So true, but damn Dell Aus take fkn forever to ship anything, i'll get the card from os and the 130w power supply before the battery even hits our shores.

How do you change the directory to X:\freedos\3rdparty ????

1. key in X: hit enter
2. key in cd\freedos\3rdparty and press enter

Thanks alot that helped! Now it is just sitting there. What do I type in next? I am sorry I am such a NOOB at DOS.

Never mind guys I figured it out. thanks for the help though and the great thread!!!!

hi,
after, u run dir, and then, u tip the xpsA01.exe (no write exactly like that), so follow the rest of the menu. good luck.

I got it all done and updated to the A05 bios and installed the card and it is working like a charm!!! Used dells video drivers because i couldnt get any of them from laptopvideo2go.com to work.

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Call me stupid cause I'm missing something here. I just bought the 9300 and a 7800 gtx go. I can definetly do this mod, my only question is why is there two bios' in the download on page 1? If you have a 9300 do you flash the 9300 hacked bios then the xps2 hacked bios? Or do you just do the xps2 hacked bios? I'm clear from there on out. I'm just not clear on which of the bios' to flash first. Thanks in advance for the help.
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Also, one more thing. Is the xps2 bios the same as the m170 bios.
<p>
Thanks yet again for an answer.

You flash the XPS2 bios, the 9300 one is a failsafe so you can revert back to your original configuration. Just do the XPS one. M170 file is different from the XPS2 off the Dell support page, stick with the XPS2 A05, thats what I have working in mine.

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Thanks for clarifying that for me Striph. Another question. When you go to dells site, they only have xps and xps/inspiron for a selection as far as xps make and model go. Xps only has 600 and m170. Xps/inspiron only has m140/630m. Which model do you use for the bios and drivers now that your flashed and working as an xps2?
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Thanks again.

Dooh! Nevermind. I just found it under inspiron xps gen 2. Lol, enough of the dumbassness for one day. I'll leave you guys alone.

Well, just call me a happy camper. My power brick, AS5, and my new 7800 all came in the mail today. So, I set out to get it installed. Creating a bootable USB proved to be quite difficult. But, once I got that done it was smooth sailing.

I'm happy to say that my stock 6800Go produced a 3dmark05 score of 3300 and my 7800 with no overclocking produced a score of 6500. I'd have to say that I'm pleased with that.

Thanks for the great guide. It made my installation quick and easy. Good luck to the rest of you. Now.....if I could just get that darn 735 to come in the mail I'd be all set.

Hello, I'm considering this mod. I was just wondering if this will run hot? Will the 9300 w/ the 7800gtx in it have the same heatsink as the XPS M170 with the two copper tubes leading to the fans? Does anyone have a picture of the completed mod?

Mine has the two copper tubes leading out just like on the XPS, that's why you need the right heatsink. Luckily, mine had the right one already installed, so I didn't have to wait for the one I ordered. I don't have a picture, but I'll take one when I have to open it up to do the CPU mod.

As for how hot it runs, I let it run ATITool and it leveled off at around 71 and that was without the fans kicking on full blast. I figure if I overclock it, it'll be a bit hotter than that.

I am so happy to see how this thread has exploded, thanks to everybody who has helped out the people doing this mod. I will be updating my guide soon I just have to read throught the 10 pages of posts to see what needs to be updated.

Thanks to all the brave and helpfull people.

That's a good idea. Does anyone have pictures of the completed mod, and perhaps pictures of the two heatsinks side by side?

Thanks,
John