really screwed up... can you help?

[jessyrh]

I was feeling smug last night after finally getting my new ka7 configured with my g400max... getting late, and getting tired, but noticed the new bios posted on the web. I decide to go ahead and flash the new bios for the video card. I downloaded the bios and expanded them to a directory and the clicked on the winbios utility. The program caused everything to slow down and for awhile I decided that it had froze up. Like an idiot, I rebooted only to get the long beep code that means my video card was not working..... In short, my Matrox g400 max has amnesia and doesn't know itself anymore. I tried the rescue disk but I can't boot with the card in the system - it just complains about having no video. I went out and bought a new video card today and I have 15 days to return it for full refund if I want. I want my g400 max back. Is there anyway to correct this bit of stupidity on my part?

[Kruzin]

Remove the G400.

Put in a PCI video card.

Hook your monitor up to the PCI card.

Set your mobo BIOS to initiate PCI as the primary video.

Put the G400 back in, with the PCI card still driving the monitor.

Boot with the BIOS recovery disk.

This should get the G400 working again. Then remove the PCI card, set the bios to init AGP first, and hook the monitor back up to the G400....

[jessyrh]

Unfortunatley, I tried that trick, borrowed the neighbors pci video and used it to drive the monitor... I get a message from the recovery program that it can't access the bios, something about wrong pin configuration. I tried the other bios recovery program with no luck either. I guess my matrox g400 is screwed for good. I can't figure out how it got so messed up.

[Tseng]

The exact same thing happened to me. I was thinking the PCI trick, now that I know it won't work. Is there any other way to get my G400 back?

TIA

[Rags]

This method should work unless the bios is very destroyed, so this should be what to try first.

[Kruzin]

Just because it didn't work for jessyrh doesn't mean it won't work for you.
At least try it. It is the course of action Matrox tech support would suggest.

If it doesn't work, contact tech support and RMA the card. It is still under warranty.

[Alfie]

Back when I first got my g200,this site(link below) was a big help in understanding problems that could arise and how to cope with them.
I believe the recovery routine is basically the same,the secret being is finding matching pins!
As Kruzin suggested,RMA the card,if still under warranty,or try to find matching pins,if the recovery disk fails.
Where matching pins can be found,may be the problem as Matrox files has none that I could see for g400's.
Perhaps if you gather the info needed to id your card,someone here has a matching pin file and would be kind enough to send you a copy.

http://grafi.ii.pw.edu.pl/gbm/matrox/

[Tseng]

Hi guys,
Thanks for the help. It appears that my G400 needs a correct PINS file. If you have a vanilla G400 that was assembled in China and model number is G4+MDHA32G, please generate one and send it to me.

Here is how to generate PINS file:

PROGBIOS -d > PINS.TXT

TIA

[Alfie]

Suggest you start a new topic with the info you're seeking.
That way many more can see it and you may luck out!

[knefren]

And while you're creating that PINS.TXT for Tseng, whould you mind sending it my way as well, as we have the same make of G400...

Thanks!

[Tseng]

knefren,
I just sent a PINS.TXT to you. Help it will help you like it helped me.

jessyrh,
Have you got a G400 Max PINS.TXT from anyone? Try AnandTech. I think someone saw my post over there and sent me the PINS.TXT of G400.

http://anandforums.gisystech.com

[Tseng]

jessyrh,
After I got the PINS.txt, I changed the serial to match my G400.

Then I got into PURE DOS mode and type the following:

progbios -i auto -s PINS.txt -k

Restart the computer and change display priority back to AGP/PCI, take out the PCI video card, my G400 is back! With the latest BIOS too!

[Dyre]

Good thing to here Tseng. Now i can try to flash mine to the newest, as i know how to fix it if all goes to hell.

[jessyrh]

tseng- It actually worked? I had posted at the Matrox Tech forum and the only advice I got was to send the card back. I also wanted to call Tech Support at Matrox but the only number I could find was not toll free.... I live in Flordia and the number is Canadian. I saw your post at Anand's Tech so I will try the same. Tell me how you salvaged your bios - please?