17mx R3 AMD6990m Black screen on boot / windows load

Hiya All :hi2:

Newbie for this forum posting so please go easy on me !

I have tried searching and found lots of info so decided to join and try to post and become a little more involved than just a browser !

I have a 17MX r3 Laptop with an AMD 6990m which is now giving me serious problems. I've been reading through the forums for the last couple of days and see a good wealth of help / knowledge around the NVIDIA cards that seems to be covering the exact issues I'm having with the AMD card but didn't know if the same process / steps could be applied.

A little history :

The 6990m is see-able in the bios as a dedicated card. When I boot into windows device manager sees the card aswell but wont let me instal it (fresh windows install and all). I spent time with Dell on the phone and they talked me through the driver installs - even being remotely connected up to the laptop - intel 3000 on board card still works - butstill no joy. The best I have managed to do is get the card recognised in device manager as a 6990 but with a certification error - or an error saying no supported hardware is present.

If I go to Bios and change the boot to use PEG i just get a black screen and lots of beeps.

When I install the AMD drivers (A00 from Dell site) or any other modded drivers i either get the certificate error, the no compatible hardware error or, when it reboots, just before loading the windows login screen the screen just goes black. I end up having to go to safe mode removing the drivers and card and can then get back in to windows using the intel 3000 card.

I finally gave up and arranged to get Dell to pick the laptop up for diagnostics as am half convinced the GPU is fried. Having read about "blind flashing" and unlocked BIOS though I'm not so sure. I wait to hear back from Dell and see what they say but if they come back with "buy a new card" I wondered if anyone could assist with steps to try and blind flash - if relevant to AMD cards - or anything else that I could try ?

Thanks in advance and hope you can help !

Cheers for reading and any questions I'll try to answer !

Glen

 

oh - also another thing I saw on the forums here mentioned baking the card in an over at 200C for 8-10 mins again...is this worth trying ?

Just looking for any suggestions - or pointers to other threads - though I continue to look !

 

Have you still got warranty?

And no, the baking method is like life support; only works for so long.

Had a similar problem to you, I am now bound to IGP until 980Ms are released for Dell's systems. Then I will order again.

 

nope i got the machine in 2011 so out of warranty sadly

I am a bit strapped for cash so as much as I'd like to just get another card i cant afford much. And even then i'm hard pressed to choose which one to get seems all have pros and cons and I'll need to get a new heatsink assembly with whatever card too. Preference is to try fixing this one.

was just hoping to get some ideas on things to try.

Thanks for ruling out "baking" it though - every bit of advice is apprecaited.....now to determine if anything else is worth trying when returned....

 

You can try baking, but as a last resort. Because once it dies after baking, it's dead for good.

You could buy another AMD 6990M, they are great cards, even if they are a bit out-dated.

Things to try... CMOS battery reset, GPU reseat, PCB Connector cleaning.

I can link you guides if you need me too.

 

Hi Glen,

I just had a similar sounding issue with an Radeon 7970M resolved today (via warranty though) in an M17xR4. It sounds like your card is "bad." In my case, I got the black screen, but did not get any beeps, Windows would actually load, I just couldn't see anything. Sometimes the computer would hard-lock while using the AMD card, and other times the card would not be detected in BIOS. They replaced the video card (I am on number 4 now) today, and everything seems to be back to "normal" at this point. You may consider trying to look for a new video card :-(

Rich S.

 

I highly advise against baking the card without the usage of liquid flux, or else you would just be subjecting the card to more heat cycles which would not help the BGA solder. The flux serves to remove oxidation and improve the formation of solder joints.

 

when it starts up close the lid for a few seconds and open it up back up. should work

 

Heya,

thanks for the replies folks !

sorry i didnt notice them - thought i had set up subscription to get alerted on posts

so heard back from Dell today......

they are saying the card is broken and needs replaced.

Cost is £425 but due to various issues they are offering it for £290 though only giving a 90 day warranty on it (is that legal ?).

The other option is that they will refund my £90 and send the laptop back as is. Leaving me to get a card myself and fit it etc.

I've found a "New" card on ebay for £240 so think that's the option I'm going to go for.

When I get the machine back though will certainly try the close lid idea (don't think i tired that !!) and the cmos battery too...any other ideas please keep them coming. not a great time to have to spend a lot of money :'(

Thanks so far folks !!

Glen

 

I wouldn't buy another 6990M.. if you can get a 7970M which is around £300 or less.. Its more reliable then the 6990M.. Otherwise, try getting a 680M...

 

unfortunately I couldn't afford the 680M.

so ended up with a 6990m again.

so looks like i could do with some advice on what to do :

1) can i just disconnect the existing heat-sink from my old card - fit it to the new (add some thermal paste) and then plug in and go ?

2) should i replace the thermal pads - if so with what ?

3) should I use specific thermal glue ? where do i put it - purely on the large die chip in the middle ?

4) any guide for installing drivers - had lots of bother with trying to upgrade drivers before so recommendations on specific drivers / routine to use would be greatly appreciated !

Thanks again for comments so far

G