Alienware 17 R1 vs 980m. Going to need help on this one.

Ok i am downloading thank you. Just simply install i don't need modding?

 

Its already modded, it should work if you are running PEG, if not you need the MSHybrid/Optimus drivers instead.

 

I am using 60hz and 980m

 

But how is the BIOS setup, do you have Optimus(this means intel iGPU plus Nvidia GPU working), or PEG(just the 980m)?

 

intel and 980m

 

Then, the one that I linked wont work, you need one from the MSHybrid/Optimus section.

 

On a side-note, my 880m threw a windows error 43 just before it died, and a fresh windows installation then recognized it as a 680m for some reason and the driver wouldn't install. After a few tries the nvidia installer failed to detect nvidia hardware at all, and the vbios couldn't be flashed from dos, but I didn't look into it that much because it started throwing artefects and freezing the sistem (generic driver crashing), so I just took it out and baked it. So the stock nvidia drivers for the 880m didn't work and it threw an error 43. It's now dead for good, and I've gone ahead ordered the cheapest 8GB 980m from ebay yesterday with some 1mm thermal pads, fingers crossed it works, the seller seemed reputable.

I really hope yours isn't a hardware problem, but it seems so.

 

in optimus section there is only inf files available

 

You can always try flashing the vbios @VicGee provided you a few days ago here: http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/alienware-17-r1-980m-upgrade.832694/#post-11009331

 

i am getting error
WARNING: Firmware image PCI Subsystem ID (10DE.110B)
does not match adapter PCI Subsystem ID (1028.05AA).

NOTE: Exception caught.
Nothing changed!



ERROR: PCI subsystem ID mismatch

 

Ok i got it but the nothing has changed.

 

What went wrong the first time, did you forget the "ignore version mismatch" handle in nvflash?

 

I forgot to put - 6 then the rom name it changed the bios successfully after restart nothing has changed

 

Now uninstall drivers using ddu, and tryatry fresh reinstall of official ones from nvidia first.

Worked on a 580x i reflashed a cpuple of days ago, but only after driver reinstall.

 

Do i need to disable the driver signature

 

OMG!! You guys saved me i can see the details now in gpu z gonna install drivers again

 

Install msi kombustor and let it it run, watch te temps and report back your findigs.

Watch out for artefacts.

 

I installed 399.24 details vanished again

 

You should have made a backup before flashing another VBIOS..
Its the correctly modded inf, so just extract the installer version for the inf version that you download, replace then, and install, disabling driver signature, at least you know that the mod is correct.

 

I replaced the optimus files after extracting the drivers installed without asking for install it anyway and i restarted and nothing changed.

 

Either mod them with the permamod inf or try the latest official ones from nvidia.

In any case case clean the old ones with DDU.

 

The latest one are failing to install even after modding

 

Just a quick question, you disabled legacy boot in bios right?

EDIT: Nevermind.

 

Yes i have as soon as i install the drivers the gpu z stops showing details

 

Try another vbios, I've had the same problem on that RX 580X, it was a Sapphire Nitro. olOnce i flashed the correct vbios the problem went away. Take a look at this one:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/alienware-17-r5-r1-bios-unlocked.802440/page-5#post-10657284

 

They are recommending aw18 bios which was already installed on my gpu before flashing i checked the versions both are same but after reflashing back to the original bios version and installation of drivers the problem stays the same.

 

Update:

After flashing dell vbios and modding the 445 nvidia driver the gpu is working flawlessly and temps are max 72

 

but i can't seem to find NVIDIA control panel

 

The details in GPU-Z will disappear if you install a driver on a card that has a Code 43. Once you remove the driver the details come back. It's pretty standard. When you remove the driver you will be able to see your vBIOS version. Can you post what it says?
Also, can you post your Hardware ID? Go to Device Manager - Display Adapters - Right click on the 980M (or Microsoft Basic Display Adapter - Properties - Details - Select Hardware ID from the Dropdown. There will be 4 lines of ID. I just need the first or second line. I can try to mod a driver for you.
There are 4 main reasons for a Code 43;
1. The card just needs resetting. Disable the card in Device Manager. Turn off the laptop. Remove the battery and do a power drain. Turn on the machine and enable the card again.
2. The card is failing
3. It has an incorrect or corrupt vBIOS
4. It has an incorrect driver (usually a driver won't install if it isn't correct)

 

Ok i got it running but no nvidia control panel the gpu is working flawlessly in gsmes

 

Awesome. I had already starting writing that post before I saw yours. It's strange that you don't have a Control Panel. It usually means the driver hasn't installed properly.

 

Try installing the control panel from the ms store.

 

Yes the ms store seems to be working but only 3d settings are available.

 

Thats expected, because its the Intel iGPU that is connected to the display, not the 980m.

 

Oh great thank you every.

 

Update : - after 3 days of uses i noticed the display was diming like it does on battery finally today the gpu is not detected anymore it also happen on the 2nd day so i thought to take out gpu and re-set it properly it worked but again today i tried resetting but the gpu is not detected in bios anymore i guess i will be returning the item

 

Bummer, hope they resend a working one. GL

 

So i tried gpu without x bracket it worked so i applied tape around x bracket region and then plugged it in it worked so could the screen diming which is not that motivated but could be because of the power supply or the charging pin which gets too hot after using gpu

 

I am getting around 60-70% util in games any ideas

 

Where could I find a step by step tutorial on what all I would need to do to get the 980m to work on my p18e?

 

Could you please help me with mine? I didn't realize when I ordered this card how much of a pain it would be. Could you please walk me through what all I would need to do to get the gtx 980m to work in my p18e and also provide a modified driver if you could please.

 

The guide to modifying drivers I suggest to people is this one

https://null-src.com/posts/nvidia-notebook-driver-inf-mod/post.php

 

Games were freezing pretty badly before I installed the driver. I was hoping this would fix it and it's still doing it. Is it possible that it didn't work ?

 

If the driver installed properly and it’s still freezing then I don’t think it will be the driver. Most likely a faulty card or possibly needs a different vBIOS


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I'm thinking it's a thermal issue. I took it apart and the card and heatsink were extremely hot. For some reason the fan doesn't seem to be running correctly. Not once did I hear the fan try to cool it. I read some where people were recommending the 3 tube heatsink but others were saying that it's not necessary. What do you think ?

 

Can you run GPU-Z and see what vBIOS the card has? It’s possible it’s the wrong one since it sounds like you have no fan control.
Constant overheating will seriously damage the card so be careful. You can try using HWInfo to make a custom fan profile but you’ll have to manually run it every time you start the laptop.


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Shows my bios version is 84.04.85.00.0d

 

Was there something I was supposed to do to the bios ? If so I haven't.

 

I believe the current vBIOS you have is for the slave card in the AW18. It’s a special vBIOS just for the secondary card.
You may have to flash a different one to get fan control


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