Following this method will involve flashing your video card BIOS to that of the Radeon x800xt which will void any warranties which you may currently have on your card. I do not take responsibility if you kill your video card.
Ok, I was recently reading an excellent guide to softmodding your radeon video card by DDR-PIII, and having not long bought an x800pro and successfully softmodded to an x800xt-pe, I was inspired to write a full guide to converting this new range of ati cards. Here goes -
Before you start the flash of your shiny new x800pro you will need the relevant BIOS and a program to flash it with. This is a list of everything you will need:
* An ATI Radeon x800pro (with succesful pipemod) or pro VIVO (which seem atm to need no hardmod) capable of 520MHz core clock and 560MHz DDR memory clock
* Flashrom v2.37 (Provided in download below)
* A copy of the Gigabyte ATi Radeon X800XT BIOS and Gigabyte Flash Utility (Both provided in download below)
* A copy of your original card type X800PRO bios (ie PRO or Pro-VIVO: both provided in download below or you can make your own)
* A copy of the final X800XT bios you wish to permanently use (Official ATI X800XT-PE bios provided in download below)
* TWO DOS boot floppy disks (WinXP dos boot disc provided in download below)
* A copy of ATI-tool 0.0.20 to verify pipes and flash success (download HERE)
Once you have downloaded the file below you should have everything you need to flash your x800pro.
Ok, firstly you will need to extract the Gigabyte archive to the first floppy disc, as this is the only flash utility to effect the pipelines. Then you will need to extract the flashrom archive to the second floppy disc, and extract one of the two provided backup pro bios' onto it as well (x8pro20.bin - if your card is a standard PRO with 2.0ns samsung ddr, or - x8pro16.bin - if your card is a VIVO with 1.6ns samsung ddr).
You now have 2 DOS bootable floppy discs, one containing the Gigabyte flash utility and the primary X800XT bios, and one containing Flashrom and both your original X800PRO bios type (part of the process and as a backup) and your final X800XT bios.
UNINSTALL ALL ATI DRIVERS BEFORE STARTING THE FLASHING PROCESS.
However, ensure whatever ATI drivers you wish to use are handy on the desktop - youll need em soon, and install ATI-tool to later verify the number of pipelines.
We are now ready to begin. Restart your computer with the gigabyte floppy disc in, boot to the dos prompt "A:\ prompt) and prepare to start the flash.
At this point before we begin the flash, if you wish to backup YOUR OWN CARDS bios instead of using one of my provided backups, swap to the Flashrom floppy disc and use the command -
" flashrom -s 0 original.bin " at the A:\ prompt.
PLEASE NOTE: the "0" in the prompt is a ZERO not an 'o'
Your own original BIOS is now saved to the floppy disk too and you can use this in case of a bad flash.
Now you are finally ready to begin the first flash. Replace\use the Gigabyte disc in the drive, and using the Gigabyte Flash Utility (NOT Flashrom) use the following command prompt-
" GVF11 -P -F x800xt.F1 "
Gigabyte Flash should begin to flash your BIOS and you should see a success confirmation message, followed by a return to the A:\ prompt.
PLEASE NOTE - the x800xt.f1 bios is a TEMPORARY bios to unlock the extra pipes, it is not good for overclocking or stability, a final x800xt bios will be installed later.
If you experience any problems DO NOT RESTART!! make sure you have the second floppy disc to hand with the backup original bios on it (your own or one of the two provided ones). As this is a dos bootable disk it will allow you to hot swap the floppy disc and reflash to your original bios. If at any stage any of the bios flashes have errors, or it becomes clear that your card is permanently hardlocked, use this method to restore your original bios.
Put the flashrom floppy disc in and use this command -
" FLASHROM -P -F 0 (bios name) "
either " x8pro20.bin " or " x8pro16.bin " depending on your card type (if using provided bios'), or " original.bin " if using your own.
Reinsert Gigabyte Flash disc and retry, ensuring the command is typed correctly.
Once the Gigabyte Flash is successful, restart your pc and boot into your OS. Be aware that after flashing your monitor may flicker on and off whilest loading windows. This is normal and your monitor should switch back on within a few seconds. Also when you are installing your video drivers the same thing will take place. Do not worry, this is also normal. Install your ati drivers and reboot. Now launch ATI-tool and check your number of pipes - it should now verify that you have just successfully unlocked all 16 pipes!!! The first stage of the flash process is complete.
If your card is a basic x800pro and ati-tool still reports 12pipes after this, retry your pipemod and retry the gigabyte flash process, your pipemod may not have been done properly or your card may be unlockable - If it is unlockable reflash to an original x800pro bios using the flashrom method and command prompt above.
If your card is a x800pro VIVO and ati-tool still reports 12pipes, try the gigabyte flash process again. If you still have 12pipes you may want to consider the pipemod (tho I will not recomend this as it is not undo-able and largely unsuccessful), but it is highly likely that you have one of the newer hardlocked VIVO cards. These are NOT soft or hardmodable at all. As above reflash to an original x800pro vivo bios using Flashrom and the given command prompt.
Those of you that have been succesful in your initial flash will now have a card that registers as an X800XT Platinum Edition!!! However, in most cases you will now aslo find that your maximum overclock has been greatly reduced. This is now remedied by the final stages of the conversion process.
Restart your pc with the Flashrom floppy disc in and boot to the DOS A:\ prompt.
We will now restore your overclock by reflashing to an original PRO bios.
Put the flashrom floppy disc in and REFLASH to the appropriate X800PRO bios using this command:
" FLASHROM -P -F 0 (bios name) "
either " x8pro20.bin " or " x8pro16.bin " depending on your card type (if using provided bios'), or " original.bin " if using your own.
Restart when the flash is finished and returns to the A:\ prompt as before. Boot into your OS again and check ATI-tool - You will now have your overclock back again, but you will still also have the 16 pipelines unlocked!! You now have a 16pipe PRO.
Now to complete the conversion process, simply restart and boot to DOS A:\ prompt one last time, and flash to your final choice of X800XT Bios to make your card a full fledged X800XT!
Use the command:
" FLASHROM -P -F 0 x800xt.rom"
if you wish to use the provided official ATI x800xt bios (which I have found is the best available for overclocking).
PLEASE NOTE - If using the provided final bios this file is a .ROM file, not a .bin.
Reboot to your OS and reload your drivers. Check ATI-tool !
If you have followed these steps you should now have a fully functional Radeon X800XT Platinum Edition!
VRYKYL
PLEASE NOTE -If your card will not happily maintain or reach xt stock speeds, you may need to do a pencil voltmod to 1.4v. Several brands of x800pro come with a stock voltage of 1.3v, whilst the stock voltage for an x800xt is 1.4v, so thus you may need to up the voltage slightly to reach a higher overclock. CAUTION - volt modding can seriously damage your card. I do not take responsibility if you kill your video card.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
PRIMARY DOWNLOAD HOST - (You need BOTH archives)
PLEASE NOTE - Primary Download Host has 5gb a day transfer limit
Archive File 1:
http://www.bigredwa.com/x800/stage1-gigabyte_flash.zip
Archive File 2:
http://www.bigredwa.com/x800/stage2&3-flashrom_pro&xt.zip
---------------------------------------------------------------------
ALTERNATIVE DOWNLOAD MIRROR - (You still need BOTH archives)
Archive File 1:
http://www.swiftevo.com/Computer Stuff/X800pro/Bios/stage1-gigabyte_flash.zip
Archive File 2:
http://www.swiftevo.com/Computer Stuff/X800pro/Bios/stage2&3-flashrom_pro&xt.zip
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Hosting courtesy of BigRed and Z YA LTR
---------------------------------------------------------------------
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
Many thanks to - "DDR-PIII" for general bios flashing advice gleamed from his 9800pro-xt conversion thread, BigRed and Z YA LTR for hosting the files for everyone, "micamica1217" for detailed advice on all things ati, and "Krag" for inspiring me with his awesome modded x800xt and providing final x800xt bios.
Ok, I was recently reading an excellent guide to softmodding your radeon video card by DDR-PIII, and having not long bought an x800pro and successfully softmodded to an x800xt-pe, I was inspired to write a full guide to converting this new range of ati cards. Here goes -
Before you start the flash of your shiny new x800pro you will need the relevant BIOS and a program to flash it with. This is a list of everything you will need:
* An ATI Radeon x800pro (with succesful pipemod) or pro VIVO (which seem atm to need no hardmod) capable of 520MHz core clock and 560MHz DDR memory clock
* Flashrom v2.37 (Provided in download below)
* A copy of the Gigabyte ATi Radeon X800XT BIOS and Gigabyte Flash Utility (Both provided in download below)
* A copy of your original card type X800PRO bios (ie PRO or Pro-VIVO: both provided in download below or you can make your own)
* A copy of the final X800XT bios you wish to permanently use (Official ATI X800XT-PE bios provided in download below)
* TWO DOS boot floppy disks (WinXP dos boot disc provided in download below)
* A copy of ATI-tool 0.0.20 to verify pipes and flash success (download HERE)
Once you have downloaded the file below you should have everything you need to flash your x800pro.
Ok, firstly you will need to extract the Gigabyte archive to the first floppy disc, as this is the only flash utility to effect the pipelines. Then you will need to extract the flashrom archive to the second floppy disc, and extract one of the two provided backup pro bios' onto it as well (x8pro20.bin - if your card is a standard PRO with 2.0ns samsung ddr, or - x8pro16.bin - if your card is a VIVO with 1.6ns samsung ddr).
You now have 2 DOS bootable floppy discs, one containing the Gigabyte flash utility and the primary X800XT bios, and one containing Flashrom and both your original X800PRO bios type (part of the process and as a backup) and your final X800XT bios.
UNINSTALL ALL ATI DRIVERS BEFORE STARTING THE FLASHING PROCESS.
However, ensure whatever ATI drivers you wish to use are handy on the desktop - youll need em soon, and install ATI-tool to later verify the number of pipelines.
We are now ready to begin. Restart your computer with the gigabyte floppy disc in, boot to the dos prompt "A:\ prompt) and prepare to start the flash.
At this point before we begin the flash, if you wish to backup YOUR OWN CARDS bios instead of using one of my provided backups, swap to the Flashrom floppy disc and use the command -
" flashrom -s 0 original.bin " at the A:\ prompt.
PLEASE NOTE: the "0" in the prompt is a ZERO not an 'o'
Your own original BIOS is now saved to the floppy disk too and you can use this in case of a bad flash.
Now you are finally ready to begin the first flash. Replace\use the Gigabyte disc in the drive, and using the Gigabyte Flash Utility (NOT Flashrom) use the following command prompt-
" GVF11 -P -F x800xt.F1 "
Gigabyte Flash should begin to flash your BIOS and you should see a success confirmation message, followed by a return to the A:\ prompt.
PLEASE NOTE - the x800xt.f1 bios is a TEMPORARY bios to unlock the extra pipes, it is not good for overclocking or stability, a final x800xt bios will be installed later.
If you experience any problems DO NOT RESTART!! make sure you have the second floppy disc to hand with the backup original bios on it (your own or one of the two provided ones). As this is a dos bootable disk it will allow you to hot swap the floppy disc and reflash to your original bios. If at any stage any of the bios flashes have errors, or it becomes clear that your card is permanently hardlocked, use this method to restore your original bios.
Put the flashrom floppy disc in and use this command -
" FLASHROM -P -F 0 (bios name) "
either " x8pro20.bin " or " x8pro16.bin " depending on your card type (if using provided bios'), or " original.bin " if using your own.
Reinsert Gigabyte Flash disc and retry, ensuring the command is typed correctly.
Once the Gigabyte Flash is successful, restart your pc and boot into your OS. Be aware that after flashing your monitor may flicker on and off whilest loading windows. This is normal and your monitor should switch back on within a few seconds. Also when you are installing your video drivers the same thing will take place. Do not worry, this is also normal. Install your ati drivers and reboot. Now launch ATI-tool and check your number of pipes - it should now verify that you have just successfully unlocked all 16 pipes!!! The first stage of the flash process is complete.
If your card is a basic x800pro and ati-tool still reports 12pipes after this, retry your pipemod and retry the gigabyte flash process, your pipemod may not have been done properly or your card may be unlockable - If it is unlockable reflash to an original x800pro bios using the flashrom method and command prompt above.
If your card is a x800pro VIVO and ati-tool still reports 12pipes, try the gigabyte flash process again. If you still have 12pipes you may want to consider the pipemod (tho I will not recomend this as it is not undo-able and largely unsuccessful), but it is highly likely that you have one of the newer hardlocked VIVO cards. These are NOT soft or hardmodable at all. As above reflash to an original x800pro vivo bios using Flashrom and the given command prompt.
Those of you that have been succesful in your initial flash will now have a card that registers as an X800XT Platinum Edition!!! However, in most cases you will now aslo find that your maximum overclock has been greatly reduced. This is now remedied by the final stages of the conversion process.
Restart your pc with the Flashrom floppy disc in and boot to the DOS A:\ prompt.
We will now restore your overclock by reflashing to an original PRO bios.
Put the flashrom floppy disc in and REFLASH to the appropriate X800PRO bios using this command:
" FLASHROM -P -F 0 (bios name) "
either " x8pro20.bin " or " x8pro16.bin " depending on your card type (if using provided bios'), or " original.bin " if using your own.
Restart when the flash is finished and returns to the A:\ prompt as before. Boot into your OS again and check ATI-tool - You will now have your overclock back again, but you will still also have the 16 pipelines unlocked!! You now have a 16pipe PRO.
Now to complete the conversion process, simply restart and boot to DOS A:\ prompt one last time, and flash to your final choice of X800XT Bios to make your card a full fledged X800XT!
Use the command:
" FLASHROM -P -F 0 x800xt.rom"
if you wish to use the provided official ATI x800xt bios (which I have found is the best available for overclocking).
PLEASE NOTE - If using the provided final bios this file is a .ROM file, not a .bin.
Reboot to your OS and reload your drivers. Check ATI-tool !
If you have followed these steps you should now have a fully functional Radeon X800XT Platinum Edition!
VRYKYL
PLEASE NOTE -If your card will not happily maintain or reach xt stock speeds, you may need to do a pencil voltmod to 1.4v. Several brands of x800pro come with a stock voltage of 1.3v, whilst the stock voltage for an x800xt is 1.4v, so thus you may need to up the voltage slightly to reach a higher overclock. CAUTION - volt modding can seriously damage your card. I do not take responsibility if you kill your video card.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
PRIMARY DOWNLOAD HOST - (You need BOTH archives)
PLEASE NOTE - Primary Download Host has 5gb a day transfer limit
Archive File 1:
http://www.bigredwa.com/x800/stage1-gigabyte_flash.zip
Archive File 2:
http://www.bigredwa.com/x800/stage2&3-flashrom_pro&xt.zip
---------------------------------------------------------------------
ALTERNATIVE DOWNLOAD MIRROR - (You still need BOTH archives)
Archive File 1:
http://www.swiftevo.com/Computer Stuff/X800pro/Bios/stage1-gigabyte_flash.zip
Archive File 2:
http://www.swiftevo.com/Computer Stuff/X800pro/Bios/stage2&3-flashrom_pro&xt.zip
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Hosting courtesy of BigRed and Z YA LTR
---------------------------------------------------------------------
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
Many thanks to - "DDR-PIII" for general bios flashing advice gleamed from his 9800pro-xt conversion thread, BigRed and Z YA LTR for hosting the files for everyone, "micamica1217" for detailed advice on all things ati, and "Krag" for inspiring me with his awesome modded x800xt and providing final x800xt bios.
Last edited: