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August 21st, 2020 19:00
M17x R4, old GPU fried, trouble with new GPU
A while back I was trying to fix my laptop, and got the motherboard and CPU working when I found out my GPU was not working. I finally found one a 680m to put in it from a 675m, I didn't need anything overly powerful since I wanted to fix up my laptop for traveling. I got a used one from eBay, (seller had 100% positive with 72000+ reviews) and it is giving me an issue I cannot find an answer to, so I was hoping you guys could help me again with this project.
The laptop works fine without the dedicated GPU in it, I installed the new GPU, and it it seemed like it still worked, but booted up using the integrated. When I use the fn command to switch to the dedicated, it starts up, all the lights turn on, but the screen is blank, the backlight is on, but nothing on the screen, and after a bit I hear the windows login sound, so it seems like it is running.
I have tried to connect an external monitor and it says no signal, in both VGA and HDMI. I have tried restarting it multiple times, always with the same result. I took out the CMOS battery and held the power button, then it starts up using the integrated GPU again so I can see the screen. In the boot menu I go to the startup and I see the NVIDIA in the dedicated spot, so it seems to know it is there, but in the device manager it does not show up.
I am not really sure what to do now, if the GPU I got needs returned, if I am missing something obvious, or am missing a step in getting the new GPU working.
Thank you for any help
A51-06
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August 21st, 2020 20:00
I think you need a new GPU and run an ePSA by clicking F12 on restart and running the diagnostics.
Peppercooper1
42 Posts
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August 23rd, 2020 09:00
I ran the diagnostics, and it did not show anything, and the problem still persists. The problem is a bad GPU? I will have to return it then, and hope I can find another one, thanks for the confirmation.
mattyb3
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August 23rd, 2020 14:00
If you can see the card in the BIOS but not Device Manager then the chances are that the card is faulty. You could also try using NVflash to flash a new vBIOS to the card. It's possible that the card was previously used in a laptop that isn't compatible with Dell so a new vBIOS could fix this.
I have a bunch of faulty GPU's and most of them show in the BIOS so my gut feeling is that the card is dead.
Peppercooper1
42 Posts
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August 23rd, 2020 17:00
I don't know how to flash the GPU, and I feel like I am trying too hard to get this old thing running again, I think something might be loose because the screen goes all weird with a lot of different colored lines and crashes if I move it too much, like moving it from one table to another, then moving the screen and for some reason some keys don't work until a little bit of time passes. I am returning the GPU, and would like to find another one to get that would hopefully work, but I am not sure if it is worth it anymore, unless you know of a good repair service for them that won't cost as much as the thing cost to buy?
mattyb3
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August 23rd, 2020 17:00
Are you in the US? If you were in Australia I'd be happy to take a look.
If you took it to a PC repairer it may not be worth the cost. It would be better to look into it yourself and see how you go. If the screen is doing that weird thing even if there is no GPU installed then yeah you may have an LCD issue. Just make sure the connector is seated properly and you haven't crimped the cables.
If you're feeling brave you can also remove the LCD lid to check the cables in there. It isn't too hard and only requires removing two screws (from memory) once you remove the display assembly from the main part of the laptop.
The keyboard issue is strange. Maybe the ribbon cable needs to be reseated but it could need a new one. English keyboards for these are getting harder to find though.
Peppercooper1
42 Posts
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August 23rd, 2020 18:00
I am in the US, I will have to take the whole thing apart again and check the cables, I will look into another GPU, hopefully I can get a good one, never ending problems with this thing
mattyb3
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August 23rd, 2020 20:00
It can be frustrating messing around with these laptops the first time but stick with it and you'll end up learning a lot about what makes it tick. I have pulled apart lots of them and made lots of mistakes in the process.
If you do decide to remove the LCD back cover, just be careful with the LCD connector. I was drunk one night a few weeks ago trying to swap a 1600x900 display with a 1920x1080 and I tried to pull the LCD connector up to remove it but it slides out sideways. I pulled the connector straight off the LCD board and now it's just scrap.
Peppercooper1
42 Posts
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August 23rd, 2020 21:00
I know the screens can be difficult, I hope it is just a loose wire, only happens sometimes, but I am wondering what GPU to look for, I mostly want this laptop working so I can play games and use my drafting programs while travelling.
mattyb3
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August 23rd, 2020 21:00
Well if you just have the standard 60Hz display then the 980M is the way to go but if you have the 120Hz 3D display then I'd suggest a 1060 or 1070. It all depends on your budget.
Peppercooper1
42 Posts
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August 24th, 2020 07:00
Alright, thanks for the info, I have the 60Hz screen, so I think I will look into the 980m, GPUS for laptops are hard to find sometimes
Peppercooper1
42 Posts
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August 24th, 2020 09:00
I can't edit my previous comment, but I ordered a 980m, hopefully this one will work, thank you for all the help on this issue, and my past motherboard issue
mattyb3
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August 24th, 2020 14:00
Ok good luck with the upgrade. You will need to use a modified Nvidia driver to run the card but that isn't too hard and I can whip one up for you if you're having trouble. You will need the 3-pipe GPU heatsink for the 980M, just in case you have the 2-pipe.
Here is the guide on how to mod the .inf
https://null-src.com/posts/nvidia-notebook-driver-inf-mod/post.php
A51-06
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August 26th, 2020 15:00
Thanks for posting that link.
Peppercooper1
42 Posts
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August 31st, 2020 20:00
Sorry for not responding, work was really stressful last week. Mine has the 3 pipe heatsink so I am lucky there, and I will have to look at that guide, it was running ok, on the intel GPU still, the new GPU was detected in device manager as VGA compatible controller, and I updated the drivers for the GPU, so I think I should just have to modify the .inf file? Oh boy, I hope I do it right
mattyb3
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August 31st, 2020 21:00
Usually it shows up as Microsoft Basic Display Adapter when it has no driver installed but it should still be fine. You just need to follow the instructions in the guide and you should be good.
One thing to note is that when you try to install the driver from Nvidia and it fails, you have to go to your C: drive, find the Nvidia folder and copy/paste the folder in the C: drive because when you close the failed installer the Nvidia folder will vanish and you won't have a folder to mod. Once you copy/paste it it should say NVIDIA - Copy and then you can use this folder to mod the .inf.
Hopefully that wasn't too confusing.