DIY eGPU experiences

Thanks for my 9525pr.bat memory reallocation script, nando.

Some progress. Before I could not boot at all with 4GB Ram on Windows 7. I would either get a BSOD or an instant restart.

Now, after applying the 9525pr.bat reallocation script, I can boot into W7 with 4GB or RAM, but I systematically get a code 12 on the GT240.

I tried x1, x2, direct boot into W7 after running 9525pr.bat or hibernate and resume, but systematic code 12 on all attempts.

An opening was created in the D00000000-DFFFFFFF range on port 1, but maybe the 1GB VRAM of my GT240 has something to do with the attempts failing.

 

There is still a resource associated with port 1 that is sitting right in the middle at D7000000-D7FFFFFF of your 256MB space. You want a contiguous, free 256MB space like achieved on the DV2000/3GB.

The fix? Just view 0/1c/0 in Baredit, identify the offending register (likely 10,14 18, 22, 24, 28) doing the allocation, then add it to the 9525pr.bat, change the D7xxxxxx to F7xxxxxx. There is space at F7xxxxxx to successfully relocate it. Easier to visualise with PCI Scope, if it doesn't BSOD on you in Win7.

You have a free 256MB window at C0000000-CFFFFFFF associated with your port1. No need to relocate anything. Just setup your PCI bridge and away you go.

 

Okay. I'm looking at configuration space 0/1c/0 in Bar-Edit. Which register am I looking for?

 

Yep! Thanks! I got it working tonight WHOOHOO! LOL

I have 4 gigs of RAM on windows 7 64bit, boot up and insert the card. After a couple of beeps, I have 3 monitors running. (2 external on the external graphics card and the internal LCD running on the on-board graphics card, see attached)

I initially had a problem with the video card shutting down after a couple of minutes, but I have switched to a Nvidia 250 and worked for a good 20 minutes without issues, so I suspect my 2600 was bad. I tried to run Flight Sim and only got about 10 FPS on the 250, but I am hoping that with a better graphics card and some tuning I will be good to go.

Thanks again for everybody's help! Now to pick out a new video card..


Mike

 

Register 20 is the offender. Add following to your 9525pr.bat:

Code:

setpci -s 00:1c.0 20.l=F200F100

Can you also summarize your system in your post above? I believe it's a Dell 1555, cpu=?, RAM=4GB, Win7/64, please also capture the Everest Southbridge screenshot like this so we know if it could do x2 or not.

Great that it all works. The gamers are waiting for the HD5830 or Nvidia Fermi cards. HD5830 scheduled for Feb 5th, Fermi cards ETA March.

 

Sure thing,

My system specs:
Dell Studio 15 (1555)
Intel Core 2 Duo T6500, 2.1GHz 800Mhz, 2M L2 Cache
4GB, DDR2, 800MHz
Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD

I have also attached a screen shot of my southbridge.

nando,

In your opinion, what do you think of these three cards?
5770, 4870, 4890, or 5830.

I was originally debating between the 5770, 4870, & 4890 because I can get them now and have it all setup this weekend. But if the 5830 is going to be a better card I don't mind waiting a couple more days. Do you think there will be a big difference between these cards running x1? I'm specifically trying to play Microsoft Flight Sim X and I am having a bugger of a time trying to get the frame rates up to a level where the game is usable.

Thanks again for your help,

Mike

 

I've reserved a placeholder for a Studio 15 + HD5830 on the first post where I believe it will rank in performance.

I'd suggest a 5830 is due to it's 256bit DDR5, placed costwise b/w a HD5770 and a 5850, offering 4890 performance but with DX11 and lower power consumption. If you plan to build an enclosure then it's an investment in the future. Upgrading to an expresscard 2.0 notebook to be released sometime this year will see a further ~60% improvement in FPS performance. Can also let your friends borrow your DIY ViDock too.

 

nando,
Sounds good! That was exactly what I was looking for, a quick breakdown of the cards.... A 5830 sounds like the right card for what I want, now all I have to do is see if I can find one on the 5th..

Thanks,

Mike

 

ok, but
Win7 64bits 6gb ram,
PE4H with EC2C
I will be happy ?
Can i buy ? haha

 

No problem at all. Worst case scenario needing PCI Relocation, something you can do while awaiting part delivery. Just note Everest Southbridge output like this to see if your system has port1+port2.

 

Still no go.

I added the line:

setpci -s 00:1c.0 20.l=F200F100

at the end of 9525pr.bat, but still getting code 12 with 4GB on Windows 7 64-bit

 

The 256MB window @D0000000 is free now. Just need to correctly define the underlying bridge resources within the relocated space which I assumed values below were OK. If need be, manually set the GT240 as well. Could bootup with the working 2GB and evaluate the resources used by the bridge and GT240 in Device Manager to know what to set.

Code:

:: Your x2 port1 is connected to 00:1C:00 bridge.
:: Set it to use the D0000000 (256MB) Window which should be free now.
setpci -s 00:1c.0 1c.w=2020
setpci -s 00:1c.0 20.l=F200F100
setpci -s 00:1c.0 24.l=DFF1D001

 

PORT 1 - empty
PORT 2 - ATI Rv730/M96 or empty ?
PORT 3 - hd4650 ?
PORT 4 - wireless
PORT 5 - ethernet

 

and :

 

Replied in DIY ViDock Discussions thread.

 

If anybody was looking forward to the Radeon 5830, it looks like it is delayed further.. Possibly as far back as March till it hits the stores.

http://tech-report.net/discussions.x/18427

 

I've got a PE4H all hooked up with a NVIDIA 9800 gtx on a:
HP Pavillion DV2000
AMD 64 x2 1.8
120GB HDD
2GB ddr2
OS=Win7 32bit

I did a normal bootup, suspended, plugged in 9800, resumed; External monitor came on and I got a warning that the memory configuration had changed, and I could delete previous config and bootup of current memory, or reboot with previous config. I chose to delete, so it would run off the external card, and it does so perfectly... for about 60 seconds. It goes through win7 startup screen, then into the welcome screen where it begins to load my desktop. Right before desktop boots up, however, the screen turns off and everything seems to stop loading. If I unplug the express card or turn off the psu, nothing happens. I'm not getting an error 12 that know of. Not seeing it anyway.

Solutions?

 

I am realizing I am more newb than I should be. I made a bootdisk, and followed the directions as long as I could till it didn't make sense anymore. I called up a "techsavy" friend, and he was able to guide through the idea of most of this, but said that the step by step directions were just too vague (Understanding, of course, that the vagueness may come from our ignorance on this subject).

What is meant by uncomment? How do I need to change it to meet the requirements of an nvidia 9800 gtx? Also, does the fact that it's a 512 card mean I need 512 space, and not 256?

I apologize for all the questions. Bought all this stuff not realizing it was this intensive.

Thank so much!

 

Does that mean the Win7 desktop starts loading up, displaying via the 9800GTX to an external LCD? If so, then that means the 9800GTX is configured and working. The shutting the external graphics down after 60seconds suggests that when under some minor load, the video card stops working. Likely a power/connectivity issue. Double check your PSU, try another if have one available.

You DV2000 has either a Nvidia or AMD chipset, neither of which an example PCI script exists for as yet. Malumake's AMD RS780M chipset didn't need any bridge configuration.

 

I suppose then, yes it is working. The welcome screen comes on where you would normally type your password to sign in (I have this disabled for the time being) I tried this about 8-9 different times, and it cuts out every time. Seems to cut right before the desktop would normally load. None of the fans stop spinning and the lights don't turn off, so I can't see it being a power issue. If there are no scripts for what I need, and it's not a power issue, am I just screwed then?

 

Not sure if screwed, just require some creative troubleshooting for a situation I have not encountered. Not clear what is causing the problem. Suggestion in last post was that the PSU you are using cannot supply the peak power the 9800GTX needs, in which case the video card would just stop working with the PSU still continuing as you describe. So suggest trying a beefier power supply.

Would suggest setting your desktop to go to the onboard video and then manually change it to 'desktop 2' "make this main display".

If you have XP around, could try it too instead just to see if it's something to do with your Win7 load (drivers/startup?).

 

I just did some quick research. I've got a 480w PSU, which is apparently more than enough to power the 9800gtx, especially since it is the only thing sucking power from it.

I checked all the lights while starting up, and nothing seems to flicker on the card, and the card fan seems to stay in sync with my laptop fan. Just before it crashed prior to the desktop loading, I can hear both fans start to rev up a tiny bit, and then drop back to the normal rate. After that the computer is frozen with no displays, and I'm forced to pull the plug to shut it down and reboot.

Also, ift you have an IM or something, I would be willing to chat on there. I would like to keep this from clogging the thread, and I could post the solution once I/we find one.

Also also, would this problem be solved with the purchase of the ATI 4670?

 

The other nvidia implementations you can follow from the first post noted general flakiness. Something I haven't experienced with a HD4670. Other thing to try is swap the ends of the mini HDMI lead, or try another lead altogether if have one, just in case there is some defect there.

If buying a ATI card, I'd suggest a HD5830, due later this month. Could be worthwhile borrowing a low end card off a friend (eg:HD4350) to confirm operation on your system before investing more $$.

If you get your post count up, you'll be able to PM.

 

That seems a little contradictory of the original reason to PM, haha.

Ok, well, I believe my friend has a Radeon something something. I'll see if I can borrow it, and I'll post results. In the meantime, I'll try swapping ends.

 

Could someone please post a youtube video with this whole setup working? Not a just a feed from the external display showing some game running, but a video showing the whole rig working in real time, from boot-up to game operation with and without card? (Almost like the actual vidock 2 demos)
Perhaps also showing CPU-z, GPU-z, and the windows 7 system window?
It's not that I'm skeptical, its just that I would like to see a proven rig in action before I to devote my resources and laptop to this project.

 

Ok, so I got my friend's ATI Radeon X1800. I'm running on it right now, so that part works good. I turned on my computer, plugged in the card while powered on, and Win7 detected, installed the drivers, and I was good to go. I suspended the system, and when I resumed it turned up on the external monitor.

Here's the bad news. I tried booting up Lord of the Rings Online, which is my primary want for a better card. The client reinstalled directx, which I took to be a good sign, and then the client booted, the pregame screen loaded, everything looked good... until the openning cinematic normally would have rolled. Computer shut down, and restarted. It restarted back the external monitor. I went to open up a window (forget what) and the screen flickered with horizontal lines, and I got a blue screen of death saying that a device unloaded a pending driver. Computer dumped, restarted, and here I am. Sorry this desc is so long, but figured I'd give what happened in detail for full diagnosis.

Like I said, I'm still running on the desktop card, but haven't tried loading a game yet. Any ideas? I'm stumped.

 

@shewtemup. PM send.

 

I was not able to get the PCIScope driver started in Windows 7 64 bit. I could not get a PCIScope snapshot in DOS mode either.

I still tried to compile all the resources used by the GT240 with 2.5GB of RAM

The following PCI config script was used:

setpci -s 00:1c.00 1c.w=2020
setpci -s 00:1c.00 24.l=CFF1C001

 

publicallyunknown,

I don't have a you tube video, but I can attest that it works. It took a bit of work to get it up and running and a bit of head scratchin, but I'm typing this right now on the external graphics card with no issues, and watching a movie on my other monitor Thanks to Nando for his help! Wouldn't have been able to get it up running without this thread.

My only real advice is to try and re-read this thread and the first thread a couple of times, every time I re-read it I got a little bit better understanding.

Mike

 

Successfully using 4GB RAM on Windows 7 64-bit after running memory reallocation script!!

Using the 9525pr.bat memory reallocation script, I'm able to use 4GB RAM in both x1 mode and x2 mode with my Geforce GT240.

Attached is a device manager memory resources screenshot before the reallocation and after running the 9525pr.bat memory reallocation script.

Also attached are all the scripts used for x1 mode and x2 mode.

 

was it catalyst 9.5 or later? if so you need a legacy driver for x1800(yeah ati drivers suck) or a catalyst 9.3 or older

 

FYI: shewtemup's DV2000 with Phoenix bios was setting up the desktop video card as the primary video card. A configuration that the ACPI tables have no idea how to deal, leading to BSOD. THis is something I found on the DV2000 I tested on to. Suggested fix was:

- disconnect EC2C during bootup, then either hotplug after bios post or do a suspend, attach, resume. This will setup a dual-adapter configuration.

- explained that suspending differs to hibernating (hibernating was being done prior to the explanation).

Getting Started section

Getting Started section added to first post to clarify what's involved in setting this all up, plus re-editted for better flow and clarity.

 

There was recently some "critical" updates for Windows 7.
It seems like too much of a coincidence because ever since then i get constant crashes on the external card im using. Ive tried reinstalling the drivers etc etc but still the same problem. It seems to happen only when i try watching video or playing a game, even youtube videos freeze it.
I think ill have to do a complete restore of the OS now with no auto updates to test it.

Just wondering if anyone else had similar problems?

Thanks

 

The new Series 5 intel chipsets all have PCI EXPRESS 2.0... can I assume that every notebook shipped with one of those chipsets will run the DiY ViDock at full speed (2x 1.0) ?? this is the Series 5 specification sheet from intel:

http://www.intel.com/Assets/PDF/datasheet/322169.pdf

 

This is the Everest Chipset part for a E4300... is it x2 compatible??

 

Well, maybe. Port#3 is blocked by Latitude On card, but maybe there is any possibility to use that line (I have the same notebook).

 

Avlan, are you saying the Latitude On card presents itself on port3? There is no mention of it in the above screenshot. If so, then we know:
* port2=wifi (mPCIe)
* port3=Latitude On (mPCie)

All the remains then is identifying what the expresscard slot comes up as by inserting say an e-sata expresscard to see if it comes up on port1 or port4. Or if have any additional mPCIe slots to swap over the wifi and see if it presents as port1 or port2. Then can do a x2 link by:

* port1 + port2
* port3 + port4

 

i'm sorry, what is an "On card" ?

apparently "Leeg" in german (the screenshot) means "Available", is it correct? Port 1 and Port 4 Available?

 

from the GPU-Z image you can see 16x@1x... does that means it's working at 1.0 x1 or could it still be 2.0 x1?

 

Dell's additional card. It uses PCIe just like ICH9's gigabit ethernet (they are not visible).

Also, E4300 model uses half-sized PCIe card for WiFi (Port#2). WWAN card has standard size (I don't know which port it is, but probably #1).

And this is Dutch, not German ;>

 

Well it's been a couple of weeks since I posted and I wanted to let people know my progress on this. I couldn't continue to wait for the 5830 card to come out so I decided to grab a 5770 as a stop gap until the 5830 comes out. I've been running very well with the 5770 with the exception of trying to run Flight Sim X. I boot up Windows 7 with the script, plug in the Express Slot card, and a couple of beeps later, every thing is working great!

When I start playing Flight Sim X though, within 5 minutes I get a black screen and the card craps out on me and I have to reboot the computer. I have since done some research and found that there are a ton of 5700 series and 5800 series cards that are doing this and that it isn't the fault of the DIY Dock, so I am quite happy about that...

see here if you are experiencing similar problems...
http://forums.amd.com/game/messagev...124747&STARTPAGE=66&FTVAR_FORUMVIEWTMP=Linear

I'm still not getting the frame rates that I would like to see in Flight Sim x though, I was wondering if there is any way to go x2. I know I need port 1 + port 2 or port 3 + 4 to make it work, and right now my video card is in port 4. According to Everest (see here... http://forum.notebookreview.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=44438&d=1265246587) I don't show port 3. Does anybody know how to enable this so I can possibly run x2. I know I have an empty slot but I believe that is linked to port 1. Is there anyway to swap port 3 for port 1 in a bios setting or something like that?

Forgive my ignorance, I am just dying for some better performance, so I can play the game. If this doesn't work I'm afraid I'll have to shell out for a desktop and let this idea go...

Thanks for your help!

Mike

 

T6500-2.1+HD5770 Performance

Can you post 3dmark06 and RE5 benchmarks for your system so we can guage what it's performance is like?

x2 1.0 link on a Dell Studio 1555

For x2 1.0, need a port1+port2 or port3+port4 layout. Your system port layout shows:

-USB controller=port2
-expresscard slot=port4

Could try to enable port3 as shown here and here (do device manager scan after doing that), then swap your wifi card into any other available mPCIe slots and see if Everest picks it up on port3. If not, then x2 1.0 is not possible for you.

 

i7-720 1.6 + mobile HD4870x2 performance

System
Alienware M17x R-2
i7-720 1.6Ghz
4GB
Mobility HD4870x2 (crossfire)
Win7 64-bit

Results
RE5 benchmark 1280x800 - 77.6
3dmark06 1280x1024 (default) - [ please run ]
3dmark06 1280x800 - 12993

See attachments

http://i48.tinypic.com/zmdw8g.jpg
http://i50.tinypic.com/eg6af4.jpg

 

nice marks "the moo". glad to see an i7 getting run through its paces.

 

I'll try to benchmark it tonight...

I'm having a little difficulty following what to do...

Going by Intel's specs, I know the device ID for Port 3 is 2944, Looking at BarEdit, I see that it should be somewhere around Bus.0 Dev.28 FCt.1, but I don't know how to turn on Port 3. I'm sorry, I'm not that good with memory addresses, etc. I have attached a screen shot of BarEdit, showing the info for Port 2. I'm not sure if that helps with enabling Port 3.

Thanks for your help,

Mike

 

How to manually enable port1-port6 if your system has them disabled

Eg: Port3 will only be listed in BarEdit after it's been enabled in the Function Disable register at RCBA+3418H , setting bit 17=0. RCBA is different for each system and can be found by checking 0/31/0 F0h as shown here. Then offset 3418h from RCBA to access Function Disable as shown here here.

After that perform a device manager scan for port3 to appear. Ideally you would have booted up with your wifi card into any other available mPCIe slots and see if Everest picks it up on port3. If not, then x2 1.0 is not possible for you. Keep in mind too, some additional mPCIe sockets are designated WWAN sockets with only USB pins electrically connected.

 

Hi nando4..

I´ve just recently purchased a Vidock2 with a HD4670 1gb in Germany, and I´m following the instructions about the solution nº1 for Computers with Greater than 2.5GB RAM installed:

Solution#1: [XP/Win7 with XP drivers] - disable onboard graphics (easy). eg: 2510p.bat
DIY ViDock Bootdisk Installation Instructions (everything worked perfectly..)

But when Windows 7 is starting with the Vidock Bootdisk Installation, the computer inmeditately crashes..I figure out the problem is that I´ve installed Windows 7 under a Recovery disc for Windows Vista..but i´m not sure about that..

Could you suggest me any idea about of how to solve this problem?
Wich steps do I have to follow??
Do I have to modify the 2510P.bat file??

I don´t want to use 2gb instead of 4gb with my Vidock2 anymore.,,

I attached you the specs of my computer
http://www.sitiodekobayashi.es/HPPavilionDV9925nr.txt

Angel

 

I'm not clear what has/hasn't been done. Before even attempting to do the PCI Bridge Configuration or PCI Reallocation, can you boot the DIY ViDock bootdisk straight to a DOS prompt, then chainload Win7 using either of the following commands?

Code:

grub
grub --config-file="menu.w7"

If that step is problematic, or Win7 crashes on startup, then need to investigate how to chainload your particularly system with grub4dos by referring to grub4dos documentation/forums. Your DV9925 has an "nVIDIA nForce 7150M-630M, AMD Hammer" chipset and AMD TL-60 CPU.

 

I restarted my computer and the Chainload worked with the code:
grub --config-file="menu.w7"

Wich is the next step??

 

The next step is the most complex one but not difficult if you know what you are doing. Perform PCI Reallocation to get 4GB working with your DIY VIDock. The result being a batch file, say DV9925.bat. So your bootup process to get 4GB to work with your ViDock 2 would require

1. boot DIY ViDock USB bootdisk
2. run 'DV9225.bat' to do PCI Reallocation.
3. run 'grub --config-file="menu.w7" to chainload Win7.

2 and 3 can be all put into autoexec.bat so can boot straight off your USB stick into Win7 without any user intervention.

FYI: Villagetronic's North American distributor, Harmonic Inversion is looking for a bios programmer to automate the PCI Reallocation/PCI Bridge process with their ViDock 2/ViDock 4. Likely we'll see a similar, but less technical, USB-drive bootdisk setup/software with their upcoming ViDock 4 product to get > 2.5GB to work.