Going to test clevo 980m in alienware m17x R4, m18x R2, AW17

[Quark]

Hi, could you tell me if 3D will work on an external screen connected by displayport dual link, thanks.

[tanzmiester]

really hoping for some Vbios mod, WIn8 is not the best solution either i guees, some games for ex, just dont work with it, lag or have problems...

and i really like my m18x r1 too!

[etienne51]

Hi, could you tell me if 3D will work on an external screen connected by displayport dual link, thanks.

What I know is that I just tested with a Benq 144Hz, connected to the Mini DP (using a DVI-D Dual Link to Mini DP adapter). The integrated graphics can't handle the 120Hz integrated screen, but it can run my external display at 120Hz (not 144Hz btw).

So I suppose it's not going to be an issue if running Optimus with a GTX 980M and an external display, but I think you need to go without Optimus to unlock 144Hz anyway... Not sure about that.

[Quark]

Nvida support says this: http://forums.geforce.com/default/topic/787696/geforce-900-series/does-gtx-970m-and-980m-support-3d-vision-/

[lechonman]

could somebody modify this file for can install last nvidia drivers???

nv_dispi.inf (413,61 KB) - uploaded.net

I did try 3 times, with fresh install of drivers, and no device found.

I changed startup singed drivers

[TBoneSan]

Ok guys, first of all, this is really a great job you all did here. I read everything from the beginning. Kudos to everyone in this topic for what you've achieved!

So for the moment as far as I know this is what we've got:

- GTX 980M running (along with the integrated graphics) with Optimus, on either Windows 7 or 8, so no SLI, no 120Hz or 3D possible in this configuration, and Optimus is not really interesting

- GTX 980M running (alone) without Optimus when the BIOS is set to TRUE UEFI mode (no Legacy). In this case SLI and 120Hz are working (no 3D), but until now, it was limited to Windows 8

I just got Windows 7 to boot fine to the desktop on my M17x R4, with the BIOS set to TRUE UEFI, with Legacy disabled, Secure Boot disabled, and Fast Boot disabled as well.

Here is the video: Windows 7 UEFI boot on Alienware M17x R4 - YouTube

As you can see, I don't have a GTX980M to test everything at the moment, I only have the integrated HD 4000 (something went wrong with my AMD months ago, it's not working anymore).

I hope I'm going to get one soon, next month probably, for the moment you guys can try this method and tell us if it's working well on Windows 7.

-----

So, now how I did it...

1. Get a disk or an ISO of Windows 7 x64 SP1 (I used the Pro edition, but it should not matter anyway). Be sure this is not an upgrade disk, because those ones kinda have some issues with booting in an UEFI environment.

2. Either burn it to a DVD, or create a USB boot key with Rufus (I used the latest 1.4.12 version).

Download here: Rufus - Create bootable USB drives the easy way

If using Rufus, you need to select your ISO first (or it will reset all the other options set before). Then select your usb key, GPT for UEFI, FAT32 for the filesystem (and I used 4096 for the last option). Leave the last 3 options checked, hit the Start button and wait until it ends. You key is ready to be plugged to the Alienware.

3. Now get into the Bios (I have revision A11 unlocked). In the boot menu, ensure those options are set correctly.

Boot List Option => UEFI

Load Legacy Option Rom => Enabled (for the moment)

Secure Boot => Disabled

Windows 8 Fast Boot => Disabled

Save the changes. Okay, now the Alienware is ready for Windows 7 install.

4. Insert the DVD or usb key, reboot the computer and hit F12 to choose the UEFI version of the DVD or usb key to boot from.

5. Once you get to the installer, you have to ensure your hard drive is empty, and in GPT partition table.

To do so, you need to go to the "Repair your computer" menu, "Use recovery tools [...]", and select "Command Prompt".

Then type in those commands.

> diskpart

> list disk (Check that your hard drive has "GPT" checked, and remember the disk number)

> select disk # (# beeing the disk number for the drive you're going to install Windows 7 on)

> clean (erases all partitions on this disk)

> convert gpt (only if the disk needs to be converted to GPT partition table)

> exit

You can now close the commamd prompt, and start the Windows 7 setup.

6. Do a fresh install, select the empty disk and let things go on until you get to the desktop.

Now you have a working, clean, Windows 7 you can work on, but it's still booting in Legacy mode. The thing is, now you can try to disable Legacy into the BIOS, but you will notice that the system boots up, gets to the desktop in background, but you will still see the "Starting Windows" screen showing up. So it's still not working. Get back to Legacy mode, there are still some things to do to get rid of that issue.

7. Let's install all drivers needed EXCEPT Intel Rapid Storage Technology driver!

8. Now, connect the laptop to internet if not, and refresh Windows Update. Let the computer download and install all the updates needed until it says "No important updades available". Double check with "Check for updates".

9. Then, you need to download the Intel Rapid Storage Technology driver and software from Intel website here. It's the file named "iata_enu.exe".

IRST: http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&ProdId=2101&DwnldID=22194&ProductFamily=Software+Products&ProductLine=Chipset+Software&ProductProduct=Intel%C2%AE+Rapid+Storage+Technology+%28Intel%C2%AE+RST%29〈=eng

Install it, reboot your computer

10. Now you can reboot again to the BIOS, and change this option.

Load Legacy Option Rom => Disabled (finally we get to it...)

Save the changes. Reboot to Windows 7, everything should now be fine. You should be able to boot to the desktop again, and your operating system is running in true UEFI mode. Congrats!

[ATTACH=CONFIG]13266[/ATTACH]

-----

So now let us know how it works on your laptops!

Just to Clarify step 5

"5. Once you get to the installer, you have to ensure your hard drive is empty, and in GPT partition table."

So we need a totally empty HDD/SDD as in ... an empty partition won't do?

[etienne51]

What I mean is, if you come from an OS installed without UEFI, your disk will most likely be using MBR partition table. To convert it to GPT with Windows utility "diskpart" everything has to be removed. The hard drive will be cleaned up.

After that, when you install Windows 7, the installer will create two partitions.

- 100 MB partition at the beginning of the drive, used for EFI

- xxx GB the second partition taking all the remaining space, used for Windows 7

I advised to clear everything to ensure things go fine, even if the disk is already in GPT partition table, so the EFI partition is created correctly. But it might not be necessary if you already have this small partition, and another one (empty) for Windows 7.

[ItsCrakr]

Just to Clarify step 5

"5. Once you get to the installer, you have to ensure your hard drive is empty, and in GPT partition table."

So we need a totally empty HDD/SDD as in ... an empty partition won't do?

You will need to clean your drive, if you change your partition scheme/table (Each disk has a unique partition scheme). Some tools like GDisk can change existing partition tables to other partition tables without loss of data. If you have a GPT scheme already, you can straight away install in a new partition. If you have a MBR scheme, windows might not allow you to Install (In which case, you can interrupt install, boot back into your existing OS, and change partition schemes using some tools).

[Czarny_PLone]

give me your card string lines id manager

then change

nv_dispi.inf (413,61 KB) - uploaded.net

I did try 3 times, with fresh install of drivers, and no device found.

give me your card string lines with id manager I changed startup singed drivers

[Quark]

Nvida support says this: http://forums.geforce.com/default/topic/787696/geforce-900-series/does-gtx-970m-and-980m-support-3d-vision-/

[lechonman]

give me your card string lines id manager

then change

nv_dispi.inf (413,61 kb) - uploaded.net

i did try 3 times, with fresh install of drivers, and no device found.

Give me your card string lines with id manager i changed startup singed drivers

pci\ven_10de&dev_13d7&subsys_05aa1028&rev_a1

pci\ven_10de&dev_13d7&subsys_05aa1028

pci\ven_10de&dev_13d7&cc_030000

pci\ven_10de&dev_13d7&cc_0300

[TBoneSan]

I followed Etienne51's method... but no dice

It just ended up hanging at the windows load screen.

Dam.. I thought it was going to work too.

[godfafa]

Ok guys, first of all, this is really a great job you all did here. I read everything from the beginning. Kudos to everyone in this topic for what you've achieved!

So for the moment as far as I know this is what we've got:

- GTX 980M running (along with the integrated graphics) with Optimus, on either Windows 7 or 8, so no SLI, no 120Hz or 3D possible in this configuration, and Optimus is not really interesting

- GTX 980M running (alone) without Optimus when the BIOS is set to TRUE UEFI mode (no Legacy). In this case SLI and 120Hz are working (no 3D), but until now, it was limited to Windows 8

I just got Windows 7 to boot fine to the desktop on my M17x R4, with the BIOS set to TRUE UEFI, with Legacy disabled, Secure Boot disabled, and Fast Boot disabled as well.

Here is the video: Windows 7 UEFI boot on Alienware M17x R4 - YouTube

As you can see, I don't have a GTX980M to test everything at the moment, I only have the integrated HD 4000 (something went wrong with my AMD months ago, it's not working anymore).

I hope I'm going to get one soon, next month probably, for the moment you guys can try this method and tell us if it's working well on Windows 7.

-----

So, now how I did it...

1. Get a disk or an ISO of Windows 7 x64 SP1 (I used the Pro edition, but it should not matter anyway). Be sure this is not an upgrade disk, because those ones kinda have some issues with booting in an UEFI environment.

2. Either burn it to a DVD, or create a USB boot key with Rufus (I used the latest 1.4.12 version).

Download here: Rufus - Create bootable USB drives the easy way

If using Rufus, you need to select your ISO first (or it will reset all the other options set before). Then select your usb key, GPT for UEFI, FAT32 for the filesystem (and I used 4096 for the last option). Leave the last 3 options checked, hit the Start button and wait until it ends. You key is ready to be plugged to the Alienware.

3. Now get into the Bios (I have revision A11 unlocked). In the boot menu, ensure those options are set correctly.

Boot List Option => UEFI

Load Legacy Option Rom => Enabled (for the moment)

Secure Boot => Disabled

Windows 8 Fast Boot => Disabled

Save the changes. Okay, now the Alienware is ready for Windows 7 install.

4. Insert the DVD or usb key, reboot the computer and hit F12 to choose the UEFI version of the DVD or usb key to boot from.

5. Once you get to the installer, you have to ensure your hard drive is empty, and in GPT partition table.

To do so, you need to go to the "Repair your computer" menu, "Use recovery tools [...]", and select "Command Prompt".

Then type in those commands.

> diskpart

> list disk (Check that your hard drive has "GPT" checked, and remember the disk number)

> select disk # (# beeing the disk number for the drive you're going to install Windows 7 on)

> clean (erases all partitions on this disk)

> convert gpt (only if the disk needs to be converted to GPT partition table)

> exit

You can now close the commamd prompt, and start the Windows 7 setup.

6. Do a fresh install, select the empty disk and let things go on until you get to the desktop.

Now you have a working, clean, Windows 7 you can work on, but it's still booting in Legacy mode. The thing is, now you can try to disable Legacy into the BIOS, but you will notice that the system boots up, gets to the desktop in background, but you will still see the "Starting Windows" screen showing up. So it's still not working. Get back to Legacy mode, there are still some things to do to get rid of that issue.

7. Let's install all drivers needed EXCEPT Intel Rapid Storage Technology driver!

8. Now, connect the laptop to internet if not, and refresh Windows Update. Let the computer download and install all the updates needed until it says "No important updades available". Double check with "Check for updates".

9. Then, you need to download the Intel Rapid Storage Technology driver and software from Intel website here. It's the file named "iata_enu.exe".

IRST: http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&ProdId=2101&DwnldID=22194&ProductFamily=Software+Products&ProductLine=Chipset+Software&ProductProduct=Intel%C2%AE+Rapid+Storage+Technology+%28Intel%C2%AE+RST%29〈=eng

Install it, reboot your computer

10. Now you can reboot again to the BIOS, and change this option.

Load Legacy Option Rom => Disabled (finally we get to it...)

Save the changes. Reboot to Windows 7, everything should now be fine. You should be able to boot to the desktop again, and your operating system is running in true UEFI mode. Congrats!

[ATTACH=CONFIG]13266[/ATTACH]

-----

So now let us know how it works on your laptops!

Intel HD graphic can be run with pure UEFI. But not nvidia.

- - - Updated - - -

Some of my benches with 980m sli

m18x R2

3940xm @ 4.6

corsair 8+8 @ 2133, CR 1T, CL10

980m sli @ stock

344.75 mobile driver

Windows 8.1 PRO K ;;

http://www.3dmark.com/3dm11/9039457

http://www.3dmark.com/3dm11/9039415

http://www.3dmark.com/fs/3329529

http://www.3dmark.com/fs/3329506

http://www.3dmark.com/fs/3329477

[etienne51]

I succeded on a M17x R4, sadly this is the only Alienware I have around I can try this method with. Someone else with the same computer should try it as well, with the GTX 980m, and tell us if it works as well, and do some benchmarks.

Something else we know for sure now, Windows 7 can boot on UEFI settings. So when it hangs it seems to be just a driver issue. So we need to find the right drivers for each machine, and hope it works.

[TBoneSan]

Nice scores - was that with any OC on the Cards ? Also were those physics scores from a 4.7Ghz

Hmm.. what to do about this forced W8 business

[mw86]

Excellent run Godfafa wow. Has anyone downloaded Windows 10 technical preview like Brian offered as a suggestion as an alternative to Windows 8..?

[ssj92]

So it seems only etienne51 and I have got windows 7 working in uefi mode. This is really weird.

Also @ J95, my method does create the efi partitions, it even requires a gpt partition and will say windows cannot install if it's in mbr format.

This is weird how it does not work for anyone else. I'm glad at least one other person got this working so I know it is possible on the alienware computers. I had it a few months ago before 10 came out.

I believe it may just be the media we are using which would be weird.

@mw86 I think 10 will run the 980M fine as well if 8 does. It's very similar and I'm running 10 right now but with 680ms in uefi.

[ItsCrakr]

Hey TBoneSan! If you are getting stuck at the windows loading screen, then I think the bootable drive is not correctly formatted. I have been using windows 7 UEFI on my m18x r2 (legacy rom enabled, but UEFI setup). This is what your settings in rufus should look like: http://i.imgur.com/eL8zBm8.png

Here is a photo of my boot options menu in bios ( A11 locked sadly ) :http://i.imgur.com/CRRsGFu.jpg

I use legacy orom because nvidia doesn't let me boot in UEFI when legacy orom is disabled and secure boot + fast boot is enabled.

[godfafa]

Nice scores - was that with any OC on the Cards ? Also were those physics scores from a 4.7Ghz

Hmm.. what to do about this forced W8 business

Due to my three kids, my house is very warm. Those benches were done under [email protected].

No OC on GPU.

- - - Updated - - -

So it seems only etienne51 and I have got windows 7 working in uefi mode. This is really weird.

Also @ J95, my method does create the efi partitions, it even requires a gpt partition and will say windows cannot install if it's in mbr format.

This is weird how it does not work for anyone else. I'm glad at least one other person got this working so I know it is possible on the alienware computers. I had it a few months ago before 10 came out.

I believe it may just be the media we are using which would be weird.

@mw86 I think 10 will run the 980M fine as well if 8 does. It's very similar and I'm running 10 right now but with 680ms in uefi.

Maybe you used optimus to run UEFI win7?

Are you using IGP enabled or SG on the bios?

- - - Updated - - -

Excellent run Godfafa wow. Has anyone downloaded Windows 10 technical preview like Brian offered as a suggestion as an alternative to Windows 8..?

I didn't run win10. But I've searched the graphic and physics score of win10.

They were the same as win8.1 Not anywhere near win7.

That's why I didn't try win10.

[ssj92]

Due to my three kids, my house is very warm. Those benches were done under [email protected].

No OC on GPU.

- - - Updated - - -

Maybe you used optimus to run UEFI win7?

Are you using IGP enabled or SG on the bios?

I didn't use optimus. I used either the 680m sli or the integrated gpu, but not optimus. I'm using the m18x.

My bios/boot screens looked just like the ones in the video etienne51 posted.

[godfafa]

I didn't use optimus. I used either the 680m sli or the integrated gpu, but not optimus. I'm using the m18x.

My bios/boot screens looked just like the ones in the video etienne51 posted.

IGP runs win7 UEFI. But not 680m sli.

Can you recheck please?

After the success of installing 980m in alienware, my folks in Korean alienware forum are trying to run win7 UEFI. But no one succeeded.

I really want to know or see win7 UEFI without legacy rom support with NVIDIA (not IGP).

[ssj92]

IGP runs win7 UEFI. But not 680m sli.

Can you recheck please?

After the success of installing 980m in alienware, my folks in Korean alienware forum are trying to run win7 UEFI. But no one succeeded.

I really want to know or see win7 UEFI without legacy rom support with NVIDIA (not IGP).

I'm running my 680m sli in uefi right now! In windows 10, but when I had 7 I also ran my 680m sli. I used FN+F7 to switch to 680m sli to install drivers and they worked in 3d apps fine as well.

Have you tried to install windows 7 uefi with the iGPU, install all of the drivers, then try using FN+F7 to reboot to the 980M?

Also has anyone (even in a clevo) got these working with windows 7 legacy boot? I think this issue is only with alienware and the clevos probably don't need uefi. I don't think the desktop cards need uefi either. Maybe if we get our hands on a dell vbios things will work in legacy boot?

[Czarny_PLone]

pci\ven_10de&dev_13d7&subsys_05aa1028&rev_a1

pci\ven_10de&dev_13d7&subsys_05aa1028

pci\ven_10de&dev_13d7&cc_030000

pci\ven_10de&dev_13d7&cc_0300

okey:)

nv_dispi.inf

let me know if it worked

[MrAngry]

The problem is when you run windows 7 in UEFI (without legacy rom load) which is already installed in GPT, will not load graphic driver. And the results are it looks it is stuck somewhere at screen but actually it is booted. We can even alt - F4 to turn off the laptop though the screen shows "starting windows".

Hi godfafa, sounds like your almost there. Easiest way IMHO is to install W7 as UEFI with CSM enabled. Better to use the W8 boot manager on the EFI system partition (bootmgfw.efi). Once installed with CSM, update all graphics drivers to latest. Add BCD option novesa (this is what can cause the starting windows logo to stay on the screen) bcdedit /set {current} novesa yes For Intel RAID make sure the driver version is at least 11.5 or higher. You may need to load driver for install (F6 type drivers) Reboot to UEFI BIOS setup and disable CSM (use full UEFI boot). May have to power off to clear old legacy OROM from system before booting. Secureboot can not be used with W7, fast boot or ultrafast boot, whatever your BIOS calls it, can be used. VBIOS for discrete card will need to be GOP compliant, integrated should already be okay. Good luck.

[TBoneSan]

Hey TBoneSan! If you are getting stuck at the windows loading screen, then I think the bootable drive is not correctly formatted. I have been using windows 7 UEFI on my m18x r2 (legacy rom enabled, but UEFI setup). This is what your settings in rufus should look like: http://i.imgur.com/eL8zBm8.png

Here is a photo of my boot options menu in bios ( A11 locked sadly ) :http://i.imgur.com/CRRsGFu.jpg

I use legacy orom because nvidia doesn't let me boot in UEFI when legacy orom is disabled and secure boot + fast boot is enabled.

I can boot fine with Legacy Orom enabled in the same fashion you can. As soon as it's disabled, windows cant boot.