m17 GPU Driver atieclxx fix

Hardware: Alienware m17 / w840 with ATI 3870x2 GPU
Problem: AMD legacy drivers have a bug where the atieclxx process runs out of control when running 3d apps, soaking 100% of one cpu core, mangling framerates.
Solutions:

1. Use a driver issued before the bug was introduced: http://schurke.ca/files/10-4_mobility_vista_win7_64_dd_ccc.exe
2. Use a new legacy driver with Rotary Hearts FPS helper: http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-area-51-aurora-legacy-systems/735021-fps-helper-software-amd.html
3. Create a hybrid driver by using the last known good driver as a base then patching-in the profiles and fixes from the legacy driver: http://schurke.ca/files/10-4_13-9_schurke_m17.zip
a. Unpack the 10.4 driver by running the executable, but cancelling the installation before the installation process begins.
b. Navigate to C:\ATI\Support\10-4_mobility_vista_win7_64_dd_ccc\Packages\Drivers\Display\W76A_INF
c. Decompress the contents of the 10.4-13.9 package into this location, overwriting files.
d. Run C:\ATI\Support\10-4_mobility_vista_win7_64_dd_ccc\Setup.exe
e. You will get warning about this being an unsigned driver. Agree, because it's true.
f. Driver should install as normal, but have 3 years worth of additional application profiles included.


FAQ regarding Solution 3:

Q: Does this suffer from the atieclxx process bug?
A: As far as I can tell, this solution works as well as the stock 10.4 driver in terms of system stability expectations: No known issues on my hardware.

Q: Have you tested this?
A: Not extensively. I've verified based on only one test case: L4D2 "The Sacrifice" was released by Valve as a late DLC and was not factored into the stock 10.4 driver. Performance was... very poor. With the expanded profiles, The Sacrifice runs like the rest of the game. That said, I'm hoping others with similar issues on the m17 will try the patch and report findings.

Q: Are you available for support?
A: Negative! This patch is a use-at-your-own-peril solution.

 

With what OS have you tested this? I will test it in a couple of hours with Windows 8.1

 

Good question! Win 7 pro, SP1.

 

I tried the first method and when I click install nothing appeared. So I think that it doesn't work with Windows 8.1. I will try the next method in a couple of hours

 

Well I tried method 1 and 3 couple of times and it looks like Windows 8.1 won't let me do it. So if anyone with Windows 8.1 success with this let me know.

 

The 10.4 driver is likely incompatible with win8, unfortunately :/

I noticed that the win8 legacy driver is a mod of the 13.1 or 13.4 driver, rather than the 13.9 driver (which is interesting, but probably unhelpful).

I'd originally tried to patch parts of the 10.4 driver into the 13.9 driver to address the process issue (may have something to do with clocking the second card up and down, given some interesting test results to do with disabling catalyst AI and running the cards in power saver mode). Someone more knowledgeable than I may know which part of the driver controls that specifically and could theoretically pull off the reverse build. I know one thing however: replacing atieclxx and atiesrxx from 13.9 with the corresponding 10.4 files is a dead end - the process starts and appears to "work", but the machine will crash on the second (yes, the second) fullscreen app you run.

 

I got this issue too when disabling the amd service.