P170EM - Think the 7970m is dead so trying to use just intel

Hi,
I've read a few threads that I should be able to use just the intel 4000 GFX, as it stands I think the 7970M has died.
Symptoms:
Last night I had a few BSODs and then today it would hang at the starting windows screen
Boot into safe mode, remove AMD drivers (using the clean utility) - system boots up, but is using the VGASave driver (and won't run a second screen) - re-install the intel drivers (since in device manager the intel device shows with a yellow triangle) and reboot, system starts, but again is just using vgasave, yet device manager shows the intel device as OK.
(re-install the AMD drivers - same version as was using - it boots up, get logon prompt screen goes black with a flashing cursor in top left, (although windows is still working in the background as if I'm quick I can logon and can hear the logon sounds and stuff whilst the black screen is there - and can shut it down with key combos) - and the reboot then hangs at the starting windows prompt.

I use PremaMod Bios K1 edition (love this btw)

I read an old thread on here that said it can be done http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/clevo-without-mxm-gpu-card-would-work.744209/ but the actual detail wasn't posted...
As with the vgasave driver, DX can't be started
Just wondering what I need to do - is it as simple as taking the 7970m card out ?

TIA

Mack

 

If the firmware supports no dedicated card, then that's it. Usually the EC flips out, the fans will spin up, and the system will beep if the card is removed, but there are specific revisions to the firmware to allow for running with no card installed.

 

I have the same laptop and my 7970 also died. I do not have the Prema bios, but all I had to do was uninstall the AMD drivers and it started using the Intel 4000 graphics. I did not have to do anything else and I have not removed the 7970.

 

I'm able to use the laptop (this post is done on it) - so it would suggest the Intel is working ok, however

and from Screen Resolution you get


Which suggests that although I'm getting an image, it isn't working as I would expect

And It can't start DX or anything - I've re-installed the intel driver

 

Well, having tried it without the card in, it starts beeping, flashing the caps/num lock lights and then shuts down. Although it did start windows, it was still showing VGAsave as the gfx driver, rather than the intel (even though Driverview said it was loaded).
So I dunno, is it worth picking up a new card, or is it the intel stuff that's playing silly buggers....

 

Try baking the card to get more life out of it. Do not use oven that is also used for making food in your household as fumes are toxic.

 

Unless you can get a hold of that firmware that supports running on the Intel graphics alone, I think your only other options are to either try to rework the card (reflow or reball), or don't install the AMD drivers.

 

Sadly the case, however - A little bit of further tweaking and twiddling - I've now got the HD 4000 working as expected.
I needed to remove the amdkmdfp.sys driver (by replacing with the stock MS driver) and then removing the intel driver with DDU and then re-install the intel driver.
I now have the intel HD 4000 working properly - as in it's not using vgasave.

 

Thanks for sharing! I'm sure this will be helpful to anyone else in the same boat.