San Pedro

ManofKnight, try the vbios I sent you. There are guides on here to installing a vbios. It sounds like you are having similar issue as I was before I got a good vbios (tried 3 different ones). With the first vbios I also got 6 beeps (monitor is not working I believe) with PEG enabled. The only way I was able to fix that was to reset cmos (PITA). Also with the first two vbios I was able to install drivers in SG mode, but upon restart the screen would be black. With the final one, I couldn't install drivers in SG mode (if I remember correctly), so I finally switched to PEG and all was good. Good luck, keep a cool head, and don't forget to clear your drivers between tries. Vbios I tried: BR44450.007 BR44465.003 hbr44618.001

If I remember right, I was able to get into Windows (using SG) even after trying to install AMD drivers with the HBR44618.001. With the other two vbios I was getting black screen when going into windows. With PEG selected I didn't have any problems (except my VGA out doesn't work). Also, I never experienced any color flickering lines or distortion on the screen through the whole process. It may be a problem with the card. Another thing you may want to try is unlocked A10 or A12 bios. Good luck.

In a bit of a pinch here and am wondering if any of you guys have any other bios for the 8970m. I have an Alienware M17x R3 and it came with BR44450.007 and I just tried BR44465.003 (thanks Prema). Both are unable to display anything on my LCD. Hopefully I will be able to find a vbios to make this thing work.

I hope he can. I searched high and low for people using the 8970s in Alienwares, but there wasn't much... There were a couple people who said they did, but disappeared with giving details. Anyway, I'm trying to be optimistic, it'll be a pain in the butt to ship back, etc.. etc..., but life goes on. [uPDATE] After trying a couple different vbios, eurocom sent me one that worked. I was dreading 6 beeps after disabling the IGP, but much to my relief I booted into windows. The vbios that worked for me is hbr44618.001 Look for that one if you're putting a 4gb 8970m into an R3.

Alright, I installed 8970m in alienware m17x r3 last night. I started up went into the BIOS and disabled the IGP and set the display to PEG. I restarted and got 6 beeps. Disappointed to say the least. However, I persevered (maybe not what my wife would say) and cleared CMOS, which allowed me to reenable my IGP and set the display back to SG. So, I then could go back into Windows and the card is detected by HWinfo and device manager, but when I install a driver and restart windows I see nothing on the display though windows loads up, and I can sign in. I tried to output to my TV via HDMI and VGA, but neither worked. Later today, time pending, I will try a monitor via VGA, but I highly doubt it will work. So, it seems like I don't have the right vbios? Any other ideas or suggestions? Thank you everyone.

Surprise visit from the post man! Looks like my bios is BR44450.007 I'll reserve the happy dance until I am up and running. Thanks for your help. [EDIT] No happy dance. Can't display anything to my LCD using the card. I started a thread in the Alienware 17 section.

Thank you, and I will certainly let you know. It'll be a couple weeks before the card gets here though.

Sorry if I'm jumping in on this thread inappropriately, but I am wondering if you think I'll be able to basically just drop an 8970m into my m17x R3. Would really like to not have to do a blind flash. This is what I've bought: Alienware M17x M18x VGA Upgrade Kit AMD HD8970M 4GB DDR5 MXM 3 0B | eBay