M15x Problem/Technical Question thread

for the 5850 you can use amd clock tools to oc.

Download AMD GPU Clock Tool v0.9.26.0 For HD 5870 | techPowerUp

 

So, what's the best way to set the clock without causing so much temp and can run games like starcraft 2 in high setting?

 

i recommend about 750/1050 to test out the temps.

 

How do you use this app? I don't know which one to set which.

 

on the clock tab:
engine is core clock
memory is memory, hehehe

so 750 core and 1050 memory. then click on set clocks. very easy.

then go to thermal sensor tab and click on the tss 0 thingy and check the enable reading box. do this for all 3 tss readings. and press start to monitor your temps.

 

my temp goes up to 78C max playing the witcher with that set up. Not sure if the temp is too high or not.

 

that temp is good, is it the tss1 temp??? if so you can lower the memory clocks if you want lower temps.

 

yeah, it's tss1 temp. What about the voltage? There are only two options I can choose.

 

you can't change the voltage without flashing it. i would keep it where your at right now. rising the voltage will also increase your overall temps too.

 

You can also use OverDrive, the o/c utility from ATI included in CCC, up to the limits shown there (805/1200). Select from the drop-down menu.

 

I don't have OverDrive under CCC for some strange reason. That is why I'm using this app instead.

 

AMD Clock Tool is a winner.

 

Do I have to set the clock setting every time I restart the computer? Because I restarted it and the clock is back to default setting.

 

Ordinarily, yes, but here's the secret trick. Create a shortcut to AMD Clock Tool, right click on it and select Properties. Click on the Target box and add "eng=700" "mem=1000" (with quotation marks) to the end of the command line, substituting whatever clock speeds you desire. Click OK. Double click on the revised shortcut and check the clock speeds in GPU-Z to assure that it works correctly. Then drag/cut&paste the revised shortcut into the Startup folder. Your card will be automatically set to the defined clocks when you start your computer.

 

Hey,

I just bought a AW m15x with the following specs:
740qm
4gb 1333mhz
gtx 460m (1.5gb)
500gb

i've tried to play some games like NFS hot pursuit and gta iv, but none seem to run fluently (on high). gta iv can't even be played on a higher resolution than 800x600 and all on lowest.
I just checked 'system' in windows and the grafics cart only gets a 2.9... I think my last laptop with a 9500m gs got a 3.5. So what is wrong???
I haven't done anything to the drivers (default 259.64), i have installed the latest version of DX11 and physics.

Thanks in advance,
STM9

 

Check to be sure that (a) Stealth Mode is not enabled and (b) PowerPlay (in CCC) is enabled and set to Max Performance when plugged in. Be sure you are plugged in.

 

Can it really be true, that when I unplug my M15, then 720p youtube videos will become laggy? I use the high performce settings and I know about the stealth mode problem

Also sometimes, then I hibernate, it just freezes and won't turn off till the battery is dead. Anyone tried this before? It usually happens when it's unplugged, and it occurs randomly so I can''t really test it properly.

 

Thanks revelator, it was the stealth mode. I didn't know what it was

I have another question. When I play videos fullscreen a screen tear appears on the upper half of the screen (the same happens when stealth mode is turned on). After a long search, I found it's caused somehow by the "use visual styles on windows and buttons" option (I have windows 7 64bit). When I turn it off, there is no tear, but windows looks very old...
I'm using K-lite mega codec pack 6.6.6, with the K-lite 64bit codecs installed.

I've tried setting VSYNC on in the Nvidia control panel => didn't work.
I've tried setting the refresh rate in the Rivatuner=> didn't work.
I've tried setting VSYNC on in the D3DOverride program of Rivatuner=> didn't work.
I've tried with other videos players (VLC with it's own codecs) => didn't work.

It's driving me nuts, when I don't use "use visual styles on windows and buttons", windows 7 looks like crap.
Has anybody had the same problem? Or just the solution to the problem?

Thanks in advance,
STM9

 

@Decon: when you unplug with the settings on high preformance, the grafics card will still be set 'balanced preformance'. If you don't want that, you can change it in the advanced power options (GPU on battery to 'max preformance).

I haven"t had any problems with the hibernation, but I haven't used it that much.

 

Aaah. Thanks. Well, it's probably more of a Windows problem than the hardware itself.

 

hey this may sound like a dumb question but.. ive been having some issues with my M15x having trouble connecting to a remembered network after it comes out of hibernation. SO i went to dells download and drivers to see if there where and updated network drivers.
My question is if i put in my service tag, does it give me all the driver i need, In the network section it shows a driver that i dont think i need ?? I have a intell 5300 wifi card and in the drivers section it shows the drivers for the 5300 and for a 370 BT minicard, should i down load it ?

 

That's probably the Dell Wireless 370 Bluetooth Mini-card if i'm correct.

 

So I will be replacing my hard drive tomorrow when the technician comes. Is there anything I should know before taking out my HD? I've heard that I shouldn't install the Command Center from the resource disc provided with laptop. Where do I go to download all the programs that came with the laptop?

 

Check here: Drivers & Downloads

 

Should I use the resource disc at all? Also, which drivers/programs I should download?

 

You won't need the drivers from the disc, better get the current versions from Dell's site. Most important is that you get all the drivers for your hardware configuration. Then don't miss the OSD and Command Center.
The only thing I used from the disc was the nero cd/dvd burning thing.

 

My computer freezes every few minutes while gaming. It happens for at least TF2 and League of Legends and Warcraft III. It doesn't seem to happen for games such as Super Meat Boy, or Audiosurf. I was wondering whether this is the much talked about throttling issue, or if this is something different. I can't find a video of what the throttling problem actually looks like, but it sounds like a frame rate drop. My computer will literally just freeze for about 3-5 seconds, and then go back to normal. Is it the throttling, or something else?

 

to determine if you have throttling, you will need to download gpu-z . make a log file, if its throttling then you will see your clocks constantly going up and down.

also posting your specs will help others help you better.

 

i7 720 1.6GHz, 1GB GDDR3 NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260M, 320GB SATAII 7,200RPM, 4GB Dual Channel Memory (2x 2GB DDR3). Won't be able to test it with GPU-Z until I get back home. It's also worth noting that my hard drive has been making clicking noises when I make certain actions since day one (can be during graphics intensive sessions, or just while word processing). I ran a disk check at the suggestion of a Customer Support Rep, and it seemed okay though.

EDIT: Also, if it is the throttling issue, do I have to install all the BIOS updates up until A08, or can I just install that one by itself? I'm kinda new to BIOS installation procedures.

 

Regarding the hard drive, it's impossible to say from that description if there's an issue-they do make clicks during normal operation.

 

Okay, that's good. My old HP Laptop never made clicking sounds, so I started freaking out the first time I booted up my m15x. Good to know it's a common issue.

 

you can update straight to A08.

 

anyone have any issues with the keyboard by the arrow being somewhat loose compared to the left side. Not sure if I explained it right. When I hit any keys on the right side it feels like it's not tight enough and a little loose hitting the frame when you push keystroke.

 

My alienware touchpad it's moving quite slow, the cursour it;s framing (frame to frame) You have any ideas ?

 

Which Bios revision do you have? They fixed the touchpad issues in rev A08.

 

My CD drive appears to have stopped functioning. It was able to read my DVD game disks before but has stopped, probably somewhere in the last month. Now, when I enter a disk it makes loud grating noises / forefully attempting to read the disk noises but produces no effect. In My Computer, it still reads that drive D: is there but won't register that a disk has been inserted.

The drive is a TSSTcorp DVD+-RW TS-T633C. I've checked and made sure that it's fully updated. Any ideas?

 

could be a faulty drive, time to call dell.

 

i have to admit, i was starting to get that impression. do you think, in the meantime, i could use an external dvd drive?

 

yes an external drive will work.

 

Thnaks man

 

I have a weird problem after the 5850 OC. Right now its 750/1050 @1.10 (voltage is higher for future oc). While scrolling pages in Internet explorer it jitters the entire screen but it works fine with Firefox. If I revert back to the 5850 stock settings it doesn't do this. Any ideas?

 

When I play videos fullscreen a screen tear appears on the upper half of the screen (the same happens when stealth mode is turned on). After a long search, I found it's caused somehow by the "use visual styles on windows and buttons" option (I have windows 7 64bit). When I turn it off, there is no tear, but windows looks very old...
I'm using K-lite mega codec pack 6.6.6, with the K-lite 64bit codecs installed.

I've tried setting VSYNC on in the Nvidia control panel => didn't work.
I've tried setting the refresh rate in the Rivatuner=> didn't work.
I've tried setting VSYNC on in the D3DOverride program of Rivatuner=> didn't work.
I've tried with other videos players (VLC with it's own codecs) => didn't work.

It's driving me nuts, when I don't use "use visual styles on windows and buttons", windows 7 looks like crap.
Has anybody had the same problem? Or just the solution to the problem?

Thanks in advance,
STM9

 

After reading all the above, it gives me jitters on whether I should or not buy it. T.T help me decide before this thursday, 30 Dec.

Oh and Merry Xmas to all

 

Hi Guys.. I got my Alienware M15X this tuesday.. When I checked the bechmark of Mafia 2 in high end settings I'm getting only 20 to 23FPS.. Is it the maximum my Graphic Card can play? BTW i got i7 740 1.73Ghz,4Gb ram, 1.5GB Nvidia GTX 460..

 

One more thing.. I got samsung 2233sw which i'm connecting my m15x to it using VGA.. also connected USB to PS2 converter both keyboard and mouse in 1 USB port.. everything works fine but when i start gaming none of keyboard button works perfectly.. while playing NFS HP the accelerator automatically goes down.. i also tried by changing key boards.. but still none of them are working.. is there any better solution for this?

M15X,Nebula Red,17 740Q 1.73Ghz,4GB RAM,Nvidia GTX 460M 1.5GB,1080p,9 cell

 

hi every body and merry xmas

my m15x are making an electric noise in speakers and headphones, is electric becasue when i use only with battery the noise stop

also the noise is sincronice with the light of the power boton when the hard disk make something read or something

is extrange and i want to know if somebody here have a problem like this

is not constant but is so bad, i test my electric instalaction and all is ok also i try to use the computer in my office and home and other places and the noise still there

if somebody have any idea i am waiting for comentaries before to call dell for tecnical services

thanks for your atention and answers

inka

 

ah i forget to say if i change the volume to down or up the noise still with the same volume is not a noise from audio card is like electric interference

 

Cooldude44, bout your low fps, i think it is the stealth mode on. Check that on forums, i read it in this thread somewhere . Bout the keyboard, did you try putting separate keyboard and mouse? In not sure of that problem though.

inkaloko, i cant help you, Im not sure what is it actually. I have not yet to get mine, but hope some other members can help you.

 

Indiran, Stealth Mode is off and Laptop is running at High Performance.. Graphics have been plugged in.. Still the FPS rate is Low.. I think that's highest GTX 560M 1.5Gb can play..

Yes, I'm actually using my separate keyboard and mouse right now.. problem occurs throughB keyboard only while gaming..

 

Indiaran, Sorry I mean GTX 460M 1.5GB..