M11x Problem/Technical Question thread for New Owners

Wanted to create a thread for posting technical issues / questions with the R2. As with the R1, we had the troubleshooting thread which seemed to work. This thread can be used for either model... R1 or R2.

So, without rambling on... if you received your very cool R2 and encounter an issue or just can't figure something out - post here and lets tackle it.

For questions or problems with NV Optimus on the R2, please post here (when posting in the Optimus thread, be sure to include your NV driver version):
http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m11x/492051-m11x-r2-nvidia-optimus-issues.html

Note - be sure to review this video on how to add apps to the NV Optimus whitelist -
http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...-r2-how-add-games-applications-whitelist.html

For those of you who encounter OC issues in the BIOS - please note:

Quote Src:
http://en.community.dell.com/owners-club/alienware/f/3746/t/19347147.aspx


NOTE: If you are having an issue with your hinge, be sure to check here as Dell has implemented a process for resolving this (both in and out of warranty)

http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m11x/560021-m11x-r1-r2-new-hinge-design.html

 

Ok, we definitely have a problem. The R2 for some reason decided to continue using the Atheros AR8132 as an ethernet, which is the same one as the previous model (R1). This mean ethernet is 10/100 and not 10/100/1000 as the one provided by QS57 chipset. I have no idea why M11xR2 decided to do it this way, but this also mean that it's a major conflict with what is said in the manual. I checked both the online manual and the manual included in the package. I'm not sure if the Atheros AR8132 chip itself would support gigabit ethernet or not, but definitely there is no driver for it to use gigabit. Dell, gonna have to get a good explanation to us, or Dell may have to do a recall on this.

 

Freeman, what page in the manual are you looking at? I couldn't find where it specifies.

I just check and it says: Integrated 10/100 Network Interface Card
on my order page

 

It's on page 105 in the german online manual..
cited:
Kommunikation
Netzwerkadapter 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet-LAN auf der Systemplatin
Wireless WLAN Mini-Karte (halber Mini-Kartensteckplatz) •
WWAN Mini-Card (voller Mini-Kartensteckplatz) •
(optional)
integriertes Bluetooth •
® Modul (optional)

Video
Video-Controller
Integriert
Diskret
Intel QS57
Nvidia NV11P-GS1

 

Yes, it most definitely a 10/100. The manual is wrong. Pg 95 of the US manual states 10/100/1000. Not the end of the world, but really? It's 2000 and freakin' 10!

 

I know it doesn't sound like much. But it can be a big deal for people who move large amount of data, like photo/video editing. My file server have gigabit, and both my nettop have gigabit. You are talking about a speed that's in theory 10 times faster and in reality at least twice or three times as fast.

 

Figured out why GTA4 bench was not working. Ran a diagnostic in bios. ERROR CODE 0123. - integrity test failed

How bad is this? Does anyone know a fix? I'm on hold to A/W technical support have been for 15mins with no answer :-(

 

if you google what you just typed, the second result will show you the answer (it won't let me post the link for some reason)

 

Yep faulty ram. I dunno spend $1300 on a new laptop and you get duff chips. Just my luck huh

 

maybe you can get them to send a stick out to you instead of having to send the whole thing in

 

M11Ash, you can still run it if it's just a single stick that's bad. Open up the back and pull one stick. If you get the error again, then swap the sticks and try again. You'll lose half the RAM and the relevant performance drop, but you'll still be able to run it (again, assuming you still have one good stick). Besides, you're here to test the CPU.

Also, you have 4GB DDR3 in your Macbook Pro, with which you can exchange. It should be compatible.

 

Cheers Polytonic, thats what I was thinking. The rep I'm on the phone to is running stress tests atm. All memory tests coming back fine in windows. Its only picked up in BIOS.

 

Did you try re-seating the memory?

 

Yep I moved some of the chips about and this seem to have sorted it. GTA still won't bench though
I'm having issues with getting apps to recognise the 335M even though in the Nvidia control panel I'm telling it to take over on each individual one.

 

Good to hear the memory is sorted... be sure to post as much detail on the titles you are having issues with (Optimus) in the Optimus thread if you have not already done so. More data the better.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m11x/492051-m11x-r2-nvidia-optimus-issues.html

 

Take one out and run the same test to figure out which one is faulty

 

So I'm trying to play Warhammer 40K Dawn of War II Chaos Rising and the graphics were automatically set to a custom low setting. Whenever I change them and accept, the game restarts and doesn't change a thing, it keeps them at those graphics.

From there I tried to go to Nvidia to update the drivers and it gives me the message "The NVIDIA Setup program could not locate any drivers that are compatible with your current hardware. Setup will now exit"

I'm a complete noob at all this so any help would be appreciated.

 

Optimus issue. Look in the optimus thread.

 

Anyone know, if there is a way to change the way hotkey work? I want Fn+F3 to only disable wifi and not bluetooth. Is it possible?

 

I haven't been able to find a way to do this. Maybe it's because Bt it optional? At least they could have had the Fn combo cycle through enabling/disabling the various combinations.

Anyway, here's a workaround.

 

Hey guys, just got my M11xR2 today. I have the i7, 4gb ram, a 500gb Moments XT I installed myself. I had a couple of quick questions someone may be able to answer.

1. Can I get the computer to start up without Sense on? It seems to start up activated every time I turn on the computer, and then will shut itself off once it get's into windows.
2. Is there any way to disable the trackpad?
3. I remember the overclock to be super simple on the R1's basically just activating it? I noticed in the bios there is a bunch of numbers I can switch it to. Which is the best number to use for every day use, and what does it mean?
4. Are there any specifics I need to know to run 3DMark06? Do I just install it and it is self explanatory?

Thanks for all of your help!

 

You can turn it off in Command Center. Slide all the way to the left.

 

For overclocking, this changes your bus clock (default 133) up to 166Mhz. Then depending on the system load and power headroom, the i7 turbo boost will change the clock multiplier up to 17x (e.g. max speed is 166 * 17 = 2.822 Ghz).

You'll have to experiment with max clock that your system will be stable with. For example, my system crash at 166, stable at 164 and very stable at 162. Personally I would set it to no over clock for the sake of battery life and crank it if I play games.

Oh and congrats btw!!

 

2. If you're using a mouse then you can set the Synaptics driver to disable the track pad when one is plugged in.

 

This works for BT mouse also, not just USB mouse.

 

I just received my M11x r2 today and noticed that when I try using my battery meter on the bottom of the laptop it doesn't seem to work. I am not sure if there is a plastic cover on the meter (and do i have to remove it first, in order to get it to work?)

Also, I can't seem to get the dedicated graphics card to work for Steam. I added Steam.exe to the program list, but it doesn't seem to run whenever I try playing TF2 (Steam tells me that I am using the integrated card, and asks if I want to continue playing or quit).

Help is very much appreciated

Thanks,
po1son

 

OKay, I'm absolutely ticked off now. I went to dell website, and tried to do a live chat. I type in the service tag for this new unit. Then I got the following response.

Code:

Our records indicate that chat is not available for your product model.
We apologize for the inconvenience. Please use one of the alternate contact methods below for assistance with your issue.

Email Us:
Request email support for your Dell product.

Call Us:
If you would like to speak to one of our friendly technical support representatives please call 1-800-624-9896 and someone will be happy to assist you.

Then, I tried to email dell instead, so I click the link "email support". So I get to the page that said "Email Technical Support". Well, that's about all I got. No email address listed. No form to fill out. At first, I thought it's my browser plugin, since I have NoScript and RequestPolicy. So, I temporary allow all the pages. Well that still didn't work, so I tried Google Chrome as well, that didn't work either. So, I was like ok, I didn't want to use IE, but if I have to then fine. I tired IE as well, and I get the same result across the board. So, I left email in the Email Order Support page instead. I didn't used to have this problem, but WTH is going on now? I left a message to erawneila as well regarding the actual technical issue on friday, as he/she appear to be working for dell/alienware. And I have yet got any response. So, I may call dell later, but seriously no email support at all?

 

Hey all, hope you guys can help me with this before I tear my hair out.

Basically, I can't get anything on a display from the m11xr2's HDMI port. The laptop detects the type of monitor/tv, the resolution, everything about it, but it never actually sends a signal. Its such a simple thing its pissing me off massively. I also don't know if my nvidia drivers are installed correctly, in mine, all I have is the Optimus options, no ability to use the GT335m as the external monitor. I'm suspecting that the Intel graphics are trying to do the output and not the 335, any way of forcing that?

 

is the turbo boost in the bios? is there a way we can program Fn+Another key to enable/disable turbo boost now that it looks like some games may benefit with turbo boost off?

 

I am getting this same error message, I have checked the Optimus Issues thread and used the updated .inf with no success, still same error messages. What am I doing wrong? Finally got the original Dell one back up and running after much fussing with the Verde driver.

 

Have you tried adjusting the settings maunally in the config file?
Go to your my documents folder, My games/ Dawn of War II/ Settings and then click on configuration.cfg and open in notepad. You should be able to work out what needs changing

 

I think I finally figured out the driver problem, I had been keeping the original copy of the driver on my computer and I believe it was using that instead of using the updated .inf file. After deleting all other copies of Verde but the updated one I was successful in the install. Hope this helps anyone else who has this issue.

 

so mabey use driver sweeper to clean out the original & put in the new one? or does it still require .inf mod?

 

inf mod was necessary, I uninstalled the drivers with windows no problem, killed the reinstall on reboot, and started the setup.exe in the updated unpacked driver.exe file. No driver sweeper for me.

 

I just received my M11XR2 today.

Couple of issues...

- When I press FN + F6 to switch between graphics cards, nothing happens. as in there is no on-screen prompt that tells me the switch was successful. Anyone know what the problem is?

- How do I tell which Graphics device is currently in use?

Thanks guys.

 

There is no FN + F6 switching with the r2.

I don't think there is a way to tell other than the dedicated will not kick in unless you are in a program that requires it, but I could be mistaken.

This will help if you want to install the newest nVidia drivers:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m11x/492051-m11x-r2-nvidia-optimus-issues.html

 

There is no manual gpu switch on the r2, it uses nvidia's optimus system which in a perfect world would automatically switch between the intergrated gpu and the 335m depending what you are doing. However, there are a great deal of compatibility issues right now - people are waiting with baited breath for a driver update. Look at the optimus issues thread.

 

If you want to just disable the trackpad while typing there are two things to use. Touchfreeze touchfreeze - Project Hosting on Google Code

or Autohotkey
Disable Your Touchpad When You're Typing with AutoHotkey


(i'm still waiting for my i7 to ship so I don't know which is better. I use touchfreeze on my win 7 eee and it works great)

 

Last night I triggered hibernate to use the M11xR2 downstairs. Taking it out of hibernate, my internet broadband slowed to a crawl.

Restarting the system fixed it.

I am using wireless connection to a router.

Wonder if anyone encountered similar?

 

I just installed the beta drivers released today. My first test was something Simple halo and all I got was lag lag lag. How the hell do you activate the 335M how do I know if I am using it? Hardcore glitchy and lagg during the most graphic un-intense game ?

 

Read this to find out how to know which graphics card you are running:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m11x/495489-m11xr2-optimus-test-tools.html

Kudos to Nautis for posting it here.

 

Does that battery light thing on the bottom work for anybody?

 

Works for me. You have to push the button like you mean it though.

 

Second that.

 

Got the bat light to work. Definitely push it like you mean it.

 

I pushed it like I meant it and its somewhat dented now, what about you guys?

 

I just received my M11xR2 i7 today and have an issue. For some reason, the system doesn't recognise either one of my external dvd drives. I have both an acer and the dell deals day iomega dvd drive, and no luck at all, I can't even go into the bios and set the boot sequence for the drive either. I thought perhaps it could be the usb port itself, but my external HD works perfectly fine on it. Also, the two externals are fine since they work on all my other systems as I just tested them out. Anyone have a clue on this, kinda sucks since I just purchased some games to play and now can't install them.

 

Maybe they are not getting enough power. Are they USB powered, or do they require a wall jack? If they are USB powered, do they come with the USB cables that have 2 ends to plug into 2 of the laptop's USB ports or just one end to plug into the PC? If it only has one instead of a Y cable, that may be your issue. I have a samsung external DVD drive that is USB powered and it has the Y cable. I have not tried it with my M11xR2 yet since it does not arrive until next week.

 

Problem solved, Thank you Stain!!! +rep

 

I cannot contact dell in any way, I think I have tried everything. I tried chat support, doesn't work because its not "supported" email was no help, I have been on hold with the support line for over 2 hours, I am pulling my hair out. How do I contact dell?? AHH