Received and installed 680m but computer doesn't recognize it

As the title says, I received and installed a 680m (Original DELL) into my R3 however it only shows as a standard VGA adapter in my device manager. I tried installing 310.90 and after extraction it states that the driver could not find compatible graphics hard ware. I rebooted into BIOS and it shows Nvidia GFX for discrete graphics.

Can someone please explain what I'm doing wrong here?

Thanks!

 

Yeh you need a modded .inf file.

Download this:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/att...compatability-nvdm-m17xr3-gtx680m-v310.90.zip

Unzip the driver, let it try to install and fail, go to C:/Nvidia and copy the "nvdm.inf" to the Display.driver folder replacing the original.

Attempt to reinstall the driver.

As per j95's post #556: http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m17x/672230-m17x-r3-680m-compatability-57.html

 

Unfortunately that's not an option at the moment, I'm at work and can't download here. I was told it was "plug and play" though, no mention of a modded driver. Does it matter what version of BIOS I'm on?

 

Try installing the Dell Nvidia 680m drivers first ( Driver Details | Dell United States). If they install correctly, then update to the latest Nvidia drivers.

These are the usual steps I have to take with my AMD GPUs. Dell drivers first, then the latest Catalyst drivers.

 

You'll need a unlocked BIOs with PEG enabled and Intergrated graphic disabled.

As for BIOS versions, im not sure, but here is the unocked A12 BIOS if you want to be on the safe side. Just unzip and run the insydeflash.exe and let it do its thing.

Downloads

 

the 680m isn't "supported" by Dell in the R3. He'll need Modded driver.

 

Only issue with that is the R3 didn't come with the 680 so I wouldn't know where or how to get the Dell drivers for it. I uninstalled the AMD drivers, reinstalled the dell integrated graphics drivers, did a CMOS power drain (removed CMOS battery and held power button down for 10 seconds) and tried every other trick. Each time I uninstall the card and "add new hardware" it automatically comes up as "Standard VGA adapter" and installs a driver which obviously isn't what I need.

I really hope there's a fix that doesn't involve downloading another 250GB file, it takes roughly 12 - 13 hours to do that on the connection I have in my room out here.

I have the unlocked A08 BIOS. Are you saying I need to enable PEG?

 

Ehh, I don't think he needs the modded inf file. He has a Dell original, not a Eurocom version. So the WHQL Nvidia drivers should work once he's got the Dell stock drivers installed. I do agree with the unlocked BIOS though. I think you may need to disable the Intel iGPU and force the system to use only your discrete card if the stock drivers still don't want to install.

EDIT: I put the link to the Dell Nvidia 680m drivers in my previous post.

 

So no matter what I have to download a 12 hour file.............this sucks. Wish I'd known I'd have asked the guy I bought it from to throw it on a disc in the box. Was really hoping to confirm this thing worked tonight.

Thanks for the help guys.

 

12hours?

250mb? Wow!

 

Afghanistan and the AAFES (Army Air Force Extortion Service) managed local network provider. Pay $85 for a 512k (note, not 512K) with a guaranteed 128k that is lucky to hit 30k on a good day, and usually hovers around 4-6k during the evening when I am able to download.

 

Ah man, that sucks.

 

Ah fair enough. I thought the modded .inf was for the R3and the card. Sweet if the Dell GPU just installs.

 

I have the Unlocked A08 so hopefully that will work if I am able to download the stock Dell drivers. I'll start trying once I get to my room and if I'm lucky have them done by this time tomorrow. hahaha

Thanks again for the help.

 

Have a go at the modded .inf file. Its a tiny file so should be (relatively) quick to try.

 

512k? Like 512Kbps? My crappy AT&T DSL does that on the upload. Dear God, I feel for ya.

 

No, not like 512K, 512k, little k, as in little performance, as in little gets done.............I'm in my room now and it's still trying to open the dell website you sent the link for, it's been 3 minutes.

Edit: It finally opened and I got the download started, 8.5Kb/s transfer rate........it's a good night apparently, only 9 hours.

 

Well it's 5am where I am. I'll check back with you this afternoon then (my god it would be quicker to program a new driver set from scratch).

 

If you already have a driver that refuses to install you can just grab the inf file than matches your version here: LaptopVideo2Go: Drivers

It's just a page save when you get to it. Could save you a lot of time

 

Thanks Mickey, my issue is not knowing which INF file I need, where to copy it or anything of that nature. I know waaaaayyyy back in 2008 I was screwing around with a Toshiba and OCing the 8800gt in it and had to do something along these lines. If one of you kindly folks wouldn't mind giving me some step by step "hey moron this is how you do it" instructions I'd really appreciate it.

 

see post 566 from J95 http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m17x/672230-m17x-r3-680m-compatability-57.html hopefully this works for you. this is for the Nvidia 310.90 drivers.

 

Sure.

The inf file on that link will save with the correct name so you know the file you are looking for.

If you accepted the defailts when you tried to install before, the inf file will be in: c:\nvidia\display driver\... hell, a picture paints a thousand characters



Replace the file in the display.driver folder and try the install

Good Luck!

 

Does it matter that I only have 310.90 and not 306.02?

 

Not if you get the matching inf from the laptopvideo2go link but they are version specific AFAIK

 

I was able to get the inf file from the link on post 566 and I followed those instructions as best as I could, didn't give me any option for a custom install or clean install or update box to check. Really starting to get frustrating.

 

do you have the 310.90 or the 306.02 drivers installed? the link has the inf file for the 310.90 drivers. i was looking through the Compatibility thread and haven't been able to find the inf file for the 306.02 drivers yet as it would be a quicker download for you.

 

follow this link and save the page when you get there: http://www.laptopvideo2go.com/infs/310series/31090_win8x64/nvwi.inf . This is for 310.90

 

Not found on this server error.

 

I have 310.90, however they are only extracted, nothing will install.

 

Strange, I just tested the link and straight into it. Maybe you have to go through the navigation. Start with the first link I posted, select the driver version, then 'download driver and inf', then 'click here to download inf'. HRH

 

Okay, I did as you said and it opened a text page with a HUGE amount of various device ID's etc on it.

 

Quick question..did you disable the IGPU and enable PEG in the bios? the 680M will not run in the R3 with the intel graphics enabled.

 

I did not the first time I tried but after reading it in the other thread I went in and did. At least I think I did, my BIOS is A08 Unlocked and the options are as follows:

Under :Advanced > Internal Graphics Device > Internal Graphics Device [Disabled}

Under Advanced > PCI Express Graphic

ASPM [Auto]
Peg Workaround [Disabled]
Always Enable PEG [Enabled]

I assume that's the correct settings to disable IGPU and enable PEG.

 

That's it, just 'save as' from the file menu, it will offer the correct name - it is confusing...

 

Okay, no file menu option but I right clicked and saved as, it saved it as a txt file.

 

Yes, those settings are correct for forcing the system to only use the 680m.

 

Ah, I'm using firefox and it's on the main menu drop down. Anyhoo sounds like you have it so replace the original (after making a copy for safety).

 

Replace it as a txt file?

 

yup. The filename should be nvwi.inf. make sure your save did not add an extra .txt to the end...

 

might be a long shot but i would maybe try installing the unlocked A12 bios. Downloads

 

Nope, NVWI.inf and type is a Text Document.

When I copied it into the driver folder it didn't ask if I wanted to replace anything.

Edit: It didn't work, same error message.


Unlocked Bios only allows me to disable the IGP correct? If that's the case then A12 shouldn't matter.

 

All good. Sounds like your saving it in the wrong location ('display driver' not 'display.driver' the correct location). Take a look at the screenshot I pasted for the path. It should ask for a replace.

 

Yes, display.driver............but it saved as a .txt file type and the nvwi file that is already in there is listed as a "Setup Information" type file. It isn't asking for a replacement, it does when I used the file from the zip package on the other thread but not with this one.

 

I just noticed that this package is the 310.90 International version if that matters any.

 

IMO I wouldn't change any BIOS settings until you get the driver installed. It might just work and you'll not need the mods - doesn't seem consistent from what I've read.

 

I'm guessing you have the default windows view not showing extensions. Right click the new file and put the name in as above. It should give you a warning about changing file type, ignore it and OK.

 

I'm making progress. I opened the existing nvwi setup file with notepad, deleted everything in it, copied the info from the txt file that you linked me to, saved it, now I'm at Custom Installation Options.

 

More than one way to skin a laptop

Select custom and clean install and you should be good to go

 

Unchecked Nvidia Update and both 3dvision check blocks, it's installing now.........keeping my fingers crossed.

 

Stage 1 nears completion. Let's hope it's all you need to do.