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    My m14x's nvidia chipset seems to have died

    Discussion in 'Alienware 14 and M14x' started by kLay, Feb 28, 2012.

  1. kLay

    kLay Notebook Geek

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    nvlddmkm.sys blue screen when I try play any 3d game. When I run with Intel HD the game works fine.

    I have formatted and only installed Intel HD driver and tried lots of different Nvidia drivers but same problem.

    Has my laptop became faulty or does anyone have a suggestions?

    I've never overclocked and the problem has only started happening recently.

    I got the system in September.

    Even when I visit the Nvidia control panel and go to Adjust Image Settings With Preview I'm getting the blue screen of death.

    Okay when I install the latest driver: 295.73 it's not blue screening but it's flickering like crazy with artifacts.

    The blue screen looks very similar to this: http://i44.tinypic.com/rap6df.jpg
     
    kLay, Feb 28, 2012
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  2. CGSDR

    CGSDR Alien Master Race

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    One way to find out whether the GPU is dead is by going through the Dell Diagnostic, you can enter the Diagnostic by pressing F12 - Boot Option then select Dell Diagnostic, then it will start the basic input, output & other hardware diagnostic, then it will report whether there's any problem, however If you think the GPU is really dead then there is no way you can fix it by yourself, you'll have to call Dell for a replacement, and it will be a motherboard replacement. And the best thing for that is that you'd get 2 benefit, one is a new GPU, second is a repaste for the thermal paste on both the CPU and your new GPU.

    Oh one more thing, there is an button at the bottom right of each of every post of your called EDIT, what it's do is to edit your existed post, and it exist for a reason. Only bump your thread if no one reply in 24hrs, otherwise just edit your post, for info regarding that can be found here in the Forum Rules.
     
    CGSDR, Feb 28, 2012
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  3. tyler27

    tyler27 Notebook Consultant

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    which nvidia chip do you have?
    is it the gf106 or gf116 (correct me if i got that wrong) the newer ones have had issues with drivers, try updating the bios, the new bios did something with the nvidia bios
    but first do what CGSDR says and if all fails call dell for a mother board replacement

    its times like these when i wish the nvidia chip was replaceable and upgradeable
     
    tyler27, Feb 28, 2012
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  4. kLay

    kLay Notebook Geek

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    Well I done a full diagnostic and no problems there.. I can't seem to find out tyler which one I have.. is it under device manager somewhere?
     
    kLay, Mar 1, 2012
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  5. doniGforce

    doniGforce Notebook Geek

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    install this you'll find the gpu version GPU-Z - Download.com
     
    doniGforce, Mar 1, 2012
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  6. kLay

    kLay Notebook Geek

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    I have the GF106 with the A05 BIOS.
     
    kLay, Mar 1, 2012
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  7. doniGforce

    doniGforce Notebook Geek

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    doniGforce, Mar 1, 2012
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  8. kLay

    kLay Notebook Geek

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    A08 installed, formatting now but I bet it will do the same thing.
     
    kLay, Mar 1, 2012
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  9. CGSDR

    CGSDR Alien Master Race

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    If it keep doing the same thing, then I suggest you should call Dell for motherboard replacement.
     
    CGSDR, Mar 1, 2012
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  10. kLay

    kLay Notebook Geek

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    It's doing the same thing. Brand new fresh Windows install, only Intel HD and Nvidia drivers installed and it's flickering.

    I have asked them and they said:

    Thank you for your reply.

    According to your information we will replace the graphic card. Please send me the address and telephone number where the part can be replaced by our onsite technician during business hours (9am-5pm).

    At the end I would like to ask you to check again the whole system for any faults.

    Thank you for your co-operation.

    I wish you a nice day.

    Yours sincerely
     
    kLay, Mar 1, 2012
    #10
  11. kLay

    kLay Notebook Geek

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    The technician came round today and replaced the motherboard and it's working again! Just a shame a £1500 laptop had to go faulty in 6 months.. let's hope it lasts another 6 months.

    What would cause the nvidia graphics chipset to go faulty like that? I've been looking after the system, no overclocking and using a mat cooler to keep temperatures down and to be honest I haven't been gaming that much on it.

    PS. I now have GF116.
     
    kLay, Mar 5, 2012
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  12. solrac13

    solrac13 Notebook Evangelist

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    nice to hear it all wen find, me too i will like to know what GF116 is
     
    solrac13, Mar 18, 2012
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