Acer Aspire E 15 E5-574G-75ME with eGPU attempt

Good evening everyone,

I've been attempting to set an eGPU setup on an Acer Aspire E 15 laptop by plugging the GPU adapter (NGFF), switching the already connected wireless adapter. The problem is that almost all of the laptop's components stop working, such as keyboard and touchpad, when I connect the NGFF to HDMI cable to the laptop, regardless of it being connected to the eGPU setup. I don't think the NGFF port gets disabled, because the eGPU setup gets powered up when plugged into it. Do any of you guys know if this laptop has BIOS whitelisting? If so, can I solve this issue without recurring to unsafe BIOS modding?

Thanks in advance.

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JackE

>>>when I connect the NGFF to HDMI cable to the laptop, regardless of it being connected to the eGPU setup.>>>

If you mean the cable causes this issue when one end is plugged into the m.2 card and the other end isn't plugged into anything, then something's wrong with the cable. Jack E/NJ

Atikin

Could it still be the cable even if the eGPU powers up when I connect it to the laptop?

JackE

Yes. Where'd you get the cable? Jack E/NJ

Atikin

The NGFF to HDMI cable came with the EXP GDC Beast v8.5c adapter I bought for the eGPU setup.

JackE

Try disabling the network boot option in the BIOS Main tab. Jack E/NJ

Atikin

Thank you for the replies in advance, JackE

I'm using an external USB keyboard to change the BIOS settings, as the internal stops working.
Network Boot was already disabled, I enabled and disabled it once again to be sure, but it didn't do much.
I noticed the BIOS shows a new Advanced tab with so many more options when I go to the BIOS settings while the eGPU is plugged, maybe I have to change something there?

StevenGen

Atikin said:

Good evening everyone,

I've been attempting to set an eGPU setup on an Acer Aspire E 15 laptop by plugging the GPU adapter (NGFF), switching the already connected wireless adapter. The problem is that almost all of the laptop's components stop working, such as keyboard and touchpad, when I connect the NGFF to HDMI cable to the laptop, regardless of it being connected to the eGPU setup. I don't think the NGFF port gets disabled, because the eGPU setup gets powered up when plugged into it. Do any of you guys know if this laptop has BIOS whitelisting? If so, can I solve this issue without recurring to unsafe BIOS modding?

Thanks in advance.

First, have you got an extra power supply also connected to this setup? As that could be your problem and that is why “almost all of the laptop's components stop working”. Have a look at this setup as its too complicated to explain everything to you here: https://exp-gdc.blogspot.com/2016/08/exp-gdc-beast-laptop-external_98.html and have a look at this excellent guide also: https://www.reviewgeek.com/34084/how-to-boost-your-gaming-laptop-with-an-egpu/

I’ve done this with an Aspire V3-571G and it worked perfectly and 100%, also what GPU card are you using? As the latest GPUs 16x’s are not all compatible see some of the GPU cards that are compatible with the “EXP GDC Beast Laptop External Independent Video Card Dock V8.0 - "NGFF Version" below.

Atikin

Yes, I've got a power supply connected to it, all the tests have been done with a 450W power supply unit.

I'm currently trying to setup a NVIDIA GTX 1650 4 GB, and I only wish the problem isn't the graphics card itself, as I've seen some eGPU setups work with it.

JackE

>>>a new Advanced tab >>>

A phone shot of the options if possible. Jack E/NJ

StevenGen

Atikin said:

Yes, I've got a power supply connected to it, all the tests have been done with a 450W power supply unit.

I'm currently trying to setup a NVIDIA GTX 1650 4 GB, and I only wish the problem isn't the graphics card itself, as I've seen some eGPU setups work with it.

There are some issues with USB devices when using the eGPU in Win-10. Setting PCI Link State Power management to "off" when plugged in helped (devices no longer entirely disconnect, but still stutter/crackle - mouse and USB audio dongle), but it is apparent that there is some sort of power management issue that can cause USB devices to stutter or disconnect. The solution for this has been to quit using the unpowered USB 3.0 hub and only have two USB devices plugged directly into the 2 USB 3.0 type A ports in the system. Try a powered USB hub to see if that makes a difference.

Also have a look at this site https://egpu.io/forums/diy-discussions/ as there are lots of solutions there for all sorts of eGPU problems.

Atikin

Thank you all for your help, I managed to get the eGPU detected on the Windows 10 system, it seems to be related to the Advanced tab I mentioned before (more specifically, changing the Primary Display to IGFX). But I still can't make the internal components work, it must be something the BIOS is doing after adding the new tab. I'll try digging a bit deeper to see if I can them to work.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6029997/uploads/editor/d2/aqo9uascszy4.jpeg

StevenGen

Ok Atikin glad to be of some help? Cheers and hope you solve thisproblem.

JackE

Hold on. Don't try to attach the eGPU to the cable. Does the machine still behave OK ***without*** the cable attached to the m.2 card? But then still misbehaves ***with*** the cable attached to the m.2 card only? Jack E/NJ

Atikin

Yes, the laptop behaves as usual when I unplug the cable, all of the internal components start working again and the Advanced tab at the BIOS settings disappears.

JackE

>>>When I unplug the cable, all of the internal components start working again>>>

I suspect the cable or its end connectors are the issue if it's only connected to the m.2 card at one end and nothing connected to it at the other end. Do the connectors resemble an ordinary HDMI cable? Jack E/NJ

Atikin

Yes, the connectors resemble an ordinary HDMI cable, I even have one here, I compared them together and they're pretty much the same.
But now it seems I'm back to square one, the eGPU setup stopped being detected when I tried to update the NVIDIA drivers, and hasn't been detected anymore even when I try to switch the Primary Display to "IGFX". Tried reconnecting everything back together, setting BIOS settings to default, but to no avail.