Should I buy it?

[aldarxt]

I'm starting a new topic because.

I saw an Alienware 17 R1 P18e 17.3" Laptop i7-4910MQ 2.90GHz 16GB RAM for $275.49 it looks to have a bad gpu or 2 different gpus and they dont know how to mod .infs. I was wondering if a quadro p4000 will work in it cause of the screen being LCD,17.3FHD,WLED,LVDS,AG,Z,LGD - INFO,SWSI,LCD,17.3,NON-TCH  and my m18xr2 has LCD,18.4FHD,WLED,TLF,SMSNG. The LVDS is not supported by p4000 so I just want to pick some brains to help straighten me out. The m18xr2 has the p4000 working very well and was so happy with it I bought another but have no where to put it, so I want to buy a laptop to put it in. LAMS (laughing at my self) And dont know what P18E means

[Eban]

The P18e is just a model number. This laptop has different names depending where you are in the world, Ranger, 17, 17R1, M17X R5 all have P18e stamped on bottom cover.

The motherboard on these has LVDS and EDP connectors

If the current screen is LVDS then its 60hz

You could buy 120hz screen and EDP cable, that might (or might not work) with Quadro card.

@Mogrules named the correct EDP cable here

https://www.nbrchive.net/xfa/alienware-17-and-m17x.1079/120Hz 3D Screen upgrade for Alienware 17 R1/

[StripeySnake]

I'm running a p4000 in M17x R4 with the 60hz LVDS display, using NVIDIA optimus, and modded drivers. I can't guarantee it'll work in the R5, but it seems pretty likely as it works fine in mine. if you need, I could probably make some modded drivers for you or instruct you on how to mod them, I've done it a couple of times myself.

[aldarxt]

43 minutes ago, StripeySnake said:

I'm running a p4000 in M17x R4 with the 60hz LVDS display, using NVIDIA optimus, and modded drivers. I can't guarantee it'll work in the R5, but it seems pretty likely as it works fine in mine. if you need, I could probably make some modded drivers for you or instruct you on how to mod them, I've done it a couple of times myself.

Thanks for the offer, I know how to mod the .inf and I didn't buy that machine, Happily I bought a m17x r4 but with lcd screenand the p4000 installed easily with modded drivers and a new cpu i7-3940xm and a 2tb 860 QVO and 4x4gb 1866mhz ram and running Flawlessly Magnificent. I am now the Proud owner of 2 Alienware's an m18xr2 and an m17xr4. The 18 I had since 10/12/2012 and it is going strong, and there is still Future Hope for them. Now I see 120hz screens on the horizon!!!

[ssj92]

AW 17 R1 can also run P4000 in SG (Optimus) mode using unlocked BIOS. Just wanted to clarify this. 

 

Congrats on the M17xR4, one of my favorite designs. 

[StripeySnake]

Love the R4 too. Is it possible to run p4000 in r5 with locked BIOS? I only ask because my R4 is running the locked A15 BIOS, and it works fine.

[ssj92]

On 2/24/2022 at 7:03 PM, StripeySnake said:

Love the R4 too. Is it possible to run p4000 in r5 with locked BIOS? I only ask because my R4 is running the locked A15 BIOS, and it works fine.

As long as it is running in Optimus mode (60hz panel) or dGPU only (120hz) it will run. I think the 17 series by default on 60hz panel run in Optimus mode? 

[aldarxt]

Should I buy it? An m18xr3 CPU heatsink to put in m18xr2? cant find anything on the difference of the 2 heatsinks. The m18r3 CPU heatsink has a copper vapor chamber that I think will keep my i7-3940 cooler than the triple pipe I have in there now. It throttles at 85C and when I increased the throttle to 90c it cold clocked it. Just knocked it out dead. So no sence in overclocking, but if I can keep it cooler with the vapor chamber I should be able to clock it higher. It doesn't stay hot, just peaks for a couple of seconds and drops back down to a compfortable temp. I can't see any difference but the 1 with the vapor chamber is $60 so before I get it just want to make sure I don't need a hammer and a chisel to wedge it in. Any insight would be much appreciated.

[Maxware79]

@aldarxt The screw mounts are in different locations between the M18x R2 and AW18. Both the images you've posted are for the AW18 (M18x R3)

 

See how the screws are pretty much in a perfect square below. The AW18 screws are off-set, as per your images.

 

[aldarxt]

1 hour ago, Maxware79 said:

@aldarxt The screw mounts are in different locations between the M18x R2 and AW18. Both the images you've posted are for the AW18 (M18x R3)

 

See how the screws are pretty much in a perfect square below. The AW18 screws are off-set, as per your images.

 

Thanks Maxware79, Thats a very minute difference that could cause alot of grief!!!

[Astrolopiteco]

Hi StripeySnake, could you send me the modified driver for the Quadro p4000? Thank you

Edited August 10, 2023 by Astrolopiteco

[Astrolopiteco]

Hi all, after several searches I came across this forum, I hope I can fix a problem with my m17x r4. I have a gtx 680m 2gb gpu and a 60hz panel and i have unlocked bios a15. Everything worked fine and I had the 120Hz panel installed at the time. When I tried to install the quadro p4000 gpu the problems started!! On the first boot I had 8 beeps, then on the second boot the machine booted up but black screen, even pressing f2 to enter the bios black screen, but I know it's in the bios, in fact as soon as I press the power key it shuts down. Desperate, he installs a 60Hz panel and displays the picture. In the bios I see the dedicated graphics card. i exit the bios and load the operating system, and in the device manager i see 2 generic microsoft video cards and the intel 4000. i can't create the .inf file for the p4000 framework, if you could have it for me i would be grateful. So I removed the p4000 and installed the grx 680m 2gb with the drivers from the nvidia site, without modifying it and it installed fine. Now another problem has arisen when I press fn+f7 the pc restarts and switches to the 680m gpu and no image on the display!!!!! Connecting it to the tv via hdmi I have a picture, I can't see the bios by pressing f2, but only when the operating system loads. I tried to reinstall the original bios of the a15 but nothing changes. What could be this problem, the motherboard? Or damaged Bios? Or other? I hope someone can help me reset it. I have been doing tests on tests with negative results for 3 days. Thanks all Now another problem came up when I press fn+f7 the pc restarts and switches to 680m gpu and no image on display!!!!! Connecting it to the tv via hdmi I have a picture, I can't see the bios by pressing f2, but only when the operating system loads. I tried to reinstall the original bios of the a15 but nothing changes. What could be this problem, the motherboard? Or damaged Bios? Or other? I hope someone can help me reset it. I have been doing tests on tests with negative results for 3 days. Thanks all Now another problem came up when I press fn+f7 the pc restarts and switches to 680m gpu and no image on display!!!!! Connecting it to the tv via hdmi I have a picture, I can't see the bios by pressing f2, but only when the operating system loads. I tried to reinstall the original bios of the a15 but nothing changes. What could be this problem, the motherboard? Or damaged Bios? Or other? I hope someone can help me reset it. I have been doing tests on tests with negative results for 3 days. Thanks all What could be this problem, the motherboard? Or damaged Bios? Or other? I hope someone can help me reset it. I have been doing tests on tests with negative results for 3 days. Thanks all What could be this problem, the motherboard? Or damaged Bios? Or other? I hope someone can help me reset it. I have been doing tests on tests with negative results for 3 days. Thank you all

[Maxware79]

@Astrolopiteco I saw your post on the TechInferno site but those guys are d1ckheads so I refuse to engage with that forum any longer. 

 

If you can see the P4000 in Device Manager with the 60hz panel then that's a good start. It means the system detects the card so you should be able to get it working. Why are you having troubles creating the .inf file? It's not too hard if you find a good tutorial and once you learn how to do it it's incredibly easy and you can keep the driver updated as often as you want without having to ask others. If you need some step by step help then ask away and I'll do my best. 

I'm not entirely sure why it won't work with the 120hz panel installed though. There shouldn't be any reason to require the BIOS being set to UEFI as I had a 1070 working in my M18x R2 while in Legacy mode. Although, the black screen you're getting is very much like what would happen with a 900M series card in a system that isn't set to UEFI mode. Just check to see what you're set to and make some changes to see what happens. 

If you're on Legacy and switch to UEFI then you will have to reinstall Windows. If you're already on UEFI then check to see if you have Load Legacy Option ROM enabled. If it is, disable it (and secure boot). 

Try this and see if that makes any difference. 

The Fn-F7 switch is mainly for the M18x so I'd suggest not to use it for your M17x. If you have the 120Hz then you will be on PEG by default and this cannot be changed. If you have the 60hz installed then just leave it on SG mode. 

If you have the 60hz currently installed, make the UEFI changes as I mentioned above and shut the system down. Install the P4000 and the 120hz display and see if you get a display. 

 

 

[Reciever]

Should make a new thread for your request.