M14X Shuts Down on Battery

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NOTE FROM AW MOD:

BIOS A03 is now available - changes include the following:

Please update and retest to confirm the shutdown under battery has been resolved.

BIOS A03 General Discussion thread is here:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...-bios-a03-released-05-24-discussion-here.html

This thread is being removed from sticky status as the BIOS A03 has taken its place. A link to this thread appears in post# 1 of the BIOS A03 thread for easy reference. Please post any continuing issues with shutdown under battery in the BIOS A03 thread as it will be the focus of any visiting AW reps.

Thanks.

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Greetings All,
After numerous reports of this issue, I thought it would be helpful to start a thread. It appears that the M14X, with all options set on high (60Hz) and only on battery, will randomly shut down when an attempt is made to play a graphic intensive game. This will occur with or without overclocking.
Now some of you would say, and rightfully so, that it wasn't designed to game on the battery. However, it does allow the user to set the appropriate settings to do so, and it was advertised as a mobile gaming experience. Hopefully a fix to this issue will be released, as I have witnessed it on a brand new M14X.

Thanks,
Gabe

 

Since you witnessed this behavior, please post details.

1. Any BIOS settings changed from Default
2. Overclocking of CPU, GPU or memory?
3. NV GPU driver version?
4. Specific title or does this happen with any game?
5. NV 3D Profile settings (if changed from default) and confirmation the title was whitelisted
6. System specs

Also, is there a thread on this already? If so, lets get those posts transplanted here.

 

I was having the same problem but the moderators closed my thread.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m14x/574872-random-shutdowns.html

Did you overclock anything in the bios?

I disabled my overclock from the bios but haven't had a chance to game on battery yet.

It happened to me twice... The second time I was not even gaming. I turned on the laptop and it just turned off.

Does yours let you turn it on after it shuts down?

Mine does not turn back on unless I plug it back into the adapter and then turn it on. Then it proceeds to work normal again.

BATBOY: If it happens again i'll provide the information and details you requested in the post above.

 

Thanks titan, and just for the record - your previous thread was closed due to it going completely OT (not your fault).

Betting you are but just to confirm, you are on BIOS A01, correct?

 

Yea it's A01

To be accurate, it says "InsydeH2O Version 1.0 A01"

 

Next time you run into this, before plugging back into AC, flip the unit over and depress the battery status button. Check the battery charge level.

Do this with both CPU Overclock enabled and disabled in the BIOS - see if there is any difference with the two settings. You'll have to space the two tests apart. What I'm getting at is... verify that the battery isn't being drained even with the system powered off or in sleep mode (S3). S3 should not kill a battery overnight.

Just a theory and something I want to rule out.

 

Greetings Batboy

1. Settings are at default and were reset to default to confirm
2. Overclocking was disabled
3. 267.21
4. This issues is happening on all games I tested (borderlands and bioshock are good examples)
5. Default profile settings
6. Default stock system with these exceptions:
A. 2.2Ghz Processor
B. 3 GB Video Card
C. 1600 x 900 Screen
D. 8GB of Memory
E. 750GB HDD

Surprisingly enough, if you lower the screen refresh rate to 40hz, the random shutdowns stop.

In response to Batboys theory, the battery was charged and drained twice, and it still had a full charge during the random shutdowns. Event Viewer reports a unkown power issue. It is my theory that the battery isn't providing enough power to graphics card when it's under high load.

Another noted issue - The system will not power on following a shutdown (even though the battery is at full charge). It will only power on when re-introduced to the power adapter.

Unfortunately, I'm running out of time for testing, as the user is extremely frustrated and already contacted dell for a return.

Thanks,
Gabe

 

I did forget to mention....

When it randomly shutdown the first thing I did was flip the laptop over to make sure the battery was not drained. It was the first thing that occured to me. I may sound a little bit off but give me some credit lol

Out of the 5 lights that can be displayed for battery life, 3 were still able to light up.

 

This appears to be a battery overload issue perhaps. Lower your screen refresh to "40Hz" and test TitanGod.

 

Where are you changing the refresh rate Gabe?

 

Yea the intel management control panel automatically reduces the refresh rate to 40 Hz when u disconnect the power adapter. Even after u save the settings to 60Hz.

You have to manually set it back to 60Hz but once you connect and disconnect the adapter it goes back down to 40Hz.

I'm gonna try to game a bit on High Performance while on battery to see what happens. I''ll post my system specs, details and my videocard OC information in the following post.

 

I tested it and the laptop shutdown on me immediately. I'm posting a video of it not turning on.

I am going to try to recreate the whole scenario while recording so you guys can get a better idea of what is going on.


1. Bios is completely at Default
2. GPU overclocked to 640/1280 - 925
3. NV GPU driver version 267.21
4. While getting started to play Minecraft
5. Minecraft was right clicked on the desktop to run with Nvidia graphics processor
6. I7 2820QM, 900P WLED, 4GB @ 1600 Mhz (Default) GT 555m 1.5GB

 

It could have been coincidence that changing to "40hz" screen refresh rate appeared to have stopped it on our end. Technically speaking, this is probably a direct result of battery overloading. If a fix is issued for this, it will be in terms of a BIOS update and most likely under clocking.

 

That sucks dude. Thanks for letting us know about this. I want to find out more about this before I purchase.

 

I guess I'll see it in your video titan. I'd like to know where you are seeing and then changing the refresh rate from 40 to 60... Intel CP or NV

If Intel CP, which Intel HD Graphics driver are you running?

 

Here is a video of it not turning on.

YouTube - Alienware M14x not turning on

I have it unlisted so only people who grab the link from here can watch it.

like I said previously, i'm going to try to recreate the incident while recording so it is shown better.

I took the video down because I dont want this going out of control. I'm sure a bios update would fix this. but the sooner the better.

 

We are changing it in the nvidia control panel

@TitanGod - Re-connecting the AC Adapter appears to reset the system after it randomly shuts down. Ours is doing the same.

 

So I spoke with another person with an M14x and they advised me they had to go as far as to open up the bottom panel and manually disconnect the battery and re-connect it to get the laptop turned on.

 

This happened on my current (old) laptop with a C2D and 9600M GT if I ran Furmark and (I think) Prime95 at the same time. It seemed to be damaging to the battery so please test with caution.

 

interesting to see..... when i get my m14x i will test... def sounds like the battery is being overloaded... Is there anyway to test how much the logic board is grabbing from the battery?

 

This Wednesday (May 4th 2011) they are going to replace my motherboard to see if that solves the issue. I tried to explain to them that my laptop is not the only one with this issue but they state they haven't received any reports or complaints about it.

I will keep everyone updated to see if it helps or if the problem persists.

Hopefully I'm able to recreate the incident with the technician here so he can see it first hand.

If you want to see the video of the laptop turning off PM me so I can send you the link.

 

Please verify the following:

Intel HD Driver installed = .2321
Drivers and Downloads

NVIDIA Driver = 267.21
Drivers and Downloads

Ensure you are correctly whitelisting your game's .exe - review this link to confirm:
YouTube - Nvidia Optimus Feature on the Alienware M11x- R2

To date, titles reported as having an issue are:
Borderlands, Bioshock, Minecraft, Crysis 2

Can someone check: Left 4 Dead 2, Bad Company 2, Dead Space 2 or other steam titles.

Please confirm and report any other titles which exhibit the shutdown issue.

 

Will someone that has this laptop chime in and confirm that it is not a model wide problem?

 

thats what we are trying to identify rev

 

Hi BatBoy,
Unfortunately, the M14X is no longer in my possession. The system was returned in a somewhat awkward fashion. Dell/Alienware wanted to pay the customer $175.00 to keep the system because it was a known issue.
Based on what I did test and do know, we never actually whitelisted any games. Instead, we had the system set to run in high mode no matter what game was being played (so that there was no chance of it accidently switching to the intel card). When the system randomly shuts down, it does so in a fashion that only indicates one issue (Power). We verified this by studying the event viewer and confirming the fault. The best way I can describe it is an immediate shutdown (similar to a pc overheating - even though it wasn't)
I would be curious to see what other users find when they test a larger library of games. I fear that I'm right about this power issue.

There are already 3 reported cases on this forum alone.

Thanks,
Gabe

 

After doing a clean install of windows ultimate64 (not AW version) my screen stays at 60hz regardless. I set everything on high in the nvidia control panel (16x AF, 16xAA, high quality) and the battery at high performance. While playing sc2 with ultra settings getting min 5fps it doesn't turn off like you described.

 

Hi txpro, set your computer to "high performance" in command center under Fusion. Then, go to your power options and set it to "High Performance". Test again, and only on battery, making sure that the settings stay on "high performance" and your refresh rate is still at "60Hz".

Thanks
Gabe

 

When I unplug the battery while its set to "high performance"; I notice no change at all in the way it works... full brightness, alienfx lights, the screen does not flicker back to 40hz. I tested again and it works... its stressing the gt555 hard too because of the 6fps hah. What else do you want me to try?

 

Do you have any titles that run the unreal engine? And you are testing the system only on battery, correct? You may also want to verify that it is running the 555 and not switching to intel.

 

Um, I have Crysis 2, Homefront, Portal 2, Heroes of Newerth (doesn't work with Optimus atm). Any specific game you want me to try?

 

Give Crysis 2 a shot and see what happens. If it shuts down, then maybe we can narrow it to a list of specific titles (unless all non optimus titles cause it to shut down).

Thanks,
Gabe

 

tx, please confirm you are running the intel driver I linked to above (2321, Dell release).

Thanks.

 

I'm using the latest driver versions.

Intel Driver 2361
Nvidia Driver 270.61

I'm installing Crysis 2 right now, it may take some time.

 

Interesting. Thanks for that.

Look forward to your followup post.

 

Hey folks,

I was able to re-create the shutdown on my other M14x (my g/f's laptop actually)

The second the fan kicked in on high and video card was being used it shutdown without notice.

This wasnt with anygame though, I installed furmark to do a quick stress test and 10 seconds into the stress test, the computer shutdown.

 

Ok, it just shutdown during the in-game opening cinematic. Does this only happen with certain games?

 

It happened to me while running furmark trying to do a quick stress test. 10 seconds into it the computer shutdown. It has happened to me also while running minecraft and crysis 2.

I can get it to happen without even playing a game lol

 

Using furmark makes no difference to gaming, they both pushed GPU to near full load.

At least that gives a clue to the problem

 

Well this is confirmed... furmark replicates the problem (I tested too).

 

This is shocking. Worst case is probably recall of all m14x.
When I get my hands on the UK version tomorrow I will let you guys know

 

Here is exactly what I did and it did it to both of my laptops...

I used the latest furmark 1.9.0

1. I whitelisted it
2. I ran it
3. I set it to 1600X900 Resolution
4. I set it to fullscreen mode
5. 10 ~ 20 seconds into it the computer shutdown

Computer was set to "high performance" and it was on battery (not ac adapter)

- Keep in mind, that even on high performance, while running on battery the GPU is not set to maiximum performance. I have set it to maximum performance even while on battery using the Alien FX editor under AlienFusion

1. Open Alien FX Editor
2. Go to Alien Fusion
3. Click Advanced settings for "High Performance"
4. Click on "Graphic Processor" tab
5. Set both to "Maximum Performance"
6. Hit Apply

 

Understandable....

I'm doing a fresh install using BatBoys recommended installation with all the drivers from Dells website and no OC what so ever.

I will let you all know of the results.

 

I did a fresh install using his instructions and drivers from Dells website after installing my intel SSD and I am having the problem. I have only tested it on Crysis 2, but I'm assuming it will happen with all graphic intensive games. This is so disappointing.

 

I promise you, its not my install order.

As a handy reference for those of you looking at a clean install to troubleshoot, here is the order I suggest -

Driver Install Order for fresh Win7 installs:

(NOTE 1: I suggest disabling Windows Automatic Driver Install before updating drivers - reference this LINK)
(NOTE 2: I suggest disabling Windows Automatic Updates - reference this LINK. Once you have installed all of your drivers, re-enable Windows Update)
(NOTE 3: If the driver installer prompts for a restart, be sure to do so before proceeding with the next driver)

1. Chipset Driver
2. USB 3.0 Driver (11xR3, 14x, 17xR3, 18x only)
3. Intel RST Driver
4. Freefall Sensor Driver
5. Alienware On-Screen Display Driver

6. INTEL/AMD/NVIDIA Display Driver

• Optimus systems require the Intel Driver be installed prior to the NV Driver. So if you have an M11xR2, M14x or M17xR3, install the Intel Driver FIRST.
• If you have a 17xR3 with 3D option, Optimus does not apply to you and the Intel driver is not needed
• For M17xR3 with AMD, install the AMD Display Driver first. Once done, the Intel Driver must be installed when in Integrated Mode. You will need to use the FN+F7 to switch over to Intel. A reboot may be necessary. Once done, install the Intel HD driver. Once installed, switch back over to your AMD GPU.

7. LAN Driver
8. Wireless Network Driver
9. Audio Driver
10. Bluetooth Driver
11. Touchpad Driver
12. Media Card Reader Driver
13. Remote Control/Infrared Driver

14. Alienware Command Center
NOTE: Command Center should always be installed last.

Drivers can be found here:
http://support.dell.com/support/dow...=en&s=dhs&os=W764&osl=EN&SystemID=ALW_LP_M14X

Even though Steam is listed in the 'whitelist', always whitelist your individual game .exe's
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U874jC2blJQ

 

I know, it is Dells fault for putting out a laptop that doesn't work correctly on battery. Returning!

 

For all those experiencing the issue, don't forget to participate in the poll. I'm trying to contact Chris Liason with Dell, and if he sees that enough users have the issue, he might be able to get the ball rolling on a fix.

Thanks,
Gabe

 

I sent an email to engineering. Will keep you posted.

 

Much appreciated. If you need any help feel free to ask.

 

I am getting my M14x tomorrow for delivery. Can you please point me to which version of furmark to use and the link to download? Thanks!

 

FurMark: VGA Stress Test, Graphics Card and GPU Stability Test, Burn-in Test, OpenGL Benchmark and GPU Temperature | oZone3D.Net