Is my 8800M dieing? Or the HDMI slot dieing?

Evening all...

Following some reading thro this very deep forum i have failed to find an answer or even a similar issue, and before i start spending some pennies i thought i should put my issue by you all.

I am running my lil m15x on W7 x64, 4GB RAM, Intel 2900 2.8GHz, 8800m GTX. Current video driver: 8.15.11.8603, attempted to install driver 186.81 but install states it cannot find any hardware for the software.

My issue stems from my regular use of this system on my plasma TV. Now recently my m15x no longer talks to my TV.

Once connected, both the screen and plasma go black, then the tv starts saying 'No Signal', the screen comes back on the laptop, the system recognises the TV, and even the desktop acts as if the other screen is there.

I have tried different HDMI cables, the HDMI slot works with a monitor (via HDMI to DVI connection) and all my HDMI slots on the TV work with either my PS3 or Sky box (Satelite).

Lost at what the issue is....

I can still game happily on my laptop screen and it plays HD video fine...

Thanks for the help in advance!

 

Try this plug the HDMI cable into the system make sure you are running on the External Card (8800m) And then right click on the desktop get to your resolutions and desktop settings and force the the display to be displayed on Display 2 ONLY via windows.

IF THIS DOES NOT WORK, then you have a hardware problem. I've kept a spare HDMI port for myself in case my system broke down from a previous salvage job I did for myself and multiple users on this forum, but if you need it or want to try it I'd be willing to sell you the part for 5 dollars shipped, Just let me know. It's separate from the motherboard you just pop it atop the motherboard for USB and HDMI and fire-wire.

If neither of those 2 options work then you need a new GPU, I'd imagine, however I couldn't imagine that you'd be able to see the screen with the External GPU not working.

Again you need to make sure that you are in fact using your External GPU and NOT your internal intel GPU. And lastly it could be that the card or board isn't seeded correctly so make sure your right side USB is working as well.

 

Hey,

Really appreciate your offer and reply, its nice to have some light on my little problem. Having tried what you suggested, im still not gettin the image on the TV.

Considering i can still game happily etc i would like to take you up on your HDMI port. Only issue being i live in the UK, so i would understand if you wish to up your price lol


Thanks!

 

well actually the driver you try to install you need the .inf file to be in that driver folder to install correctly. searching around will help clerify that issue.but now i told ya
and after you install the driver you should be able to use the hdmi..

 

Try these drivers, as these are the drivers I'm currently using

If that doesn't work you can buy my spare HDMI, shame in the sense I just mailed out some stuff to Essex just last week. If you just pay me 15 american dollars I'd be more then happy to mail out the part to you I think. lemme just double check on shipping, where in England am I mailing out to?

 

Sorry bud im kinda lost... which .inf file to be in which folder?

 

Hey,

Thanks for the driver link, i uninstalled the previous driver, restarted laptop and installed yours, yet it states the same driver as before? See image attached.

If all this fails then ill definately buy your part, you would be sending it to the north east of england...County Durham.

Would paypal be ok for payment?

Cheers

 

I'm really sorry to say this, but after further check I've noticed that I do NOT have the HDMI and instead I only have the opposite end which is the Sound ports, I belive that when I sold the motherboard months back I sent it along the HDMI with it, I'm REALLY sorry for this. However you can either search your UK ebay and if not you can go with Alienware m15x USB HDMI Firewire Board da0mx3thab0 - eBay (item 140473621855 end time Mar-02-11 13:48:56 PST)

And if they don't ship to the UK I'd be more then happy with acting as a middle man to ship it to you as it's free shipping to me for 10 dollars and then whatever to ship to the UK. Good Luck, I'll help you in everyway possible.

And again sorry for the mishap on my end. My reputation for the m15x on these boards and help with parts for this system have been well documented and I've helped already nearly 7 different individual with parts for this system, so you needn't worry.

 

No worries, these things happen, really appreciate that you found one on ebay! I've contacted the seller now, and await a reply, seems positive as they mention international shipping.

Will let you know regarding it all, thanks for the offer of being the middle man aswell!

If all goes well i may call on your info on installing the new piece!

Thanks again!

 

Oh and then if this doesn't work try baking the card, and then last option is replacing the card.

 

lol

I've heard this term before, but its something im really not familiar with...baking...nor baking electronics...

Sounds very interesting tho...

 

baking is really easy and simple for our machines when it comes down to it, hit me up or PM me and I'll walk you through it, and show you a few threads or my own images of the process being done. But again this is a LAST RESORT, nothing else.

 

Sounds good, and i really appreciate your help!

Ive ordered the part from the states, so ill be looking to get that fitted as soon as it arrives, will keep you posted!

Thanks again!

 

Sort of reviving my old thread for additional info! lol

Finally successfully recieved my part, after them sending the other side (2x USB, Lan & Audio) in mistake, so i have both! lol

Anyways, feeling i knew what i was doing, took some screws out, back panel off, and im lost, i cant quite see what im goin to have to remove to get to the lil board...

Any suggestions? I really dont fancy just removing every screw i see in hope...

Thanks

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware/382729-m15x-how-guides.html

I'll read through it now and try to locate it for you.

 

Any luck?

 

I've done this before actually, and you might hate to hear this but you gotta remove all the screws from the bottom of your PC, all of them because as I recall and as pictures have confirmed the HDMI slot is on the ribbon connected to the motherboard and in order to properly get in there you'll have to remove the motherboard I believe.

 

So either try removing the thermal tape to see if the ribbon connects on that side, Or you have to remove the Entire Motherboard and get to the backside to properly switch it out. I would go ahead and try to get a new GPU and do the GPU replacement before you do this, because I would hate to think that you do this and it still doesn't' work.You said the USB ports on that side work though right? so it's not a connection error correct? lastly it could be the motherboard.

 

That was my fear, having to do an entire removal job on the contents of my laptop lol

Seems i shall have to consider replacing the GPU. The driver for the GPU has been crashing lately, and after checking some temps, apparently the GPU runs around the 60C mark...kinda high when im not even gaming! Hate to think what its like gaming...

Is it worth just gettin the same GPU or an upgrade of some sort?

Thanks bud

 

you should try to get GPU's based on this order (260,280 if you're willing to put up large amounts of cash and give up HDMI, which I believe is a no, so remove these off the list first)

1. ATI 4850
2. Nvidia 9800m
3. ATI 3870
4. Nvidia 8800m

Cheapest being the ATI 3870 of the lot.

Oh then 8700, followed by 8600 (Both are Nvidia here)

This is NOT the supreme list or anything, just my personal list of what I would do if it were me, others may agree or disagree.


** Lastly let me see if I remember this correctly, You can game with your 8800m no problem it's just HDMI giving you trouble?** If this is the case I'm thinking DO NOT BAKE THE GPU** Instead perhaps try re-seating it.

 

I just installed new drivers on my system from laptop2go or something like that I'm currently using the 186.82 with the modified INF file and my system is working properly, lastly the latest windows 7 Service Pack update did an update on the HDMI ports (Specifically Audio) so that might have made adjustments re-guarding the HDMI port as well.

 

Cheers, ill have a look thro whats available in the UK and prices.

I dont game much, but i can watch HD content happily and game, not that ive tried a demanding game tbh lol

I have ordered some thermal paste, i imagine reseating the GPU is simply a case of taking it out, and putting it back in and apply some new paste? clear off the old stuff obv.

Thanks again bud, really really appreciate your input on this!!!

 

Could you possibly link the driver you have downloaded? Does the modded INF file have to be manually done, or is it simply replaced?

I will look into the updates, tbh, shamefully i dont think i have the service pack installed! lol

 

I just replaced the INF before running the install on my system just go to laptop2go and back track until you get to the right number and then you can get it. IF you really want me to find it I can later tonight, it's somewhat time consuming to backtrack the 20 pages to get it, but I can do it later if you really want me to. It isn't that hard or bad, I'm just in a rush today.

 

Drivers | laptopvideo2go.com

 

A user here just recently backed his 3870, and then his GPU started working again properly so it's something you'll seriously want to consider before buying a NEW gpu.

 

Hey bud,

Just an update, paste has arrived today, FINALLY OMG lol

Will let you know how it goes reseating it....fingers crossed, otherwise baking commence! lol

Thanks!

 

You know I'm having HDMI problems as well, and I couldn't understand what was going on for the life of me until I realized that I had to flip the switch to dispense a charge through the outlet which then in part turns my POwer Adapter on. Thus moral of my short story here (sorry) apparently you have to have power via outlet for your HDMI to work properly perhaps the Card is underpowered or something.

I was shocked to learn this, but it's true, yet I could do double picture, just not single picture. I'll play around with it some more later tonight, I just wanted to watch my movie last night, lol.

 

Hey bud,

Got round to reseating the GPU, got off all the old thermal paste, applied the new stuff, popped it back together, reconnected the fan, turned her on and now she running mega hot... Logged into windows checked temp straight away, sittin at 112C lol

Have I made a fundamental mistake somewhere? Left her cooling off ATM lol

 

If im understanding that right...your saying for the HDMI to work you had to have it power from the mains...plugged in as such...

TBH mine used to work fine plugged in and on battery, tho these days shes no happy bunny haha

 

ok applied some more paste...turns out there wasnt really enough! lol

Now to try this new driver...

 

lol i bet this reads like a story now...

Anyway, interesting results so far regarding reseating and new driver...

Temp was initally 54C before new driver.

Temp now at 42C after new driver...impressive!

First attempt at connecting HDMI to TV...black screen on laptop, blood red box filling screen on TV, nothin els...disconnected HDMI and still had black screen on laptop, had to manually turn off, seemed to of crashed.

Looking like card faulty, may need baking? lol

 

Yeah but games run fine you say? Are you using the Windows 7 built in Display Adjustments to change between the two screens?

 

I tend to use the Nvidia panel to change between screens.

Sadly system was crashing with that new driver, say if you scrolled a webapge quickly the screen would simple go black, and i would have to power off manually. Since returning to orginal driver, its more stable, but now n then, flipping between tabs in firefox has caused it to black screen and crash. On screen i get the odd pixel of white which goes away, sometimes if you minimize a window or press the start button, it will hang at disappearing, or simply drag another window over it to get it off the screen, if you see what i mean lol

As for gaming, have noticed that GPU gets hotter faster and is somewhat glichy now n then, but weirdly still playable =/

 

Baking option perhaps then...lol?

 

Yea it's an option, but be sure to start locating new cards so that you can swap out.

 

Back at it... Lol

Found a decent priced 3700M on eBay, brand new, wondering if it needs a different heatsink to the one I already have ?

Cheers