Tech Help for P170 from Malibal

I had some issues with my laptop a couple weeks ago, and I narrowed the issue down to, probably the graphics card failing.

Here were the original symptoms:
My screen, after booting, was showing some strange distortion on the screen.


When I booted into safe mode, the screen resolution was quite low, but worked fine.

I noticed if I deleted the ATI drivers the screen appeared okay (though not in the proper resolution) but as soon as I tried reinstalling, I would get this distortion again.

My assumption was the video card was crashed.

Now, however, I am having another issue. I was using my computer in safe mode to try to diagnose this issue... and back up important files. Now my screen is completely blank.

New Symptoms:

When I turn on my laptop, I hear the fans start, and some lights blink, but the screen does not turn on.

If I let it sit for about 30-45 seconds, the computer turns back off... but not a complete shutdown, if I hit any random key it turns back on and repeats.

I would think that even if the video card failed 100% I could still use integrated graphics, like it was doing in safemode, so is this a second component failing (the screen?) or is this a symptom of the graphics card?

My next step, is to remove the graphics card (ATI 6990M) and seeing if this helps.

Thanks for the help guys!

 

Do you have the EM or HM?
If it's an HM, it can't use the iGPU anyway.

 

Says "Satori P170HM"

So you are saying there is no integrated graphics?

 

There are, but can't be used. You would need switchable graphics.
It's likely your GPU is dead, but check if it, and the heatsink are secure.

 

So there is integrated graphics, but it only functions if any (even non functioning) graphics card is occupying the slot?

It is in rigth now... I will remove, and clean the heat sync paste, and reinstall...

 

the iGPU is deactivated by default in the HM series. so its just physically there but its never switched on.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

 

I see, so essentially if the GPU isn't functioning... black screen.

What suprises me is that it would function without the ati drivers installed... but not if they were...

I will check that its properly placed, but I assume from the picture the card is fried.

 

It will function without the proper drivers. Windows can use generic drivers.
When you install the OS, it is necessary to run with the generic drivers until the correct GPU drivers are installed.

 

Even if you could activate the IGPU the displays are not wired to it so it would not be able to output anything.

Like Tmets says, all vendors make their card at least some way compatible with the generic windows drivers so the machine can boot.

 

Strange, so even though my card wouldnt work with the proper drivers, it had enough functionality to work with the default drivers.

Strange situation, but I can see that it could happen. I still expect my card is toast... but good excuse to upgrade from 6990M to 7970M

 

There is always a good side I suppose.
If you are going to upgrade, be aware you need a tweaked vbios for the the 7970m to disable enduro. Either the seller will do this, or you can blind flash it yourself.

 

I have not known about this... I will look for a link here on the forums and reply if I find instructions.

 

Here is the link:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sag...xxhm-laptops.html?highlight=blind+flash+7970m
If you specify to the seller it is going into an HM, they should be able to flash it themselves.

 

Thanks for the help.

Here is my dilemma. My current video card is broken, so I cant use my laptop. I ordered a 7970M. Am I able to flash the 7970M while my current card is non functioning?

 

as long as ure able to at least enter ur system bios u should be fine. anything else u need u can prepare on a different computer if need be. just read the instructions (make sure to read the whole thing) of the OP in that thread and ull be good to go

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

 

My current video card is shot. So my laptop just shows a blank screen.

If I put in the 7970M, will I be able to access bios from there, or will I need a whole different card to flash this before I can install it into my laptop?

 

as mentioned above, please read the instructions of the thread in my signature. the only thing ud have to do beforehand is to make sure that ur usb stick has first boot priority. but removing all hdds/sticking in ur usb thumbdrive and then switching on the machine would do the same trick. so only thing left to do would be to properly prepare the usb stick on a different computer.
again, read the instructions, its all there

cheers

ps: the vbios is ON the gpu, so flashing the vbios on a different card wont work! it would just brick that card!!!

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

 

unfortunately i cant get to bios because my card is shot. Anyone who could walk me through blind changing to boot from usb?

 

LOL, Malibal wouldn't help you repair your system? This must still be within the 2 year warranty. HM models aren't that old are they? Usually a good reseller will try to get you a good price on a GPU and help get it rapired I thought. Oh well, another Malibal owner struggling to service his machine himself while ignorant if how to do it and just following forum suggestions. Shame your warranty is wasted.

 

Their warranty was 1 year, I talked with them up front, but they said they could send me a new card for a price, but I found a better deal on amazon (by over $100) now I just need to get the last step.

Jaybee: is the boot disk supposed to have the DOS files on it? When I use the HP disk tool to format and install dos system the disk is empty afterwards.

In addition, just to clarify, when I turn the computer on with the new 7970M, the screen should be 100% blank. Correct?