Need help : m17x R1 (with 1060 upgrade)

Good morning all,

I have been trying to solve problems related to my graphics card for several months now. I was advised to come here to find help. I therefore found great hope in this community ^^.

Let's start with my configuration.
I have an alienware m17x bought in 2016 and initially equipped with a GTX 880M.

- Processor: Intel i7 - 4710MQ
- RAM: 16 GB
- Graphics card: Nvidia Geforce Gtx 880M

My card started showing signs of weakness in May of last year before it died during the summer.
For the curious, here are the first signs: https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/452368-game-freeze-and-crash/

Not wishing to abandon my alienware to its sad fate, I looked for compatible graphics cards, whether in size, position of the graphics processor and voltage required. I even exchanged with nvidia to be sure that the internal architecture was similar to my old 880M.
With this information, I ordered a GTX 1060, which met all the compatibility criteria.

Once the graphics card physically installed I had to configure the driver (the 1060 not being planned for mine alienware) and that's where it spoils: (...
For the curious, we are then in September, yes it's been 9 months that I fight with my 1060: '(.

I first installed the drivers by hand, bypassing the automatic installation of Nvidia. Update my bios so that the graphics card is properly detected.
The 1060 was then well recognized, but largely under exploited, or even not at all.

Not discouraging me, I quickly decided to mod the nvidia drivers. Note that this is the first time I try to perform this type of operation, maybe I miss an obvious step.
Here are the operations I perform below:

1 / Update of the nvdmi.inf file (corresponding to Dell).
Note: I have seen several times that some also updated the nvcvi.inf file, I do not understand since it is the constructor Clevo. During my many attempts, I also tried to modify this file in addition, it did not bring me anything, I do not do this operation anymore.

In the NVIDIA_Devices section I modified a line as follows:
% NVIDIA_DEV.1C20.05AA.1028% = Section067, PCI \ VEN_10DE & DEV_1C20 & SUBSYS_05AA1028

In the [STRING] section, I modified a line as follows:
NVIDIA_DEV.1C20.05AA.1028 = "NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060"

Explanation of the values I chose:
- 1C20: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060
- 05AA: Alienware m17x
- 1028: Dell

Note that I did not find any explanation on the Sections. I chose the 067 by default, since it was the first in the list, in the hope that it would be the most suitable for old alienware.

2 / Updating the ListDevices.txt file

In the ndmi.inf part, I modified a line as follows:
DEV_1C20 & SUBSYS_05AA1028 "NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060"

At this point, the driver installation started well, but I always encountered an error at one time or another.
I ended up discovering that this problem came from a match in the hash table. To work around the problem I therefore played the following instructions before rebooting my machine:

bcdedit -set loadoptions DISABLE_INTEGRITY_CHECKS
bcdedit -set TESTSIGNING ON

My driver is then well installed until the end, as well as all the nvdia kit (Geforce Experience, ....)

Despite this success, I still do not get the expected graphics performance. Typically, Blizzard games (ex: Diablo 3) do not use the GPU and my FPS peaks at 20: '(.
I tried to force the preferences of the graphics card to use, disable the Intel HD GPU, but nothing helps.

I'm not even talking about games with Easy Anti-Cheat (ex: WarThunder) which refuses to launch the game on the grounds: "Driver Signature Enforcement Disabled".

This is where I am today.
My last attempt dates from yesterday with version 446.14 of the driver.

This is the end of this very long post, thank you already for reading it to the end ^^.

 

What temperatures are you looking at?

Generally, the 1060 die sits a bit lower than the 880m/780m/980m/1070

Im thinking your temps might be high if the contact pressure is not being made, it could if you could get a screen shot from msi afterburner or HWINFO64.

Of course also want to make sure the GPU utilization is appropriate, if its nil then its not being used.

 

The sections you use affect the performance of your graphics card. From what I can tell, these define the performance profiles for your GPU. When modding drivers, make sure to look at the sections that a similar graphics card definition to yours uses, and just copy those. The pattern I've seen is that the higher the section number is, the more recent the cards. Section 67 corresponds to cards from the Maxwell lineup, not the Pascal cards.

If you want a ready made solution, I'll post my modified INF for driver version 441.66. This is the current driver version I use with my 1060 on my Ranger.

Everything you did was correct minus the section bit. You need to use section 88 for the 1060.

 

Thank you for your answers.

Below are two captures of MSI Afterburner when using two different games (Civ 6 and Diablo 3). Note that I do not see any overheating of the card ... And for good reason I have never managed to operate correctly.

Civilisation 6:


Diablo 3 :


I had chosen section 67 because it was already present for the GTX1060 in this driver (but for another machine), and that this section was also supplied for my alienware and my old GTX 880. But without more conviction, because I don't know what this part is.

I changed my driver version using section 88. Unfortunately, I don't notice any behavior changes .

I also tested your version of the drivers, but I did not put away R1. To make them work, I have to modify them ... and I'm going in circles ...

My Alienware: "055A"

I feel more and more that I am missing something obvious ... maybe my pb is no longer at the pilot level now?

 

I've solved a part of my problème.

I realize that i didn't enable integrity check, and set testsigning off.
Because my bcedit was edit, i keep this config after all reboot.

Now i can lunch game with esay anticheat which tell me that i should switch to hight performance graphics cards.

I've already done update in nvidia control panel since long time, but they seams not taken by game.
Perhaps a conflict with game luncher platform (steam, bnet, ...) ?
That could explain why civ 6 (not based on steam) is my only game to use my GPU.

Or maybe i've something to do in windows or bios ?

 

I had only used the 1060/1070 with the eDP panel (120hz True Life display), I dont have experience with driver mods luckily the individuals that I bought the card from were kind enough to help me with those particular steps but it wouldnt be helpful to you if you are using it within SG mode (where both Intel and Nvidia are in play)

@Rengsey R. H. Jr. Might be able to point you in a better direction than I

 

I tried to disable the Intel HD card to force the use of the 1060. Here are the errors I get on D3 and WarThunder:



D3 error translate :
impossible to launch diablo3 because this graphics card does not have the necessary functionality. Updating your drivers can fix this problem.

 

This card should be plug and play with these requirements

PEG
Full UEFI
120hz 3d screen
and correct vbios

Optimus
Full UEFI
correct vbios

I would recommend that the laptop has unlock bios (Easy to work with)

 

Thanks for your help

You will find my system info here :


And my bios info, if you see something :

Boot :


UEFI Boot :


Hum ... yes ... i have ubuntu on my alienware. After multiple failure to run my driver under windows I tried my luck with another OS. It didn't bring me anything ^^.

 

Disable the legacy option ROM in the boot tab. Having that enabled causes problems with the Pascal cards according to other people on this forum.

 

If you are using 60hz LVDS panel then disabling the Intel HD isn't going to work as pascal requires the Intel HD to drive the panel unless you are using eDP panel in which case pascal can drive it just fine.

 

Thanks all for your help !

@Rengsey R. H. Jr. :
Apart from performing its update, I did not dig too much on the side of the bios. I have long thought that the problem came from the mod I had made on the nvidia drivers.
I do not exclude to this day that there is always something to review on this side there too.

@Clamibot :
I've disabled legacy option, no change at this moment, but i'm sure that's going in the good way .

@TheReciever :
I'll understand better why my HD Intel is used. I must have a 60hz LVDS panel.

 

@Rengsey R. H. Jr. :
I took the time to browse the section dedicated to bios to better understand what you were referring to.
I understand my mistake on the concept of dedicated bios ^^.

I will therefore follow the instructions found here:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/alienware-17-r5-r1-bios-unlocked.802440/

If I understand correctly, this should allow me to configure my PCI in PEG. But not tonight, I have the rule never to make changes after 1am ^^.

I also controlled the frequency of my screen, it is at 60 MHz and is not adjustable. I hope that 120 MHz is not redibitatory to the use of the GTX 1060 ...

I do not hide from you that I advance step by step, with great caution ... I have no expertise in this type of manipulation ...

In any case, all I could read was more than instructrifs. In a few days I learned more here than in months of research elsewhere on the web ^^.

 

You don't need 120hz to utilize the gtx 1060. You can use Optimus.

 

ok, I take my thread here so as not to pollute the other topics ... so I tried to follow the indicated procedure and all did not go very well ...

I downloaded the two zip needed to unlock. Having Windows 10 I took version A17+ v1.3 for the mircocode 22 problem.
[EDIT : I've took A14+ version]

I found what I think is the right file (bios-cpuid40661.bin) in another zip.

Inside there was the Hexa code CHANGE1 which I can replace with my TAG service.

The famous line:


So I renamed the file in bios.bin and put it at the root of my C:

And finally use shutdown bug to flash my bios. First all seams to be ok, but after the first reboot, I get a black screen with 8 beep.

I’be try all shortcut I know to get access to the bios but no one work.

I decide to follow this procedure to restore bios, but it doesn’t work too.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/alienware-17-r5-r1-ranger-emergency-recovery-bios.811870/

Didn’t know how to solve this problem.
That’s clearly out of my knowledge.

Didn’t regret to have try to solve the init problem, that’s to long time I get only a ghost of my ranger...

Hope you get an idea to help me to solve my bios disease, and my GTX problem. I’ll follow all your advice step by step.

thanks for your help.

 

Could the recovery bios procedure fail because I’ve disabled legacy boot in bios before flashing it ?

Or maybe the files I try to use are not good. I’ve try with the extract of official last version of Bios... didn’t work too...

 

I’ve found interesting @Mr. Fox ‘s post who Explain problem link with bios InsydeH20.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...780m-880m-and-980m-mobile-gpus.767644/page-38

I’m really thinking that’s the origin of my trouble...
Now I get two question :

- Where can I found new compatible bios ?
- How install it with my black screenand 8 beep start ?

I’ll keep searching, but if you get an idea it’s welcome

 

Sorry for your trouble, i keep reading about it but - have you tried nvram reset?
Are you absolutely sure that you changed service tag? I mean, saved bios.bin file and reopened it to make sure its there?
Rechecked file byte size, checksum?
What is confusing is that it worked and then went dead after reboot, remember any changes u did?
Have u tried taking out gpu?

why did you go for a17 bios?
I saw too that it exists but went for the last one (A16) in the first page of unlocked bios thread. Thought a17 not verified.

 

I can't try to reset nvram with my black screen... didn't know when bios is loaded or if i'm in good menu.

I've no try to remove GPU. I was thinking about it, but didn’t do to limit risk to domage components. I’ll try and tell you the issue.

For the service Tag, I’m sure to have change it. I’ve done modif, close file, reopen file, move file to C, reopen again to be sure to have move good file. I didn’t check file size.
I’ve buy an external hard drive enclosure, I’ll send you soon screen after bios flash (before reboot) and bios.bin file.

When I’ve done command after using sleep mode windows don’t crash, and all seams to be ok.
Then I’ve reboot to change PCI in PEG mode and have the black screen and 8 beeps.

I was thinking that A17 is the last version cover some windows10 problem. Maybe I’ve misunderstood the difference between A16 and A17
[EDIT : My memory was fault, after hesitate, I've chose A14+ for less risk]

 

I can't upload bios.bin here ... even if I compress it, the file is too large.
The file size is : 4 194 304 octets

Here the pics of cmd console after flash the bios :



I've no finish to test remove GPU i'll update this post soon.

 

Great !!

Without video card my computer start again... I can get acess to windows.
And my bios get the "hide advenced menu"



And I could configure PEG :



I lost the dual boot windows/ubuntu option during process, i've to take a look later.

Now we have to find how make work this GTX 1060 !!
I hope that the bios configuration could solve it.

I've control my bios version, I've chose A14+ (didn't remember ^^).
I've certainly make this chose to take less risk.

Note : My graphics card is no connect to my computer !

 

Glad theres progress!

 

We're keep going in the good way.
I've Enabled "Always Enable PEG", and my computer now start with my geforce connected.
But perf isn't here, get same trouble than I get before flash bios.

We're back to my first post, but now i've got an unlock bios

 

installation under SG mode is different from PEG and you dont have the 120hz panel to run PEG with the GPU enabled since 1060 only supports eDP which needs PEG to function on this platform.

Since you are using and LVDS 60hz panel, you will require SG mode to function since the Intel HD will have to drive the panel as the middle man while 3d loads are handled by the GPU.

In short, you need SG mode, not PEG unless you get the 120hz eDP panel.

 

I've no change this parameter.



I've try to get back to "Always Enable PEG" Disabled, my computer now always working with my graphic card.
Ok, so I understand that's not changing bios parameter who permit to work, but remove et replug graphic card.

I've got some new intresting information when i lunch WarThunder (other game just crash or get bad FPS).


Translation : Integrated GPU selected. Switch to the main GPU for better performance.

But if i'm looking in nvdia configuration, the auto-select chose the nvidia driver...



Before flashing the bios, the game just lunch but cap to 10-16 FPS.

 

You dont change anything at all to remove a GPU, the system will attempt to boot, realize there is no GPU present, if LVDS is installed and Intel HD is present it will boot, otherwise you will see a beep code.

 

Didn’t understand what solve my black screen and 8 beep problem.

Now the main thing is to understand why the card is not used in games ...

 

Probably due to however the driver is installed.

 

I went back to the drivers that I modified.
Seeing that the problem seemed to come from the optimus I looked for this side there.

I discovered that optimus support was encoded in the driver (NVSupportOptimus = 1). So I completed the modified nvdmi.inf file in section 088.
The addition of the NVSupportOptimus line was not enough, I replaced the whole configuration block as follows:

Addition of the following lines:

NVOptimusHCloneDisabled = 1
NVSupportOptimus = 1
NvAllowFourPartInstallOnly = 1
NvSupportMSHybrid = 1
​

Unfortunately, that doesn't seem to be enough either.

I saw inside the nv_dispi.ing file that certain sections were also configured, but I did not find a section corresponding to the GTX 1060, nor the possibility of configuring Section088

I think I'm getting closer to the problem ...

 

As expected, I looked into the modifications to be made to the nv_dispi.inf file.

In the [NVIDIA_Devices.NTamd64.10.0 ... 17098] section, I added my graphics card so that it is taken into account:

% NVIDIA_DEV.1C20% = Section088, PCI \ VEN_10DE & DEV_1C20​

I then duplicated the blocks corresponding to Section088 of the nvdmi.inf file in the nv_dispi.inf file.



Unfortunately that is not enough, the GTX is still not solicited in games.

But step by step, I must get closer to solving this problem.

 

It's fairly simple of you get rid of the lvds panel