Aurora R7, video card CUDA test cannot run

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@DidIneedAName wrote:

Alienware Aurora R7
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 graphics card

and every time I run the Full System Scan, the test always displays the same message next to the video card: "Cannot Run".

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Oh yeah? What program is that?

On my GTX-1070's I test it with Programs like OCCT and 3D-Mark (benchmark).

Why are you trying to test it?

I am using Dell SupportAssist.

I wanted to troubleshoot my computer and run a full system scan, and when I did I noticed everything passed except the video card test. So I went and tested the video card separately through SupportAssist to see if I could narrow down the root of the "Cannot Run" message.

There are three test options to run through SupportAssist for the video card.

1. Video Test

2. VideoCard CUDA Test

3. Video Stress Test

Number 1 and 3 passed, but when I ran number 2, the VideoCard CUDA Test, at the end it said "Cannot Run".

Have you ever experienced that or happen to know why I could be getting that message?

I don't use Support-Assist on my Alienware Aurora-R6, Aurora-R1, or any of my Dell desktops and laptops (including newer XPS ones). Due to it's related Processes and Services, I either uninstall it or just never re-install it after a full/clean Windows install. If you want to report problems with Support-Assist, you can do that here:

https://www.dell.com/community/SupportAssist-for-PCs/ct-p/SupportAssist

Yes, over the years ... others have reported errors getting the the SA Video Tests to run. Seems that the PC-Doctor engine has trouble testing high-end video cards and/or systems with both kinds or dual-GPU (ie, Intel on-board and Nvidia dedicated).

I wanted to troubleshoot my computer and run a full system scan, and when I did I noticed everything passed except the video card test. So I went and tested the video card separately through SupportAssist to see if I could narrow down the root of the "Cannot Run" message. There are three test options to run through SupportAssist for the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 video card.

1. Video Test

2. VideoCard CUDA Test

3. Video Stress Test

Number 1 and 3 passed, but when I ran number 2, the VideoCard CUDA Test, at the end it said: "Cannot Run". I then went and ran the same VideoCard CUDA Test through the online version of Dells SupportAssist and at that time I got the "Memory failed to initialize" message.

The fix I have found is downgrading the NVIDIA graphics card driver to 457.51, which as you know, is way outdated. The current version is 516.40.

Running the same test with an outdated graphics card driver results in the test saying "Passed". As soon as I update my graphics card driver, the same "Cannot Run" error message appears.

I have gone back and forth with Dell and NVIDIA to try and resolve this, but it seems as if it is a problem with the VideoCard CUDA Test option through Dell's SupportAssist application.

How can I bring this to Dell's attention so they can update and fix their application so the VideoCard CUDA Test will be able to run without error on drivers newer than 457.51?

Thanks a lot in advance!

How come Dell doesn’t actually update their drivers? For example: I go to the driver update page and they’re still suggesting an NVIDIA gpu driver from a couple years ago. I’d like to know that when I run SupportAssist and it says my drivers are up to date that they actually are. I’ve run a program called Driver Booster and it came up with 13 - 26 different driver updates. All of which are not listed with Dell under my PC. Even Intels own driver updated came up with a driver update that Dell doesn’t show.

My thoughts are that those posted Dell validated drivers are just to get the machine running.

Now-days, I get practically all my drivers from Windows-Update. Only thing I get from Dell is stuff like BIOS updates. My Nvidia drivers I get from Nvidia.com .

Because they have to validate them, and that can take a while.

While there are newer manufacturer drivers, those can cause issues with the Alienware OEM hardware.

@Vanadiel / @Tesla1856

So is it safe to download new drivers from NVIDIA even though Dell does not show or suggest them, or will I run into issues?

Also, what about the Windows application "Driver Easy". I have read good things about that. I downloaded it, and found it has a lot of suggested driver updates, but I have not downloaded or installed any of them for fear that it might cause issues since they are not suggested by Dell on their driver page.

If everything works properly there's no benefit to updating drivers, unless they add functionality you need and currently do not have.