Unsolved
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55652
[Solved] Alienware m17x display freeze
First paragraph output from DxDiag:
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System Information
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Time of this report: 4/9/2011, 15:17:30
Machine name: OEM-PC
Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (6.1, Build 7600) (7600.win7_gdr.101026-1503)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Alienware
System Model: M17x
BIOS: Ver A07 1.00PARTTBLZ
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU P8600 @ 2.40GHz (2 CPUs), ~2.4GHz
Memory: 8192MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 8190MB RAM
Page File: 2944MB used, 13433MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
User DPI Setting: Using System DPI
System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)
DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled
DxDiag Version: 6.01.7600.16385 32bit Unicode
I've been plagued for months with my display freezing while idle or just browsing the internet. I know I'm not the only one. i followed the suggestion of using the Dell approved drivers A03 and the Beta P06. It was more stable, but I still had crashing issues. This kinda stuff doesn't fly with me. There seemed to be an incompatibility with Adobe Flash 10.2 and my drivers, since videos always caused a freezing spasm. So I knew, that I had to start using more current drivers to fix this.
So I acquired Nvidia's 267.76 notebook drivers for my 260m's. Additionally, I also had Driver Cleaner Pro. So run DCP first and have it remove Nvidia. Boot the laptop into safe mode. Run DCP again and remove Nvidia again. Time to install. Run 267.76 as administrator. After it extracts, and you agree to terms, select Custom install. I de-selected the 3D drivers, since I don't need them. IMPORTANT! -> Check the box at the bottom that asks for a Clean Install. This will remove everything about Nvidia video drivers before it attempts the install. Boot the computer normally now.
So far, I've been running very stable with no freezing. There have been a couple of heat related crashes while playing intense games, but I've got a new fan pad coming to solve that. Games will crash if the card reaches a temp of 70 degrees Celsius. Don't let it get that hot.
KracsNZ
86 Posts
0
April 10th, 2011 13:00
The 267.76 still crash, just very rarely, had it crash twice in BF:BC2. And your GPUs should not be crashing at 70C, they're rated by Nvidia to over 100C and "should" be stable in the 90s. Yes I'd be worried if my card ever hit the 90s, but I have been quite stable at 72 during hot days.
If your cards are crashing at 70C then something is wrong.
MyAlienware
26 Posts
0
April 10th, 2011 15:00
Bro,
Is there any software that i can do stress test and see the temp for my video card to check this?
Currently my gfx's temp around 45-55C when idling.
Thanks.
KracsNZ
86 Posts
0
April 10th, 2011 16:00
You can use GPU-Z or HardwareMonitor to check the temps. 3DMark can be used to stress the machine.
My first GPU constantly sits around 60C because I am driving 2 external monitors which clocks the card to full speed, second is in the mid 30s.
MyAlienware
26 Posts
0
April 10th, 2011 18:00
Hello,
Im already using the GPU-Z and HW Monitor to check the temps. 3DMark03 also tested for my AW (Currently the score up to 35k without OC)
My GPU is up to 60-68C when playing Call of Duty Black Ops (which is not good)
Do you have thermal paste for your CPU and GPU? The Dell Engineer didn't put any for mine after he changed the motherboard and video card.
Thanks mate!
M18x
14 Posts
0
April 10th, 2011 18:00
60-68C is fine. If your CPU or GPU didn't have any paste on them they would instantly heat up to thermal thershold and shutdown which is around 100C for both CPU and GPU.
MyAlienware
26 Posts
0
April 10th, 2011 19:00
Mine isn't shutdown, it is just randomly freezing + hard lock.
I have no more idea what caused my M15x be like that
ArcticCloud
10 Posts
0
April 10th, 2011 22:00
That's the same thing that I was experiencing. Look at the first post and give my solution a try. Let us know if it works.
MyAlienware
26 Posts
0
April 10th, 2011 23:00
Dear Articcloud,
I already tried use the latest drivers from nvidia.com for Geforce GTX 260M , also using the CCleaner and some software to clean out the old drivers. Unfortunately the latest drivers from nvidia (Released 2011) gave me the bad performance, i even got only 3000 score for the 3dmark03.
This is headache! :(
cirrusG
1 Message
0
March 10th, 2013 08:00
All that just to get the freakin' thing to work. My needs are different but I have the same issue. I bought an M18X because of the power and speed but also I thought it would be a good psych on the up-tight-poop-diamonds opponents in trial. But I'm not using a tenth of the M18X's capabilities. And it sure looks cool.
But I'm a week into this and the computer is only four weeks old. I haven't even had time to load anything but an antivirus. Playing Blu rays is interesting too.
I don't think I'd do Arctic Cloud's protocol correctly and would probably do more harm than good. Are there any simpler methods of getting it to move off the initial "Alienware" screen? Thanks