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18 R1, primary discrete graphics dead, removed and replaced with the secondary graphic card, won't work
Hello all,
I have been using my Alienware 18 R1 (dual 970Ms) for years. Recently, I discovered that one of the 970M graphics cards is dead and caused a short circuit, preventing the laptop from turning on. I completely removed the faulty graphics card from the primary GPU slot and replaced it with the secondary graphics card, which I assume is still functional. Now, the laptop turns on, and the graphics card can be identified in both Device Manager and BIOS. However, the games only run with the integrated graphics, and the Nvidia Control Panel cannot be opened.
My questions:
- Will the Alienware 18 run with only one discrete GPU?
- The second GPU slot is empty, and I didn't remove the heatsink. Is this unusual, and could it cause any problems?
3. What steps should I take to resolve the issue of the discrete GPU being identified but not functioning properly? Should I upadte the BIOS?
Thank you for your help!
ejn63
10 Elder
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April 24th, 2024 15:03
The system should run on one GPU by itself, yes. Some older systems required a continuity card in the case of non-SLi use, but I don't think this one does. If you can't see either GPU, chances are that short circuit took out the line to both GPUs.
mattyb3
5 Practitioner
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April 29th, 2024 01:37
Do not leave the heatsink sitting there without the GPU. If any of the heatsink makes contact with board components then you may cause a short.
The 18 does not have Optimus available without an Unlocked BIOS so you shouldn't be able to see the Intel graphics and the Nvidia graphics at the same time in the BIOS or Device Manager. Does yours list Intel HD4600 and the 970M or only one of them?
Usually when you remove the two dedicated cards, the system will automatically revert back to iGFX mode (integrated graphics) and you have to manually switch it back to PEG mode (dedicated graphics)
Usually, you will have to swap graphics mode by pressing the function key and the GFX key (could be F8 but I don't have one of these keyboards in front of me right now).
After doing this, if only the Intel graphics is shown in Device manager, you should be prompted to restart the system and then the Nvidia GPU will be active. You must have the Alienware OSD driver installed for this function to work.
The unlocked BIOS allows for SG mode (switchable graphics) but this isn't a factory option as it doesn't work with SLI.
If only the Nvidia 970M is shown in Device Manager then your games are running off this card and you have another issue, most likely with the card itself or its vBIOS.
Daddy_longlegs
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May 2nd, 2024 16:09
@mattyb3
Thank you for your reponse! I will try it again.