Project make M15x Pascal and Polaris compatible (DP only)

So I have an X rev board (before A0 depop) which should have all the eDP stuff still. What do I need to test to help show the PoC?

Can I run a M4700 RGB lcd with the eDP?
D3G9W

 

Can you take a picture of the board? The side without the CPU socket.

 

Yeah I will be back next week and will do that. Let me know if I should try and probe any signals if the system is partially assembled and powered on.

 

https://www.amazon.com/Deepfox-Cooling-HDF95-N-Laptop-DVD-ROM/dp/B01EXWOAOW this could be used to power a MPCIE to usb slot in the optical bay, and give the system an extra fan

 

So yeah popped off the keyboard and eDP connector present as expected. Not sure if someone else wants to pick up the torch on this. I have a M17x R4 and a slew of parts arriving next week. I've kind of lost interest in the M15x, had it for almost ten years. (920xm 680M)


Unlocked A09 BIOS does show eDP as selectable option too.

 

HOLY - would you be willing to trade mobo's? I've got a brand new m15x mobo I ordered and put in my machine just under a month ago. Im in the same boat as you and upgraded to an m17x r4 but would love to test this further

 

Also if you can, try and find the part number

 

It's a X rev board. Which is before A and as earlier there was a round of depop on the A rev. I would like to see something happen with this special board but I don't really need a replacement one. Like I said, working fine for years but I got a great deal locally on a M17x R4 so already took the plunge with goodies for that.

This board could be the best PoC example with all the resistors, caps and such already present.

Edit: I guess the list isn't in this thread but I've seen a change list from the schematics posted where it listed all X to A rev board changes.

 

No but you could trade me the X rev board, and I could give you the new replacement I bought. Im planning on ordering a 1060 mxm for my m17xr4 so it could be a good chance to put this to rest once and for all.

 

Very interesting. I hope this works out..the only issue I can spot is finding a panel that fits the M15x, supports the power connector on the motherboard and supports eDP rather than LVDS

 

Power should be part of the eDP connector if I am reading the schematics correctly. I would think there are a few 15.6" Dell eDP panels that would drop right in.

 

Then let's test it! I would also be happy to lay my hands on this motherboard if true debreuil doesn't want it. Just need to source a eDP Dell panel and a new GPU to test

While I fully agree that anything beyond a 980M is a bottleneck with Nehalem that card runs a bit hot. It would be nice to be able to but a lower power 50W gpu with 980M levels of performance and all the latest goodies into the machine.

With all the ultrabooks on the market with their heavily throttling cpu's Nehalem in the M15x at 3ghz plus still has adequate horsepower.

 

2CPU could you find and post the part number of your rare motherboard. This will make it much easier to track down. Thanks!

 

I would rather not take apart the system looking for a sticker that might not exist.
From the posted chagelist you can make this board by populating all the parts that are missing from A0 board. This is a X0 board which is after the M0 board (guessing both pre-production from parsing old BIOS release notes from dell.com)


Best guess is that M0 was the first board and made improvements for X0 (prod canidate), then cost optimized for launch A0 by removing parts. So A0 would have a Dell PN.

 

If someone can suggest a eDP panel and cable combo that isn't too expensive, I would be willing to take apart the LCD or at least bench test the eDP panel to the connector.

 

If it can run Radeon WX Pro 7100 ... this would be the dream machine.

 

If you are done with the machine and have the m17x R 4 then why not consider trading the whole machine with us. Seems like a shame if we don't test it properly

 

PM me any trades.

Went looking for the PN for yall.

 

I have a gtx 1060 on the way for my m17xr4, I'm going to test it in my m15x, I assume it wont work but better than not trying it all

 

It has already been tested. Doesnt work.

 

Again I'm open for eDP testing if I can get a cable/LCD combo suggested. The M17x R2 RGB is beautiful screen and would like something close to that for the M15x.

I did disassemble and dump the full SPI from the mobo and reflashed descriptor region with all unlocked. Thought I bricked the unit when powering back up with flashing Caps and some other keys.

Turns out the embedded controller or BIOS detects if the LVDS is not fully seated and stops the boot. I powered up before disassembled so at least didn't freak out too much and thought to re-seat the LCD connector. Boots fine.

 

Nope only the 1070 was tested and not very well. My m15x got dropped by my friend last night and the screen broke so if anyone can help me find an EDP panel replacement I'm going to try and put that in

 

Any of the M4800 should work if thats a true eDP socket, I recommend going for the 3K panel or I think they have a RGB one?

 

Anyone have the M4800 schematic to confirm the pinout of the eDP connector is the same? Defiant (m15x) schematics are easy to find hosted online.

 

https://forumteknisi.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/forumteknisi.net_VAQ10_pt-la-9771p.pdf

 

looks like laptops are able to translate EDP to LVDS. Hmmm maybe this could help with pascal

 

So Im 99% sure its using the standard 30pin 2 channel EDP connector, which I think means its capped at 1080p @120 1440p @ 60 4k @30. In this case all thats needed is a 30 pin 2 channel connector and a 30 pin Panel

EDIT
I counted the pins on the connector in the pic and there are 30 there

 

Also from what I remember in the bios, all the stock LCD settings were set for 16:10 ratios instead of 16:9 indicating that possibly 1920x1200 & 1440x900 resolutions were going to be offered with the EDP connector

 

Original m15x 1600x900 panel - Manufacture date 2009-q4
1080p LG 2 lane EDP panel - Manufacture date 2009 - q2
3rd edp panel - This ones the same model as the original one, just with an edp connector, but its only 1600x900
Both panels are made by LG, have the exact same dimensions and were being sold & produced at nearly the exact same time. I have a feeling this panel will definitely work

 

After doing some more research, the 3rd panel is from a dell m4500 which came out same time as m15x. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Dell-Precision-M4500-i7-Laptop/152901825025?hash=item2399a8b201 theres a broken one here you could take the panel and EDP connector from if someone wanted to add their own EDP connector

 

Managed to track down the original connector finally, says its LVDS but its definitely EDP as its 30 pin. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/JAE...VF25-R2000-DT-lvds-connector/32480149286.html heres the link

 

lol no. literally says in the title 30pin lvds. You do know LVDS comes in several configurations, right? M17x R2 uses 30 pin LVDS

 

Its literally the exact same connector, the schematics even lists this as the connector

 

where do i solder

 

Hi,
everything is explained already in my post: Project make M15x Pascal and Polaris compatible (DP only)

 

I dont know how I missed that!, might try that over my christmas holidays! cheers!

 

Link - I believe this cable will work

 

https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?sp...CeNbR&id=564685538552&ns=1&abbucket=10#detail I located someone selling EDP motherboards!

 

Yeah looks like another X-rev board. Can you dump the BIOS chip (SPI) if you get one of these? Its U7 chip right above the PM55. Weird the guy took off the heatsink.

If you don't have an external flash tool: (preferred since would want to see the EC code too)
Can just USB boot to dos and dump the regions with Intel's flash tool.
ftpw.exe -DESC -d desc_dump.bin
ftpw.exe -ME -d me_dump.bin
ftpw.exe -BIOS -d bios_dump.bin
ftpw.exe -GBE -d gbe_dump.bin

 

I've contacted the seller. He cannot promise if it works or not.
He is checking if the motherboard matches the picture.

 

I've already done this

 

What did he tell you?

 

Anyone order one of those X rev boards? If its dead and you didn't touch the SPI/BIOS chip maybe I can help soften the cost?

 

so you have mention forum teknisi, my cousin were one of the member of that website
so what's the maximum gpu for this m15x? does it could run actual pascal gpu? or even gtx 1060 at least? i could deal any kind soldering though on this laptop mobo though

 

GTX 980M is the max, the 970M is recommended as the 980M is approaching bottle-necking and runs pretty hot. A 1070 or 1060 might work with the proper mods, but isn't worth it.

 

Very much correct. The 980M can be nice particularly is your overclock your 1080p display to 120hz and then you can more effortlessly push you way through shooters at a high framerate with good response time. The CPU however is getting a little slow so don't expect it to maintain 120 fps at all times in modern games even if the resolution is only 1080p.

980M does run very hot. There is however a 4GB version. This might be a good choice as it means no memory chips on the back of the card which should make quite a difference in heat output and power consumption. M15x GPU heatsink struggles to cool the 8GB version while 4GB is adequate at 1080p

 

I'm assuming these guys didn't test but says compatible with m15x LOL

https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Nvidia...f:g:VgYAAOSwNo9b0ulz:rk:3:pf:1&frcectupt=true

 

I think it was a sloppy copypasta, they also say in the same listing:

"There is need exact criteria: 120Hz display / or SG optimus mode compatible,this is the major requirement
+UEFI boot+inf.mod nvidia files."

M15x is not compatible. I am thinking about offloading my 980Ms and just putting a single 1070 in the m18xs though.

 

What made you wanna go for the 1070?

How much you looking to offload the 980M's for lol

 

It’s a standard form factor card, not a single game I play supports SLI, and I think I can live with Optimus. Still on the fence about it because the 980Ms are a known solution, I’m not in the mood to waste money experimenting