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    m17xR2, 7970m died, laptop won't start, blinking scroll and caps lock leds

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by Andi0000, Mar 22, 2014.

  1. Andi0000

    Andi0000 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hi All,

    My 7970m is already dead after almost a year being working fine. It was showing some square artifacts, then turned completely black (see picture).
    Right now my screen is permanently black with two LEDs blinking when pressing power button - caps and scroll.

    I have re-inserted 4870 in the master slot and 7970 in the slave bay.
    Laptop is working perfectly where only 4870 is fitted in (CF or a single card), but once 7970 is added in the slave bay (not connected with CF cable) I am unable to start my alienware (again blinking LEDs and black screen).
    Was hoping to re-flash 7970m once it is in slave bay.
    Now I am running with 4870 CF config for a while.

    I am not sure if I should be buying a new Eprom flash, just in case if all this is related to Eprom fault.
    http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DELL-Alie...757?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a2e636ea5
    Have you guys experienced the same issue or heard if someone else have this already resolved??

    If there is no chance to have this card fixed for sure I won't be considering another ATI for my laptop.

    Would you suggest to go for 680m or 870m as alternative to ATI?
    The lower I could go is 770m but I am not sure if 870 and 770 will work in R2.
    Anybody is running 870m in your system successfully?

    Thanks for all help in advance.
     

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    Andi0000, Mar 22, 2014
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  2. pinoy_92

    pinoy_92 Notebook Evangelist

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    no one has gotten a 780m to work on a r2 yet. not sure if 880m would work. 8970m and r9 m290x are basically a rebranded 7970m. if you dont want to use amd gpu, your best bet is 680m.
     
    pinoy_92, Mar 22, 2014
    #2
  3. Andi0000

    Andi0000 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Andi0000, Mar 22, 2014
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  4. Andi0000

    Andi0000 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Guys, any suggestion for my 7970m?
    I can't get this card working at all and tried almost everything. Unfortunately can't even reflash.
     
    Andi0000, Mar 23, 2014
    #4
  5. pinoy_92

    pinoy_92 Notebook Evangelist

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    Sry kinda got swamped. 770m works on a r2 but I don't know about hdmi. 870 might be a different architecture not just a rebrand so it might not work. I still think you're best bet is 680m

    Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk
     
    pinoy_92, Mar 23, 2014
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  6. maxslo

    maxslo undefined

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    do you have any warranty left on the 7970?
     
    maxslo, Mar 24, 2014
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  7. Andi0000

    Andi0000 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Maxslo,

    I did purchase this card in Sep 2012 from Eurocom and sent them 2 emails asking for help in Feb 2014.
    They did not reply and I suspect the warranty is now expired that is why they did not bother to contact me at all.

    I would appreciate if there is anybody in Ireland that I can test my card in other Alienware system, otherwise have no other option as to sell for spare parts :(
     
    Andi0000, Mar 24, 2014
    #7
  8. maxslo

    maxslo undefined

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    I would test it for you but i'm not from ireland :/

    If it turns out to be faulty, the worst case scenario, you can try to reflow it.
     
    maxslo, Mar 25, 2014
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  9. Alienware-L_Porras

    Alienware-L_Porras Company Representative

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    I believe the card is faulty. Best thing to do would be to replace it.
     
    Alienware-L_Porras, Mar 27, 2014
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