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4 Posts
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18424
October 25th, 2015 23:00
Dying GPU? Very odd issue
M17x R2 w/ dual 4xxx series gpus
So one day, all of a sudden I get a BSOD after getting a pop up message about something AMD graphics related failing and being reset.
Upon reboot all screens (except for the one where the windows logo is present) display crazy weird artifacts, lots of texts out of place/mirrored etc. When it gets to the desktop sometimes the screen is black with scattered artifacts, but usually it shows up but I cannot open or run anything. The artifacts just flicker
So far I have done the following to attempt to fix this to no avail.
-Remove both gpus to clean dust out
-Boot into safe mode-Purchased Mobile HD5870 for left slot (suspected dead main gpu, thought I had the 5xxx series under the hood, oops XD )
-Update to BIOS A10
-Scream at it a lot
***WHEN THE HD5870 IS INSTALLED nothing happens, keyboard lights up, but screen stays black, fans DO NOT kick on. Same result when crossfire cable is removed. Is this POS a DOA?
***WHEN I UNINSTALL 4xxx SERIES DRIVERS in safe mode, then boot up regularly it kicks over into ***-resolution mode and I regain access to my desktop and all OS functions.
Please AW gurus, you are my only hope!
I have pics/vid of the boot up and artifacts, though I doubt they will be of much help.
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Alienware - Rodrigo
7 Technologist
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4.4K Posts
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October 26th, 2015 10:00
Hi,
If you have already tried using the latest drivers for your AMD cards and the same issue continues, I would recommend replacing the video cards. Unfortunately, it does sound like a hardware problem and considering everything you have already tried, I can’t think of any other troubleshooting procedure for this issue.
herpinderpin
4 Posts
0
October 26th, 2015 21:00
SOLVED IT!
I think at least. Looks like everything is pretty plug and play once I took the 2nd 4xxx series gpu out of the right slot. So far it's found the drivers it needed and everything looks and sounds great. Now I need to figure out if that second gpu is fried as well or just the left one, and If I can still crossfire it. If not looks like I'll just upgrade it to a second 5870 :D
tl;dr Fried main 4xxx gpu and maybe the second 4xxx gpu. New 5870 runs fine when it's all alone.
judal7837
2 Intern
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327 Posts
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October 26th, 2015 11:00
when was the last time you change the thermal paste ?
herpinderpin
4 Posts
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October 26th, 2015 14:00
Judal
Never, personally. Got it as a "hand me up" from a younger brother a couple months ago.
herpinderpin
4 Posts
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October 26th, 2015 14:00
Rodrigo
While I did try to update the drivers for the HD5870m I bought for the left gpu slot, I'm not sure they "took". I used the Catalyst program to accomplish it.
I have 2 questions though
-What would cause the laptop to not boot up at all when the HD5870m is installed into the left gpu slot? Would it conflict with the 4xxx series that is in the right slot? I got the 5870 on ebay and fear a DOA
-Do the main and slave gpu need to be the exact same model? or the same series? Can I remove the right one and crossfire cable to just run the 5870m?
judal7837
2 Intern
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327 Posts
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October 26th, 2015 15:00
can you please download and use this program
to see if your problem is caused by the heat ( the heat kill everything ) i repaste my notebook once a year.
judal7837
2 Intern
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327 Posts
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October 27th, 2015 00:00
just make sure that you used a good thermal paste. You don't want to kill this new one again ;)