M11X R3, GeForce GT 540M Not Detected!!! VERY STRANGE!!!

Hey guys

I got a batch of 5 M11X R3s and one cannot detect the GT 540M discreet graphics and that is the highest spec of the lot!!! BIOS states discreet graphics "Not Detected". The onboard Intel HD 3000 is detected and works fine.

Nvidia and Dell driver installation (I tried few versions) simply states no compatible hardware found. The 540M does not appear in device manager, and no unknown device/standard vga. Just the Intel HD 3000 under display.

I opened up the whole machine and reset the CMOS and still no luck. Updated the BIOS to A04 and still no luck. Is it possible that this one came without the GT 540M?? On Dell website, none ever state they come with the GT 540M in system components so no way to tell.

It has 80+ days warranty still so maybe I should ring Dell up and request them to look at it?

Thanks guys and appreciate any ideas!!! =)

UPDATE: New motherboard fixed the issue.

 

Un-install the Intel and Nvidia.

Re-install the Chipset driver?

Install Intel first.

Install Nvidia Second.

Regards.

C.

 

You might want to follow this guide:

HOW TO: Clean Windows 7 Install (Driver Install Order) Guide for Alienware Systems


To see if it resolves the driver issue, failing that the GT 540M maybe U/S.

Regards.

C.

 

Try loading the BIOS defaults by pressing F9 in the BIOS screen, you can also remove the battery and power adapter, press and hold the power button for 1 minute (the laptop won't turn on). If that does not work you can try flashing the BIOS to the latest version available. If after all that troubleshooting the computer has the same issues please send us an e-mail to [email protected] with your tag, phone and a brief description of the issue because we may need to replace the motherboard (includes video card).

 

Tried all this already and no luck.

I will reset the CMOS again tomorrow by leaving it disconected for a few hours (I only waited a few seconds firs time). If that doesn't work, I don't know, maybe I should look if the GT540M is physically there on the motherboard... is it possible that it is missing the GPU chip, or bad connection???

CEUOTC, I will try to uninstall and reinstall drivers, however, seeing that the discreet graphics is not detected in BIOS, it is most likely a dead or disconnected GPU (which I assume would cause errors when booting?? but it is not) or some issue with the BIOS so I'll try clear CMOS again. All the other M11Xs show NVIDIA Graphics in Discreet section of BIOS.

 

Yes, it should always show. If it is not showing it could be pretty much dead. Did you try Fn+F7 within Windows? That would be the last step.
The chip is built into the motherboard so there is no way for it not to be there and it won't give errors because the main video card is the integrated HD3000 one. Try the Fn key it might work fine.

 

Correct, the 540M is physically soldered to the motherboard, Dell doesn't have the ability to send out a unit without a GPU even if they wanted to. It is most definitely there, there is no question about it, the question is if it's in working condition or not.

 

FN+F7 does nothing, infact it is a MUTE function on M11X R3. I'm convinced it is a hardware issue. I have sent an email to [email protected] please get back to me as soon as you can. Thanks

 

L_Porras, it has been over 4 days now since I sent the email to [email protected] regarding this matter and request for warranty but have not had a reply. Can you please chase this up for me? Thanks

 

Please send me your info on a PM.

 

So I decided to contact DELL Australia directly to claim warranty as Luis Porras was no help as he covers USA only.

Phone service was ok, ran through diagnostics and it only took half an hour which is not bad. Next day, a technician called me and came over in the afternoon. Awesome guy, replaced the motherboard within 30 minutes and laptop is back to normal now, GT 540M detected and all is good as gold. My only worry is that the new motherboard itself is refurbished, but doesn't matter.

 

Hi
Unfortunately i have the same issue, today i received a blue screen of death when re-installing a harmless application, after restart i did not noticed anything wrong until i started a game a couple of hours later...than i realized that my Nvidia was no more,it has simply disappeared . I tried a System Restore but in vain, also i checked in BIOS and it's not present under "discreet graphics" so i guess that's it, it's dead . Now , i understand from this topic that the NVidia video adapter it's not a stand-alone item to have it replaced, i must buy a new mother board ? Thanks for any suggestions. ( i have the same system, M11xR3)

 

I also have an m11xR3 affectionately named Sanya. She's been having an issue where the 540M will go all day and then the next it will dismount during a Driver IRQHL is less or equal BSOD i have access to many resources as an Engineering Student. However, none have lead me to the answer to this predicament. I've reflashed the Bios to A05 (can't find a higher Bios). I've done a full teardown, and it can only be relocated by going into the bios setup It failed today while updating the WarThunderDev application. It is like Houdini it appears and disappears on a whim.

 

There was really no need to dig up a two year old thread! In future post a new thread with your issue - Jphil your GT 540m needs reballing or replacing. You can find a professional to do this for you or you can replace the motherboard.