Let's figure out how to make a DIY eGPU (previously DIY ViDock)

[User Retired 2]

Since the external card will have to be designated as the main card in the OS, what happens if for some reason some aspect of the card fails while under use? Would you BSoD? Would it be possible to change the integrated card in the laptop back to the main card before booting up? Or...???

Win XP prints critical errors back to the onboard X3100 graphics in VGA mode when I disable the X3100 pci-e resources prior to boot.

Win7 we haven't figured out how to completely disable the onboard graphics.. it's still active and Win7 will not boot if it's pci-e resources are disabled.

I believe someone needs to do some registry hacking in the devicemap section. Would help too so can get 4GB RAM working.

[key001]

Win XP prints critical errors back to the onboard X3100 graphics in VGA mode when I disable the X3100 pci-e resources prior to boot.

Win7 we haven't figured out how to completely disable the onboard graphics.. it's still active and Win7 will not boot if it's pci-e resources are disabled.

I believe someone needs to do some registry hacking in the devicemap section. Would help too so can get 4GB RAM working.

probably need to rename the onboard card/change its ID somehow before win7 boots so it won't detect it as a videocard.. without flashing the bios of course

will setting VGAEnable to 0 be useful? http://www.tssc.de/products/tools/pciscope/pcitool.htm

maybe you could find win7's database of videocards pci ID's and remove the one you need from there or maybe it's in the driver :P

what happens if you disable onboard video in win7 after it's booted, in device manager?

[mobius1aic]

This is such an interesting project, if not the most interesting one on the entire forum. You need to start a company haha.

But is it possible one could acquire an MXM 3.0 -----to-----> full size PCI-E x16 slot adapter? If so that could make things easier to do. One would just have create some kind of hole for the cabling to go outboard, and of course that would kill the laptop's mobility though lol :P I myself will be embarking on a somewhat high level project soon: converting an Asus G50 and seperate monitor into an all-in-one computer. In the planning stages right now.

[User Retired 2]

This is such an interesting project, if not the most interesting one on the entire forum. You need to start a company haha.

But is it possible one could acquire an MXM 3.0 -----to-----> full size PCI-E x16 slot adapter?

There's a parallel NBR project Let's figure out how to convert internal MXM connector an external PCI-E x16 box. Would be great to see what they come up with.

[Scott1620]

will setting VGAEnable to 0 be useful? http://www.tssc.de/products/tools/pciscope/pcitool.htm

I tryed that with setpci, and the screen froze as soon as the command was executed, I am guessing its not expecting this to be set while the card is in use.

I also set the external cards bus VGAEnable to 1a (which is what my onboard register is set at) but this didnt work either. I confirmed that change by dumping my pci info to a BPD file that pciscope could read after that command was executed. The funny thing is, that when the card works with <=2.5 gigs of ram the VGAEnable is not set on the external cards bus, maybe Win7 does that, I only can dump my pci info before windows starts...

what happens if you disable onboard video in win7 after it's booted, in device manager?

I disabled the bus and the onboard display adapter in device manager and it did nothing, it still booted right to the onboard vid card...

I dont know much about registry hacking, so im not sure if I could be of any help there, I would have to do more research...

[moral hazard]

For registry hacking, I have attached something usefull.

This thing will actually extract any key that you point to.

[Sours]

Win XP prints critical errors back to the onboard X3100 graphics in VGA mode when I disable the X3100 pci-e resources prior to boot.

Win7 we haven't figured out how to completely disable the onboard graphics.. it's still active and Win7 will not boot if it's pci-e resources are disabled.

I believe someone needs to do some registry hacking in the devicemap section. Would help too so can get 4GB RAM working.

Then, would integrated graphics be running along the dedicated card? Would it act similar to a dual card config? I mean, I can't imagine the desktop card would benefit from the low powered integrated graphics?

[User Retired 2]

I tried the 2510P.bat file but after the "windows is loading files" it turns yellow and then the screen (both screens) turn black and it apears to stop working.
Without using the 2510P.bat it result in code 12 error.

My laptop is a PackardBell BG46 with 2GB of ram and a x3100 onboard graphic card.

http://img526.imageshack.us/i/everest.png/
http://img689.imageshack.us/i/everest2.png/



I have replaced the wireless adapter for the PM3N adapter.
Can any one help me?

In 2510P.bat I've just set the mPCIe bridge hosting the HD4670 to use the memory and I/O window as my X3100 has, which Win7 saw as conflicting and reassigned automatically. Maybe this is problematic on your system?? So try to manually assign it in a non-conflicting range instead. Example image shows free ranges on my 2510P with a sample BG46-W7.BAT you can edit the range for and run instead of 2510P.BAT.

BG46-W7.bat @echo off :: Win7 + Packard Bell BG46 with HD4670 on mPCIe port2 :: 0/1C/01 (mPCIe Port2)- Bridge 4KB I/O Window setpci -s 00:1c.01 1c.w=2020 :: 0/1c/01 (mPCIe Port2) - Bridge 256MB Memory Window from C00000000-CFFFFFFF setpci -s 00:1c.01 24.l=CFF1C001

It did not work.
After the "windows is loading" (the usual windows intro in the external lcd) the external screen turns black with a "_" flashing in the left top corner and in the laptop screen vertical bar apear with different colors.

The address C0000000 to CFFFFFFF apears in my computer like reserve to "motherboard resources".

I will put a video on youtube and post it were.

Can you help me?

- Change the I/O Window.
- Disable any non-needed devices.
- Double-check the power you are supplying to the card. If not enough power, then it won't work.
- Worth testing your HD4670 video card in a desktop system to ensure it works.
- Yes, do post a link to a youtube video. You are the first to report such an unusual anomoly.

[obtf]

- Change the I/O Window.

Change the 2020 value??

- Disable any non-needed devices.

I have disabled the wireless adapter and the lan adapter but it does work

- Double-check the power you are supplying to the card. If not enough power, then it won't work.

I'm using a 19v 4,62A laptop adapter (dc jack).

- Worth testing your HD4670 video card in a desktop system to ensure it works.

A friend has tested the card and it works.

- Yes, do post a link to a youtube video. You are the first to report such an unusual anomoly.

The video is being uploaded. Try in 10minutes.

[obtf]

Founded a solution. I tried to disable the onboard graphic and it works.

I added this to win7 solution:

set blank_igp=true
set disable_igp=true

It apears to work.