External monitor not working

I just installed a new video card (9800m gt) on my Clevo M570RU, upgraded the BIOS and ED (I think that's what it's called) firmware, finally installing to the latest video card drivers and everything except for one thing seems to be working without a hitch; I tried out the card's performance in Far Cry 2 and it did exactly what was expected of it and I'm quite happy that it worked out well.

The problem is that the laptop refuses to output to an external monitor. The machine reads that there's a DVI plugged in and even the monitor's name (BenQ FP241VW) and the monitor reads that the DVI cable is plugged in however there's simply no image being displayed -- the monitor responds "No signal".

Both the NVidia display panel and Window's display settings both are set up for multiple monitors (each set to "duplicate" the primary, which is my laptop monitor).

I tried reinstalling the drivers for the monitor (previously I never even used any with the 8700m and it worked perfectly fine), but that didn't seem to do anything.

The laptop is a M570RU with a T7700 proc. and 4gigs RAM on Home Premium x64.

If anyone could help me out that would be greatly appreciated.

 

Have you tried it with another monitor?

As well as has the computer shown that a secondary display is detected?
- If so, then make sure its not the cable or the monitor's settings (source/input button)

 

I have not tried it with another monitor yet, but I do know it's not the monitor's settings or the monitor itself. I'm really stumped here... technically this is an issue with the motherboard and not the video card as the motherboard contains the DVI output, unlike better desktops. Could it have been the BIOS?

 

it might be the DVI port itself, but its very unlikely that they would go back.

I would still try to test the DVI port on another external display if possible.

 

I had a very similar problem with my desktop PC. I tried to hook up the second DVI port into my LCD TV. Turned out I had the external display at a refresh rate and resolution that the LCD did not support. Maybe that is the cause??? :-/

 

^^ very good possible problem as well.

make sure to set the external display to 60Hz when trying to configure it on the computer's software (Nvidia Control Panel)

 

Okay, so I decided to try another monitor -- my 1080p Samsung television.

Get this: when I plug the HDMI --> DVI cable into my laptop + TV my TV detects a new input and the option becomes available to me. My laptop detects this also; in fact, it even changes its resolution to 1920x 1080. It's just that it's not outputting any video

I'm gonna try rolling back the drivers quick before I'm off to Quantum of Solace (keeping my expectations low, unfortunately).

 

Okay, so I am now using Clevo's drivers, and the monitor still won't work... I'm really starting to think it's a BIOS problem with the motherboard. It just didn't like something...

 

*bump* I'm really stumped guys... help please!

 

who was your vendor?

 

RJTech -- Eurocom for the vid. card.

At the moment I'm kind of retracing my steps. I've tried the ways to access monitor settings/accessors that I know of (through device manager, nvidia, etc.), but likely it isn't all of them. So, instead, I'm reinstalling my BIOS (which I think is the problem). I'm really reluctant to roll them back, though.

 

VBIOS or motherboard BIOS?

 

Mobo (1.00.11 I think -- is there a way to check that? There's a very inconvenient splash screen that now covers up my essential information at DOS bootup since I upgraded the BIOS.)

One goof I made was the order in which I installed it. I did the EC firmware first thinking it was the BIOS.

First: ECM57RU.09 then I used: 57RU_11.WPH

 

since you got the notebook through RJtech, I am pretty confident that those barebones are from Sager.

So if you want more support, you can contact Sager and they can help you even further.... with BIOS versions and such.

Just give Sager your serial number to confirm that its a Sager.

 

The serial number on the bottom of the machine?

 

yes. when you contact Sager support, they will ask for it.

 

Okay, I've contacted Eurocom support. They're really quite helpful, even though they didn't manage to solve my problem.

They sent me a vBIOS for 9800m, which I used (presumably by executing "v.bat" on my flash drive bootup although I only got a weak confirmation on this). Unfortunately, it didn't do anything (and I really thought it would!). Apparently Eurocom is trying to replicate my issue using a laptop of their own, but I'm really not sure if they'll find what they're looking for.

At this point I'm taking any advice, besides a full reformat.

On a side note, how do I find out what my BIOS and vBIOS versions are?

 

Eurocom can't seem to find out what my problem is, as they've said they're replicated my problem with no issues (I don't entirely believe that they went through this effort, however).

I called RJTech, the people who I bought the machine from. They flatout said that the M570RU does NOT support the 9800m GT, however the M570TU does because it has a different motherboard chipset. They simply dismissed me and offered no further help. Can anyone confirm what they said or is this just an excuse to not offer support?

I'm really stumped guys.

 

I FIXED IT!!! I F'IN FIXED IT!!!!

After over two months of my external monitor collecting dust, I finally did it.

Apparently Eurocom is selling 8800M GTXs labelled as 9800m GTs. They gave me the 9800m vBIOS for me to install so I get to "see" that the card is a 9800m GT cause it says on my NVidia control panel. Turns out I had an 8800M GTX all along; Clevo has a specific VBIOS for this card, and I gave a shot installing it.

It's a bittersweet ending to this mess, but at least I have my monitor.