Brand new M17X R3 BSOD from start till now

Just got my brand new M17X R3 a few days ago. I opened it, started it up and after waiting a bit for windows to first start up, I was finally on the desktop screen. I decide to apply windows updates right away, during the downloading of the updates, I get my first BSOD, and a few more BSOD later on the night while I just surf the net.

Constant random BSOD thereafter the first day I receive my alienware.
0x000009F is the BSOD stop error I keep getting. Ugh.

All my drivers are up to date(including BIOS, using A08), they were shipped to me up to date. The only driver I installed was the cougar point, a alienware dell tech helped me install that today actually. I called in on the 10th to inquire some help on these random BSODs that happen too much. Obviously there were of no help, because I got another one a few minutes ago.

My specs are as follows:

Alienware M17X R3
Intel(R) Core i7-2630QM CPU @ 2.00GHz
8GB of RAM
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460M
1.5TB RAID0 HDD
Killer Wireless-N Network Adaptor

I will attach the last few minidumps, hopefully they will help everyone know what the issue is with my new M17X.

Hope to hear from some of you soon,

Regards,

Papashlapa

 

Why don't you do a system restore back to the first day you got it, before you installed the windows updates. Try that and see if it still BSODs.

 

+1. Some people suggested to turn off the automatic updates as you have no idea what you're actually getting yourself into I personally always get the chills when they install anticipating the worst when I turn my computer back on, but that might really be just me

 

I was about to ask you to do a fresh install but then I remembered that this was an old problem.Do browse the threads about BSODs amongst R3 with Nvidia 460m. It gained notoriety earlier this year. If i am not mistaken it was solved, some even got replacements and refunds etc.

 

The fresh install could be worth a try.
My 1st M17 rig with 580m and 3D screen didn't have optimus and had no crashes at all while my 2nd order with ATi card had lots of bsod out of the box when I started playing with poweplay and after win7 updates...
I think the image that Dell installs from factory might not always be 100% adequate

With a fresh install at least you choose exactly what you want, for me no bsod at all since that

 

I did a fresh install and was having a similar problem. I tracked it to the command center. I would open command center and get an error about not being able to communicate with the hardware and then another message about my profile being unsupported with this hardware. I actually had to open a profile from within the application and save it as default and that fixed the problem. No bluescreens since I did that.

Not saying that is your problem but just throwing it out there. I know, strange.

 

So if I restore to before I applied windows updates, should I still update windows after? =O

 

Here's how I solved my bsod's w/ my old 460m. If you follow it to the letter, you should be fine.

By the way, I am presuming 3 things. You have W7 Service Pack 1 downloaded and installed, and you haven't changes the video driver from the 267.64 A01 or whatever it is on the dell site. That and you got the 460m w/ Optimus system and 60hz screen.

Follow this, and warning, it will be using a non dell approved bios, so do at your own risk. Our community member LVNeptune came up with a bios recovery guide, which is right here if you somehow brick your system. http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...y-case-you-brick-your-m17xr3.html#post7791370

First download this, It's the modified A04 bios. It will unlock just about every feature in the Bios, but the main one we're looking for is to change the display adapter from Intel IGP to the Nvidia 460m.
Bios - M17R3mod.exe
More in-depth guide, go here. http://forum.notebookreview.com/7678603-post107.html

After you flash the bios and edit the settings, start up in safe mode. Download this nvidia driver. NVIDIA DRIVERS 275.33 WHQL You can use the 280.26 if u also want to. You will also want to visit this to modify the inf file to properly install on the laptop http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...ia-driver-mod-thread-17xr3-9.html#post7556748 Don't install the new driver yet.

Press the windows key, type in "Device Manager" and look for the 460m. Uninstall it. Then use a program like ccleaner or driver sweeper(Both have to be downloaded online. to fully remove traces of the driver. Once that is over, install the newer driver of choice(Still recommending the 275.33).

Since the bios was changed and optimus was removed, you might receive 1-2 more bsods. But rest assured this is what I did, and it removed the optimus, which( I believe) caused the bsods. Good luck, and make sure you give rep to everyone who made it possible for me to write this very long guide to fixing your bsods.

peppe1 - LVNeptune - DARCODER - and to whoever modded the r3 bios.

It was never officially solved as far as I've known. I bought a 580m because Dell absolutely on all levels refused to admit the 460m had issues. Well, I was going to upgrade it anyways.

 

Don't forget to using the respawn afer you go back to Factory Setting.....

 

Best would be to start from scratch....Instead of restoring etc. Downloaded all the drivers you need. Install windows and start from there. OR at least follow Zoolian's advise since he has first hand experience in dealing with this.

 

460m (Optimus) gave me huge issues and I had BSODs from the start as well. There are some success stories on here with the modded BIOS disabling Optimus, but like zoolian mentioned, do so at your own risk.

 

This is nuts. There is no reason on earth that you should have to struggle with your new R3 just to get it to boot and start Windows without BSOD's, much less have to flash a hacked/modded system bios to disable a component or to do a fresh Win7 install. Assuming you're still within the 21 day return period, call customer service, explain the situation and ask for an RMA and a refund. Then order another R3 with a less troublesome configuration.

 

I'm glad someone thinks this. My refurb gets here tomorrow, and I am really freaking out after reading threads like this. It seems like I made a huge mistake if this computer won't work without re-applying paste, modding BIOS, or doing something else major. I was expecting the computer to just work. Now I am concerned the machine will have BSODs, or overheat, or just won't be reliable for other reasons.

 

Well...my case was a bit odd, so I couldn't really ask to return it for a remake, and I kind of felt like i'd be sounding a bit selfish after I won the laptop, so I went for the kind of alternative route to "fixing" the 460m. That and the original cover on the m17 was torn off and replaced with a custom one, and for some reason I did not receive the original, so I don't think Dell would have accepted a return... T_T

If you can, I'd go w/ Rev's suggestion of returning it asap and try to get another one.

(If you need a few bsods to happen, try playing League of Legends, that game gave me bsods every 10-20 minutes after playing it.)

 

UPDATE:
So I called the AW tech support again today. But alas, she was of no help. She just ran a bunch of tests to test the processor, memory and ran a few benchmarks. Then she said her weekend starts now and said we'll continue testing on Thursday morning.

If she cant find the "cause" of the BSOD, she said she will send a replacement m17x R3.

Le sigh, im really considering returning this m17x R3 and wait for the Razer Blade to come out in a few months. Only got 10days to return my AW. Decisions decisions...

Just wanted to say thanks for all the quick responses so far from everyone! Provided a lot of insight on my issue. Thanks so far guys!

 

I am curious. Has the AW Tech tried to update the driver yet?

And did they run the Dx11 Heaven Benchmark program?

 

forget tech support. go straight to order support and tell them you want an exchange since u bought a new r3. explain to them the issue. they will generally issue another build if u are within the 21 days return window.

 

"If you wish to return a laptop/notebooks . . . call Order Support at 1-800-624-9897." You want a Customer Care representative, not tech support.

If you purchased through the EPP program, call 1-800-695-8133 instead.

 

@zoolian982
They only updated the cougar point driver and reinstalled the A08 BIOS. Thats it for drivers. And yes they have ran the Dx11 heaven Benchmark, came out with 55 fps, don't remember the score.

Yeah, I have 10 days left for my return window. Just wondering, if I do return/exchange and they issue me another build, do I get another 21 days return window for that new rig?

On a side note, since the AW tech support left me today, my Killer Net Manager has stopped functioning properly.

"KillerNetManager.exe has stopped working" every time I try to run it. The manger won't run at all. I've had to send in a ticket to Killer now to figure out whats up.

LE SIGH AWs.

 

Return it and get another config. I kid you not, my 1st R3 was the same config. as yours and I had nothing but trouble (BSODs, etc.). When I got a diff. R3 with the 6990m, EVERYTHING has been perfect. For what you're paying, you should not have to deal with this.

 

Thanks for the advice hieu1004. Did you get another 21 return window for your new rig with that Radeon 6990m? Or did they use your previous 460m rig 21 return window?

 

I got another return window - I returned it and re-ordered altogether.

 

is there a 64 bit version of this?

 

I know it says its 32 bit, buts its fine. It works.

 

Hi Mates

I'm giving my gratefulness to peppe1 - LVNeptune - DARCODER - and to whoever modded the r3 bios. THANK YOU.
My system(m17x r3) is with gtx 460m and display 1080p, win 7 x64.

I can't still find and understand the benefits from high end processors like i7 with integrated video, just trouble and conflicts in the system. Everyone who buys this do not care about power consuming, there always should be cpu models(the most powerful like 990x) without integrated s.

thank you again.

 

the IGPU helps greatly for battery and is useful for being used on the go for web surfing and such. I do agree however, that opti-mess is more trouble than its worth. It should have been manual to start with like the AMD cards, not automatic. And this is just the start of technology thinking it's smarter than us humans

 

Just a thought, there are some people who actually care about power consumption for usage on the go. Hence some people getting the Amd cards for manual and complete shutoff of the gpu for maximized battery life.

 

Sorry I forgot to correct my post in this thread....

P.S.

But this time AGAIN the problem seems to be the Nvidia, because no one with ati have this problem.
AGAIN - this is because I was owner of the shi?y chip 8600m GT

 

i was gonna add my .2 cents here, and ask you to default to the earliest restore available and update Killer-N's drivers....