How or what do I need to update for a 980M on a MSI GT-70

[HeavyThumper]

My original video card died. I located a 980M - and solicited the services of a local repair shop to perform the install a few months ago. Card went in fine and the shop installed some generic drivers which got things functional.

Using the information from this and other sites I was able to mod the nvmii.inf file for the current nVidia drivers and install. Games are playable again! Now...

I'd *really* like to have the drivers self-update and forget about the mod process. I'm also hoping that with whatever BIOS/ROM/whatever flashing is required the Intel graphics driver will re-enable as well (not that I'm using it - I'd just like to see my Device Manager free of problems).

Here are the results of nvflash64 --version:

NVIDIA Firmware Update Utility (Version 5.590.0)
Copyright (C) 1993-2019, NVIDIA Corporation. All rights reserved.

Adapter: GeForce GTX 980M (10DE,13D7,1462,05AB) H:--:NRM S:00,B:01,D:00,F:00

EEPROM ID (7F,9D42) : PMC Pm25LQ020 2.3-3.6V 2048Kx1S, page

Sign-On Message : GM204 P2754 SKU 003 VGA BIOS
Build GUID : Blank
IFR Subsystem ID : 1028-05AB
Subsystem Vendor ID : 0x1028
Subsystem ID : 0x05AB
Version : 84.04.85.00.0A
Image Hash : E38F5BBF0417CB24C0C2BA6B53ABFDB5
Product Name : GM204 Board
Device Name(s) : GeForce GTX 980M
Board ID : 0xE906
Vendor ID : 0x10DE
Device ID : 0x13D7
Hierarchy ID : Normal Board
Chip SKU : 700-0
Project : 2754-0003
Build Date : 07/06/15
Modification Date : 07/14/15
UEFI Version : 0x2000B
UEFI Variant ID : 0x0000000000000006 ( GM2xx )
UEFI Signer(s) : Microsoft Corporation UEFI CA 2011
XUSB-FW Version ID : N/A
XUSB-FW Build Time : N/A
InfoROM Version : N/A
InfoROM Backup : Not Present
License Placeholder : Not Present
GPU Mode : N/A

I've also tried nvflash64 --compare MSI.GTX980M.8192.150108.rom:

NVIDIA Firmware Update Utility (Version 5.590.0)
Copyright (C) 1993-2019, NVIDIA Corporation. All rights reserved.

Adapter: GeForce GTX 980M (10DE,13D7,1462,05AB) H:--:NRM S:00,B:01,D:00,F:00

EEPROM ID (7F,9D42) : PMC Pm25LQ020 2.3-3.6V 2048Kx1S, page

NVIDIA Firmware Comparison
Comparing msi.rom...
Current - Version:84.04.85.00.0A ID:10DE:13D7:1028:05AB
GM204 Board (Normal Board)
Compare with - Version:84.04.48.00.20 ID:10DE:1617:1462:1140
GM204 Board (Normal Board)

ERROR: Size difference between file(193024) and adapter ROM space (261120)
NOTE: Make sure to compare with entire saved image file.
Firmware
Legacy BIOS ........................................ Mismatch
UEFI ............................................... Mismatch
Firmware Certificate ............................... Mismatch
InfoROM ................................................ N/A
Unallocated Space ...................................... Pass

MISMATCH ERROR: Command Compare error

I can also share:
MSIHQ: Information detected by MSIHQ Tool ver: 1.28j
MSIHQ: Report generated in Sun 03/15/2020 at 20:30:37.75
*********************************
Mainboard: MS-1763
PCB Version: REV:0.C
BIOS Version: E1763IG6.70Y
BIOS Date: 6/4/2014
EC-FW Version:
*********************************

I don't want to force apply anything blindly. Have I given enough information in the above for guidance or is there something else I need to provide?

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[eidairaman1]

Since it is working Id leave it alone, the M type gpus are a pain to crossflash, you need a specific vbios for your laptop and gpu combination.

Need to know if it has 4G or 8G and what specific ram is on that card.

There is a File for a GT-72 but lets see info first...

Get GPU-Z and let me see what it contains screenshot wise and then click the arrow next to uefi checkbox and attrmpt to upload the bios to the vga bios collection through the program itself. You may get a prompt the file is already in the database with a link, copy and paste link here.

@HeavyThumper

Get a picture of the labels from the bottom of the laptop too so we know what specific gt-70 we are dealing with

 

[HeavyThumper]

Need to know if it has 4G or 8G and what specific ram is on that card.

Get GPU-Z and let me see what it contains screenshot wise and then click the arrow next to uefi checkbox and attrmpt to upload the bios to the vga bios collection through the program itself. You may get a prompt the file is already in the database with a link, copy and paste link here.

@HeavyThumper

Get a picture of the labels from the bottom of the laptop too so we know what specific gt-70 we are dealing with

GPU-Z screenshot:

It appears to be a Dell card - link to bios is https://www.techpowerup.com/vgabios/202035/202035

Anything I missed?

Anything I missed?

You asked for pictures or information from labels. This was purchased from PowerNotebooks.com (which has since been sold to HIDEvolution.com). My understanding is this was based on a "whitebox" version of the GT70 that custom notebook resellers used. There are no labels present (besides my custom identity engraving).

I *think* the base version was the GT70 0NE but I can't swear to it.

 

[eidairaman1]

GPU-Z screenshot:

It appears to be a Dell card - link to bios is https://www.techpowerup.com/vgabios/202035/202035

Anything I missed?



You asked for pictures or information from labels. This was purchased from PowerNotebooks.com (which has since been sold to HIDEvolution.com). My understanding is this was based on a "whitebox" version of the GT70 that custom notebook resellers used. There are no labels present (besides my custom identity engraving).

I *think* the base version was the GT70 0NE but I can't swear to it.

It would be against my good judgement for you to flash without a recovery plan.
I highly suggest getting a external usb GPU that you can plug a monitor into and verify the system can bootup with that adapter as a disaster recovery method in case a msi bios flash fails. Also use gpu-z to back up your gpu bios to the desktop, rename it dellgpu.rom

I am glad msi wasn't as stingy as HP/Lenovo are with hardware whitelists. I'm surprised dell isn't when most of their stuff is...

 

[HeavyThumper]

It would be against my good judgement for you to flash without a recovery plan.
I highly suggest getting a external usb GPU that you can plug a monitor into and verify the system can bootup with that adapter as a disaster recovery method in case a msi bios flash fails. Also use gpu-z to back up your gpu bios to the desktop, rename it dellgpu.rom

I am glad msi wasn't as stingy as HP/Lenovo are with hardware whitelists. I'm surprised dell isn't when most of their stuff is...

So, having made a backup, and possibly an external card - how do I proceed with flashing?

 

[eidairaman1]

Use this tool to flash.

NVIDIA NVFlash with Board Id Mismatch Disabled v5.590.0 Download

This is a patched version of NVIDIA's NVFlash. On Turing cards, NVFlash no longer allows overriding of the "board ID mismatch" message through comm

www.techpowerup.com

Use this bios

MSI GTX 980M VBIOS

8 GB GDDR5, 1038 MHz GPU, 1253 MHz Memory

www.techpowerup.com

So, having made a backup, and possibly an external card - how do I proceed with flashing?

 

[HeavyThumper]

Use this tool to flash.

NVIDIA NVFlash with Board Id Mismatch Disabled v5.590.0 Download

This is a patched version of NVIDIA's NVFlash. On Turing cards, NVFlash no longer allows overriding of the "board ID mismatch" message through comm

www.techpowerup.com

Use this bios

MSI GTX 980M VBIOS

8 GB GDDR5, 1038 MHz GPU, 1253 MHz Memory

www.techpowerup.com

Executing "nvflash64_patched_5.590.0.exe MSI.GTX980M.8192.150108.rom" results:
NVIDIA Firmware Update Utility patched by Vipeax
Copyright (C) 1993-2019, NVIDIA Corporation. All rights reserved.

Checking for matches between display adapter(s) and image(s)...

Adapter: GeForce GTX 980M (10DE,13D7,1462,05AB) H:--:NRM S:00,B:01,D:00,F:00

EEPROM ID (7F,9D42) : PMC Pm25LQ020 2.3-3.6V 2048Kx1S, page

WARNING: None of the firmware image compatible PCI Device ID's
match the PCI Device ID of the adapter.
Adapter PCI Device ID: 13D7
Firmware image PCI Device ID: 1617
WARNING: Firmware image PCI Subsystem ID (1462.1140x
does not match adapter PCI Subsystem ID (1462.05AB).

NOTE: Exception caught.
Nothing changed!

ERROR: GPU mismatch


Is there another step or override required?

 

[eidairaman1]

Executing "nvflash64_patched_5.590.0.exe MSI.GTX980M.8192.150108.rom" results:
NVIDIA Firmware Update Utility patched by Vipeax
Copyright (C) 1993-2019, NVIDIA Corporation. All rights reserved.

Checking for matches between display adapter(s) and image(s)...

Adapter: GeForce GTX 980M (10DE,13D7,1462,05AB) H:--:NRM S:00,B:01,D:00,F:00

EEPROM ID (7F,9D42) : PMC Pm25LQ020 2.3-3.6V 2048Kx1S, page

WARNING: None of the firmware image compatible PCI Device ID's
match the PCI Device ID of the adapter.
Adapter PCI Device ID: 13D7
Firmware image PCI Device ID: 1617
WARNING: Firmware image PCI Subsystem ID (1462.1140x
does not match adapter PCI Subsystem ID (1462.05AB).

NOTE: Exception caught.
Nothing changed!

ERROR: GPU mismatch


Is there another step or override required?

Follow this video

 

[HeavyThumper]

Still didn't work.

Either there's something extra super special about my stuff - or something's happened to these newer patched versions. I went exploring - and found "patched" versions including: 5.590, 5.541, and 5.527 - all failed to actually perform the "override" function. But on another site...I found 5.513...and...it...worked!

For the first time since installing this card - my Intel card is fully recognized and enabled! Not that I'm actually using it - but it's nice not to see the error in Device Manager anymore. And...damn.

Standard nVidia drivers don't recognize this config. And - after modding them I no longer see resolutions past 1080p (I normally use 4k) as the external display is detected as a DVI connection instead of HDMI. I spent considerable time plugging/unplugging/replugging/swapping HDMI cables before I gave up. Interestingly, using 5.590 I was able to restore the backup BIOS and get back to where I started.

So having killed a day playing with this - any thoughts on how I can achieve full functionality?

 

[HeavyThumper]

The magic answer...updating the system BIOS. Svet on the MSI forums was able to provide me with a newer BIOS version - once applied the Intel graphics re-activated, nVidia detected and applied current drivers, and everything's working great!

 

[eidairaman1]

Good then

Id not muck with it any longer lol

 

[Romain38]

Hello,

I have the same configuration as you (I just changed graphics card)
I can't install the latest Nvidia drivers.
Can you help me ?
Thanks

 

[HeavyThumper]

Hello,

I have the same configuration as you (I just changed graphics card)
I can't install the latest Nvidia drivers.
Can you help me ?
Thanks

I strongly suggest you visit the msi forums and contact Svet. Here's a link for him:

MSI Global English Forum

...

forum-en.msi.com

Send him a PM and see how he can help - you can remind him of how he helped me. I *think* I have a copy of the BIOS he gave me - but I'm not sure what I have is the right one and I don't want to get you messed up. He knows this stuff inside & out - give him a donation for his time (whatever you feel appropriate) and if he does for you even half of what he did for me you'll be very happy.

One cautionary note - this card means the GPU isn't the limiting factor anymore in games. That means the CPU starts working at it's maximum - and it gets hot! Be *sure* you have some kind of additional cooling - at least an underside blower - or you will not be happy.

 

[Regeneration]

As eidairaman1 suggested, it is not wise to flash laptop BIOS without a recovery plan (external GPU), in case something goes wrong.

Official VGA BIOS database:

TechPowerUp

Extensive repository of graphics card BIOS image files. Our database covers submissions categorized by GPU vendor, type, and board partner variant.

www.techpowerup.com

TechPowerUp

Extensive repository of graphics card BIOS image files. Our database covers submissions categorized by GPU vendor, type, and board partner variant.

www.techpowerup.com

Use flash instructions from this thread. Might need to use older version of NvFlash.

 

[Romain38]

Hi HeavyThumper,
I'm going to contact Svet.
In the meantime, can you provide me with your bios ?
Thanks for the heat alert.
Have you changed the fan ?
If yes, can you provide me with the reference ?
Thanks to you


Hi Regeneration,
I'm going to try another flash on the bios of my video card with the links you provided
Thank you.

 

[Romain38]

It's good, with the file nv_dispi.inf provided by W1zzard and by starting in safe mode, I was able to install the latest driver.
Thank you all for your help.

 

[mickeylajoie]

Hello,
i'm having a big issue with my graphic card, since yesterday last driver update(with geforce experience), my card which is an old GTX670 is displays as Tesla K10 in windows device manager and in GPU-Z, and display setting Microsoft Basic Display Driver. i can't get a proper resolution and i can't run any game anymore of course...
It looks like the hardware id for the chipset was somehow changed from 1189 to 118F...
but in GPU-Z you can see the GPU clock is still 915MHz and and memory clock 1502MHz (when thoses values are 745 MHz / 1250 MHz for Tesla K10)
It tried to flash the bios to put back a GTX 670 version but i can't do it, event with the patched version of nvflash64
--protectoff worked
but when flashing the rom with -6 param it tells me the PCI device ID is not compatible.

any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Worbucks777]

Use this tool to flash.

NVIDIA NVFlash with Board Id Mismatch Disabled v5.590.0 Download

This is a patched version of NVIDIA's NVFlash. On Turing cards, NVFlash no longer allows overriding of the "board ID mismatch" message through comm

www.techpowerup.com

Use this bios

MSI GTX 980M VBIOS

8 GB GDDR5, 1038 MHz GPU, 1253 MHz Memory

www.techpowerup.com

Hello, I hope you are still paying attention to this thread.

I have a few questions regarding what i think is a similar situation: I have an old Ibuypower (before they were MSI) laptop Valkyrie CZ-27. It originally had a 770m, but that died so i got a 980m. messed around on the nvidia website and finally got one of the drivers to install. regular video works, but games (3d rendering i think) is trash no matter how low i put the settings.

My questions are:
1. does this sound like a problem a bios re-flash would solve?
2. would you mind running me through how to read the gpu-z window to find the correct information for the dropdowns in the bios search (i dont know how to identify the card vendor)?
3. OP mentioned "mod the nvmii.inf file" to get current drivers to install. would that be a better route before i try bios flashing?

I have attached my GPU Z screen

 

[tiananhb]

I can help you solve this problem, so that GT70 after the replacement of 980m can not need to modify the inf implementation driver can be updated normally at any time, from the code, you seem to use dell 980m, later, I upload a vbios, you can update the problem

 

[tiananhb]

Under normal circumstances, after you flash this VBIOS, you can directly install the driver normally, but in order to prevent accidents, it is best to back up your original VBIOS before flashing to prevent accidents.