Any idea how to flash the BIOS of a GF2mx 100/200?

TheDuck · Jul 29, 2002, 08:14 AM

My gf2mx runs rather sluggish in games, even in low resolution, and I heard flashing the BIOS would increase frames in many of my games. I would appreciate it if anyone here could help me.

Thanks in advance

~~Sourcer_2002~~ · Jul 29, 2002, 08:26 AM

http://www.nvplanet.com/modules.php?...ticles&secid=2 try here

TheDuck · Jul 29, 2002, 02:26 PM

thanks

~~Sourcer_2002~~ · Jul 29, 2002, 02:54 PM

No problem

TheDuck · Jul 30, 2002, 03:03 AM

Considering how I don't know much about computeres, and the zip file doesn't contain any instructions.... I need help in actually doing it.

~~Sourcer_2002~~ · Jul 30, 2002, 06:25 AM

You need the rom form the link i gave you then your'll have the get the nvflash http://www.nvplanet.com/modules.php?...p=getit&lid=33 then if you have 98x go into dos and run the program.

TheDuck · Jul 30, 2002, 08:08 AM

which rom file? the NO TV-Out, Brooktree (CNXT), Chrontel, or Philips ?

~~Sourcer_2002~~ · Jul 30, 2002, 08:10 AM

well does you card have tv out? if it dosent get that one if it does then you have to figure which one of the makes the card is but if you dont have a tv-out on the card get the no tv-out

Matth · Jul 30, 2002, 12:23 PM

The MX100/200 is RAM-crippled, using 64 bit SDRAM instead of 128 bit.

This makes it react vewry badly to using excessive resolution, colour depth and refresh rate - particularly, if your monitor characteristics are defaulting to a refresh rate higher than a flicker-free 75Hz at your chosen resolution, lowering the refresh rate to 75 (in Display properties, advanced, adapter)
Take care! - if the monitor uses less than 75 at the selected resolution, forcing it to 75 will push the horizontal rate too high, possibly damaging the monitor.

I doubt very much that reflashing will alter things, other than by perhaps changing the default speed of the RAM - and if that's good enough to handle more, "coolbits" overclocking is a much less risky tactic than BIOS flashing.

If you go into "Additional Properties" and can see the clock speeds tab (requires "coolbits" registry patch), what clock speeds does it give?

Nominal standard are 175 (core) and 166 (ram) - though slower ram is often fitted.

TheDuck · Jul 30, 2002, 12:36 PM

The monitor is at optimal refresh rate. And for the additional clock speed, I dont got the "coolbits" registry patch.

You think I'd probably be better off overclocking the video card instead of flashing the bios? Its a second hand gf2mx, equipped with some coolsinks as well as a mini fan, I was thinking of overclocking it but I'm told it won't do much

Matth · Aug 1, 2002, 05:38 AM

The MX200 is memory limited, using 64 bit RAM width instead of 128 bit, so it has only 50% of the RAM performance.

The result is that any core overclock really needs a RAM overclock as well to give it any chance of going any faster.

The "optimal" refresh rate usually means MAXIMUM, using the fastest which the monitor can do.

To determine what should be possible, you need either:
1. The full spec of the monitor, including supported V-scan rates at each resolution, or
2. The max H-scan rate, which you divide by number of lines plus 5% top get the maximum scan rate at the selected resolution - if this is higher than 75, set it to 75. Do this for any modes you use, even for 3D test only (set the mode to that in order to adjust it)
If less, do NOT alter!

**Spike** · Aug 1, 2002, 11:34 PM

Whatever you do you will never get that card faster. It is just the slowest and cheapest card and there is now way you can get better performance out of it. Maybe you get max 5 fps increase and not worth it. YOu can better buy a new card.

Matth · Aug 2, 2002, 10:44 AM

Better to hold fire on new cards until DX8.1 hardware is standard - and it'll happen faster if everyone leaves the current generation of "fast DX7" cards on the shelf.

Best bargain at the moment....
Geforce 3 Ti200 - DX8 hardware like the FULL Geforce 4, and capable of blowing away the 4MX (a glorified Geforce 2).
It is also reported to overclock like hell!

Jul 29, 2002, 08:14 AM	#1
TheDuck DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 5 Rep Power: 0	Any idea how to flash the BIOS of a GF2mx 100/200? My gf2mx runs rather sluggish in games, even in low resolution, and I heard flashing the BIOS would increase frames in many of my games. I would appreciate it if anyone here could help me. Thanks in advance

Jul 30, 2002, 12:23 PM	#9
Matth Flash Banner Hater Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: UK Posts: 3,426 Rep Power: 93 System Specs	The MX100/200 is RAM-crippled, using 64 bit SDRAM instead of 128 bit. This makes it react vewry badly to using excessive resolution, colour depth and refresh rate - particularly, if your monitor characteristics are defaulting to a refresh rate higher than a flicker-free 75Hz at your chosen resolution, lowering the refresh rate to 75 (in Display properties, advanced, adapter) Take care! - if the monitor uses less than 75 at the selected resolution, forcing it to 75 will push the horizontal rate too high, possibly damaging the monitor. I doubt very much that reflashing will alter things, other than by perhaps changing the default speed of the RAM - and if that's good enough to handle more, "coolbits" overclocking is a much less risky tactic than BIOS flashing. If you go into "Additional Properties" and can see the clock speeds tab (requires "coolbits" registry patch), what clock speeds does it give? Nominal standard are 175 (core) and 166 (ram) - though slower ram is often fitted. __________________ Mary had a little lamb, Her father shot it dead Now Mary takes her lamb to school, Between two crusts of bread

Aug 1, 2002, 05:38 AM	#11
Matth Flash Banner Hater Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: UK Posts: 3,426 Rep Power: 93 System Specs	The MX200 is memory limited, using 64 bit RAM width instead of 128 bit, so it has only 50% of the RAM performance. The result is that any core overclock really needs a RAM overclock as well to give it any chance of going any faster. The "optimal" refresh rate usually means MAXIMUM, using the fastest which the monitor can do. To determine what should be possible, you need either: 1. The full spec of the monitor, including supported V-scan rates at each resolution, or 2. The max H-scan rate, which you divide by number of lines plus 5% top get the maximum scan rate at the selected resolution - if this is higher than 75, set it to 75. Do this for any modes you use, even for 3D test only (set the mode to that in order to adjust it) If less, do NOT alter! __________________ Mary had a little lamb, Her father shot it dead Now Mary takes her lamb to school, Between two crusts of bread

Aug 1, 2002, 11:34 PM	#12
Spike Driver Cleaner Maker Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Netherlands Posts: 2,088 Rep Power: 71 System Specs	Whatever you do you will never get that card faster. It is just the slowest and cheapest card and there is now way you can get better performance out of it. Maybe you get max 5 fps increase and not worth it. YOu can better buy a new card. __________________

Aug 2, 2002, 10:44 AM	#13
Matth Flash Banner Hater Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: UK Posts: 3,426 Rep Power: 93 System Specs	Better to hold fire on new cards until DX8.1 hardware is standard - and it'll happen faster if everyone leaves the current generation of "fast DX7" cards on the shelf. Best bargain at the moment.... Geforce 3 Ti200 - DX8 hardware like the FULL Geforce 4, and capable of blowing away the 4MX (a glorified Geforce 2). It is also reported to overclock like hell! __________________ Mary had a little lamb, Her father shot it dead Now Mary takes her lamb to school, Between two crusts of bread

Jul 29, 2002, 08:26 AM	#2
~~Sourcer_2002~~ BANNED Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Indiana , USA Posts: 2,677 Rep Power: 0	http://www.nvplanet.com/modules.php?...ticles&secid=2 try here

Jul 29, 2002, 02:26 PM	Thread Starter #3
TheDuck DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 5 Rep Power: 0	thanks

Jul 29, 2002, 02:54 PM	#4
~~Sourcer_2002~~ BANNED Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Indiana , USA Posts: 2,677 Rep Power: 0	No problem

Jul 30, 2002, 03:03 AM	Thread Starter #5
TheDuck DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 5 Rep Power: 0	Considering how I don't know much about computeres, and the zip file doesn't contain any instructions.... I need help in actually doing it.

Jul 30, 2002, 06:25 AM	#6
~~Sourcer_2002~~ BANNED Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Indiana , USA Posts: 2,677 Rep Power: 0	You need the rom form the link i gave you then your'll have the get the nvflash http://www.nvplanet.com/modules.php?...p=getit&lid=33 then if you have 98x go into dos and run the program.

Jul 30, 2002, 08:08 AM	Thread Starter #7
TheDuck DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 5 Rep Power: 0	which rom file? the NO TV-Out, Brooktree (CNXT), Chrontel, or Philips ?

Jul 30, 2002, 08:10 AM	#8
~~Sourcer_2002~~ BANNED Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Indiana , USA Posts: 2,677 Rep Power: 0	well does you card have tv out? if it dosent get that one if it does then you have to figure which one of the makes the card is but if you dont have a tv-out on the card get the no tv-out

Jul 30, 2002, 12:36 PM	Thread Starter #10
TheDuck DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 5 Rep Power: 0	The monitor is at optimal refresh rate. And for the additional clock speed, I dont got the "coolbits" registry patch. You think I'd probably be better off overclocking the video card instead of flashing the bios? Its a second hand gf2mx, equipped with some coolsinks as well as a mini fan, I was thinking of overclocking it but I'm told it won't do much