7970m died. Bought a Dell GTX 680m for 9170EM.

I installed the new 680m card and now the laptop beeps and shuts off after 30 seconds or so. It reads Nvidia 680m in BIOS but acts as if it isn't reading the temps correctly. Is it thermal shutting down? 3 lights flash with the beeping; numlock, caps lock, and screen lock.

Does the Dell 680m (2gb) work in the P170EM models? Do I need to flash a different BIOS?

Thanks in advance on this.

 

https://www.techinferno.com/index.php?/forums/topic/1668-can-i-use-a-dell-680m-on-clevo-laptop/
According to this thread, for almost everyone it doesn't work. One guy said he got it running, but not how. Maybe you can contact him.

 

in the past dell cards were not compatable at all with any clevo laptop.
no idea if thats changed lately.

 

I found a thread where @Prema said Dell cards work in almost all cases. I am looking for it now...

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I'm pretty sure he never said that.. Dell cards don't work in Clevo's but the other way around is more likely with Clevo cards working in Dell'...

 

Found the thread. I assumed he was talking about the EM series and not the HM?

http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/gtx-680m-on-clevo-p150em.775099/#post-9992840

In any case, there was no info or sources to back up what he said.

 

You need to update your system BIOS to the latest version. EM machines shouldn't have a problem with that card.

 

Would I be correct in contacting Sager support to receive the latest BIOS? Or is there a safe thread here that has them because they aren't being updated anymore.

 

Here's the info I have:



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Yes, I would contact Sager unless you're okay losing your Sager logo, in which case you can flash Prema's stock BIOS for your machine.

https://biosmods.wordpress.com/stock/

 

Well I flashed the newest stock BIOS from Prema and it successfully updated. But the problem is still there. The 3 caps keys flash and the laptop beeps until it shuts off.

One note on the installation of the card:
I did use the same heatsink from the 7970m. It seemed to fit, but it also seems slightly loose. This could cause this problem if it started overheating but the laptop isn't on for more than 15 seconds.

I'm out of ideas..

 

double post

 

Have you thought that the card may be dead?

 

Actually before going that far, try flashing Prema's modded system BIOS.

If it still doesn't work, it could be a card issue (including vbios version). It's hard to troubleshoot.

 

Alright, I flashed Prema's modded system BIOS and it actually prevents the thermal shutdowns. But only if the NVIDIA card is inactive. It does thermal shutdown in BIOS but I can live with that. I can use Windows normally as long as the card is not in use. But as soon as I start up the NVIDIA GeForce Experience for example, the card turns on, fans kick on, lights start blinking, and then after about a minute thermal shutdown occurs.

If I close the program, the card isn't in use anymore and the 'thermal countdown' goes away.

 

I wonder if it is due to the heatsink from the 7970? How loose is it, and have you tried repasting the thermal compound on it?

 

Sounds like there is something wrong with the card.

Is it running this vbios? 80.04.33.00.32

You shouldn't be getting a thermal shutdown that quickly when the card isn't under load so it's obviously not getting a temperature reading from the card.

 

The heatsink seems to be pretty sturdy now. I reseated everything and gave it clean thermal paste. The vbios is a bit different though.

 

0MHz memory?

Can you get a screenshot of the sensors tab?

 

The Sensors tab changes back and forth between these two images. Speedfan shows that the GPU temp is also sporadic, which falls in line with these images. Inconsistent readings. I'm starting to think that this is just effects of it being a DELL card...

 

Looks like a failing card to me. And 89C is ridiculously high. I'd get the nVidia heatsink if you manage to fix the card.

With it being so unstable, I hesitate suggesting a vbios flash.

I noticed you're using the broken 361.43 drivers. I would uninstall those, then run DDU to clean the rest, and install 337.88 or 347.88 which both greatly favor Kepler while 361.43 was a Dell specific Maxwell driver.

I still don't have any idea what's going on with your machine. Out of curiosity does the 7970M work at all? That intermittent behavior with GPU-Z looks highly suspicious. You can also remove the card, clean the contacts with some isopropyl alcohol, and reseat the board. The intermittent readings and a dead 7970M sounds more and more like a faulty motherboard.

 

It might as well be the heatsink, even though I think even with a wrong heatsink the temps should not be extremely high (as in 80+ degrees without significant load). Things I would certainly do:
1) Install the correct heatsink
2) Reinstall windows 10 (complete fresh install)
3) Try an older driver such as 347.88 or 355.60

Also, you mentioned you flashed the BIOS, but did you flash the EC as well? There might be a newer EC available (which controls the GPU fan).

 

The 7970m locks up the computer the moment I enable it. It runs fine on the hd4000 with the card installed. I've done enough tests to determine the card has failed so I'm not thinking it's the mobo.

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I agree with you except the thermal shutdown happens in BIOS, before the OS starts. The driver was just auto installed, I'd take all the suggestions on which driver actually works. Lol

I'm honestly going to try and return the card. I got it on eBay. Sounds like I'll have to cough up a fortune for a Clevo card.

Also, I flashed Prema's packages; stock and then PremaMod. So I'm assuming the ec is up to date?

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There are exceptions to the rule, but the prevailing wisdom is that Dell cards don't play well with Clevo systems. Good luck on finding a Clevo card; they're a little more difficult to locate.

 

That's an understatement. RJTech charges 860 for them because they are so rare.

 

Could someone verify this card for me? It looks like a good item to try and grab.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NVIDIA-Gefo...sh=item43e8649f42:g:Yb8AAOSwUV9WmvjL#viTabs_0

I'd like to be more certain now...

 

I'm also confused by this eBay ad:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nvidia-GeFo...082637?hash=item3ab654528d:g:i5YAAOxyeZNTVNFO

It's a Dell card yet they name the EM series. Is this just incorrect?

 

That's a genuine Clevo card.

I wouldn't buy from them. I've seen multiple people get dead cards from them. It also says it's an MSI card in the description so who knows.

 

That's definitely a MSI or at least DELL card. I wouldn't buy that. You have to look after a blue one with 4GB.

Why don't you go with a GTX 970m + P170SM heatsink? Meanwhile they cost as much as a replacement 680m and it's working out of the box with Prema BIOS + vBIOS. Isn't worth the hassle....

 

Definitely contact them about the card manufacturer. A lot of people buy a Dell card for their Clevo, only to have the card not work (maybe because it's defective, but often because of compatibility).

 

I like this idea. Is this a safe path to go? I already have Prema BIOS installed, so a GTX 970m wouldn't be an issue?

And you are right, the price is about the same:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Nvidia-...886305?hash=item1c59ee7de1:g:sLIAAOSwKsRWF6CM

How are drivers? Are there any issues?

 

I relate to this all to well right now. I'm not going to bother fighting another mystery card.

 

I upgraded my bro's P150EM with a 980m + P150SM Heatsink, flashed Prema's magic vBios on it and it ran out of the box like a charm! No issues at all!

Temps never went above 65 degrees under full load on automatic fans. So yeah, I heavily recommend that upgrade!

Just make sure you delete every trace of former GPU drivers (DDU for Nvidia, Driver Sweeper for AMD) before swapping cards. Then flash Prema's vBios on it (read the .txt first prior flashing) and it should reboot normally. After that install the Driver of your choice and that's it!

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Where did you get the heatsink? I'm not finding any at all. Would Sager directly sell them?

 

http://rjtech.com/shop/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=30343

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Oh wow. Awesome. That is half the price I was going to spend on Eurocom. Thanks for the info CaerCadarn.

 

Eurocom prices are a rip off.. Look around for 970/980M and you'll find them for cheaper.. Ask RJtech, Hidevolution or even @Woodstack, they'll give you a better deal..

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I actually found one on eBay. I linked it a page back. I want to get thermal pads for the card but yeah like you said Eurocom is spendy. $22 for custom thermal pads would be great, but they charge $28 for shipping...

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Again, I'd avoid eBay and Chinese sellers.

http://rjtech.com/shop/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=30307

Guaranteed to actually work in Clevo machines since they're Clevo cards.

 

As @TomJGX stated: reach out to @woodzstack. He should be able to make you a good offer for a GTX 970m + P170SM Heatsink. Maybe he can also throw some Thermal Pads in!

 

Reached out to @woodxstacks and he was very helpful. I have a card arriving Monday. I went with that eBay card before you guys mentioned rjtech, soooo I will cross my fingers. I'll update here in a few days.

Thanks again everyone, you've helped out a lot.

 

So I installed the 970m without any problems. It doesn't read the card in BIOS but it sounds like that is normal. I am unable to install any drivers from NVIDIA however. I get the error telling me the graphics driver could not find compatible graphics hardware. It installed a Microsoft Compatible driver through device manager and is labeled correctly as an NVIDIA 970m. Problem is I can't get the card to actually turn on. Nothing will use it.

I also do not know how to modify the .inf file in the driver package. I am stressed out!

Any ideas? Thanks!


EDIT: After a couple more hours I finally figured it out. Had to wing it with a particular section (no pun intended) of the INF file since my card didn't provide relevant information for the INF Section. Driver 59.06 installed and the card is working!

Thank you guys for helping me out.. Saved my bacon.