Update Gateway BIOS to run GTX 750 TI SC video card - Problems

Merllin · Apr 2, 2014

System:

Gateway DX4380-EC031P (Prebuild System)
AMD A10-5700 APU with Radeon HD Graphics
FSP Power - FSP300-60THA(1)

How it started:

I am looking to install a EVGA GTX 750 TI SC video card (does not need external power) into my Gateway system. I had seen the reviews online showing it could be a good way to enhance a prebuilt system so I figured Id give it a try.

I uninstalled all the ATI drivers from my computer and removed the HD 7670 card (Note: The BIOS had no option of disabling the integrated graphics, it seems to be automatic when a card is installed in the PCI. I tested this by plugging the HDMI into the mobo port and there was no signal)

I installed the GTX 750 TI SC in my computer and booted it up.

The computer loads the POST screen and will allow me to hit Del or F12 (it will also beep once). From there, it will hang up and go to a blank screen with a blinking cursor.

Problem 1: Blank screen with blinking cursor and failure to load. Card is powered up, fan is spinning. I understand the power supply is below what is recommended but I know others have run the card with the standard OEM PSU so I don't think that is the issue.

Next, I have read that the BIOS needs to be updated on the machines for this card to work properly. It looks like numerous people have cured this issue with a new BIOS flash. The current Gateway BIOS on the system is P01.A1 (06/14/2012).

Problem 2: I went to Gateway's support page to get the recommended BIOS (http://ca.gateway.com/gw/en/CA/content/drivers-downloads) and there are multiple versions. Gateways BIOS are updated by running a BIOS_WIN.bat file with the required ROM file. One thing I noticed was that only one BIOS on the list used a .ROM file. All the others are using .CAP files.

The BIOS listing a .ROM file is the BIOS I have currently, but I reflashed it anyways to check and see and it does do the flash properly. When I try to run one of the newer versions, I get a the error "4- Error ROM file ROMID is not compatible with existing BIOS ROMID".

Also, I have created a FAT32 USB stick and tried loading the BIOS through DOS and I receive the same error.

So I have two problems.

One: the video card wont work as the system currently sits.
Two: I am unable to update the Gateway BIOS to a newer version

Is this video card compatible with this motherboard?
Has anyone flashed a Gateway BIOS successfully?
Would a underpowered PSU show these symptoms?

Wondering if anyone has any suggestions or recommendations. I don't really know a whole lot about this kind of thing and I am really only going by what I have read.

Any help would be appreciated.

goku1234567890 · Apr 3, 2014

Whoa that power supply is definitely not classified for gtx 750 Ti. Get a better power supply. On it's both rail it has very low amperes which are only enough to run the processor, motherboard and all the other components.

Merllin · Apr 3, 2014

Would the a low power supply cause the blank screen I am experiencing? Card is powered and running, fan is turning.

goku1234567890 · Apr 3, 2014

Yeah it will cause this. To be sure just remove the graphic card and boot on on-board graphics card to see if it works, and try your current card on another system to see if it works. Post back the results here.

Merllin · Apr 3, 2014

I am going to pick up a PSU today and try it. If I still have the same problem, I will try it on a different system.

I figure its either between the PSU or the BIOS. Here's hoping its just the PSU.

goku1234567890 · Apr 3, 2014

Make sure to post the results back here.

ko888 · Apr 3, 2014

... The computer loads the POST screen and will allow me to hit Del or F12 (it will also beep once). From there, it will hang up and go to a blank screen with a blinking cursor. ...

The single beep indicates that the system, including the graphics card, has passed POST.

If all you see is a blinking cursor that definitely shows that the screen is not blank and that the graphics card is still functioning.

The blinking cursor usually appears just before control is passed to the boot device (i.e. SSD, HDD, bootable CD/DVD, bootable USB drive, etc.). If control is unable to pass to the boot device then all you'll see is the blinking cursor.

The new EVGA GeForce GTX 750 Ti Superclocked [02G-P4-3753-KR] graphics card doesn't consume any more power than the OEM Radeon HD 7670 (i.e. just a re-badged Radeon HD 6570), that you replaced, so the current PSU is not lacking in power.

Since you're able to hit Del or F12, does this bring up the BIOS Setup screens? If the answer is yes then the graphics card is definitely working, otherwise the screen would be completely blank. If you're using Windows 7, then make sure that the Secure Boot feature in the BIOS is set to [Disabled].

Merllin · Apr 3, 2014

When I hit Del or F12, it says "entering start up" and hangs up on that until it reverts to the screen with the blinking cursor.

When I enter the BIOS using the integrated VGA, it is very simplistic with no option for Secure Boot from what I remember. (I am not at home at the moment to confirm). I do remember the BIOS options being very limited though.

If its important, I can install the HD 7670 card and it will boot fine into Windows.

goku1234567890 · Apr 3, 2014

That hang up at is caused by improper installation of some hardware or some hardware being faulty. It had happened to me, I was trying to install 2 faulty hard drives and on boot up of both the hard drive the line of loading hanged.

Merllin · Apr 3, 2014

So I am looking at a DOA card then?

I find it strange though that others have had this problem and cured it with a new PSU or BIOS flash. I can go pick up a new PSU if needed but I just want to rule out the other possibilities.

goku1234567890 · Apr 3, 2014

Be sure to try another power supply before sending it back. That hang up can be caused by a number of things like boot manager error, i just told you my experience as a example. Rule out every possibility before sending it back.

Merllin · Apr 3, 2014

I installed a 525W power supply and I am experiencing the same problem. So now I am unsure what to do.

I am still looking for the Secure Boot option as it is not available in the BIOS.

From what I am reading, it sounds like I am dealing with a DOA card?

ko888 · Apr 3, 2014

Merllin :

If the graphics card were really DOA (i.e. Dead On Arrival) you wouldn't have gotten the single POST beep and any video signal out of it at all.

The single POST beep also means that the graphics card's own BIOS reported that the graphics card is working.

Merllin · Apr 3, 2014

Ahh ok.. So now what to try then?

I checked to make sure the integrated graphics is disabled. When I plug the GPU in to the PCI and hook the HDMI up to the mobo port, there is no signal. I'm assuming this means the integrated graphics are disabled automatically.

What would be the next thing to check?

ko888 · Apr 3, 2014

Merllin :

Make sure that there is a working bootable device to boot from since that is where the process is failing. Disconnect all optical drives like CD/DVD drives, card readers, USB sticks, external USB HDDs, etc. Just leave the one main HDD connected.

Merllin · Apr 3, 2014

There is only one CD drive and the HDD connected. I tried it with just the HDD connected and the problem still occurred.

As mentioned in the initial post, I am trouble updating the BIOS for the Gateway and wondering if that will fix the issue. Is there a difference between a .CAP file and a .ROM file when updating the BIOS. Can a .CAP file be converted back to a .ROM file.

The updated BIOS .CAP File is the same size as the .ROM file that is currently being used for the BIOS. I am not the only one having this issue it seems.

ko888 · Apr 4, 2014

Were you trying to update to BIOS Version P12.A2 ?

You don't have a Richland CPU so you can't use any of the UEFI for Windows 8 BIOS versions.

You also shouldn't be trying to flash with a BIOS Version that ends with L (e.g. P12.A2L) because those versions are only used for systems that are booting into the Linux Operating System.

Merllin · Apr 4, 2014

Correct, I have not used the Richland CPU or the Linux versions. I have only been trying the BIOS updates that are labelled "Gateway BIOS" and are for Windows 7.

(IE: P12.A2, P12.A1, P12.A0, etc...)

None of the updates that use.CAP files in the ROM folder work. I can run the oldest update P01.A1 successfully though but it uses a .ROM file in the ROM folder.

I am unsure how to convert the .CAP files to .ROM files to get it to update on a new version of the BIOS.

ko888 · Apr 4, 2014

Merllin :

Were you using AFUWINx64.EXE version 3.04.01 ?

Were you running as Administrator?

Merllin · Apr 4, 2014

Yes and Yes.
When afuwinx64 is run as administrator, it opens a command prompt but says press any key. it will not let me type in any commands. It closes after hitting any key.

When I run the Bios_win.bat file as admin I get a : error 4 - ROM file ROMID is not compatible with existing ROMID.

This only happens when using the .cap style updates

Merllin · Apr 4, 2014

Any further advice?

ko888 · Apr 4, 2014

There is a way to force the BIOS update but if the ROM contents are incorrect you can also end up with a bricked motherboard.

Merllin · Apr 4, 2014

It is the BIOS that Gateway is recommending and it is the correct file size. How would I go about forcing it?

ko888 · Apr 4, 2014

Merllin :

In the BIOS_WIN.bat file you'll see:

set BASE_DIR=%~pd0
%BASE_DIR:~0,2%
cd %BASE_DIR%
AFUWINx64 ..\ROM\P12-A2.CAP /p /b /n /r

Add the /X option to the end of the AFUWINx64 line.

/X - Don't Check ROM ID

REMEMBER: You're using this option at your own risk so you accept all consequences if it doesn't work.

Merllin · Apr 4, 2014

I am unsure how to get that far. How do I go about opening up the BIOS_WIN.bat file to edit it?

No worries about the disclaimer. I have read enough the past 3 days to understand that the mobo will be toast. If it doesn't work I will have to just end up buying one that is UEFI.

Update Gateway BIOS to run GTX 750 TI SC video card - Problems

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