M17X-R2 CF Distortions!

I've decided to open a new thread and hopefully, get to the bottom of the problem.

Here's how it looks:
Crysis intro
King's Bounty
Pretty much every game will look like this.

The problem first appeared a few months ago on a brand new system. With a disabled CF everything was fine, so the culprit was thought to be the secondary GPU and/or the CF cable itself. After replacing those the issue disappeared. It reappeared a week ago.

The timing coincides with a few changes:

1) Updated the drivers from 10.3 -> 10.4 ->10.5
2) Did a dust cleaning both from outside and inside.
3) Flashed the BIOS with the latest version.

Attempted remedies:
1) Reverted the drivers to Dell's stock, 10.4 (for some reason couldn't revert to 10.3)
2) Re-flashed the BIOS with the latest version.
3) Opened the system and re-seated (10 times already ) all the cables/connectors/cards/RAM sticks.
4) Multiple power drains including the BIOS reset by disconnecting the BIOS battery for half a minute.

Additional symptoms:
Noticed that when the CF is disabled the gameplay is somewhat laggy, not smooth, even on the lowest settings.
Also, the temps are much higher ( CF ON - max: 71C, CF OFF - max: 87C)
Another manifestation that appeared together with the distortions - sometimes, the primary GPU would start making a strange noise (when the system is idle, no load at all), windows aero theme changes to the basic one and the GPU (primary) temps would rapidly climb to 70C+

I'm starting to suspect the primary card or even the mobo

Suggestions are welcome,

Thanks.

 

I suspect it's a faulty card or crossfire cable. Have you checked if the crossfire cable is seated properly?
Anyway, call Dell, perhaps they'll even replace your 4870s for 5870s.

 

Did you install the latest command center as a recent change too? Because once I installed A06 command center it started graphically messing with my games. Most notably Crysis Warhead/Wars.

 

That definitely looks like a faulty video card. I would start by replacing both of them. That should do it, but if it persists, I would move on to replace the motherboard. It does not look like a software issue.

 

Yes, my symptoms looked similar, like a faulty video card. I reinstalled my old Command Center and it went away...

 

Hmm, I did install the latest CC lately .
Then removed it.

BTW, Dell-Bill saw the video and offered a replacement. They need this system for tests. But I don't know if they gonna do it, since I'm in Canada.

Anyway, I'll probably wait for their confirmation and in the worst case scenario will call the support and get the cards replaced.

 

Flashed the BIOS back to A02 (this time from DOS) - no effect.
I know there's probably no point in trying, but am too curious to simply wait for Dell.

 

Have you tried starting from a fresh format? Just a suggestion but it may help.

 

I did back then when the problem first appeared and it didn't help.

 

Canada is right next to US, they should be able to trade systems...I can imagine some engineers are dying to find out the cause...

 

You're right, lol.
Just got a system exchange number, looks like it's gonna happen for real. I'm surprised.
I'll stop trying to find the cause and let Dellienware do their testing. Hopefully, they can tell us what's the culprit and maybe it can help someone to avoid/solve this in the future.

 

I had the exact same issue, but my screen roll was way worse... Anyway Dell tech did his thing and nothing was resolved, so they sent a tech out and replaced the secondary card. That card was DOA and the system would not see it at all. Dell Tech came back out 2 days later and replaced both cards. That seemed to remedy the issue. Well last week, the fans kicked up on high and would not shut down, even just sitting idol. I checked Crossfire and I no longer had the option, so I went to device manager and the secondary card was gone. Messed with it for a day with no positive results, so I reinstalled OS and went from there.. Still fans on High and only one card. The all of a sudden the card appeared and fans calmed down. Couple hours later the card disappeared again for no apparent reason. Called Dell, they said a tech would be out with a new mother board and 2 new ATI cards. I was not very pleased, because this is all within a month of being new.. Anywho... the tech came out, performed major brain surgery on my new laptop, and as he was putting in the new mobo, we noticed that it was not the same mobo.. So the tech calls Dell and they say opps we will send you a new mobo. I finally speak up and say "No I don't think so.. You need to replace the system!" They agreed with no argument at all.. So now I have a new system in production. I should have asked for an upgrade though, cause it's the exact same specs.. I think I will call and see if they will bump my warranty up though..

Thanks
Mike

 

Wow, you surely have to get a replacement.

Meanwhile, I have another interesting observation:
It seems that all the distortions only occur in the full-screen mode. As soon I switch to the windowed mode - everything is fine!
Hopefully it rings a bell for someone...

 

Mine did the same thing. I think it's something to do with DirectX. DX is not used when running windowed, and also I believe XFire is not used either when in windowed mode.. So I think that is why the games work fine in windowed mode, but the screen rolls in full screen, with XFire enabled. Also I did tests and found that it doesn't seem to matter which version of DirectX (9 or 10) you use, both version had screen roll in full screen gaming.

So Dell's thinking is to first replace the ATI cards and if that doesn't work they want to replace the mobo, thinking that maybe the PCI slot is the issue..

Yeah my system is already in production, so hopefully, it will resolve any issues I was having. On the flip side, when the tech put my old mobo back in, he went ahead and put the new ATI cards in the system (3rd Secondary, 2nd Primary), since he had them there. The system seems to be working as advertised now. However the last time they switched out the cards it worked fine for about 2.5 weeks.. Plus he pulled the processor and heatsink during the swap, and I know for a fact he did not re-thermalpaste the heatsink when he put it back together. So the system is running a little hot..

Anyway, good luck with the replacement. Hope all goes well..

Thanks
Mike

 

In windowed mode the cards arent fully in 3d (whatever mode needed for full utilization of them) mode as they are in full screen. That is why there is a difference.

 

I see. Anyway, I've given up trying and from now on will let Dell find out the culprit.

Eagerly waiting for the replacement!

 

Oh I bet. You have spent enough time on it.. lol.. should be asking for a paycheck ahaha

 

I might, my friend,... in due time

 

I had a replacement laptop sent to me due to an overheating problem that couldn't be fixed on my previous. The new laptop doesn't overheat at all, but it does this flickering now. YouTube - M17x flicker I straight up moved my old drives to the new machine so it's the EXACT same software as I was using before which had no issues like this so I'm confident that it's a hardware issue.

My question is, should I just swap out my old 4870's with these before I send the old machine back to the factory? I Don't know if they will care, but it will save them a good bit of time and effort in trying to diagnose this...

 

Wow! That's exactly my case! Try swapping the cards and see if it helps.



<<<< I wonder if people with 5870's have this issue?

 

Nope not I. It's running better than my previous 4870s.

 

Swapped the 2 new cards for the 2 old cards. Issue is completely fixed, played JC2 for an hour with not a single distortion.

 

I tried many games and did not see this issue. I tried BFBC 2, Burnout Paradise, COD WAW, Crysis, Crysis Warhead, Mass Effect 2, GTA 4, HL2 Episode 2. Anyone figure out what the issue fix is? Would like to know just in case it ever happens to me.

 

I am going to install the new ati drivers and see if I had any issues. Work great. So it must be your motherboard gpu or cable.

 

i get distortion, like tiny lines going across cross - thats not AA
its happens in warhammer age of reckogning, and legaue of legends! dunjo why=/