BIOS help with GeForce4 440 Go

[jmmckenna]

I recently bought a new GeForce4 440 Go w/ 64Mb off eBay for my Inspiron 8200. I installed the thing no problem and on the first boot up it worked great. Stupid me, I saw that there was a BIOS upgrade for this on the Dell site so I applied it. Everything looked like it worked during the upgrade but when I rebooted the vide was all messed up. I could still get into Windows but there is speckling on the screen. I've tried multiple times to re-apply the BIOS and it always looks like it works but no go. I want to try using NVFlash rather than the Dell BIOS flash to update the BIOS but NVFlash requires the actual ROM file to perform the upgrade which I don't have. I only have the EXE files off the Dell site.

Anyone have any ideas on how to recover from this or am I just screwed? If anybody out there has this card and wants to send me their ROM file I would appreciate it. I know how to get a copy of the ROM file using NVFlash.

[gytbz]

Hi,
I have encountered the same problem without success to solve it yet:o .
By chance I could replace the video card and have access to both near trash video card and also a good one not bios "updated":p .
As far as know recent card have C2 bios revisin and A06NV17 is only C1.
Please indicate what you know about retrieving a rom dump and I will be happy to send mine.:alc:
Cheers,

[jmmckenna]

Thanks for offering to help me out. First you'll need to download the nvflash program. You can find it here: http://www.softpedia.com/progDownload/nVFlash-Download-16133.html

Here are the instructions.


1. Create a bootable floppy disk. I believe that windows xp will automatically create a bootable floppy if you select that option when formatting the disk.

2. Copy the nvflash files onto the floppy.

3. With the video card installed in the laptop (this is the GeForce4 440 Go 64mb version) reboot the laptop with the floppy in the a: drive.

4. Once the computer is booted into dos at the a:\ prompt type “nvflash.exe --save bios.rom” (the actual name you choose for the rom file doesn’t really matter, I’m just using this as an example. This will copy the bios file from the video card onto the floppy drive. Once you’ve done that you can just reboot and e-mail me the .rom file.

5. If you want to try to copy the good BIOS onto your bad card you'll need to reboot with the floppy in and the bad card installed. Then, at the A:\ prompt type "nvflash bios.rom" or whatever you named the bios file. This should flash the bios using the copy you got from the good card.


If you want to see all of the other available commands with nvflash you can do just type “nvflash.exe /?”. I hope this works. It’s kind of my last ditch effort to salvage this card. I really do appreciate you doing this for me.

[gytbz]

You can retrieve hereafter with the attached file the latest ROM for NVidia 440 Go 64 MB for Dell Inspiron 8200.
I've just retrieved the dell floppy disk A06NV17 and updated it with nvflash536 and valid rom file called 04170055.rom
Note that there is no warranty except I checked it toward some different video cards all NVidia 440Go 64MB and some different Dell notebooks.
The complete explanation is that the Dell "update" is not check neither Flash type neither Chip type and overriding is scripted. The only checking is RAM amount 32 or 64MB.
Sorry to been so long.
Cheers,

[jmmckenna]

Just curious, did you try to fix your bad card using nvflash.exe? Before I rip apart my laptop again to start swapping out cards and flashing them I was wondering if you had success?

[gytbz]

Hi, YES I tested it and checked it again and it was a MIRIFIC success.
But just to be honest it was just flashing the bios of the NVidia card therefore I'm probably not a hero ;-)))
Cheers

[mr_luke]

Since were on the topic of the Geforce4 440 Go...
I purchased one from ebay as well (64mb version). After installing the card in to my Inspiron 8200, the image on the screen was littered with random flashing characters and blocks. Luckily I could still read the text within the BIOS setup, and I noticed that the BIOS recognized the card as a Geforce4 440 Go 64mb.
I flashed the video card's BIOS with the latest update from Dell's website, and while that corrected my problem with the flashing characters and blocks, the card now thinks it's a 32mb card instead of a 64mb (shown in BIOS and windows)

I've tried everything that's listed here, including using NVFlash to reprogram the card with the .rom file listed above, and the card still thinks it's 32mb. I even tweaked the .rom file with X-bios editor, and still no luck.
I know this is a 64mb card because the sysid.com program on the Dell Bios update diskette recgonizes it as such, and the card has the Infineon memory chips on it, compared to the Samsung chips on my 'dead' 32mb Geforce4 440 Go that I have.
Does anyone have any ideas/tips/tricks to help me get this card to recgonize its memory correctly again? I'm not THAT terribly upset that it doesn't work correctly as I can at least play UT2004 now, but I hate knowing that something isn't performing up to it's full potential.
Thanks!! :)

[jmmckenna]

I tried flashing the BIOS on my bad card and still no go. I'm giving up now, spent too much time on this one already and I think I've tried all avenues. Thanks to for all your help!

[rusty505]

Has anyone had any luck installing this card on an Inspiron 8100? I'm having all the same problems...was working ok UNTIL i of course went to Dell's website and flashed the bios with the one intended for the 8200. now getting the speckled screen. I was real excited to see this possible solution, so tried flashing it with the posted .rom file, but i get an error message saying incorrect configuration or something. does anyone have the original .rom file that comes on this card? or one that might work on an 8100? i've tried flashing the bios with past versions on dell's website but the problem remains...

[mr_luke]

I ran in to an error message when I tried flashing with nvflash. It was something along the lines of a PCI subsystem device ID error or something, I can't remember exactly what it was.

There is a way to force nvflash to ignore the error message by using a switch in the command line.

IIRC the line I used was nvflash -6 04170055.rom. The -6 was the switch that would ignore any subsystem device errors. After using that I could continue on with the flash with no problems.
You can get the full list of the command switches if you just type nvflash at the command prompt. It will give you 3 or 4 pages of information pertaining to the program. Just write down the error message it gives you when you flash the card, and then search through those pages for a switch that will fix the problem. That's how I figured out what I needed to do.

[rusty505]

yep you were right...i shouldve explored further. It worked and the new card is working out great! thanks a ton for saving me from spending another $100...and thanks again

[DRDRJAY1]

Aloha,
I read all your messages with great interest because I also bought the GeForce4 440 from the eBay web site for my Inspiron 8100 with its WUXGA screen. I also made the 'mistake' of flashing the bios with A06nv17.exe from the Dell Website, which produced spots all over the screen and I had to remove the GeForce4 and put the GeForce2 Go back in. So, this afternoon after work, the Dell on site tech is coming over and we will try your reccomended rom file using Nvflash. The A06nv17.exe is supposed to have both C1 and C2 on it, so I don't understand why it's producing a problem.

What none of you has mentioned is: what software driver version you are using? Is it R58746.exe off the Dell Website? Or...after a long discussion with Dell Tech the other night, they reccomended the latest drivers off the Nvidia Website, Version 91.31, which can be found at: http://www.nvidia.com/object/winxp_2k_91.31.html. Which do you reccomend?

I've also been told I need to not only uninstall the old software using add/remove programs, but also use device manager to remove the GeForce2 Go display adapter. Is that the correct thing to do?
Thanks for your response (s)

Jay

Kailua-Kona, Hawai'i
August 29, 2006

[saturnotaku]

Few things here:

Always uninstall whatever video driver you're using before undertaking a BIOS flash. Use control panel/add-remove programs to uninstall. Then reboot into safe mode and run Driver Cleaner (http://www.drivercleaner.net/). Follow the instructions after you've installed that software. If you do this, there will be no need to remove anything via device manager.

Regarding drivers, Dell gave you misinformation (color me surprised :rolleyes: ). It's technically their responsibility to provide the drivers for your laptop's video chipset. The only support provided officially by NVIDIA is for the GeForce Go 7800 and 7900 GTX cards. Additionally, the site LaptopVideo2Go (http://www.laptopvideo2go.com) modifies NVIDIA's drivers to be compatible with all desktop and notebook chipsets. Directions for installing the modified drivers are available on that site.

[DRDRJAY1]

Thanks for the info and your reply!

Nvidia's latest driver ( 91.31 on their website ) does say it supports the GeForce4 440 go...!? I can't make much sense of the Laptopvideo website; I don't see where to download the drivers/inf files, just news about them. I tried registering, but I don't have all that information they want at my fingertips and not much time to go search for it.

Jay

P.S. I also have nvidafileremover_05.exe. Does it probably work as well as Driver Cleaner for this application?

[DRDRJAY1]

Laptopvideo2go.com has multiple selections for the GeForce4 440 Go. Which driver is everyone using?

Thanks,

Jay

[saturnotaku]

Nvidia's latest driver ( 91.31 on their website ) does say it supports the GeForce4 440 go...!?

No it doesn't (http://www.nvidia.com/object/91.31_winxp_32_supported.html)

I can't make much sense of the Laptopvideo website; I don't see where to download the drivers/inf files, just news about them. I tried registering, but I don't have all that information they want at my fingertips and not much time to go search for it.

Go back to the site and click on the "drivers" link at the top of the page. Download the 91.47 drivers from the link provided. Right next to that is a link called INF. Right click and "save target as" and download it. Once the drivers have downloaded, extract them to a folder, then take the .inf file you downloaded and copy it to that folder, overwriting the existing file.

After you've uninstalled your previous drivers, follow the installation instructions provided here (http://www.laptopvideo2go.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=33).

I also have nvidafileremover_05.exe. Does it probably work as well as Driver Cleaner for this application?

I doubt it. Driver Cleaner is the preferred application among both NVIDIA and ATI users.

[DRDRJAY1]

Aloha and thanks ( Mahalo ),

I did download Driver Cleaner. I tend to be a bit conservative with all this; the forums article on this web page follows that thought an seems to say that version 81.94 is about as high as I need to go for the GeForce4 440 Go. Anything over that has some issues with the card ( or maybe, vice versa ).

http://www.laptopvideo2go.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=10214

At least, I think I'll probably start there.

Jay

[DRDRJAY1]

WHEW!

Done and running! I did create my own problem by unzipping Nvflash.zip to a folder on my hard drive and then copying the .exe to a formated system floppy disk. In the process, I ommitted to copy CWSDPMI.exe which it ( nvflash.exe ) needs to run and NOBODY MENTIONED! I, too, also needed to use the -6 switch with the new rom.

I am using v. 81.94 from Laptopvideo2go.com with its modified INF File, which is working fine, but it is NOT WHQL, so I may eventually upgrade a version or two to one that is. ( Anyone know why the WHQL Certified Drivers have much smaller .exe files? )

Now it's working great!

Thanks, everyone! :-):)

Jay

[saturnotaku]

You do know that WHQL means absolutely nothing right? The only time you'll see WHQL laptop drivers is when they're downloaded from the manufacturer (Dell, Compaq, etc). If your system is working, who cares?

[Geforce4]

Since were on the topic of the Geforce4 440 Go...
I purchased one from ebay as well (64mb version). After installing the card in to my Inspiron 8200, the image on the screen was littered with random flashing characters and blocks. Luckily I could still read the text within the BIOS setup, and I noticed that the BIOS recognized the card as a Geforce4 440 Go 64mb.
I flashed the video card's BIOS with the latest update from Dell's website, and while that corrected my problem with the flashing characters and blocks, the card now thinks it's a 32mb card instead of a 64mb (shown in BIOS and windows)

I've tried everything that's listed here, including using NVFlash to reprogram the card with the .rom file listed above, and the card still thinks it's 32mb. I even tweaked the .rom file with X-bios editor, and still no luck.
I know this is a 64mb card because the sysid.com program on the Dell Bios update diskette recgonizes it as such, and the card has the Infineon memory chips on it, compared to the Samsung chips on my 'dead' 32mb Geforce4 440 Go that I have.
Does anyone have any ideas/tips/tricks to help me get this card to recgonize its memory correctly again? I'm not THAT terribly upset that it doesn't work correctly as I can at least play UT2004 now, but I hate knowing that something isn't performing up to it's full potential.
Thanks!! :)

I'm currently in the same boat. I'm having trouble with nvflash it can't open the 0417055.rom file. Please help!

[LORD-eX-Bu]

I'm currently in the same boat. I'm having trouble with nvflash it can't open the 0417055.rom file. Please help!

is your issue with a laptop GPU or a desktop like the original poster?

EDIT: Oh crap, just saw that the title is for the 440 GO(duh(crazy))

are you sure your bios shows your card as 32mb and that its not the drivers?

EDIT: Also, have you tried this (http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/download.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&releaseid=R60977&formatcnt=1&libid=0&fileid=76579) ?

[marcociot]

You can retrieve hereafter with the attached file the latest ROM for NVidia 440 Go 64 MB for Dell Inspiron 8200.
I've just retrieved the dell floppy disk A06NV17 and updated it with nvflash536 and valid rom file called 04170055.rom
Note that there is no warranty except I checked it toward some different video cards all NVidia 440Go 64MB and some different Dell notebooks.
The complete explanation is that the Dell "update" is not check neither Flash type neither Chip type and overriding is scripted. The only checking is RAM amount 32 or 64MB.
Sorry to been so long.
Cheers,
I just wanted to state that this information helped a lot!!!
For what reason ever, I also had overflashed the good BIOS with the BAD one from DELL site.
Just copied the nvflash.exe and cwsdpmi.exe together with the valid rome file (04170055.rom) to the bootable disk and launched it after boot directly as:
nvflash --overridesub 04170055.rom

Best regards
Marco Ciot

Inspiron 8200, 2.4 GHz, 1GB RAM, GeForce 440 64MB, 1600*1200 on C-Dock II with USB 2.0 (DEC chipset!)

[SLippe]

I just wanted to state that this information helped a lot!!!
For what reason ever, I also had overflashed the good BIOS with the BAD one from DELL site.
Just copied the nvflash.exe and cwsdpmi.exe together with the valid rome file (04170055.rom) to the bootable disk and launched it after boot directly as:
nvflash --overridesub 04170055.rom

Best regards
Marco Ciot

Inspiron 8200, 2.4 GHz, 1GB RAM, GeForce 440 64MB, 1600*1200 on C-Dock II with USB 2.0 (DEC chipset!)
You're goin' to come in here as a noob, make 1 post, then report the post above you? :rofl