Alienware M17x FPS drops in games, + Other Problems = VERY MAD

UPDATE: problem fixed, i had stealth mode on.

Alienware coded their alienfusion/fx/osd so crappy i dont know whether its on or off. Thats why ive been getting fps drops...

This guy had the same problem and made a program to fix it, he explained how the programs were hard to view in windows 7

C#: Alienware M17X Stealth Mode

I just recieved the Alienware M17x (R2) a couple weeks ago and am disappointed.

I bought the one with the highest technology available off dell.com, total price was 5,172 before tax. (8GB, 1333Mb memory, crossfirex, SSD, everything...you get the point, i spent a lot of money)

(im not trying to brag just dont want to post all of the specs)

So since i bought all of the best stuff for my computer, i thought it would be amazing at running a game from 1998 right?

wrong.

Note: ive followed batboy's advice and disabled the alien fusion things and all he said to do, and still had the problem

Main Problem

(listed in order of importance)
1. When playing counter-strike 1.6 ive noticed FPS drops when looking at particular things on the maps or other players far away. (20-30 fps down from the constant 100)

-is this a hardware issue??

2. Ive also noticed the screen skipping/lagging at times while jumping

3. When i play a song i sometimes hear a weird skip noise as well

4. Also, sometimes after booting the OS and logging in with my password, the screen goes black and all i can see/move is the mouse

other errors-

When i first got my computer i ran it on battery and found out that if i run it below 35% and turn my computer off, it wont turn back on ( itll just get to the starting windows screen then immediately shut off)

I called dell and he said that i need to update to the BIOS A06 and he did that for me and i havent had the problem since. However i tried asking him how did this happen/why wasnt it included when i bought it? He sort of ignored me and kept telling me he would fix it, so i was like whatever.

Now i check the dell drivers & downloads site and see that the AO6 update is optional, could all of these problems be because that dell support guy over the phone installed A06??
(A05 was on it before that came from factory)

Also, when i run my battery down to say 50% then plug it in while on, the status says plugged in, not charging. And it will only charge when i turn the computer off

should i call dell support and tell them about fps drops in games? i dont understand how ill explain to them this

 

Your Counter Strike issues remind me of a problem I used to have playing cs 1.6 and cs source in server 2008 and windows 7. It skips anyway no matter what hardware config you got - I believe it was an OS issue.

I remember at the lan we all had these problems we worked out a fix - It MIGHT have been something to do with manually setting the heapsize, and changing from D3D to Opengl in the CS 1.6 settings - either way, it was NOT machine specific. We all had the issue.

As for problem 3 - never had this issue, althought I use USB sound. I am listening to winamp at work atm with the onboard sound and I have gone through about 40 songs - no skipping. Are you doing anything/running anything specific at the time?

As for problem 4 - are you running any pretend antiviruses like mcaffee or norton? do you (not trying to make you feel bad or get you in trouble) use limewire/etc?
From the sounds of things (and not trying to be a here) you fit a stereotype that seem to have a lot of virus troubles.

Have you done a fresh re-install WITHOUT using the dell image (its junk)?

I didnt spend as much as you on my build - however they DID actually give me all the upgrades for free - I got blu-ray, rgb led secreen, etc and Im running an SSD and 1TB lappy drive at the moment, so my spec should be almost identical to yours.

Also, make sure you have write caching enabled on your (crappy) samsung SSD that came with your laptop.

Ill try watch this post and try help you out while Im still at work.

-Ash

 

I suggest logging the performance of your laptop with ThrottleStop. Download the program in my sig, run it and check the Log File option. This will create a file called ThrottleStopLog.txt so you can go back and see if there are any issues. Upload it somewhere like MediaFire and post a link here. Do some testing or some gaming and run a log file while playing. The log file might make your problems obvious and if it doesn't, at least it will rule out a lot of the common problems that many Dell laptops have.

 

Problem 1 - I'm not too sure.. I have constant 100 FPS all the time so
Problem 2 - I also have this and found a way to fix. Go to your CCC > 3D > ALL > Wait for Vertical Refresh > Put the bar all the way to the right. It should fix the screen skipping problem.
Can't help you with problem 3 and 4. Might be a defect system. Try to have Dell send you a new one. Best of luck!
**Oh and also do you constantly have 25-35 FPS or does it dip time to time? Just asking since you didn't mention anything about Stealth Mode. Double check and make sure that's off!**

 

How can you tell a stereotype from a post? You can't!

Op, contact Dell and explain your problems. They'll have a resolution for you. If you don't get help, contact them until you do.

 

What ever my dual samsungs are great.For your 20th post here you sure are talking a lot of crap about the op and his setup. You should keep your opinions to yourself and dont post unless you can try to help without downing some one else.

 

Hi Donnie7

Im afraid an older game just muddies the water with a new computer as the drivers may act in unexpected ways. That game is not that old but the point of the matter is that you should not waste time as you have a limited number of days to test your system before the sale becomes final. Canada 30 days, USA 21 days, UK 7 days. I would reinstall the factory settings automatically using the Dell Data Safe features. Install a light duty antivirus like Microsoft Security Essentials and install a modern game like Left4Dead2 and see how it goes. If that fails to fix all problems than there is something wrong when the computer left the factory or during delievery. Most problems are caused by missing drivers, driver conflicts and those are often caused by incompatible software or overly aggressive utilities. I agree with TurbodTalon about the fresh install of windows. On paper it is a perfect solution. The reality is very few NEW Alienware owners can manage a fresh install from start to finish on their own and reinstall all drivers correctly the first time and that can introduce a whole new set of variables to an already complex equation. Has been my experience with Dell over the years that there are usually some drivers that are missing off the driver page or that are hidden and for a new owner that is extremely hard to figure out.

 

Definitely (if you are extremely unhappy) keep aware of your return period. Sometimes folks get into the heat of trying to solve their problems and let that period lapse.

However, there may be some fixes. A full wipe/reinstall may make it harder for Dell to assist you (which should probably be your first option) but may fix things as well. I'd call it a risk from a return and assistance from Dell perspective but might clear up stuff you have in the background that could be giving you trouble.

On that same note be sure to give a lookthrough any background tasks you have running and shut them down (at least experimentally) to be sure none of them is being the source of your slowdowns. Automatic scans, defrags and update checks by software can also cause some grief.

Your hope is that some folks here are playing the game without the issue cropping up for them, so if you are mildly peeved vs totally angry, then you might take the time to work out what in your setup is causing the difference in their performance vs yours.

Just remember that returning and waiting 6-8 months for the next Intel chipset upgrade is also an option. The satisfaction guarantee is there exactly to be sure you'll be satisfied with your purchase.

 

From what I've experienced this is usually driver related, OS boots to log-in, screen will go black for 3-5 seconds, come back. With the 197.84 beta ive been running on my R1 it comes to the log in as 1400x res, goes black, and readjusts itself to 1900-1200. I might be wrong but usually its the driver.

 

update: i think i accidently switched on stealth mode.

Alienware coded their alienfusion/fx/osd so crappy i dont know whether its on or off. Thats why ive been getting fps drops...

This guy had the same problem and made a program to fix it, he explained how the programs were hard to view in windows 7

C#: Alienware M17X Stealth Mode


Now all i need to have fixed is sometimes after booting the OS and logging in with my password, the screen goes black and all i can see/move is the mouse

 

Donnie,

My notes from early on concerning disabling certain components of Command Center really no longer apply with the current version. At least in my opinion of course

I do not have time at the moment - I will either update this post with some suggestions or send you a PM - please update your post with your 17x's specs (17xR2 or 17xR1? CPU? 4870 or 5870 (if its an R1 then we know its a 4870 setup) display driver version? etc.).

Hang in there..