Please Help! A17 r3 nvidia driver crashing

Hello everyone! I'm at a loss, I just received my New AW 17 r3, I got the 6820, 980m and the ss drive, I received it and everything was working, tested the system and proceeded to do a clean windows install, followed step by step the guide removed my hdd, got the ssd set up and installed the OS, then followed the driver install, in the correct order but once I got to the nvidia driver all hell broke loose, the computer froze mid install so I had to reboot, same froze again, another reboot, to safe mode and then ddu, to uninstall the driver and try again, everything back to normal, so I tried another driver same thing again frozen, uninstalled once more, upgraded to Windows anniversary edition, might as well try my luck with the windows driver and again black screen after boot, back to ddu uninstalled driver again back to normal, this time I tried the Intel hd drivers, and latest form nvidia, system now operational but as soon as I open nvidia control manager, now a bsod tdr–failure... So on we go I have tried over 5 nvidia driver / intel hd driver combinations, bios version .8 , .2 and .15 same results either bsod or freeze and hard reboot, I don't know what else to do, so please any help would be really appreciated!

*Forgive my very poor English as a second language

 

Talked to the people at Dell they had no clue at all, they offered to change the laptop but wait time will be 45 days, what is weird is when I got it, it was working, so I must of screwed something up in the clean install, the only thing that I changed was the bios Raid to ASCHI, to let the windows installer see the SSD drive during instalation, I really hope someone here can point me in the right direction you are my only hope

 

Well today I went to the so called authorized service, nothing more than a modest repair shop, they had never seen an Alienware before so I called Dell and asked for a replacement, considering asking for a refund instead because the 1080's are just around the corner If I'm going to wait anyways maybe just a bit more and get one of those

 

No word from Dell call center said, a rep would be in touch with me with details since wensday, should I be worried? I keep calling and they said the report is still open, I'm really disappointed by this whole ordeal, I've been tinkering with drivers some produce different results last time I got a brand new orange screen, I still have hope this is driver related.

 

Sounds like a return is in order just to cover yourself... once you're outside the window you're stuck with it!

 

return would be the best option and wait for the new alienware models.. or better yet go to clevo..

 

I have been going through hell trying to get my system repaired. There are serious issues with these - if you are still in the return window then its a no brainer what you should do.

 

I finally got a response, my replacement system is in production, I already bought an GA and a evga1080 sc, so I will wait for the replacement to get here if it's flawless I will keep it, if not I will send it back ask for a refund, wait and go for a 10xx series, problem is in Mexico it takes longer for the new models to become available and are usually missing some options

 

The only warning I can give you is be careful with Dell/AW. They will manipulate the time with you if they can and leave high and dry or stuck with whatever you have. I have had first hand experience with Dell and its in/out warranty, warranty extension, and RMA department. Follow up with them every 24 hours, don't wait for them, you call/text/e-mail them. If it is even a day past any limited time period, they will deny whatever it is to you. So as mentioned above make sure they get use to your call every day so they can't forget about you. I would even recommend, make sure you document every call and if your phone bill/cell phone shows who you called make sure you hold onto that as well, for documentation and proof of contact. Also make sure the call last more than 5 minutes so they can't claim you just were in their voicemail system for 5 minutes to make it appear you called them, I just don't trust Dell/AW at all.

In regards to the 10xx series, I would almost recommend you actually wait. Remember Nvidia usually like Intel, will release a refresh of the 1060,70,80 which will cover any issues. Being new cards for the laptop you probably could expect some minor growing pains, after all no one is perfect. If I was buying a laptop right now, I would also have myself go without the laptop till the refresh by Nvidia. It will have all the usual improvements you come to expect from Nvidia's refresh. Higher performance, lower power draw, less heat, solid drivers and game support and other little tweaks.

Please note the above comments are my own and do not represent anyone other than me.