Video Card Broke, so got new one, now I am stuck...

Hi everyone,

I have a P170HM with an ATI 6990M.

My computer had a strange crash, and after force restarting my screen looked like this:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/att...3d1355592842-tech-help-p170-malibal-mcrkv.jpg

When I loaded safe mode the screen was okay, but it was not using the ATI drivers. So I figued maybe my card was shot. I tried wiping drivers, and reinstalling, I tried wiping the whole computer and starting from scratch, but if I installed the ATI drivers it would become distorted.

So I decided to buy a new Video card, I got the 7970M. Unfortunately I ordered it before I realized it had to be flashed for the HM machine. Thats okay, because I could do a blind flash... or so I thought.

I tried turning on the computer, and now the screen doesn't turn on at all, and I don't hear windows login sound play either. In fact, it almost sounds like there is no HDD activity at all.

So, now I am stuck at this current point:

I cannot flash the 7970M because I can't change my bios to boot off of USB, and in addition it doesn't sound like my laptop is starting up properly. If there is a second problem in addition to my video card, I don't know exactly what it is. I can post some pictures if that will help,
Thanks

 

Have you tried starting up without a dedicated GPU installed? See if Windows boots up normally with just the Intel iGPU.

 

In the HM series, the intel GPU is completely disabled.
Aint no way to turn it on.

When booting with the new card, do you see the BIOS bootup messages, or is it just a totally blank screen?

 

Completely blank, and as you mentioned b0b1man, the internal GPU is disabled in the HM series.

The computer turns on (fans and whatnot) but it doesn't make any noise, and I don't hear the hard drive working. I can make a video and post it.

 

Sounds like you need to find a local with an MXM 3.0b slot to help you out.

 

Anyone in Norway. Or close?

I am in Bergen.

 

PS: Mythlogic flashed mine for me so a reseller might do it for you for a fee.

 

How is it a "blind flash" if you need to use a screen? If you need to use a screen, try an external?

 

So thje screen stays blank as I start up, here is a video of the keyboard.

Startup Keyboard Lights - YouTube

 

How can I use an external if the video card doesn't work

Its blind because you are supposed to UPGRADE from a previous video card, but in my situation my video card is broken. Therefore I can't change the bios to boot of USB, which would then initiate the blind flash when I installed the new video card.

 

Exactly why what you said here doesn't make sense:

If the problem is that the screen doesn't turn on at all, try an external.

 

The video card will not function. External wont work.

The blind flash requires you to boot from a USB stick, I cannot because my existing video card isn't working, I am unable to go to BIOS to change USB to first priority. Therefore, the blind flash will not work.

 

OK, I just don't see you listing any details as to how you know that is the case. From the steps you listed, it sounds like it could be the monitor too. What narrowed you down to the video card? Also if nothing else is spinning up now, maybe it is the motherboard? Your troubleshooting just seems too broad. Installing drivers and then getting a distorted picture can be software related. I've resolved issues similar to that just using other drivers. Trying an external monitor is an easy to try step that just helps you eliminate one more possibility. Sure, sounds like it won't work from this end, but at the same time what is the harm in trying?

Ultimately you need another laptop to swap parts with it sounds like. It really sounds like you have no solid information to move forward with.

 

Okay, I want to start off that you are very unhelpful. I clearly wrote in the beginning what happened.

My Video card started to fail, it has now fully failed. However, there could be a second issue that came about as well. Please re-read my first post.

 

Tweak155, the issue is crystal-clear, deten posted in clear and understandable english. Your post was irrelevant to the issue at hand.

Back on-topic. If you swap the cards (put in the old 6990m), can you boot into the BIOS? If you can, then set the boot priority to USB.
After that, you need to ask someone to make a video about booting from a flash drive and the command you need to input, in order to start the blind flash of the V-BIOS.
Seeing the video, you will have all the timings of then to >press any key to boot from drive< and when to type in the command needed for flashing.

Otherwise, find a guy with a MXM 3.0 slot laptop and try flashing the card from his laptop (if thats possible at all).
Or maybe a laptop service, where the guys have experience in V-BIOS flashing.
Or a Clevo reseller, but the fees will be large for that kind of "service".

No other ideas come to mind. I wish I could help more, but its a tough situation with few options.

 

Is it possible to buy an MXM 3.0 port for a desktop and flash from there?

 

No, but there are some computers with this port, mostly HP, like these:
HP TouchSmart 620-1080 3D Edition Desktop PC Product Specifications HP TouchSmart 620-1080 3D Edition Desktop PC | HP® Support
HP Omni 27-1100 Desktop PC series -  HP Omni 27-1130eo Desktop PC Product Specifications - c03422450 - HP Business Support Center

 

I think the problem may be that the vbios that the card came with is too new, possibly it has uefi.

I flashed my 7970m with a uefi dell vbios. When it's in my p150hm (which happens to be running a p170hm bios and EC), I get the same result as you.

Could you send it back where you bought it and ask for them to flash it with an older vbios?

 

Yes, it is written in plain english, and nothing specifically indicates it is a hardware issue. If my screen just TURNS off, it can't just be the power to the monitor, it has to be the video card? Just because it looks funny on the screen doesn't mean anything for CERTAIN.

While you guys just run into dead ends, I offer other things to try. You may see them as useless but that is your own detriment. If you've never fixed something wondering how the hell you did it, then you can't appreciate my help. That's fine, but don't insult me. Additionally I don't recommend posting on a public board asking for help then just shooting down suggestions. Kind of defeats the purpose.

 

I want to apologise if I sounded rude. Of course everyone has had these occasions when you fix something in a way you never knew would work. In this case, the best idea would be to send the machine to professionals.
When the screen is totally off, there is not much you can do. Especially if you dont have the tools and / or a spare test machine, on which to experiment.

 

OP could just go ahead and remove all hdds and the optical drive, that way when he connects a usb stick it automatically gets first boot priority

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