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    new GPU?

    Discussion in 'Sager and Clevo' started by Brendhan, Jul 30, 2010.

  1. Brendhan

    Brendhan Notebook Enthusiast

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    So a while back, my screen stopped displaying almost everything. I don't see the bios, I don't see windows loading, and I don't see a log on screen. However, I still hear windows starting up, so I am guessing the graphics card is bust. I have contacted Sager and xotic pc and they have both told me to send it in and they will repair the card. however, sager said it would probably cost about $400 not including shipping, which I have to pay for, and xotic pc said they couldn't give me an estimate until they had the laptop and looked at it.

    right now, I am looking for a cheaper alternative. I have a clevo m860tu with an nvidia 9800m gt. is there a cheaper graphics card I could buy and install myself? honestly, i'd be fine downgrading as long as my laptop works again. I just don't want to buy a cheaper card and find it doesn't work with the laptop. I know the 9800m gts would work, but what about the 9700 series? are those compatible?
     
    Brendhan, Jul 30, 2010
    #1
  2. pasoleatis

    pasoleatis Notebook Deity

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    A pc will never boot if the card is fried. Morelikely the screen is broken or the connection to the screen.
     
    pasoleatis, Jul 30, 2010
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  3. Brendhan

    Brendhan Notebook Enthusiast

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    Brendhan, Jul 30, 2010
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  4. moral hazard

    moral hazard Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Wrong.

    My GT627 boots with a known dead 3870 and I can hear windows.

    Yes some notebooks wont boot, but the good ones will.

    And this card could work:
    http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI...1513&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&afsrc=1&afsrc=1

    I made an offer to that seller, he gave me a counteroffer of $150 and I bought one ;)


    Looks like kaltmond is using an FX 3700m in his m860tu:
    http://forum.notebookreview.com/har...upgrade-fx-3600m-vs-fx-3700m.html#post6531807

    The FX 3700m is almost a 280m (just has slower clocks).
     
    moral hazard, Jul 30, 2010
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  5. Mark121

    Mark121 Notebook Consultant

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    I ran my small home server with out a Video card for a while using TeamViewer.
     
    Mark121, Jul 30, 2010
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  6. Bytales

    Bytales Notebook Evangelist

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    I never knew a computer could boot without a video card. I always thought at least a cheap 5 dollar video card would be needed to start a system.
     
    Bytales, Jul 31, 2010
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  7. pasoleatis

    pasoleatis Notebook Deity

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    You need a working card for the pc to boot. But go ahead and buy a new card if you want, after all you can spend your money as you like.

    Several people reported before problem with the cable that connects the card to the screen. You can do a fast test by connecting an external monitor.

    Edit: I just saw your pictures. It is possible the card is broken, though not totally fried.
     
    pasoleatis, Jul 31, 2010
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  8. Brendhan

    Brendhan Notebook Enthusiast

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    I have tried connecting it to an external screen. both the hdmi and the dvi outputs do not work. My screen does not detect any input.
     
    Brendhan, Jul 31, 2010
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  9. pasoleatis

    pasoleatis Notebook Deity

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    Ok. SO what is the type of the card? I mean what MXM is it?
     
    pasoleatis, Jul 31, 2010
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  10. moral hazard

    moral hazard Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    moral hazard, Jul 31, 2010
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  11. Brendhan

    Brendhan Notebook Enthusiast

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    i tried reseating the card, but that didn't work. the OP in that thread said he waited a couple of hours after that and when he tried, it worked. so i'll wait a while an post back here.
    also, does anyone know where the connection from the motherboard to the screen is? how accessible is it?
    http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h204/killer-ra/random nonimportant stuff/M860TU_Internals4.jpg
     
    Brendhan, Jul 31, 2010
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  12. Blacky

    Blacky Notebook Prophet

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    Also try to clean the connectors of both the slot and of the card, it sometimes helps.
     
    Blacky, Jul 31, 2010
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  13. theriko

    theriko Ronin

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    The connection from mobo to screen is accessible under the keyboard, look in the service manual (in my sig) for more detail.
     
    theriko, Jul 31, 2010
    #13