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

[[>>ahl395<<]]

it is open. no need to cut anything

ok. i was almost positive. but just wanted to double check haha.

[key001]

Hi
I'm having a problem getting this to work.

Laptop: Sony Vaio VGN-FW21E (W7 64bit)
PE4L => EC2C
HD4670
100w 12v psu.

My problem is that nothing happens no matter what i do. If i just plug it in without gfx, no diodes light at all no matter what i do and nothing happens when i plug in the card either.

Did I get a defect PE4L or am I forgetting something stupid?

did you set the jumpers on PE4L as said in the manual?

i think they made a mistake in there.. in the table the jumpers are either open/close or close/open and then it says close/close in red color

[User Retired 2]

did you set the jumpers on PE4L as said in the manual?

i think they made a mistake in there.. in the table the jumpers are either open/close or close/open and then it says close/close in red color

LEDs/jumpers from PE4L schematic

Yep - close/close works well for me and it's been tested using expresscard's EC2C and mPCIe's PM3N. Setting jumpers that way provides 3.3V from the mPCIE/expresscard slot AND external DC via voltage regulaor. LED D1 must then alight to green else there is no 3.3V and no function.

[mbarry]

Wait a second, so you need a 3.3v power supply as well as a 12V power supply when you are using the PE4L?!? Or does it have a voltage regulator built in, and all you need is the 12V?

Also, doesn't Close/Close short the 3.3V from the computer to the power supply? Isn't that bad for the computer?

[User Retired 2]

Wait a second, so you need a 3.3v power supply as well as a 12V power supply when you are using the PE4L?!? Or does it have a voltage regulator built in, and all you need is the 12V?

Also, doesn't Close/Close short the 3.3V from the computer to the power supply? Isn't that bad for the computer?

3.3V comes from the mPCIe/expresscard slot OR from the PE4L (a voltage regulator downsteps 12V->3.3V). That's what JP3/JP4 set. Consider reviewing the PE4L schematic if need more technical info.

[Ohem]

Hi!

I've read a little into but considering the length of this thread, I obviously didn't read all the pages . In which case I've after some reading considered jumping on PE4H + EC2C + Shuttle 300W "Ultra Silent" (It got from what I understand pretty good/decent 12v line) and would like to have some input about this setup. Would this be sufficient? What about the 2x pcie bandwidth, is PE4H pre-defined to run in that speed or do I need something else to add? or improvise?

[key001]

Hi!

I've read a little into but considering the length of this thread, I obviously didn't read all the pages . In which case I've after some reading considered jumping on PE4H + EC2C + Shuttle 300W "Ultra Silent" (It got from what I understand pretty good/decent 12v line) and would like to have some input about this setup. Would this be sufficient? What about the 2x pcie bandwidth, is PE4H pre-defined to run in that speed or do I need something else to add? or improvise?

you'll also need a PM3N (mini-pci connector) and a PCIEMM-030 (second cable)

[Briam]

Yep - close/close works well for me and it's been tested using expresscard's EC2C and mPCIe's PM3N. Setting jumpers that way provides 3.3V from the mPCIE/expresscard slot AND external DC via voltage regulaor. LED D1 must then alight to green else there is no 3.3V and no function.

I tried all possible jumper settings and haven't seen any light yet! I tried the PE4L in another laptop with same result.

Then i tried install the chipset driver but still nothing (if it could have made any difference) Can't find any interesting settings in bios either.

Concluding defect PE4L?

[User Retired 2]

Concluding defect PE4L?

Can you post a picture so we can confirm that it's all connected? Otherwise I came up with the following basic steps to confirm the PE4L and mPCIe/Expresscard port are in communication.

Troubleshooting PE4L by LED D1 (3.3V)

1/ Disconnect everything from PE4L
2/ Set jumpers JP3 and JP4 in closed position.
3/ Connect the mini HDMI cable to the PE4L and EC2C/PM3N
4/ Attach EC2C or PM3N to notebook
5/ Power up the notebook
6/ Check if green LED D1 is on to confim a 3.3V signal is being received.

If you don't have a glowing LED then I'd suggest double-check all cabling, ensure mPCIe/Expresscard ports are enabled in bios and if have any other sort of expresscard/mPCIe card, confirm they work. We've had one user confirm their expresscard port wasn't working in this thread.

[Briam]

I followed you orders exactly but still none of the LEDs are on. I tried on 2 computers and on one of them the expresscard is confirmed working (before he installed W7 on it though, don't have anything to test with atm)

Also checked bios on both computers but doesn't seem to be any options that would affect this.

could this be a driver problem? got a "Base System Device" which I never bothered to find out what is.