M17 R1 Only displaying at 1400x900?

Hello all!

I bought a m17 R1 off of ebay very recently as a replacement for a laptop which met an untimely end due to a spilled glass of apple cider. After fixing some of the minor cosmetic/hinge problems that came with it. I know that these ship with 1900x1200 displays, and mine initially did display at that resolution, but after some use/driver installs I cannot seem to trick the computer into going back up to 1900x1200, even with powerstrip. I've reinstalled drivers and whatnot, but I'm wondering if anyone knows of anything else to try besides reinstalling windows 7 and reformatting. Perhaps related- I've taken the computer apart and there are two 4850m's running in crossfire, but I don't think the computer is detecting them? I've read through multiple threads but the information is slightly overwhelming to someone who isn't familiar with the m17 platform, and not many people seem to be running the 4850m. Again, sorry if this is annoying, but any help would be appreciated!

 

Right click on desktop -> Screen Resolution

What is the max resolution it gives you? I assume you know this, but need more info about how it's "blocking" from doing 1200p.

 

You got a nice score if the M17 R1 has dual 4850m's.

 

The max resolution it allows me to set is 1400x900. Sorry for the first post being such a jarbled mess, it was written late after a stressful day.

Here is what my change resolution screen looks like:
imgur: the simple image sharer

Here is the info from my drivers (13.9 legacy)

Display properties:
imgur: the simple image sharer

Hardware information:
imgur: the simple image sharer

I've tried installing/reinstalling the legacy drivers from AMD's website, but the computer does not recognize the monitor as being able to achieve 1200p. Likewise I am not getting any notification that there are two video cards working together in crossfire.

I have also found a hacked/ user updated 12.1 driver in in the m17 resto thread which I have tried, but to no more luck than the legacy drivers.

Related to the 4850m though, when I look at the available vram in the amd drivers, it lists far above what I would think a card for this age would have stock. Perhaps the two cards are indeed working together, it just isn't being displayed in the drivers? What do you guys think?

 

So it's the same screen that at one time got the higher resolution? Most Alienwares offered a lower and higher resolution screen so if you ever replaced it with one off of ebay it may be a lower res. Also if the previous owner replaced it he may have used cheap aftermarket NOT oem parts which could mean that's all the screen is capable of.

GPUZ will tell you if Crossfire is Enabled or Disabled.

 

Thank you very much for your response. This is possible, but when I first recieved the laptop and powered it on I was fairly certain that it was running at a resolution of 1900x1200. I suppose if this is an uncommon problem then it may be best to do a fresh install. I have an ssd coming in the mail, so perhaps that will be a good time to try it out.

So GPU-Z is telling me that Crossfire is disabled.. hmm. Could this be a bios issue?

 

Run HWiNFO or the like and verify lcd model. Look up that part nr. in Panelook and rule out non-1080p screen. If it is FHD; check with external monitor whether it's the gpu(s) limiting the resolution. If the external does run 1080p+ then the lcd cable may be faulty.

 

Hmm. Well I'm only getting generic pnp monitor. When I go into hwinfo and look at the monitor information this is what it shows me. I've replugged the lcd cable in multiple times (had to in order to fix the hinge) and still can't get above 1400x900. This is the screen that hwinfo gives me:

imgur: the simple image sharer

Seems like the manufacturer code is either an error or some generic thing, doesn't display any results on the website you listed. Any ideas?

 

"WU313" is Dell's part nr., the actual screen is one of this series: LP171WP4-TL**. As you can see from the list, these are all CCFL WXGA+ (1440x900) panels. It is not uncommon for the the same laptop model to offer different screens, whether that's in resolution, gamut or 2D/3D.

If the seller didn't list it as FHD or 1080p, then you're left with a panel swap. Good thing is that your lcd is 900p, because that means it's a 2-channel cable and these support 1080p as well (sub 900p usually means a different lcd cable).

 

You are using the latest driver's from AMD's website correct? As in if you right click on each card it shows it's not just a built-in Microsoft driver? Is a crossfire cable needed and physically present to connect the cards? I think the 4850/70 series required one. Last idea, never used crossfire myself but with SLI at least back a couple years ago you needed to actually enable it in the Nvidia control panel. Anything like this with the Catalyst suite?

Can't see the image at work but what's the code? Also have you tried forcing the resolution? This worked for me once with a stubborn monitor though I wasn't trying to go higher but was trying to go lower. Still give it a shot. The regedit steps a few posts down worked for me.

Adding Custom resoltuion to AMD Catalyst/Windows 7 - Steam Users' Forums

 

@t456

Hmm that's odd. I distinctly remember when I first got this laptop it running at 1900x1200, and being impressed with the display. I also remember it being extremely puzzling when the resolution suddenly limited itself to 1400x900. The ebay add lists it at as having a 1200p display, so perhaps one of the dual connectors has gotten unplugged/doesn't work anymore? Thanks again for your posts.


@protivakid

I tried the regedit, but to no avail. I've also tried a few other programs as well such as CRU and powerstrip, but for whatever reason when I reboot the max res is still stuck at 1400x900. As for the cards, I know there are two physical ones, and I believe they are connected with a crossfire wire, so I'm thinking that either one of them is dead, or it isn't getting detected in bios for some reason. I have an ssd on the way for this thing, so I think I'm going to try and flash the bios when that comes in, install linux and windows 7 on the hard drive, and see what happens.

Are any of you guys familiar with the different bios options for this laptop currently? I'm currently running B14, there is a modified bios that someone used in a restoration I believe, but finding info on it has been challenging.

 

It's possible; not all panels are listed, after all. The "WU313" is Dell's way of keeping track of a bunch of panels that are all compatible, and a 1080p version would be valid. The only way to be certain is to visually check the sticker on the back of the panel, this is not terribly difficult; just need to remove the bezel and carefully lift out the lcd from the lid, cable can stay connected. It'd either confirm WXGA+ (and get a partial refund) or FHD (and validate spending time in bios/driver or gpu direction). Also, since "WU313" is meaningless in itself, it'd tell you the exact model lcd, which would be useful for future repairs or upgrades. To an IPS/WLED lcd, say, using a converter board (example).

 

I could never get CRU to work myself but the regedit steps did. I agree that looking at the back of the LCD itself is the best next step so you don't drive yourself mad troubleshooting.

 

"I am not getting any notification that there are two video cards working together in crossfire."

Thats because 13.9 isn't a working crossfire driver for the legacy m17 GPUs. Check Gpu-Z to see if both cards are active. If not then you need to revert back to an older driver like ATI 10.5...which is old but very stable...(If you need the driver you can message me).

Sorry about that LCD Issue..Never noticed anything like this...Another issue (speculating)...is that the Dell LCD isn't really compatable wit this computer. You may have to swap for a LG...Lp171WU3 (TL) (B3)..or one in this family of LCDs...Another reccomendation if you do a swap, is to stick with a GLOSSY display..The colors pop more vs. matte.

Reccommended Site for Ordering a new display: Lcds4less.com