Put a 6970 card in my 120hz R3 and......

No video just beeping I tried reseating still nothing. Got the card from eurocom. Any ideas

 

do the 3d version and non 3d version have the exact same bios?

 

I believe so. BIOS version is a03 I think

 

There is no differentiation between the R3 with 120hz and without in Dell's BIOS section. I wonder why this wouldn't work since Dell sells them with the 6970M. Please keep us updated on how this pans out. +1 for your experiment.

 

Hopefully I can get it going. At this point I'm out of ideas

 

something between the display and the gpu must be different on the 3d models then. Something proprietary to nvidia.

 

I am not sure if this is true TT, I tried to price the R3 out with the 6970 and 120Hz screen and it would not let me check out until I "Corrected" the configuration error.

I wanted some of that 120Hz lovin' with my 6970!

 

Did you do a full power drain to reset the CMOS?
Remove the power cord from the laptop.
Remove the battery.
Remove the coincell CMOS battery and press the power button for ~20seconds.
PuT everyrhing back and boot.
Let us know

 

Yup. I never thought about hardware problems. That is probably the issue. I had tunnel vision regarding BIOS or VBIOS. Well, Ronkuba, if you're selling that 6970M, PM me.

 

Didn't work. Samething as before

 

Is this result similar to Mandrake’s attempt at replacing the 460m with the 5870
http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m17x/550559-m17xr3-first-impression.html

See GPU Replacement Video 2/2 about 1:30 into the movie.

 

Wonder if it'll do the same with the 485m :/

Wierd how the R3 doesn't seem to be compatible with the 6970.....

 

I think it's either a hardware problem or Dell's short sighted programming on their bios, Dell has sent me a 6970m to go with my 460m due to some problems with the system and it gives the same exact results. Another thing that makes me believe it's a hardware issue is the fact that there are two ports for the screen input on the motherboard right next to each other, this may actually be completely different routing of the hardware. One question how many times is your computer beeping? If it's 8 it's the same exact problem I had with the first batch of hardware Dell sent.

 

Yep 8 beeps

 

Does anybody knows if the two screens have different connectors for the mobo?
Somebody bought both versions but don't remember who and if they are different then the ATI card might not be able to go that route.

 

Could it be something with the Optimus graphics switching and the 6970 being setup to work with the Intel integrated graphics?

I think there was something about the 6970 not working with the 120hz panel due to a limitation with the Intel chipset.

 

After 2 months you guys are still looking for the elusive answer huh?..When the r3 came out in early Feb, it was obvious why Dell did this. Even the Nvidia answer as to why there was no switchable graphics if you chose the 3D version clearly outlines why both the of them are facing this issue.

There is only one more test to be done to concretely reaffirm this. Does anyone have a non 3D Optimus Enabled R3. By that I mean no 3D but with Nvidia GTX 460m? You could try to use the AMD cards in the non 3D Nvidia version of R3. If it works its conclusive that either the bios or hardware or both are incompatible in the case of 3D R3.

It does make a lot of sense actually because, if 3D screens could be sold with AMD, why would Dell hold back a possible money minting option. I dont think Nvidia has bought exclusive rights for 3D. Can anyone substantiate this?

Perhaps if Mandrake tried using Amd 5870m in a non 3D R3 it may have worked after all.

I think a red flag on this matter should be immediately put up before more people start buying AMD 6970m or Nvidia 485m hoping for smooth integration.

 

Kamy1357 From L4G has an alienware m17xR3 60Hz 1600x900 gtx 460m and He replaced successfully with an ati 6970m. So or the graphic card is broken ( i don't think so) or the 3D screen is incompatible with Ati.
Is it possible to try booting it on an external monitor?

 

Bingo....the answer seems to be just ahead of us. A little more verification....If this is verified, then it may be good news for those who have similar non 3D models and are wanting to fix Amd 6970m. But of course this is for those who may have bought r3 when the Amd gpu was not available. However, its also good news for those who might be planning to test the Nvidia 485m. It may work in the 3D version. I dont see why it shouldnt if the above theory holds true.

 

i bought my R3 in canada the day when he was available with 3D screen and gtx460m ( I think i bought it on the 20 of january. )
Kami buy it in france approximatively the same day with non 3D screen and a gtx460m. He bought his gpu on mxmupgarde because it was not available on dell store.

I Just hope that gtx485m will be compatible with my R3 :/ I know only one seller who informe that he has a few in stock, so tomorrow when money come to my paypal, I will buy it hoping He not sell it to someone else xD

 

Well tried everything I can think of. Looks like it won't work. Will probably sell and recoup some of my money

 

I know u have the money to buy he Nvidia card, but I think u shud wait a little and see what the feedback like on more users going in this direction.

If you like experimenting and dont mind the risk..I suppose a lot of users here would be praying for ur success....lol!

 

I think I would be headed for divorce if I bought another card without knowing it would work. In fact she doesn't know yet about this one not working.

 

You may want to sell it to someone who has a non 3D Nvidia Carded r3. It seems to work in those configurations.

Don't be hasty in your frustration, we also another friend who has received the card from Dell. They have stated that it should work. So be patient and see how his case goes as they have to resolve his most definitely. If they do using the AMD card then u can replicate the resolution for urself too.

Be patient.

 

Aww..thats so cute. Just kiss her lots and lots....and download a girlie game for her...

Believe me it works....

 

Can you receive a refund from eurocom?

 

One thing we could check to see if the routing is different and if this is a hardware problem is if a non-3d, prefereably 6970 configured person would disasemble their computer to see which connection the screen is routed to on the mobo and what type of connector attaches to the mobo. Here is a picture of what I'm talking about:



-The connector with the screw holes near it surrounded by red is the connector that the 3D system is routed to and the screen cable actually screws to the mobo.

-The connector right next to it in green is a second screen connection point but isn't used on the 3D model.

-The small black one in yellow is what's labled as the led ir so I'm guessing the Nvidia 3D transmitter in the lower left of the screen on the 3d models.

-The one in blue is another led cable I'm guessing for backlight power.

If someone is brave enough to take their computer apart we could verify that to see if it's that or a bios problem. These connectors are right under the keyboard on the right side so it doesn't require a full dissasembly.

And a note on the 6970m+120hz situation, I've spoken to three level 2 engineers that guaranteed it would work and there should be no hitches so I'll continue to work on it as I have Dell supporting me on getting it working. Another card and mobo will be here tomorrow so don't give up quite yet

 

^^ Finally someone ontopic thanks for the picture Dane +1 from me man (when the system will let me do it) ! I asked about this a few posts above!

 

You bet, figure rather than bickering about "if this...then that..." with no proof we ought to look at the evidence we actually have. I'm still thinking this is a hardware problem, I don't see how or why Dell could lock out the 6970 working with the 120hz panel in the bios. When there are two identical connections right next to each other it usually means that one of the connections won't work with a certain config...aka 6970+120hz. Now somebody with a 6970 needs to check the connections and post a pic of it, I may hit inap up later if no one else does it as I know he's good for it.

 

I will wait your results. I haven't given up yet, just discouraged.

 

If they are so confident then why are both of you who have the same card sourced from 2 different sources have identical issues and getting it to work.

The engineers must be able to tell at least what the offending cause can be. Its highly unlikely that both the cards received by Dan and Ron are defective. Rather than saying it should work, why cant engineers narrow down the issue instead of one needing to take the mobo apart to speculate on the cause.,,

IS IT POSSIBLE THEY ARE SENDING DANE A NON 3D R3 MOTHERBOARD THAT WOULD BE PERFECTLY COMPATIBLE WITH THE AMD CARD AS WE HAVE ALREADY CONCLUDED 99.9% THIS SHOULD WORK?

IF THAT IS THE CASE ITS NOT HELPING THOSE WITH 3D MOBO.

 

The mobo's are no different, there are 2 connections on all of them. I think the difference lies either in A)the actual connection used, only 1 of those 2 larger connections is used, so deduction would point towards the other being used on non-3d models -OR- B)the bios has some sort of issue with the 6970+120hz, I doubt it's this and if it is it's probably the bios being programmed to enable the IGP with the 6970 and it going nutz because of trying to output to the 120hz panel, if this is the case it's simple for Dell to rewrite it to detect the screen rather than GPU to enable/disable the IGP.

 

Dane, have you still not tried using the unused connector thus far. Why don u just try switching the connectors.. I am unable to deduce if u have done it or not from you explanation thus far. Sorry if I missed out anything...

 

If i am not wrong the screens refresh rate is not fixed by default. You are able to set it to 60htz. You are right about the IGP not being able to output to the screen if its running currently at 120hertz. But this is only subject to the screen was already running at 120 hertz from the moment u boot it.

I have been given to understand that one has to go to thru the nvidia panel to turn on the 120 hertz mode...Am I right?

 

I tried using the other connection with the same result, but the fact that one has an area to screw down to the mobo and the other doesn't makes me think the cable/connector going from the lcd to mobo may be different as well. As far as the refresh rate I'm pretty sure it opperates at the default refresh rate(120hz in this case) until it loads into windows which switches the default back to 60hz unless set otherwise. I hate to say the worst but I'm thinking something with the config jacked my screen up as it won't boot with either mobo I have even with the Nvidia card, it just beeps 8 times

 

just curious if the pre-installed nvidia glasses emitter (built into every unit shipped with the optional 120Hz panel) has been taken into account as to why perhaps non nvidia 3D vision equipped gpu's aren't working with the nvidia 3D vision equipped M17x R3's?

 

I am off to bed Dane...BUT YOU COULD DO THIS..SAME OF OPERATING PROCEDURE..

REMOVE THE BATTERY..UNPLUG MAIN POWER ETC...REMOVE THE CMOS..ETC..

LEAVE IT FOR AWHILE...GET A SHUT EYE..AND THEN COME BACK TO IT AND JUST REPLACE YOU ORIGINAL CARD. MAKE SURE YOU ARE CONNECTING TO THE CORRECT CONNECTOR AS WELL AS EVERYTHING ELSE..U MAYBE MISSING SOMETHING..

RELAX BUDDY...YOU HAVE BEEN AT IT FOR AWHILE...

 

Thank you to the OP and Dane and anyone else in trying to get this to work...

 

Im gunna agree with Viking. I think it has to do with the 120hz screen only being on when the NVIDIA 3D Vision emitter is on. Its probably proprietary and therefore wont work with ATI cards. I have a M17x R3 with the 3D bundle but the fact that the 120hz only works when the 3D is on is a major turn off. Im returning this rig as soon as I receive my new one with the 6970.

 

Nope tried it with the following combos, with a 2-3 minute power drain and no cmos battery in between any step I took

1) Nvidia card=boots and runs fine

2)Nvidia card, the emitter unplugged from the mobo=runs and boots fine but no 3D

3)no dGPU at all=wouldn't boot, beeped only once

4)AMD card, everything plugged in=no boot, 8 beeps

5)AMD card, emitter unplugged, original screen plug=no boot, 8 beeps

6)AMD card, emitter unplugged, alternate screen plug(see previous post)=no boot 8 beeps

I tried a few other combos as well, but anything with the AMD card resulted in no boot and the same 8 beeps. Since I'm typing on it right now with the Nvidia card working just fine this has to come down to A)the card is bad -OR- B)the 6970 won't work with this 120hz panel -OR- C)something needs to be changed in the BIOS coding for it to work

I've had the AMD gpu since like Thursday or Friday and have literally taken this computer apart no less than 20-30 times and tried every combination I can think of with 2 different mobos and both the 460m and 6970m. I think the deciding factor will be on seeing what happens with the new card tomorrow.

 

Did you guys get your cards from Dell? Aikimox said something to me about them needing to be flashed if they weren't from Dell.

 

No need to be flashed because Kami take it from mxmupgrade and it was working.

 

Mine is a Dell card, no need to flash it. I think I'm gonna wait til tomorrow to see if it's a bunk card, if it doesn't work I'll probably just ask for a 60hz screen.

 

Well + rep to Dane and ron for trying. Hopefully you'll figure it out.

 

Mxmupgrade gets their cards from the source as we do, so that's good. Means our cards also should work in the AW machines. BTW, did anyone manage to get a 6970M from Dell directly?

 

Mine is coming directly from Dell as a swap for my 460m They are claiming it should work so I have high hopes that my current card is just a dud.

 

it is obvious to me that the 3D none 3D use a different video bus on the MB, if the connectors are the same size might be an option to move the 120hz screen connector to the other one when trying the 6970, outside of that we are getting into some real deep technology design stuff here between MB's Screens and GPU's 2D & 3D

 

If anyone is going to figure this out it is him! He has been working on this for days now. Maybe one day I will get my kitchen counter back!

 

if you read about this machine, http://internalcomputer.com/hp-intr...tebook-with-largest-storage-capacity.computer the ATI card seems to be quite able to drive a 120hz screen, is this all being done because of agreements with the two suppliers,

my guess is Nvidia cards us connector A and ATI use connector B regardless 3D or 2D 120hz or 60hz, just how it's implemented, there may be a bios restriction but i doubt it.

 

My first R3 was a 3d bundle...you can have 120hz without 3d on but u have to turn it on under windows under the monitor properties first, then it shows up under nvidia control panel