Msi K7n2g Bios Update

Calinerti · Feb 14, 2003, 07:07 PM

Just spotted a new bios for the MSI nforce2 boards. Says that this one fixes the engineering BIOS problem for the IGP, updating to it NV18. I am hoping that it will also solve a stablitiy issue I have been having with this board, rebooting problems etc. Also has problems rebooting from XP. It'll shut down alright, but hangs when it tries to reboot, appears to be tieing up the hard drive.

One more question: If I am running a 9000 Pro on this board, why, when it is turned on, does it show the bios revision for the integrated graphics? Shouldn't it show the ATi bios? (I mean the very start of powering on, first screen display). I'll will have a chance to test this bios later, will report successes. (Or failures).

RIV@NVX · Feb 14, 2003, 07:29 PM

ATI BIOS isn't shown (or it is shown for really short time). Be careful to flash with right BIOS.

Calinerti · Feb 14, 2003, 07:57 PM

The ATi bios isnt shown at all, only the integrated video bios, the one which states "Engineering BIOS, not for Production use". Its the NV17 apparently and only supports AGP 4x when it should be NV18 with AGP 8x. EIther way, it shouldn't be shown at all if I am using an add in card, right? And another thing, I hear that the extra "P4" power connector is only required for the IGP (n/b) and not for the SPP n/b. If I'm not using the integrated gfx, do I still need to have this plugged in? And another thing! If its showing me the integrated video bios or using it at all, I cant use my PC3200, as using the onboard video wont allow anything higher than PC2700. Also, Sandra reports that the 9000 isnt being assigned an IRQ, and there have been a few video issues.

Its really been a pain in the arse, this board so far. I really hope that new BIOS will solve some of these issues. Use caution when purchasing this board. If there had been an option from MSI with all the features but without the integrated video I'd be happier.

RIV@NVX · Feb 14, 2003, 08:08 PM

Yes, it is expected ATI BIOS not to be shown.

Calinerti · Feb 14, 2003, 08:19 PM

Shouldn't the first thing to be displayed on the screen (whether its seen or not) be the video bios of the display card which is going to be used? The mobo bios checks the video first to ensure that I can SEE whats going on. The ATi bios is displayed on a mobo with no integrated video.

My question is WHY is it showing the GF4 engineering bios AT ALL if that isnt being used? and since this IGP northbridge requires an the extra P4 power connector for the integrated video, should I unplug it if I am not using it? the integrated video thing also limits my RAM speed, and it has the wrong BIOS with it when u buy it.

Is anyone else using this motherboard? Its the K7N2G-ISLR. I am using t5he retail bios and havent tried the one released today yet.

RIV@NVX · Feb 14, 2003, 08:45 PM

I use 8500LE (with 9100 BIOS) and nothing is displayed (only KT3 Ultra-ARU detection and so on). About extra P4 power connector - I have no idea. Be careful when flashing (because there are two different BIOSes - I think you need http://www.msi.com.tw/program/suppor...8&NAME=MS-6570 one).

Calinerti · Feb 14, 2003, 08:56 PM

Thats the one I had selected for trying later on today, I hope it works for me, and solves the other issues. I have read that the board can be run without this connector in, but I wanted to find out if having it plugged makes the bios assume to use the onboard video, and hence the GF4 bios screen and the problem with my pc3200. I think all of the problems are boiling down to something like that, I'm sure a bios revision will eventually fix it, hopefully the relase today will. Thanks for your help.

You are running an 8500le with a 9100 bios? I have a hercules 8500le, and I have never really messed with the bios as I was always more than happy with its performance. I have managed to clock it to 290/290 stable (it has 4.0ns RAM) and with no artifacts. Do you get any extra performance with the 9100 bios? or additional features?

RIV@NVX · Feb 14, 2003, 09:16 PM

9100 BIOS - not really. It is more like - see, I am cool, I have flashed my 8500 with +600 numbers... yes, this is me...

Calinerti · Feb 16, 2003, 05:18 AM

I can positively say that the 02.14 bios for this k7n2g-islr is a HUGE improvement for this boards stability, I managed decent overclocks (about 2167) without changing the multiplier. Seems like it will be a solid board, but that bios it was released with was a disaster!

As for the P4 power connector I am running with it plugged in although I am NOT using the video capability of the IGP northbridge, and it seems to work just fine. Still wont run my PC3200 at full spec, but manages fine @ 333, using onboard video means u cant use DDR400 so I think that the board is extra picky with its DDR400 modules.

Much happier following that bios flash.

Feb 14, 2003, 07:07 PM	#1
Calinerti DriverHeaven Addict Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Elysium Posts: 330 Rep Power: 0	Msi K7n2g Bios Update Just spotted a new bios for the MSI nforce2 boards. Says that this one fixes the engineering BIOS problem for the IGP, updating to it NV18. I am hoping that it will also solve a stablitiy issue I have been having with this board, rebooting problems etc. Also has problems rebooting from XP. It'll shut down alright, but hangs when it tries to reboot, appears to be tieing up the hard drive. One more question: If I am running a 9000 Pro on this board, why, when it is turned on, does it show the bios revision for the integrated graphics? Shouldn't it show the ATi bios? (I mean the very start of powering on, first screen display). I'll will have a chance to test this bios later, will report successes. (Or failures).

Feb 14, 2003, 07:29 PM	#2
RIV@NVX Freedom is a feature. Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Croatia, Rijeka Posts: 4,476 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	ATI BIOS isn't shown (or it is shown for really short time). Be careful to flash with right BIOS. __________________ -- Vedran

Feb 14, 2003, 08:08 PM	#4
RIV@NVX Freedom is a feature. Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Croatia, Rijeka Posts: 4,476 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Yes, it is expected ATI BIOS not to be shown. __________________ -- Vedran

Feb 14, 2003, 08:45 PM	#6
RIV@NVX Freedom is a feature. Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Croatia, Rijeka Posts: 4,476 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	I use 8500LE (with 9100 BIOS) and nothing is displayed (only KT3 Ultra-ARU detection and so on). About extra P4 power connector - I have no idea. Be careful when flashing (because there are two different BIOSes - I think you need http://www.msi.com.tw/program/suppor...8&NAME=MS-6570 one). __________________ -- Vedran

Feb 14, 2003, 09:16 PM	#8
RIV@NVX Freedom is a feature. Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Croatia, Rijeka Posts: 4,476 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	9100 BIOS - not really. It is more like - see, I am cool, I have flashed my 8500 with +600 numbers... yes, this is me... __________________ -- Vedran

Feb 14, 2003, 07:57 PM	Thread Starter #3
Calinerti DriverHeaven Addict Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Elysium Posts: 330 Rep Power: 0	The ATi bios isnt shown at all, only the integrated video bios, the one which states "Engineering BIOS, not for Production use". Its the NV17 apparently and only supports AGP 4x when it should be NV18 with AGP 8x. EIther way, it shouldn't be shown at all if I am using an add in card, right? And another thing, I hear that the extra "P4" power connector is only required for the IGP (n/b) and not for the SPP n/b. If I'm not using the integrated gfx, do I still need to have this plugged in? And another thing! If its showing me the integrated video bios or using it at all, I cant use my PC3200, as using the onboard video wont allow anything higher than PC2700. Also, Sandra reports that the 9000 isnt being assigned an IRQ, and there have been a few video issues. Its really been a pain in the arse, this board so far. I really hope that new BIOS will solve some of these issues. Use caution when purchasing this board. If there had been an option from MSI with all the features but without the integrated video I'd be happier.

Feb 14, 2003, 08:19 PM	Thread Starter #5
Calinerti DriverHeaven Addict Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Elysium Posts: 330 Rep Power: 0	Shouldn't the first thing to be displayed on the screen (whether its seen or not) be the video bios of the display card which is going to be used? The mobo bios checks the video first to ensure that I can SEE whats going on. The ATi bios is displayed on a mobo with no integrated video. My question is WHY is it showing the GF4 engineering bios AT ALL if that isnt being used? and since this IGP northbridge requires an the extra P4 power connector for the integrated video, should I unplug it if I am not using it? the integrated video thing also limits my RAM speed, and it has the wrong BIOS with it when u buy it. Is anyone else using this motherboard? Its the K7N2G-ISLR. I am using t5he retail bios and havent tried the one released today yet.

Feb 14, 2003, 08:56 PM	Thread Starter #7
Calinerti DriverHeaven Addict Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Elysium Posts: 330 Rep Power: 0	Thats the one I had selected for trying later on today, I hope it works for me, and solves the other issues. I have read that the board can be run without this connector in, but I wanted to find out if having it plugged makes the bios assume to use the onboard video, and hence the GF4 bios screen and the problem with my pc3200. I think all of the problems are boiling down to something like that, I'm sure a bios revision will eventually fix it, hopefully the relase today will. Thanks for your help. You are running an 8500le with a 9100 bios? I have a hercules 8500le, and I have never really messed with the bios as I was always more than happy with its performance. I have managed to clock it to 290/290 stable (it has 4.0ns RAM) and with no artifacts. Do you get any extra performance with the 9100 bios? or additional features?

Feb 16, 2003, 05:18 AM	Thread Starter #9
Calinerti DriverHeaven Addict Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Elysium Posts: 330 Rep Power: 0	I can positively say that the 02.14 bios for this k7n2g-islr is a HUGE improvement for this boards stability, I managed decent overclocks (about 2167) without changing the multiplier. Seems like it will be a solid board, but that bios it was released with was a disaster! As for the P4 power connector I am running with it plugged in although I am NOT using the video capability of the IGP northbridge, and it seems to work just fine. Still wont run my PC3200 at full spec, but manages fine @ 333, using onboard video means u cant use DDR400 so I think that the board is extra picky with its DDR400 modules. Much happier following that bios flash.