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    Installed new graphics card. Won't start up.

    Discussion in 'Alienware M15x' started by Skornogr4phy, Aug 28, 2013.

  1. Skornogr4phy

    Skornogr4phy Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hi All, I just put a GeForce GTX675M in my M15x, and followed all video instructions I could find when installing the card. Unfortunately when I try to boot up, I get no output on the screen, and 3 beeps, one long followed by two short. The fans fire up and my mouse lights blink. Could anybody tell me what the problem is?
     
    Skornogr4phy, Aug 28, 2013
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  2. Skornogr4phy

    Skornogr4phy Notebook Enthusiast

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    I should say I didn't do any BIOS updating as i figured it wouldn't be necessary due to it being an Nvidia to Nvidia upgrade.
     
    Skornogr4phy, Aug 28, 2013
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  3. Skornogr4phy

    Skornogr4phy Notebook Enthusiast

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    I put my old card back in, and my computer is running again. Obviously it is not a problem with the way the card is mounted. When installing the new drivers and updating the .inf files, I assume that I can do that after the hardware is installed? I figured that the default drivers would just boot up and I can download the new ones and edit them afterwards. Am I correct in thinking this, or should I modify them and install them beforehand?
     
    Skornogr4phy, Aug 28, 2013
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  4. dovy

    dovy Notebook Consultant

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    I might be wrong, but I never heard 675m running successfully in m15x. reason behind this is too much power draw for motherboard to handle. although it should still boot up
     
    dovy, Aug 28, 2013
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  5. JohnnyFlash

    JohnnyFlash Notebook Virtuoso

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    Sometimes it can just be the seating of the card. I would blow the whole thing out as well, and clean the contacts before trying again.
     
    JohnnyFlash, Aug 28, 2013
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  6. Skornogr4phy

    Skornogr4phy Notebook Enthusiast

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    Ok, will give that a final go before starting refund negotiations.
     
    Skornogr4phy, Aug 28, 2013
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  7. Skornogr4phy

    Skornogr4phy Notebook Enthusiast

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    Reseated it. I think it's a dud card. Will have to see about getting a refund.
     
    Skornogr4phy, Aug 28, 2013
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  8. Mexic00ls

    Mexic00ls Notebook Deity

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    having the latest bios helps, which last time i checked was a09, i wasnt getting any output on my m15x when i switched back from 6990m to 460m, but after a reseat everything was ok, but i only buy the dell cards and i try to stay away from using other vendor cards
     
    Mexic00ls, Aug 28, 2013
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  9. Skornogr4phy

    Skornogr4phy Notebook Enthusiast

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    I have BIOS version A06. Might try to upgrade and see if that helps.
     
    Skornogr4phy, Aug 29, 2013
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  10. Skornogr4phy

    Skornogr4phy Notebook Enthusiast

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    I now have A09 and it still doesn't work. The vendor mentioned that the graphics card won't output to the internal monitor, but only to the displayport. Is that the case, as I don't have a displayport capable monitor.
     
    Skornogr4phy, Aug 29, 2013
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  11. batfinks

    batfinks Notebook Consultant

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    this is usually the case when the graphics card doesn't have a fully compatible bios. I would suggest you get a display port adapter/cable and check again if the card is working via the display port its just a simple case of reflashing the cards bios with the correct one that will work on a dell alienware.

    you can simply connect a display port end to the laptop and a hdmi end to whatever you have at hand such as a led tv or monitor. the cable itself is very cheap, I picked up a 2.5m cable for around £8 I think it was.
     
    batfinks, Aug 29, 2013
    #11