The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    M18x R2 Motherboard MXM Slots Not Detecting Any GPU

    Discussion in 'Alienware 18 and M18x' started by Slagr, May 4, 2021.

  1. Slagr

    Slagr Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    16
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    6
    I have an M18x R2 that I picked up very cheap a while back due to faulty video. It works fine with igfx but after trying 3 different cards (675m, 980m, known good 680m) the BIOS (A11 Unlocked) does not detect any nvidia graphics. Windows seems to see something as it gives me the prompt to use Fn+F7 but it just causes 8 beeps on reboot until CMOS reset.

    Does anyone know anything about component-level repair on the MXM section of the motherboard or other things to try? I'd sooner pay double for a whole new machine than just a mobo, and already have. But I'd hate to see this one go to waste if it can be saved.
     
    Slagr, May 4, 2021
    #1
  2. Tenoroon

    Tenoroon Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    149
    Messages:
    749
    Likes Received:
    583
    Trophy Points:
    106
    Hey I remember talking to you for a bit earlier today ;).

    Again, I'm not too knowledgeable on this kind of stuff, but I do believe @Khenglish can help you out a bit (sorry for the ping mate!) He should be able to guide you in the right direction on fixing the MXM slot if its the MXM slot that's problematic.
     
    Tenoroon, May 4, 2021
    #2
  3. Khenglish

    Khenglish Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    799
    Messages:
    1,127
    Likes Received:
    979
    Trophy Points:
    131
    Since neither slot works, and not even in iGFX mode I suspect one of the power switches to the GPUs is dead. Usually when these switches die, they die closed, but not always. I would check if the GPUs are receiving 19V, 5V, and 3.3V power. You're going to have to look at schematics for the pins to check. I can't really guide you.
     
    Khenglish, May 5, 2021
    #3
  4. Slagr

    Slagr Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    16
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    6
    Interesting. That would explain why this machine seems to randomly lose power over time even while off, correct? It will randomly rev up the disk drive, turn on lights, blow fans, then power off completely after sitting for a few days. Do you know where I can find schematics?

    EDIT: schematics:
    https://forum.laboneinside.com/viewtopic.php?t=389
     
    Last edited: May 5, 2021
    Slagr, May 5, 2021
    #4