M17x R1 Can't install new Nvidia drivers

Hey guys. It's been a while since I've been on this forum, but I've got yet another problem with my M17x computer. Shocking, right?

I've been using the 270.61 nvidia drivers for a long time now, as they've been the most stable ones I could find (with PCI-E Gen2 off, of course). Now I'm pretty damn certain I'm taking a big hit on my performance with new games that have been getting and I'm quite certain that I need to install a new driver for my 2x 280m geforce video cards.

Here's the problem: I can't. Every time I go to install any newer drivers, it won't get past the first stage in installation because it "cannot find any compatible hardware". I've looked around on these forums and others and I can't even find a thread that has this problem- which, in a way, gives me hope as it's likely a setting I've unknowingly changed somewhere in my struggle to make this damn computer work without crashing. I find it weird, however, than I can install these older drivers over and over again until I'm blue in the face, with no problem.

I've turned on pci-e gen2 and hybrid graphics in the bios in hopes that that was it, but to no avail. I'm not sure if there's anyone out there than can help me with this, but I SERIOUSLY appreciate anyone that can try to give me some pointers. Saying I'm desperate, having jumped through so many holes to even use this laptop, would be an understatement.

Windows 7 64-bit; up to date
Geforce GTX 280m SLI
Bios version A07

Thanks...

 

No change in BIOS will help you install newer graphics drivers.
The problem is that nVidia doesn't include these cards in their drivers.

But don't worry, i took care of that

Download the attached file and follow these instructions:

• First of all uninstall your current nVIDIA display drivers.
• Reboot in Safe Mode (repeatedly press the F8 key after the BIOS prompt and choose Safe Mode)
• Run your favorite registry cleaner (I personally use CCleaner), backup your registry first and choose to clean your registry to remove any remnants of the old driver (you might need to run it a couple of times until there's nothing to remove).
• Reboot one more time.
• Download the 310.33 nVIDIA beta drivers to your Desktop(or wherever you want)
• Double click and let them extract the files in the default directory (C:\NVIDIA)
• Press Cancel when it starts checking for hardware compatibility
• Extract the previously downloaded archived file
• Cut/copy it and paste in "C:\NVIDIA\DisplayDriver\310.33\WinVista_Win7_64\International\Display.Driver"
  And replace originals
• Go back to the "International" folder and run setup.exe
• Continue performing normal installation steps, choosing Custom(Advanced)>Next>and check Perform a clean installation>Next and at the windows prompt choose Install...anyway
• Reboot when prompted and voila
• Don't forget to reenable SLi in nVIDIA Control Panel and reboot your system
• Enjoy!

-Don't forget to turn off PCIe Gen2 in BIOS under Advanced > Graphic Settings (for M17x users)

View attachment nvidia_310.33_Mod.zip

 

Outstanding Kat!

Thanks for the modded driver +1

 

Thanks a ton, Kat! I'm quite sure this isn't the first time you've helped me with this laptop, either.

However, I had done all of this before returning to these forums to see if anyone replied. Honestly I didn't expect such a quick reply- this place is great! Anyways, I believe I ended up doing what you did with that nvdm file, but I don't know for sure. Like you said, they've simply stopped including these specific video cards in their driver updates, so I had to add the lines I coppied from an older "nvdm" file provided in an older thread here- pertaining to the 280m video cards. The thing is that I did all of this before I read your post, and as such, I installed the 306.97 drivers you get when you google your way to their site. Would anyone say the 310.33 are better?

Anyways, so far so good. I've downloaded the file you've provided if and when I get the inclination to download those beta drivers. Thanks a ton!!

 

Hello,

I just picked up mx17 and ran into this same issue. I saw Nvidia just came out with a new driver version 310.70. Does this mod work with that release and if not would you please be able to update the mod.

Thanks.

 

Did this work? any lock ups? freezes? or just like most I have encountered, just does not install. I have tried every 260m and nothing.

 

Any of you guys try LaptopVideo2Go: Drivers ? You can get matched .inf files and any time I've seen the 'unsupported hardware' problem their release fixes it

 

I performed those steps that Katalin had layed out and it worked for the 310.33 drivers. My laptop did crash 1 time since then for a shader problem with the driver but has not not done that since. I will try the laptopvideo2 go site to see if it does the trick.

Thanks

 

Yes it will work fine, and also as Mickey suggests... You can use the laptopvideo2go drivers for this type of issues.

 

Will this method work for the 310.90 driver or just the 310.33?

Edit: Yep it works! Thanks!

 

it works for all drivers if you know what you need to copy/paste from modified inf file

I will also make a guide for few hours how to install drivers on GTX 260/280M

 

I got it working on my M17x R1 by modding the .inf file as always, installed the driver, and then after the restart I disabled both integrated and hybrid graphics in the BIOS (As I was told that those are no longer supported in recent Nvidia drivers). Works flawlessly. Also by getting rid of the integrated graphics my R1 just got a lot less buggier...

 

Hi guys. Sorry for being so dumb. I am trying to play the new hit man but its coming up with an error e_outofmemory. I have tried the work around on the first page with nvida 310.90 but with regards to editing the nvdm file I haven't for a clue. Also in the nots it says replace the original nvdm file. But ever time I paste this is there is nothing to replace. Which would tell me I'm pasting it in the wrong place or I'm doing something Wrong. Is there anyone who could help me out please. I would really appreciate it as you are the time I've been trying to so this since 8pm and its now nearly 3am if someone could point me in the right direction or upload a correct nvdm file that would help so much.

Thanks

Tam

 

Follow her instructions and Download 310.30zip (nvdm.inf) open it for step 4 http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...t-install-new-nvidia-drivers.html#post8988368

Download NVIDIA DRIVERS 310.33BETA

1 -Double click the downloaded Nvidia driver.

2 -let it extract.

3 -Installation failed "No compatible device found">close dialog.

4 -Browse the extracted Nvidia folder (C:\Nvidia)>open Display.Driver folder> copy and replace nvdm.inf

5 -Run setup.exe within the extracted Nvidia folder. (green icon .exe)

6 -Select custom install>next>Check clean install option>uncheck Nvidia update.

7 -Reboot.

 

Hiya.

Thanks for that. But I've tried that so many times but will saying not Compatible, plus like unsaid there isn't a nvdm.inf file to replace. I'm really confused and no one else had a problem. It's prob just me, I'll lett you what I've done. Downloaded 310.90 and 310.33, uninstalled the grapica card an deleted and trace of that graphics car files off the laptop, rebooted in bios and disable gl2 gen or something and also disabled the both graphics cards (disabled both graphics cards in the second try) rebooted in to safemode, then I cleared all the registry. Extracted both 310.33 and 310.90 in to the nvida file. Then extracted the nvdm.inf file in the folder advised. Didn't have to replace anything and this was the first time the file name had been in that folder. Even did a search Ony pc and this file name doesn't existing apart from the one downloaded from here, opened up the nvida setup in the folder and pops up with the message your graphics is not comparable etc. I have installed a nvida GeForce Gtx 280m graphics card.

This is really starting to get on my as everyone else seems to be fine.

Please help

Thanks

Tam

 

HI, jumping in here but you are replacing the inf file that exists? Make sure you are getting the 'verde' (for mobile chips) NV driver and not the desktop one as that does not have the same inf, and you are looking in the display.driver folder not 'displaydriver' under nvidia on the root of c:?

Edit: You can get matching driver and .inf files for all the diferent versions from here: LaptopVideo2Go: Drivers

Note there are separate links for the driver and the inf. When you select the inf the page will open with the inf in text format. You need to manually save the page. In firefox it saves with the correct name, other browsers might append a hidden .txt at the end so you need to rename it and remove the .txt bit. HTH

 

Now you can follow the instructions, screenshot shows extracted Nvidia driver (C:\Nvidia) with the Display.Driver folder open it>copy and paste nvdm.inf.(downloaded 310.30 zip)
Better than this, remote access

 

There's an offer to consider!

 

Hey what im saying is there is no existing nvdm.inf file so it just copies, also on that website laptopvideo2go the .inf file for 310.90 isnt available, anyways im just downloading the nerde driver, so when thats done i will take pics, btw i have pretty much no graphic card to the pics will look huge.

 

nvdm.inf download http://forum.notebookreview.com/att...tall-new-nvidia-drivers-nvidia_310.33_mod.zip nvdm.inf inside the zip folder

Nvidia Driver Download NVIDIA DRIVERS 310.33BETA

 

310.90 inf file: http://www.laptopvideo2go.com/infs/310series/31090_win8x64/nvwi.inf

Just tried it

 

Yea I think it was coz I was clicking on Xp .inf lol. Finally got it it installed and can now play hitman. But my last problem now the hdmi isn't working. God I'm dreadful but thank you all so much for getting me this far it has helped me so so much. Also when I turn on hybrid graphics in the bios the screen says black. I guess now with the mod this option doesn't really apply any more?

 

Great - you got there!

Hybrid graphics has been dropped by nvidia. The technology has died-on-the-vine with the latest intel CPU's having a decent GPU for free.

I don't know the last version that supported it but I'd say you are better with the latest ones

You might like to return any bios settings you made trying to get the driver to install? HDMI will be controlled through the nvidia driver so it makes sense if you have to 'rig' a driver but how to check it I don't know

 

The only think really I disabled was PCIE Gen2 ill give that a try, also any of you guys tried to install mac lion on the alienware 17x r1? I tried last year and gave up and seem far to difficult for my little brain lol. How do you all know so mch?

 

Good it worked, leave PCIE Gen2 disabled and re-enable SLi in Nvidia Control Panel then reboot.

 

A big fat zero i'm afraid

Go with J95 and see for the hybrid. I do know I saw a lot of people having issues getting it to work on older cards, with the latest drivers, but I never followed them that much...

 

I don't have SLi in the control panel

 

Dual GTX 260M ?

 

Sounds like you give it up for the latest driver? You could install the last driver dell list for your model but probably not a good idea since you just got it working!

I thought this was about 'hybrid' where the machine has an NV iGPU that the driver can utilise |(fake SLI) but ???

 

I uninstalled both graphics cards as advised. Gtx 280m and something else 8000 or something can't remember. Would this explain the hdmi? I really need this back

 

Not what I was thinking about - ignore! If you only have one nvidia GPU then hybrid does not apply.

 

Install again from C:\Nvidia run setup.exe. first screenshot and reboot. The folder with the replaced nvdm.inf is still there no need to repeat the whole process.
Then re-enable SLi in nvidia control panel and reboot.

 

What I'm gunna do to give it a try is uninstall the 310.90 reinstall both graphics card then uninstall gtx280m but leaving the other card still installed then install the 310.90 see if that works. One problem with that video is when I enable hybrid graphics windows loads in to a black screen. I'll take a look when I get back from having my hair cut

 

Leave PCIE Gen2 disabled it's not supported anymore (Black screen), use the same nvdm.inf(310.30 zip) for the 310.90 driver or it will fail to install.

1 -Double click the downloaded Nvidia driver.

2 -let it extract.

3 -Installation failed "No compatible device found">close dialog.

4 -Browse the extracted Nvidia folder (C:\Nvidia)>open Display.Driver folder> copy and replace nvdm.inf

5 -Run setup.exe within the extracted Nvidia folder. (green icon .exe)

6 -Select custom>next>Check clean install option>uncheck Nvidia update.

7 -Reboot.

 

have a nice break! Leave the hybrid off, it is not supported with your config and/or the latest drivers. If I remember right hybrid was what went before the drivers had auto-switching between the internal and the descrete GPU's.

 

Right ok, had another go, install my original graphics card, which install GTX 280m and GeForce 9400m, then i uninstalled the GTX 280m rebooted in safe mode registry clean, then installed 310.90, coped the 310.90 .inf and installed, rebooted again, and seem to work but when i connected up the HDMI the screen crashed, I reboted to check in BIOS and hybrid was turns on, so i tuned this off and booted up, connected the HDMI and nothing, I then opened up device manager and noticed only the 9400m graphics card was running, but in hybird both GTX 280m and 9400m card was there,

see photos
Hybrid off


then hybrid on


Also when i load up hitman the graphics are so so jumpy, what seems to be happening is GeForce 9400m is the primary Graphics card, also it wont let me select SLi as its not there, nore is the option to use HDMI

What does everyone think?

Thanks

 

Follow this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WO-r58w5R4s (Uploaded on Oct 27 2010 was supported) and disable PCIE Gen2, so you'll see both gtx 280m in device manger; there only one hybrid on screenshot.

 

Yup, ATM windows only sees 1 280m. Once you see both in DM go from there. I now see you have an nvidia iGPU so hybrid is a valid config and should be on (for dell, hybrid seems to just mean both iGPU and dGPU)

 

I'm giving up. Just not working. I get both graphics cards running but it's proper laggy in the laptop. Hdmi still doesn't work. Think in fun a give 310.33 ago see if that's any better. Are are you all running if you have the same laptop as me?

 

Copy the settings from here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WO-r58w5R4s (Alienware m17X Enable The Dual GPU SLI Mode) just disable PCIE Gen2 (9800 GT) Three GPUs 2X 280m + 9800 GT

 

I',m getting a bit confused. Do you have 2 x 280's as well as the 9400 or just one 280? When you say both cards I'm not sure which 'both cards you refer to'.

I've not used one of your models.

 

I have 1 Gtx 280m and 1 intergraded 9400m

 

Yeah hybrid SLi.

 

ahh, J95 is trying to help get two 280's running.

I think your problem might be related to what nvidia called 'hybrid sli' (not hybrid in the bios) where two dissimilar NV chips can be used together. It's not true SLI but that is all I know about it. This is what I read is no longer supported. You could try the driver version dell recommend to test? After that I have no idea, sorry

EDIT: I'm thinking your game is using the wrong gpu but unless j95 has any idea about that (?) maybe a fresh post under the r1/r2 owners lounge starting from 'you have the driver installed'. Might get a similar config to help

 

Still with the latest drivers you must disable 9800 gt and stay with the most powerful one. As MickyD suggested post here http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...x-r1-r2-owners-lounge-thread-part-1-a-60.html .


Edit: GTX 280M+HDMI are working now, HDMI fix (second solution) http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...t-output-not-usual-problem-2.html#post5843547

 

I was previously able to successfully install the nVidia drivers for my 280's however I had to "Refresh" W8. In doing so, it deleted the drivers. So I've been trying to reinstall the nVidia drivers again but its not working. I've tried man times but it just fails at the nVidia installer.

All graphics settings in BIOS are disabled (4 IIRC). This is what I'm doing with the 310.90 drivers and nvidia_310.33_mod file:
1. Install driver, cancel.
2. Go to file (international>display.driver) replace nvdm from mod file
3. Go back to install driver. Click on continue, advanced, unchecked update and check clean install..

Fails every time. Fails at "graphics driver" install

Any ideas?

 

Probably need to turn off driver validation after using a modded ini? Check j95's posts, he's given the command line instruction you need quite a few times

 

Disable driver signing.

1) Open command prompt (Admin) windows key + X
2) Type "bcdedit /set {current} testsigning yes" (without quotes) enter.
3) Type exit> reboot.
4) Install>reboot
5)Exit test mode type "bcdedit /set {current} testsigning no" reboot.

 

Hello Projekt, have you disabled the Driver Signature Enforcement in your Windows 8?
If not, follow these steps:

From the Metro Start Screen, press the Win Key+ W to search, click Apps and type cmd in the search field.
Right click Command Prompt and choose Run as Administrator (from the lower bar)
In your Command prompt window type the following

bcdedit -set loadoptions DISABLE_INTEGRITY_CHECKS
press Enter and type
bcdedit -set TESTSIGNING ON
press Enter one more time.

After installing your driver you may want to turn this off by typing this in Command Prompt:
bcdedit -set loadoptions ENABLE_INTEGRITY_CHECKS
press Enter

bcdedit -set TESTSIGNING OFF
press Enter

 

Forgot that step, I knew I was missing something but didn't see it in this thread, wonder where I read it from last time. Drivers are successfully installed now.

Thank you j95 and katalin_2003.