Player2

Ok here's an update guys.

I shut down my laptop opened up and swapped gpus. That was easy part.

When I booted my laptop back up I went into device manager and checked an it shows the intel ® hd graphics and standard VGA graphics adapter. I then started hwinfo and it shows intel hd graphics and nvidia gtx 980m under video adapters.

It says nvidia GeForce gtx 980m (gm204m) (dell)

For me with NV cards I never uninstall, just re-run the installer when I'm finished. Select clean install is best practice. Only get involved with DDU if you experience problems IMO.

Thanks for reply. I guess my next step would be to shut down my system and swap gpus and go from there.

Anyone else with suggestions on how I should go about this is welcome to comment .

I ran 3dmark11 with optimus and windows 7 with my stock 770m and got p5200 score. That's with everything stock from factory including all drivers. That seams about on par for my gpu.

Mickyd1234 or someone with swapping gpus experience verify that I can shut down my computer and swap gpus reboot and then work on uninstaling my current driver and then try installing the modded one.

Thanks

I really appreciate everyone's help. I new to a lot of this so I'm still learnig.

The 980m is still sealed in package and the least I have to handle it the better off I am.

Sorry to hear that man. There is a factory restore partition that can put the machine back to 'as-received'. Not sure of the method to use it but I would expect the dell tech will take you through it.

If it works with the new GPU then it would have been a straight swap-out without messing with the drivers until you want to update it. (modded one)...

I don't like stripping out until a problem occurs rather than a pre-emptive strike, just my experiences .

Good luck.

I did a factory restore and got my computer up and running again . Have windows 7 and my stock gpu still installed. I'm downloading 3dmark 11 so I can run a benchmark to make sure my computer is working ok. Then I would like to try to install the 980m. I will be in optimus mode. I really don't want to try the display driver Uninstaller again if I don't have to . That's what locked my computer the first time.

This UEFI requirement for dedicated / PEG / 120Hz setups on AWs is very unfortunate.

Why don't you go ahead and do a fresh install to relieve all hassles and any future issues that might show up later ?

And this optimus mode just sucks at playing high quality games like Crysis 3 better go for a full re-install of a Win8.1 and maybe a dual boot with Win7 could also be favorable since the Win7 excels in many things than win8 imo.

I don't have the 120Hz screen.

And I really would just like to get it to work with optimus and windows 7 for now. If I can't figure it out then I will go the 8.1 route. But I'm on a mission to make it work with 7.[emoji12]

J95 Do I do this after I manually swap the gpus. That's were I'm confused. Well actually it all

confuses me.lol

I know I can only use windows 7 with optimus. I'm ok with that. That's how I want it to be. I don't like windows 8.1. The question I have . Is if I'm in optimus mode can I just simply swap the gpus and then do this driver stuff that you are talking about or do I have to do it first and then swap gpus. Or does it even matter. ?

@Player2

Win7 will work using Optimus (only), you can't switch to dedicated. First install Intel HD drivers (Dell) then NV.

Uninstall current drivers using Run DDU/Safe mode -> Clean and Shutdown

1. Download GeForce 344.91 OEM

2. Extract w/ 7-ZIP

3. Display.Driver folder -> copy/overwrite (unzip) Modded_nvcv.inf_v344.91_

5. Extracted driver folder -> run setup.exe -> Advanced -> Clean Install Option -> Reboot.

Only Win8.1 (UEFI/GPT) works w/ both Optimus & Dedicated.

Thanks for help. It will be a while before I can try again . trying to get it up and running right again.then I will give it another try.

Can't I just go to device manager and select uninstall or disable gpu driver then swap gpus and then install the correct driver.?

I figured it out. It's restoring my system now. Once it's restored to factory I set it up again and make sure it's working and the try to install the gpu. Probably tommorrow. Pretty tired from work.

does that even work? has anyone been successful cos i am a bit iffy about it!

sorry for screwing with your lappy

Do you know how to bring up the boot in safe mode menu .? I think I can do a factory restore if I can get to that menu.

I don't know.

I'm trying to use my restore disks I made the first day I got my laptop but their not working.

Have to call dell tommorrow and tell them my laptop don't work.

I should of just swapped gpus and changed drivers for modded one. And I think I would of been ok. It's going to take me all weekend just to get it back to were it was. Before I can even swap gpus.

I'm going to have to go dig out my restore disks and restore my computer.

did you get to the login screen? see if you can reboot into safe mode and disable the iGPU in device manager and reboot...if it able to load without freezing then reboot again and then install the drivers.

when at the login screen hold down the shift key and click the arrow next to the power icon and select reboot - that should take you into safe mode.

I rebooted in safe mode and went to display adapters and it says intel driver and standard VGA graphics adapter. You said to disable intel driver correct. That won't leave me without a display.

Is there any way to Uninstall programs in safe mode like hwinfo and msi afterburner. I think that is what is freezing it because I have hwinfo set to wake gpu on boot . I don't know.

I Uninstalled all nvidia related drivers and used ddu and rebooted and my computer boots but freezes at desktop and I can't do anything

Make sure you guys are using the Clevo Backplate if you're putting it in your Alienware's. If you use the Alienware backplates, you need to tape up the corners where it makes contact with transistors with electrical tape. Otherwise you'll short out your card..or worse..fry it.

I am leaving the backplate that came on the card. I do not want to risk removing it. They sent me 8 screws that fit the one that came on card .

Thanks for info.

Ok I am sitting in front of my computer. Alienware 17 , 770 , 4800mq, 60hz screen , windows 7.

It is in optimus mode and I can confirm everything is working perfectly. I need help installing my 980m . I downloaded ddu because I was told I would need it to Uninstall my current driver although I have never used the program before. I have never messed with drivers before let alone modding one. Any what should I do before turning off my computer and physical changing the gpu. The ghost said to Uninstall my driver first . How would I go about doing that exactly . Sorry I'm still green when it comes to some of these things.

Thanks

Well I can confirm the only thing in box is gpu ,ic diamond ,and 8 screws. No cd or anything else. And gpu looks sealed from factory. So I can almost gurranty there is no modded vbios on card. Just walked in door so I have to take shower and visit with my family that I haven't seen in a week and then I will attempt to install my new gpu.

i think they're lying about modding the vbios.

I think so too. I think they are saying it just to sweeten the deal. And if they do have a modded vbios there not going to flash it to every card they sell. it would probably be on a disk they send with gpu. That's if they have one. I'll be home in an hour or so and I will see what came in the box with gpu.

Ok, I just got an email from hidevolution about how they did the AW17 with a 120hz display.

Here's what they said:

now someone needs to buy and find out how this was done and get the vbios analyzed!

I did buy 4 days ago. I will upload vbios when I get card up and running.

Tonight when I get off work.

someone needs to get home already LOL

I wish.

@Player2 a member from NBR reported his new AW 17 R2 experiencing throttling issues. Best to steer clear from the newer series.

Theres people already got there hands on the new R2 17.

I wonder if you can even flash the vbios or its all integrated with system bios

so kinda wondering if i should still bother with the 980M or just hold off and get a clevo? though it is a waste of a good (not great) AW17!

maybe i'll jump into the deep end and get one...will see.

That's what I was thinking too. But I would rather have my 17 with 980m then another laptop with 980m. And there's no way I will buy a new alienware with 980m . With soldered everything.

what's the sales tax for california? if i had bought it from the US i think it would be more than difficult in the long run for support.

The card was $850 before tax . $926 after

That comes out to .089 cents per dollar.