M18x-R1 with 7970M CrossFire

That file was part of the setup process and was not saved during the installation process that is why it did not end up in the folder he uploaded.

If they are the same drivers as the R4 ones then you should be able to yank it from those drivers though in theory.

 

Oddly enough, after re-installing the old modded drivers I was using in order to try these drivers I decided to play Metro. Before I had to have crossfire disabled for any game to even load, let alone play but Metro ran fan and both cards were being utilized. The framerate was no better then my old 6990's but at least crossfire is working now.

 

oddly there is a delloeminf.. i wonder if that would work

 

Sorry guys I was installing an SSD fresh install on my machine and I am reuploading the drivers with install now

ok try this GFX_AMD_A00_8.934.2_F9X96_SETUP_ZPE.EXE

 

Speedy, what about going to the driver installation folder that normally unzips. The complete driver installation package should be there. Either in C:\AMD or C:\Program Files\AMD or a similar path. If you can find that folder and zip it up, then you'll have basically everything needed to do a proper driver installation with CCC and everything.

 

On a fresh Dell image IE factory install they generally remove everything prior but i guess the drivers were on his Dell resource disk so hopefully that solves some problems for people.

 

Sorry to butt in, but when you buy these cards from Dell, will they carry any warranty?

 

I believe they carry a 90 day warranty from Dell.

 

as i recall they are warrantyed under your systems warrenty.. as long as you get them from dell.. Dont qoute me tho..

Hey can some one tell me why the installed driver from the factory speedy uploaded is different than the one on the resource disk?

when i direct the card to find the driver a list populates and i pick the 7970m and it starts to install and tells me that it encounterd a problem and that the driver is supported on this version of windows? do i need service packs?

im on a x64 copy of windows ultimate..

 

I just did a fresh install and the driver install without problems but yes that is the one on the disk there is no other driver available

AMD Radeon HD 7970M video card benchmark result - Intel Core i7-3720QM Processor,Alienware M18xR2 score: P30952 3DMarks

 

Blazing fast score. Can't wait to see what OC'd 7970Ms in xfire put out.

 

looking good!

 

haha bro take a break you deserve it! enjoy your self for these next few days!

Ok..the driver does not install cleanly on the r1.. im still having to modify some strings to get the driver to work..but once i do windows loads it no problem.. but no ccc... i tried loading up the mod7900 drivers minus the display driver and then pointing towards this display driver.. well windows loads it no problem.. but then ccc says that the driver mght be acting up and i get no options in ccc..

any ideas?

 

If you're using the drivers from Speedy's resource disc, you may just be having ordinary AMD driver problems at this point. You probably already did it, but just in case, did you DriverSweep and CClean? I bet you've done that a bazillion times in the past few days.

I only mention this because CCC not installing or failing to launch has been a long term issue with AMD drivers, depending on the release version and the installation method attempted by the end user.

DumbDumb, not to put any extra pressure on you or anything, but just so you know... how well (or not so well) the execution turns out for you will have an influence on whether or not I am willing to give AMD video cards another chance.

Nice score, Speedy. Do you feel the system is functioning well, or does it seem the drivers are still a work in progress from your perspective? Here's a side-by-side with my overclocked high score. It seems your CPU is holding things back more than the GPUs.

http://3dmark.com/compare/3dmv/3870032/3dmv/4089853

Thanks for posting this. I went ahead and downloaded it, just in case I need it at some point.

 

excellent score speedy! is that at stock clock?

 

to be honest feels like we are ginea pigs testing this cards with broken drivers lol but I will now better today when I test some games

everything stock

 

I think the performance is very impressive given that they are running at stock clocks and there is no "real" driver support yet. congrats on the new machine speedy

 

Gracias Amigo I saw you selling yours in the market

 

new score! Generic VGA video card benchmark result - Intel Core i7-2960XM Processor,Alienware M18xR1 score: P10330 3DMarks
new score http://3dmark.com/3dmv/4091232
speedys driver no catalyst support...

 

I think this card can reach 14000!

 

ok is there a way to change the sub vendor id? on the card its self? or is that related to the comp the card is sitting in and if so can it be changed?

 

so far nothing runs in crossfire on the R2 other than vantage "partially"

we are guinea pigs sadly

 

yes, i think it can be changed, but you have to flash the card to do so...

 

here is a 3Dmark11 stock GPU's 3720QM overclocked level 2 in the bios flex vid 15

http://3dmark.com/3dm11/3459336

note: hwinfo don't work , gpuz don't read correct

 

ok can you direct me where to do so? or how? i know howto flash and am willing but i want to change the sub vendor string since plainly its wrong.. i was just going to copy speedys.. and see if the driver installs..

 

So your subvendor string is different then Speedy's ? .

If so then maybe dumping his bios and you flashing might get it to where you need it .

I figured they were the same but maybe your cards are somehow different like for an R4 or rather the bios is that is why Crossfire is not playing nicely.

Maybe if Speedy has time tomorrow he can upload it but it wont be till later in the day after work .

 

That's very nice, Señor Speedy.

 

yes, this would be the easy way first. flash his bios...but if his cards or situaction isn't any better than yours...then it might now be a good thing to do to begin with....but to get the ccc to install...you install it first like we did, then you do the have driver install to get the cards installed. and some times you have to do it on both cards..

 

see speedys? here is mine.. see its differrent?
speedy siad with the drivers he upload his cards were reconigesed fine np.. mine dont do that..

here are my strings..

PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_6800&SUBSYS_048F1028&REV_00
PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_6800&SUBSYS_048F1028
PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_6800&CC_030000
PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_6800&CC_0300

me and john were not able to find em any where in the driver inf and had to manualy add them..
I did a fresh install as per johns advice..(found my aw windows disk for me lappy!) tried install speedys drivers and nothing.. would not find the cards..
pointed to the drivers.. and it would not install saying that the driver is not supported or some thing on blah blah version of windows.. even tho my windows was on the list.. but when i edit the strings in the inf it loads just fine.. but ccc will not work and once i reset i get the message no ati driver installed.. pops ups..

so yes maybe flashing his bios.. which i dont think will help .. will get the install package to find my gpus.. ..

lastly if by chance that does not work.. and yes these cards are direct from dell... how would i in detail change the subsytem id? to read what his says?

(was thinking.. what if i unistall the cards completely.. boot up and let my system bios see there are no cards installed with no drivers installed.. boot into windows.. and then shut down.. reinstall the cards.. reboot..
or flash a new bios or the same one im using again for the comp?

as i recall I dont remember uninstalling the old drivers from the system when i did the upgrade.. but ive sense then reinstalled windows.. should i go ahead and uninstall all drivers and flash a new bios to my comp its self to see if that would help?

sorry just think out loud on here..

 

you would flash his bios to change this string 048F to this string 0550
then the driver will install just like his did, but....he is still facing all the same problems you are.

 

Yeah that is the sad part, you will get the drivers installing proper but hit the same wall he just hit IE nothing works in Crossfire.

But hey at least you will have part of the equation solved .

Waiting on AMD/Dell/Whoever to get a semiproper driver rolling is another story.

These cards are barely even released yet and even less so in a Crossfire rig so it might be a few before someone posts another driver though hopefully not long.

 

exactly! ill have the hard part done! after that i can wait! lol ill be happy with the install working.. it half the battle! over half!

 

Quick question, guys. Is the M18x upgradeable in the future let's say like 5 years?

And who does upgrades on Alienware laptops in the future?

 

The system itself IS upgradable, we don't know what new hardware will be around in 5yrs time or wether or not it will be compatable - that's anyones guess but if you look at whats just happened with Intel's IvyBridge release, it isnt backwards compatable with older non-IvyBridge laptops - which means if you want the latest cpu, you would have to get an IvyBridge enabled motherboard. Not a problem obviously if you are buying now as you WOULD get the latest generation cpu's BUT when Intel release their NEXT cpu refresh, your mobo may or may not be compatable at that point in time...

I bought my system some 6mths back now when SandyBrige cpu's were the HOT thing...they are STILL fast but its just not latest technology and I cant upgrade my system to an IvyBridge cpu without doing the above.

Saying that, even a system like mine will be more than good for years to come......one thing about technology is that its always evolving faster than most people can keep up and industry leaders tend to not make certain components "backwards compatable" with older systems (Intel) simply because it doesnt make sense when they can sell new stuff....

So, in the short term - yes, your system will be upgradable with components that are compatable with your system - it's not gonna be a given that you will be able to put the latest tech under the hood in 5yrs time though...

Oh, and you can either perform the upgrade yourself (if you dont mind rolling up your sleeves and getting busy opening up your laptop) or pay Dell. Most people here choose the foremost option because its a heck of alot cheaper!

 

Speedy! wake up i need you a copy of your gpu bios

 

I am here on my job laptop is at home so like Quad said I only have time in the afternoon or Sunday

with one card everything runs at max settings so at least is not like we need crossfire working for everything I don't know if we can install some profiles to this drivers to make some games work in crossfire but it could be possible

I get the vbios uploaded later today

 

you are the man! i hope it does what im wanting! +rep

 

Gracias Señor Mr Fox


not a problem I like to help the community if you want to try right now message War I know he got he's laptop the same day I did and he is off today if not don't worry I'll do my best

 

I haven't been able to play D3 since I installed my new cards and I have no idea why. I don't know if there is something wrong with the forums but it won't let me make a new thread.

 

later on when I get home going to upload the vbios of my card so you can flash yours and install the drivers from the resource disk I post few posts back that is going to solve most of your problems but don't expect crossfire working 100%

 

Yes, for those that have not already discovered it, there are some technical difficulties with the forum software. Creating a new thread sometimes will error out and the text in the opening post will be gone. It's also a problem to post image thumbnails as attachments for some reason. You will sometimes get an error along the lines that it is not a valid file type. That problem has been going on for several weeks.

 

Ok here is the 7970M DELL vbios from a M18XR2 the primary and slave are the same vbios flash with precaution BACKUP.rar - 4shared.com - online file sharing and storage - download - Miguel Gonzalez

 

OK, I've saved that "just in case" the 680M does not materialize, as I have your Dell driver for the 7970M. Always good to be prepared. Thank you.

Did you save this vBIOS with ATI Flash? Do you know if DumbDumb has a way to flash it to his cards?

 

Any chance for an alternative host? Or as post attachement? Can't download the file.

 

send me your email

 

Ok, so how does one go about doing this? lol

 

first do this How To Use ATIFLASH - techPowerUp! Forums

remember GPU 1 is 0 and GPU 2 is 1 to flash

after you flash install this drivers GFX_AMD_A00_8.934.2_F9X96_SETUP_ZPE.EXE - 4shared.com - online file sharing and storage - download - Miguel Gonzalez

if you don't know what you doing don't mess with it flashing vbios is dangerous if you don't know how

 

Yeah, I was thinking that. I just don't know what to do at this point. I didn't buy these cards as upgrades, I received them because my old 6990's were overheating badly. I mean, if Dell is going to ship me replacement parts under my warranty they should be the ones that have to get it to work not me.

 

yes this is an ATIFLASH backup i don't know if Dumb know how to flash lol

svl7 said this is the same vbios on the R4

 

ok this didnt change the subsys id.. i need to change it so that the dang driver finds my cards.. why would my sub sys id be not in the driver?

ok lets do some confirming here.. speedy.. yours says wimbledon xt right? ive seen your sub sys id..for your gpus.. what are the numbers in device manager if your do not mind..
and Pandasplooge what are yours?
lets compare..

and is it possible that the driver its self is looking for the only the m17x-r4 and the m18x-r2? and that all others have been removed? if this is the case.. is there a way we can edit the driver its self to include the r1 sys id?


when i point to your driver speedy this is what i get..

my windows is on the list... when i click the exe.. so im stumped.. im going to flash to A05 official dell bios.. in stead of the unlocked one.. is it safe to go from the unlocked one to the dell one? and is this advised?


and on the drivers page for the r1 why is it that the 2 bios listed one says for the R2 and one says for the r1?
should i get the A05 one?