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.

    Help! Bricked my 7970m

    Discussion in 'Alienware M15x' started by Spunky424, Jul 23, 2014.

  1. Spunky424

    Spunky424 Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    14
    Messages:
    228
    Likes Received:
    11
    Trophy Points:
    31
    So I have a m15xr2 with a 920xm and a dell 7970m. Last night I decided to flash an undervolted 0.975V by slv7 and everything went well till it asked me to restart and then black screen and the caps and scroll lock are blinking. Csn anyone help? I swapped it out for the old 240 graphics card and it works fine. Any help is appreciated.
     
    Spunky424, Jul 23, 2014
    #1
  2. EepoSaurus

    EepoSaurus Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    392
    Messages:
    748
    Likes Received:
    689
    Trophy Points:
    106
    EepoSaurus, Jul 23, 2014
    #2
  3. Spunky424

    Spunky424 Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    14
    Messages:
    228
    Likes Received:
    11
    Trophy Points:
    31
    Yea I tried the blind flashing but could not get it to post at all. I only get the blinking caps and scroll lock
     
    Spunky424, Jul 23, 2014
    #3
  4. James D

    James D Notebook Prophet

    Reputations:
    2,314
    Messages:
    4,901
    Likes Received:
    1,132
    Trophy Points:
    231
    You could try to flash it on a laptop which has Optimus/Enduro support.
     
    James D, Jul 23, 2014
    #4
  5. Spunky424

    Spunky424 Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    14
    Messages:
    228
    Likes Received:
    11
    Trophy Points:
    31
    the only other laptops i have available to me at the moment is a Asus G73JH and another M15x. Just curious but anyone have any idea why the flash would cause this? I got the notice the flash was successful and to restart the computer. i then used the power button to turn off the computer and turn it back on. now im just stuck with a black screen and some flashing lights.
     
    Spunky424, Jul 23, 2014
    #5
  6. King of Interns

    King of Interns Simply a laptop enthusiast

    Reputations:
    1,329
    Messages:
    5,418
    Likes Received:
    1,096
    Trophy Points:
    331
    That is strange! I flashed mine just yesterday and it always works just fine!


    On the go from my iPod touch
     
    King of Interns, Jul 25, 2014
    #6
  7. King of Interns

    King of Interns Simply a laptop enthusiast

    Reputations:
    1,329
    Messages:
    5,418
    Likes Received:
    1,096
    Trophy Points:
    331
    Have you tried the card in the other m15x? Then you can ascertain whether it is the gpu or the mainboard that is faulty.


    On the go from my iPod touch
     
    King of Interns, Jul 25, 2014
    #7
  8. Spunky424

    Spunky424 Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    14
    Messages:
    228
    Likes Received:
    11
    Trophy Points:
    31
    yes i have and its definitely the GPU. i replaced it with the original 240m and it boots right up no problems.
     
    Spunky424, Jul 26, 2014
    #8
  9. Alienware-L_Porras

    Alienware-L_Porras Company Representative

    Reputations:
    3,658
    Messages:
    6,874
    Likes Received:
    969
    Trophy Points:
    281
    The flash could have gone wrong or the file you flashed could be corrupted. You may need somebody with a PC that has Optimus or dual GFX to perform another flash.
     
    Alienware-L_Porras, Jul 30, 2014
    #9
  10. Spunky424

    Spunky424 Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    14
    Messages:
    228
    Likes Received:
    11
    Trophy Points:
    31
    Could a m18xr1 reflash it? My friend has one.
     
    Spunky424, Jul 30, 2014
    #10
  11. Spunky424

    Spunky424 Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    14
    Messages:
    228
    Likes Received:
    11
    Trophy Points:
    31
    i have an m17r2 or an m18xr1 available to me through my friends. would either of these work in helping me reflash the vbios? if so has anyone done this and can guide me through?
     
    Spunky424, Jul 31, 2014
    #11
  12. James D

    James D Notebook Prophet

    Reputations:
    2,314
    Messages:
    4,901
    Likes Received:
    1,132
    Trophy Points:
    231
    go in Device Manager of any of those and check how many GPUs are there. If 2 where 1 is Intel HD then you can put yourth there and flash GPU. I recall you need to set in DOS flashing GPU 1 or GPU 0.
     
    James D, Jul 31, 2014
    #12
  13. batfinks

    batfinks Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    106
    Messages:
    292
    Likes Received:
    14
    Trophy Points:
    31
    well I have a spare i5 5xx cpu that has the gpu on the chip if you want it, that way you can use the cpu for gpu purpose and carry on trying to reflash the 7970m card ?
    btw im also sending you a NVidia 260m as per Pm :D
     
    batfinks, Aug 1, 2014
    #13
  14. James D

    James D Notebook Prophet

    Reputations:
    2,314
    Messages:
    4,901
    Likes Received:
    1,132
    Trophy Points:
    231
    M15X r2 does not have optimus if I recall. It's not just about being GPU in CPU, it is about BIOS settings and hardware limitations.
     
    James D, Aug 1, 2014
    #14
  15. batfinks

    batfinks Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    106
    Messages:
    292
    Likes Received:
    14
    Trophy Points:
    31
    man that really is a bummer.... how short sighted of dell....
     
    batfinks, Aug 1, 2014
    #15