GTX 980m not detected on Alienware 17 R1

Hi guys,

I have just purchased a GTX 980m for my Alienware 17 R1. I installed it yesterday, however it is not being detected on my system BIOS / device manager.

I have a i7-4910MQ and A17 BIOS version.

I got a blue screen the first time I powered the computer on with the GTX 980m, and it mentioned "driver" something. I wasn't able to read the whole message before the reboot.

The blue screen is not showing up again, and Windows loads normally, but still no detection in BIOS and device manager.

I don't understand much about vBIOS, but I tried flashing it using NVFlash on Windows (not bootable USB drive), and the error message "No NVIDIA display adapters found" appears.

I tried removing and reinstalling the video card 3 times, still no detection.

Note: The GTX 980m was a replacement for my Radeon R9 M290x.

Can you please help me with this issue?

Thanks a lot!

Gabriel

 

Well, what display do you have, the stock 60hz panel, or the 120hz 3D panel?

I had a similar issue when upgrading to my 1070, and I had to use NVFlash to get my Device ID's to mod the drivers. Are you able to install the drivers? If not, download GPU-Z and see if it will show you your Device ID's

 

I have the stock 60Hz full HD panel. I haven't installed drivers yet, because I wasn't able to get my device ID to mod them. I'll try to find out the ID via NVFlash. I'll keep you posted.

 

Alright, try GPU-Z though as it might show you, if it doesn't then use NVFlash. Don't flash a new vBIOS, but copy your current one just incase you do on accident as you will need a dummy vBIOS to get far enough for NVFlash to show your Device ID's. NVFlash will ALWAYS tell you your Device ID's.

 

So, I tried checking the ID using GPU-Z, but the 980m doesn't show up. Would you be so kind to provide instructions on how to use NVFlash for this issue?

 

Here’s what I was told by another member when trying to find my Hardware ID’s using NVFlash. Remember, NVFlash is used for flashing different vBIOS’s onto GPU’s, we are NOT going to do that. All we are doing is going through some of the process so that we can see your Hardware ID’s, so be careful.


Make a folder in your C: drive called nvflash and then download the program from TechPowerUp.
Extract the files and put the unzipped files into the nvflash folder. It used to have two files nvflash and nvflash64
Go back to TechPowerUp and find a suitable Dell/Alienware vBIOS for your card. Download it and place it in the nvflash folder with the other files. Write down the ROM name for later.
Usually you'd now go to Device Manager and disable the GPU and save your current vBIOS using GPU-Z but you can't do that since it's not there. I'd also disable your internet connection at this stage
Open CMD and run as administrator
Type -
cd C:\nvflash
Then type -
nvflash -6 ROM_NAME.rom

The ROM_NAME being whatever your vBIOS ROM is called. Usually a 6 or 7 digit number
If you had the nvflash and nvflash64 files then you may have to add the 64 to the command. for example.... nvflash64 -6 ROM_NAME.rom

It should now tell you which display adapter you have in your system. If you press y twice at this stage it will begin the flash so don't press y if you don't want to flash it.
Type exit and it should take you out of the command prompt

 

So, I've tried the nvflash steps mentioned by you, using several vBIOS versions I found on TechPowerUp for the 980m, no success. It still mentions "no NVIDIA adapters found".

I bought the card from this link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08PL42DQ5?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details

On the link above, you can see that they attached a screenshot from GPU-Z:



So I may have a lead on the device ID.

Following this tutorial for driver modding: https://null-src.com/posts/nvidia-notebook-driver-inf-mod/post.php , I used the information on my Intel HD Graphics from the device manager to find out the following information:

GPU Model Code: 13D7
Laptop Model Code: 05AA
Laptop Manufacturer Code: 1028

I modded the driver, tried installing it by disabling the driver signature, but the installer says no compatible NVDIA hardware has been found on my system.

I've emailed the seller asking for the correct vBIOS file, just in case the ones available on TechPowerUp are not compatible with my card. I'm waiting for their reply.

In the meantime, would you have any other alternatives to suggest?

Thanks!

 

I think the image link I attached for the screenshot didn't work. Anyway, it's the third image on Amazon's product link I sent.

 

Well, the Intel integrated graphics won't have the same ID's as the 980m. My only guess is that the vBIOS cannot be read by the 980m, hence why you can't get any readings off of it. Could you link a screenshot of what GPU-Z looks like for you when you select the 980m, or is the 980m not even showing up?

 

Good news, I got the card working!

I got a reply from the seller, saying one of the possible problems might be the x-bracket. And it was. I removed it, connected the card again, and my BIOS promptly detected the card. I was then able to flash the vBIOS, install the modded driver, and everything is working fine. Also normally showing up on device manager.

I reused the x-bracket from my R9 M290x, but by removing it, the insulation tape wouldn't come off, like impossible to remove it in one piece. I then chose to install the x-bracket directly on the card, and I'm guessing it was causing a short circuit. Luckily that didn't damage the card permanently.

Now I cut the parts of the x-bracket which hold the screws insertion, and I'm using only those on the card, to make sure the heatsink is tight against the card.

Everything is working.

Thank you so much for your time, your help made a huge difference, although the problem ended up being something else.

Cheers!

 

I’m glad I could partially help hahahahaha.

One thing to note though, i would recommend just buying a new 5mm X-bracket as if they get slightly bent, they can reduce the contact between the heatsink and the die, which ends up raising the temperatures. If everything is good though, and the temps aren’t too bad, then you should be good to go!

 

Good point. Turns out the seller is sending me a new x-bracket for free.

Cheers!

 

Oh nice, did the seller say it was a 5mm one? Or is it the same stock 3mm one you probably had?

If you can't figure out, just put the stock bracket next to the new one and it will be quite obvious which one is taller, you want the taller one.

Last thing, but make sure to clean all of the X-bracket residue off of the PCB of the 980m before putting on the new bracket as to ensure the bracket is completely even.

 

I'll make sure he sends the 5mm one. Also will look for residue on the PCB. Thanks!!