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    Got my new M17xR4 yesterday

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by M17XR42012, Jan 11, 2013.

  1. M17XR42012

    M17XR42012 Notebook Consultant

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    The first one I bought that arrived in December had a number of hardware issues and it ended up getting RMA'ed back to Dell.

    I placed a new order (same configuration) and it arrived yesterday and there are no hardware issues at all (knock on wood) so that is a good thing.

    It is running the latest A09 bios, so I guess I can't shut off the Intel HD4000 GPU and only run the AMD 7970m?

    I guess the way it works is you boot the laptop, once windows is up, you press FN + F7 and then have to reboot to use the 7970m.

    Am I going to have to do this every time I turn the laptop on? or is there a way in the bios to tell it I want it to boot into the 7970m each time like I can with a desktop?
     
    M17XR42012, Jan 11, 2013
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  2. DDDenniZZZ

    DDDenniZZZ Notebook Deity

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    Latest bios is A10, and the only real difference is POST speed is even faster. Since you ordered now, I assume you have windows 8? Or 7?

    Either way, the bios under UEFI has issues with just HD7970m mode (no display as UEFI/secure/fast boot doesn't like it).

    I think there is a unlocked bios you can download and that should have the option to disable the integrated graphics. But to be honest I don't have issues with the switching of GPU, but I do have a nvidia card not AMD.
     
    DDDenniZZZ, Jan 11, 2013
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  3. senshin

    senshin Notebook Evangelist

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    Normal it remembers, my m17xr4 never boots with the intel on.
    Maybe reinstall the drivers?
     
    senshin, Jan 11, 2013
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  4. M17XR42012

    M17XR42012 Notebook Consultant

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    Humm, ok, Mine came with the A09 installed and Windows 7 Pro. I used my technet subscription and upgraded it to Windows 7 Enterprise and reloaded all the drivers.

    If I boot up the laptop and go into windows and do a FN-F7, it reboots and goes into the 7970m fine, so I don't want to mess that up by going to bios A10 or a hacked bios.

    So I guess there is no way to make the 7970m the default GPU when booting up.
     
    M17XR42012, Jan 11, 2013
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  5. M17XR42012

    M17XR42012 Notebook Consultant

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    What process did you use to boot the 7970m by default and what bios are you using?
     
    M17XR42012, Jan 11, 2013
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  6. Bagongolo

    Bagongolo Notebook Enthusiast

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    My 17r4 never boots with the Intel vga and I didn't nothing to change it; my bios is a08 but I suppose the default boot vga could be the last one you choose by selecting FN/F7; everytime you want to change the card you have to reboot (I tested it when I first got the notebook) but as I always use the 7970, I think the pc remembers the last choice (vga) you select, if you know what I mean. So, nothing special for me to choose the 7970 as the default card, it's always there ready for use. PS: the drivers are the Dell stock and the os is win 7 hp. Hope it helps
     
    Bagongolo, Jan 11, 2013
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