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    Proper way to remove GPU?

    Discussion in 'Alienware M15x' started by Lambda808, Jan 26, 2015.

  1. Lambda808

    Lambda808 Notebook Consultant

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    Hi all,
    It's been a while since I've been here, I upgraded to the AW17 last year. I however have an m15x sitting at home with an m7970 in it. I'd like to take it out and sell it to someone that will actually get some use out of it since it's just sitting there at the moment.

    It's been a long time since I've done any computer tech stuff so I'm a little worried about taking the m7970 out. I think I remember how to physically take it out, but what do I do on the laptop before taking it out? From what I remember I think I'm supposed to uninstall all the drivers and wipe some stuff? Anyway this is where your help would come in handy. If anyone can tell me exactly what to do before I attempt to remove it that would be great.
    I'm planning on putting a gtx460m back in afterwards.

    Any help would be greatly appreciated.
     
    Lambda808, Jan 26, 2015
    #1
  2. EepoSaurus

    EepoSaurus Notebook Deity

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    You can take out the 7970m and use ddu after installing 460m and there shouldn't be any trouble. I never uninstall anything before I install a new card. The m15x is resilient.
     
    EepoSaurus, Jan 27, 2015
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  3. Jdpurvis

    Jdpurvis Notebook Evangelist

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    I would normally download, but not install the new drivers. I think the 460m is a Dell card, and the drivers should work without modification. If hey needed to be modified, it would be easier to go ahead and do that. Last thing before shutdown, I would uninstall the current video drivers - though since you are going from ATI to NVidia, there's not much risk the machine would try to use them.

    Physical installation Is not very hard - though you do need to remove the upper front panel so you can get the grille off the end of the heatsink. Pasting and pads are as you would expect.

    Have fun!
     
    Jdpurvis, Jan 27, 2015
    #3
  4. Alienware-L_Porras

    Alienware-L_Porras Company Representative

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    Same thing for me, I simply put it and uninstall everything once I'm there. If I have any issues booting I use safe mode.
     
    Alienware-L_Porras, Jan 28, 2015
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  5. King of Interns

    King of Interns Simply a laptop enthusiast

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    The best way is the most thorough and organized way. First download the drivers for the card you want to install next. Then uninstall the drivers for the currently installed card, restart and run driver sweeper to wipe out any driver remnants.

    Then turn off and remove the card and install the new one. Boot up and simply install the new drivers that you already downloaded.

    Cleanest, safest and best way to do this.
     
    King of Interns, Jan 29, 2015
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