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    Troubleshoot M17xr3 Getting 8 beeps & Black Screen after installation of new ati 6970m

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by dsstalls1, Aug 12, 2014.

  1. dsstalls1

    dsstalls1 Newbie

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    Hello. BTW this is a 3D M17xr3. I had issues with my 580m. When ac adapter plugged in laptop it would try to reboot, but wouldn't go to normal screen unless I let go in safe mode. Battery was still charging so not the problem. Had tech check it out and said I need to replace the gpu which I did with the 6970m. I read some forums about the removal of gpu and the subsequent replacement of it, and I think 1 of the steps I did probably shouldn't have done. It said to remove the nvidia drivers before installing new gpu, which I did. Of coarse the graphics automatically went bigger and more distorted. I then removed 580m, then separated the heatsink from 580m, cleaned it with alcohol, and used 7 carat diamond paste on ati chip, then connected the heatsink to 6970m, and lastly installed the gpu back to laptop. I plugged the adapter in since I figured it should work now, but all I got was 8 beeps and a black screen. Tried it without adapter, and same results. Tried placing alienware driver cd and win 7 cd into slot and nothing changed. What to do now?
     
    dsstalls1, Aug 12, 2014
    #1
  2. J.Dre

    J.Dre Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Oh no, you traded a bad card for a worse card. :err: Rinse & repeat = fail.

    Assuming you did everything correctly, the AMD 6970M is probably dead. The 6970M and 580M are notorious for failing.
     
    J.Dre, Aug 12, 2014
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  3. teksavvy1

    teksavvy1 Notebook Geek

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    how about 6870M? same notorious fame for failure or better?
     
    teksavvy1, Aug 12, 2014
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  4. J.Dre

    J.Dre Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Don't go back, move forward. The 7970M will work fine and will perform a lot faster than the 6970M. (Yes, it's just as bad.)
     
    J.Dre, Aug 12, 2014
    #4
  5. MickyD1234

    MickyD1234 Notebook Prophet

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    Sanity check! The 3D 120hz model will only work with an NV chip. It will not start on anything else - 8 beeps! Even with no card at all.

    You either roll the dice on a cheap 580m since they are currently dropping like flies.(I'm getting kinda concerned about the latest drivers?). Or if the OP can give up the 3D but still have the 120hz display and good performance go for a 680m. A bit of work in an R3 but not too difficult with a 120hz panel - it actually makes using a non-standard GPU easier :D. Best GPU I've had in ages.
     
    MickyD1234, Aug 13, 2014
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  6. DDDenniZZZ

    DDDenniZZZ Notebook Deity

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    +1 MickyD1234

    Indeed, 3D = 120Hz and the amd card does not support it. Get a 580m or 680m depending on budget and reliability.
     
    DDDenniZZZ, Aug 13, 2014
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  7. J.Dre

    J.Dre Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    He didn't mention that before. Come on, I need all of the facts.

    Yes, go with the 680M. No doubt.
     
    J.Dre, Aug 13, 2014
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  8. MickyD1234

    MickyD1234 Notebook Prophet

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    Sorry man, I respect a lot of the stuff you post and help you give - but it was in the first sentence of the post ' BTW this is a 3D M17xr3'.

    It happens (to me a lot!) when working multiple threads. All the best ;)
     
    MickyD1234, Aug 13, 2014
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  9. J.Dre

    J.Dre Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Look when he edited his post, then look when I made my first post. That wasn't there before...
     
    J.Dre, Aug 13, 2014
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    MickyD1234 likes this.
  10. MickyD1234

    MickyD1234 Notebook Prophet

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    Ahh never saw that! My bad for coming in late! Sorry man.
     
    MickyD1234, Aug 13, 2014
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  11. Alienware-L_Porras

    Alienware-L_Porras Company Representative

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    Just to give an official word to this, they are both right. A 3D model won't work with AMD cards, that's why it wasn't posting. The 580m is the highest supported card on it, however we have seen many users with 680m on them as well.
     
    Alienware-L_Porras, Aug 15, 2014
    #11