner3, but after installing the latest Drivers the blocks appeared again. I had no ATITool installed.

That's strange .... worked fine then re-installed drivers caused the blocks to return? Are you using cat 4.12 or OEM drivers from the card manufacture? Did you reflash the card or is it still the original BIOS?

[JJF007]

That's strange .... worked fine then re-installed drivers caused the blocks to return? Are you using cat 4.12 or OEM drivers from the card manufacture? Did you reflash the card or is it still the original BIOS?

Yes, thats very strange :(

I removed the old drivers from Software Panel. Then flashed the BIOS with the Sapphire X800 XT PE Bios from the Bios Page (tried the original from ATI and the 16pipe enabled X800 Pro before, but not after DriverCleaner3). After that i started into Safe Mode while removing all Drivers with DriverCleaner3. Started Win XP and installed the drivers. Then restartet Win, without blocks. The first time, the Login Screen looks fine, but after loading the Desktop the blocks appear. If i restart Win the second weird is, that i have this blocks at the login screen!

Don't know if i should reinstall Win XP, because i had the same blocks on another System where was a NVIDIA Card was installed before and no NVIDIA ever. But i didn't use DriverCleaner3 on this System.

[Unregistered]

That's strange .... worked fine then re-installed drivers caused the blocks to return? Are you using cat 4.12 or OEM drivers from the card manufacture? Did you reflash the card or is it still the original BIOS?

Sorry, forgot that i installed the current Catalyst drivers from ati.com

[Urlyin]

Yes, thats very strange :(

I removed the old drivers from Software Panel. Then flashed the BIOS with the Sapphire X800 XT PE Bios from the Bios Page (tried the original from ATI and the 16pipe enabled X800 Pro before, but not after DriverCleaner3). After that i started into Safe Mode while removing all Drivers with DriverCleaner3. Started Win XP and installed the drivers. Then restartet Win, without blocks. The first time, the Login Screen looks fine, but after loading the Desktop the blocks appear. If i restart Win the second weird is, that i have this blocks at the login screen!

Don't know if i should reinstall Win XP, because i had the same blocks on another System where was a NVIDIA Card was installed before and no NVIDIA ever. But i didn't use DriverCleaner3 on this System.

So as long as you use your original BIOS everything is fine, right? Now my assumption is all VIVIO have 1.6ns memory and I assume your VIVO does correct? If the blocks appear on both systems then obviously it's in the card. Especially if it works fine with the original BIOS. Have you tried one of the XT BIOS? Not an XT PE BIOS ... If the XT BIOS does not work I would RMA the card. It should be able to handle the 500/500 speeds of an XT. But remember since ATI introduced the XT the waffers for the Pro VIVO are of a lesser quality ...

[JJF007]

So as long as you use your original BIOS everything is fine, right? Now my assumption is all VIVIO have 1.6ns memory and I assume your VIVO does correct? If the blocks appear on both systems then obviously it's in the card. Especially if it works fine with the original BIOS. Have you tried one of the XT BIOS? Not an XT PE BIOS ... If the XT BIOS does not work I would RMA the card. It should be able to handle the 500/500 speeds of an XT. But remember since ATI introduced the XT the waffers for the Pro VIVO are of a lesser quality ...

Hi!

Yes, the card has 1.6ns memory. I tried the Sapphire XT PE Bios and the original from ATI (XT PE), even with the patched 16 Pipes opened X800 Pro Bios! With ATITool i can extend the speed over XT PE spezifications without any problems, so this isn't the problem. I think its something with the card, because when i try to capture with the TV In i have huge color bumbing / flickering from a VCR (which works fine with a USB MPEG Encoder).

[Urlyin]

JJF ... there are XT BIOS and then there is the XT PE BIOS... different clock speeds. Your Pro may not be able to handle the XT PE clocks .... try a XT only BIOS ... the 16pipe pro BIOS does not work with all cards ... But like you said it can handle the speeds of a PE ... if you still have an issue after using the XT only BIOS .. then RMA it ..

[truevader]

Hello guys!

This is the knowledge i collected so far reading through all those threads and forums etc.:

1. No matter what manufacturer, you should be able to mod a X800 Pro VIVO card so that it runs with 16 pipes. Is that correct?

2. What bios / or what clock speeds it will be able to handle later on, depends how good GPU and mem you have on your card. right?

3. In other Forums i read though, that the card MUST HAVE Samsung 1.6ns on it, in the bios collection it says Saphire X800 Pro VIVO´s do have the Samsung 1.6ns on them. But mine has GC20, i think that means 2.0ns chips on it. Does that mean probably my card is some kind of "protected" and i wont be able to do anything now? or will i at least be able to unlock the 4 other pipes?

4. If by messing with these Bios flashes etc. your card breaks into two parts, you still own the 2 parts, is that correct? :) but you most probably cannot RMA it anymore hehe

Thank you very much your help is very appreciated!

[Unregistered]

I had Serious problems with my Sapphire X800 Pro VIVO. I have the 1.6 memory and first overclocked the card to 520/560 and ran 3DMark to make sure it was stable at those speeds, no problems. I flashed with gvf11 as the flash program and r80x256v.f1 for the bios. I then had 16 pipes and more artifacts than you can shake a stick at!!! Lowering the clocks using ATI Tool had no effect on the artifacts. Temps are not bad. I flashed back to my "backup" bios and it's still had 16 pipes and all the artifacts. I also used Flashrom to use Sapphires original bios linked on this site, I still could not get back to 12 pipes!

I also read somewhere where the the Catalyst Control Center Drivers caused a problem like this for one user, but where uninstalling the CCC drivers and going to the Control Panel version seemed to get rid of his artifacts, I was not so lucky!

It's was so bad that I had to drop from 32bit to 16bit color just so I didn't have artifacts on my desktop and text!!! So, imagine what Far Cry looked like!

Finally, I used the "Modified Flashrom" to flash the "empty.bin" that I found on this site, and all is again well at 12 pipes!

Now, the question is do you think my cards extra pipes are bad, or was it the Gigabyte Bios? The modified flashrom allows flashing to any Bios, so I could try another one.
Ha, yes I like living on the edge! What do you think?

My card overclocks very well as a True X800 Pro Vivo;
Core up to 585 before having any problems, and a max temp of 64c
Memory up to 570 before any problems.

So the clocks are not a problem... I think it must be the Bios I flashed to, or bad pipe.

Thoughts?

[Unregistered]

I had Serious problems with my Sapphire X800 Pro VIVO. I have the 1.6 memory and first overclocked the card to 520/560 and ran 3DMark to make sure it was stable at those speeds, no problems. I flashed with gvf11 as the flash program and r80x256v.f1 for the bios. I then had 16 pipes and more artifacts than you can shake a stick at!!! Lowering the clocks using ATI Tool had no effect on the artifacts. Temps are not bad. I flashed back to my "backup" bios and it's still had 16 pipes and all the artifacts. I also used Flashrom to use Sapphires original bios linked on this site, I still could not get back to 12 pipes!

I also read somewhere where the the Catalyst Control Center Drivers caused a problem like this for one user, but where uninstalling the CCC drivers and going to the Control Panel version seemed to get rid of his artifacts, I was not so lucky!

It's was so bad that I had to drop from 32bit to 16bit color just so I didn't have artifacts on my desktop and text!!! So, imagine what Far Cry looked like!

Finally, I used the "Modified Flashrom" to flash the "empty.bin" that I found on this site, and all is again well at 12 pipes!

Now, the question is do you think my cards extra pipes are bad, or was it the Gigabyte Bios? The modified flashrom allows flashing to any Bios, so I could try another one.
Ha, yes I like living on the edge! What do you think?

My card overclocks very well as a Tru