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

[User Retired 2]

Question, how do i set it to <=2.5GB RAM? i cant figure out how to do this, i thought it was done using the USB boot disk (or is it?)

Thanks

>=2.5GB of RAM will work with XP drivers (even in Win7) if you disable the onboard graphics to allow the external graphics to use it's 256MB window instead. This is shown in the 2510P/DV2000 config scripts in the DIY ViDock Repository.

Modifying TOLUD value

Created a new script limitram.bat which will only work if you vendor hasn't locked down D_LCK.

:: limitram.bat
:: =============
::
:: If running with > 2.5GB of RAM and finding WIn7 will give an error 12: cannot
:: allocate resources and your system works with <=2.5GB of RAM, then can try the
:: following. This will ONLY work if D_LCK bit hasn't been locked down in bios.
:: Unfortunately big vendors do lock D_LCK to prevent hackers from having a free-for-
:: all access to system variables.
::

:: You *might* be lucky.. if you D_LCK bit isn't set, you can manually alter the TOLUD
:: to a value before the OS boots to limit the RAM. TOLUD is shown graphically here.
:: PCI address space can only be given above TOLUD.
::
:: If the reading the value of TOLUD after the first write below keeps it the same as
:: the initial value, then your D_LCK bit has been locked down in bios and cannot be
:: unlocked unless you can sub the locking command with a NOP in BIOS
::
::If you can't write a different TOLUD value then the only remedy is to remove
:: physical RAM from your system to create room for the external video cards 256MB
:: PCI bridge window as some users are doing OR use the XP drivers, disable onboard
:: graphics to effectively hijack the onboard graphics 256MB RAM window

:: ICH8M doco says TOLUD is 0xb0
:: Coreboot doco suggests TOLUD is 0x9C. Try both??

:: Read current value of TOLUD, eg: 0x8000 = 0x80000000=2GB
setpci -s 00:00.00 b0.w
setpci -s 00:00.00 9c.b

:: Set TOLUD to 2GB
setpci -s 00:00.00 b0.w=8000
setpci -s 00:00.00 9c.b=08

:: Set TOLUD to 2.5GB
setpci -s 00:00.00 b0.w=A000
setpci -s 00:00.00 9c.b=0A

[alvinamos]

There is still the matter of drivers to be resolved, best to use win 7 or xp since vista doesn't allow more than 1 video driver.

Thanks.

[Malumake]

Any updates on getting the laptop to display to it's screen with the RS780M chipset? I finally received my money back from Newegg and ordered a Saphire 5770 Vapor-X from ewiz. I will have by the end of the week.

[KrullX]

Hi All,

I've been reading these threads for awhile and I'm planning on giving it try in the not too distant future. I have a few question which I haven't been able to find answered in the forums (sorry if they have already been addressed.)

1. Has any one been able to get 4GB working using Windows 7 64-bit? I noticed someone got it with the 32-bit version. Is this something that depends on which version you are using?

2. Is there any risk of serious damage to the computer, particularly when adjusting things in the bios?

3. Does the boot disk only temporarily change the BIOS settings (so if I have to use <4GB with the build, my computer will default back to 4GB when it's not in use)?

4. Has any one got hot-swapping working?

Thanks a lot all.



My System:

Asus X83VB-X2
Core 2 Duo, T6400 @ 2 Ghz
4 GB Ram
Nvidia 9300M GS
Windows 7 64-bit

[Aidanvii]

Thanks for the tip nando, unfortunitely this didnt work for me (limitram). Ive looked through the 2 threads quite a bit although some things i havnt understood. Im guessing you meant less than 2.5gb there otherwise that would be really useful.

>=2.5GB of RAM will work with XP drivers (even in Win7) if you disable the onboard graphics to allow the external graphics to use it's 256MB window instead.

It seems im getting the exact same results as Scott1620 where its my onboard card thats getting error 12 instead of my external. Then ofcourse all the fancy win7 visuals are gone, reduced resolution and most importantly (or the only important thing here) the ability to detect other displays. Ive looked for ways to set the primary video adapter through the BIOS but in all honesty its beyond my knowledge.

Ill experiment with drivers for now to see what happens such as the XP drivers. That or physically removing RAM. Im not sure how to message Scott1620 otherwise id ask him what he did for this setup. Its just a pain that the onboard card is required to be working properly to detect the external card.. meh.

[Eye0fHoruS]

Hi there.

Managed to get the power to my GPU and the fans are spinning.

I connect it to the laptop and.. nothing happens. Is there some software I need? Why is windows 7 not picking it up through the express card slot?

Alex

[Eye0fHoruS]

I plugged a mouse into the EC2C adapters USB port and the laptop picks this up. However the 8800 gts remains no where to be picked up. I have disabled the 8800 onboard card on the laptop.

There is no reason for me to suspect the 8800 gts card is damaged. I can check it in another computer if need be.

What are the other areas I should look at?

[User Retired 2]

Its just a pain that the onboard card is required to be working properly to detect the external card.. meh.

I hear you. Before trying the XP drivers, try to switch XPModel on.. this didn't work for me, but you have different video cards so maybe??

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\GraphicsDrivers]
"UseXPModel"=dword:00000001

I plugged a mouse into the EC2C adapters USB port and the laptop picks this up. However the 8800 gts remains no where to be picked up. I have disabled the 8800 onboard card on the laptop.

There is no reason for me to suspect the 8800 gts card is damaged. I can check it in another computer if need be.

What are the other areas I should look at?

The 8800GTS should be picked up by a device manager scan. If not, then it's a hardware/connectivity issue. Yes.. USB pins of the expresscard may work, but the expresscard's pci-e pins may not. We've had a few ppl report their expresscards are faulty. If using a PE4L, may need to short TP1 too. Worth testing the gear on another notebook/desktop if at hand.

[Malumake]

WOOT! Recieved 5770 and did a quick check to make sure everything is working. Here is Everest confirming PCI Express 2.0 x1!

I also have full 4GB of RAM! No special setup needed. This is to an external monitor. I will be working on setting up the Crossdisplay to get the display on the laptop itself. From what I am gathering this should just take an edit of an .inf file and deleting the current .pnf to get to work? Do I need the DID of the chipset or Video Card?

I will be posting benchmarks soon!

OH, and OS is W7 64-bit. I also have all usb ports working fine. I ran Dragon Age with all options on highest settings. Worked fine, no problems, FPS a little below what I like but very playable.

[Aidanvii]

wow nice, i dont think im too far behind you (hopefully) managed to resolve a lot of problems with hotplugging the card which gave me a permanent bsod (had to reinstall windows).. forgot to install the manufacturer chipset driver or whatever DOH!

anyway, i hotplugged and i dont have any memory/resource issues showing up on both cards with 4gb ram, however i did try to extend the monitor and got another bsod, error message was different and windows did not consume itself.

damn ive been waiting so long to play dragonage :P and with Mass Effect 2 in the horizon this little project should pay off if all goes well.