Windows 8 Ultra Fast Boot UEFI GOP

Solhokuten

[H]ard|Gawd
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Dec 9, 2009
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Anyone get this to work on a Nvidia 600 series graphics card? When I enable the option via bios I get an error on reboot saying " video card dosent support UEFI GOP" or somthing like that.
 
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AFAIK EVGA is looking in to it for thier cards, I have a 690 now on my primary rig and am tempted to upgrade my mobo to get this and have TRIM support for RAID 0 SSDs (only 7 series chipsets do)

but then again with my RAID I'm sure I'd still be delayed in boot for the RAID manager.
 
The video says you have to disable CSM, I emailed EVGA to ask them about this for my GTX 580, they said they had no plans for a bios update for any of their cards to run with CSM disabled - I was actually asking for another reason, because you need to disable CSM to get a full secure boot experience where the device firmwares and boot sector is verified. This fast boot sounds interesting too, though. Where did you hear EVGA was going to add this to their cards, nintari, I'm curious? Of all the 4GB GTX 680 makers I emailed, only EVGA and MSI replied, MSI said they would support it, but that I might have to email their tech support for a special bios.

Correction: I see on EVGA forums that EVGA says their cards will get it, but not the 500 series because their ROM is not large enough, I guess the tech I talked to was partially wrong. sigh.
 
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AFAIK EVGA is looking in to it for thier cards, I have a 690 now on my primary rig and am tempted to upgrade my mobo to get this and have TRIM support for RAID 0 SSDs (only 7 series chipsets do)

but then again with my RAID I'm sure I'd still be delayed in boot for the RAID manager.

Yeah, annoyed right now its not working with EVGA GTX680 on Asus Gene V (Z77) which supports it. Get the error "Video card does not support UEFI mode"
 
What GPU was he using in that video? I wonder if a GOP UEFI list of compatible cards exists somewhere.

Google produces various posts saying that AMD has "supported' this feature since the 5xxx series, which is not the case. My 5870 failed to boot into Windows with Ultra Fast Boot enabled.
 
What GPU was he using in that video? I wonder if a GOP UEFI list of compatible cards exists somewhere.

Google produces various posts saying that AMD has "supported' this feature since the 5xxx series, which is not the case. My 5870 failed to boot into Windows with Ultra Fast Boot enabled.

I think he is using the Intel integrated video.
 
I gotta ask.. why the fascination with boot times? I mean how many times do folks boot per day?
 
I gotta ask.. why the fascination with boot times? I mean how many times do folks boot per day?

Sometimes I'll get into an episode of iterating through many different settings for different items in my bios, and do 10-20 reboots in quick secession, so I would welcome this but no it's not a big deal for me. Secure Boot on the other hand, I'd really like to get fully working, right now (I think) some devices and my boot sector are verified, but the GPU is not so it's still a potential hole.
 
I gotta ask.. why the fascination with boot times? I mean how many times do folks boot per day?

At work I have to reboot my workstation many times a day. Mainly to test on WinPE. At home I would reboot for the same reasons as devil22 stated.
 
I boot mine up because I am only home most of the time and don't like sleep / hibernate mode. I never seem to have luck with it and running RAID 0 it scares me a bit if there is a power outage, so If I can boot just as fast as resuming from sleep then I will do it.

Might as well save the electric bill if I'm not here as much.
 
What about partial BIOS initialization? On my Gene V I find it makes reboots really fast. I don't even see the POST screen appear.

I honestly don't remember if I tried that option, but I can in a bit.

Edit: No Bios initialization option. I have Legacy Oprom options but they don't seem to make any difference. Also, My Asus Xonar may be borking the entire process since you can hear it turn on & I never get a login screen till it turns on. However, I am not pulling it out to test without it.
 
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I use a laptop regularly outside of my workstation so quite a bit.

on ssd my laptop boots from hibernation in 6 secs to windows 7 with the boot animation disabled.

I think after a certian point boot speeds mean nothing and on my desktop pc it means nothing at all as I reboot once a month.
 
I will repost my reply please read the info below, wchich explains how it works, and how it could be solved.

I work as support technician, and also encountered the problem and investigated it.
The VBIOS is basically the firmware of the graphics card (Video BIOS) CSM stands for Compatibility Support module.
The Vbios error message basically means that the BIOS cannot determine the exact details of the card that enable it to use the Ultra Fast Boot.
Then the CSM settings, it is a motherboard BIOS setting, when Fast Boot is set, also CSM must be set to Enabled.
When ultra fast Boot is selected, this setting is not available, and by default is set to Disabled (that is how it should be).

Now the VBIOS solution, which is simple but you need the coorporation from the manufacturer of your graphics card.
Step 1 is to download the latest version of GPU-Z, and start this tool.
It will show the actual BIOS/firmware version of the card, and to the right of that info, there is a button that allows you to export the BIOS into a file.
Then contact support from the graphics card manufacturer and attach this file.
They can then modify the firmware so the correct information is shown to the BIOS of your motherboard
Once you flashed the new firmware-BIOS, VBIOS (or whatever you call it) onto your graphics card, the Ultra Fast boot will work.

I have personally tested this with my ASRock Fatal1ty Z77 Professional board and a Club-3D HD7850 2GB Royal Queen card, and have used the procedure above, within 2 days I received the updated firmware from Club-3D, so compliments for Club-3D support.

Mind you, it seems that not all cards have enough space on the BIOS chip to add this information, so it is maybe not possible on all cards.
So tested and solved
 
I'm building a low budget build and want to know which motherboards and cpu/gpu have GOP built in?

I will be going Intel 1155 and wanted to know which chips will support it. I was thinking of a H61 or will that support it, or do I need a Z board, or even 7 sersies board? Same with Sandy Bridge, or is it Ivy bridge only?

Does HD graphics support? or 2000, 3000, 2500, or 4000?

Please help me get it right the first time to impress my friend who wants me to build him a rig.
-=Mark=-

just to clarify, this is just an emachine with integrated graphics. It will be used with a hdhomerun tv tuner and whs2011 for video watching. maybe an occasional encoding and of course MS Office 2009.
 
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Mind you, it seems that not all cards have enough space on the BIOS chip to add this information, so it is maybe not possible on all cards.
So tested and solved

Asus is the brand of GPU I have and they have yet to reply. I will not hold my breath as I knew going into this that they have poor customer support.

I am glad to see Club 3D managed to help you out. Is there any way I could convince you to share the EFI/BIOS file with the rest of us?

I'm building a low budget build and want to know which motherboards and cpu/gpu have GOP built in?

I have an ASRock Z77 Pro 4M coupled with an 3570k which works after you update to the latest BIOS. That I am aware of, ASUS and ASRock provide such a feature on their respective Z77 boards.
 
I use a laptop regularly outside of my workstation so quite a bit.

So why do you boot your laptop is the next question? Ever heard about sleep? My MBP at least wakes up in 1 second or less any time I open the lid.
 
Just to be clear about the UEFI GOP BIOS and VBIOS.

UEFI is a motherboard BIOS, and I know that ASRock has updated UEFI BIOS versions supporting Fast boot Ultra fast boot for most boards, sometimes they can be found in the Beta Zone section.
VBIOS is firmware, BIOS that is located on the graphics card.
If you motherboard has a BIOS that supports Ultra fast boot like my Fatal1ty Z77 Professional:
http://www.asrock.nl/mb/Intel/Fatal1ty Z77 Professional/?cat=Beta
then it is up to the graphics card manufacturer to create a firmware/VBIOS update for this card.
So this is something that is different for each graphics card, and to do that, they need to have a copy of the VBIOS that is on the card, and then they can make some modifications to this and send it back to you.
After this VBIOS/firmware update, the card will pass the correct information through to the BIOS of the motherbaord, and Windows 8 Fast boot and Ultra fast boot should work.

Sharing my firmware update doesn't work, it is specific to my graphics card Brand, type and revision.

As an addition I would mention that for Altra Fast boot, Windows has to be setup in GPT mode (UEFI)
 
So this is something that is different for each graphics card, and to do that, they need to have a copy of the VBIOS that is on the card, and then they can make some modifications to this and send it back to you.

That is incorrect. EVGA is a testament to that. Once they have working GOP compatible firmware for all Kelper cards, they will host the file on their members page like they have in the past. MSI has also done this with its 680 GTX PE. All they require is proof of ownership. As you can see here, someone managed to get the working firmware but apparently do not know what to do with the file.

To say that a unique set of firmware needs to be created on a card by card basis pretty far fetched. If you do not want to help (or are unable to do so because you yourself do not have working GOP compatible firmware) then so be it. I am sure once the updates start rolling out they will be hosted over at TechPowerUp so those of us who do not have up to date manufacturer support can at least flash them to that of a different brand.
 
It would seem EVGA will now email you compatible firmware for your 600 series cards upon request. Same goes for MSI.
 
I got it working since last night. EVGA support send me the update per email.

Procedure I used on my ASUS Z77 WS:

- Update the card's firmware (GTX 680 FTW+ here)
- Restart and enter UEFI
- Disable CSM (Compability Support Module)
- Set Secure Boot Mode to Custom and load Default Keys
- Set Secure Boot Mode back to Default/Standard
- Restart and boot into Windows
- Confirm Secure Boot is working either with msinfo32.exe or via powershell command

The Ultra Fast Boot works on restarts but not on cold boot. When I turn on my PC I still get the old "Press DEL to enter UEFI/BIOS" text for 2-3 seconds.

Restarting the PC is skipping this now and begins right at the circle/dot animation from Windows 8.

Perhaps Ultra Fast Boot is not working on cold boots because I have Fast Boot / Hybrid Boot in Windows 8 disabled? I used "powercfg.exe /H OFF" when I installed Windows 8 (Didn't want Hibernation and it saves a little space).

Anyways, I think its alright this way because otherwise I wouldn't be able to enter the UEFI anymore, restarts are so super fast it only takes 4-5 seconds with a Samsung 840 Pro.
 
I think its alright this way because otherwise I wouldn't be able to enter the UEFI anymore, restarts are so super fast it only takes 4-5 seconds with a Samsung 840 Pro.
You can still get to UEFI using Windows' Advanced Options.

8749Advanced-options.jpg


As for me, I mailed Jacob yesterday and have heard nothing as of yet. I am not surprised given my previous experiences with that man and EVGA. If anyone manages to get a hold of the GTX 660 firmware - please help me out.
 
From what I have seen there is something different on the install of windows 8 that you have to do to get it working for ultra fast boot, it is discussed in the EVGA forums a bit:

MilenaM


JohnnyGui
I just noticed that my Windows 8 Pro 64-bit boots with BIOS mode, not UEFI. Is this a problem for enabling Ultra Fast boot?


Windows 8 needs to be installed in UEFI mode with GUID Partition Table (GPT). Open disk management and check if you got a small 100 MB EFI partition on Disk 0. If you installed in old MBR mode you have to reinstall Windows 8 for UEFI features.

Thanks for the quick response.

I just checked and it says 350 mb NTFS on Disk 0. So I need to reformat my harddisk? If yes, isn't there any option to switch to UEFI boot option? Or is the GPT also required?

just a quick question I thought I registered my 690 with EVGA, apparently I didn't... any way to get the serial number through windows? I can remote in to get it.
 
What are the cons of using Secure Boot?

For example, if I wish to install a Linux system on a spare partition, would Secure Boot allow another boot partition?
 
The partition creation part isn't clear.

When I first install Windows 8, do I have to create a special partition under Advanced Options?

I'm concerned with SSD alignment.
 
The partition creation part isn't clear.

When I first install Windows 8, do I have to create a special partition under Advanced Options?

I'm concerned with SSD alignment.

If booted in UEFI mode, the Windows 8 installation dvd/usb stick will install in GUID/GPT mode and will also create the EFI partition and handle SSD alignment. No need to adjust anything manually. Just make sure you start your installation media in UEFI mode, either from UEFI/BIOS menu or (on ASUS boards) holding down F8 at POST and select your installation media.

Regarding Secure Boot and Linux i'm not sure either how exactly its going to work, ill give it a try later and see if I can boot a live usb stick on my system. Fedora and Ubuntu are working on Secure Boot features, I don't know about other distributions.


You can still get to UEFI using Windows' Advanced Options.

Thanks, I forgot about that option :)

One question I got is if the Windows 8 Fast Boot is required in order to get Ultra Fast Boot on cold boots, e.g. when I turn my PC on its still the old boot procedure but when I restart Windows I get the full UEFI Ultra Fast Boot.
 
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finally got my serial number and sent a request to support for the BIOS. Got a hold of a 1TB drive to back everything up to, it sucks I will have to call MS to activate since I have just installed win 8 on this system a month or so ago :( thats why I was hoping to try and do a full backup and restore but I think I will run in to too much of an issue with the partitions alignment during the restore since the UFEI fastboot mode / install / partitions will be a little different.
 
You would not need to call Microsoft if you only just did an install a month ago. Just make sure you do not wipe your drive clean before you get to the install method, otherwise you will have to rearm / registry edit in order to activate your copy.

Jacob finally got back to me with the firmware update. Oddly enough the zip file he gave me was for a Windows based updater with no ROM/BIN file inside that will allow me to flash it using the old DOS method. After mulling it over for a while I decided to give it a go. Damn thing did not work.

Did all of you receive a similar download from EVGA?
 
You would not need to call Microsoft if you only just did an install a month ago. Just make sure you do not wipe your drive clean before you get to the install method, otherwise you will have to rearm / registry edit in order to activate your copy.

Jacob finally got back to me with the firmware update. Oddly enough the zip file he gave me was for a Windows based updater with no ROM/BIN file inside that will allow me to flash it using the old DOS method. After mulling it over for a while I decided to give it a go. Damn thing did not work.

Did all of you receive a similar download from EVGA?

In order to do the install I have to re-format so I can get the GPT partition needed for ultra fast boot / UFEI mode... so no matter what I have to wipe it out. I'm running two 480GB SSDs in RAID 0 so have to make sure the alignment is right and let windows do the formatting otherwise I would do a full system backup and restore.

I'll more than likely find out shortly on the BIOS install I was surprised they got back with me on a weekend! They just responded to my inquiry and asked if I had the latest BIOS and my board supported the feature (even though you have to put that in the info lol).
 
OH WAIT! WOOT! My system already had the EFI partition (100MB) and the recovery partition (300MB)!!

YES! I don't have to re-format!!

Sorry for my excitement, carry on!
 
Did all of you receive a similar download from EVGA?

Windows based updater with 3 files:

nvflsh32.sys
nvflsh64.sys
update.exe

It runs in a command line, make sure you open it with full admin rights. On Windows 8 a command prompt will never open with admin rights by default regardless if your user account is admin.

I guess the update.exe contains the actual vbios and is different for every card.
 
bah no response yet :( guess my luck ran out there.

anyone update their EVGA 690 BIOS yet?
 
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