Alienware M18x Photos, Videos & Impressions
By
Brian, in Alienware M18x / AW 18
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By Henrik9979
Okay here is what's going. I have a alienware m18x r1 running an amd 8970m, I wanted to upgrade it to crossfire but I could see a 8970m was more expensive than a r9 m290x
So I decided to buy a r9 m290x and see if I could make it work in my alienware and also run crossfire.
Even though many shops refused to sell me one because the didn't think it would work in an alienware m18x r1 only in the r2.
Here is the whole process.
19/08/17 23:15
No post bios showing when booting, so impossible to enter bios menu, but can boot into windows 10 with no problems.
19/08/17 23:20
Because I haven't deleted the old AMD 8970m the r9 m290x shows as a 8970m with no problems.
19/08/17 23:34
First performance test was a success. The r9 m290x changed p-state normally. The gpu fan start spinning normally. But because of no thermal paste, the test lasted 20 seconds because the temperature raised fast.
20/08/17 00:00
Created a backup of the vbios version
015.032.000.004.044450
20/08/17 00:10
Flashed a new clevo vbios version 015.032.000.003.044465
Caused the card to be corrupted and resulted the 8 beep code.
20/08/17 00:35
Finally managed to flash the back and return the graphics card to its original state.
20/08/17 00:50
Flashed a new dell vbios version 015.046.000.014.045579
No change in behavior
20/08/17 01:07
After trying multiple vbios with no luck I finally found one.
Dell vbios Version 015.041.000.000.044966
Brings back the post bios screen and I can now enter the bios menu through the r9 m290x.
Note: This vbios reduce the cards performance from 900 mhz to 850 mhz
20/08/17 01:21
After more testing I found one that is working with no limits.
Clevo vbios version
015.036.000.005.044618
Brings back the post bios screen and I can now enter the bios menu through the r9 m290x.
This will be the vbios I will keep at the moment.
20/08/17 01:56
I completely uninstalled the previous driver and installed the newest driver. The graphics card is recognized as a 8970m but works normal.
21/08/17 20:15
I have inserted my old 8970m in the secondary slot and will start testing crossfire.
21/08/17 21:45
I have found out that the fan for the secondary fan did not spin. The is a cable that have felt out. I will fix it now.
21/08/17 22:00
In my try to test crossfire compatibility, I installed the newest AMD driver 17.7.2 but as soon it installed the driver for the secondary card it caused black screen. Only booting the computer in safe mode brings the screen back.
21/08/17 23:02
After many frustrating hours I finally managed to get crossfire working with the r9 m290x as the primary card and my old 8970m as the secondary.
I have flashed the same vbios on both cards so the r9 m290x shows up I device manager as a 8970m.
I first installed AMD driver version 16.2.1
Then installed AMD driver version 16.6.1 in order to play battlefield
21/08/17 23:20
First test run in battlefield 1
21/08/17 23:40
Battlefield 1 is flickering bad, this can maybe be solved with a new patch or driver.
Other games I have tried is working perfect with crossfire on.
Now what I would like to try is somehow force the r9 m290x driver to be installed and see if it will make it possible to run the latest AMD driver without getting a blackscreen.
I have tried to edit the .inf file like you would do with nvidia but no luck.
I have also tried to figure out how to edit the device id in the vbios, but I find it too complex.
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By mtvgt
Hi guys,
i have m18x R1 model with A05 unlocked bios and i try to connect ati mobility 4870 card/s.
I read ton of posts but people that seem to have similar problem with different card didn't post any solution. Case is when i connect 4870 i get black screen and 8 beeps.
When i use only integrated graphics (no cards installed) laptop is starting normally.
When i use integrated graphics (nvidia card installed as master) laptop is starting normally.
When i use nvidia card installed as master laptop is starting normally.
When i use nvidia card installed as master and ati 4870 installed as slave laptop is starting normally but in devices manager i see there is error 10 with ati card.
When i use ati 4870 card installed as master i get 8 beeps and black screen.
I tried to google for answers but unfortunatelly didn't find any. Do you know if that old card can work in m18x ? Maybe it's not supported at all? Do you have any ideas what else can i try?
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By GrisGris
For when that rubber coating on your laptop phase shifts to fly paper...
Here is what I did,
Disassemble M18x:
Well documented by debaucher:
The palm rest section was the biggest offender for me;
>I used a plastic spoon and nail polish remover to remove the rubber coating:
>Obviously remove as many of the various utility boards as possible.
>I left the touch pad in place because this model used thermally fused plastic rivet like pieces to hold the light pipes in place and I found it easier to mask it off.
>"FrogTape Delicate Surface" worked very well for masking off various surfaces
>I used Krylon Plastic Paint as a base coat and 'Jet Black metal flake Automotive Paint;
>With the paint still setting up I dusted various glow powders over the substrate and dusted some additional black paint to achieve some depth to the effect .
>I after the automotive paint set up I use mate clear coat the overcoat the entire surface. I personally believe glossy clear coat would not look as good.
>Adjust as needed and re-assemble.
>I Used a USB LED clamp light available ebay/amazon $10 to illuminate
Hope you enjoyed the first post...
.
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By p1npo1nt
I'm going to be upgrading my Alienware M18x R1 with a GTX770m I purchased from ebay; 770m has a Dell P/N: HW6C9 for reference. I have a couple questions about performing this upgrade:
-Is the /unlocked/ version A05 bios necessary? I am receiving 8 beeps on startup with the dell factory A05 bios installed w/ the 770m
-Is a vBIOS flash required for basic functionality and driver installs?
-If so, is there a link to a compatible vBIOS for this card, finally, a guide for installing the new vbios?
Any help is vastly appreciated, I've done some homework but I am new to upgrading MXM modules on laptops.
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By Henrik9979
First I want to thank the community, who have inspired me to do this project.
I will give you guys the chance to follow me on this journey.
I hope you will all help me come up with ideas, techniques and parts that could become handy.
This modding may be possible to convert to allot of laptops.
Let's begin!
Here is the measurement of the went hole.
77mm X 16mm
I have 2 ideas for what can be done.
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