Thinkstation D20 & Quad SLI Configuration using 2 X Nvidia N295GTX Problem.

[erik Community SuperMod]

BIOS 61KT23AUS was just released.   one of the updates is "Fixes problem with some NVidia graphics cards that have multiple controllers. The wrong controller gets initialized as primary video during Bios POST."

it can be downloaded here:

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?lndocid=MIGR-72168

please install it and report back on whether or not this fixes your issue.

thanks!

[SurferGuy]

Tried to upgrade the BIOS through the operating system (Vista 64bit) it gave me

This driver has been blocked from loading!!

Error:1275

although i ran it as administrator!!

I can't do the ISO image installation as i don't have a floppy and I don't have the software that creates a bootable CD for that image.

When i tried to create a bootable CD with Roxio 2009 it asked me for a Bin file that i don't have!! & dindn't ask for the BIOS upgrade ISO file.

[erik Community SuperMod]

the .exe file isn't 64-bit compatible.   that's why it won't run.

the ISO is your only option under a 64-bit OS.   ISO Recorder is free and will burn the image.   i've been using it for years on BIOS ISO images without a problem.   try to use 8x or slower media if possible.   CDR or CDRW is fine.

[vpa]

Hi SurferGuy,

Did you get the SLI working?

I'm trying SLI with 2 gtx 275 cards in thinkstation s20 with EVGA SLI connector.

I could not see SLI enable option enabled in nvidia control panel!

Thanks.

[SurferGuy]

i didn't upgrade the Bios yet, trying to make a bootable BIOS update CD, it's a bit hectic to make it the old fashion way through  a bootable disk. probably got used to windows BIOS update

i'll post the result as soon as i manage to create this disk & update my BIOS to the latest version.

[vpa]

I updated the BIOS from Windows. I downloaded the BIOS setup file that can run in windows.

Looking forward to your results.

[SurferGuy]

I upgraded the BIOS to the latest Version, but same set of beeps persists, one long, 2 short. I even enabled the PCIe Peer to Peer transactions in the BIOS to allow SLI. Probably it cannot work with Quad SLI  (a single GTX N295 have dual GPUs).

[vpa]

What is the option that enabled in pci-e peer to peer communication in BIOS?

[SurferGuy]

You'll find this option in the advanced BIOS setting i guess, its disabled by default. it lets the two PCI express to communicate with each other via the SLI connector.

[vpa]

Sounds like my hopes on making SLI work in S20 is dwindling.

I don't see such option in S20 BIOS.

I already placed my GTX 275 for sale in ebay.

I might buy ATI 4870 X2 and forget SLI.