VOGONS


First post, by xtreger

User metadata
Rank Member
Rank
Member

Hi all, I recently got a Radeon X850 Pro AGP card to put in a Windows 98 system. I've heard that it has 12 pixel pipelines unlocked, but apparently in some cases 16 pipelines can be unlocked too, by flashing some ROM or something.

The part number of my card is 102A4751100. I have a friend who has experience in flashing BIOS and all, and on my end I'm willing to learn too. So if anyone knows how to unlock 16 pipelines in X850 Pro, could you please give me detailed steps, or point me to some source that explains how to do so?

I want the best Win98 gaming experience. Thanks!

Reply 1 of 8, by Sphere478

User metadata
Rank l33t++
Rank
l33t++

Sometimes they are disabled because they aren’t good but often times they are unlockable.

Try a bios flash and see.

I forget the steps but used to do it often back in the day.

Sphere's PCB projects.
-
Sphere’s socket 5/7 cpu collection.
-
SUCCESSFUL K6-2+ to K6-3+ Full Cache Enable Mod
-
Tyan S1564S to S1564D single to dual processor conversion (also s1563 and s1562)

Reply 2 of 8, by xtreger

User metadata
Rank Member
Rank
Member
Sphere478 wrote on 2023-12-16, 17:31:

Sometimes they are disabled because they aren’t good but often times they are unlockable.

Try a bios flash and see.

I forget the steps but used to do it often back in the day.

A couple of doubts: do you know of a way to check if the gfx card is disabled or if it's unlockable?
Secondly, could you elaborate a bit on "Try a bios flash and see"?

Reply 4 of 8, by Trashbytes

User metadata
Rank Oldbie
Rank
Oldbie

IIRC it was only the VIVO versions that could be unlocked, so if yours doesnt have Video in Video Out then it cant be unlocked.

Reply 7 of 8, by Sphere478

User metadata
Rank l33t++
Rank
l33t++

Check techpowerup for a bios for a x850xt with the same bus and memory size as yours

I think there may be an app called atiwinflash

Sphere's PCB projects.
-
Sphere’s socket 5/7 cpu collection.
-
SUCCESSFUL K6-2+ to K6-3+ Full Cache Enable Mod
-
Tyan S1564S to S1564D single to dual processor conversion (also s1563 and s1562)

Reply 8 of 8, by The Serpent Rider

User metadata
Rank l33t++
Rank
l33t++

ATI tool can check if they are locked on firmware or hardware level. Generally, most X850 are locked by laser etching. VIVO or not.

I must be some kind of standard: the anonymous gangbanger of the 21st century.