M15x Problem/Technical Question thread

First of all check whether you accidentaly enabled stealth mode.

a) the .inf files are probably causing the issues, the driver won't recognize your GPU. You can get the latest driver from nvidia and install them using the modded .inf files from the laptopvideo2go site, this should work. But you will loose the possibility to adjust the screen brighthness.

b) Dell has to adjust the driver for their specific GPU first and they says they need to test it before they can release it... and this seems to take time. Compared with other manufacturers Dell is pretty good in updating the stuff, imo.

 

you have the r1 or the r2?

I have r1 and have no problems with rift

 

so yea i disabled stealth mode.. and immediately saw the performace on the 15x peak...thanks guys

 

Hehe, stealth mode strikes back... again. Here's a nice little program from wattos which makes it easier to see whether stealth is enabled and can automatically reset stealth mode: http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware/463382-stealth-mode-indicator-9.html#post6589020

 

However, you may notice that the stealth mode indicator does not work properly in A09 version. (or i might have missed an updated version of the app ).

First of all, its been a long time folks, means that my baby is working like a charm (*touch wood ).

On my topic, i recently noticed that my battery charges pretty quickly (6%-7% remaining to 100%) in a short time, say 1hr.

And then, i notice that my battery began to drain quickly too . Often i find myself that the computer goes into hibernation mode while sleeping due to low battery. It is good, but its draining fast while on battery too. I test it out, and i found, approx 6 hours of sleep takes away approx 15% of the battery.( was using it on AC(100%) when 12am, removed AC, sleep the comp went to bed, woke up at 6am). Is this normal?

 

Depends on how old your laptop is. Batteries begin to loose charge life as soon as 1 year old. However people don't usually notice the decrease until it starts to drop dramatically(around 2-3 years)

 

immediately after the A09 update i`ve seen that behavior ... but after a windows reinstall (i`m on SP1 now) this GREAT application works as expected

 

Mine is only 1 month old

 

That sounds normal to me... in sleep mode the battery is needed to keep the RAM alive. According to your numbers the battery would last about 1 1/2 day in sleep mode, that sounds ok. Of course it depends on the system, but I can't remember I ever had my hands on a notebook which was able to be in sleep for more than 2 days.

 

I have a (Dell) Alienware M15x (r1) with an nVidia 260M and I've been experiencing random restarts, though they are usually accompanied by graphical corruption such as the screen turning gray and flickering on and off rapidly, or random colors flitting about the screen, while the sound stops after about 5 seconds and starts buzzing. Usually I have to hold the power button to turn the laptop off, but maybe 1/10 times it will automatically restart.

Could this be overheating? Should I try reapplying thermal paste? I have a warranty on it, but I really don't want to live without my main computer for however many weeks it takes to get it back from Dell. I've never had good luck with laptop repair speeds, so I'm wary of sending it off somewhere.

I'm thinking either bad vram or overheating. I have no idea how to check the temps on the M15x though, speedfan doesn't recognize the temps/fans, and not sure what else to use. I found a tiny applet for monitoring nvidia temp, but it seems... random. I've seen it restart when it says it's just 60c, so... I dunno. Any advice on what to do, and what apps are good for monitoring temp?

Edit: Sorry, also forgot I did reinstall Windows already, reinstalled latest nVidia drivers, bios A08 right now.

 

@Arokha: I have the same problems... they started a while ago with the Dell driver which was released sometime last August I think, but there wasn't a problem until about December as far as I remember... so probably it isn't a driver issue, would be weird.

Nevertheless I installed the latest Nvidia drivers (clean install) but it didn't really improve. Sometimes I got shutdowns or freaky-whatever-color-screen-of-deaths (lol) and sometimes simply black screens.

It happens randomly, sometimes no problems for a couple of days and then several crashs in a couple of hours.


I have searched for some info about this on the web, but there doesn't seem to be a fool proof solution. On the microsoft site they say it's driver related but I guess it can have several causes.

Overheating probably isn't the problem for you, neither for me. The crashes happen during browsing, watching videos, doing nothing and sometimes gaming... it's crazy.


I recommend you try reinstalling the drivers (clean install with safe mode, ccleaner and safe mode...) this seem to have solved the problem for some people. Maybe try a different driver.

I'm going to call Dell as soon as I find some time and come home early enough so that the support calls don't end up in India

 

Do you know any ways to monitor M15x temps? I can't seem to find an app that supports whatever the M15x has.

 

Realtemp or HWInfo32

 

Hi everyone. I have hopefully what will prove to be an easy question to answer. I just received my new M15X i7 840 and I often leave my laptop on over night to download files. I have changed my power options to shut down the monitor after 10 minutes, however I cannot figure out how to turn off the keyboard lights at the same interval. I don't need the lights to be on or running all night light while the laptop quietly works away downloading.

Would anyone be able to assist me in figuring out the easiest way to disable the keyboard lights either manually or automatically at a specific idle time?

Thanks in advance.

 

@ Arokha and svl7, your symptoms sound as though there is a hardware problem with the GFX card itself. Specifically the solder on the RAM chips. I have heard that over long periods of heating and cooling, micro-fractures appear in the too-brittle solder which connects the GFX RAM to the board. The symptoms you describe are synonomous with something that happened to my geforce 6800 GO a few years back, and many other older gfx cards which have seen alot of use.

The symptoms are puzzling because sometimes the computer works perfectly and other it behaves erratically and MIMICS the symptoms of a bad driver or software install. Unfortunately this isn't the case and the most likely explanation is that the GFX card is terminal.

There are only two choices I'm afraid, one is to 'reflow' the solder in the card either professionally or at home using the oven baking method NOT RECOMMENDED.
Or to purchase a NEW and not Refurb fx card. I say don't get a refurb as the same thing is probably happening to THAT card which is why it's on ebay...
hope this helps.

BTW the thread for DIY reflow is called 'how to repair your Alienware fx card' in the main alienware forum.

I did the DIY route for my geforce 6800 go and it worked for about 4 months perfectly before the symptoms came back so it is a good option if you don't have the money for a new card. PLEASE BE AWARE OF TOXIC FUMES. DO NOT USE YOUR FAMILY'S OVEN. BE SURE TO USE IT OUTDOORS. DO NOT BREATHE IN THE FUMES.

 

@Baerius: Yeah, I know this might be a hardware issue... I will call Dell when I find time anyway, if they replace it... great. Otherwise I'll see.

 

@BiTez I also leave my lappy overnight to download. What i do is, press FN + F11 to off the keyboard lights once all are set. I also on the stealth mode. Y waste power when ur not using it?

Oh and i hadnt know that there is a way to time the keyboard light and probably dont.

 

If u do this often u could also built a power option for this specific need and opt to have alien fx off, that way u just which to that power settings when ur ready to go to sleep...

 

Funny i had 90% of the same issues, after testing every thing atleast 3x, a couple of respawns and a clean win 7 install, i ended up overnighting it to dell. And 4 days later got it back and on the work order they said it had faulty ram stick mind u i tested it my self with no issues reported back(thru dell diagnotics, and memory test). So i verified that indeed the sticks had been swapped for different one. So my advice to u would be if u have an extra stick of ram sitting around swap it out for that. If not and if your system has the two slots occupied run it with one stick stick only, if problem still occurs switch to the other, to see if u do have faulty ram stick. This will atleast elimate the option of bad ram, that was causing these problems for me.

 

I have a problem with my webcam. Picture position is very high.

When I look straight at the screen, I can only see my face from nose upward. I'm really disappointed

 

The camera angle changes with the angle of the display, so you have to adjust the screen to get a proper image position... but I guess you already tried this. In this case chances are that the camera sensor isn't placed correctly in the lid, that would mean it's time to call Dell and let them fix this asap.

 

Thank svl7. So call them is my only option then. Was trying to find out how to change the image position :-s

 

Well yes, my guess is that the sensor is misplaced. Let a technician fix this.. they probably replace the whole lid.

 

Greetings everyone, I just got an Alienware M15x a few weeks ago (new) and am having a very hard time getting any sound to work. Sometimes (on cold boot) I get sound from the speakers, but it cuts in and out and after a few seconds typically stops altogether. I have tried installing the IDT audio drivers, or not having them installed at all. I have done the power-drain trick (remove RTC battery + laptop battery, etc). I have BIOS A09 installed and set to defaults. IDT's website shows this old IDT audio chipset to be discontinued already, explains why the drivers are a few years old I guess. The only time I can get sound to reliably come from the speakers is when booted from the resources disk, running audio diagnostics (which are a PASS). Help? Thanks!

My specs:
Core i7 740QM 1.73GHz quad-core
6GB DDR3 memory (2GB+4GB)
15" 1080p screen
1.5GB 65W nVidia GeForce GTX 460M
320GB SATA disk --> replaced with OCZ Agility 2 SSD
Intel Wifi Link 5300 abgn wifi card
bluetooth card

Note: yes I replaced the HDD with a SSD (fresh Win7 install, etc), but when booting from the original HDD the same problem happens.

 

Well, how new is a system? If it's still in the 30 day period I'd say return it and let them give u a new one.

Since when do you have this issue? A windows update once corrupted my system and the sound didn't work anymore either... You could try go to a restore point before the problem appeared the fist time (if possible) or even a clean install of Windows (which was how I solved it, restore point didn't work for me)

 

I received it about 20 days ago. I guess I'll call Dell on Monday (I don't have the machine in front of me right this second). The Win7 that shipped with it has the problem. The 2nd hard disk (the SSD) I'm on now also has the problem, it was a fresh installation. I guess I could stick Win7 Enterprise on there and see if it's related to the Win7 Home Prem installation. I'll post back my findings next week! Thanks for the quick response svl7!

 

Hi all
After failing to successfully create a A09 boot disc a number of times, i thought my CD drive was faulty. So i went ahead and burnt a music cd though the zune software. The burn was successfull, yet when i put the cd back into my drive it can't read it?? same thing for the .iso boot disc , you can see the data on the disc when you take it out of the drive, but as soon as you put it back in the comp either crashes or just doesn't read it???All other disc including installing games runs fine
Any help please.

 

Call Dell and ask them to replace your drive. I have replaced 4 drives in an M15x in the past 10 months. There is a entire thread about faulty disc drives in this forum. I would have posted u the link myself but I'm currently using iPhone rite now...so sorry bruv.

One last thing,make sure you change the drive yourself if you r comfortable or watch the techs every move. PM me if you need more information bcoz I've come up with a way to replace a drive without removing the CPU,GPU or the heat sink. There is a way to remove the touch panel n keyboard, palmrest n u r there. Saves you the need to repaste ur h/w and a lit of friggn time as well.

Hope this helped.

 

4 drives in 10 months

Guess i'll call Dell tomorrow (that should be fun )
I'll let the tech guy fit the drive, but keep an eye on him in the process!

Many thanks for the reply

(I just wonder how it burns disks then can't read them??)

 

So i had a reply email from a Dell Tech guy asking me to run a few tests on my Optical Drive to see if any errors occur. Booted up using the Alienware resource disc. Navigated to CUSTOM TEST --> Optical Drive --> Confidence Test (PASSED) --> Device Quick Test (PASSED --> Read Test (PASSED) --> Seek Test, crashed my machine. Froze up. Left it for a while to make sure it actually did freeze, then booted up again to try it once more. Got to Seek Test and SAME THING!. Emailed Dell back with what happened....awaiting reply...

 

I recommend calling them... it's way faster.

 

FOUR in ten months really is insane! I think at that point they need to change suppliers...

 

I called Dell this morning, they are sending "an audio board, speakers, associated cables, a palmrest and a replacement control panel" (the crappy backlighted buttons along the top). Some of these parts are because they are hard to remove and get broken during service sometimes. I didn't know the audio board was separate from the mainboard, wish they'd use a current audio chip on it at least... I'll repost once they come and repair the parts, hope this works!

 

I should call them really
I'll see what he says in his reply. Hopefully, something along the lines of "Your replacement Disc Drive is on its way to you" - Yeah right!

 

anybody eles have a same problem that the screen touches the touchpad buttons? the rubber stops make contact with the screen cause i can see the mark but for some reason it hits the screen still it even scratched it now. plus my damn spacebar keeps sqeeking and its been a month since i use my comp everyday

 

Got an email from Dell this afternoon:

Dear Mr. Gradwell

Thank you for contacting Dell Hardware Email Support.

Thank you very much for your cooperation. Considering the troubleshooting steps you performed I can localize the defect to the optical drive.

I will gladly do my best to solve your problem as soon as possible.

You have a Next business Day contract, there I can gladly sent you an onsite technician to your office or home. We will send a technicain to your mentioned address and he will repaired your notebook.

The technician would contact you by phone on the next workday in the period from 8:00 till 17:00 a clock after I will book the service for you and inform you about the details and the time of the visit.

If you prefer a visit on a particular date, please let me know and I will arrange all necessary.

Please send us your current address and telephone number where you system will be located at the repair time.

At the end I would like to ask you to check again the whole system for any faults, so we can fix all defects in one repair.Please check also if the LCD bezel/frame isn´t loose or if any plastics, rubber feets or keys on the keyboard not missing.


To solve your query as soon as possible we would like to ask you to answer to this E-Mail within next 2 days. After this time period you will receive from us a reminder message

I will gladly to continue with helping you with this issue.

Have a nice day.

Yours Sincerely,

E-Mail Support
Dell | CSMB Customer Service


just in the process of emailing back now.
I have both rubber bits missing off the palmrest. Still got them somewhere though. Im sure they'll replace. Everything else on my machine is fine. Yet i wonder if they'll swap out my 260M for the 5850?

Anyway, im well impressed with the speed of email support and if an engineer comes tomorrow, thats even better.

 

I don't think they give you a free upgrade, but if you pay they will definitely do it.

 

lol i know.
With my birthday coming up im just going to buy a 460M from 'upgradeyourlaptop' off ebay (I think i read somewhere thats there Eurocoms ebay seller, not sure though.) i'll just keep my 260M incase i ever have to send her back in. (Buying an extra 2 year warranty within the next week for £140, just waiting on funds dropping in my bank)

 

Yes, it's eurocom as far as I'm not very mistaken. I'm not sure about the eurocom version of the card but it may be that for example audio through DisplayPort wont work, I'm not sure.

I'd recommend going with the Dell version if possible, but it's up to you. The warranty is really worth the money imo.

 

yeh the warranty is a good buy. covers the life of the system. was going to go for 3 years (£180) but 2 should be fine. Im not fussed about no audio through DP. i was a bit miffed about not being able to adjust brightness with the clev 460M card but i read somewhere that the new drivers resolve this issue and for £240 (£43 of thats Delivery charge) thats really cheap to go a step up from my 260M.
When i emailed the dell tech guy last night, i asked for a quote on upgrading my GPU to either the 460M or 5850, awaiting response
Cheers.

 

Just updating my progress with dell!
Had a reply from Dell just before:

Dear Mr. Gradwell

Thank you for contacting Dell Hardware Email Support.

I would like to ask you to send us a picture of the particular defective area ( missing rubber foot on palmrest ), as it can help us to localize the affected part more precisely.
(Please be aware that the attachment can have a maximal size of 2MB, best in JPEG format).

According to the upgrade you the price for nVidia GTX 460M is 215.11 £ and for ATI 5850 174.91 £ as the onsite techician will come to replace the optical drive he can also install the new graphic card.

Please write me if you are interested in this upgrade and when I can call you for the credit card purchase.

Thank you for your co-operation.

I wish you a nice day.

E-Mail Support
Dell | CSMB Customer Service


those prices seem very reasonable as i thought dell charged a fortune to replace GPU's. I mean it's even cheaper that buying a clevo 460M from ebay

(Just a quick question though, what do you guys say would be the better upgrade? i've had my eye on the 460M for a while now, yet isn't the 5850 very similar anyway and at 40quid cheaper would be the better option as it be overclocked like a champ!)

 

The 5850 works like a charm in stock clock even. Im planning to overclock it when i got chance to re-paste the thermal. About Nvidia, im not sure.

 

I've read around abit and im going for the 460M. I love my 260M so i rekon its a decent upgrade, and runs cool! Dell emailed again today, said there cool to wait for me to gather some funds for the upgrade. I'll be getting the replacement optical drive and upgraded GPU around march 21st . Just got to email back with a specific date for the tech to come.

 

Hey everyone, just following up with my no audio issue. Dell came out and replaced the audio jack daughtercard, wristrest, speakers and the upper top case (with power button on it, these clips break easily during disassembly). This did not resolve my audio issue. Next day they came out again with a new motherboard, this resolved the sound issue! Pretty excited, the whole laptop actually works now for the first time Dell was really good at getting parts out and technician on-site within 24hours of my support calls. /satisfied

 

Make sure it doesn't hiss/crackle through the headphone jack...assuming there ARE any M15xs that don't...

 

Hi everyone - hope you can help me... I have been searching the internet for hours and cannot find anyone with similar problems!
Yesterday I made a clean windows 7 install on my m15x, installed all needed drivers and the new BIOS etc. But now I got this weird problem, where programs very often go into "program's not responding". This could be both skype, steam, simple stuff like the volume mixer or when playing a youtube video. I tried running ad-aware and avast, but they found nothing. I did not have this problem before the install - what could it be? Did I overlook an important driver? Is there something wrong with my registry?

 

Hmm, weird. No idea what's actually causing this, but check out this thread, it's pretty helpful when it comes to clean installing Windows. The driver install order can screw up things, though I have never heard of your specific issue.

And make sure you don't use the Command Center from the ressource disk, also I recommend not using the drivers from the ressource disk as they're outdated. The latest drivers can be found here.

 

Hey guys, I've got a little problem with the 5.1 sound output. There's no sound coming from the microphone jack. Does anyone else already experienced this problem?

The 3 stereo jacks are correctly configured as 5.1 out in the IDT control panel. I have the latest driver (it did work always when I used the 5.1 out), the speakers work definitely, I've checked them. Not only the speakers but also the inputs, outputs, even the cable which I use to get the sound from the M15x to the speakers, all works perfectly. I also tried a power drain.

The microphone jack gets configured as subwoofer/center speaker by the IDT. All the other jacks work perfectly, I get sound on the two front and two rear speakers.
When I use the microphone jack as microphone jack it works fine... only the 5.1 sound has issues.


I guess there's a problem with the soundboard... hmmm. Or does anyone know a possible solution?

 

I have a problem with my Dell 370 Bluetooth Mini-Card. It's not working.
I purchased the integrated card along with the laptop and it was working fine up until now. Now it cannot be detected through the device manager and it cannot be used. The BIOS states clearly that it is enabled but it doesn't show up. Any tips would be greatly appreciated! Thanks

 

Thx svl7 - tried installing all the drivers again and seems like my problem is gone In the device manager I still have one unidentified device on the PCI bus - anyone knows what that could be and what drivers I am missing?