M17x r3 680M compatability

Hi j95, will the triple heat pipe of m18x work in the m17x r3? If it needs to be modded what are the steps? Thanks in advance. I'm looking for a better cooling solution for my cpu which is a 2920xm ES.

 

I will bend (mold) the R3' original heatpipes w/ M18X Heatsink plate, fitting a custom third pipe underneath the stock radiator. I'll post pictures, haven't got all parts yet.


M18X HS. 00MXJ5 Plate.

 

Woah - how much would you charge for doing that?

I really could do with 3 pipes..

 

What geocake said!

 

That sounds like a very complicated process.

 

will m17x r3 120hz 680M work with an external 3d vision adapter?

 

I've seen this asked before with no definite answer. From what I know it could but it's an expensive test (of course you have mail-order returns)

 

will try...) I make order in 2-3 days. Maybe someone give me the answer before.

 

Hope so but be sure to let us know if you go for it

 

of course

 

NVIDIA DRIVERS 320.18WHQL

This is the GeForce Game Ready driver for Metro: Last Light | GeForce providing up to 10% faster performance and Microsoft WHQL certification.

Performance Boost – Increases performance by up to 20% for GeForce 400/500/600 series GPUs in several PC games vs. GeForce 314.22 WHQL-certified drivers.

M17XR3 3D = Blank screen http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m17x/718600-new-geforce-drivers-issue-blank-screen.html

http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...river-v-6-10-0-6421-maxx-audio-3-quality.html


Driver installation / vbios flash>guide http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m17x/672230-m17x-r3-680m-compatability-63.html#post9038829

 

Hi!

Can you help me,modded .inf file? I use M17xR2 win7 64bit.

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...m-driver-assistance-needed-6.html#post9208221

 

Any update regarding the 3D compatibility with GPU upgrades? What is the best possible upgrade I can have for my M17x R3 120Hz?

 

svl7 is working on it, probably busy with Titan and 7xx series vbios mods; second option Insyde bios mod requests. - Page 665. svl7 is more knowledgeable about aspects of Bios modding w/ Alienware so I'll wait. [Alienware] [M17x r3] NVidia 680M Compatibility with 3D Controller

 

hey, im install 320.18 and after reboot a have black screen!
help me.
I backup to 314 - good

 

Please avoid the 320.18 drivers, it has caused issues for many users. Boot in Safe Mode (by tapping the F8 key after POST) and remove the 320.18 drivers.
Revert to your last known stable version until things get fixed.

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware/721878-nvidia-320-18-driver-warning.html

 

Roll back to 314.22WHQL

 

Hello every One .. Maybe some 1 here can help me Up my drivers i have alienware x17 R3 and i bought GeForce 680m 4GB for him some time ago i put drivers by force but it was some time ago and they are 310 atm .. IF any have time and can tell me what i should do . im using Win 7 64

 

Download NVIDIA DRIVERS 314.22WHQL

.1 -Install Nvidia driver.

.2 -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 nvdmn.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.
Modded nvdmn.inf>unzip>copy / paste http://forum.notebookreview.com/att...tability-nvdmn.inf_m17xr3_gtx680m_v314.22.zip

 

Hi folks,

what happend....

I upgraded the CPU and I got some issues with my LCD (see picture), so I switched to my 6990m (PEG only) and everything was fine.

Now I upgraded my PEG to 680m and the issues are back. Switching to PEG only will not help.

I reflashed the BIOS 2 times
I reflashed the VBIOS 2 times
I resetted the BIOS 2 times

Strange is that this is ONLY i I use the internal screen (native)
External screen PERFECT
HDMI out & HDMI in on the M17x PERFECT

Specs:
M17X R3
CPU : 2920XM ES
GPU : 680M
RAM : 12GB
Screen : 1920*1080 60Hz

So any suggestions?

Cheers
firstcw

 

Looks to be the 680m card from intial impressions.
Out of curiosity are you using the known bad 320.18 drivers from Nvidia --> http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware/721878-nvidia-320-18-driver-warning.html

If so boot into safe mode ASAP and remove and reinstall older drivers.

 

Hi, Quick question, what NV driver version did you use? Sounds similar to issues a LOT of people are getting with 320.18. If you were trying this driver when it happened try 314.22. Just a thought....

 

Hi thanks, for the input,

but as you can see it happens prior to the BIOS and prior to Windows, so possibly no driver issue!

Thanks

 

Sorry missed that. I thought that was a windows screen not the BIOS. If it it working fine on an external display I thought the driver might be the issue but if you see artifacts at the BIOS screen then hardware (either the card or panel) is indicated . As you say driver is irrelevant at this point.

Did you originally install 320.18, it does appear that it is permanently damaging cards.

 

Yes I did install the 320.18, but the card did that from first boot on.
Before I put the card into my M17X R3 it was running VERY fine in a M17X R4.
So I think it might be connected to my 2920XM ES, as this happend first time I switched CPU.
Really I do not know...... I hate when upgrades fail so badly! ;-)

 

Well if you did install the 320.18 then there is chance that something went cactus on the card.
This thread shows a number of cards symptomatic with your screenshot.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware/721878-nvidia-320-18-driver-warning.html

Try returning the card back to the M17X R3 and if no video corruption then one could ascertain something else(CPU?) is the culprit but video GPU errors are very common with your screenshot.
Do you have iGPU running on this system? Maybe it is this that is corrupting?

 

Yup, I'm out of ideas now, not related. I'm working a few threads with people that have had serious problems with that driver so wanted to make sure this was not another one!

Do you have the original CPU to put back in? Tricky one

 

.
Duplicate post (plz delete)

 

Nope, I sold the old CPU already.

And, yes I did disable the iPGU, but I think that somehow the iGPU is not disabled.
Strange and just a feeling......

I try to install some older driver and see what happens.

Cheers

 

Good luck with it. It could even be something as esoteric as the PSU failing to supply enough power for the XM/680m/panel combination. Unlikely as the CPU probably starts in low power mode but I don't know the truth of that, it might start at full boost during POST?

Edit: If you see the iGPU in device manager then it is probably active and being used.

 

I do have the 240W unit.

That should be more than enough!

I even tried to disable the overclock of the CPU, some result.

Strange is that an external LCD is working fine!

And even stranger is that using the HDMI out with the HDMI in will give a perect screen!

 

Now I'm totally confused (as you are!)! At this point it sounds like only swapping out parts is going to identify where the problem lies.

Edit: What happens if you start it up without the Nv card in? Make sure you re-enable the iGPU in the BIOS or it will simply brick - but be ok when you put it back

 

I would like to change the CPU, but I sold the old one! ;-(
Just to see if everything will work again.....

 

That sounds like the only thing to try now . If removing the 680 altogether still exhibits the problem then at least that is out of the equation.

 

I will see what happens without the NV (iGPU enabled).

I will report back, as I do not have the System with me!

Thx

 

Cool. Fingers crossed

 

Short update after some extensive GPU swapping.

1. iGPU disabled / enabled (with NV) = same screen issues as in the pic
2. iGPU enbabled (without PEG) = no BOOT
3. PEG enabled / iGPU disabled (with AMD) = perfect screen no issues

As I thought it might be some inferference I shielded the NV, but the issues were still there.

So I took it apart and reseted all connectors, no Luck.

1 Option left = change the CPU, but I sold the old CPU already...... ;-(

I will retest the NV in a M17X R4 and we will see.

I think it is either the CPU, or the LCD which only syncs with AMD!

One last try would be to get hold of a VBIOS that disables Optimus, but I did not find any!

So far, so bad.
firstcw

 

Good stuff. I think it's pretty conclusive that the problem lies with the iGPU on the CPU. The panel is far less likely looking at your results. If you can leave the iGPU disabled then you should be good. (I've never had a laptop with an iGPU and dGPU so I can't advise on the BIOS setings)

Good luck

 

Hi Micky,

I to came to the conclusion that it is a "thing" between the iGPU and the dGPU.
But, somehow disabling the iGPU while using the NV it will not work (but it should be disabled no Icon in Windows for the iGPU).
Disabling the iGPU using the AMD card is doing fine.... Very strange.
Looks as if the signal from the NV card goes through the iGPU to the screen, where as the AMD card goes straight to the screen....

If nothing else comes up I am blasted with a 550,-Euro card which I can not use while looking at the internal LCD.

cheers

 

It's actually hard to figure - until you get all the info.

During POST the video sub-system is checked and a signal sent to the display. All looks OK, continue. Well, that signal is in VGA compatibility mode as no driver is yet loaded. Only NV cards have the ability to send a 120hz signal at boot in compatibility mode. The way Dell got around it is to rewire the MB to provide a bypass to the igpu altogether - it is not even visible to the BIOS. The panel connects to a different port on the MB.

all the best

Forgot to add: Do not try disabling the NV card. It will brick and require a blind flash - not a nice experience at all - been there, done that

 

:thumbsup:

Been there, done that - too

The problem with the different connector is you need an 120MHz - I don´t have.
I saw the connector yesterday, but it seams its a different connector-type.

One last thing to try is reroute the signal on boot from HDMI out to HDMI in, maybe that will help
at least using it with the internal screen works this way (without the jumping colored lines).

Maybe I will live with its habit and sell it in the near future if Dell comes to its mind and makes
"normal" Dell prices for its new AW.

 

Worth a shot. If only I could remember the acronyms for the two different connectors. one is LVD I believe but no idea on the other one or which applies to which. Would make finding the correct cable easier - anyone?

 

Thanks very much for this. It helped immensely. However does that mean without some kind and smart soul modifying the nvdmn.inf files for more recent version, we're stuck with this 314.22 version?

 

GeForce 320.49 drivers includes several fixes for issues reported with 320.18 drivers. Refer to the release notes for a full list of fixed issues.

Performance Boost – Increases performance by up to 20% for GeForce 400/500/600 series GPUs in several PC games vs. GeForce 314.22 WHQL-certified drivers.

Installs PhysX System Software 9.13.0604.

M17XR3/R4 120Hz vbios update required (blank screen 320.xx drivers), Nvidia distributed the fixed vbios to all its partners more than a week ago so we have to wait for Dell / Clevo (Clevo P370EM 3D) to release the update.

NVIDIA DRIVERS 320.49BETA


http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...river-v-6-10-0-6421-maxx-audio-3-quality.html

Driver installation / vbios flash guide http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m17x/672230-m17x-r3-680m-compatability-63.html#post9038829

nvdmn.inf v. 320.49

 

Hi there guys :d I m new here .. took me a while to finish reading this thread So from what I got .. there is no way to make 680m work with switchable graphics or even just switching one at the time from bios or something ? Not even optimus ?

 

Yes that's right.

 

Hi,

just a quick update concerning my screen problem.
I think I nailedmit down to be the 2920XM CPU. Using my 6990m and iGPU disabled I geht a perfect screen, but when I enable the iGPU the screen gets those issues.
So I updated my the platform to R4. The 680m works like a charm with my new 16Gb RAM and the 2820QM.

man thanks for your input
firstcw

 

Replaced / installed R4 motherboard ?