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M15x R1, GTX 970M driver issues
@mattyb3 I'm tagging you because I've heard you're the best person for this and I can't seem to PM you.
I bought an Alienware M15X with a 970M installed, since this GPU model/ combo never existed, I need to modify the INF file for the driver. After weeks of attempts I have had no luck, the farthest I have gotten is by-passing the hardware incompatibility error by adding my own entries to the nvdmig.inf file.
Driver version: 546.17-notebook-win10-win11-64bit-international-dch-whql
%NVIDIA_DEV.1618.02A2.1028% = Section037, PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_13D8&SUBSYS_02A21028
NVIDIA_DEV.1618.02A2.1028 = "NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970M"
This allowed me to bypass the initial error but about 1/10th of the way through the GPU driver install, the NVIDIA installer fails.
I am not sure why it is not working but one thing I did find out is that my GPU model is actually from MSI and Alienware has never used any of the MSI iterations of the 970m in their products. If I go into the MSI inf (nvmiig.inf) I can find the GPU model 1618, but obviously no manufacturer code for Alienware (1028).
The guide I followed stated that you are supposed to copy a pre-existing data entry that contains the same manufacturer code (1028) and GPU model code (1618).
in the nvmiig.inf I can find the GPU code but not the manufacturer code
in nvdmig.inf I can find the manufacturer code but not the GPU code.
This makes it impossible to appease the requirements of finding both in one entry. The guide also mentions the section number part of the data entry, but I'm not sure which to use as they vary between each inf file.
One interesting thing I have noticed, if I search the Alienware inf for a section number that's exclusive to MSI, I find this line:
[Section026.HW]
AddReg = nv_msiSupport_addreg
I'm by no means an expert on this type of stuff but it seems to be some sort of MSI support included in the Alienware inf file. That section number (026) is the same section number used in the MSI inf file for the GPU model I have.
When I first got this laptop, it had GPU drivers installed for the 970m but after upgrading to windows 10, the drivers were deleted. So, at the very least it should be possible to do.
Specs:
Win 10 Home 22H2
CPU: i7 X940
GPU: MSI Geforce GTX 970m 3gb
RAM: 16GB
If anyone could help me figure it out, I would really appreciate it. I have been battling this issue for a long time now and finding information about this type of stuff is like panning for gold.
mattyb3
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December 3rd, 2023 21:09
@Dekadrachm327 Hello, sorry I haven't been online for a few days. I'll try and help if I can, but hopefully you already have it sorted. I don't think it will be any issue with it being an MSI card. There must be something small that you've missed. The nvdmig.inf is the one you need to mod. All the ID's in this inf should all end in 1028.
You just need to mod your line with all the proper information and slip it in. It doesn't matter where in the list of ID's you put it. The 'Section' doesn't matter at all. You can either make a space for your modded hardware ID line or change one that is already there.
It looks like your line is correct if 02A2 is your systems Hardware ID so I can't see why that wouldn't work. Does it say 02A2 when you open the card properties in Device Manager?
The latest drivers are compatible with Win10 and 11 so the inf will have two separate groups of Hardware ID's for each OS. Just make sure that you are putting your line in both groups to ensure you're OS is covered. I believe the first group you scroll down to is Win10 and then if you scroll down a little further, the next group is for Win11. I just add it to both to be sure.
I currently have a 970M in my old M18x R2 and I recently updated the driver without an issue so we will be able to get it to work.
Andi2809
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January 5th, 2024 10:41
Hello @mattyb3
sorry for the interfere, but it looks like you may be able to help me as well.
First of all: Sorry for my bad english. It is only my second language.
I have the exact same problem as mentioned above.
I also changed the needed lines in nvdmig.inf, but I am not able to install the driver.
The window closes after a few seconds. And yes I made sure, that I disabled the driver certificate enforcement (or how this is called in english).
Can you help me maybe? Maybe you can provide the modded file from your side?
Or maybe you can do it via TeamViewer?
<Profanity deleted. DELL-Admin>, I would even pay for this service.
Hardware ID: 02A2 1028
I really love my old M15X and dont want to swap it. Thats why Im desperate to get the GTX970M working.
Thank you in advance!
Andi
(edited)
mattyb3
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January 9th, 2024 21:33
@Andi2809 Hello, I will try to help if you're still having issues.
Can you show me the full Hardware ID line from Device Manager and also show me what the line that you inserted into the inf? I will check that it's right.
You also need to add the modified String into the bottom of the inf so don't forget that part.
Andi2809
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January 11th, 2024 11:46
@mattyb3 I apologize for my late response.
And Im happy that you will help me ! :-)
Thanks in advance.
The full Hardware ID is:
"PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_13D8&SUBSYS_02A21028&REV_A1\4&36714c63&0&0018"
Changed lines in nvdmig.inf:
Below "[NVIDIA_Devices.NTamd64.10.0...17134]" I changed the following lines:
%NVIDIA_DEV.13D8.02A2.1028% = Section034, PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_13D8&SUBSYS_02A21028
%NVIDIA_DEV.13D8.02A2.1028% = Section035, PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_13D8&SUBSYS_02A21028
%NVIDIA_DEV.13D8.02A2.1028% = Section035, PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_13D8&SUBSYS_02A21028
%NVIDIA_DEV.13D8.02A2.1028% = Section036, PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_13D8&SUBSYS_02A21028
%NVIDIA_DEV.13D8.02A2.1028% = Section037, PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_13D8&SUBSYS_02A21028
And also the following lines below "[Strings] DiskID1 = "NVIDIA Windows 10 (64 bit) Driver Library Installation Disk 1" " :
NVIDIA_DEV.13D8.02A2.1028 = "NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970M"
NVIDIA_DEV.13D8.02A2.1028 = "NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970M"
NVIDIA_DEV.13D8.02A2.1028 = "NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970M"
NVIDIA_DEV.13D8.02A2.1028 = "NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970M"
NVIDIA_DEV.13D8.02A2.1028 = "NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970M"
Maybe I'm embarrassing myself now and you'll notice the mistake straight away :D
Andi
mattyb3
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January 12th, 2024 00:17
@Andi2809 It looks like you've done it correctly. The fact that your Device Manager already shows the card as the 970M means that there is a driver installed already. If it had no driver then it would be called a Microsoft Basic Display Adapter or Basic VGA Adapter. Are you just trying to update the driver?
One thing is that you only have to change one line, not all of them. The 'Section' doesn't matter. You can just change the first line in the list of hardware ID's and it will be fine.
The only thing I can think of is that the driver inf has two lists of hardware ID's. One will be for Windows 10 and the other is for Win11. Just make sure you put your ID line in both sections to make sure you get the right OS for your system. It can be easy to scroll down and miss where the next group of ID's starts again.
Again, you definitely already have a display driver installed on that system so you should have the Nvidia Control Panel available if you right click on the desktop.
Andi2809
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January 14th, 2024 10:54
@mattyb3 IT WORKED ! Im so happy!! Thank you a lot for your help!
There was not another Hardware ID section, but I deleted all lines and only left one with my GPU ID.
Looks like the driver gets confused otherwise.
I also started from scratch again.
The GTX970m was shown in the device manager already, because it was using the very old driver from the GT200m series the Laptop was using before. I installed Windows before I changed the GPU.
But the driver was from 2015 I think. Way too old.
Wow, I am so happy, that I can use my beloved M15x a little longer.
Im only playing casual / old games sometimes. So the GTX970m should be fine as long as it gets driver updates.
Is there anything I can do for you? Are you collecting Alienware Tech?
Maybe I can keep an eye on it on my local ebay for you?
Or can I donate some bucks for your support?
Please let me know :)
mattyb3
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January 14th, 2024 22:05
@Andi2809 I'm very happy that worked out for you! No need to donate anything, I'm always happy to help if I can.
ClimberALX
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August 23rd, 2024 18:33
@Andi2809 Hey hi, I have come to this thread looking for a solution to install my GPU, and it happens to be the same model NVIDIA_DEV.13D8.02A2.1028. I did all the steps to successfully launch the Envidia driver until I got a blue screen after some time during the installation sounded like the hardware was disconnected and then connected and then immediately the blue screen.
I disabled the driver certificate enforcement, also before that uninstalled drivers with DDU.
I have noticed that Windows 11 still installs the driver after a restart even though I have to stop this from the group option but it doesn't stop.
any ideas?
Thanks in advacne
Alienware m15X
8GB ram
I7 720qm
150W