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    GPU slot on mobo bad?

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by rizzo20, Sep 4, 2014.

  1. rizzo20

    rizzo20 Notebook Guru

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    UPDATE: NOW WORKING, see newer posts in this thread.

    No matter what I do I cant get my R3 to recognize a GPU. At first I thought my 6990m died , so I ordered a 7970m and it isnt detected in the BIOS either.

    Ive tried several BIOS 's from A08 to A12 modded and non modded. If i set thw BIOS to PEG, SG or auto it justs beeps and wont boot. Any of ideas on how to test GPU slot?
     
  2. Hackintoshihope

    Hackintoshihope AlienMeetsApple

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    It seems that you are in fact testing mobo slot? Next question is can you test your old 6990m and 7970m in another computer.
     
  3. rizzo20

    rizzo20 Notebook Guru

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    No I don't have another laptop to test then in......man this sux I just wasted $300 on a 7970m and that wasn't the problem.
     
  4. rizzo20

    rizzo20 Notebook Guru

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    Could the new card be DOA ? How would I know if it is or not. I guess if the GPU slot on my mobo is bad then my 6990m might still be a good card?
     
  5. Alienware-L_Porras

    Alienware-L_Porras Company Representative

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    It could be DOA, but you need a 2nd PC to test that. Any friends that can help with that ?
     
  6. Hackintoshihope

    Hackintoshihope AlienMeetsApple

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    It could but, you would need to make sure and test in another pc.
     
  7. rizzo20

    rizzo20 Notebook Guru

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    I dont know anyone who has another Alienware, let alone anyone who would try my card in their system.

    I think I might try to return this 7970m and just cut my losses. Sux having a $1700 laptop that cant play games....

    If I knew it was the mobo I would return this 7970m and put the $300 into a mobo and use my 6990m.

    Grrrrr, this sux !

    Any forum members with an Alienware anywhere near Central PA?
     
  8. Hackintoshihope

    Hackintoshihope AlienMeetsApple

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    Honestly your best bet would be to buy the new mobo and return it if it doesnt fix your problem.
     
  9. Hackintoshihope

    Hackintoshihope AlienMeetsApple

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    Honestly your best bet would be to buy the new mobo and return it if it doesnt fix your problem.
     
  10. rizzo20

    rizzo20 Notebook Guru

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    UPDATE: 7970m now works! woot!

    I used a Q-tip with rubbing alcohol and wiped out the GPU slot on the mobo and popped the card back in, booted to BIOS and there it was .....Discrete graphics: ATI GFX. [​IMG]

    Installing 14.4 's right now! Im stoked....hmm maybe 6990m is still good?
     
  11. Hackintoshihope

    Hackintoshihope AlienMeetsApple

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    The slot must of been corroded, great that you got it fixed. And yes it probably is fine.
     
  12. rizzo20

    rizzo20 Notebook Guru

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    I guess so. I played a few games and benchmarked testing for stability. So far it's rock solid and peaks at 67° C while using on my laptop cooler (passive, no fans on cooler)

    I really want to know if my 6990m is still good, I could use a few extra dollars.

    That would mean taking the 7970 out and transferring heatsink....Im afraid to mess with it now, lol.