X800Pro NON-VIVO -> x800XT PE

[HH_Quazi]

I have a feeling that the laser cut needs to be filled prior to bridging, much like the athlon XP mod. If you didn't fill the pit with something non-conductive (ie: wax, crayon, superglue) then the mod would ground out if the conductive material got in the pit and basically negate everything you have done.

Those of you that attempted the hardmod, please give it another try, except thise time, take a crayon and rub over the little pit until its filled, and then bridge over it!

Good luck!

BTW, where can you find the ASID ID?

Good idea to try TiTaNiuM. I would try it right now, but I have already installed a Zalman ZM80C-HP, which is a job in itself. Hopefully, someone will give it another shot using your instruction above and report in to let us know if it worked.

As far as the ASID #, the only time I noticed it is while attempting the flash, in the list that tells you the existing bios ID and the new bios ID. At the top of that list it tells you the Device ID # and the ASID #. Now after a flash to an XT PE's bios, it will tell you that the Device ID # is 4A50, which is the XT's bios #. But directly under it, the ASID # is still 4A49, which I have read is the ID for a SE version of the card series. I don't know if this is correct or not, just something I read while researching. I don't know of any other way of seeing the ASID # besides in the manner above. I think adding a command of -v in the flashing of a card will show this, again I am not sure if this is correct. The only time I have seen the ASID # with my own eyes is after flashing a card with either an XT bios or back to the original bios.

[_TiTaNiuM]

Quazi, what did you use to bridge the gap on your hardmod, and where did you buy it? my ATi silencer 4 will be here tomorrow, and i'd like to attempt it during that install.

I'm thinking of going to a NAPA and getting a window defogger repair kit.

[HH_Quazi]

Quazi, what did you use to bridge the gap on your hardmod, and where did you buy it? my ATi silencer 4 will be here tomorrow, and i'd like to attempt it during that install.

I'm thinking of going to a NAPA and getting a window defogger repair kit.

I used a conductive paint pen to connect the points. I went and purchased a hobby knife, a lighted magnifying glass, some masking tape, a multimeter, and a conductive paint pen. Before I started, I used the multimeter meter and checked all 4 points. The only points that did not show a connection was the points where the laser cut was, 1 and 4. Then I carefully scraped the top of points 1 and 4 until I saw the brightness of copper. Then, I very carefully scraped from point to point into the wafer board and over the laser cut until I saw the copper wire running between the two connectors. That's as far as I went for the scraping process. I then took the masking tape and the hobby knife and very neatly taped on either side of the two connectors and on both ends until I had a very thin, little slither showing only the two scraped connectors and the scraped wafer board in between. I then applied the conductive paint with the end of a tooth pick, using the magnifying glass to make sure I was filling up the scraped area between the two connectors and covering the connectors also. After the conductive paint dried, I checked the connection with my multi meter and I showed a connection, where as before the mod, there wasn't a connection. So, I figure the mod was a good one. Nice, clean and neat. Cranked the card up and still only 12 pipes showing active.

I bought the card OEM from a fellow that has a connection with Dell. The card was as brand new as one that comes in a retail box. The only item that wasn't included, that is included in a retail purchase, is the driver cd. It was supposed to be a VIVO, but turned out that it wasn't. But I got a great deal in it and I couldn't pass it up. I know the mod was done, imo, professionally and the connection is there. I was hoping, as so many others here, that since the connection was made, all 16 pipes would be enabled after the mod. No dice though m8. Then I read about the ASID # being the problem with the newer lot of cards.

I really don't know TiTaNiuM. I would just like to have all 16 pipes. But it looks as if that isn't going to happen, eh? I am happy for those m8's that got their non-VIVO cards ealry and was successful in doing the mod. I would sell this and get a VIVO card or maybe even an XT PE, and although there's nothing wrong with this card, just the fact I have been scraping around in the gpu area, I couldn't get near enough out of it for it to be feasible. And I can't not tell about the mod attempt, I just don't feel that would be right.

But the bottom line is that I can live with it. It is a smokin card. I did perform a volt mod on it and can now clock this bad boy to 548/561, and with the Zalman ZM80C-HP with the Zalman ramsinks and the optional fan, at those clock speeds, load temps in game never get above 50C. So, I can live with it. But muck, I sure would like to have those other 4 pipes. lolll

[_TiTaNiuM]

i'm getting 522/567 on the stock cooler with no volt-mods... heh...

Actually, those extra 4 pipes don't really help all that much, or so it seems, maybe like 1000 3dmarks. Ahhh well.

[_TiTaNiuM]

Interesting... Just did the reflash, yet my Device ID still shows 4A49 in ATi tool, but during the flash, it said it was 4A50.

12 active pipelines, and I filled the pit with crayon, and bridged the points.

[HH_Quazi]

Interesting... Just did the reflash, yet my Device ID still shows 4A49 in ATi tool, but during the flash, it said it was 4A50.

12 active pipelines, and I filled the pit with crayon, and bridged the points.

So, did you have the 16 pipes working then reflashed back to the Pro bios? And what do you mean about "filling the pit with crayon"? Then bridging the points? And the #'s above, did the ASID # change during the flash or was it the Device ID # that changed? Please explain a bit m8.

[_TiTaNiuM]

I did the hardmod, except I filled the laser pit with crayon, a common practice for athlon XP unlocking, the pit would ground out the circuit between the two points, so there would be a connection, but it wouldn't do anything, I applied the same logic to the R420 core. Filled pit, and bridged the two points with conductive paint, there was indeed a connection.

I never got 16 active pipes, when I flashed with the gigabyte software, it says Device ID # 4A50
ASID ID #4A49

Boot into windows, install drivers...

Run ATi Tool, 12 active pipes, Device ID #4A49...

When you are in windows, does it tell you the device ID is 4A50?



Recognizes the card as a X800 Pro, but with XT clocks.

[HH_Quazi]

I did the hardmod, except I filled the laser pit with crayon, a common practice for athlon XP unlocking, the pit would ground out the circuit between the two points, so there would be a connection, but it wouldn't do anything, I applied the same logic to the R420 core. Filled pit, and bridged the two points with conductive paint, there was indeed a connection.

I never got 16 active pipes, when I flashed with the gigabyte software, it says Device ID # 4A50
ASID ID #4A49

Boot into windows, install drivers...

Run ATi Tool, 12 active pipes, Device ID #4A49...

When you are in windows, does it tell you the device ID is 4A50?



Recognizes the card as a X800 Pro, but with XT clocks.

At least your card accepted the XT bios because the clocks were changed. I can't even get mine to do that. Because everytime I restart my computer after a flash to an XT bios, including using the Gigabyte tool and flash, I just get a black screen. Then I have to do a blind re-flash back to my original bios. Seems filling the pit with crayon and then making the connection with conductive paint has at least enabled your card to take the XT's bios, even though it still reads 4A49 for the Device and ASID #'s. Did you happen to notice a difference in the rpm of the heat sink fan? Should have been an increase there as well with the XT bios. Just curious as to why the other 4 pipes weren't enabled since your card did at least accept the XT bios. hmmm? At least this is somewhat progress. Most we've seen since this thread started. Thanks for trying the crayon thing m8. Seems as though you are onto something here. I know the pros bios is 54KB deep. How big was the XT's bios you used? Most of them are 56KB.

[_TiTaNiuM]

My bios was 64kb, it was the one that came with the gigabyte pack

As far as RPMs, couldn't tell yah, installed my ATi silencer and use ATI tool to keep it at 100%... which is still inaudible to me

[HH_Quazi]

My bios was 64kb, it was the one that came with the gigabyte pack

As far as RPMs, couldn't tell yah, installed my ATi silencer and use ATI tool to keep it at 100%... which is still inaudible to me

This bios for this BBA ATI X800Pro is only 54KB. Anyway, I am going to go through the trouble of taking the Zalman completely off and giving this another shot. Your advice please. I have scraped away the wafer board between the contact points to show the wire between the two. I believe I can scrape the conductive paint away with no problem, but I have no crayon aroung here. My kids are grown and there's no need for those in the house now. Plenty of finger nail polish though. Would this work to fill the gap? Give me an idea of what else would work. Candle wax? But when the board heats up, so will the wax. loll I would like to find something that is in liquid form the will harden. Actually, the laser cut is deep. Deeper than what one would think. Something liquid that will harden would definately get down in there. Any ideas?

[_TiTaNiuM]

You scraped off the green completely!!!

I just scraped the points till copper shined through, then the laser pit, rubbed a crayon over, cleaned off the excess, and bridged it!

You can also use super-glue, this was the other way of filling the pit, super glue, or crayon :P

You dont need to fill it completely, just make sure no conductive paint gets down there and grounds out the connection.

As for the bios, in the gigabyte pack, there was a bios file already, 64kb, it wasn't a bin, it was a .f1

You were supposed to flash that bios

[HH_Quazi]

You scraped off the green completely!!!

I just scraped the points till copper shined through, then the laser pit, rubbed a crayon over, cleaned off the excess, and bridged it!

You can also use super-glue, this was the other way of filling the pit, super glue, or crayon :P

You dont need to fill it completely, just make sure no conductive paint gets down there and grounds out the connection.

As for the bios, in the gigabyte pack, there was a bios file already, 64kb, it wasn't a bin, it was a .f1

You were supposed to flash that bios

Eh. I have a MSI RX800Pro here that I am going to sell. It's brand new, never opened. I may just give it a shot. If I get that one too work, I'll sell this one. Since I have tried the mod on this one, I'll probably take a loss. But I am sure someone will purchase it on eBay for the $350 I'll ask for it. That's with the complete Zalman system on it. I always give a no DOA and a 30-day money back guarantee. If it was me, I'd jump on a new X800Pro for that price especially with the Zalman already installed, even though it won't mod to a XT PE. So, if I get the mod to work on this MSI card, that's what I'll do. I just think I'll have a better chance of a sucsessful mod with a card that hasn't even been touched yet. Kinda went through a learning experience with this one. Hasn't seemed to hurt it any. Clocks to 548/561. Load temps have never gotten above 50C. And scores over 10,900 consitently with my low FSB and cpu. I think if I had an 800MHz FSB and the PC3200 gig of ram to match, it would score near 12,000. But with 533MHz FSB and a gig of PC2700 ram, I think 10,900 is a great score. I'll let you know how the crayon thing goes on this MSI card. Thanks for giving that a shot TiTaNiuM.

[Stickygreen]

Hi guys,
Just reflashed my card again, and the device id says 4a50 and the asid id is 4a49,
rebooted into windows and atitool says:

device id: 4a49
Chiptype : r420
Memory size : 256MB
Memory Bus Width : 256bit
Active pipelines: 16
cpu/clock : 526.00Mhz
Mem/clock : 573:00

also when i did the hardmod of the contacts, I covered the whole of the 2 dots that need connecting, lasercut and all, i did not touch the laser cut or insulate the laser cut at all, just exposed the two spots and applied the conductive paint straight accross the two contacts. I dont quite understand the relevence of the 4a49 code.

[_TiTaNiuM]

Is your card a BBA?

Quazi, was your card a BBA? if so, would you mind emailing me your original Pro bios? I'm trying to flash back, but flashrom errors....

*ugh*

[ViperJohn]

Alright, with all the post all over the place, I'm getting a little lost in what works, worked or doesn't work. Yesterday I picked up an BBA(ATI) x800PRO card with 2.0ns memory. I have 30 days to evaluate the worthiness of the purchase. Can someone please explain to me what should be done exactly, step by step, to unlock the extra 4 pipes.

I can OC it to 520/550 on stock cooling.

As of right now there is no known way to unlock the last pipe quad on x800Pro non-vivo's. There
were a few random successes with some very early cards but that is history now. It is going to
be a combination of hardware changes and driver mods to do if it can be done. The pertinent
hardware differences have been ID'ed (the position of two SMR "switches" on the PWA) and of
course bridging the laser cut bridge but the drivers still have to be modded to get around the
ASIC code difference. ATI built in multiple layers of checks in the drivers for ID changes and it is
proving to be a tough nut to crack. Unwinder (RivaTuner) is working on that I believe and I think
W1zzard (ATItool) is as well.

Viper

[ViperJohn]

hey magic, have you tried the GECube X800pro bios. from all the threads of working hard moded cards the GE cube seems to mod the best. is there something in its bios that unlocks the other 4 pipes?

Have you got a link to the bios???

Viper

[xtpe]

my results before and after (soft)mod

12pipes VS. 16pipes VS [email protected] VS [email protected] VS ...

Doom3+Cat4.8+dx9c
Details: Ultra High
ingame everything max
AA only ingame
controlpanel default!
Format:34.9secs==61.5FPS
best fps value form 2.-4. run !


_________1024x768
_________475/[email protected]_______520/[email protected]_______475/[email protected]_______520/[email protected]
2xAA_____34.9_____61.5_____30.4_____70.7_____30.1_____71.3_____27.1_____79.4
4xAA_____49.3_____43.6_____42.0_____51.1_____38.7_____55.5_____33.1_____65.0

_________1280x1024
_________475/[email protected]_______520/[email protected]_______475/[email protected]_______520/[email protected]
2xAA_____50.9_____42.2_____43.6_____49.3_____42.8_____50.2_____36.0_____59.7
4xAA_____70.8_____30.3_____60.4_____35.6_____55.9_____38.5_____47.1_____45.6

_________1600x1200
_________475/[email protected]_______520/[email protected]_______475/[email protected]_______520/[email protected]
2xAA_____70.0_____30.7_____59.7_____36.0_____58.6_____36.7_____49.2_____43.6
4xAA_____97.0_____22.1_____82.6_____26.0_____76.3_____28.1_____64.6_____33.2
0xAA_____57.8_____37.2_____49.8_____43.1_____48.8_____44.0_____41.5_____51.7

so what do you think its worth to get 4 more pipes or not ?

[MagicHawk]

You can find those BIOS here:

http://www.techpowerup.com/bios/

[MagicHawk]

As of right now there is no known way to unlock the last pipe quad on x800Pro non-vivo's. There
were a few random successes with some very early cards but that is history now. It is going to
be a combination of hardware changes and driver mods to do if it can be done. The pertinent
hardware differences have been ID'ed (the position of two SMR "switches" on the PWA) and of
course bridging the laser cut bridge but the drivers still have to be modded to get around the
ASIC code difference. ATI built in multiple layers of checks in the drivers for ID changes and it is
proving to be a tough nut to crack. Unwinder (RivaTuner) is working on that I believe and I think
W1zzard (ATItool) is as well.

Viper

Thanks for that bit if hope Viper!

[_TiTaNiuM]

Theres no XT bios, just GeCube Pro bios

[ViperJohn]

You can find those BIOS here:

http://www.techpowerup.com/bios/

Okay. That is the GeCube x800Pro VIVO bios. It is the same as the Sapprire x800Pro VIVO bios
P/N 113-A26107-100 dated 5/11/04.

Viper

[ViperJohn]

Thanks for that bit if hope Viper!

If we pound on the issue long enough hopefully there will be Joy in the future. Pretty sure
the true function of the bridge cut (AA cores) is known now.

I have a BbATI x800Pro here that cleans spotlessly clean at 594/579 stone stock with the
fan locked up on high speed using Atitool and running the 113-A26105-100 XT-PE bios.
The card will run well over 600 core without lockup (but dirty) so Vcore and good cooling
will really turn the core on but the card will need that last pipe quad to truely shine.

Viper

[_TiTaNiuM]

So that bios is worthless then?... the GeCube

[ViperJohn]

So that bios is worthless then?... the GeCube

As far as unlocking a non VIVO yes. It and the Sapphire VIVO bios are one in the same.

The key is the ASIC ID. If that can be changed the drivers won't need to be modded to get
around it. On x800Pro VIVO's with "AD" cores and no bridge cut the ASIC ID will change from
4A49 (x800Pro) to 4A50 (x800XT) and back again when the bios is flashed with the right flash
tool. With "AA" cores it won't.

Pretty sure bridge cuts are not pipe locks per say but register programming bit count locks. It
is similar to the resistor hardmod on the old 9500NP's but with a twist. When you moved the
resistor on the R300 cores it unlocked the ASIC ID register to reprogramming with the 9700
ASIC ID which you got with the flash to a 9700 bios. The x800Pro VIVO's with "AD" cores do
the same thing so the flash tools are capable of changing the ASIC ID's for R420 cores unless
they are "AA" cores. That leads you down a path that tells you the bridge controls weither
or not a register check bit(s) is set (it would have to be non volitile) that either allows or
doesn't allow the register holding the ASIC or maybe more correctly will hold the ASIC ID to
be programmed above a certain bit count or 100101001001001 in this case.

It would be a rather simple thing at the Fab during testing/binning to set a check bit(s), using
propriatary software, to prevent the the ASIC register bit count from being programmed high
enough to hold an XT ASIC ID of 4A50 then cut the bridge and mark the cores as AA's. When
the cores are in the hands of the user jumping the bridge on an AA core and flashing the card
doesn't get you anywhere. While the flash tools have the ability to change the ASIC ID they
do not have the ability to change the protection check bit(s) even if the bridge is jumped to
allow it/them open to change. That stops the flash tools ability to change the ASIC ID dead
in it's tracks.

One thing ATI isn't is dumb and they learned their lesson on the 9500NP well. ATI knew OC'ers
would try to try and jump the bridge then flash the card to XT spec's. By using a rather simple
(read cheap) protection method the flash tools do not have the ability to change you are still
locked out of having 16 pipes.

This is all open to speculation of course at this point and may be completely wrong but it
definately fits with what is currently known about the cards. From ATI's engineering standpoint
it is easy to do, requiring only a few seconds during test/binning and very effective. It also lends
itself well for when the 8 pipe x800se hit the streets. With two bridges cut that would indicate
a double lock on them...one to get to 12 pipe and another to get to 16 pipe which is extremely
doubtful they could run with clean anyway.

Ati's bean counters would like as well because it is cheap to impliment and perform on a per
part basis. When you are going to do something a few million times that becomes a key
issue as well.

Time will tell HOPEFULLY!!!

Viper

[Wilko042]

Nice theory. Do you think it would be possible to hex edit the bios and change all AA to AD and AD to AA, and/or 4A49 to 4A50 and 4A50 to 4A49 if they exist and then reflash? or am I just whistling in the wind.

[ViperJohn]

Nice theory. Do you think it would be possible to hex edit the bios and change all AA to AD and AD to AA, and/or 4A49 to 4A50 and 4A50 to 4A49 if they exist and then reflash? or am I just whistling in the wind.

Like I said it fits in with what is known but it is just educated speculation right now.

The AA and AD just refer to the laser marking on the die's surface. That is permanent and
is just a way to ID the cores without getting the magnifiers out and looking for cut bridges.
The stuffing robots probably use it to prevent a 12 pipe core from going on an x800XT-PW
by accident during assembly.

If I am correct what you want to change would be the check bit(s) so the register that
holds, or will hold, the ASIC ID can be reprogrammed to hold a bit count high enough to
represent 4A50h when the card is flashed.

Viper

[HH_Quazi]

Sounds like we may getting somewhere, eh? Come on all you brainiacts, lets figure this one out. Viper John may be on to something here. One thing is for sure, if we don't, no one else will. Thanks to Viper for his unique insight to our dilema. Where there is a will, there is a way m8's. I'll volunteer my card for any trial runs at getting this to work. I've already performed to hard mod so no RMA for me. So if anyone can come up with a way to get our cards to do what they need to do to accept the XT PE's bios and/or unlock the other 4 pipes, let me know. I'll test for us. Thanks again Viper!!

[ViperJohn]

Sounds like we may getting somewhere, eh? Come on all you brainiacts, lets figure this one out. Viper John may be on to something here. One thing is for sure, if we don't, no one else will. Thanks to Viper for his unique insight to our dilema. Where there is a will, there is a way m8's. I'll volunteer my card for any trial runs at getting this to work. I've already performed to hard mod so no RMA for me. So if anyone can come up with a way to get our cards to do what they need to do to accept the XT PE's bios and/or unlock the other 4 pipes, let me know. I'll test for us. Thanks again Viper!!

You shold know there are two Surface mount resistor "switch" location differences between
X800Pro's and X800Pro VIVO's and XT-PE's PWA's too. That is over and above the Pro's lack
of VIVO components. I changed the location of those part on my card and it did not unlock the
last pipe quad (or the ASIC ID register). If a way to unlock the ASIC ID to changes is found
those SMR's may still need to be moved to do it. ATI put in multiple layers of hardware, firmware
and software (driver) checks from the looks of it to keep the pro's 12 pipe.

Time will tell.

Viper

[Wombat]

If only W1zzard would share more of his knowledge. He already made this modded x800pro 16pipe bios with modified flashrom and knows to change the clocks into these ROMs.

Anybody has connections to him?

Wombat

[ViperJohn]

If only W1zzard would share more of his knowledge. He already made this modded x800pro 16pipe bios with modified flashrom and knows to change the clocks into these ROMs.

Anybody has connections to him?

Wombat

W1izaards card was a VIVO if I remember right. They are no problem. There were a few
very early Pro non Vivo's that would change too but that is history.

Viper

[Wombat]

But he may clarify what´s all about and why the newer ones don´t do anymore.
He somehow managed to do an own flashrom that opens the pipes on the vivos so he may know more or can second your correct looking findings.

i personal am interested in the clock rate change. He did it for a german Mod reseller he wrote in another forum but didn´t tell how

Wombat

[ViperJohn]

But he may clarify what´s all about and why the newer ones don´t do anymore.
He somehow managed to do an own flashrom that opens the pipes on the vivos so he may know more or can second your correct looking findings.

i personal am interested in the clock rate change. He did it for a german Mod reseller he wrote in another forum but didn´t tell how

Wombat

He modded Flashrom v2.37 so it would no longer preserve the ASIC ID register and could
change the ASIC ID on X800 Vivo's the way GVflash.exe could.

Changing the bios clocks is a matter of finding where they are set in bios code. What
would nice if W1zzard someone else with the skills would come up with an editor for the
x800 bios images to change the clocks in them like Radedit does in 9800 and earlier bios
image's. W1zzard has the knowledge, tools and skill to do it but having the time to do it
may be another matter entirely for him.

Unwinder and W1zzard are the two people with the skill and knowledge to pull off an unlock
if they have enough accurate information about the cards, differences and behavoir to
flashing. Have tried contacting unwinder with no luck. Am trying to contact W1zzard now.

Viper

[Wombat]

When we are at it (Editors), a litle warning:
Rabit looks promising cause it is still worked on. I tried to change the HardwreID on my X800 vivo Bios from 4A49 to 4A50 cause this field for the X800 series is open in Rabit 1.3.

It messed up my Bios completely

Wombat

[ViperJohn]

When we are at it (Editors), a litle warning:
Rabit looks promising cause it is still worked on. I tried to change the HardwreID on my X800 vivo Bios from 4A49 to 4A50 cause this field for the X800 series is open in Rabit 1.3.

It messed up my Bios completely

Wombat

Doesn't surprise me as changing the ASIC ID directly could have all kinds of weird consequences.
It isn't needed either. On the Vivo's I i've had come through me the ASIC ID would change to 4A50
and back to 4A49 freely when flashed with the right flash tool. Haven't seen a Vivo yet that didn't
have an "AD" core and intact bridges but I have read they are out there.

Viper

[Wilko042]

They say misery likes company, so I thought I would let you know that my HIS X800 Pro non-VIVO failed the bridge mod


However, I did flash it to a HIS X800 XT BIOS and found that my 3D Marks went up from 11,308 to 11,783 with both runs at 551c/551m Furthermore, after reinstalling the HSF I can now get 575c/561m and a 3D Marks of 11,938. When I took the HSF off there was probably too much thermal paste on and I cleaned it up and replaced it with AS5.

Anyone else see a performance boost using the XT BIOS?
____________________________
P4C800-E Deluxe [email protected]
HIS X800 Pro non-VIVO 575c/561m
2x512MB Ballistix 2.5,2,2,5
2xWD 36G Raptors Raid 0

[HH_Quazi]

They say misery likes company, so I thought I would let you know that my HIS X800 Pro non-VIVO failed the bridge mod


However, I did flash it to a HIS X800 XT BIOS and found that my 3D Marks went up from 11,308 to 11,783 with both runs at 551c/551m Furthermore, after reinstalling the HSF I can now get 575c/561m and a 3D Marks of 11,938. When I took the HSF off there was probably too much thermal paste on and I cleaned it up and replaced it with AS5.

Anyone else see a performance boost using the XT BIOS?
____________________________
P4C800-E Deluxe [email protected]
HIS X800 Pro non-VIVO 575c/561m
2x512MB Ballistix 2.5,2,2,5
2xWD 36G Raptors Raid 0

Am I reading you right. Your non-VIVO was able to accept the XT PE's bios? That's more than allot of can do m8. Congrats! You are half-way there. I am running XT PE speeds by oc'ing, but I have found no XT PE bios to work. I haven't tried the HIS yet though. I think it is the only one I haven't tried.

[Wilko042]

Yes, my non-VIVO did accept the XT PE BIOS. I Used the HIS one as my card is a HIS.

For reference I used Flashrom 2.37 ( http://www.overclockers.ru/cgi-ATI_flashrom_2.37.rar ) and the HIS BIOS from http://www.techpowerup.com/bios


I was following instructions from
http://www.warp2search.net/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=18198
but the BIOS there could not be downloaded. Should I have used a different one? I didn't realise your BIOS flash did not work properly.

Also, in the instructions above I could not use the 4.5 Beta Cats as when using them it said that it could not find any suitable hardware. I ended up using the ones that came with my card CD.

Thanks.

____________________________
P4C800-E Deluxe [email protected]
HIS X800 Pro non-VIVO 575c/561m
2x512MB Ballistix 2.5,2,2,5
2xWD 36G Raptors Raid 0

[johny]

My analysis of this Mod:



If pipeline do have some error during manufacturing, why it is always the bridge between pin1 and pin4 needs to be cut? The production line always have same error in a specific quad pipeline? Not very possible.

Conclusion: All R420 chips are ready for 16 pipeline operation. Disconnect pin1 and pin4 changed certain values in some register. (Someone reported that if pin 1 is connected to pin M, then it becomes 8 pipeline in atitool, I have not tried this yet)

[johny]

I soldered the bridge

I used conductive pen first to connect the bridge, without any result. I doubt the effect of those liquid silver, since I have strong confidence from my previous analysis: If pin1 and pin4 are really connected well, like before the laser cut, it should appear as a real x800 XT core immediately.

So I decided to go the most certain way by soldering it.

I used 0.25mm thin solder, 1mm coper wire bundled on the top of the solder iron to work, applied the solder first to pin1 and pin4:



And then soldered two copper fiber (as thin as a hair, from shielded earphone wires) on each of the pin, and finally soldered them together.



Now I'm 100% sure pin1 and pin4 is connected as all the other X800 XT boards.

Then I bootted up the machine, open Atitool, guess what? Still 12 pipeline.

Conclusion: Besides connecting the bridge, there are more need to be done in order to make Pro work as a real XT.

[johny]

Further analyse

Now, there are 2 things can be sure:

1. Factory always cut the connection between pin1 and pin4 means that this operation has nothing to do with the production quality of the GPU. If some pipeline really appears as broken(Another strange but natural way of thinking: In software architecture, pipeline is totally a different concept from a water pipeline in the kitchen. Details I don't know, but I'm sure if the manufacturing process caused a certain pipeline broken, 99% of the chance is that the other part of the GPU has already broken by the same manufacturing process), it will be either pin1, pin2, pin3 or pin4 disconnected, not like what we have seen today: only pin4 is disconnected. No, personally I will never believe this, since this will cause too much work and verification for the laster cut operation.

2. Hardware mod to connect pin4 back to the other pins is not enough for a successful mod. I can be 100% sure that after soldering all the 4 pin is connected well together.

But is there any other things I might ignored? For example, the laser cut may be did a two layer cut which also cut a layer below the surface layer? I don't know how many layers actually located on the GPU, so I can not say anything about that.

Today, I got this two picture from a chinese site:
x800pro


x800xt


That site already found out that on this specific part PRO VIVO layout is the same as XT, but PRO is not. I think that viperjohn has tried this part without a difference in result.

Anyway, if I eliminate this last difference, from pure hardware point of view, there is no difference between X800 PRO non vivo and XT except the memory chip type.

ASIC ID is another part that is remaining unknown. I don't think this has something to do with the pipeline itself, since many successful PRO VIVO mod without change the ASIC ID can tell that this is not a big issue.

I have a feeling that the final solution will come out in software approach. We will see.

My card:
ASUS AX800PRO
215RAACGA11F
GB8820.1
0423AA
TAIWAN

(I like the pro fan very much, especially the lovely girl printed on that. Even ignored my GPU water block. ASUS XT does not have such a fan, so I just stick to PRO and want to have 16 pipelines. I hate some people destroy a perfect product just because they want a full product line.)