DIY eGPU experiences

[Nautis]

sunneh I have updated the INFs in this zip file to include the GTS 450. I typed the version wrong above, as I am sure you know it is 258.69.

Download the drivers extract them and the infs, copy the inf in the zip for your version of windows to the drivers folder and install.

EDIT:
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Universal Optimus Retrofit Drivers for DIY ViDock
Driver Version	OS Version	Download Link(s)	INF Link(s)
258.96 (8.17.12.5896)	Windows 7	64bit Driver	32bit & 64bit INFs (updated 9/23/2010)
		32bit Driver
Important Information
After clicking the driver download link, DO NOT download the INF at LaptopVideo2Go, instead download the INFs linked here. The INF zip file (linked above) contains both 32bit and 64bit INFs make sure you copy only the one that matches your OS over before installing. The INF should contain all GPUs known up to the date posted/updated. TO INSTALL: 1.) Download the drivers specific to your Operating System. (Click the appropriate link above under "Download Link(s)" then click the red Download Driver link at LaptopVideo2Go) 2.) Download the "32bit & 64bit INFs" zip file. (Click the link above under "INF Link(s)") 3.) Run drivers self extracting exe that you downloaded and extract the drivers to a location of your choice. 4.) Unzip the INFs can copy the one that matches your Operating System to the same location that you extracted the drivers. (Make sure to copy it to the area that has the drivers and inf file already in it.) 5.) Run setup.exe to install.

--

Expect an updated 260.63 full driver package soon.

[sunneh]

I noticed that there is no NVUopti.inf in the install folder, do I need to rename it to NV_DISP.INF? or something equivalent?

[sunneh]

sunneh I have updated the INFs in this zip file to include the GTS 450. I typed the version wrong above, as I am sure you know it is 258.69.

Download the drivers extract them and the infs, copy the inf in the zip for your version of windows to the drivers folder and install.

EDIT:
--

Universal Optimus Retrofit Drivers for DIY ViDock
Driver Version	OS Version	Download Link(s)	INF Link(s)
258.96 (8.17.12.5896)	Windows 7	64bit Driver	32bit & 64bit INFs (updated 9/23/2010)
		32bit Driver
Important Information
After clicking the driver download link, DO NOT download the INF at LaptopVideo2Go, instead download the INFs linked here. The INF zip file (linked above) contains both 32bit and 64bit INFs make sure you copy only the one that matches your OS over before installing. The INF should contain all GPUs known up to the date posted/updated. TO INSTALL: 1.) Download the drivers specific to your Operating System. (Click the appropriate link above under "Download Link(s)" then click the red Download Driver link at LaptopVideo2Go) 2.) Download the "32bit & 64bit INFs" zip file. (Click the link above under "INF Link(s)") 3.) Run drivers self extracting exe that you downloaded and extract the drivers to a location of your choice. 4.) Unzip the INFs can copy the one that matches your Operating System to the same location that you extracted the drivers. (Make sure to copy it to the area that has the drivers and inf file already in it.) 5.) Run setup.exe to install.

--

Expect an updated 260.63 full driver package soon.

unfortunately I just tried it and the 258 package doesn't work for the GTS250, there is an issue with the nvidia control panel installing. I believe that the only solution is to modify the 260 as that is when the official support for the GTS450 began.

[Nautis]

As soon as I get my notebook to boot again (ooh..sh..oops) I will post up a 260.63 INF.

[ruhtraeel]

EDIT:

Well, it looks like the vidock doesn't work on my M1330. Tried and exhausted every possibility, but to no avail. Although the 5870 is detected, it is listed as "unspecified" and cannot be selected in the catalyst control centre.

[jamesbond007]

just as a suggestion as i had a similar problem. What is your internal card. Is it a dedicated one like mxm. If that is the case you could physically try to disable the card by blocking the PRSNT#1 for the MXM card. this way you laptop will boot directly from the external card. This was what i did for my laptop when i had a 9800m gts as my internal card.

[flaunt]

EDIT:

Well, it looks like the vidock doesn't work on my M1330. Tried and exhausted every possibility, but to no avail. Although the 5870 is detected, it is listed as "unspecified" and cannot be selected in the catalyst control centre.

Ruhtraeel, I have an m1330 and it worked with a gtx460. In fact, mine was largely plug and play. Also, some ppl had problems with the hdmi cords and others with the card itself. My recommendation would be to go for the gtx460.

[ruhtraeel]

just as a suggestion as i had a similar problem. What is your internal card. Is it a dedicated one like mxm. If that is the case you could physically try to disable the card by blocking the PRSNT#1 for the MXM card. this way you laptop will boot directly from the external card. This was what i did for my laptop when i had a 9800m gts as my internal card.

I heard about your GTX 460 case. These are my laptop's specs:

Laptop=

Dell XPS M1330
4 GB RAM
2.00 GHZ Intel Core 2 Duo T5750
Nvidia GeForce 8400M GS
Windows 7 Ultimate 32 bit

Vidock=

PE4H 2.0
EC2C
Radeon 5870
480W Casegears PSU



Me and nando have both tried every single possible solution, but no matter what, even though the machine recognizes that the 5870 is there, it refuses to let me switch to the 5870. Even under the ATI icon on the bottom right toolbar, if I right click it, shows 2 8400M GS's (the laptop and my monitor), and then 3 Radeon 5800's. The "extended desktop" is greyed out for both the 8400M GS's, but when I try to click on one under one of the 3 5800's, nothing happens.

Oh and for the Vidock setup, I use 36 bit compaction with either the 8400M GS or no card forced to 32-bit. I cannot do 32-bit allocation.

Flaunt, what are your system specs? OS? Drivers?

[flaunt]

I heard about your GTX 460 case. These are my laptop's specs:

Laptop=

Dell XPS M1330
4 GB RAM
2.00 GHZ Intel Core 2 Duo T5750
Nvidia GeForce 8400M GS
Windows 7 Ultimate 32 bit

Vidock=

PE4H 2.0
EC2C
Radeon 5870
480W Casegears PSU



Me and nando have both tried every single possible solution, but no matter what, even though the machine recognizes that the 5870 is there, it refuses to let me switch to the 5870. Even under the ATI icon on the bottom right toolbar, if I right click it, shows 2 8400M GS's (the laptop and my monitor), and then 3 Radeon 5800's. The "extended desktop" is greyed out for both the 8400M GS's, but when I try to click on one under one of the 3 5800's, nothing happens.

Oh and for the Vidock setup, I use 36 bit compaction with either the 8400M GS or no card forced to 32-bit. I cannot do 32-bit allocation.

Flaunt, what are your system specs? OS? Drivers?

I Have:

Dell XPS M1330
4 GB RAM
2.4 GHZ Intel Core 2 Duo T8300
Nvidia GeForce 8400M GS
Windows 7 professional 64 bit

Vidock=

PE4L
EC2C
MSI GTX 460 (OCed to 875core/1750shader/4100 Memory)
Corsair CW 400W PSU

I did not need to use Vidock software at all -
My steps included - plugging in the graphics card while my computer is off. Also while the computer is off, I turn on both the PSU and the graphics card, then I start up the computer. On the first boot up, I installed the latest NVIDIA drivers (258.96 for desktop, and 258.96 for laptop - on accident I tried only installing the 258.96 laptop version that would not recognize the card). After reboot, the sound and USB ports stopped working, but the card would work once I went to my control panel and enable the external screen. To fix the USB ports and sound, I simply disabled random hardware that I never use. For instance, I disabled the computer SD/MMS.MSpro card reader, I disable the finger print scanner, and I disable the Wired LAN card as I use wireless exclusively. I also when in and disabled the HDMI sound controller that comes with the NVIDIA card. After disabling and restarting, the USB ports worked again. But the sound still would not. I realized that all I had to do was disable and re-enable my sound card in the hardware manager to turn it back on.

This is how mine works now. In order for my card to work, the GFX card must be ON BEFORE I turn on the computer - mine would never work If I went to standby and then plugged it in. ALSO if I do go to standby and turn the card off, I need to turn it back on before resuming or my comp will blue screen right off the bat. On every restart, I just restart like normal or shutdown and turn back on like normal AS LONG AS THE CARD is ON before the computer comes back on (EVEN BEFORE BIOS LOADS). Finally, when a restart or shutdown just finished I just need to re-enable my own sound card, and everything works again!

If I ever want to take my laptop with me without the card - I simply shutdown - turn it off. Then unplug the card - the turn it back on - and everything is back to normal again!

Let me know how else I can help you man.

[ruhtraeel]

I Have:

Dell XPS M1330
4 GB RAM
2.4 GHZ Intel Core 2 Duo T8300
Nvidia GeForce 8400M GS
Windows 7 professional 64 bit

Vidock=

PE4L
EC2C
MSI GTX 460 (OCed to 875core/1750shader/4100 Memory)
Corsair CW 400W PSU

I did not need to use Vidock software at all -
My steps included - plugging in the graphics card while my computer is off. Also while the computer is off, I turn on both the PSU and the graphics card, then I start up the computer. On the first boot up, I installed the latest NVIDIA drivers (258.96 for desktop, and 258.96 for laptop - on accident I tried only installing the 258.96 laptop version that would not recognize the card). After reboot, the sound and USB ports stopped working, but the card would work once I went to my control panel and enable the external screen. To fix the USB ports and sound, I simply disabled random hardware that I never use. For instance, I disabled the computer SD/MMS.MSpro card reader, I disable the finger print scanner, and I disable the Wired LAN card as I use wireless exclusively. I also when in and disabled the HDMI sound controller that comes with the NVIDIA card. After disabling and restarting, the USB ports worked again. But the sound still would not. I realized that all I had to do was disable and re-enable my sound card in the hardware manager to turn it back on.

This is how mine works now. In order for my card to work, the GFX card must be ON BEFORE I turn on the computer - mine would never work If I went to standby and then plugged it in. ALSO if I do go to standby and turn the card off, I need to turn it back on before resuming or my comp will blue screen right off the bat. On every restart, I just restart like normal or shutdown and turn back on like normal AS LONG AS THE CARD is ON before the computer comes back on (EVEN BEFORE BIOS LOADS). Finally, when a restart or shutdown just finished I just need to re-enable my own sound card, and everything works again!

If I ever want to take my laptop with me without the card - I simply shutdown - turn it off. Then unplug the card - the turn it back on - and everything is back to normal again!

Let me know how else I can help you man.

Alright, I tried rebooting and not using the diy vidock setup menu. It now gives me error 12 (not enough resources) for the 8400M GS, but the 5870 is apparently working fine. I don't know if this is a good thing or a bad thing. However, instead of saying "the control centre cannot identify your graphics driver; please enable your ati graphics card in the displays manager", it says "no ati driver has been detected, or the driver has malfunctioned". I am now stuck on one screen without any gfx card at all.


EDIT:
Now I'm wondering, how did you enable your external screen without your 8400m gs? Or did you not get error 12?