M18x R2 7970M CF Dead :(

I think my M18X is dead. It boots to BIOS just fine. But it won't boot to Windows 7. The screen goes dark after briefly showing W7 logo ("W7 is loading...")

I suspect 7970M is dead.

1. Is there a way to switch from 7970M to Intel Integrated in the BIOS menu? Google search on this forum says no. But just wanted to see if I missed anything...

2. If no to the previous question, will opening up the laptop and physically removing one or both 7970M will switch the graphics from 7970M to Intel integrated? I'd feel really stupid if I remove them and still see the setting unchanged at descrete GPU...

I stopped playing games on M18X long time ago so Intel discrete GPU is just fine for my purpose. Only if I can switch the setting without having to open up the laptop

Thanks

 

Only with an unlocked BIOS it would be possible to switch to iGFX, as far as I know.

Otherwise you could open it up and test the cards one by one. Mostly only one card's dead, the other one's still functional.

Removing both card automatically switches iGFX on.

 

7970M is dead indeed, not a bad run for a GPU from 2012. You should be able to boot safe mode to uninstall all graphics drivers, which then disables hardware accelerated graphics for you to be able to get back into Windows.

Physically removing both cards will force the BIOS to switch to iGPU.

You can flash my unlocked BIOS and install 2 x 980M for a major upgrade in performance over the 7970M. I have a pair for sale if you are interested.

 

Ooohhh those 980M's sound tempting....

 

Hi,

I too have crossfire problems for years, I tried everything, and i never found the original problem :
- each gpu works well in primary slot
- I sapped them multiple times to make each of them work as primary / secondary gpu with crossfire cable
- I tried with 2 crossfire cables
- I have A11 unlocked bios till yesterday (not yours but the one from T|I) and it does not change anything
- my vbios is the dell UEFI 015.022.**** on both cards (not the original 015.017.****)
- I tried with and without UEFI
- I tried multiple OS (win 7 and win 10)

My last try : Win 7 legacy (not UEFI) -> driver installation OK (dell from 2013, catalyst 14.9, 15.7, 18.3, 19.10...), but after reboot, stuck on windows logo. Maybe a problem with ULPS ?

I think it's time to give up ...

I don't know if I wan't to put a lot of money in this old M18xR2, but how does 980m SLI costs with the SLI cable ?

Edit :
- My keyboard is broken too for a few days, i have to change it, but I don't find any AZERTY (french) keyboard, et I don't know if I can use a QWERTY one ...
- I don't have HDD anymore, the connector on motherboard is broken for a few years, so I put another HDD in a caddy in the optical drive, and a msata, this combo works great.

My only problems are the crossfire and the keyboard, everything else is working like a charm.

 

Have you thought of putting in a single 1070 which apparently trumps or is on par with two 980m in SLI? I have a 1070 in my m18xr2 and it is tha bomb. You will need to mod a bit but nothing too hardcore.

 

For me, the investment related to the purchase of a 1070 card for my m18xR2 is not profitable knowing that it is in addition to being a backup laptop, I have a fixed computer with a GTX 1080.

The 980m (1 or 2) can on the other hand remain a very good option to upgrade it without ruining me.

Do I have to mod to install a 980m (1 or 2) ?

 

No physical mod, but a driver mod.

 

Ok, i already flashed the M18xR2 unlock bios.

So i can buy a 980m and just put it in the M18xR2 with the good vbios and that will work ?

And for a replacement keyboard, do you know if I can buy any keyboard (russian, US, German...) ?

 

Hello,

I don't know where and which GPU to buy for my M18x R2.

Can someone help me ?

Thanks.

 

What's your budget?
Which card do you plan to get?
980m, 1060, 1070?

 

My M18x R2 is a backup notebook, i don't use it a lot.
I don't have a budget, I am just looking for the best value for money to replace my 7970m.

1060 and 1070 is not an option for me, it's to expensive.

I saw on aliexpress 980m at ~250€, but I could go for 970m or 880m if I can find a good price.

 

Best upgrade option for this spare laptop would be 780m, imo.