HP Compaq nx9420/nw9440 and MXM?

I truly believe that the two models, nx9420 and the nw9440, support MXM as they are firstly removable. Secondly, these two models share the same platform and have two different GPU's (ATI x1600 and nVidia FX1500m). Lastly from the pictures that I have seen, the spacing of the holes seem to fit the description. If anyone doubts this possibility or wants more proof, leave a comment.

 

just b/c the gpus are removable doesn't mean that it is mxm. hp probably has their own proprietary pci-slot like dell does for their gpu.

 

I'll post some pictures soon and you can see for yourself. It might not show the full card since there are some obstruction that I am worried about moving.

 

Well here are a few pics that I just took plus some pics from a manual.





http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n76/Yota_Supra/P1010091.jpg

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n76/Yota_Supra/P1010081.jpg

 

There is a way to check for MXM...

http://mxm-upgrade.com/Notinthelist.html

 

Well from that I guess it doesn't point towards MXM. But atleast if I really need to, I could buy the nVidia FX1500m but it would probably only be available by HP for a hefty pricetag. One can always hope though...

 

What? Are you experienced enough (if you even have the NX9420) to try the software method listed in that guide? 'Cause I'm interested in whether or not the NX9420 has MXM. Also, here's a physical description.

http://mxm-upgrade.com/types.html

 

Well firstly I do have the nx9420, how else would I have those pictures? Which software method are you talking about and if you don't think I'm experienced than any help would be welcomed. As for now, I do not feel like dismantling the nx9420 again to figure out the size but I'll get around to that soon enough.

EDIT: from the physical description, kind of odd but it looks like the x1600 is in the MXM III form factor due to the extra length. Check the pictures to see what I'm talking about.

 

I'm not experianced, I'm hoping that you were I mean, you did know your way around the computer in the first place... Anyway, in that guide there was a section on using a software method to find out whether or not your computer has MXM...

The software route

NVIDIA:

Method 1: Download the latest video drivers from your manufacturer's site. Extract it and open the *.inf file Search for anything MXM. Depending on how some information is stored, either in the VBios or a separate ROM, this search will return strings like

[MXMThermal_AddReg]
HKLM,Software\"NVIDIA Corporation"\Global\NVTweak,MXMThermalControl,%REG_DWORD%,1

If it does, your laptop is 99% sure MXM. This method seems to work especially well for Uniwill based notebooks.

Special thanks to (R)(R)(R) from the LaptopVideo2Go forums!

Method 2: Dump the vBios using Nbitor. Open it in wordpad and search for 'MXM'. This works for a few vBioses, not all. If the vBios can not be dumped, that points to a vBios integrated into the sBios and that would mean that the GPU is not on a module!

We are always looking to hear how it went. We also appreciate if you send us the Bios we got, as it may help us understand MXM better and it might help us helping you in the future! Some vBios information may also be available through Everest, Rivatuner or other tools.

ATI: Go to your ATI tray tool and dump your bios. It should be exactly 60kb and it's content should be different from all zeros or all ones.

If so, there's a decent chance it's MXM. Keep in mind that only desktop cards store their vBios onboard, as they can be replaced. Most laptop's graphics solutions can't be exchanged and have their vBios as a part of the sBios. But keep in mind that this method is not watertight! There are other graphics modules out there (AXIOM to name but one) and they may store their vBios onboard to for convenience

Special thanks to slap-o from the The Gamebooks Forum for his support!

Special tool (UPDATED): This method is perfectly harmless, even though it is an .exe file, but it has not been verified, so we have no idea if it works. First you must boot in native DOS mode. If you have a floppy drive, use a bootdisk. If you don't, follow Ikovac's guide on how to make a USB stick bootable. Download this tool and run it from the command prompt. Tell us what it says, and we'll tell you what it means! We are looking for people to verify this tool, so if you want your name below this phrase, get testing!

If it says: Returned: 005F.0011.0000.0000 you have MXM under the hood!

(UPDATED II): A lot of people have been kind enough to try the tool. It has always returned a bad value, even for notebooks that are certified MXM. Only a single log was close to confirming MXM compatibility. So, if your run comes up empty this definetely does not mean it's not MXM! It's just one way of finding out that didn't work out.

Special thanks to Teraphy from the LaptopVideo2Go forums!

The part in bold is supposedly what you do to find out with an ATi card...

 

I'm not too sure on how to get the ATI BIOS dump so that method doesn't make too much sense for me as of right now. I will try that special tool and see what comes out of it but extracting the .inf file resulted in no mention of MXM.

EDIT: Even that special tool says it is not MXM compatible but thats not a certainty so thats a good thing.

 

They said that tool didn't work, and that BIOS dump stuff makes no sense to me either.

 

Well maybe sometime next week I'll submit my review of the nx9420 and maybe measure the GPU and see if it matches the specs. I am still leaning towards an MXM III because of the GPU in the nw9440 (FX1500m which is similar to the 7900GS). Theres a bracket there that is supposed to flip up but I am scared to move it as of yet because it isn't really budging. It's only been a couple of days and I'm already taking apart this machine, good thing is that I feel that it is really to take apart so it is not a chore or a risk to do so.

 

I thank you very much for taking apart your machine to find out this stuff. I might consider getting an nx9420 myself if it has MXM, and the MS-1042 doesn't come out soon.

EDIT: I gave the guys at mxm-upgrade a headsup. Maybe they can help you... Ice-Tea is the notebookreview.com user that operates that site. I wonder what he has to say. And if he sees this, I'd like to say sorry if I wasn't suppose to email you guys, or if I'm buggin you.

 

Well thanks for that extra help, I just measured the card and the dimesions are about 82mm x 100mm since I had to eyeball the measurements due to obstructions. That is the specificatin fo the MXM type III or HE models and this is probably the first that I have seen of a Type III x1600 as I suppose type II's are in the 15.4 inch notebooks. I might have to disassemble the unit again since it feels like my GPU is overheating now. What is a dangerous temperature for the GPU? Should I just add some heat sink compound and see if that helps?

 

Heya guys...

Firstly, by the looks of it, that card is MXM. Even though there are no dimensions, I'd roughly guess Type III.

The MXM checker only works in native DOS mode, and even then it doesn't report positive for a lot of MXM notebooks out there, so that's nothing to worry about.

Nothing in the driver, but again, that doesn't mean it's MXM.

As always, with all things MXM: we won't know untill someone tries

EDIT: Whoops, beaten to it Great to hear, sounds like MXM then. What's the ODM for these notebooks? Quanta has been the only one I know off that offers midrange GPU's on Type III.

 

Yay! An answer from the MXM expert. So there's only 1 way to find out, eh? Ah, what the heck, guess what my new notebook is gonna be?

 

I really don't know what the ODM is for these notebooks, would there be some sort of method to find out?

 

The MSI 1042? MXM for sure

Seriously, if someone wants to give it a shot, I can always spare a 6200 or something if only to see if it works with a 'normal' card.

 

I knew the 1042 was MXM (MSI stated it themselves), but I'd probably go with the HP nx9420 due to the Type 3 card (according to your site, the 1042 is only type 2). I'm gonna email HP tonight or tomorrow about MXM, and whether or not they have a C2D BIOS update for the nx9420 (I know that they're supposed to, but I'd like to make sure). I doubt they'll acknowledge they existence of MXM in their notebook though. Anyway, thanks for replying, and thanks to LanEvoIII for risking his notebook in the name of science.

 

Well if you want some information on the BIOS update here's a link that I posted before but it seems it hasn't been appreciated.

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsuppor...Id=101&prodSeriesId=1839153&prodTypeId=321957

It should be released on August 15th which seems in time for the Core 2 Duo. The only description given on the BIOS is that it will support "New Intel CPUs". I talked to some HP reps and they didn't even know about it. This is practically my dream notebook now as it should last me awhile. I am also very pleased as this is my first notebook. And just to let you know MGS2392, this notebook is extremely easy to disassemble in my opinion as the keyboard has 4 screws and the top part has another 4 screws where the battery would be. All you really need is a small Phillips screwdriver and a Torx 8 screwdriver. If you look at the manuals they tell you how to disassemble it, very ressourceful.

 

Thank you, thank you very very much. I don't know what I would do without you. I would give you rep again, but the rules won't allow it. The nx9420 is pretty much my dream notebook too except...

1. No ExpressCard 34/54 (they could have fit in both this and PCMCIA)
2. Intel Processor (sorry AMD, I'll always use you on desktops, but Intel won here)
3. I can't build it myself (I always wanted to try).

Once again, I appreciate this information very much.

Just wondering, are you going to accept Ice-Tea's offer to lend a low end card to see if it really MXM?

 

Maybe when I have the time I'll see about it. Right now I'm pretty busy so I don't think I'll be able to do that at the moment.

 

Oh, ok. I'm gonna start pestering my parents to let me buy it (I saved up myself, but I don't think they'll be willing). If that doesn't work, then I have (a very risky) plan B...

 

why try to "fix" it? just buy the damned machine you really want.

 

That thread died a month ago.

But it gives me the opportunity to ask if anyone has checked the full Rivatuner log yet? Sometimes, MXM is mentioned in the vBios header.

 

well... there is ANOTHER way to check the position of the bios...

since nx9420 and nw9440 have different cards inside all you have to try is to update the bios from nx9420 with the one listed as nw9440... IF it upgrades BOTH it means the bios is on the card... since they have different ones...

 

well... did it myself...

downloaded bios F.17 from nw9440 which i might add states "Updated video BIOS" under Enhancements and updated my nx9420 x1600 with it.. viola... NO PROBLEMS... it seems bios F17 does NOT actually update the video bios... well not mine anyway ... since i have a different video card...

CONCLUSION... BIOS ON VIDEO MXM BOARD

 

images from inside the nx9420

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/6527/dsc5901fo7.jpg

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/6004/dsc5908bo1.jpg

http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/1557/dsc5928dt4.jpg

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/3263/dsc5921nr6.jpg

i removed the sticker to see the true manufacturer of the laptop.... don't forget to put it back in :d

 

Here`s an update...

1) I shipped a 7900GS to a nx94xx owner. Didn`t work.
2) I bought a x1600 of nx94xx origin. it didn`t work on my Amilo.

Bad news I guess. The formfactor is good, compatibility appears to be a problem.

 

So then would the only upgrade path I can see that may be possible is using cards supplied by HP (used in the nw9440) but that may be costly and I'm not sure if the warranty would cover such a change, if performed by the user...

 

hey.. I guess the guy who got the card from MXM-upgrade might be me... (Thanks again I'll ship it back tomorrow!)

Thing is that the card has the wrong form factor for the NX9420. it is shorter and the right side would stick into the DVD drive enclosure. Also the heatsink mounting brackets don't fit. I'll try to get some pics the scenario later today if I find some batteries for the digi cam.
HP offers a G71 (7900 GS) for this laptop but for $1000 ;-) as a replacement part. (Part num: 417206-001).. the ATI they sell costs only $380 (part num: 409979-001). Right now I'm trying to get a quote from pinnaclemicro which apparently sells HP parts.

Will post the pics soon.
Thanks
MAx

 

the nw9440/nx9420 update is UP. new version si F. 19 dated the 14th of december ( a while ago ), and it's only listed under nw9440. Updated on nx9420 in windows 32, no problems at all.

changelog :

1. now i can enable VT.
2. it also updates the keyboard firmware from 34 smth to 54 smth.
3. maybe a lot of other things since there is no changelog and i can only see what hp wants me to see.

THE END.

 

hey samov.. what is VT? you have almost exactly the same laptop that I have (gotta love it !). What is your 3DMark05 ? ... but more important for me.. can you tell me your temperatures..? I changed the thermal grease on CPU and GPU and have the feeling it's too hot.

 

oh sorry... sure VT virtualization technology... didn't think clear..

---unfortunately does NHC ACPI not work anymore ufter turning on VT.

 

for accurate temperature mesurement use SpeedFAN 4.31 and above...

here's a printscreen with my IDLE temps... these are normal... and i changed mine with AS5 ...

 

It's also listed under nx9420 now.
HP have also added support for 512 MB graphics cards in this BIOS version.
Are the graphics cards also made by Hannstar?

 

Well I got bored today and looked at prices for HP graphics cards parts from their site (I'm assuming that they labeled it under PC Board (Graphics)). Since they aren't very descriptive, with only two choices (ATI and nVidia), the pricing is as follows. ATI -> $747 nVidia -> $1327 (Values in Canadian Dollars) They also require that you return your defective graphics card. So that is definitely not the path to go for an upgrade, might as well buy a better notebook later on...

 

omg... now that is expensive....

please note that upgrading the video board also requires you to upgrade the video board heat sink...