Is there an "official" fix for the sleep/hibernate problem?

I did a forum search but unless I missed it I didn't see an official Alienware/Dell fix for the problem of black screens after waking up from sleep or hibernate. I have an R2 with dual 4870's - A05 BIOS, I don't know what the Catalyst version is. It says "Driver Packaging Version: 8.68.2-091125a1-092358c-Dell. I see people throwing around things like 10.3 - 10.8 but I don't see where they're finding the 10.x version number.

Do we know for sure if this is a driver issue or BIOS? I've never done a BIOS update before, if going to the latest one fixes a bunch of stuff I'll do it if it's a foolproof process - I just got this thing though so I'm a bit nervous about introducing other problems.

 

Hey there,

did you try this latest beta driver once for your cards, that is up on support.dell.com?

Here's the direct link: ATI Graphics Driver Update for M17xR2/M17x/M15x (August 2010)

That's the latest driver at the moment, but it's in beta, so there might be maybe other flaws.

 

if you update your driver, you should no longer have the issue. I updated by driver and the problem went away... this was BEFORE I updated VBIOS...

 

He has 4870's, the drivers alone should be good for him i guess like you said Turmoil, also there is no updated vbios for 4870s available or needed, feel free to correct me.

 

Thanks for the replies. According to the driver notes it says (like 3 times) to update to the latest system BIOS before installing the drivers. I think I'm going to look around the forum a bit more to see if there are other issues people are experiencing from either the system BIOS or video driver updates. I know there's some unhappiness with the BIOS for people using xtreme edition processors (limiting the turbo mode overclock from what it used to be), I don't think I have to worry about that as I have the 620m.

Also, just so I know I'm looking at the right things from the list of updates, I don't see the vBios anywhere - just the system BIOS and video drivers. I know the VBIOS doesn't apply to me (seems to be just for the 5870s), but I didn't even see it on there. Is that coming from Dell also or are people getting it right from AMD?

 

The vBIOS is in beta and is only being given out by certain people at the moment for testing purposes via email. It is ONLY for the 5870 cards.

The most recent motherboard BIOS is the A08 version, you will not have a problem (like the 900's) and it improves the M17x's touch pad.

 

Nope, you are correct... i was too fast to type... didn't realize he had the 4870s lol

 

You can easily install the Beta Video drivers i provided the link to earlier. Just uninstall your previous Drivers with Catalyst Express uninstall, then Install the Dell Betas and see what you got after only doing that... No flashing VBIOS, No new regular Bios, only video driver update, latest one, go for it... Good Luck

 

I got my machine the other day and it wouldn't hibernate at all. I did the driver updates and now it does hibernate - but it doesn't come out of it okay every time. Tonight I was just sitting here and it came ouf of hibernation (I did not tell it to) and then it flashed the facial recognition login (I wasn't lined up right so that didn't work) then it went black - then it turned off.

Also, when I started it up this morning it said, "You are not using a Dell Adapter" and it would have nothing to do with it... it stayed on battery power. I turned it off - then back on, and it was okay (it is the adapter from Dell btw.) I thought that was scary. Also, sometimes when I turn it on the little alien head will turn orange'ish which means it's on battery for about 30 seconds or so there - not using the AC adapter which is attached. It does not do that "every" time though... so I am experiencing some "weirdness" here...

As far as the drivers, etc. I wasn't sure if I should do the beta driver discussed in the sticky thread or not. I did do the BIOS which I believe is A08. I did all the drivers that were relevant to me. I was unsuccessful at the intel turbo boost technology driver and have read here others were unsuccesful with that as well.

I am not sure how to proceed right now. I have not put anything "personal" on here yet because I don't know if everything I have expereinced are "known issues."

I have the Alienware 17xR2 - i7 920xm processor and the 5780 ATI graphics. I can look up the rest if that would help... The only thing that shcoked me was the weight of it - I am female and threw my neck out getting it out of the box (no joke!) But I am totally thrilled and love it!

One other thing... when I turn it on without the adapter it makes this horrific beep and tells me the performance would be better if I run from the adapter (duh)... and you can either push F1 to proceed or F2 for setup. Does anybody else get that message???

Sandy

 

I haven't installed either the BIOS or driver updates yet, been reading through dozens of posts to the BIOS and driver update threads. I'm gong to hold my breath and do them both shortly.

I also got the BEEEEEP warning the one time I've tried booting on battery. I didn't even notice it said I could go ahead on battery so I plugged it in. One gotcha if it doesn't seem to be running right is make sure it isn't running in stealth mode - which will throttle down your CPU. Go into the Alienware Command Center and I think it's Alien Fusion within there that shows you the power profile it's running on. The "speedometer" touch key doesn't really light any more intensely when it's on making it hard to tell if it's in stealth or not. And I found when it prompts you Yes for enable and No to cancel - it really doesn't work that way. It's yes to turn it on and yes again the next time you do it to turn it off.

 

Threw your neck out?? How were you lifting it? With you head? j/k Yea it wieghs more then most, but the system you have should be a beast for quite a while.

As far as that message it's normal. It's basically because the system sucks so much power. Also it problems have been caused by booting with a battery under 70% charged if my memory serves me. I just never use it without the power adaptor as it never leaves my desk.

 

Since I am still having an issue with hibernation even afer upgrading the BIOS to A08 I decided to install the beta driver. I did not see "Catalyst Express uninstall" in the program so I just went ahead and installed the driver. Everything changed to a miniature desktop but after restart everything appears okay. I would like to check to see if am running what I should be but don't see where???

I did image the computer before the install using Acronis True Image 2010 (I purchased Acronis True Image 2011 for this system but the rescue media would not boot the machine - this can happen with new builds - Acronis has to work out the bugs.) I don't know if AlienRespawn has the ability to boot outside the OS for restores from an external drive so I decided to stay with Acronis. But one should definitely do some kind of backup image/clone before screwing around with the drivers.

So, I will runn all day here and see if my hibernation problem is indeed gone.

Also, thanks MetalMania and DR650SE for your tips!!

Sandy

 

I think i have seen an option in the BIOS when you power on your laptop and you hit F2, you can disable that by going into the BIOS, go to POWER and DISABLE A/C Adapter Warnings, Save changes upon Exit and there will be no beeping or message anymore you have to skip if you start on Battery

Also you can check you driver version on the desktop, right click and there should be Catalyst Control Center, click that and browse to Catalyst Info on the upper left side.

 

Thanks so much on how to disable the beep!

The beta driver update made it worse... I couldn't get it to come out of hibernation at all - it locked up and I had to do a hard shut down. That is a new one... I will restore it back to the previous driver and I think I will call Alienware and ask for assistance here...

 

Ah i see you have the HD5870's for those you need a need a new VBIOS to enjoy the stability of sleep and other things in windows to use... But if that's your only problem, make sure your games are working as they should with that Beta Driver, because it's pretty techie to revert back the vbios if you are not satisfied with the beta drivers for the moment. That VBIOS cures your issues if you are on HD5870 and like to use the latest drivers.

You might want to check Page 1, Page 33 and maybe the last few pages of it, maybe you can call dell and they lead you thru it aswell.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...870-vbios-read-post-1-2-a-33.html#post6643167

 

Just a status update, I flashed the A08 and installed the beta graphics drivers. I haven't had a lot of time to try the few games I've installed but so far so good. I haven't tried hibernate yet but I've brought it out of sleep twice with no more black screen. I will reiterate though that I have the 4870s so I didn't need a new vBIOS (thankfully, that one sounds kinda scary if it doesn't go well). Hopefully there aren't any other issues popping up and I'll leave things as they are for a while and just get to know this thing.

 

I called to get assistance and it went so badly I had no words... (actually I had a few and told him them.)

He wants me to reformat and reinstall windows from the DVD. I told him I don't think that would help as this problem was here right out of the box - before I even installed drivers - heck, I installed the drivers hoping to solve the problem. I have had it 3 days and he wants me to do all this work... Also, the DVD has none of the programs that came with it. He would not even tell me how I would get them...

I asked what happens after I do the reinstall if the problem still exists... he would not answer.

I have a Dell XPS and have never had trouble dealing with "Dell" over warranty issues. This is Alienware - and if they run like this I don't like them. I spent $599. on the warranty to be told "it's my problem"... well, that might fly if it came out of the box right. But I say you better get it to me "working" and that means going into sleep mode and coming out of it correctly.

I was so excited - but this has gone so badly I am going to return it...

Sandy

 

What is your problem? The sleep bug only with the latest Beta Driver 8.763?

The only cure for this at the moment is the Beta VBIOS i already mentioned, and no, no Factory Default System has this currently installed, so you either sit on your standard dell drivers or update your VBIOS with given instructions. Dell is not going to do this for you then i guess. Most of the drivers are found via http://support.dell.com and the cd does not nececarily have those up-to-date. But if you are not happy with something like that, sure return it. Tho the VBIOS flashing is actually a pretty easy problem to solve if you are willing to carefully read. And another note, i think you have to be willing to go into some technical stuff if you want to own a system like this, you are also pretty free to upgrade anything by your own and still have your warranty for the intial bought product and its components, Service is as solid as Dell's if not better, you can call 24/7/365 and they normally replace anything that has to be fixed in a reasonable time. Cheers.

 

I am not sure you have read what I have written. I have installed ALL the drivers on Dell's Drivers and downloads. When that failed me, I installed the beta driver which made things with sleep WORSE.

Why would I ask Alienware to flash my BIOS or install my drivers?? I would certainly not return anything over that. And if I wanted to reformat and do a clean reinstall I wouldn't need them to do that either...

I have read about this issue and there are 17xR2's that do not have the
"sleep" problem I am experiencing. I would like one of those... That way I won't need to install the "BETA" vBIOS.

Can I do the work... Yes. But should "I" have to? Not if others don't have the problem. There is a TON of work for me to do to trick this thing like I want - why waste time solving a problem others who own this computer don't even have.

Sandy

p.s. There are 7 computers in this home, not all are Dell but quite a few are, so I am well aware of how "Dell" runs their warranty show.

 

Hi theres,

Sorry Sand the only way to fix the sleep issues you are having atm are to either uninstall the drivers and go back to an earlier version. Or you'll have to use the new vbios fix that Grimfan linked to above. The new dell beta 10.8 8.763 driver won't run properly without it.

Dell is currently still trying to make a complete driver vbios combo package that they will be releasing to the public hopefully in the near future. No idea when though. The main issue was because once you use the vbios update you won't be able to use older AMD ATi driver versions before 10.8. If you try to it will BSOD upon starting up the machine.

So yeh you'll kinda be stuck now with a few choices. Either to uninstall clean the drivers driver sweeper cc cleaner in safe mode and then install back to an older driver version. Or to apply the vbios update fix. Or the other 2 options were just to return the machine or wait till the official driver combo package is released by Dell.

Some people were happy to wait so they reverted back to older driver versions. You will have to cleanly do it though cause it will still cause you troubles if any of 10.8 is left over on the system.

Good Luck

Cheers.

 

I did that and it is still having problems with sleep. I reinstalled the OS twice. It came not working - and it's still not working.

I will call Dell tomorrow - not the Alienware division and see what they can do... Dell has always been good to me. Alienware is telling me it's my fault and software related. But as I said, sleep mode has been a problem right out of the box (actually, in addition to other problems.)

Thanks for your input though... I think I am just not making myself clear as to what is happening - that the initial driver, updated driver or beta driver - no joy. No sleep - or sleep that locks up, comes out of it with no user intervention then shuts off, or black screen, etc.

I am just really frustrated... I want to get to the "fun" stuff and can't. I do thank eveybod for trying to help.

Sandy

 

Ah no worries Sand.

Yeh see how you go with dell, but I can probably tell you they won't really know much or how to help you.

I would really recommend that you do a clean install of the dell beta 10.8 8.763 drivers and then install the vbios update for the GPUs. After you do that you will be very happy with the results. Sleep issues and all the other ones solved. Then you finally can get to the fun stuff. eheheehe

Just a suggestion anyway. I would really recommend it though. It has helped so many so far with those issues. Plus you get to use the latest up to date driver so games and other things will be supported and mostly run better.

If you do decide to use the vbios it is on page 33 of that thread. Joker has links and mirrors for you to dl it. Also have a good read through just to make sure you know whats what and how to go about it. Also flashing to the new vbios is covered under warrenty. So your good to go there as well. Just remember to keep flashing rerun the program until you get the msg that both your cards are already running on the new vbios. Also check GPU-z after the flash to see if indeed you are running on the new vbios.

Good Luck. Hope you get to the fun stuff soon.

Cheers.

 

K. i will do it tomorrow... I will post back how it goes.

Thanks for your help!!

Sand

 

I understand your problem, but i can assure you that you are definetly not the only one having those problems WITHOUT the VBIOS, which is a permanent write to the gpu firmware, and has to be done if you wanna enjoy the Beta Drivers. You should not have any issues with the other Drivers originally released by Dell for their HD5870, but there are alot of games that need or profit from the Beta Drivers. We can only point you out what many people already did and updated their vbios and those are pretty happy customers so far, even for being a Beta, it's very stable, only concern at the moment though is, the old Dell Video Driver won't work anymore with it... So it's up to you, what you wanna do.

Either you install this WITHOUT VBIOS:
http://support.dell.com/support/dow...dateid=-1&formatid=-1&source=-1&fileid=380773

Or this and after install you do the VBIOS Flash found in the provided thread on Page 33:
http://support.dell.com/support/dow...dateid=-1&formatid=-1&source=-1&fileid=412940

The later has been tested to work without any issues so far if you stay on 10.8+

And no, you can't except to get the latest updates from factory if we are still in the process of getting things to work, please have patience, if you are not willing to mess around your system just yet, Dell is working on a solution for everyone...

I can only give my oppinion, and that doesn't have to comfort you, as i like to mess with the system and know what it is able to do and how it is doing that... Cheers

 

This question is for Grimfan an reborn 2003 - or anybody really who wants to answer it...

Did yours go in/out of sleep mode with no problems when you received it from Dell? Right out of the box? Or did you have to do the beta driver/beta vBIOS to get it there?

Normally I set up a rock solid configuration (no beta) load, trick, clone – then screw with it as my base line is rock solid and I always have something to go back to…

If something is beta for drivers or software it’s not as critical as you can clone/image back and get out of it… not so with BIOS (as I am sure you know.) Since it is beta I don’t believe anybody knows right now if the release candidate will be “different" and what that difference will mean - in addition to how it will be applied to those who in stalled the beta vBIOS.

Really, I have never seen a beta test where the release candidate was not different. And I mean that - never.

The only question I have left before I make a decision – and I can’t get the answer – is did others receive their computer working? Where the sleep was working? Because if NOBODY did then I will go one way… but if a lot of people did – then I may go another way…

Sandy

 

I'm pretty sure mine worked with the old dell drivers and the old vbios shipped from Factory, what i can't say if it was out of the box like that, because the first thing i did when i received my laptop is to do a fesh windows install, as i don't like preinstalled programs i 1. don't know what to do with and 2. don't know if they were properly installed. When i do a fresh install i am more comfortable in what is on the system and maybe what influence it had, by going forward one by one installing and setting up the system as i'm used to work with.

I'm really not a big fan of putting a predeifined, maybe old Disk Image on my computer, which seems more or less the same for every configuration leaving the factory...

Also regarding the release candidate, the vbios beta we got from brian is 98% the release candidate, but they try to improve the installer (nothing serious if you follow the instructions) and getting the backward compatibility with the old A00 driver back (8.692.2-100203a1-095371C-Dell, AMD Mobility Radeon HD5870, A00).

We don't know yet with what kind of solution they come up with, maybe they will replace the old driver anyway with a new one, and we have to go this route anyway, for users that already got their systems delievered.

So what i can suggest you for now is uninstall your drivers in programs via ATI Catalyst Command Center -> Express Uninstall -> Reboot -> Clean ATI Display with Driver Sweeper -> Reboot -> Clean Registry with CClean -> Reboot -> Install the old dell driver again... That should be working imo

PS: You can throw away the Ressource Disk imo, as it's pretty outdated, get the latest drivers from http://support.dell.com, except the Beta Driver, Take the HD5870 one, and check first how things work with that with a clean (Un)Install

 

How did you get the programs you paid for that came with the computer? Even if you didn't pay for some - doesn't necessarily mean you don't want them. That should be up to the user. Dell used to give you a DVD with your programs for a reinstall. This computer only came with the Windows DVD and an Aleinware Diagnostics DVD. I asked Alienware tech help last night how I get these program back and they would not answer.

 

Hmmm which ones do you mean? I build my own Memory Stick with all the latest drivers and Applications i use and already owned on other laptops.

Since i don't know what i miss, i'm not sure if i should care about such software provided by Dell. For example, i don't use Roxio or whichever CD Writer Software it came along, i use Nero Lite. Then about YouCam, i prefer the Creative Webcam Application. For Backups, i'm comfortable with the build in Windows 7 Backuper, tho i have backups for all individual kind of different programs saved, like firefox, email and other documents and files.

So i have no problem to start from scratch again with a fresh windows installation if i get uncomfortable with my system, which should be atleast once every 6 months, cheers

PS: Did you try on the Diagnostics DVD (Mine says resource dvd) in Windows to select Applications, let me see, the programs should be up there too, or atleast a part of em. If you wanna keep provided preinstalled Programs, make a backup of your system, as it's very likely you will delete the factory restore partition upon installing windows from scratch (where you have to normally format your harddisks)

Edit: Yeah on the CD are also YouCam, PowerDVD, McAfee 30 Days test, Nero 9. But no Backuper. Wonder where you could get that anyway now.

 

Thanks for the info...

I could go into everything I do and use but nothing about this current conversation gets me out of my current problem.

Using Acronis DD 11 would let you keep the recovery and reformat...
but again - whatever.

 

Well i'm sorry if i'm no help for a frustrated customer, i hope you can sort out your problems somehow you are having then, good luck

 

Just trying to weigh the options - I see you on the sticky thread with the vBIOS toward the beginning - asking good questions about the reliability and stability of this upgrade when you first heard about it. I also, "just heard about it" as I only recently bought this system.

It's a process really... beta can be tricky - I wish I didn't have to go there at this time with this system. But I appears I have 3 choices

1) A complete reformat and reinsall of Windows to see if the sleep problem is resolved.

2) Return the computer and get a new one hoping it doesn't have this issue.

3) Upgrade the drivers and the vBIOS hoping it resolves the issue and doesn't leave me "hurting" in some other way. And hope the vBIOS release candidate will be the same, and if it isn't... an upgrade to the RC is relatively "pain free."

I will have to make a choice...

Sorry for being so "frustrated" and pathetic. Heck, I am so upset "I" don't even want to hear from me at this point.

Thanks for you patience as I truly want to take that sickle right out of the hand of your avatar and wield its massive reaping power against somebody right now.

 

Good news SAND,

Dell is releasing the official dell drivers and vbios later today.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...l-8-763-driver-vbios-discussion-non-beta.html

Hang in there SAND.

Cheers.

 

Speechless from the joy of it all...

Just taking it in... and dancing around the room!

WOW!!!

 

Well the VBIOS is exactly the same, but it's executed from a removable disk (CD or USB) under DOS, from what Brian said.

Here is the new WHQL 8.763.0 HD5870 Driver, found in the Bios A09 thread:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...bios-a09-discussion-thread-3.html#post6721145

Also you can download the latest Bios A09, which improves Touchpad Polling Rate and gives your XM-CPU Turbo Multipliers back, 1st post.

PS: I'm currently running that driver by the way (but on new VBIOS), so i'm kinda curious if that driver has issues with the old vbios

 

Thanks for passing along the link and the info!

Pretty exciting!!!

Sand

 

My situation isn't quite apples to apples with yours Sand as I have different video cards (ATI 4870s, the precursor to the 5870s), but my sleep and hibernate were broken "out of the box". I've only had mine for a week though and I do understand the feeling of disappointment and fear that you've spent a lot of money on a broken product. I haven't done anything yet to really see what it can do, but the "beta" drivers did fix my problems with coming out of sleep and hibernation. As the other folks have mentioned though for machines with the 5870s it looks like you also need the vBIOS.

I'm just a new guy on the block here but I am getting the impression that the latest rounds of drivers and BIOS are actually fixing a number of issues that have been hanging around for a while. I'm in no way qualified to say that all is well, but it's encouraging. I will say that I feel a lot better now that a proposed fix actually worked and was easy to do (for me was just system BIOS and gfx driver). Though it's kind of funny the official release drivers and a new system BIOS are released the DAY AFTER I installed the last ones!

 

I can't guarantee that the driver alone will solve the sleep issues. But the vbios should soon be posted aswell on the support page, it's already on the ftp aswell as a file, but since it's not the "known" windows flasher, i can't provide that link without any instruction... But i'm curious what you get with the drivers alone also don't forget the A09 Bios, i've seen you have indeed a XM-CPU. Good Luck and hopefully soon: Enjoy

Here the official statement regarding the NEW VBIOS (which is actually the same VBIOS as the Beta one in Windows, just the flashing is in DOS now.):

For reference, the VBIOS will be posted as ATI Radeon Mobility HD5870 A01 VBIOS (13B96101.104) Win7 64b.

Release notes:
1. Fixes display corruption issues found on some 5870 video cards.
2. Fixes issues on battery (BSOD, S3, S4, and black screen) with older VBIOS and 8.7xx drivers.

And this will be the utility to create a bootable Memory Stick or a CD to then flash the VBIOS upon starting up the laptop and boot from the removable device:

Might be because the 4870's use a much more standard vbios as the OLD HD5870 Bios, which seems to be much more compatible to the latest (almost reference) drivers, like the new VBIOS. Or the 4870's haven't been forgot in development and the cure is indeed in the driver. Also for you, there will be those 8.763.0 WHQL Drivers up soon for your cards, as Brian promised

Though i just see that your cards are actually supported in those drivers, might give it a go aswell, don't think it will be any different packaging, though the extractor said HD5870.

Taken from the INF File:

"ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4850" = ati2mtag_M9x8, PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_944A&SUBSYS_02A21028
"ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4870" = ati2mtag_M9x8, PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_945A&SUBSYS_02A11028
"ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4870 " = ati2mtag_M9x8, PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_945A&SUBSYS_043A1028
"ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5730" = ati2mtag_Manhattan, PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_68C0&SUBSYS_02A21028
"ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5850" = ati2mtag_Manhattan, PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_68A1&SUBSYS_02A21028
"ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5870" = ati2mtag_Manhattan, PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_68A0&SUBSYS_043A1028

 

I haven't had much time to test but the new 8.763 driver, vBios and A09 have left me in a much better place. Strart up and shut down seem faster.

Going in/out of sleep (the main issue) is gone. Everything is going really well.

Rockin' and ready to load all my "stuff" onto my new Alienware!!!

Sandy

 

Awesome!!!

Sounds great Sandy. Enjoy!

Actually now that you've mentioned it I too have noticed the slightly faster startup and shutdown. My machine seemed to be a getting a bit bogged down and slower in those areas as I was using it a lot and installing a whole heap of stuff. Seems to be back to speedier times now lol.

Cheers.

 

Take my advice and don't install the beta drivers. I had bsods constantly and went back to the lastest non beta dell drivers for my 4870s.

 

What about the NON-Beta 8.763.0 A01 drivers for HD4870, same problem as the beta?
Found here: Drivers and Downloads

Post issues regarding these drivers into this thread:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...5870-gpus-5870-vbios-discussion-non-beta.html