Alienware 17 R1 w/ 8 bit color 120Hz/5ms panel N173HHE-G32 Success!

There are some reports of some kind of Samsung laptop that had an r9 and was eDP but I have no about about the model, where to source vbios and if said vbios would work on mxm cards.

To my knowledge if you must stick with AMD the wx 7100 is the only feasible solution. Otherwise it's typically Nvidia for us ranger users.

 

#246
#249
says it works!

I also remember bur Icant find it now, 120 hz upgrade thread

 

Thats an 8970m, not R9.

 

hw info reads it as 8970m - the same thing.
r9 is even newer
Its performance and feature set are identical to the HD 8970M, as the M290X shares the same core and features the same clock rate

Not that it matters since its going away anyhow...

But I wonder would some gtx survive beeing fried few times at 104c (what hw info said) like my r9 since there were few times that the gpu fan didnt kick in!?

btw, what needs to be done to keep lid lights functional with N173HHE-G32 if its possible?

 

none of that matters, Its if the vBIOS has been coded to enable eDP function. Everything else is irrelevant.

 

I myself am no fan of glossy screens either so when I do screen upgrade it will be this one, fitting it is no big deal.

My concern now is, my mind is in a bit of a loop now, I need a new gpu-edp capable if r9 is not the one.
What would happen if I try connecting r9 to 120hz with edp cable?
Then again, how do I install new gpu, lets say 1060 or 1070 which requires 120 screen?
I cant install the screen and the gpu at the same time and just turn it on. Or can I?
Is it the chicken or the egg?

 

Heheh, I stumbled on this read:

http://bagha.ca/2014/10/15/updating-an-alienware-laptop-with-switchable-amd-graphics/

I can relate to his pain=)=))=

My 4930xm and 32gb Hyperx 1866 are on the way.
Relating to the sequence story above: Whats my best route?

Do the unlocked BIOS first?
The CPU, or RAM?

 

Unlocked BIOS, purchase Nvidia 120hz compatible GPU, Purchase pascal.

With r9 you will get 8 beeps.

 

May i ask here about few things?
I have bought a LCD (N173HHE-G32 rev.c1) inspired by that topic, made some modds and fits the LCD in my alienware 17 r1. Then i bought a eDP cable (seller said its a: DC02001O100 ).

Before i started upgrade from 60Hz (LVDS) i didnt set-up a BIOS. So after that upgrade i have 8 beeps code.

Could anyone tell me what i should do know? Tried CMOS reset -after doing it there are 5 beeps. After next restart 8 beeps.

My gpu is gtx 980m. Please tell me like to a newbie what i need to do now.
I think i can use old screen to change bios settings(with lvds). Am i right? But which one and where i can find em?
Thanks in advance to all who reply

 

Hi there!
Sorry to hear what happened.
I'm eyeing this upgrade too but it will have to wait.
What is your BIOS ver?
Wise man once said:
"One thing to be aware of is that if you go through with this you will lose the Intel integrated GPU as it will be disabled in the bios by Alienware and if you re-enable it via an unlocked bios you can and probably will brick your machine."
Hope thats not the case.

 

if remember good itd A16 -i was upgrading bios before gpu upgrade about six months ago. No idea about unlocking bios. It was from dell official website

[A16 Confirmed-i just found a photo from main tab at BIOS]

 

You might have SG mode enabled at present, did you still have the Intel HD 4600 enabled in the Device manager? If so that means the HD 4600 is driving the panel and not the 980m and the HD 4600 doesnt support eDP (120hz panel)

You will need to have the machine in PEG mode, you dont need the unlocked sBIOS to do this. You can use the IIRC fn + F7 to switch the graphics to dedicated (PEG).

After that you should be god to go, but naturally, you will need to have the LVDS panel plugged in first in order to boot and make these changes.

 

So can i just disable in Windows device manager a hd 4600? It will help? Or just go to BIOS settings and find the peg? PEG sił I be in advanced tab? Im going now to use my old screen to get BIOS. Then I will write here effects. Thanks!

Btw what is SG mode?

 

SG mode can be understood as Optimus.

No, you would actually need to use the keyboard commands to tell the system to switch what drives the display. Simply disabling the HD 4600 will not do that for you.

There is no explicit need to go into the BIOS for any of this, not sure if it can be done anyways without the unlocked BIOS.

 

Actually when I upgraded to the N173HHE-G32 I was still in Optimus, and when I booted the system with the new display it automatically switched to PEG

 

Just ordered another N173HHE-G32 panel for my Ranger, its high time I get my mods wrapped up, and the holiday seems like a good time to do that.

 

Okay good news. My lvds screen still working. I tried to go BIOS settings. I can post photos or links here from all tabs. I tried after logging-in in windows push fn+f7 and nothing happened. Also tried fn+f5..

How to unlock BIOS? Do i need it unlocked?

Photos from BIOS and 1 bonus:

https://ibb.co/85cz2pV
https://ibb.co/pzpym1x
https://ibb.co/GHGfkMJ
https://ibb.co/CB4PxNC
https://ibb.co/pRXxpDD

 

Never mind the BIOS, your integrated is still enabled. Disable by booting to OS and use the Fn+F7 or w/e key it is to switch to dedicated graphics, confirm by looking at device manager and HD 4600 should not be present, only your 980m.

Then switch to the N173HHE-G32 panel.

 

Thank you. I will find a way to switch it and then check in device manager. I really appreciate your help

 

Hey, hope thats it and you switch it back to working!
And that would mean NOT bricked like that wise man fortold=)
I am eyeing this one (Reciever), since youre at it, whats your thought?:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/INNOLUX-N173HHE-G32-REV-A1-MATTE-40-PIN-eDP-17-3-REPLACEMENT-LAPTOP-SCREEN/153221058802?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

I've got the edp cable

 

I've got mine from a different ebay vendor but yeah that looks appropriate. Just make sure it says it's the real deal and not "similar spec" like some of them do

 

Fortunetly its working (my old lvds) i have some problems with fn+f5 to work but i figured it out its the OSD driver. Now im restarting my notebook and we will see effects

edit: Yea so i have still 8 beeps... BUT i know now why.. and it'a shame. I ordered a lvds cable and i didnt know about that.. Can someone tell me the symbol of correct eDP cable for that screen? I know shame shame shame :/ is it DC02C004000 ? or this one is lvds too ?

 

Hi , the part number is 0N392W or and I think that you have a correct edp cable. Have you connect the cable in the second port on your motherboard? ( the motherboard have two port, one for Ldvs cable and another one for edp cable).
This discussion can also help you : http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/120hz-3d-screen-upgrade-for-alienware-17-r1.758711/

 

Yes i know where to connect it, its signed eDP on motherboard. I will buy another cable and propably on tusday i will write here effects.

 

Got my panel 5 days early lol maybe tomorrow get that installed. Going to re-read some of these threads as others have also given it a go.

 

fn+f5 wont work, no Alienware OSD, no Realtek card reader since I moved to winX. Its also currently in legacy, non uefi mode, so that could also be it, I dont know. Gonna change that soon.

 

Could someone post here correct part number of edp cable? (DC02C004000 its for touchable so its wrong lcd ribbon). I have to buy 40pin edp cable but dont know which one. Someone who done that upgrade could answer pls?

 

The correct part number should be listed in the 120hz upgrade thread by mogrules

 

Okay thx. im going to find that thread
Edit:
So if you're talking about that thread
http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/120hz-3d-screen-upgrade-for-alienware-17-r1.758711/

The part number was N392W and its the same part which i just listed (DC02C004000) its for 3D. Also he was upgrading with different LCD panel. Im trying to get eDP cable for N173HHE-G32 rev.C1 40 pin non touch. Anyone knows the correct part number?

 

The one we used is one in the same. You simply dont install the 3D emitter and its a standard 120hz panel. This is the case with my own installation of the N173HHE-G32 as well.

 

Ahh ok i understand now. How about your revision of panel? Rev 1, 2 and 3 works for aw17 r1?

 

I think I had C2 first time around, this time I have a C1 revision just havent gotten around to installing it. Maybe this weekend.

 

Let me know please how it went.

Meanwhile i will write here what i have done for now:
-made some space for new panel and i fit it
-installed new 441.41 drivers for gtx 980m
-then i switched to PEG (by fn+f5) and i had to install drivers for it one more time because gpu in that mode have different hardware ID (didnt know it before)

Ofcourse im doing all these steps with my old screen connected by LVDS. Then im connecting new screen with n392w edp cable to edp port on MB. (Earlier removing from MB lvds cable).
After that powering on my AW and i have for first: 5 beeps, after power off with next boot i have 8 beeps..
No idea what im doing wrong.

 

I got this one installed

Chi Mei N173HHE-G32 REV C3

https://www.ebay.com/itm/17-3-Compatible-Innolux-N173HHE-G32-REV-C2-Laptop-Screen-LCD-FHD-120Hz/382826413505?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2648
Came with one screwholder bent and some minor scratches but wth, thats why the price...
It works!
Haven't modded the chassis yet and perhaps I recommend it should be done AFTER you make sure it works.
As I can see it doesn't have the connector in the exact same place, the cable sits at the bottom edge so it has to be bent around in a way - probably not a good thing since bending the cable could break it but seems to work. The part wrapped in alu foil (black in ebay pic) seems softer than expected, thought it was rigid connected to the panel.
I got a BSOD when first powered on, something like "video memory" fault but it then restarted and all was fine. I have set it to PEG prior to install. Then gpu was microsoft display adapter and had to reinstall drivers.
Now off to dremmel to put it all back together!

 

Hi,
Thanks to your information, i installed the N173HHE-G32 screen without problem on my ranger.
My configuration is as follows :

-i7 4910 mq
980M
120 Hz
ram 16 Go
Samsung 840 pro raid0 1Tb + samsung EVO 960 msata 1Tb

I'm looking for a switable icm profile because i don't have a probe (i find the basic one very clear)

Can you send me your profile ?

 

wohoaa...
N173HHE-G32 prices went balistic!

The cheapest one is double what I paid
Link provided says 450 GBP?!&%$?

 

Everything increased due to inflation and COVID.

25 USD increase here in the US

 

Shear madness imho

or some co2 green nazi tax.


Which is the same thing.

 

hardly surprising but thats just me I suppose