Alienware M17xR3 video card issues

I will be happy to give you some assistance with this.

I would like you to check something for me. I assume, based on the stated configuration, that you have both the integrated graphics, and the 6990m.

While you are not doing anything that is graphically demanding, the IGP should be kicking in, not the 6990m. It is designed this way to conserve battery life, decrease power use, decrease heat, etc. So, while you are just browsign the web, it is likely there is a problem that is not managing the switchable graphics properly.

Did you update your drivers for the 6990m only, or did you do for both the IGP and the GPU?

Please, also let me know if it is detecting both devices in the hardware manager.

Thank You.

Thank you for your answer!

So I tried to deactivate the intel card to see what happend when I turned it off. Then it looked like I didnt have any drivers at all, I couldnt switch to 1960x1200, and everything was just screwed up. I dont believe I have downloaded drivers for the GPU, not quite sure where to inmatter of fact. So the main problem I think is that the drivers to the 6690m doesnt kick in, and only the Intel is working properly. I posted screenshots of both GPUs, so you could have a closed look at it, and see what you think about it.

Sincerly, Edvard

Is this still unresolved? I've had the same issues with the m17xr3..

If i power on my laptop while AC is unplugged so just on battery life then always my HD6990m is not detectable and not even listed in device manager..

This m17xR3... and it's switchable graphics are a constant pain... I won't be buying AMD or Alienware again.

to the OP - try this guide I found for "Proper AMD/ATI Driver Install"

alienwareusersupport.weebly.com /proper-amdati-driver-install.html

This guide will be divided in 2 parts, the first one with only a few and easy steps to follow with an optional part that works 90% of the times and will ensure a clean install. This one is directed to any AMD/ATI GPU user

The second part of this guide will is intended for m17x and m18x owners with switchable cards option and are unable to install latest drivers following the first part method. Sometimes updating drivers on these laptops can prove to be extremely difficult and forces their owner to ramain on Dells drivers.

*But before doing anything download and install Microsoft Frameworks 4.0 because is needed for an optimal operation of CCC.-

First part:

1. Uninstall old drivers via Control Panel -- ATI Catalyst Install Manager.

2. Boot into safe mode and run DriverSweeper. Reboot.

3. Clean registry with CCleaner. Reboot.

*

These are the minimum requiered steps, but if you want to ensure a clean install follow with these before installing your new drivers

*

4. Check that c:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ is empty.

5. Check that c:\Program Files\ATI\ is empty.

6. Check c:\Windows\Assembly\ to see if there are any files with Public Key Token of "90ba9c70f846762e" (Sort by Public key token to get a easier view). If any exist, uninstall by right clicking and selecting uninstall (can be done on multiple files at once).

7. Check that c:\Users\[User Name]\AppData\Local\ATI\ACE is empty (requires modifying folder settings to temporarily show hidden files and folders).

8. Using Regedit, assure that these registry locations are empty:

HKCU/Software/ATI/ACE

HKLM/Software/ATI/ACE

9. Reboot.

10. Install Catalyst driver package 11.10.

Second Part:

** Start from a clean base - remove the existing drivers through Control Panel (and/or Device Manager, if needed) until both display cards are identified in Device Manager as Windows VGA devices.

** Restart in Safe Mode (F8 at the boot screen) and run DriverSweeper (selecting only AMD - Display).Restart when prompted.

** Run CCleaner Registry Cleaner multiple times until it reports no issues. Restart (optional).

** Install the Dells latest Drivers downloaded from Dell page:

M17x

M18x

** Installation of the Dell drivers is necessary because it includes the drivers for the Intel IGP; the ATI/AMD reference drivers do not include any drivers for the IGP, so it will continue to use the Dell drivers throughout.

** Check that all is installed and working properly with the Dell drivers. Right click on desktop and click on Configure Switchable Graphics. Close or minimize any open programs and switch to the IGP. Then switch back using the same process. You want the discrete (ATI) card to be active.

** Download the reference drivers you wish to install. The Cat 11.10 WHQL set will do fine.

** Install the ATI/AMD drivers as you normally would. Ordinarily, one of two things occurs:

(a) Occasionally (rarely) it just installs cleanly, tells you to reboot to complete the process, reboots with the new drivers and you're done.

(b) More often, when it finishes the installation, it just sits there without directing a reboot. When you attempt to restart manually, you get a BSOD during the shutdown phase. Very odd, but perfectly normal in this context. Hold down the Power Button to force shutdown.

** When you restart, one of two things occurs:

(a) It starts cleanly and reboots into Windows at normal (1920x1080) resolution. This should mean that the 11.10's are now installed and active. Check CCC>Information>Software to confirm that the Catalyst Version (second line) now says 11.10.

(b) More often, it will restart into Windows using the Windows VGA Adapter (low resolution, limited colors, ugly), with a notice that the ATI 6900M does not have the necessary drivers. Go to Device Manager for the 6900M Series card, and it will probably say that it cannot start because the driver is not digitally signed (or words to that effect), but it will show the proper driver.

** Restart, pressing F8 rapidly at the boot screen (do not hold F8 down continuously) and select "Disable Driver Signature Enforcement." It will boot cleanly into Windows with the new drivers active, as reflected in both CCC and Device Manager. Sometimes that's all it takes, but not usually. Reboot normally to see whether Windows now accepts the new drivers. If you boot into Windows at normal high resolution (1920x1080), then you're finished.

** However, if you reboot back into VGA resolution, then there's more to be done. First, try reinstalling the 11.10's over themselves. (Go to c:\ATI\Support\11-10_mobiility_vista_ Win7, etc (or whatever folder you unpacked the 11.10 D/L into) and run Setup.exe.) I'm not sure why this works except that the second installation will not encounter conflicts with the previous drivers, but usually it does, especially with official WHQL drivers.

** If, after the second installation of the new drivers, they still don't take and Windows starts once again with the Windows VGA Adapter/resolution, then reboot using the F8/Driver Signature Disabled routine. When Windows starts with the new drivers active, launch Catalyst Install Manager and select Uninstall-Custom. Deselect All and then highlight CCC, click Select and proceed to uninstall CCC. Reboot using F8/Disable Driver Sig. Then, using CIM, select Install-Custom and install CCC (CIM will also automatically reinstall CIM and the display driver when CCC is installed). Exit and reboot.

** You should finally have the new reference drivers (with the associated CCC) installed and working. Check CCC>Software>Information and Device Manager>Display Adapters>Properties>Driver to confirm. Also switch to the Intel IGP to test the function.

aint there an easier way?

not that I'm aware of! :( there are just so many issues that pop up it's best to just do the fresh install properly rather than try fix 1 broken thing at a time which only creates more problems..   and i have to say that for me... this guide is the "easiest way" because it covers all steps in detail including solutions to issues that over the years I have seen become the focus of many troubleshooting threads such as this.

Excellent original post and great explanation (of why thorough or complicated directions are not bad if they deliver the desirable or favorable end-result).

not that I'm aware of! :( there are just so many issues that pop up it's best to just do the fresh install properly rather than try fix 1 broken thing at a time which only creates more problems..

and i have to say that for me... this guide is the "easiest way" because it covers all steps in detail including solutions to issues that over the years I have seen become the focus of many troubleshooting threads such as this.

good luck

I cannot thank you more for your great answer. This helped me out solving my issue, and I'm very pleased to finally have someone answering me question. The Dell Support refused to help me, since my warranty went out, and I was stuck for several weeks, trying out my own stuff.

Again, thank you very much for the detailed answer.

you're welcome

update for you: i've just successfully installed the new 13.1 catalyst driver package (the guide says to get 11.10 but i wanted the newer ones.. 13.1 was released on 15th January 2013)

there were a few minor hurdles through the guide.. the points below refer to different stages in the guide. good luck

AMD Catalyst Software Suite 13.1 for Windows Vista/7/8 64-bit

support.amd.com/.../radeonaiw_vista64.aspx

Driver sweeper is now known as Driver Fusion and you have to pay for full functionality.. try a torrent site for old driver sweeper versions ;)

manually deleting old driver files and checking the different locations mentioned in the guide is a must.

turn off automatic driver install windows 7 - www.sevenforums.com/.../82137-drivers-turn-off-automatic-driver-installation.html

(when I was uninstalling my drivers in the device manager, the display adapter would be empty until i clicked scan for hardware changes and then it would automatically reinstall the drivers)

for the VGA adapter to show up in device manager / display adapters, i had to keep on uninstalling the drivers that were being auto reinstalled, each time i ticked the box so the driver would delete after uninstall.

using the guide and doing the things mentioned above worked for me and for the first time ever - i didn't get BSOD afterwards :D !

All,

I uploaded the free version of Driver Sweeper I had here:

pages.suddenlink.net/.../DriverSweeper3.2.0.exe

Thanks Chris but unfortunately the link you posted is broken :(

Driver Sweeper v3.2.0 download it here - www.techspot.com/.../4266-driver-sweeper.html

IMPORTANT: Don't update it once it's installed! If you do by mistake, just uninstall and reinstall from the file you downloaded :)

Hi, i am trying to follow your guide but i am still plagued by the problem that has always been my problem:  what bleeding drivers do i download from dell.  I find dells drivers and downloads page to be a load of bollocks because theirs recomendations for everything and anything including drivers that conflict with ewch other.  There's no description of any either so i literally dont know what im downloading most of the time.  Naturally dell are completely useless unless i fork out hundreds of pounds on insurance or some bollocks even tho i just want some simpe advice.

Do you have any ideas how to tell what i need?  I really need help here because im half way througfh your guide and now im completely stuck with a ccc-less computer :(

Hey guys I had the same problem and I fixed it via HDMI activation read my post.

http://en.community.dell.com/owners-club/alienware/f/3746/p/19536576/20487789.aspx