Problem: M570TU and GeForce 3600M

So in another thread I made around here I concluded the 280M in my notebook is more or less fried and CyberPowerPC treated me like a leper since it was out of warranty (despite the fact any fixes they did under warranty were lucky to last a month).

I went on eBay and ordered myself a GeForce 3600m since a replacement 280M costs about $500 and I can't afford that right now. i got the card today and installed it with no physical problems.

Unfortunately when I try and boot up my notebook with this new card it simply has a black screen. In about half my attempts it would 'beep' loudly and flash 3 lights on the front in unison with the beeps until I turn it off. Other times it would simply just turn itself off without beeping. I read about hooking up an external monitor since the notebook screen might not show anything, but the external monitor didn't show anything either.

Only other possible solution I came across here was flashing the card to a 9800GT, I think it was, but I haven't the slightest idea how to go about doing that.

 

So no help on this? I would at least like to know if the geforce 3600M is compatible with the m57otu or if this card I got off eBay is simply defective.

 

Is there a NOT FOR EMC TESTING sticker on its back?
If possible, post a picture or link of that FX3600m.

 

Nope. Just lots of stickers with numbers and a 'RoHS Compliant' sticker.

 

Here are the images. Didn't re-size so the detail remained intact. Excuse the thermal paste.

 

I see.

You just bought an early version of G92 MXM card.

Have you noticed the code 180-10398-0000-A01 at the bottom?
I got one FX3600M with 180-10398-0002-A03 board which is compatible with my D901C.

And the FX3600M on laptop is NB8E-GLM3 while the sticker on yours says AB8E-GLM3. I suspect that it is not used for a laptop but some workstation.

Besides, is there G92-975-A2 code on the die of your FX3600M? It is covered by TM paste that I couldn't check it.

 

On the die? I removed the TM paste off the processor and there was no such code but I'm not sure if that is what you are talking about.

 

He might just need a new vBIOS. The only way to do it is a blind flash.

 

I heard about flashing a new vbios but not sure I could do that even blind. The notebook either does error beeps and shuts down, or just stays on doing seemingly nothing then shutdown. Both with nothing on the notebook screen or external screen.

 

So you never hear it boot to windows right ?

 

Nope, makes no sounds at all except for the beeping I mentioned.

 

Then you can't blind flash... there is nothing you can do as far as I can tell.

 

That's the way it is looking. Hopefully I can get some sort of refund and start looking for a more directly compatible card for my m570tu

 

BTW: What is the mainboard revision of your M570TU?

 

how would i go about checking that?

 

On the slot of RAM, there should be a sticker.

Just like this.

Spoiler

 

I see a couple of May-'09 stickers.

EDIT: sorry its v3.2B-1

 

I suspect the card is damaged. I've had 2 of these from GFSI and they worked perfectly on my Clevo and MSI laptops, but could NOT be flashed to 9800m GT.

They should have a 2nd version with A03 revision PCB made in china, and copper heatsink mounting holes. These are the same as Alienware cards and will work fine. Ask them for an exchange.
They might have some 9800m GS as well.

 

Isn't the 3700M a better option?

 

I'm basically trying to get one that will work and not cost me much over $100