Alienware M17x R3 3D - upgrading Nvidia GTX 580m to Nvidia GTX 675m

Hello everyone, I have an Alienware M17x with 3D screen and a NVIDIA GTX 580m that stopped working after 2 years of use, so I was looking to upgrade it and bought the GTX 675m (DEV 1212 and SUBSYS 04BA1028) from eBay.
This is the one I bought: NEW Alienware M18x M17x Nvidia GeForce GTX 675M 2GB DDR5 MXM 3.0 Type B | eBay

I did some research and I thought it would be just plug and play, because the two video cards are similar in some ways. I was wrong.
The computer recognized it as Standard VGA Graphics Adapter, and in the resource settings it was saying:
This device isn't using any resources because it has a problem.

I tried modding and installing the following drivers using this guide: http://forum.notebookreview.com/sag...675m-its-driver-clevo-p150hm-sager-8150m.html
304.79 international Beta
320.49 International Beta
320.49 International whql

But the result was always the same as above. I would like to know if I'm missing someting or doing something wrong, or maybe my video card has some kind of problem I have not detected yet, or maybe it's because of the 3D screen... I really don't know.

Here's a print of GPU-Z:


Any help would be much appreciated!

 

Sounds like you got a bad card to me. The 675 will not work in 3D on an R3 as it's not in the bios so you don't get the option in the driver, but it should still work...

 

Same here, it seems like a card that isn't working as supposed.

 

...or you could try to flash the 580M VBIOS (identical cards) and get 3D back + Throttle fix, remember to backup first http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...throtting-fix-no-need-modify-system-bios.html
Try DOS method for both backup and flash (Fix for non-3D Optimus users).

Use the 0.87v. 580m.ROM

Backup:

Code:

nvflash.exe -b backup.rom

Flash:

Code:

nvflash.exe -4 -5 -6 580m.ROM 

Type 'y' twice when prompted to override PCI mismatches.

 

I just got back ftom my trip, thanks for the answers guys!

I tried installing the new beta driver 326.19, but with no sucess, I modded the .inf files, the driver installed but the result was still the same.
Here's what I got from the device manager: Windows has stopped this device because it has reported problems. (Code 43)
And in the Resources tab: This device isn't using any resources because it has a problem.

j95 thanks for the info, I'll definitely try that later!

I just contacted the seller to see what he has to say, the card is still in the warranty anyway.

 

Re-check if the card is well seated Alienware M17X R3/R4 GPU Swap - YouTube win8 disable driver signing first. If still no go return it asap, defective card. Don't flash it.
eBay 98.2% seller positive feedback is not good enough.

 

The card is well seated, I checked it twice to be sure.
I also contacted the seller and I'm waiting for an answer for 3 days, I hope I don't need to open a case on eBay.

And also, my screen supports up to 75Hz and my BIOS version is Alienware A12 (20/8/2012), perhaps is there something to do with the BIOS or the vBIOS?
Should I have updated them before plugging the new card or it should really be plug-and-play as the GTX 580m was?

Thanks again for helping me out!

 

With drivers the screen should support 120Hz.

Follow these instructions:

Windows 8/7 GTX 675M installation (Windows 7 skip step 2 and 4).


1) Enter the A12 unlocked bios [M17x R3] - BIOS A12 'unlocked' & 'SATA tweak' disable the integrated graphics, Advanced Menu>Video Configuration>integrated graphics disabled>set display to PEG>F10>reboot.


2) Once in windows disable driver signing.

.1 -Open command prompt (Admin) windows key + X

.2 -Type "bcdedit /set {current} testsigning yes" (without quotes) enter.

.3 -"The operation concluded successfully"

.4 -Type exit> reboot.


3) Driver installation.

Download NVIDIA DRIVERS 326.19BETA

.1 -Install Nvidia driver.

.2 -extract.

.3 -Installation failed "No compatible device found">close dialog.

.4 -Browse the extracted Nvidia folder (C:\Nvidia)>open Display.Driver folder> copy and replace with the provided nvdmn.inf.

.5 -Run setup.exe within the extracted Nvidia folder. (green icon .exe)

.6 -Select custom install>next>Check clean install option>uncheck Nvidia update.

.7 -Reboot.


4) Exit windows 8 test mode.

.1 -Again open command prompt (Admin) windows key + X

.2 -Type "bcdedit /set {current} testsigning no" enter.

.3 -"The operation concluded successfully"

.4 -Type exit>reboot.

Modded nvdmn.inf v326.19 (unzip)

 

So, I restarted the computer after the unlocked BIOS install was complete and then I went to the Advanced Menu,
now, here's what I did: Advanced > Video Configuration > Internal Graphic Device (Auto > Disable) and then Primary Display (SG > PEG)
Saved everything and rebooted, the screen was off, only the leds were on, and the computer started beeping 3 times.
I took the battery/video card/CMOS battery out so the settings could go back to default...
Here are the default options I got in the video configuration menu:

Special Features [Enabled]
PowerXpress Setting [Muxed Fixed Scheme]
Primary Display [SG]

>Internal Graphic Device
Internal Graphics Device [Auto]
.
.
.

>Pci Express Graphic
ASPM [Auto]
Peg Workaround [Disabled]
Always Enable PEG [Disabled]


Have I done anything wrong? Should I have enabled the PEG in the Pci Express Graphic for it to work? Or this just proves that the card really is defective?

 

Those settings are for the 60Hz model, Primary display SG won't boot with the R3 3D. Primary display must be PEG (3D default), Internal Graphics Device disabled, you could enable Always Enable PEG, if it doesn't boot remove CMOS battery again, it indicates that the card is a faulty one.

Beep code: 3 System Board Chipset Failure http://www.dell.com/support/troubleshooting/us/en/19/KCS/KcsArticles/ArticleView?docid=496582

 

That's what I did, as soon as the computer restarted it started beeping, the same happened with my GTX 580m when it broke... very sad memory
Well, now I know for sure that the card is faulty, I really appreciate all the help you have given, now all I can do is wait for the seller to respond.

 

See my previous post "Beep Codes" it could be both or just the motherboard, meaning that the 580m isn't the issue.

 

I did exaclly what you described, but this time I got 8 beeps.
Meaning LCD failure? What should I do to make sure there really is a failure with the LCD?

Took everything apart and waited for the BIOS to reset, now it's back to SG, working normally but with the GTX 675m still with a warning sign in the Device Manager.

 

Try the hardware diagnostics F12.

SG LVDS connector 60Hz, eDP connector 120Hz so SG won't boot.

 

Everything passed using the default BIOS.

Where can I see this options? Every time I try to switch from the SG the computer won't turn on and start beeping...


And with the broken GTX 580m the computer won't even turn on, no beeps, no LEDs, no nothing, and after taking it out the computer starts normally. With the GTX 675m at least the computer starts and recognizes it as Standard VGA Graphics Adapter, but windows says it has a problem and can't be initiated (a warning sign in the Device Manager), the same goes on after installing the modded driver, this really must be a problem with the video card itself right?

It sucks to live in a third world country, Dell here does not sell Alienware anymore and the computer shops won't look my laptop because no one have parts to replace (electronic devices that are not manufactured inside the country needs to pay a 60% price tax just to enter here, and this is just 1 of many taxes...)

 

Well, hopefully it will be fixed with a new 675m, replace parts yourself (large screen) Alienware M17x-R3 complete teardown its fairly easy, I've done it 3 times.
LVDS / eDP are motherboard screen connectors.

 

O/T Lemme guess, Brazil? I saved the cost of a flight just by bringing two laptops there

 

Yes, Brazil...

I'm returning the card today for the seller, but still, I had to pay like $70 in taxes for a paperweight...

 

I know in the UK if you send back an item you can claim for a refund on the taxes.

 

Sorry for you about that, but you do live in a beautiful country with some of the nicest people I have ever met

Nice idea man but it's a very different country to first world. You have to pay cash just to leave the country, I mean cash, no cheques or cards. They never even had the fingerprint reader plugged in last time I left, but still made me use it while I held up the USB plug in my other hand - go with the flow, don't make trouble, coz the next thing you know your relatives will never know what happened to you

 

Sorry man for stupid question, you give code, were i must use that code? In compilation programm or command promt? Sorry again...

 

Look again at my instructions above, I edited them. Where it says name_of_rom_file. After nvflash and before the -numbers

Edit: getting a bit confused here, sorry. Two people doing the same thing at the same time! http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...rce-performance-level-3-p0-2.html#post9337389

 

Is there a way to get the 660m working with 3D

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...0m-780m-questions-concerns-6.html#post9372260

 

Hi, I tried this on my AW m17x r3, but unfortunately this bricked the 675m.
Now I try to blind flash the old vbios back, but I have 8 beeps and can't go through POST.

* Reseted the BIOS several times and get
- first start - after several seconds - self restart
- second start - back-light of display turns on, after several seconds - self restart
- third start - 8 beeps forever
* Tried to start the hd3000 - not supporting 3D display
* Tied to start hd3000 with HDMI - not supporting in this stage of boot
* Removed the card - again no HDMI, no POST, only 8 beeps
* Blind flashed the MB Bios to original A12 - nothing changed

I can also
* Try booting with VGA and hd3000 if I find such cable
* Try to flash on other laptop if I find friend with pci-e
* Try to flash the chip with my Ponyprog 1.4 if it can
* Buy vbios chip for $15 + $19 shiping
* Ask in some repair shop about flashing the card

Any suggestions will be welcome

 

Hi, Oh, dear that sounds like a difficult one to solve. I have seen many people (and me also) try to see if it it possible to get the iGPU to work but it usually results in a brick. Yours appears that the card is not working any more with the same result .

You have one option that might work as nobody I have seen tried it. That is to switch the BIOS to iGPU (unlocked BIOS needed), disconnect the panel altogether, and plug a monitor into the VGA port. If it does start you will then be able to flash the original vbios back to the card. Return everything to original, and you are good to go, or at least back to your original problem - haven't looked back to see what it was (lazy post, sry)

The only other thing I can think of is the same as you mention, another machine that does not have the 120hz display. Don't know anything about 'Ponyprog' though. Your card fitted in this should simply fail to load the driver as it's not working and be able to reflash it. Sounds like this would be a request to a repair shop if you do not have anyone prepared to let you pull their machine apart and put your card in.

Replacing the vbios chip would work I believe but that's some hardcore soldering/desoldering unless it's socket mounted - I've never noticed a socked chip and manufactures tend to surface mount these things to save a few pennies

 

This is why I love my little acer 5935G, it's an old board (core 2) but it has a MXM 3a slot which you can bodge to fit a B card, it's a manual graphics switching machine that defaults to IGP but with the dGPU still awake so you can flash it.

 

Good for you, unfortunately Dell don't offer any disaster recovery option in m17x R3 at least in the 3D variant.

I was unable to get the hd3000 working with bios A12 unlocked, video card removed, screen detached and VGA cable attached to a monitor.
I believe that it's impossible to activate the hd3000 in AW m17x R3 by any means.

My programmer Ponyprog(Siprog) supports the chip which is MX25L20, so I'll give it a shot tommorow when I'll gain access to the exotic nowadays RS232 port of my friends PC to stick the programmer in

 

hi guys, i have the same problem after i flash vbios laptop can't boot and beep 8x. any idea would help..thanks

 

Good idea. Don't buy preprogrammed bios chip. Just unsolder existing and reprogram it. I did it with 880M and works good.