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

[moral hazard]

MSI GT627 has port 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 enabled.
I have seen 3 mini PCI e ports (one without a connector) + express card slot.

x4 should be possible, maybe...

EDIT: Using the old 1.0P BIOS you can choose which ports to enable/disable.

[User Retired 2]

MSI GT627 has port 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 enabled.
I have seen 3 mini PCI e ports (one without a connector) + express card slot.

x4 should be possible, maybe...

GT627's onboard 9800M GS would make a great DIY ViDock hybrid phys-X setup as explained in Nvidia helps the HD 5870 beat the GTX 285 in PhysX . Installation details here.

[moral hazard]

I'll definitely consider it, but a bit later down the track, when I need more power

[KAiSE]

I just can't get this thing to work!
I've got a my PE4H connected to an ExpressCard and using a 18.5/90W adapter. Right now I'm testing with two cards an old X600 pro and a 7600GT.

Both lights on the PE4H turn green; but when I connect it to my computer nothing happens?

I tried two different laptops one with Win 7 x64 and the other with Vista just to see if something would happen but no luck.
The ExpressCard slot works on both computers.
The USB connection on the PE4H works too.

I tried running ‘atiflash –ai’ using the boot disk and it doesn’t find anything.

Am I missing something? Is there a hardware problem somewhere?

[User Retired 2]

I just can't get this thing to work!
I've got a my PE4H connected to an ExpressCard and using a 18.5/90W adapter. Right now I'm testing with two cards an old X600 pro and a 7600GT.

Both lights on the PE4H turn green; but when I connect it to my computer nothing happens?
..
Am I missing something? Is there a hardware problem somewhere?

May I suggest, trying any 12V PSU you might have around to bypass the voltage regulation. Can create a makeshift 12V connection using the two leftmost pins on the PE4H's molex connector (12V/GND). Just in case the voltage regulation is problematic. I didn't test that aspect since I use as 12V/80W adapter.

Also worth jiggling the EC2C in case it might not be sitting right.

[Max_Headroom]

I just can't get this thing to work!
I've got a my PE4H connected to an ExpressCard and using a 18.5/90W adapter. Right now I'm testing with two cards an old X600 pro and a 7600GT. I tried running ‘atiflash –ai’ using the boot disk and it doesn’t find anything.

I presume you are connecting the ExpressCard adapter cable to the leftmost connector of the PE4H. I doubt atiflash will be able to detect the 7600GT as it's an Nvidia card. It should see the X600 though.

Check Device Manager in Windows and see if the card shows up there (or maybe an "unknown device" or something)

[KAiSE]

May I suggest, trying any 12V PSU you might have around to bypass the voltage regulation. Can create a makeshift 12V connection using the two leftmost pins on the PE4H's molex connector (12V/GND). Just in case the voltage regulation is problematic. I didn't test that aspect since I use as 12V/80W adapter.

Also worth jiggling the EC2C in case it might not be sitting right.

I connected the floppy molex to a 450W PSU and still nothing.
Also tried to wiggle the EC2C on both laptops...nothing..

I presume you are connecting the ExpressCard adapter cable to the leftmost connector of the PE4H. I doubt atiflash will be able to detect the 7600GT as it's an Nvidia card. It should see the X600 though.

Check Device Manager in Windows and see if the card shows up there (or maybe an "unknown device" or something)

Yes into PCIe x1.
I was only running atiflash on the X600.
Device manager is clean no unknowns; nor does Windows make an insertion sound.

[User Retired 2]

I connected the floppy molex to a 450W PSU and still nothing.
Also tried to wiggle the EC2C on both laptops...nothing..

When you bootup the DIY ViDock bootdisk, run 'lspci' before and after connecting the X600. THe x600 will appear on the pci-e bus when the X600 is properly connected. If not, then there's some connectivity issue, requiring checking: cables, PE4H, power, etc.

[KAiSE]

Hmmm strange.
When I ran that commnad on the X600 nothing; but on the 7600GT success!!! I don't know how it's working now?

0d:00.0 0300: 10de:0391 (rev a1)

I booted windows and pluged it in, hello.. It works! Have no idea why it's working now. Didn't do anything different. Still using the 18.5/90W adapter.
For some reason the X600 is a no go, even though the card is still good. (Oh well)

Now I'm just getting a driver error; probably a resource allocation issue.

Windows has stopped this device because it has reported problems. (Code 43)

My next challenge, time to fix that one.

Thanks nando4 for all your help!

EDIT:
I don't really understand how to properly allocate PCIe memory.
Can someone please give me a hand.

Thanks

[User Retired 2]

Now I'm just getting a driver error; probably a resource allocation issue.

Windows has stopped this device because it has reported problems. (Code 43)

My next challenge, time to fix that one.

Thanks nando4 for all your help!

EDIT:
I don't really understand how to properly allocate PCIe memory.
Can someone please give me a hand.

- There is also a device AGEIA PhysX 100 Series that appears on port5 which would indicate to me that there is partial inialization of your 7600GT.

- Your system already two 256MB windows free already: @C0000000 and @D0000000. No need to do any PCI Reallocation.

-Your snapshot file hangs loading on my PCI Scope, so am not working precisely here. Based on JohnnyEM's GT240 Nvidia parameters, suggest try:

:: Apprears you 7600GT is connected to 00:1C:04 bridge (port5)
:: Set it to use the D0000000 (256MB) Window
setpci -s 00:1c.4 1c.w=2020
setpci -s 00:1c.4 24.l=DFF1D001

:: A parameter you can try if no success 
:: setpci -s 00:1c.4 20.l=F3FFF200

Likely the last commented parameter needs playing with. Your 8700GT requires 2x32GB of these smaller windows. There's no more room in Fxxx range, so could put them in Cxxx range.