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New GPU fitted - BIOS screen screwed - but Windows is okay; should I be concerned?

Hipst3r

Hipst3r

Hipst3r

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Joined
10 Nov 2015
Posts
13
I picked up an RX 480 Nitro 8GB to replace my old Radeon HD 6850.

My build is very old, I bought if from OC UK many eons ago - here's the mobo:

http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3440#ov

I'm using a CX600 PSU with a 6+2 connector to the card - powers up fine.

Initially I couldn't get any signal to my LCD monitor (old VGA one). So I thought perhaps a BIOS update was the best thing to do - but checking the release notes for BIOS updates on GIGABYTE showed nothing to do with any PCIe updates - so I didn't bother at this stage.

The next thing I tried was plugging my machine into a HDMI screen, the only ones in my house are 2 massive TV's.

When I turned on the machine the BIOS screen showed this:

http://imgur.com/a/sicMQ

Part of the screen was blinking, almost like a cursor would when you get that idle "boot from CD message".

Anyway after a few seconds Widows kicks in and from this point on - everything is fine.

I updated the drivers for the card, played a few games on Ultra settings for a few hours - no problems.

Originally it used to show a GIGABYTE logo on startup with startup commands (Delete: For BIOS) etc - but now I get that pixelated mess.

I tried 2 HDMI TV's - I got this on both.

- Should I be concerned about this? Could my system fail?
- I can access BIOS settings fine - I tested this a few times.
- Is it worth updating my BIOS, even though there's no mention of PCIe updates in any of the releases?
- I've revered back to my old card for now as I can't realistically play on a 32" TV! So now I'm seeking a tidy 24" freesync monitor.

Anything you think worth testing/checking is really appreciated - thanks.
 
have you tried emailing gigabyte, normally if i saw that on my screen i would think there could be a possible bios corruption going on, ie descrambled, have you tired this card on another system, just to see if it boots up differently??
 
Thanks for the reply.

I hadn't thought if emailing Gigabyte before - are they pretty good on support? I guess I overlooked that idea because the MOBO is fairly old.

Unfortunately I don't have access to another system at the moment. But I might try and make some arrangements with a friend to test it.

When I put the old video card back in - the BIOS screen returns to it's normal - non-pixelated state.

Descrambled is not a term I've heard - is it basically a screwed MOBO? Could I restore it back to factory somehow? I have my BIOS profile saved on a USB - but would the profile contain corrupt code too if I used it on a restored Mobo?
 
I would more likely say its down to the age of the devices you are using judging by the picture. Did you try VGA to the 2 tv's ?
 
I'd just update the BIOS as a matter of course and then leave it alone even if it doesn't fix the issue. If you can access the BIOS settings just fine and everything's working okay in Windows, it's nothing to worry about. It's likely just the age of the motherboard resulting in some minor incompatibility. You could try turning off your motherboard's boot splash screen though if it has one (and you have it enabled).
 
This is all great feedback - thanks.

I haven't tried VGA to the TV, only HDMI - I'm not sure why I didn't think of this before so I'll try that too.

Just looking at the BOIS updates again - the most recent release being back in 2011...

http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3440#bios

I've never given a BIOS update a go before; I've read that q-flash is generally the safest way to go about it. My MOBO does support this.

Probably a silly question but I thought it worth asking anyway. Would I need to install all previous updates incrementally - or just get the latest version?

Would you agree q-flash is probably the best approach for this? I'm slightly reluctant as even GIGABYTE themselves say BIOS updates are a bit touch and go!

Thanks again folks.
 
I've been having the exact same problem (see my thread in General Hardware: https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18748611). Your picture looks like pretty much what I see.

Before posting on here I had almost just put it down to some sort of compatibility issue that I had to live with rather than a hardware fault. The fact that you are having the same problem I think seals that conclusion for me.

I tried a BIOS update to no avail. I had already disabled the logo as Aretak suggested which seems to hide the issue, so I can live with it at least.

I figure if other symptoms develop I can then look to RMA the card.

Let me know if you get any more problems please Hipst3r. :)
 
Hipst3r said:
Probably a silly question but I thought it worth asking anyway. Would I need to install all previous updates incrementally - or just get the latest version?
Click to expand...

Just the latest version.

Hipst3r said:
Would you agree q-flash is probably the best approach for this? I'm slightly reluctant as even GIGABYTE themselves say BIOS updates are a bit touch and go!.
Click to expand...

I used q-flash fine and it was very easy although it didn't fix the problem (see my above post).
 
You only need the latest version. And yes, since Q-Flash seems to be Gigabyte's in-BIOS flashing system, use that. What you should avoid is any utility that wants to do it from within Windows.
 
Mailman86 said:
I've been having the exact same problem (see my thread in General Hardware: https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18748611). Your picture looks like pretty much what I see.
Click to expand...

What are the chances, almost identical cards too. I wonder if it's a GIGABYTE architectural/comparability issue with some legacy MOBO's then?

I've saved my BIOS profile to a USB - so I'll give Q-flash a go some time soon.

I'll keep you posted and see what happens. Either way seeing someone else in the same boat is kind of relieving.

Thanks again all for your input. I always knew I was pushing my luck with a brand new GPU for an almost 6 year old system.
 
Try changing cables as well all cables are not equal some are better than others.

I have seen this happen on GTX 780 Ti's with some HDMI cables but not others.
 
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