17xR2 laptop won't go to sleep!!!

So I try to put the laptop to sleep, either putting the lid down or through start menu, all that happens is the screen goes black. The fan inside is still on and the keyboard is all it up.

Any suggestions as to a fix? I'm thinking a driver issue with a graphics card? I have crossfire 5870s. Installed new drivers the other day and everything was fine, never had the problem until today.

Thanks guys.

 

EXACT same situation! Word-For-Word!!

Any advice?

 

Did you guys update your VBIOS?

 

If it won't go to sleep, have you tried singing it a lulliby? Maybe read it a story? Tell it to count sheep?

J/K,

What drivers are you using? Are you using desktop modded drivers? How did you install them? If your using modded drivers, I would suggest uninstalling everything, doing a driver sweep to remove everything, and than install the Dell drivers. Then install the AMD reference drivers OVER the dell drivers. Meaning, don't unsinstall the dells prior to installing the newer drivers. That should help. Though I never use the sleep function. My system is either on or off.

 

What is VBIOS? I updated my BIOS a couple months ago. I have no idea what a VBIOS is and how to update it.

@DR650SE: I'm not using modded drivers of any kind!! Stock/Original AMD Radeon drivers that you get from AMD's website for the Radeon 5870's.

 

Drivers and Downloads

There is the VBIOS update. Make sure you reinstall the stock DELL 5870 DRIVERS!

And just to verify bfore you do it. Match your GPU VBIOS number to mines here. If it is the same then no need to flash the update.



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

 

Did you install the AMD drivers over the dell? If it's not your vbios, than I would still wipe the drivers, and than install the Dell drivers off the dell site, and than AMD drivers overtop. Even the referance drivers from AMD can have issues, but I've found a lot of it is resolved installing them over the dell drivers.

 

Before I do anything, couple of things guys ...

What is that thing there that you're checking your BIOS Version from? Is that a software? Can I install it on my notebook to look at what you're looking at?

When you say "reinstall stock DELL 5870 DRIVERS!" ... are you referring to this:
Drivers & Downloads

The 8.763-100810a-104118C-Dell, A01 drivers released by Dell 9/20/2010 ??

Yes - I installed the latest drivers for HD 5xxx from AMD's website. The radeon drivers on Dell's website are over an year old! I've always updated to the latest Catalyst & drivers released by AMD. Are you saying I need to stick with the old drivers on Dell's website??

 

No, what I'm saying is that in order to have some of the funtionality that the dell drivers offered, you need those installed first and then the AMD drivers over the dell drivers. Don't uninstall the Dell drivers. It will update your drivers and maintain the functionality of the Dell drivers.

 

I am using GPU-Z to monitor my cards. I downloaded the ROG skin one but it doesn't matter which one you use. techPowerUp! :: Downloads

Yes that is the proper driver to use for the VBIOS FLASH, but you can then upgrade after the flash to any driver you want. Which is what DR650SE is saying to do. First though we need to verify if you have the older VBIOS on your cards. Start with re installing the Dell GPU driver. Then Get GPU-z and check the VBIOS. Then if necessary flash your GPU's with the updated VBIOS and if not install the AMD reference driver from the AMD website over the Dell one without an uninstall of the dell driver.

 

OK,

So here's what I do.

First, uninstall the current AMD drivers.
Install Dell's original 5870 drivers.
Install AMD's 5870 drivers (without uninstalling Dell's drivers - let them overwrite)

Correct?

At what point should I update the VBIOS? At the end of all this or before?

THANKS!!!

 

GOTCHA!!!!

I'm gonna do this right now. Will report back.

Thanks man!!

 

1) First, uninstall the current AMD drivers.
2) Install Dell's original 5870 drivers.
3) Check VBIOS Version through GPU-Z if it is the same as that pic then proceed to number 5. if it is a Different version than goto number 4.
4)Flash VBIOS update
5)Install AMD's 5870 drivers (without uninstalling Dell's drivers - let them overwrite)

Lemme know how it goes, and if you want you can upload a windows snip of GPU-Z.

 

I'm downloading the VBIOS & Drivers from Dell's site as we speak!
In the meantime, I wanted to show you the results of GPU-Z on my system:



As you can see, the BIOS Version on my system is lower then yours - so I will definitely update the VBIOS as stated in your Step 4.

There are a couple other subtle differences I noticed, like Pixel Fillrate, Texture Fillrate, Memory, Clock. How come you have higher numbers on those? Don't we have the same HD5870's ??

Lastly - you have a higher Driver Version as well - is that the latest that i can download from AMD's website (and overwrite Dell's without uninstalling Dell) ??

THANKS!!

 

Right I have my 5870's Overclocked to 850/1200 which is the differences you see in the P.Fillrate and T. Fillrate. and everything else. They are the same cards though. Mobility 5870's are underclocked desktop 5770's So I just put them back up to the stock for the desktop version of my card which both of them in crossfire is = to a desktop 5870 @ stock.

That is the 11.10 preview driver that AMD released for the BF3 Beta. You can install it if you would like or 11.9.(might be better all around)

 

How in the world did you do that?

I'll stick with 11.9 ... need less complications then more right now

BTW - Downloads are done! Proceeding with updates.

 

There is a guide to modify and flash the VBIOS. If you want I will link you after you have updated the VBIOS on both of your cards.

Also, Don't forget 11.9 CAP 1! Install these after you flash the VBIOS and update the Driver.

http://sites.amd.com/us/game/downloads/Pages/crossfirex-app-profiles.aspx

I have to run to the store really quickly. I will be back in 15 minutes.

 

HERES HOW TO OVERCLOCK BY VBIOS FLASHING

 

It WORKS 100%

Your instructions were Flawless!! I have been trying to get this Sleep thing to work for so long -- it finally works!! Followed your instructions to the T.

1. Uninstalled AMD Drivers
2. Installed Stock DELL Radeon HD5870 Drivers (8.763)
3. Flashed VBIOS to stock DELL VBIOS
4. Installed AMD Drivers (8.892)

Tested Sleep - Works 100%.

Here's my new & updated GPU-Z Screen ...

What is that CAP 1 for? I installed it in the appropriate place -- do I need to do something with it?

Would love to get instructions on that VBIOS modification for OC'ing the cards.

Thanks -- YOU GUYS ARE AMAZING!!

 

DR650SE posted the directions to flash your 5870's and mod the VBIOS. CAP's in general improve crossfire performance. Basically without caps you get bad crossfire performance. Once you install it that is all you have to do.

 

Perfect!! I didn't even know about this thing. I'll be taking a look at DR's post for the modding instructions.

Thanks again!!

 

Yea, CAPS (Catalyst™ Application Profiles - AMD) are profiles that allow a game to make effective use of crossfire. Which is why some games will get poor framerates when crossfire is enabled, and better framerates when crossfire is disabled. Because the game doesn't have a profile yet, or the CAPS (profiles) are not installed.

 

Glad you got everything worked out! and Hope the Op can use these directions as well.

 

I had no idea about these profiles!! I'm looking at your modding instructions - still reading through it.

Yeah - I was going to say that. I hope OP's listening! I seemed to have hi-jacked his thread but this solution should work for him as well.

BTW guys - this is off-thread - I had another thread open for this subject, but I'm wondering if you guys know anything about this. The thread is here ( http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m17x/616961-how-do-i-pass-audio-receiver-optical.html) ... Do you guys know how I can pass surround sound audio from the 3 connections on the Alienware to a Receiver that accepts SPDIF/Optical Input??

Basically, how do I get surround sound Audio from my Alienware from these Surround Sound output ports ...



to go into this Optical input on my receiver ...



Thanks!!

 

Hey thanks for all the replies. no worries about the hijack lol. I have no idea how to flash the vbios. i did install gpuz and it is an earlier version bios so it does need to be updated.

i downloaded the new bios flash and put it on the flashdrive as it asked for it or a cd rom. now what do i do upon restart? problem is i cannot restart correctly because of these problems, have to have a hard shut off by pushing the power button then pushing it again to turn it on. but once it is turned back on, what do i do? I have heard horror stories about flashing bios...

 

Just hit F12 at the Alienhead and choose to boot from the USB drive then follow the directions to flash your GPU's.

 

That's EXACTLY what I did. Came here to post the exact same.
Choose to boot from USB after loading the VBIOS on it ... it does the update & stuff all by itself; you don't have to do anything.