GT70 680M transfer to M17x R4

I completely totaled my GT70 last night by running it through a plasma cutter, split the motherboard clean in two halves. I don't really want to explain how it got there, but it's beyond repair.

I called newegg to see if this would be covered under my accidental damage warranty but I don't have high hopes that I'd even be able to prove that it was caused by an accident.

Most of the separate components weren't affected by the cut, GPU and CPU are both fine. I figured I'll sell off 2 of the intact RAM sticks and CPU and whatever else I can salvage and buy towards an M17x. I've always loved the idea of HDMI-In. I'm planning on keeping the 680M and throwing it inside the M17x.

I've read some posts about the Alienware and Clevo cards having issues with the opposite models so I'm assuming there's probably some issues with the MSI cards as well. Are there any compatibility issues I should be aware of before I insert it? It looks like the same MXM board so I imagine it'll just be PnP?

Thanks

 

Hi there, you made me really lol! I would expect the accidental damage to pay up so check back with them, what are they going to say, 'you put it through a plasma cutter to see what happens?' I drove over one and it paid out!


You will need to use a modded inf for the driver to install because the cardID/machineID combination is not dell. I get them from here: LaptopVideo2Go: Drivers

Dunno how well it will work though ;(

 

I got a return call from newegg today where we discussed under what terms the damage on my Gt70 would be covered. I tried to push to explain that it was an accident but the CSR eventually referred me to section head who made it very clear that I would have to prove it was an accident. They asked for a photo of the damage so I took a photo of the machine split in half where they he just said that there's no way that it was an accidental destruction. No other vital parts were damaged except the mobo which it made it look doc'd for an excuse to use the warranty.

Is the card ID written on the GPU? I know these GPUs are stamped with unique serials but the id number would be the model number, no? I wouldn't need to flash the master vbios or anything?

Edit: I forgot to mention that the card is a Clevo 4G card

 

That sucks, they say anything to get out of paying out. How can he say no way it's an accident? So, you deliberately did it to make a claim? If they claim stupidity even that is not a valid reason to deny an accident. When I drove over mine, like yours a bit of a story, I read up on dells addidental damage, The only exclusion was 'obvious signs of abuse or damage e.g hammer marks.' I'd already asked a neighbour if I could borrow his woochipper if I needed to have a better 'accident' with it since I felt a bit stupid (it was stupid for sure), but decided to call it in as-is. Didn't even pause, got a new replacement and sent back the bits. All you can do now is go into writing asking for a full reason as to how this accident does not qualify for the claim. Thll them you need it in writing for future action , Worth a try as this is bogus on their part.

Anyhoo, to the question, The card id is Written in the vBIOS. It is easilly flashed with a utility called 'nvflash'. Because it will not be a dell ID drivers from NV will fail to install but that is fairly easy to get around. One .inf' file replaced and it will install. There are more subte differences and I do not know them all. I believe though that clevo vbios' are more overclocable than dell ones. When I've been looking for a vbios I just posted here and a kind member linked me. If you get an original dell vbios then drivers will install without modification.

Driver and inf: LaptopVideo2Go: Drivers

 

True, you can avoid it with a vBios flash. I can't stop thinking about the computer split in half xD

 

I see, so flashing is optional?

but in the case that I'd want to use Nvidia's WHQL drivers I'd have to flash it to this? Using your 4GB GTX 680m to its safest and full potential

 

Isn't your accidental warranty coverage through MSI and not Newegg? Or did you buy or get an accidental warranty coverage through Newegg? Either way how can they say this isn't an accident? You were working with your plasma cutter, listening to music on the laptop nearby and accidentally hit the laptop? I wouldn't let them tell me otherwise, unless you really have the cash to spare and want to move to an M17x

 

It's a combination of things. I have a MSI service number and have already contacted them but was deferred to newegg because I purchased the accidental damage warranty which apparently over prioritizes the MSI factory warranty. The way the official who I spoke to spun it as: the cut is too straight and clean. He said that there wasn't anyway that I could have unknowingly made such a cut without a clamp and intentionally cutting the board. I don't know how much more assertive I can be about this. I've called everyday for the past week and am still getting the same non-compliance response.

I also have always liked the M17x's HDMI-in feature. I move around a lot so having the capability to bring a console from home with me is a big plus. Of course, I'd like to avoid purchasing a new laptop all together but I don't think my warranty claim has any chance of passing.