*** Official Clevo P770ZM / Sager NP9772 and P770ZM-G / Sager NP9773 Owner's Lounge ***

nevermind there was a sticker covering the screws - glad I did not force it!

 

Phew, never use a lot of force in a notebook unless you are REALLY sure it's needed (that's very rarely)

 

Hi all, I'm probably cursed and my Sager shut off last night. It had blue-screened once or twice earlier in the day so I had a few concerns, but then it shut off without a blue screen. It won't turn back on. Replaced the cmos, held down power for 30 seconds, 60 seconds, 120 seconds etc., with no luck. Tried with only the batter and only the adapter, nothing. The AC adapter was making a clicking sound that it had never made before, and the power led light on the laptop flashed along with the clicking. Well, after reaching out to technical support, they asked a question about the behavior and I went to check again, and when I plugged in the adapter there was a loud pop sound. Now there's no clicking sound, no power indicators on the laptop nor on the AC adapter, and zero sign of life from anything in the computer. I don't even have another computer with an M.2 slot for me to check the health of the SSD.

Edit: the adapter was is now supplying 0.3 volts, rather than the rated 19.5. I'm not sure if the adapter destroyed the laptop or if the laptop destroyed the adapter.

I guess my question is, does anybody have any advice, like at all? Sager has been slow to respond and I'm wondering if maybe Geeksquad or Microcenter have a chance of fixing this thing—otherwise it seems that I spent more than $2,000 on a computer that barely lasted more than two years and I'll be very sad . _.

 

Sounds like there is a short on the motherboard and that's not something that normal retail shops can help you with.

 

Measure the battery and if it still has 13.5V or more you should be able to run on that. If not, then try a different adapter. A universal is fine, even if it only has 150W or so; it'll trip up under load, but we're only interested in seeing whether the mb is still fine.

If it doesn't work even at that battery voltage or with a different adapter then make a photo of both sides of the mb near the DC connector. A spike usually halts when it breaks some smd component here (or trigger the fuse) and these can be replaced quite cheaply. Though not by most shops, as @Meaker@Sager has indicated. Any decent soldering/repair shop can do this, so no need to limit the search to only those that market themselves as doing computer/laptop repair services.

Sounds like either a large capacitor on the adapter has popped or its inrush current limiter was overloaded. Both will be very audible and can be easily spotted when opening the adapter. Either failure can be the result of a 'dirty' power circuit in the house, so you may want to check the other appliances that are running from the same circuit; these may be affected as well or they could be faulty themselves, killing the adapter along the way.

 

I appreciate the insight from both of you.

With regard to what t456 said, I don't have another adapter that would fit this (I have honestly never even seen this 4-pin plug on a different computer, I think I saw it like one other time on some other kind of device), but either way it's not turning on regardless. Ill try to test the battery, should be easy to measure. I'll have to open the laptop up, I've never disassembled it to this much of an extent so it's a bit spooky, but I'll try to get footage of the area around the DC connector.

I don't think it was dirty power; I suspect that something did pop or melt because the day prior I started using the laptop in a manner that would have made it draw more power than it ever did in the past. Everyone said the 970M was a good overclocker but uh, well... It seemed perfectly stable for about six hours of gaming and another 8 hours of light-use, but I guess it could have been a slow death. That said, I'll certainly keep it in mind because it's a possibility, and I'll have to figure out how things are actually wired around here.

 

Some of the Toshiba Qosmio models use the same plug and are a fair bit cheaper: Qosmio 180W adapter for $31. Not sure whether it is of any use at this point, considering you need a new adapter anyway (or fix the current one, but that needs some soldering work). The original 230W being a ~$150 affair and taking in mind that it may have been an overload you may want to play it safe and get the 330W model instead.

The Qosmio might make a nice travel adapter though.

 

I may have to get one. I figured something out though, the computer will power on and post if the mxm gpu is removed. It won't boot or display anything, and it beeps madly, but the keyboard and bottom light bar light-up the as they should in a successful post. I bet I fried the gpu like a moron and that whatever damage it did affects the 12v rail and (1) prevents the computer from trying to boot when the gpu is on the circuit and (2) blew the power adapter as a result.

So uh, is getting some 4000-series AMD mxm 3.0b gpu something that might work if I just want a functioning screen? I don't think I can use the igpu but spending a lot of money to send it to sager and probably then pay hundreds for a Maxwell gpu doesn't sound great, tbph

 

If there is a short on the board it could cut it out yes. You could try some cheap quadro card like a k1000.

 

I didn't want to spend even that much on a weak GPU to test things, so I bought a dirt-cheap Alienware 260M. Unsurprisingly I got no video with the screen or any external monitors, but it did turn on, and it posts. It's a relief that everything else still seems to work but I can't find a compatible GPU for less than $250, and with a 970M becoming inadequate, $500 for a replacement and another $120+ for an adapter isn't worth it. Really wish these things were capable of using the iGPU without an MXM card, at this point the thing is basically totaled. Guess it's time to start scrapping parts to get some of the value back. I guess the lesson is "don't skimp on the extended warranty, ever".

 

Well the cheaper quadros should only be around $50 or so and at least make it 2d capable.

 

Is there any way to be sure that something is compatible? Because I would be interested in that but would want to be sure that it would work, since I already sunk $25 on the 260M whoops

Edit: Sorry if I'm coming off as overbearing—things have just been a bit stressful since I lost my daily driver and all, heh. I realized only after I sent this message that you're a representative for Sager and I just wanted to say that I'm not trying to be rude or resentful, I do appreciate the advice but I'm dealing with sunk costs here and buying used hardware is stressful when it's hard to discern what will and will not work.

 

@Prema

Are you aware of any cheap cards that work 100% with the ZM series?

 

ZM should work with all Maxwell based cards. Kepler should work as well.
Pascal doesn't boot on stock firmware.

 

Thanks @rikame there is your answer.

 

Looking to OC my gpu again, but I see that @Prema removed all his links to the unlocked vbios after some **** ran away with his work. Is there a way to still get my hands on an unlocked vBios for the 970m? Prema doesn't seem to have allowed a way to contact him anymore.

 

Hey guys, anyone here using a Samsung 960 pro or a 950 with the P770ZM-G?
Does anybody know if the pci express version of the M.2 slot is gen 2.0 or 3.0?

Samsung magician is stating that, at the moment, the controller is working in 2.0 with x4 lanes, but the full speed of the ssd can only be obtained in 3.0 with 4x lanes.
Is it possible to get it to work in gen 3.0?

 

It will do whatever the chipset is capable of, go by that.

 

sorry anyone can give me link to download prema mod p770zm-g bios as i want to install nvme ssd bcause no link at prema web)

 

Hello,
Sorry long post.
Is there a way I can get the BIOS files from @Perma to get the 960 EVO to be detected in the BIOS so the OS can boot from it?
This was the first time I upgraded my m.2 PCIe drive in my NP9772, only to find that the 960 EVO does not detect in the BIOS. I did try to find the original m.2 Samsung drive, xp or sm951, that was released only a month after buying the system, but was not able to find these drives at a cost around or lower then the 960 EVO.
I remember reading several years back on XoticPCs forum about @Prema and the BIOS he made for these systems so download them from his site back in late 2016 early 2017 intending on upgrading to it, but reached out to Sager first. They supplied me with a upgraded BIOS the resolved the issue I was having at that time so I let it go and did not upgrade the BIOS with his at that time.
I recently tried to open the BIOS files to upgrade my systemvbut they are password locked and I don't have the password anymore and cannot find it. There is also the chance that downloads are older versions then what was supplied to me from Sager. I did reach out to Sager about this only to be told that the 960 EVO will not be detected by the BIOS and will that a BIOS will not be made due to the age of my system.
I would return the 960 EVO but the return time has elasped and I would really like to use it in my system. The only thing I can offer at this time is a big heart filled thanks for the help as I am currently living in an RV trailer due to health and landlord selling the house we where renting and not able to afford the cost of rentals now for the same size or smaller unit.

 

No official BIOS ever had support, on the Prema one.

 

Yes I know that there was no official support from Sager or Clevo as well for the 960 EVO. Not sure what is meant by on the Prema one, because I have read with the Prema BIOS, the system will be able to boot from the 960 EVO m.2 disk, is this also not the case?

 

Auto correct removed the "ly", only the Prema one has that support modded in.

 

Thank you for clearing that up and confirming that I need to flash the Prema BIOS to get the drive working. Is there a way to get in touch with Prema to get the BIOS? I am not seeing a way to send a PM to him regarding this?

 

He is still on holiday at the moment IIRC.

 

It appears that Prema is back from holiday, is there a way I can send a message or get in contact with him about this issue I am having? So I can talk to him about the BIOS files that may allow the 960 EVO to be detected and used as a boot drive.

 

Send him a conversation or "@" him and be patient.

 

Since I cannot start a conversation for some reason I will try the @ option.

@Prema I would like to talk to you about getting the BIOS files needed for a Sager NP9772/Clevo P770ZM so I can get a 960 EVO drive working as a boot drive, and maybe the GTX980 M as well. Thanks

Thank you @Meaker@Sager for being patient with me.

 

Ah you need the 5 messages you now have.

 

I tried to start a conversation with @Prema, but got a message that said I was not allowed to start a conversation with Prema. Another option to try?

 

Hey I have a problem with my computer when I turned it on when it got to the desktop it would start making weird noise through the speakers then the whole thing would shut off, after a couple times of that now it won't turn on or show a charge indicator

 

When you say weird noise was it like several beeps like an alarm? Sounds like a hardware failure of some kind.

 

It was like a low electrical buzzing sound that got louder then shut off

 

That's almost certainly a hardware issue, I recommend having ti looked at.

 

Yeah I figured I'd have to do that, I'm about 80% sure my motherboard died since my ram and gpu got harvested and placed in my P170em and it worked just fine with the additions and since I can't use my CPU anywhere else I'm sure it's still good. How much would I be looking at to have someone look at it?

 

Depends on where you are in the world, if the reseller would take a look or any local shop (that you trust).

 

well i took it to a laptop repair shop and they showed me the the 3 little chips right at the charger are blown out for sure lol oops.

 

Yes, they are definitely gone, likely the charger let a surge through.

 

I am still waiting to hear back from @Prema regarding a modded BIOS for the Sager NP9772 so I can attempt to use a NVME drive. I have tried to start a conversation but it does not seam to be allowed, any help on this please?

 

You have done everything you can.

 

Since @Prema can't be reached is it ok if i sent the BIOS files to ShadowNX instead? I mean it's not like Prema is no longer sharing them it's just his blog is down for maintenance.

 

I only would share it with his permission personally.

 

Thank you for the offer @trikst3r, but I would agree about getting permission first. Plus if your system is the G-Sync version, the BIOS files may not work for mine as it is the standard version.

 

Ok I have another question. Prema did get in touch with me and I have updated the BIOS to the one provided but I still cannot see or boot off the 960 EVO NVME disk. When I boot off a Linux Live USB, the 960 EVO disk is detected and can be used with no problems. Is there an option that I am missing in the BIOS to make this work?

 

Prema got back to me regarding the drive issue so I will be trying what was relayed to me to fix the issue. Thanks everybody for help with this.

 

@ShadowNX How do you get contact with Prema? I have the same issue with NVMe drive with my P750ZM. Can Prema Bios resolve your issue?

 

@UranusCEO I just did what @Meaker@Sager told me to do. Basically you put the @ and then Prema's name name and then wait.

I do love the new options in the BIOS from Prema compared to the BIOS from Sager. Unfortunately, I have not been able to get the NVME drive to be detected, even after the bios upgrade. Setting the BIOS to UEFI did not work as well, but I am pretty sure it is something I am not doing correctly. I have not dug into it much as there has been bigger things for me to deal with. Hopefully in another month or so, I can spend more time looking into the issue.

 

Hello,

Did anyone try to upgrade a XMG U705 (German Clevo P770ZM) with a Clevo 970m MXM3.0b to a MSI 1060 MXM3.0 ?

Edit: the issue is the heatsink.

 

Ok lets say only the heatsink is the issue, I would machine one, would it POST or there's a need for a new BIOS as well?

Also did anyone try putting a desktop GPU with those NVME to PCI-E risers for miners? there's a lot of options ranging from simple cables and you supply the external power up to complete enclosures out there... just wondering if it anyone tried on his P7 pro / P770ZM ? Would that need a hacked bios or that modded bios to get NVMe working properly?

i.e.: https://egpu.io/external-gpu-buyers-guide-2018/#m2-interface

 

I cannot be sure that the heatsink is the only issue