Purchased a 6950, came with BIOS switch however...

[voodoo22007]

Bought a recertified Visiontek 6950. It looks like the switch was broken off. Is there a way to confirm that the shaders will unlock without ruining my ability to return it? Pic below

 

[purple stank]

I can't see exactly.Is it a push button or a slider?

Well the switch is already broken isn't it.How would you return it?

 

[voodoo22007]

I received it this way

 

[purple stank]

Seems like if you tried to return they might blame you for breaking it.Although they can still fix it if it does get broken.Just a simple BIOS update and it's restored.

 

[voodoo22007]

So if I can't unlock the shaders I can update the BIOS and return it for a refund?

btw, this is what the switch should have looked like:

 

[purple stank]

No I didn't mean you I meant them.They have to do it in their factory.But I'm sure you can find a BIOS update and do it yourself.

It looks like the switch can still slide.Just use a piece of plastic or rubber to move the switch.Don't use your fingers or a screwdriver.The contacts are exposed so you will likely ESD it.

 

[voodoo22007]

Ah. AlsoI heard that they started laser cutting the shaders or something to that effect. Is there a way to determine if they did it to this board during the reman?

 

[eyefinity]

Google the part number with "unlock" and see if what other people are saying. As purple says you should be able to slide it along to the other position using something else.

 

[benski]

It looks to me like there isn't a switch left to slide, like the switch itself was removed from the PCB, not just the plastic end broken off.

 

[purple stank]

No it looks like their's a piece of the slider still there.The picture from techpowerup is upside down but you can see it comes out like an L shape.Looks like somebody pressed down to hard and it ripped off.

 

[benski]

Just looks like solder to me, but I've never seen a 6950 up close so I will take your word for it.

 

[FlintIronStagg]

they might have broken it off themselves in the recert process maybe?

 

[FlintIronStagg]

on another note, that 2nd pic you linked has a dirty ass card. someone needs to dust...

 

[voodoo22007]

I googled the part number, and only this came up

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18254009

Our part numbers are identical, but the fan designs are different and his is some brand i've never heard of before.

they might have broken it off themselves in the recert process maybe?

I consider this a possibility.


What should I do?

 

[FlintIronStagg]

the least you can do is call and inquire about it, and go from there; the longer you wait, the more it looks like you are the one who did it

 

[eyefinity]

It's a recertified card so there is a good chance that it was returned due to a previous unlocking attempt. I read on Newegg about somebody else getting the same card with the bios switch broken off so it seems that Visiontek/Newegg might be doing that with these "recertified" cards.

Frankly, if they are willing to sell you a card that has been partly disabled and "recertified" then I'd try it out for unlocking and return it if it failed.

 

[purple stank]

I doubt their's any Warranty so you might as well.

 

[FlintIronStagg]

OR... just a thought... dont unlock it, just OC it? that could very well be a viable option

 

[purple stank]

Well I think the OP bought this with the intention of Unlocking it to a 6970.

 

[voodoo22007]

It turns out that the switch was broken and it was in the 2 position. So I used a toothpick and pushed it into the 1 position, took it to a buddy's house that has a rig able to use this card and flashed it. Fortunately it unlocked. I even bought another 6950 from the same place and it should get here tomorrow.

 

[voodoo22007]

Best answer selected by voodoo22007.