Alienware m17x R2 graphics card problem

hey guys, i got a problem with my laptop here. i have a m17x R2 with ATI Radeon HD 5870 xfire but only 1 gpu is detected. When i go to CCC graphics hardware, it only show primary adapter. there's no linked adapter or anything and the xfire setting is missing. i've also checked it in device manager. there's only 1 graphics card showed. i had contacted dell tech support and they aren't being helpful at all. may i know what happen to my laptop? any1 help pls....

 

If you turn the laptop upside down you should see left and right fans if you have crossfire.
If you only have 1 card then one of the fans is missing.
Also if you check your servicetag on the Dell site it will tell you how many cards you should have.
Dell - Systeeminformatie / Dell - Garantie-uitbreidingen en -upgrades / Dell - Garantiestatus

 

yes. there are total of 3 fans. 2 for gpus and 1 for the cpu. n it was used to be crossfire enabled in CCC. i juz shut it down as usual and when i turn it on the next day, i noticed this problem.

 

Have you tried going into CCC and enabling Crossfire? - thats the first thing I would try. Just open CCC and make sure that there is a tick in the "enable crossfire" box, click apply or ok to save. Restart and see what happens.....might not work and its odd that device manager only shows one gpu....

If that doesnt work, it may be due to a crossfire cable issue....have you opened up te system recently for any reason? - this cable is very fragile and if its damaged, it may be causing you problems. If you have opened it up, you could always go back in and make sure its not snagged or twisted etc....

 

i had to change GPU fan couple days ago, i turn on my r2 and 2nd gpu was missing as well. turns out, i had forgotten to connect the blue cable for crossfire function it's quite possible you have same problem.
also to try: go device manager, select your computer's name, use action > scan for hardware changes.

 

@steviejones133: yeah i've checked the CCC but i couldnt find xfire option. it just went missing.

@Le0-: i think the blue cable is connected cause the xfire is working fine before and i've never disassemble the laptop.

 

Take the keyboard off just to check that the cable is still attached. They have been known to come loose.

 

Sry for asking this noob question. will Dell void my warranty if i open up the laptop?

 

Latest update guys. I have just finish running the 32 bit diagnostic test for my laptop. the second video card is now detected and the xfire option is back. however, it says the internal bridge that interconnects linking the 2 video cards must be connected. since the blue wire is connected(i've open it up n checked), so maybe the xfire bridge is faulty. i'll contact dell n request for a replacement. Thank you guys for being so helpful and i really appreciate it. Thanks again

 

Glad you seem to have got it diagnosed. Thought it would be something to do with the crossfire cable...maybe a loose connection was all that was causing your problem. Mind you, if you can get it replaced then do so.

 

Im having a problem similar except it see's both of my 5870s according to the device manager but the CFX wont enable even when i prompt it too. The GPU-Z says its disabled or sometimes disabled but available. and in ccc I can only identify 1 gpu. any ideas guys?