M17x R2 5870m vbios question

So I have a an M17xR2 with a single 5870m. Catalyst ver 14.12. Found a 2nd 5870m just to toss in and test CF. I have confirmed that the vbios is different between the cards. Tried to put the 2nd gpu in master slot to flash different vbios, but before I could, the display driver started crashing. So I figured jus put it in the 2nd slot, put my 1st one back in as master, and leave the cf cable out. But it won't post with both cards in. Is that normal? Either card will post in master slot, but the 2nd card won't display long enough for me to flash it. How should I go about fixing this? Should I roll back to an older driver to see if the 2nd card crashing still exists?

 

Ok update... So I finally got the 2nd card working after uninstalling drivers, catalyst, etc. updated vbios from dell site. Now both cards vbios match, and either card will boot as master, but with both installed, will not post! Any ideas please help

 

You must flash one with a master vbios and the other with slave. ( I'm pretty sure )

 

If that is the case, please point me in the direction of the vbios for a master/slave

 

I am giving second hand information you will have to wait for an actual owner to give you more information..

 

Hopefully someone can confirm on here that's running 5870m's CF, what vbios is on each as well as driver using.

 

Also would like to know if it's supposed to post with both cards in and CF cable disconnected. I called Alienware support and the "half @$$ English speaking" tech told me it won't post if the cable isn't plugged in! Never have I seen anywhere stating the cf cable "has to" be plugged in to post

 

That is false. Actually, both master and slave cards run same vBios.

The laptop will behave the same if CF is connected or not.... but if it's not, or if the cable is faulty, you wont be able to enable CF obviously...

Most often if there is a slightest problem with the slave card, the laptop won't boot.

 

Tested both cards as master and work great. Just will not post with both installed. IM totally stumped

 

Could the slave slot be bad? On the actual motherboard?

 

Don't see how since I'm the original owner, and never has seen a 2nd card before.

 

Wish there was an easy way to test it besides buying cards or replacement parts.

 

did you try swapping primary and secondary cards around?

 

Yes I did. Either card will boot as master. Just won't boot with both in at the same time. Starting to think maybe it's a revision version issue. One card is an A01 and one is an A02. But with the vbios the same on each card, I don't see why this would be an issue. One other thing I can state is that both cards were originally master cards. But I never seen anywhere where that was an issue since there wasn't a specific vbios to master/slave.

 

Correction... One is A00 and one is A02

 

Revisions don't matter, it's physically the same card, and if vBios is the same i'd start looking into the motherboard.

What exactly happens when you try to power the laptop with both cards in?

 

Won't post. Keyboard lights up, black screen, no caps/num lock error flash codes. And only way to power off is to unplug. Can't see it to be a mobo issue tho since it's never seen a card inside that slave side before. Can't see it to be damaged since it's never ben used. I'm so irritated with it. Makes no sense. To the point where I think it's jus easier to sell off both cards and put 1 better single card

 

That would be easiest indeed, and perhaps you get enough for the two 5870M's to cover expenses for new card ...
I cant remember how i fixed it, but i know i had the exact same problem :/

 

Dang u! Dig in that brain of yours! Or give me a smokin deal on that 7970 u sellin lol

 

I jus found a few more topics on this, and everything keeps pointing to the sbus address. It specifies which card is master or slave. Gotta be the issue! But haven't found anyone who has fixed it.

 

Correction... SMBUS. Typed too fast

 

I was using two master cards in CF without problem, i don't think that is the reason...

 

Do u remember which mono bios you were using? I've read the 2 master card issue worked fine on pre A05 bios

 

Correction... Mobo bios

 

I'm always using the Unlocked A10 Bios.... there is an edit button you know

 

Lol yeah, just saw that! Man unlocked A10... Same here! I wish I could just figure it out. Just haven't seen a clear answer. Few more days and I'm just gonna call it quits. Never thought I'd have this big an issue with a 2nd card native to this R2! Would have never wasted my time, and went straight for a single better card than the 5870.

 

Seems I even have the dell/Alienware techs stumped! No one knows anything about this bios/vbios/SMBus/rev A00,01,02 issue causing No Post. Out of all the mod tweaks getting different gpu's workin in an R2, figured this one was supposed to be the easiest! Boy was I wrong!

 

So you say you have already tried to reverse the CF right? (swap cards around in slots)... can't think of anything else you could do. most likely a faulty secondary slot.
Hehe i know what you mean :/

 

Yes swapped around and either work as master. Can see it to be a faulty slave slot since I'm the original owner and it's never had a 2nd card installed before. I know there's only 1 specific vbios for the 5870m, but from what I've read in techinferno, an Alienware rep stated the master and slave cards are different in the SMBus address even tho the vbios is the same for either card. SMBUS is what supposedly tells the mobo which card is in which slot. And since the 2nd card I bought was originally a master, contains the SMBus of a master. Doesn't post cuz it sees the wrong address. Correct me if I'm wrong, but that's what I made of the thread I read.

 

I've ran 2xmaster cards on multiple occasions (testing the cards and finding the best overclocking pair) and i've never had a problem except that one time, but i know it wasn't related to the version.

I've remembered it was the card. the one i've put in slave slot was a little faulty and it occasionally wouldn't display anything on internal display (worked fine on external)... but in slave slot, it was a no-go, the laptop wouldnt even boot. i had to shut it down by removing the battery and power cord.

 

Well I haven't totally given up, but the Alienware tech said the problem is that I need the 240w adapter lol. Dude... I already have that! Next suggestion??? Lol. They really have no clue. Hell, the guy told me over the phone that it won't boot without the crossfire cable hooked up. And we all know that's a lie! It's like they don't wanna help unless ur still covered under warranty! Poor support for "out of warranty" guys like me!

 

Check this out bro
http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/m17x-r2-cf5870-wont-boot.490277/page-7