m17xr2 GPU upgrade

I did read the guide and will attempt to modify the driver tonight after work. Quick question, can I use the modded driver I already have for Win7 and tweak it or should I just start fresh. Im sure they are completely different since they are different OS's but worth asking. Ill update when possible.

 

I am considering it for sure. But since I already have the 680 I figure I just save time and money and go the 680 route. However, I considered just getting a M17x R4 that I'm watching on Ebay and upgrading that which I assume has better and easier upgrading capabilities? But, that would take more resources and debunk the whole reason why I am here. Then again, I can always resell my R2 (me contemplating).. LOL!

 

Its off topic, but you can upgrade to the GTX 1070 on that machine, takes a little bit of homework and study though.

 

I believe I have follow the instructions to the "T" and no dice. After following the steps in the guide and disabling my Driver Signature Enforcement I ran the setup.exe as Admin like instructed. It starts initializing the setup app the where it says "checking system compatibility" and then it quickly closes the app on its own. I doubt it worked if this is happening. Any idea why?

Also, Step 3 in the guide where they look into the properties of the Microsoft Basic Display Renderer. Mine says Microsoft Basic Display Adapter. Then under properties/details in the guide it shows their GPU, a 980m but, on mine it does not show the 680m. Just says Basic Display Adapter. I am able to pull the ID however, I feel that something is wrong there no?

 

I probably should of done this from the start but I believe my 680m is not being detected. I do not see any type of "discrete graphics" in bios. This card was working when on Win7 so I assume the card is good. Do I need to re flash the bios or try re-seating the GPU?

 

I'm not much of an expert on the M17x R2 but I'll try and help. The M15x and M17x R1/R2 did not have any integrated graphics so they only use a dedicated card. If you have a working display then the card is working. It will say Microsoft Basic Display Adapter until a driver is installed so that's perfectly normal.

I don't know why the installer would just close. Never come across that before

 

Okay thats good to know.

I can retry all the steps in the guide again to make sure. just curious, how do would I know if I'm entering the fields incorrectly? Would the installer even open up or would I get some type of an error? Trying to rule out these as the cause of the abrupt closing of the installer.

 

The R1 does have an IGP unlike the R2 so there is that depending on the bios setting.

 

Thanks, didn't know that. So it's just the 1st gen i5/i7 that had no onboard graphics?

 

Are you able to post the .inf so I can check it out? If you can't post the .inf then maybe you can copy it on a Notepad and post that one.
What is the Hardware ID in Device Manager?

 

Yes of course, here you go.

Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_11A0&SUBSYS_043A1028
.Inf: %NVIDIA_DEV.11A0.043A.1028% = Section029, PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_11A0&SUBSYS_043A1028
String: NVIDIA_DEV.11A0.043A.1028 = "NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680M"

 

In the older drivers they had support for Windows 7, 8 and 10 so there would be three groups of identical hardware ID's in the inf. I always put the device ID line into each of these to make sure I get the right one. If you haven't already, put your line into each of the groups of ID's. This shouldn't cause it to just drop out but you never know. You have to scroll down slowly or they are easy to miss.

 

Hmm okay. I did make sure I got the Win10 driver though but, it you think thats the case Ill give it a shot. Would I be able to identify them easily, meaning would they say Win10 or Windows 10 etc..?

 

I went back through the file again and added my .inf in 2 more lines where I think would help but still getting the same abrupt shut down of the installer.. I tried searching through the file to see if I can tell if there is support for other Win versions in it but honestly, I cannot tell the difference

 

I tried wiping the driver and reformatting the .inf file again to reattempt install. Still same result. Checked BIOs again and still not showing anything as "discrete graphics" or even that option at least saying "not detected". I will try to reseat the GPU and re flash BIOs to be safe. If that fails maybe the card went bad? Would I even get a display if that was true?

 

A slowly failing card will still show some signs of life but can crash when a driver is installed. It could possibly be the reason for your issue. I'd throw the GPU into another laptop and check but I have plenty of machines to use for testing which helps.
I've never come across this issue before which makes it hard for me to diagnose for you, sorry.

 

Sadly I have no other machine to test the GPU Worst case scenario Ill just have to buy another card. But, the part that gets me is that is was just working perfectly when on Win7. Perhaps I can revert back to Win7 just to see if I can install the driver that way and test the card? Then go back to Win10 and reinstall everything reattempting the display driver. Its kinda my only option at this point lol.

The PO included the OEM GPU so worst case scenario I install that card and try to trade up to a R3 or R4. Not the most cost effective but what are ya going to do :/

 

It's a pain but yeah you could try going back to Win7.

 

Ive been busy with work but finally got around to tinkering with it again. Here is what I've done..
1. Re seated the GPU (Still does not show in BIOS)
2. Re flashed BIOS back to A09 (GPU still does not show in BIOS)
3. After steps 1 and 2 attempted to re install formatted driver. (Same issue, driver abruptly closes)
4. I re installed Win7 and installed drivers that were provided by the PO (GPU still does not show in BIOs but the drivers installed and was able to use the card).
Either I am doing something wrong when modifying the .inf or this just does not work on Win7. Just my assumption. Anyone have any thoughts?
Thank you

 

Solved! I managed to get in touch with Eurocom and they modified the driver for me. The .inf file they modified was completely different then the one I followed in the tutorial. More likely than not I must of screwed up somewhere when doing it. She is purring like tiger again!
Thank you all for the assistance