The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    R2 - GPU No Longer Responding?

    Discussion in 'Alienware M11x' started by FuBi0, May 19, 2012.

  1. FuBi0

    FuBi0 Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    9
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    I've had an M11x R2 for about a year now and haven't had many real problems until recently when the GPU seems to be idle even when selected as the default option for a program. I have "Run with high-performance Nvidia processor" checked on all programs but they all seem to be running on integrated graphics now. The average fps closely matches from before when I compared them and the GPU was working properly (ie. Before, Kingdoms of Amalur: Int - 2 fps avg GPU - 55 fps avg. Now, Int - 3 fps avg, GPU - 2 fps avg.). Also, the nvidia control panel no longer shows any GPU activity so I'm assuming that it may be running everything on integrated instead. I was wondering if anyone had any possible solutions or ideas? Any help would be appreciated.

    I've already used driver sweeper to clean then reinstall drivers. Checked device manager and the GPU shows up and is "working properly". The only change to my system was just before this started happening, I ran into a nasty bit of malware(Tracer). I was able to remove the items and their entries from startup but despite everything looking as it should and all scanners coming up clean afterward(AVG, MWB, MSE) but explorer refused to start unless I ran it manually from task manager. Thinking I had missed something I resorted to Combofix which seemed to correct the problem but that is when the GPU stopped responding.. I don't know if that could possibly be related but I suppose it's worth mentioning since this happened around the same time.

    Edit: I have also tried reverting to an earlier date via system restore but the issue persists. Interestingly I've noticed that since this started happening, the idle temp of the machine has gone from around a 52 degrees C average all the way to an average of 68 degrees C, though there's been no change in ambient room temperature.
     
    FuBi0, May 19, 2012
    #1
  2. GNandGS

    GNandGS Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    69
    Messages:
    1,247
    Likes Received:
    11
    Trophy Points:
    56
    That's too much patch work for us to be sure in commentary. I vote for backup of data and a clean install.
     
    GNandGS, May 21, 2012
    #2
  3. thehunterooo

    thehunterooo Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    51
    Messages:
    292
    Likes Received:
    70
    Trophy Points:
    41
    +1, clean install sounds good.
     
    thehunterooo, May 21, 2012
    #3
  4. jumperboi

    jumperboi Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    11
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    i think you should clean the hardware as well. Dust accumulates at the heatsinks that adds up heat build up.
     
    jumperboi, May 21, 2012
    #4
  5. FuBi0

    FuBi0 Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    9
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    I've already taken it apart and cleaned the sink.. Temp looks a little better. I am starting to see artifacts on the display though.. Complete reinstallation isn't an option right now, but if that's the only option, I suppose it will have to be done. Thanks guys
     
    FuBi0, May 21, 2012
    #5
  6. GNandGS

    GNandGS Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    69
    Messages:
    1,247
    Likes Received:
    11
    Trophy Points:
    56
    either way you should have a backup of data right?
     
    GNandGS, May 22, 2012
    #6