M17x R4 675m to 7970m install

Hi,

I am looking for instructions on installing a 7970m in an m17xr4. I currently have 675m. Once I put the new card in there is nothing on the screen. I't does not appear to recognize the card at all. Just black screen. I have attempted to uninstall the 675m drivers and was able to get just VGA for a second but the system quickly recognizes the 675m card and reverts to it under device manager. I am unable to get the intel 4000 graphics to work as well as its locked on the nvidia gpu in bios. I have looked into flashing a unlocked bios to the system but the system is still under warranty and don't want to screw that up. I have been searching here for over a month. I believe I have bios a09 right now. Im not sure what the last unlocked bios was.

Is there anything I can do to get this card working? Or could the card be bad? The card does seem to get hot even though its just black screen. Also, reinstalling the 675m appears to be fine and the system works normally.

Any help is appreciated! Thanks!

 

I don't know if this applies to switching from nvidia to ati but on one of the upgrade threads for ati to ati it was suggested

 

Flash your BIOS to version A11.

Make sure you have completely removed all video drivers before removing the 675m, then you can use driver sweeper or manually remove any registry entries related to the Nvidia driver.

Install the 7970m, download and install the latest video drivers (both intel and AMD catalyst).

If you still get a black screen you can remove the CMOS battery or do a power drain (Unplug the AC adapter and battery, press and hold the power button for 30-45 seconds then plug everything back in and turn it on)

Check your BIOS and see if the 7970m is recognized there.

You don't have the 3D screen right? the 7970m won't output 120hz, if that's the case you'll need to stick to nvidia.

 

Is the 660m heatsink compatible with the Dell 7970m card? I have a Dell 7970m in my MSI laptop, and was thinking of maybe upgrading to the M17x R4 with the cheaper Nvidia card and swapping my 7970m into the new Aliewnware. Would I need any heatsink modification, backplate? I don't currently have a backplate for this card.

Also would it void my warranty by changing the gfx card?

 

Not sure if the heatsinks are the same as they have different part numbers, the support plate is different though.

You won't void your warranty if you swap your GPU, just keep the original graphics card around in case you need to call in for support. Tech support will only troubleshoot the original configuration you ha purchased with your computer.

If you need help with part numbers send me a PM

 

Same question as Luis, but do you have a 120hz display?

 

As Luis says, you must get the correct backplate, this is what 'sets' the amount of pressure/clearance of the heatsink on the GPU core. All the rest is down to how well dell/card manufacturer implemented the MXM standard ( Mobile PCI Express Module - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia second paragraph) as this lays out the position and clearances of all the other components. You may have to remove tape or get different pads but only testing this using small amounts of paste and checking spread patterns will show if everything is good. HTH

 

Thanks for all the feedback! I have not tried the method of removing the cmos battery but will do that. I have the 60hz screen. The main problem is that the system does not recognize the integrated graphics card. Only the Nvidia GPU. By installing the 7970m card the system is not recognizing the new card and nothing is displayed when the power is turned on. The screen is off, (not backlight black). IDK the card may be bad. My thought process behind this is that the system needs to recognize the integrated GPU to boot up a screen image. From there I can install all necessary drivers for the 7970m. It was from a third party (not Dell) and I have to decide by next Friday if I'm going to RMA it or not. Proly leaning that way though. I did get the proper backplate and heatsink for the card already.

 

Have you started it up without any GPU card in it? The intel should take over and you can then delete any software from the previous card. At that point if it does not work when you put the new card in you have to assume it's bad?

 

I have. It comes up a black screen. I contacted support as its still under warranty and am in the process of getting it sorted.

 

Cool.
Is it getting past POST like it is starting up but the screen goes blank? You might have to try a reinstall of windows with a boot from DVD without the GPU as it could just posibly be some weird windows issue.

Any how let us know what dell say they are going to do.

 

Not getting past post. Nothing shows up. I did read a thread about losing switchable graphics when flashing from a modded bios to a new bios but I've only flashed bios from Dell website. There seems to be a few issues since the winter 8 release that have problems speakers/gpu drivers.. Dells been pretty good about getting Em sorted... Long as your under warranty.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

 

Let us know what dell say/do. Ta.

 

Dell offered to come out to replace the mobo, top palm rest, bottom casing and tac board around keyboard. I believe they also mentioned replacing the speakers as I've had issues with the speakers as well. I said wait a min. Your basically coming out and replacing every thing except the CPU and GPU why not just replace the system? Dell agreed and are now replacing the system. I am hoping that the workstation will run smoothly when it arrives as I've had various issues since 2011. I called to ask about purchasing a new GPU with the replacement and it appeared that it was going to happen a couple times but I kept getting disconnected. Once I was even transfered to small business dept... The original specs for the replacement were missing a blu-ray player and killer card. I called on 03/22/13 and the tech was able to cancel the order and place new order with correct parts. I had mentioned wanting to make a change with the GPU and I thought that it was going to show up in the new order but its still the 675m. I called 03/25/13 and was transfered no less than 7 times and calls dropped or disconnected a few times before I spoke with someone who tried to get a new order placed and create a dummy invoice for a new GPU I could buy but he said he was unable to figure out how to do it after approx 2hrs on phone. He quoted me on the 680m at approx $1000.00 which is too much for me to afford on a single upgrade. He stated that unless he can figure out how the prior order on 03/18/13 was canceled and the new order on 03/22/13 was created with the Blu-Ray player and Killer card I would have to purchase the GPU seperate and install after I received the replacement. I would be able to pay the diffrence between the card that is in there now and the 680m or it says its a $300.00 upgrade on website and could do that. The part for the 675m is listed at $250.00 on the order invoice and its a $300.00 upgrade on dell.com. I would also be able to afford $550.00 but $1000.00 is too much. He was unable to get me info on a 7970m which I would also be interested in.

I have not owned the 680m or 7970m but it appears these are the cards that Alienware intends to sell when advertising what a gaming laptop can do. The 675m is a workable card but does not preform well on intensive games. Crysis 3, Battlefield 3, Max Payne 3, Tomb Raider and others I have played with this card are disappointing to say the least. I spend a lot of time decreasing system preformance in order to get a playable FPS and it makes games look like they were released 6-7 years ago. I really can't believe there is no other option here.

On a more positive note I am very pleased and happy with the service I've received from Dell. They have been quick to fix any problems I've had. For the most part Alienware tech support appears to be concerned with issues I experience and are willing to assist. Sometimes it appears they are limited in what they can do and its not their fault. The users here and posters have all been helpful as well. I have learned a lot and will continue to advance my understanding of various problems I experience as I continue to lurk on these forums. I appreciate all the hard work everybody here does.

 

Ouch that sounds painfull getting told you can get the card you want multiple times then getting cut off and transferred around constantly and cut off. Alienware support is great most of the times but this shows the big business dell part of the business inefficiency to many departments not communicating properly.

 

Destro, yeah it is. The original tech just emailed me back this morning and offered me a backpack.... She said there is a person who does the orders for replacements and states he/she must have made a mistake. Its really no problem other than added stress/time on top of job/kids/wife. She also asks now if I would like to pay for a different GPU to let her know so I replied this morning I would per previous emails I sent that went unreplied to. I understand that she may be busy as everybody is but a response time of approx 2 weeks to an email is a bit of lack of communication leading me to look for assistance elsewhere. Sorry didn't mean to get this thread off topic.

 

But you have never tried outputting to and external display during all these fiasco?