M15x Problem/Technical Question thread

This is going to be the dumbest question I have ever asked... but I have to, just because I want to know.


Could you use a PCI-e extender and then use any video card you wanted?

For instance this


Again, sorry for dumbness.

 

You mean extending the MXM slot, or where do you wanna put this cable?

There are some problems concerning this idea... the MXM-slot doesn't have the same layout as PCI-e, and a desktop GPU has it's output through HDMI/DP/VGA/DVI so no chance of having the image on your notebook screen.

Besides those physical issues you'd probably have BIOS issues.

 

Yeah, extending the MXM slot. I thought the MXM slot had the same layout as PCI-e. But it does not. I figured from the get go, but I never gave up hope.

Thanks for answering. I still can't rep you... But I will when I can.

 

I hate this glossy screen. Its nearly impossible to play in a well lit room with all the reflections you see. You know how hard it is to play Company of Heroes while all you can see is your face on the whole screen?

If I were to find a Matte screen from another M15X, could I swap out the screens?

 

The problem is the plexiglass or whatever this is in front of the LCD, you could try to remove an replace it with a custom bezel, like here, otherwise I don't know...

There's maybe a foil which you could put on the glass front for reducing the reflections, but I doubt that it'll look good.

 

by looks do you mean, "Its going to look really bad cosmetically, but it'll stop some light", or "Its not going to work to well, might not be worth it"? As long as light does not equate to "squint and read between your face" I'll do anything. This Laptop is going to be traveling with me everywhere, and so this glossy screen becomes a real problem when outside trying to work (or play games.... while 'working' outside )

As always thanks for the reply svl7, and +Rep when I can.

 

I imagine it will do both, look weird and not going to work well, but I may be wrong... here's what I mean: Anti-Glare Screen Skin Protector DELL Alienware M15X | eBay

 

I added a screen protector to my IPAD, mainly to provide protection and reduce fingerprints. However, it does help the glare somewhat. It does stick (not irreversibly) to the screen, and wasn't particularly cheap ($24 for 2), but something like it might be worth a try.

Altering the lighting or position in the room can help somewhat - but it won't make the problem go away. Of course, you could simply run a cable to your big screen TV, ... Not always a popular move, however.

Good luck,

Joe

 

Can someone with the 6970M run the LP2 benchmark program and post results here?

I just ran it, and..... it hurt. All I am saying on that.

It's massive, almost a gig, but it's a stand alone benchmark. Don't need the game to run it.

Be nice to see what I could be getting in the future.

Thank's to anyone who does it.

 

LP2 Benchmark -- all @ 1920x1080, Default settings (mostly High, no AA), 920xm/6970M (all stock), using Catalyst 11.5b Hotfix drivers.

Test A (DX9) -- Rank B/54.4FPS



Test B (DX11) -- Rank C/29.9FPS (couldn't get screenshot)

 

Wow. You beat me by 50 frames a second. Good lord.


Thanks Rev, +Rep.

 

Sorry for double post, and asking all these questions Rev, but do you remember if during Test B, if it was at all choppy? Noticeably slow, stuff like that? Or was it smooth through the whole thing? I guess the better question is, did the fps ever dip to unbearable levels?

 

No, Test B was not at all choppy; it felt faster than the stats show. Only hint of a slowdown was at the very end when the Beast falls/jumps into the lake and that seemed part of the design. Otherwise, the fps stayed mostly within a narrow band around the mean. Was finally able to get a screenshot of Test B results.

 

Wow! Looks like it never goes below ~25 fps. Amazing.

I was getting 5.2 fps on average on Test A, and less than that on Test B (Not sure how Test B ran, considering I can't even use DX11 features, but who am I to argue what it wants to do).

What an amazing card the 6970m is. Do you think the gap in our CPU's would hinder the game for me with a 6970m and 720QM?

 

The 6970M is strong. The CPU has remarkably little effect in most games, a few fps in some, virtually none in others. Your 720QM will do fine. If you are later dissatisfied, the 920xm's are getting cheaper by the day.

 

Not yet. With the very little encoding I do for my Blu Ray movies, it's the fastest CPU I have ever owned. With saying that however, I have scoped out prices for the 920XM's. I see them going for around 338-ish on Ebay.

I just don't understand why, when they tested LP2 on an M18X, it was getting such poor performance. Like, low 20's. Even in SLI/Xfire, the most it got was 45 fps. Maybe the M18X just doesn't have the power needed? I'd really like to get my hands on an M18X, but at those prices, no way. I'll go look for an M17X R2. Tons of money saved.

 

Nah, they got really cheap, about $265... intel 920xm | eBay

 

The M18x's sure have plenty of power. Any low performance is probably a result of Crossfire glitches and errors, which have plagued recent Catalyst releases. They will eventually issue an CAP (application profile) for LP2 that will fix the problems the way it has for prior games, but it's sometimes a long and bumpy road. It's one of the reasons I prefer to avoid CFX rigs in spite of the awesome power.

 

**Sigh** I think I need to clean out the GPU fan and maybe repaste.

40 minutes of Mass Effect, saw my temps hit 92 degrees Celsius. Hovering around 85-87 degrees. That's not even in Combat, just regular walking around talking to people on my ship. I might clean out the fans and such, but given that I am so close to buying the 6970m, I might hold off on the repasting, if I can, until I have the 6970 here and ready and to put in.

I don't think my fans are turning on though... It seems way to quiet, like it's stuck on medium the whole time. I don't hear an audible difference between now, sitting at 55 degrees, and when I am playing the game and its at 85 degrees.

 

Do it now, a bit practice is always good.

 

Cursed rubber lid holder! Was waiting for it to fall, but now that it has I can't find it ) Will warranty change the whole trackpad part?

 

Hello all, this is my first time posting here, but my m15x's problems have got WAY out of hand, so I'll list them and then my specs, here goes:
1. When playing games with resolutions of 1920x1080, my computer will shut off after a few minutes with no warning and no error message upon boot up.
2. Occasionally when playing games my computer runs extremely sluggishly and upon restart is fine.
3. When idling or even posting on a forum (this is happening as I type this) my fans will be running extremely loudly and my computer will heat up a bit.
4. No matter what I do, my keyboard's lights won't turn on.
To qualify number 1, I'll give an example. I'll be playing Warhammer 40,000 Dawn of War 2: Retribution at 1920x1080 and after about 7 minutes in the army builder, the computer will just shut down with kind of a popping sound. It's really frustrating because no matter how new or graphically taxing the game is, it'll shut down. I've heard that it's some kind of GPU overheating issue, but I thought they fixed that with the bios A09 update.
Anyway, here are my specs:
Windows 7 64 bit home premium.
4 GB of RAM.
Core i7-720QM Quad 1.60GHz
750 GB hard drive with 100 GB free.
My graphics card is, as far as I can tell an ATI Radeon HD 5850 1024 MB.
Catalyst says
"ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5800 Series" and it has 5024 MB of video memory, so...This card was actually installed by Dell, so I would be surprised and upset if the problem came from that.
I actually called technical support when this problem started and they walked me through downloading and installing the A09 BIOS which went by without a hitch, yet this problem persists.
If anyone could help me fix this, they would be a god among men.
Thanks a bunch.

 

It seems that you're system is overheating. This can't be solved by a BIOS update...

Can you tell us your temps while idling and under load? (Either with using HWiNFO64 and reading out the max temps, or by making a GPU-Z and Throttlestop logfile)

Make sure your system is free of dust, especially the vents. However, it seems you'll have to reapply the thermal paste on the GPU and CPU to completely solve this completely.
It's not too difficult, Inap wrote a nice guide (here: Download THERMAL PASTE GUIDE.rar from Sendspace.com - send big files the easy way) and there's a lot information about this here.
In case you're still under warranty you can also call Dell and let them fix it (if you prefer this), just tell them that your system is overheating.

 

I can assure you that it does heat up, but when I have the random shutoffs at high resolutions, the computer itself doesn't feel hot. But yeah, I think it's the GPU itself. If that is in fact the case, would the thermal paste reapplication help fix it? I called Dell shortly after I got my 5850 and asked about this problem and they walked me through the A09 installation and my problems stopped for a couple of weeks, but I digress. I'm not super handy with computers and I'm still under warranty, so I'll probably call Dell ASAP.

 

Can you post a GPU-Z and Throttlestop logfile? Then I can see whether the temps are an issue or not. Just play a game for 10-15 minutes and then post the logfiles here as attachements.

 

Here they are.

 

The Throttlestop log indicates that your system was more or less idling at when the log was recorded, but the temps were about up to 70°C, so this means you definitely need to repaste the CPU.

The GPU log file only has two entries, you should check the "keep refreshing this screen while running in the background" option when doing a log, but anyway, it seems the card was at idle and more than 60°C warm, so this definitely needs a repaste as well.

You can call Dell or do it yourself, it's up to you.

 

Thanks a ton for the diagnostic, I'll call up Dell ASAP. Do you know if they're in Lincoln, Nebraska?

 

No idea... just call them and they'll send a technician the next day.

 

Hi, I have an Area 51 Alienware m15x with a Nvidia geforce 8800M gtx and windows vista, and I just updated the video driver. Upon reboot after doing so the computer loads up to my desktop then begins flashing between resolutions about every 2 seconds. The only way to stop this is to open the task manager and end "AlienFusionControl.exe" (AFC) then the switching of resolutions stops. AFC restarts every couple minutes on its own and the problem starts again. On top of this, my device manager shows that my video card is not being used due to a (code 43) with says the device had a problem and windows shut it down. I've tried going back to older drivers and now it seems both the flashing and code 43 will not go away no matter what driver i try to install. Every time i do a clean uninstall, driver sweep, restart, and new install, all of that in safe mode. This flashing and code 43 only happen in regular boot, not safe mode though.

Has anyone had this problem? I'd really like to fix it and I've been trying or days. I can't find my install discs that came with the system so I havent been able to try the repair windows option. Is there an iso of the disc available somewhere? Thanks!

 

Hi all. When I use my laptop on battery only, I've noticed that CPU clock is very low (around 300-400 Mhz) so every application was running very slow. Is there any one know how to increase CPU clock?

P/s: I was using High performance power settings with both Battery mode & plugged in have the same value

 

i have problem with my alienware area51 m15x,.

Alien fx gone. all lights become dark, and not responding for any solution method.

I have spent with this almost 3 days, with no success.

reflashing wetre not possible coz command center (no dif of it ver.) said, THERE IS NO ALIEN FX controller found. All lights are dark, even pow. button.

after MANY MANY tryies of many many methods it still dark.
the conclusion was::::: "ALIEN FX DIED" : ( (bios res, and other more advanced steps were not solve the problem, ever system reinstallation and ALL of drivers were tested with no result)

there is hardware solution to permanent alien FX lights ON.

you can chose your favorite colour by combination of 000,001,010,100 ..., 111 = all are flashing R+B+G = WHITE


(3 photos included)

 

Hello.

I have an Area 51 m15x. I got it really cheap off someone else because it was 'broken'. The issue is that when you press the power button, the laptop turns on (lights turn on, can hear that it's switched on) but the screen remains black. The previous owner said that it was a broken screen, but I'm dubious. The screen itself looks fine (no cracks etc), but I always thought that this problem was normally to do with the graphics card?

Any advice? It has the 8800M GTX if that helps.

EDIT: would hooking it up to an external monitor work? (i.e. if it works, it's the screen that's dead. if not, it's the graphics card? or could it be a completely different problem altogether?)

 

I had a similar problem which occured after i installed windows 7 SP1. Was fixed when i updated my nvidia graphics card driver to 266.58 (outdated now)

 

it is inpossible, coz 8800m gtx can have up to 183 driver, newesr drivers will not work. you probably have different model of Alienware.

in my case itbecome dark with no reason, i didnt change anything during Alien FX was chrashed.

 

IT IS VERY EASY TO CHECK WHAT EXACLY IS CRASHED.

Remove your dedicated GTX, and just turn on your Alienware without it. there is second Intel Graphic kard onboard, which become primary.
you can even normally work on it.

Probably you need to repair your VGA, (BGA Reballing (because of high temperature, but its normal in all machines to reball afret 3 years approx ), it can be made by any laptop service.that why your LCD is darknes.
if you can off your laptop after it starts (5sec hold of p.button) then probably your laptop is fine.

just remove DEDICATED VGA, and check again. (PS. if your lcd is broken, it also can be invisible, check its that become gray , when u start your Alien

 

also check, if you able to turn it off immidiatly. if it shut down imidiatly you touch the button, then its 100% OK. if not, then do not panic yet, coz computer can be halt it self at bios bootup, coz bios occured some VGA error, and stacks.

 

dont worry, it is very easy to remove this VGA. it takes about 2 minutes. open your bottom cover and find vga cooler, its on left up corner (its up side down), it have 2 screws, easy to remove. next 4 screws with numbers on GPU module. Thats all. it looks similar to your DDR inside, but biger one. it have very similar slot

 

I'm gonna toss up another webcam issue here, I yanked the keyboard from my M15 not too long ago, the webcam was in fact plugged in. When I do fn f9 the OSD pops up enabling or disabling the webcam however it doesn't show in device mangler. Windows doesn't detect any undetected hardware either. I tried the M17 webcam driver for fun with no success. At this point I'm not sure what exactly to do as I've done the power drain a couple times. Is there a plug on the webcam side of the cable or is it permattached to the hardware? For that matter the on board mic doesn't work either.

 

Hi all.. Recently I updated nVidia drivers for my GTX 460M to 288.26.. While gaming or movie watch sometimes evn when it is idle I get a noise from machine which hangs laptop for 10 to 20 seconds and some times lead to the blue screen even when it is idle.. the temperatures are also constant.. not exceeding more than 73 C while gaming and 55 C while watching movie.. At idle times it remains from 45 to 50 C.. I've even changed drivers to 275.33 and very own Dell provided 259.xx too.. But the problem still remains.. Got any solution for this? Thank you in advance..

M15X/i7 740Q/460M 1.5GB/4GB/1080p/BR ROM

 

try runing this Resplendence Software - WhoCrashed, automatic crash dump analyzer

whocrashed may help..

 

I had similar behaviors with hangs and sometimes bluescreens with a nvidia nvlddmkm.sys listed on bluescreen, I would alao get 'nvidia driver (insert version here) stopped responding errors.

Only yesterdays install of a replacement 460m from Dell repaired the issue.

if you have warranty coverage, install .net 4.0, download heaven dx11 benchmark, and then give them a call, it will save time if all the techs do the same procedure. also they will download the newest directX. At least thats the road I went down to get a replacement card, which I installed myself and the machine seems fine so far (crossing fingers)

 

Lately I've a huge drop in frames when playing WoW since buying my m15x. When I got it I would run SW fine on ultra 1600x900 resolution and ultra settings. Then it started to go down to 20-30 frame range. I tried switching the stealth mode on and off but it didn't really work. I decided to do a fresh install of windows and a fresh install of WoW. It ran better than fine. I turned all of the settings back up and I was somehow running 90+ fps in SW. But then it went back down to 20-30 range and nothing I can do will raise it. I've tried OCing with nvidia settings and msi afterburner. Nothing has helped. My bios is A08, my 260M is running the 8.17.12.8026 driver from the Nvidia website. AC power is plugged in and battery settings are at high performance. Anybody know how to get power back?

 

@t man Thank You working on it..
@incynr8 Thank You will give it a try.. Yes mine is still in warranty coverage..

M15X/i7 740Q/460M 1.5GB/4GB/1080p/BR ROM

 

Lately my M15x has been completely freezing during gaming, i have to restart the computer i cant even ctrl/alt/del. I only get about 5 - 10 mins into the game (iv tried more than one) and it freezes. The framerate is fine and so is the temp. Whats wierd is that sometimes id try my luck and the game doesnt freeze and i can play for hours but then later when i try and play it happens again. Does anyone else have this problem?

M15X/i7 740Q/260m 1GB/6GB Ram

 

Yes, I had this issue with the 260m. What drivers are you using?

In case it isn't caused by the driver it could be a dying GPU, what can help and what you can do easily, is increasing the 3d voltage of the GPU. I can send you a modified VBIOS or you can mod it yourself.

 

Hi all.. At last ran the Diagnostics and came to know problem is in Hard Disk.. It is the main cause for my different Blue Screen Errors.. Many Errors were found while running diagnostics of my Hard Disk.. Dell is replacing soon.. Thank You All..

M15X/i7 740Q/460M 1.5GB/4GB/1080p/BR ROM

 

I am using the latest drivers from nvidia's website. It would be great if you can send me those bios but doesnt increasing the 3d voltage of the GPU have any side effects?

 

Last I checked, there's a known issue with the nVidia Verde drivers and the 260m, though my info may not be 100% up-to-date. The solution is to turn off the PCI-e 2.0 settings, but that's not an option with the m15x as far as I know.

 

Sorry, almost forgot about this... the increased voltage will lead to slightly higher temps, but it's no problem. It's only a very slight increase. When I did some benching I hit about 76°C max, so this shouldn't be a problem at all.