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    M18x R1 X-Fire... force laptop to use only secondary card?

    Discussion in 'Alienware 18 and M18x' started by MartinReyes, Apr 25, 2017.

  1. MartinReyes

    MartinReyes Notebook Consultant

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    My m18x R1 has been a tank for me, still my primary computer after all these years. I love the thing. However, I am having some graphics issues. My on board video is dead. I also have 6990's in X-Fire. I think the left video card that is normally used for most tasks is starting to go bad... random black screen crashes. The 2nd video card only kicks in when I'm gaming, which I haven't done for a few years. I assume that one is still good since it's has much less wear on it.

    Is there a way I can make the computer only use the 2nd video card? I think I could get a couple more years out of this computer if I can make the computer default to the 2nd video card.
     
    MartinReyes, Apr 25, 2017
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  2. Glzmo

    Glzmo Notebook Deity

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    You could physically switch the secondary card into the primary slot. They should be interchangable. You'll have to switch the heatsinks as well, of course.
     
    Glzmo, Apr 25, 2017
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  3. MartinReyes

    MartinReyes Notebook Consultant

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    Thanks. That sounds a bit daunting. I've never taken apart my laptop before - I've just gone in to clean out the dust. Is there a way to disable the first video card through software or OS?

    If I need to go in, I'll give it a shot. I've built regular computers before. Hopefully, I don't break anything.
     
    MartinReyes, Apr 25, 2017
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  4. GodlikeRU

    GodlikeRU Notebook Deity

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    You need to switch the cards physically. For system without Nvidia drivers second card literally doesn't do anything as display is routed to the first one.
     
    GodlikeRU, Apr 29, 2017
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