Last Update: September 2006
Is with great preasure that I announce my new FLashRd ver.3.0 updated with the 'modded special edition' version of FlashROM ver.2.37 by W1zzard.
""FLashRd is a boot disk that contains all the neaded files for flashing ATi graphic cards simply and complitely secure!!""
The big functionality is located in the different kind of flashing available.
Infact with FLashRd it's possible to flash an ATi graphic card in a few seconds with the capability to restore previous bios without the use of the screen. Yeah, thatis right!!!
FLashRd proposes two kind of different way of flashing: one method is Automatic and the other one is Manual.
The Automatic method can be executed without the use of the screen because it's FLashRd that makes all the job.
Only one single key of the keyboard is needed!! This kind of flashig is most of times used for restoring bad flashes.
The Manual method lets us run flash and backup operations, but with the assistance and semplicity of FLashRd.
It's also available an Help guide even under DOS mode that will show all the great functions of FLashRd.
Of course there is also the capability to use FlashROM manually with prompt commands.
Reassuming... many reasons for trying it!! :)
FLashRd ver.3.0 it's available only in English language.
To know whats new in this new release you can check the ReadMe linked down here or derectly download and try it:
NEW FLashRd ver.3.0 ReadMe -- DOWNLOAD FLashRd ver.3.0 (445 KB)
(to save just right click mouse button and -> Save Target As...)
NEW ==>> If you are in trouble, with a bad flash and the graphic card still good and not burned that does not want to flash through DOS with my utility (or even with other floppy or programs like ATIFlash), you can try to flash it through Windows using Ati WinFlash, thing that resulted being a valid try that often it succeeds in the attempt.
How to get to the Desktop?? Simple... using VGABIOS, a simple utility that, if loaded through DOS and in the correct way, it can boot the graphic card using a "temporary" bios, valid until next system restart.
To do this it's nececcasy a particular Microsoft boot disk that boots up the system automatically and right after having loaded the temporary bios on the graphic card, without any user interaction.
This is what to do:
1) Follow the instructions on the Microsoft web site regarding the creation of a Boot Disk for an NTFS or FAT Partition in Windows XP (it's preferred to follow the "Create a Boot Floppy Disk WITHOUT a Windows XP-Based Computer" method because it's the most neutral and secure method because it creates the floppy using a Microsoft utility an external from your WindowsXP in use)
2) Download VGABIOS Loader ver. 1.10 (2 KB) & ATIWinFlash ver. 1.0.5 (220 KB) (right button -> Save Target As...)
3) Create a file named "autoexec.bat" and write in it ONLY the following command line: VGABIOS.EXE -foriginal.bin
(this file must be copied on to the floppy with VGABIOS.EXE and the bios that you want to load temporary on the graphic card)
4) Use the original bios of the graphic card with wich the card was born to guarantee most compatibility.
(the bios must be named "original.bin", according to the command line of the autoexec, and copied on to the floppy)
At the end you must have a Microsoft floppy with on only these files:
- boot.ini
- NTDETECT.COM
- Setupldr.bin
- VGABIOS.EXE
- autoexec.bat
- original.bin
Try to boot your computer with this floppy WITHOUT the autoexec and using a functioning graphic card to see if the boot disk boots correctly in to the system.
Done this you can try to boot the system with the complete floppy and maybe get to the Desktop.
NOTE: If you don't get to the Desktop, it maybe be that your graphic card it's gone because only a good card can work.
It's not possible to get to the Desktop if there are hardware damages of the graphic card.
Some of the most known modding, tweaking and overclock softwares for ATi graphic cards, like RadEdit, ATiTool, RadLinker & RadClocker and RivaTooner, can be found linked in the Software section of my old website:
---->>>> NOW A SECTION of Steve Simons Projects main website ---->>>> .: GCMods : Graphic Card Mods :.
You can find these and alot other utilities for graphic cards on Softpedia - Download Video Tweak
These are some links from where you can download bioses for ATi graphic cards and find interesting infos regarding flashing:
- NEW "FLashRd - FlashROM Disk for ATi Graphic Cards" (main English thread @ XtremeSystems Forums :)
- NUOVO "FLashRd - FlashROM Disk for ATi Graphic Cards" (my original Italian thread ;)
- Adrian's Rojak Pot - The Video BIOS Flashing Guide!
- techPowerUp! - How can I flash a video card BIOS (for both ATi & NVidia graphic cards)
- Adrian's Rojak Pot Downloads Hub - ATI Video BIOS
- Elysium LCN - ATI Radeon kikkailua
- mvktech dot.net - ATI Download Section
- Station-Drivers.com - ATI drivers & bios
- The bJ - Bioses
- Dev Hardware Forums - Making a boot CD (for flashing)
- techPowerUp! - Bioses
- 3DChipset - Warp11 BIOS Files
- 3DChipset - Various BIOS Files
- ATi Radeon Radeon2.Ru - Bioses
- radeonthetop - Bioses
- JMkeOC.com - Bios Downloads
These are some interesting links regarding mods available for ATi Radeon 9800 family:
- GoT - [OC]9800(PRO) flashen naar 9800 XT - Deel 2
- Adrian's Rojak Pot - The Radeon 9800 Pro To Radeon 9800XT Mod Guide Rev. 5.0!
- Hardware Tweakers - [MOD] Radeon 9800pro @ XT
- Ciesko - Hercules Radeon 9800 Pro Mod
- X-bit labs - Extreme Overclocking Experience: NVIDIA GeForce FX 5900 Ultra against ATI RADEON 9800 Pro
These are some interesting links regarding mods available for ATi Radeon x800 family:
- Samsung.com - Semiconductor Graphics Memory GDDR 3 SDRAM (datasheets of x800 DDR3 memories)
- x800 Pro @ XT softmod ! - Rage3D Discussion Area (Pro@XT via SoftMod!)
- AnandTech - Turn X800 Pro into X800 XT PE with Bios Flash (semas to be the most complete)
- X-bit labs - Enthusiasts Confirm RADEON X800 PRO into RADEON X800 XT Mod
- Maxit - Turn Your X800Pro Into X800 XT!
- Warp2Search.Net Your Daily Tech News Service - X800pro X800XT 'Hardmod' Guide
- Overclockers UK Forums - X800 Pro - X800 XT PE Hard Mod - The Guide
- PowerColor RADEON X800 PRO Limited Edition, X800 PRO Made Into X800 XT Platinum Edition
- unleash your PC - X800pro To XT Mod guide
- ATI RADEON x800Pro VIVO FLASH GUIDE
- techPowerUp! - X800 Pro VIVO to XT PE Bios Mod
- techPowerUp! - Radeon X800 Pro/XT/XT PE Voltmods
- techPowerUp! Forums - Radeon X800 Voltmods
I council to everyone to adopt higher VPU and Ram frequencies then the original stock ones ONLY if complitly sure that the graphic card has the necessary cooling.
I propose you the work of ViperJohn that builds and sels internationally some good air kits build by it self for ATi graphic cards: ViperJohn's Radeon Pro Mods
Here are instead some pics of the Arctic Cooling heatsinks that at the moment seams to be the best on all others:
- Newegg.com -- Arctic Cooling VGA Cooler, Model "ATI silencer 1" -RETAIL
- Newegg.com -- Arctic Cooling VGA Cooler, Model "ATI silencer 2" -RETAIL
- Newegg.com -- Arctic Cooling VGA Cooler, Model "ATI silencer 3" -RETAIL
- Newegg.com -- Arctic Cooling VGA Cooler, Model "ATI silencer 4" -RETAIL
- Newegg.com -- Arctic Cooling VGA Cooler, Model "NV silencer 1" -RETAIL
- Newegg.com -- Arctic Cooling VGA Cooler, Model "NV silencer 2" -RETAIL
- Newegg.com -- Arctic Cooling VGA Cooler, Model "NV silencer 3" -RETAIL
- Newegg.com -- Arctic Cooling VGA Cooler, Model "NV silencer 5" -RETAIL
- Newegg.com -- Arctic Cooling VGA Silencer, Model "AVC-1000 REV.3" -RETAIL
This Arctic Cooling VGA Silencer is an old model that must not to be confused with last generation Arctic Cooling VGA Cooler.
The Arctic Cooling VGA Cooler, Model "NV silencer 4" -RETAIL is not on the list.