M17x Crossfire Problem

Greetings folks,

I've been following these forums for a few weeks now and have relied upon the vast wealth of knowledge to help make my laptop purchase decision-- an Alienware M17x.

The system arrived yesterday and looks fantastic. However, as I was going through the process of intiating Windows and such, I received an error message on the ATI catalyst program screen. The message was as follows:

"The CrossfireX internal bridge interconnects linking your CrossfireX graphics cards are not properly connected. Both bridge interconnects must be attached. For more information see the user's guide for your graphics card."

I contacted Alienware and they were unable to diagnose the problem over the phone. They are sending a tech to replace both cards and the bridge within the next couple of days.

I was wondering if anyone else had experienced this issue and whether or not there was an easier solution than having a tech come over and take the laptop apart.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

System specs:

QX9300 2.53GHz (12MB Cache, 1066MHz FSB)
6GB Dual Channel DDR3 at 1333MHz
17.0in, WUXGA,LCD,ANW,M17X
CrossFireX - Dual 1GB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4870
500GB 7,200RPM (xMB Cache)
Slot-Loading Dual Layer Blu-ray Reader (BR-ROM, DVD+-RW, CD-RW)
Next Business Day In-Home Service after Remote Diagnosis , 3 Year Extended

 

If I were you I would open the computer up myself. I would then look for a loose crossfire connector and/or make sure the cards were properly attached to the motherboard. My sli cable wasn't properly connected to the other card and that was a reason why I was getting lower fps

 

It's probably exactly what the error suggests, a loose Crossfire cable between the two graphics cards which would be very easy to pop into place. Either that or a faulty cable or possibly a faulty slave card...

 

If This happens when i receive my m17x im going to be uber pissed! Dell will get an ear full! and i get money back!

 

it's not hard to fix the cable.

 

What mandrake said.

But if you are not experienced opening a laptop, then you shouldn't open it, eventhough there is a tutorial.

 

Thanks to all for the quick responses. My gut feeling was to simply wait for the repair team to come out and fix the issue. I have opened up laptops in the past, but as this laptop is only 1 day old I was hesitant to do so (not to mention it still operates outside of crossfire mode). It is most likely a simple task to snap the wire in place, but better to be safe than sorry.

Thanks again to all who replied to the post.

 

i made a video guide so you have no reason not to anymore !

it shows you hot to get to the primary GPU but its the exact same just on the right instead of the left lol .. and there will be a cable there...

 

i would honestly rather open it up myself. Dell techs probably wouldn't be as careful and as delicate as the owner of the laptop; thus very little chance of cosmetic damage if you open er up yourself.

 

i can second that my tech agent had only seen 1 other M17x and i had to remind him how to open it up

 

Yep, the reps are not all careful and I had my system replaced after a rep came in to change a screen and broke most of the plastic. It was crazy. He broke the back cover, the palm rest and the touch screen bar.

Good news though, Dell does not work with that company anymore.

 

I had my m17x in Pieces down to the motherboard within 4 hours of opening the new box because a HD metal washer fell in the CPU fan to the motherboard.

It's not hard to get to the gpu all you need to do is remove a few screw and be patient. Moo has a great guide set up for you to follow ! I also recommend doing it yourself. You can learn to work on your own machine and it will be relatively simple to do, all you need to do is remove the keyboard and then you will be able to reseat the cable. You will take care to not scratch o scuff the machine no one else would care as much. Actually if you don't want to open her up I would just ask for a new machine

 

In addition to Moo's video guide, a very handy reference is the actual Service Manual from Dell. Pair the two together and you shouldn't have any issues.

Best of luck. Make sure you have plenty of workspace and take your time.

 

I had to replace the lcd on my M17x myself, including all the little connectors, webcam, mics. Let me tell you, replacing a gpu is a cake walk compared to the lcd.