Aurora R10, issues after updating RTX 2080 Super firmware?

Question

A week or so ago I received a notification to update the gpu firmware and did it without thinking. Afterwards though, I've been noticing weird gpu spikes to 100 and system hiccups (mouse becomes unresponsive and sometimes windows go black).

Here's what task manager shows for the gpu (sorry for the bad quality, couldn't get a screen shot when it was happening so used my phone): gpu spikes.PNG

The bios update tool appears to be:https://www.dell.com/support/home/bm/en/bmbsdt1/drivers/driversdetails?driverid=8x3g9&oscode=wt64a&productcode=alienware-aurora-r10-desktop

Here's a screenshot of what the tool told me and some other info about the update:

Any ideas?

This doesn't happen constantly, rebooting seems to resolve it for a while (which I guess is what I'll do for the time being), but it never happened before this firmware update.

Mary G · Answer

Dell is the only place you should check for driver updates, never any other manufacturer. Dell customizes drivers for your exact motherboard which does not change. If you did not get updates from Dell, reinstall the original drivers. Laptops rarely get driver updates but if there are ever any updates, they must come from Dell. Sign up for notifications at the Dell Driver page.

Piglerific · Answer

Thanks, I'll give that a try the next time this comes up.

Piglerific · Answer

The dell support assist app is what prompted me to install the firmware.  It is also apparently what ran the tool to install it as well.  I did not go looking for anything on my own.

r72019 · Answer

@Mary G wrote:

Dell is the only place you should check for driver updates, never any other manufacturer. Dell customizes drivers for your exact motherboard which does not change. If you did not get updates from Dell, reinstall the original drivers. Laptops rarely get driver updates but if there are ever any updates, they must come from Dell. Sign up for notifications at the Dell Driver page.

A number of people have been experiencing this issue following installation of the RTX firmware update for hot plug detection that Dell has been pushing out as critical. Some people have had success fixing this by doing a clean install of the Nvidia drivers.

mako64 · Answer

And I always cross my fingers , click update and walk away then peek around the corner about 20mins later hoping all is well.... it seriously scares me to update anything.

mako64 · Answer

I have read issues with the nvidia 445.75 drivers with the sawtooth affect. I currently have that driver but have not experienced that in DCS which others have. What nvidia  drivers do you have?

Piglerific · Answer

When I first saw it I was on an older driver version (can't remember which) so I upgraded to 445.87 but then still saw it.

Note that support is working with me to replace the gpu as it sounds like it's hardware related.

r72019 · Answer

@Piglerific wrote:

When I first saw it I was on an older driver version (can't remember which) so I upgraded to 445.87 but then still saw it.

Note that support is working with me to replace the gpu as it sounds like it's hardware related.

Yeah, there is always a risk of bricking the GPU with a firmware update.

A driver update on the other hand can't brick a GPU.

digitalwiz · Answer

I would honestly recommend taking any Dell notice of a critical update with a huge grain of salt. Always give a lot of time and let somebody else be their guinea pig I don’t think they adequately test much of anything to be able to rely on how it will affect your computer. And if you’re out of warranty and they break your computer good luck getting them to fix it.

r72019 · Answer

@digitalwiz wrote:

I would honestly recommend taking any Dell notice of a critical update with a huge grain of salt. Always give a lot of time and let somebody else be their guinea pig I don’t think they adequately test much of anything to be able to rely on how it will affect your computer. And if you’re out of warranty and they break your computer good luck getting them to fix it.

It does seem like there have been a lot of issues with updates gone awry lately.

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Aurora R10, issues after updating RTX 2080 Super firmware?

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