Dell Precision M4400 Windows 8.1 upgrade

I ran into the same issue today when upgrading from Windows 8.0 Pro to Windows 8.1 Pro.

Here is how I managed to get through the upgrade successfully, maybe the description helps others:

• On the old OS (Windows 8) open Windows Explorer and go to options
  • Enable all options to see hidden and system files
• Keep Windows Explorer open
• Open an elevated command prompt and run the following command:
  • • bcdedit /set {default} bootmenupolicy legacy
      
      This enables the legacy F8 boot option in case the VGA boot has to be enforced later on in the process

• Start the OS upgrade process from the Microsoft Store
• When being prompted to restart the computer DO NOT restart
• Change to the Windows Explorer Window and find a folder called "$Windows.~BT" which contains the Windows 8.1 setup files
• Within that folder navigate to the "DUDownload" folder and find the "DUDriverUpdates": C:\$Windows.~BT\DUDownload\DUDriverUpdates
• Within that folder delete the compressed file and the GUID name folder
  • The contains the latest nVidia driver that causes the blue screen
• Complete the restart as requested by the Windows upgrade routine
• Windows 8.1 will install with standard VGA support only
• Once completed log on and download the "Powermizer" tool from here:
  • http://www.box.net/shared/v7jpoateoq
    
    
• Download the latest Windows 8.1 drivers from the nVidia web site for the 9600M GT card
• Install the drivers (I only installed the core drivers and no add on software from offered by the setup)
• Run the "Powermizer" tool from an elevated command prompt and disable the power saving optionRestart the machine immediately when suggested by the "Powermizer"
  • If the machine crashes just restart, log on and run the too again from an elevated command prompt again
  • If it continues to crash force a "low resolution" boot by hitting F8 at the beginning of the boot phase and run the tool after having booted with the VGA driver

I tested full HD (1080p) video playback in battery and AC mode as well as resuming from sleep without any issues.

Thanks to the ones that posted here I was able to get this issue solved:

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/laptop/f/3519/t/19448813.aspx

Hello.

I had same problem and it is NVIDIA driver. You must install DELL driver (8.16.11.8992) provided on Dell page and DO NOT LET WINDOWS update it. It worked just fine for me.

If you want newer driver you can test versions form nVidia page but this one from Dell, apart that is so old, is working perfectly.

I hope that I helped

P.S. If you act quickly you have just enough time to go to DEVICE MANAGER and uninstall latest driver before windows 8.1 (or 8) crash, just let it as Standard Windows Driver for a moment and install Dell Driver....

A Simple work-around.  The Dell M4400 won't run properly under Win 8.1 at the full resolution of 1920 x 1200.

Change your resolution to a lower value, say 1400 x 800, and you will have no problem with the upgrade to 8.1

My M4400 runs fine under 8.1 at 1680 x 1050, but will fail with the VIDEO_TDR_ERROR if the resolution is increased to 1920 x 1200, or if a 1920 x 1080 external monitor is attached.

That didn't work for me as it's putting the cart before the horse (needing to access the resolution). Anyway, SIMPLE FIX IS getting a TESTED DRIVER from SolidWorks.

www.solidworks.com/.../videocardtesting.html