M15x BSOD, Screen Freeze

Hello everyone, as mentioned in the title, I am currently experiencing BSOD (Blue and Black) and random screen freeze on my M15x.

- Intel Core i7 720QM
- Nvidia GeForce GTX 260M
- A09 BIOS

Apparently, I have been trying to root out the cause of the issue but the result doesn't seems to be very good, which is why I have came here to post for some assistance and advice.

Based on observations, the above mentioned faults happen whenever GPU acceleration is used (eg. Flash site/videos, WMP playback, 3D gaming). But I am not exactly sure if this is a software fault or a hardware design flaw. A search on BSOD fault returns TDR error, with Window reliablility report saying it's a "video hardware error".

I have tried various methods, including fresh install, clean uninstall and install Dell/Nvidia drivers (19x.xx to 270.61) but the issue is still apparent. Dell diagnostic test report the system has no problem.

Dell has came over to my place to changed out graphic card twice, and motherboard once. However, BSOD and screen freezes are still occuring.

So with the above informations provided, where and what is exactly wrong in this system? If it's a hardware fault, what should I do? Request Dell for a replacement card of a similar value? Please advise. Thank you.

 

hey Mollew !!

"nvidia 260M sucks!! "

i'll just say that get a 5850 replacement from dell or upgrade to 460M or 5870 or 6970!!!

btw the problem is with the GPU it's a faulty one, i'm also experiencing the same problem and please don't get the same card replaced from dell it will work for 10 days or so and again the Bsod's strike back!

and for more info on 260m and upgrades check out my threads!!
http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m15x/575389-260m-throttling-issue.html
http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m15x/574908-mce-help-asap.html

i think now you got everything cleared !

 

Mollew, I had the same exact issues you are having. I did a clean install of windows, used several different driver versions, and had my 260 changed 3 times, and the motherboard once. I still had the same graphics issues, Dell replaced my system for me. They upgraded my battery, my hdd, and included the 5850 card in my new computer. Haven't has a problem since.

Good luck,
Tom

 

i'm starting to get this exact same thing as you can see i've got the 260M in my M15x too...oh and guess what it's 1 year manufacturer warranty has just run out about 2 weeks ago. typical. what shall I do people?

 

Two options... call Dell and see whether they will extend your warranty (for a reasonable price), or get a different card (5850m, 460m, 6970m...).

 

I'd the exact same issues with my 260M and it is not a hardware issue...it is a driver issue and can be fixed this way:

1. Download 267.76 from nVidia's site and also download DriverSweeper and CCleaner from Guru3D's website( both are free...I'd have posted links for this but I'm currently typing through a iPhone..sorry)

2. Uninstall nVidia's driver and restart.

3. Hit F8 while restarting and goto Safe Mode. Run DriverSweeper and check nVidia's display driver and clean all the traces of it. Restart.

4. Go to Normal Windows and run DriverSweeper once more and clean nVidia's drivers again. Restart if asked.

5. Run CCleaner and clean the registry.

6. Install 267.76 and restart.

7. Shut down PC and do a power-drain.
Take out the AC adapter and battery.
Press and hold power button for 45-60 seconds.
Put battery and power cord and restart.
The BSOD won't show up now and you can game in peace until you get a upgraded video card if that's your cup of tea.

 

thanks for the info Sgt.
i'm not by my laptop at the mo and can't remember which driver I've currently got installed though i'm pretty sure i've used 267.76 before and still have a copy of the install. i do always try and remove all traces with ccleaner alone. when i get home tonight i'll do all as you say and hope the bsod prob goes away. i'm pretty sure its a driver issue too.

i may also consider extending warranty though. as my hard disk is getting loud and that tells me it could go at any time. plus i've recently noticed some nasty dust under the right side of my screen...really not impressed with that!

 

Well I hope it'll help.

You should upgrade your warranty for sure. The reason why most people buy a Dell system is because they offer unmatched warranty support. Since the production of M15x has been stopped, you never know. if they ever replace your system in near future, you might get a M17xR3 for the one you currently use. I mean, if it's still covered under Dell's warranty that is. Some people got this replacement going for them and I'm one of them. I'm getting one within 3 weeks and I'm very excited. So, that warranty thing is a no-brainer in my book.

 

what!!

you are getting m17x as a replacement??
how did you do that Howdy!!??!
and that too in India?

 

It's just what I do very well..!!!

 

btw you had mentioned the driver version 267.71...but the latest one's 270.61!
so, if u install the older version there won't be any problem , i mean Bsods?

 

The newest driver is not always the best driver...and that's a FACT..!! I've tested all the nVidia's drivers rigerously and 267.76 is by far the best drivers. I still have my 260M in my little brother's M15x and he does not have any BSODs lately. Just try my above steps and I'm sure it'll work out good.

And I know 260M is not the best card in the M15x lineup but it is not that bad a card. I mean it can still play all the games out there in medium settings and that is not bad either. I seriously understand you guys wanna upgrade your Alienware to the BEAST of a videocard but since you have a 260M to work with, I suggest you make it the best card out of it.

Overclock that card a little and you will be surprised in what that card can do. I OC'd my brothers 260M to 700/1100/1300 and he stopped bothering me about giving him my 460Ms.

He mostly plays DOTA and CS over the Internet and he seems to be very happy with a OC'D 260. Yesterday, we installed Shift2 Unleashed on his PC and I was surprised to see him getting 30+fps at 1080p/high settings(AA=off). That's pretty good in my book. Just my two cents.

 

Hey buddy i couldn't find 267.71 there's only 267.76WHQL version in 267.xx !!
now what do to?
:/

 

I said 267.76 in my last post dude..

 

Just a couple weeks ago, I've been having BSODS on my M15x too. After three to four calls, the fix was finally found. Assuming you update your NVIDIA driver from the NVIDIA website, your problem started right there. You have to completely uninstall it (remove it from add and remove programs, remove it from Program Files and Program Files (x86), and remove the NVIDIA entries on regedit). Now, go to Welcome to Home User Support , go to drivers & downloads, enter your service tag, and install the NVIDIA driver from there. It's an older edition, but it's much more stable. Hope this solved your issue.

 

Everyone, thank you for your replies.

Called Dell yesterday and they suggested a replacement to the Nvidia GTX 460M this time round without charges and I had accepted the offer.

Tech came down earlier today to change out the motherboard and GPU. Till now, no crash and BSOD has occured.

 

i presume you're still in warranty then Mollew?
is a motherboard replacement needed to upgrade to the 460M card or a ati 5850 card?

i've stipped away old drivers as Sgt. said now by the way and installed 267.76 again. so far it's fine. but then the bsod only randomly happened once every week or so anyway. so not 100% sure i won't see it again.

 

No need for a motherboard replacement while changing the video cards. It's just that Dell has this lot of extra parts to spare...in other words, pots of money to waste.

I'm glad the BSOD went away...hope it wont come back to haunt you again.

 

Yes, I am still under warranty.

 

Great news...you'll see a performance boost while going from a 260M to a 460M. At least that's what I felt. You'll see a lot of posts in these forums how a 5850/5870 is miles ahead of a 460 in terms of performance but that's not completely true. A 460M is a very performing card to say the least. You can overclock the card to around 750 core MHz and you are safe in gaming terms for at least two years.
Congrats again.

 

I also have the same exact problems like you do. I called up Dell, but they told me things which have nothing to do with the video card. First they told me to see if I get a system freeze in Safe mode. I didn't so they remotely connected to my computer and played around with it for a while and finally told me to run the Alienware diagnostics test, which I ran a Gezillion time, yet no error code showed up.

Since their call center is closed for the day, I'm gonna call them in 15 hours time and tell them no error code showed up.

Just in case, Can i know what error code appear when your video card had those so called problems??

 

No, there was no error code when I ran the diagnostic test.

 

Hi, did you try the solutions posted in this thread? I advise you to do a clean installation of the drivers before you give dell a call because they will surely ask you to install th drivers found in their website.

And on a side note, it might be a good idea to show your specs in your signature...You can do this from UserCP in case you didn't know.

Cheers.