The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.
← Previous pageNext page →

    GTX 970 / GTX 980M in M17x R2

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by lastshady, Oct 9, 2014.

  1. Killiandros

    Killiandros Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    142
    Messages:
    246
    Likes Received:
    11
    Trophy Points:
    31
    If you're still seeing everything before windows then there's a couple of things you could try:

    1) Make sure the old drivers are completely removed. (As GodlikeRU mentioned above). You're best to use something like DisplayDriverUninstaller ( http://www.guru3d.com/files-details/display-driver-uninstaller-download.html) and use the third option to wipe all drivers and start from scratch.

    2) Try re-seating the card. Physically take the card out and put it back in. Do 1) regardless.

    3) Try different drivers (probably need to be modded - http://forums.guru3d.com/showthread.php?t=377158)

    Let us know how you go!
     
    Killiandros, Mar 10, 2015
    #51
  2. GodlikeRU

    GodlikeRU Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    165
    Messages:
    1,254
    Likes Received:
    562
    Trophy Points:
    131
    I would recommend swapping other HDD if you have it and reinstalling system on it to ensure GPU is working fine.
     
    GodlikeRU, Mar 10, 2015
    #52
  3. toto29620

    toto29620 Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    44
    Messages:
    289
    Likes Received:
    54
    Trophy Points:
    41
    It might be a 8 / 16 bits mode or something, can you send us a picture of the screen ?
     
    toto29620, Mar 10, 2015
    #53
  4. nbr2019

    nbr2019 Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    25
    Messages:
    175
    Likes Received:
    67
    Trophy Points:
    41
    It starts from the beginning ( from alien head)
    Il post pictures shortly.
     
    nbr2019, Mar 10, 2015
    #54
  5. maxslo

    maxslo undefined

    Reputations:
    237
    Messages:
    918
    Likes Received:
    245
    Trophy Points:
    56
    If it's like that on bootup i'd look into vBIOS... the 5870M from M17x R2 had inverted colours on G73JH and M15x if it had REV01 vBIOS, backflashing it to REV00 fixed it.
     
    maxslo, Mar 10, 2015
    #55
  6. nbr2019

    nbr2019 Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    25
    Messages:
    175
    Likes Received:
    67
    Trophy Points:
    41
    Yup that is exactly the problem I'm facing , I had that issue with a hd 5870m that I bought from m17x r2 user but when I flashed back to a00 it was working as normal.

    Can anyone give me links on where to get the vbios used by the m15x gtx 970m ?
    I'm thinking that this vbios should be a newer one that's the reason it shows these probs.
    Thanks
     
    nbr2019, Mar 10, 2015
    #56
  7. nbr2019

    nbr2019 Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    25
    Messages:
    175
    Likes Received:
    67
    Trophy Points:
    41
    Last edited: Mar 10, 2015
    nbr2019, Mar 10, 2015
    #57
  8. nbr2019

    nbr2019 Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    25
    Messages:
    175
    Likes Received:
    67
    Trophy Points:
    41
    Also I'm using the stock bios on my alienware , do I need to get the unlocked one ?
     
    nbr2019, Mar 10, 2015
    #58
  9. maxslo

    maxslo undefined

    Reputations:
    237
    Messages:
    918
    Likes Received:
    245
    Trophy Points:
    56
    Yup, it look exactly the same, not on to figuring out if it's just a vBios problem or somehting else.... Would highly reccomend using an unlocked BIOS.
     
    maxslo, Mar 11, 2015
    #59
  10. GodlikeRU

    GodlikeRU Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    165
    Messages:
    1,254
    Likes Received:
    562
    Trophy Points:
    131
    Im surprised that you didn't already flashed unlocked bios. Flash it and try to put display mode to SG or PEG. Play with different values to ensure that MoBo BIOS isn't the issue. You can also try to find 970M vBIOS and try to flash it.

    If the card works but only colors are inversed you can try looking for software that will invert the colors once more to the normal value and you could use that card with Windows.
     
    GodlikeRU, Mar 11, 2015
    #60
  11. nbr2019

    nbr2019 Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    25
    Messages:
    175
    Likes Received:
    67
    Trophy Points:
    41
    I just now flashed the unlocked bios but still same , what's SG or PEG ? Where can I edit those values ?

    I don't find a source for a dell gtx 970m vbios to flash.

    Card fully works and perfect except for colors , I did even game for a bit to check the increase in fps. It shows a big difference .

    Do you know any type of a software to invert colors ?
    Thanks
     
    nbr2019, Mar 11, 2015
    #61
  12. nbr2019

    nbr2019 Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    25
    Messages:
    175
    Likes Received:
    67
    Trophy Points:
    41
    I guess it's a vbios prob.
    Btw my LCD is a 1440x900 res.
    I have already ordered a RGB SCREEN .

    Any other suggestions ?
     
    nbr2019, Mar 11, 2015
    #62
  13. GodlikeRU

    GodlikeRU Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    165
    Messages:
    1,254
    Likes Received:
    562
    Trophy Points:
    131
    Try Nvidia Control Panel and invert colours there in color management.
     
    GodlikeRU, Mar 11, 2015
    #63
  14. nbr2019

    nbr2019 Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    25
    Messages:
    175
    Likes Received:
    67
    Trophy Points:
    41
    Just Invert colors ?
    But I did turn the 32bit color to 16bit and now everything seems ok to look but still not pure colors, but in games it goes like 32bit , nothing is visible clearly.

    Is these any fix for this?
     
    nbr2019, Mar 11, 2015
    #64
  15. npsk8ter

    npsk8ter Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    15
    Messages:
    94
    Likes Received:
    28
    Trophy Points:
    26
    Very interesting thread!!! Really anxious to see the outcome! Does anyone know the res of the m15 that it works in? Wonder if the 1440x900 screen is the issue. I'd jump all over this just to keep my R2 kickin and avoid a new laptop. And esp since I just put the 940xm in it.
     
    npsk8ter, Mar 11, 2015
    #65
  16. maxslo

    maxslo undefined

    Reputations:
    237
    Messages:
    918
    Likes Received:
    245
    Trophy Points:
    56
    He's mistaken it for R3, you can try disabling integrated audio (a fix for some cards), other than that there is nothing else you could try in the bios.

    I've always used full screen magnifier to achieve that, but it won't work for games, you could try somthing like this: http://arcanesanctum.net/negativescreen/
     
    maxslo, Mar 11, 2015
    #66
    GodlikeRU likes this.
  17. npsk8ter

    npsk8ter Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    15
    Messages:
    94
    Likes Received:
    28
    Trophy Points:
    26
    By the pics he posted, it doesn't seem like anything to do with negative color. Just bad resolution or graphic issue. But I'm no expert, jus good with my hands. Wish I could be of help but hope ya get it figured out! I'll be all over this if so!
     
    npsk8ter, Mar 11, 2015
    #67
  18. nbr2019

    nbr2019 Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    25
    Messages:
    175
    Likes Received:
    67
    Trophy Points:
    41
    I switched the card back to my m17x r4 , if anyone has any suggestions let me know so I could try it.
     
    nbr2019, Mar 11, 2015
    #68
  19. npsk8ter

    npsk8ter Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    15
    Messages:
    94
    Likes Received:
    28
    Trophy Points:
    26
    Nbr, when is that RGB screen coming in?
     
    npsk8ter, Mar 11, 2015
    #69
  20. toto29620

    toto29620 Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    44
    Messages:
    289
    Likes Received:
    54
    Trophy Points:
    41
    Don't stay too much time without heatsink, until windows is load the gpu work at full speed and without any optimisation, it can overheat very quickly.
     
    toto29620, Mar 11, 2015
    #70
  21. nbr2019

    nbr2019 Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    25
    Messages:
    175
    Likes Received:
    67
    Trophy Points:
    41
    Few weeks from now may be.

    No I just did install it to take few shots on what was happening , it was done for only few seconds and it wasn't really hot like other cards that I had.
     
    nbr2019, Mar 11, 2015
    #71
  22. CptXabaras

    CptXabaras Overclocked, Overvolted, Liquid Cooled

    Reputations:
    1,024
    Messages:
    1,335
    Likes Received:
    236
    Trophy Points:
    81
    ...Did you run the card without heatsink?... Did you start it up the first time also without the heatsink??
     
    CptXabaras, Mar 12, 2015
    #72
  23. nitsun69

    nitsun69 Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    60
    Messages:
    131
    Likes Received:
    32
    Trophy Points:
    41
    the load up alienware head in your posted pic look exactly like one of my 7970m that i shorted pulling out with the psu still in. Baked that card and its still been working almost 2 years later.

    Im not saying baking it will help. Im saying it looks like my card when it what semi-fried.
     
    Last edited: Mar 12, 2015
    nitsun69, Mar 12, 2015
    #73
  24. KneeArrow3395

    KneeArrow3395 Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    6
    Messages:
    11
    Likes Received:
    5
    Trophy Points:
    6
    have you try prema's unlocked VBIOS ? it maybe works， links here: https://biosmods.wordpress.com/mxm-vbios/
     
    Last edited: Mar 12, 2015
    KneeArrow3395, Mar 12, 2015
    #74
  25. nbr2019

    nbr2019 Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    25
    Messages:
    175
    Likes Received:
    67
    Trophy Points:
    41
    Il try and post back.
     
    nbr2019, Mar 12, 2015
    #75
  26. CptXabaras

    CptXabaras Overclocked, Overvolted, Liquid Cooled

    Reputations:
    1,024
    Messages:
    1,335
    Likes Received:
    236
    Trophy Points:
    81
    No, seriously guys, everybody sugesting solution when the OP is running the card without heatsink??

    I wouldn't be surprised if the card is damaged.
     
    CptXabaras, Mar 12, 2015
    #76
  27. nbr2019

    nbr2019 Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    25
    Messages:
    175
    Likes Received:
    67
    Trophy Points:
    41
    No mate I'm not running it without heatsink , I took the picture when I did test it without heatsink to show the problem that originates from the beginning of post.

    The card fully works on my r4.
     
    nbr2019, Mar 12, 2015
    #77
  28. toto29620

    toto29620 Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    44
    Messages:
    289
    Likes Received:
    54
    Trophy Points:
    41
    His card run fine in his m17x r4 so nope, you can run a card like this for some second without too much problem, if you want some more time you put on it a glass with somewater in it. Remeber that the ram chip will not be cool so no game or wahtever but it's a fast way to test it. I have done it several time on desktop gpu whith waterblock on it but no water inside.
     
    toto29620, Mar 12, 2015
    #78
  29. GodlikeRU

    GodlikeRU Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    165
    Messages:
    1,254
    Likes Received:
    562
    Trophy Points:
    131
    If you won't use it for any gaming tests and just use windows for a little while then nothing wrong should happen
     
    GodlikeRU, Mar 12, 2015
    #79
  30. Meaker@Sager

    Meaker@Sager Company Representative

    Reputations:
    9,426
    Messages:
    58,176
    Likes Received:
    17,888
    Trophy Points:
    931
    If your disable aero you can get away with it for a short while.
     
    Meaker@Sager, Mar 13, 2015
    #80
  31. npsk8ter

    npsk8ter Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    15
    Messages:
    94
    Likes Received:
    28
    Trophy Points:
    26
    I'll test it out on the RGB screen if u want
     
    npsk8ter, Mar 13, 2015
    #81
  32. nbr2019

    nbr2019 Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    25
    Messages:
    175
    Likes Received:
    67
    Trophy Points:
    41
    no it comes from the post.
     
    nbr2019, Mar 13, 2015
    #82
  33. nbr2019

    nbr2019 Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    25
    Messages:
    175
    Likes Received:
    67
    Trophy Points:
    41
    im getting a rgb screen in few weeks so i can test it.
    il keep you guys posted.
     
    nbr2019, Mar 13, 2015
    #83
  34. npsk8ter

    npsk8ter Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    15
    Messages:
    94
    Likes Received:
    28
    Trophy Points:
    26
    Not fast enough lol
     
    npsk8ter, Mar 13, 2015
    #84
  35. npsk8ter

    npsk8ter Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    15
    Messages:
    94
    Likes Received:
    28
    Trophy Points:
    26
    Man I gotta figure out if this gonna work. I need an upgrade gpu for my R2 and really gettin anxious to buy something
     
    npsk8ter, Mar 14, 2015
    #85
  36. KneeArrow3395

    KneeArrow3395 Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    6
    Messages:
    11
    Likes Received:
    5
    Trophy Points:
    6
    bad new!!!my friend have a 17 r2 with RGB screen,he test a clevo 970m. also the same status
    some one say msi 970m works fine
     
    KneeArrow3395, Mar 14, 2015
    #86
  37. KneeArrow3395

    KneeArrow3395 Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    6
    Messages:
    11
    Likes Received:
    5
    Trophy Points:
    6
    bad new!!!my friend have a 17 r2 with RGB screen,he test a clevo 970m. also the same status
    some one say msi 970m works fine
     
    KneeArrow3395, Mar 14, 2015
    #87
  38. npsk8ter

    npsk8ter Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    15
    Messages:
    94
    Likes Received:
    28
    Trophy Points:
    26
    Signs are Lookin pretty grim. Maybe I need to look at something different
     
    npsk8ter, Mar 14, 2015
    #88
  39. maxslo

    maxslo undefined

    Reputations:
    237
    Messages:
    918
    Likes Received:
    245
    Trophy Points:
    56
    maxslo, Mar 15, 2015
    #89
  40. nbr2019

    nbr2019 Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    25
    Messages:
    175
    Likes Received:
    67
    Trophy Points:
    41
    Do you have any source to show that the msi is working so I can give a try with msi vbios.
    Thanks
     
    nbr2019, Mar 15, 2015
    #90
  41. KneeArrow3395

    KneeArrow3395 Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    6
    Messages:
    11
    Likes Received:
    5
    Trophy Points:
    6
    KneeArrow3395, Mar 16, 2015
    #91
  42. KneeArrow3395

    KneeArrow3395 Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    6
    Messages:
    11
    Likes Received:
    5
    Trophy Points:
    6
    KneeArrow3395, Mar 16, 2015
    #92
    nbr2019 likes this.
  43. nbr2019

    nbr2019 Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    25
    Messages:
    175
    Likes Received:
    67
    Trophy Points:
    41
    Wow thanks man , I got a link to download the vbios , il give it a try with msi vbios.
     
    nbr2019, Mar 16, 2015
    #93
  44. TomJGX

    TomJGX I HATE BGA!

    Reputations:
    1,456
    Messages:
    8,707
    Likes Received:
    3,315
    Trophy Points:
    431
    Hey Hey.. You have a 6GB 970M.. Don't flash the 3GB MSI vBIOS.. You'll brick your GPU..
     
    TomJGX, Mar 16, 2015
    #94
  45. nbr2019

    nbr2019 Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    25
    Messages:
    175
    Likes Received:
    67
    Trophy Points:
    41
    Hey , I found a 6gb msi vbios , it should work right ?
    But once I installed the card on my r2 it showed as 3159mb as dedicated vram but when I installed it on my r4 it showed the 6294mb VRAM, does the color issue due to high VRAM ?
    I dint flash the vbios yet.
     
    nbr2019, Mar 16, 2015
    #95
    5HT likes this.
  46. TomJGX

    TomJGX I HATE BGA!

    Reputations:
    1,456
    Messages:
    8,707
    Likes Received:
    3,315
    Trophy Points:
    431
    Lol no idea tbh.. I would take the R4's value of 6294Mb as correct as R4 supports the 970M fully and properly..
     
    TomJGX, Mar 17, 2015
    #96
  47. davinator

    davinator Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    9
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    6
    any news ? you're so close to succeed.
    Many r2 owners would love you :)
     
    davinator, Mar 19, 2015
    #97
  48. Killiandros

    Killiandros Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    142
    Messages:
    246
    Likes Received:
    11
    Trophy Points:
    31
    Did this work out in the end or was it a no-go ?
     
    Killiandros, Apr 13, 2015
    #98
  49. npsk8ter

    npsk8ter Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    15
    Messages:
    94
    Likes Received:
    28
    Trophy Points:
    26
    Seems to be a no go. Everyone kinda went quiet lol
     
    npsk8ter, Apr 13, 2015
    #99
  50. 5HT

    5HT Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    5
    Messages:
    56
    Likes Received:
    18
    Trophy Points:
    16
    I see in your Signature that you have 970M installed in your M17x R2, please tell us how did you do it ?
     
    5HT, Apr 26, 2015
    #100
    Mr. Fox likes this.
← Previous pageNext page →