Got a 980m to test on my Alienware 17 Ranger R1

I bought a for-parts untested CLEVO 980m and never used any other gpu than the 770m that I bought it with. Can I get a quick list of things I need to do (unlocked bios?) before I can detect it or if it works; to install the correct drivers. I got it for a really good price so I decided to take the gamble. Thanks

 

In my case I have to run pure UEFI mode and legacy isn't an option. If I try to run legacy I just get an 8 beep screen error. When I installed it I had to run DDU and the shut the system down and insert the new card. Reboot with the new card and check to make sure Nvidia GFX is showing up in the bios. Once it was showing up in the bios I proceeded into Windows ( rebooting with driver enforcement disabled ) and used the modified .inf files to install the latest Nvidia drivers.

Keep in mind I have the 120hz screen and the process may be different if you don't have 120hz and still have your iGPU enabled.

 

i have a 60hz screen, would that need additional steps?

 

Someone will have to clarify on the legacy vs UEFI thing. I don't remember if you have to be UEFI for it to work at all or if that is only because of the 120 hz thing, @woodzstack can probably give you an answer.

I would uninstall the drivers you currently have and remove your current card. Pop in the 980m , turn on the system and get into the bios to check and see if the card is even present ( it will says Nvidia GFX). If the card is present you can load into Windows and go about re-installing the drivers for the 980m using the modified .inf files and then run your tests.

I am not sure what happens if you try to boot in legacy mode with the 980m if it isn't supported aside from the 8 beep monitor error ( which happens if I try to run Dell diagnostics now ). Not sure if you can get back into the bios or if you have to take more drastic steps. I followed the steps for the 120hz install , but that being said I did install the 980m when my 60hz screen was in after the laptop came back from the repair depot, but it was still UEFI.

 

well, technically speaking eDP is all that is required, for the 1070/1060 cards these days but you would lose features too if on windows 7 and not on windows 8/10 and even some performance is not using UEFI/dedicated modes, just like the 980M for instance, mind you minus the eDP dependancy for perfect function. However the HD Intel can load it too, but there seems to be issues from certain laptops this way, I'm sure it's the HD intel and not the card, so for best practices it's best to know if you have eDP and windows 10 and in UEFI, your golden, and should be a breeze, no one even needs to test it for you, you can rest assured - it will work. Now, if it's missing some of those, your best chance is if it has the eDP. If it has only LVDS and no UEFI at all, and was shipped with XP and you upgraded it to windows VISTA/windows 7 over the last decade... chances are not gonna work, I would guess if you have Sandy bridge and higher theres a decent chance it can be made to work. Most IVY bridges are fine, and they have UEFI too, and most laptops with IVY bridge had higher display options which used eDP or such...

for a 980M it has a legacy boot loader and can load even without a eDP. The newer Pascal cards can not do that on thier own, so no go with LVDS unless something else loads the video at post for you...

So 980M is fine in legacy*** and UEFI with or without eDP OR LVDS. The exception is windows 8/10 is not legacy and if you have an Alienware there is very poor support from DELL for it, so do not expect miracles from them, and you must rely mostly on after market support from communities like NBR.