7970 Issues, BSOD, Intel 4000HD (Clevo 170EM)

Ok, to start, my PC specs.

Clevo 170EM
7970m (Intel 4000HD)
16gb Ram
i7 3820QM @2.7

About a week ago, a few mins after exiting a game of LoL, both screens when black (I use a BenQ 120hz monitor hooked up via display port 1.1). Restarted into BSOD. After about an hr, I decided to start the laptop up again and see what the issue was, everything was back to normal. Open Hwinfo64, all temps etc seemed normal. Fast forward 2 days, same issue, but the BSOD happens a few times. I decided to do a clean install of windows etc, wipe clean both SSD drives, and start over. I get the chipset, intel 400 drivers and amd driver son, everything works. Next morning, BSOD. I restart into safe mode, where I discover that the amd drivers are the cause. I get rid of them, restart, and I notice the intel graphics properties is not there when I right click my desktop( the settings on setting it to dual displays etc). I try to get amd drivers back on, nothing works.

Now, my question is, since the company I bought it from believes its the 7970m going out, but yet wont take it in under warranty to look at it and replace it if need be(another whole story on its own), is there a way, or anything else I can do to try and fix it or see what else is the root cause? I know my way around the computer, and want to keep it under warranty with them, since im not done with them as far as making it right and fixing it. Last time I did a fresh install ( around 24 hrs ago) the amd drivers were on, and about 10 mins later the displays drivers for th 7970 stop responding and recovered, then 5 mins after then chained that error into BSOD. I kinda need to either fix this on my own or have the reseller fix it, as I can not afford a new GPU (500$ for the replacement 7970)

Any help would be great.

 

You can download WhoCrashed to make sure its the video card Resplendence Software - WhoCrashed, automatic crash dump analyzer. It could be RAM which would be much easier to fix. If it is the video card for sure your only two options really are to send it in or purchase and install the video card yourself. Maybe you can ask them to cross ship you a video card.

 

I did download bluescreenview, and was telling me ati drivers. Is the program you mention any different? How sure can I be it is the card, or it is pretty much after a clean install and the drivers causing a crash mean its done for? I chose the wrong company it seems when I ordered, and wish I went with a company that was a little more upfront on certain things.

 

Another success story for the EM series coupled with AMD GCN cards. Hope you fix it soon and it's just a RAM issue.

 

WhoCrashed would do the same thing as bluescreenview. They both create a dump log which you can actually read vs the Microsoft one which isnt as specific. If you're still having problems after a clean install and the software is telling you that the BSOD are caused by the GPU I'd feel pretty confident that is the problem.

You mentioned in the original post that you are still under warranty but the company you bought it from wont take it in. Is there any reason why, if they dont have a legit reason I would really press them to accept it under warranty. Unless you have told them something you did is the reason for the issues, they should take it in for repair.

 

Its telling mt ATI drivers have caused the crash, and the last XXXX crashes. Last time i installed the drivers, it didnt BSOD right away like the last, i was able to let the computer sit for 10mins, then started opening up chrome etc, and the dirvers crashed for a few mins till it BSOD.

Why they arnt bringing it under warranty, they are trying to use a loophole and blame Sager, and have them deal with it. I learned my lesson and will be going with a different company, and most likely going with a desktop.

 

Have you tried different drivers?
Try the latest posted by Sager here Software Upgrade
Try the latest posted by AMD here Download Drivers

 

Sager most likely will be the one to honor the warranty, so perhaps they are not trying to push you out of your warranty (I certainly hope they aren't, at least). Sager resellers typically handle warranty items this way; they do the support, but the service goes through Sager.

Try running stress test utilities, such as Unigine: Heaven or FurMark. They may be able to give you a more definitive answer as to whether the card is bad or not.

 

Well all signs point to the 7970 failure, and with no money to fix it, looks like im gonna somehow get rid of it. The company was i guess nice enough to offer me a 7970 for just under 400$, but still to much for a broke college student. 2500$ setup, 18 months of moderate to light use, only to become a glorified netbook. Learned my lesson, and wont be buying from a company like them ever again.

 

There's a reseller review sub-forum, please make a thread there. It's a very useful sub-forum and people should beware of reseller wiggling out of warranties.

 

So, its time for a new card. I can get the 7970 or 675m. Price difference is 70$, but the warranty difference is 1 to 3 yrs, with nvidia haveing the 3yrs. So, on paper the amd card is better, but my issue is with the lack or warranty and overall support, and taking the hit on performance. The 680 is sadly 300 more and pretty much out of reach. So with over clocking the 675, since the amd has had issues, with it be more cost effective to buy the 675 or take another chance with the 7970?