M18x-R2, SLI flickering

Question

(affecting performance in sli) I have started to get complete screen flickering when only trying to play certain video games. It started when I got batman origins and got the graphics driver that rolled out during it's release. Now the screen flickering started on intros and then the application would crash when it got to the menu. So I rolled back the driver and doing a clean install of 307.13 nvida drivers. Now this had worked with batman, but recently tried another game and it's the same issue(minus the crashing). Also while testing other games, I noticed that when I accidently unplugged my power cord, the flickering stops. Any ideas?

i7-3829QM
16gb ram
nvidia 675 gtx x2

89fordprobee · Answer

well when unplugging power the video cards go to a lower power state since battery cant fully power them properly ..... that being said have you cleaned out the fans/cooling latelty? I clean mine with dual 7970's every 2-3 weeks :O

either heat or a video card is failing... but to rule out anything how does it run on DELL provided outdated drivers.. since they will make you try that before they conclude its card..

Elmaur · Answer

Well, thing is, if it would be any card over heating, it'd be the primary, which everything runs fine off. Secondary card barely gets a workout. I have cleaned them out. Only thing I can think of else for information, is with the sli indicator, the loads are even on the cards. Just keep getting the whole screen flittering black at a ridiculas speed

Milena M458 · Answer

Hello Elmaur!

I would recommend you to uninstall completely the video card driver and reinstall it again; as well make sure you have the latest BIOS version.

By any chance are you able to test the system with an external monitor to check if the issue persists?

EliteDEV_ · Answer

Hello, My m18x r2 sli gtx 680m started with this issue 2 days ago. The screen flickers green when using SLI in full screen mode otherwise it works fine. I tried with a fresh win 7 64bits, without updates but the problem persists. Also I tried removing dust from laptop fans and clearing the SLI bridge connectors but it didn't fix the issue. I'm using NVidia 331.82 driver. Does anyone find a fix for this? Thanks

csarquiteto · Answer

maybe replace the GTX

EliteDEV_ · Answer

OK I know what the problem is. It is the SLI bridge. It's faulty. I'm trying to contact Dell support but they redirect me to a alienware support and no one picks up. Anyone knows the direct phone number for alienware support? Thanks

DSm18x · Answer

I have the exact same problem, same machine, same setup. All drivers reinstalled after a complete wipe.

red flicker whole screen only with SLI enabled. SLI bridge faulty you suggested, ok, what can I do about that?

Did you find any solutions?

Milena M458 · Answer

You can send me a PM with your service tag and a brief description so I can check if there is something I can do for you.

EliteDEV_ · Answer

I appreciate if I could get some help from dell.

I called the dell parts department many times asking for a sli bridge replacement and I always get "not available, we contact you once we replenish the stock" and I haven't heard anything from them since.

Meanwhile I'm using my second card as physics dedicated. 20 fps less than with SLI on.

DELL-Chris M · Answer

EliteDEV,Here you go:http://www.impactcomputers.com/gdmrg.html

EliteDEV_ · Answer

Ahahah good joke. 60 dolares for a refurbish part? Do you think Im getting a refurbish part on my 4K laptop? are you mad?

Let me know when you receive a new stock of sli bridges for m18x r2.

PS: I can get those for 15 dolares on ebay.

Regards,

DELL-Chris M · Answer

Just offering a way to get it now.What concerns me is the part number does not appear in the Spare Parts database:http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/category.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&k=GDMRG This means we cannot 'sell' it.It does appear as a valid part in our internal M18x-R1/R2 RSL refurbished parts pages. The only way we could ship it out is if you were still under warranty. We would send it out for free, but it would be refurbished. Dell will never get NEW parts for a system that came out in April 2012.

DSm18x · Answer

I just had the sli bridge ribbon replaced by the technician that came by (under warranty) and i can confirm that it fixed the problem. Looking over his shoulder while he fixed it for me, it appeared that one of the cable connectors was simply loose. He replaced it anyway. First thing i would suggest trying if this problem occurs is to push down on the connectors to see if this has just come loose due to some vibration. DSm18x

89fordprobee · Answer

if I remember correctly the cable is part of second card and sold as a kit from dell, or was .. even looking back at my original invoice on my M18X R2 it shows as included with secondary card.

ive never seen these go bad unless they are handled and or installed incorrectly, they can however come loose.

also what do you think they replace your parts with under warranty? refurbed common practice among all companies nowadays

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M18x-R2, SLI flickering

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