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E1705 video upgrade (from intel 950) to ATI 1400

post #1 of 19
9/29/06 at 11:03pm
Thread Starter 
I just got off the phone with Dell, they assured me repetedly that I could upgrade my new 1705 to the ATI 1400 or nVidia 7900 even though I only have the Intel integrated graphics si I ordered the ATI 1400. Now, my friends tell you have to replace the motherboard in order to perform this upgrade ( 2 different people), has anyone here actually upgraded a 1705 from the Intel 950? I'm really hoping Dell didnt stick it to me on this one, TIA.
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post #2 of 19
9/29/06 at 11:20pm
i believe that when you buy the integrated graphics, that there is no slot on the motherboard for you to place an aftermarket card into, hence the reason you need a new motherboard, be prepared to get back on the phone with dells award winning customer support!
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post #3 of 19
9/29/06 at 11:26pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the fast reply, I knew it was too good to be true. I must have asked her to verify it six times, she got to the point I could tell she was getting upset. She actually "laid down the law" and told me it would not be orderable against my service tag number if it wouldnt work in a pithy little tone (she was actually very nice and polite, I was _really_ puching in just to be sure I wouldnt wind up in this exact situation) .
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post #4 of 19
9/29/06 at 11:31pm
i guess you could always double check by taking out the keyboard and the palm rest and see if there was a slot in the upper right hand corner. Also, the right motherboards do have a fan there, and a place in the case for a fan exhaust, check the back of the case and see if its got a grill in the back just like the cpu side
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post #5 of 19
9/29/06 at 11:47pm
Thread Starter 
Its actually still at UPS, wont be delivered till monday (ordered from the outlet) she even gave me discounted shipping so it will arrive the same day as the laptop.
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post #6 of 19
9/30/06 at 12:15am
well,
i suppose there is always a chance that it has the slot, so give it a look before you call them up
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post #7 of 19
9/30/06 at 12:27pm
There is a pci-e slot. There are people on the board that have tried this. So far people have hooked up the vid card and the mobo does not recognize it.

Try looking on the mobo for jumpers or something. If there aren't any, then you'll have to do something more adventureous.
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post #8 of 19
9/30/06 at 12:37pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by end
There is a pci-e slot. There are people on the board that have tried this. So far people have hooked up the vid card and the mobo does not recognize it.

Try looking on the mobo for jumpers or something. If there aren't any, then you'll have to do something more adventureous.

Have you really? At least 10 people here claim that there is no slot, and also, he would be smart to get a brand new case of the computer as well since he will want vents for air to be moved off of it, anyway, good luck with it, but i have a feeling your gonna end up sending it back due to these problems
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post #9 of 19
9/30/06 at 12:57pm
There is one PCIe slot.

and there's a daughter card connected to the slot and the daughter card has the LCD panel connector

so as end mentioned, there is a slot but getting BIOS/Mobo to recognize the upgrade is another problem.
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post #10 of 19
10/9/06 at 9:32pm
Thread Starter 
Well, UPS is scheduled to come pick up the 1400. The card would have fit if the LCD video connector from the 950 was stick up 1/2 inch off the board. Everything lined up proerly etc but you just cant plug it in becuase the 950 POS connector soldered to the board sits so high. I was thinking about getting out the soldering iron and a solder sucker to remove the connector (it def. would have physically fit) but I didnt want to take a chance some bios problem would leave me with a useless lump of plastic. And,BTW, I thought Dell got rid of the Indian tech support but 2 hrs. and 3 calls all to people I couldnt understand telling me to speak up every 5 min because the connection was so bad and I was about ready to kill. And I love how they all give bogus names like "Henry" etc.
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post #11 of 19
10/10/06 at 7:14am
Quote:
Originally Posted by anfo
Well, UPS is scheduled to come pick up the 1400. The card would have fit if the LCD video connector from the 950 was stick up 1/2 inch off the board. Everything lined up proerly etc but you just cant plug it in becuase the 950 POS connector soldered to the board sits so high. I was thinking about getting out the soldering iron and a solder sucker to remove the connector (it def. would have physically fit) but I didnt want to take a chance some bios problem would leave me with a useless lump of plastic. And,BTW, I thought Dell got rid of the Indian tech support but 2 hrs. and 3 calls all to people I couldnt understand telling me to speak up every 5 min because the connection was so bad and I was about ready to kill. And I love how they all give bogus names like "Henry" etc.
I removed the video connector from the mainboard, so I could fit the 1400 and connect the video plug to the 1400.
Whatever I tried, Windows did not recognise the new hardware.
It is a Bios setting that prevents external graphics, when the 950 is on board.
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post #12 of 19
10/10/06 at 1:34pm
Look at the motherboard around the connector area. There's a ton of missing components all over. It's not just a bios setting. It's more than that.

(I have both motherboards and the 9400 with integrated video is missing parts).
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post #13 of 19
10/10/06 at 3:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by HomerJ
Look at the motherboard around the connector area. There's a ton of missing components all over. It's not just a bios setting. It's more than that.

(I have both motherboards and the 9400 with integrated video is missing parts).
Sounds very sophisticated. The true facts are however that not one single component is missing, apart from a power connector for the extra fan.
I have both mainboards, so stop telling fairy tales.
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post #14 of 19
10/10/06 at 7:44pm
Because I don't like being called a liar, I went and stripped my 2 systems just for you...

The left part of each pic is the 9400 with integrated video. On the right is the mobo that accepts a video card. Look at r158, c200, c224, u13. Oh, and how about all the caps directly hooked up to pins of the video card socket... Well gee, I dunno why it's not working...

Now about you take your foot out of your mouth and go get your eyes checked????


LL
LL
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post #15 of 19
10/10/06 at 8:06pm
Homer is right on this one, there is no way to upgrade the VC on a E1705 with intregraded VC. WoW Homer I would have backed you up on this one to avoid having u strip both of your laptops.
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post #16 of 19
10/11/06 at 1:17am
HomerJ - 1
t024484 - Less than ZERO
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post #17 of 19
2/7/07 at 6:49pm
Maybe t024484's package from Dell will include the missing parts and an instruction sheet on surface mount soldering :-)

http://www.seattlerobotics.org/encod...6/oven_art.htm

You could solder all them by hand, if you were keen.
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post #18 of 19
2/8/07 at 8:29am
No point reviving such an old thread, the point has been made I think.
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post #19 of 19
2/8/07 at 10:02am
You could buy a new motherboard and swap them out. It's gonna cost you around $400 from www.parts-people.com I believe.
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