M17x : Dual 4870s flickering when running games

You'll win in any case. If they screw up again - demand a replacement.

 

im gonna ring soon as well and refund

 

lemme know how it goes

 

Have you tried to disable Turbomode under Performance options in BIOS? just tried it, seems to work )

 

Are you running BIOS A02? You shouldn't have to disable Turbo boost with that BIOS version.

From what I've gathered, there are actually two different known causes of screen flickering when playing games on the M17x-R2.
The first one is the one that's caused by some kind of power distribution problem and is supposed to be fixed with BIOS version A02.

The second one is caused by a faulty slave video card and/or crossfire cable and is usually fixed by replacing the secondary video card/crossfire cable.

 

hi yer ill let u know ive owned xps m1730 that broke after 11months they gave me m17xr1 full spec that had audio problem 6 tech vists and collect and return and it even worse got m17xr2 plus 12month free warranty ill get me way dw

 

PsiPro,
Hope you have better luck with getting your replacement GPU card sorted out today.
I was told by the AW support that they will give me a call on Monday to arrange a date instead, a technician came over on monday morning and couldn't replace the card as I was at work and no one was at home.

I subsequently told them that there will be some one at home today and re-arranged the appointment. Come this morning, got a call from the 'out-sourced' company to say that they haven't got the card available and therefore can't carry out the replacement today!

Arggh.... how are these people still in business after such a simple tasks!

I then called AW and was told that the replacement cards will only be available end of next month! I practically blew my top when I heard that!
Was told to write an email to the higher management to demand compensation etc...

what a mess!

 

Just got a call from the tech, but I don't get good cell signal at work so the call dropped. At least I have his number so I can call him back.

 

Update: Just spoke with the tech. He will be there in 30mins. He will also run tests when he is done.

 

Hope the replacement sorts the problem! Let me know how it goes! Wish I had better luck!

 

Ok, well sounds good so far, but the real test will be when I get home.


The tech installed the card and said "Just try and test it. Hopefull it works. If not call Dell."

So I had the person that was supervising the install test it out.

Made sure crossfire was "enabled" and ran Command and Conquer Tiberium Wars Kane Edition with Crossfire.

The person said it ran perfectly without jitter or stuttering or ghosting or wrong colors (I could go on and on) issue.

I will see about that. Will report back here with my results.

 

GL atleast that looks promising.. Congrats!!!!

 

Thx, I hope so too. That means this weekend is going to be lots of fun playing in Crossfire mode.

Otherwise I am going to be one sad Alienware M17x R2 owner.

 

/me Daydreams of a flicker-free Crossfire game. *sigh*

 

Another reason why I'd prefer a more powerful single GPU in a gaming rig. The SLI/CF configs are too fragile and glitchy.

 

Looking forward to this, since I have the exact same problem.

 

Sadly, this did not fix my issue. Still getting flickering in Crossfire mode. Looks like I am up for a replacement. Seriously considering fighting for a Mamba too.

 

Do you still have the same flickering?

 

Same flickering as the previous card.

Definitely not the flickering that the Original card had with the bad colors and everything.

 

Did you open the system? How does the connector look on this one?

 

That sucks man. Hope I can catch some more luck with my replacement. Has anyone with this problem actually succeeded with fixing it?

 

It was fixed on my system (they replaced my secondary GPU with a used and beaten card ).

 

Haven't checked yet. I will check soon. Gotta get something to eat first.

Also, I ran the bios flash again and for some reason I got windows startup repair to come up. Luckily the computer booted right back up without issue after the repair was done. Still, had me worried for a moment.

I will check the CF cable again with Dell on the phone and if it still doesn't work, I am demanding a replacement and a mamba.

 

You can also demand an upgrade to your specs.

 

Ok, glad that it worked for you. Is the secondary card exactly the same as the primary one? If so, weird that it's always the secondary card that seems to be the problem.

 

They are identical, but the CF cable is connected to the secondary (due to a different heatsink's position). I think, the problem is in the method used to plug the cable into the connector slot. Dunno what they do, but it ruins the connector/s and renders the secondary card useless.

 

Definitely sucks man! sorry to hear about that. Don't they test it once the replacement has been done?

 

The techs that come to do the job aren't knowledgeable enough to also properly test the config. They see the checkbox clicked in the CCC and assume that everything is fine. They don't run your games or stress tests to verify if everything is ok under load.

 

Well, not only that, but they only check bios. That last two techs that came out only verified that the bios saw the card and that's it. They just left. It's a shame I can't be here to watch them and show them what I am talking about. Eitherway I am sure they would just tell me to call Dell.

 

Yep, that's what we get when our Ferrari's get serviced by skoda tech's
Those are not from Dell but some third party outsourcing guys. They are not to be blamed as they can't get certified on every bleeding edge product. Those are masters of all trades but guru's of none.

 

that sucks big time!
I just wrong a lenghtly email to dell!
Hopefully they'll sort me out with some goodies!

 

It usually takes more than a single letter. But good luck with that one.

 

On the phone with Alienware now. Haven't opened the case to check the crossfire cable yet.

I am pretty sure Dell will make me do it anyway....just to troubleshoot again.

I can get a motherboard or a new laptop. He said if I go for the new motherboard and it doesn't fix the issue, I can have a new M17xR2 shipped to me.

I think I am going to go with the Motherboard replacement, however I am going to try to speak to customer service right now about my Mamba.

I figure that since the parts that are in this laptop are all working well (minus the crossfire issue) that I should try to stick with as many original parts as I can.

If the motherboard doesn't fix the issue, then I will risk the new M17xR2.

 

Sounds like a plan, though I wouldn't let them replace the mobo. Anyway, try it and then go for replacement.

 

Right, I mean at least I have the option to get the replacement system still. If it's the mobo, then that would be better to me than getting a whole new system and then possibly having a bad RGB LED display, or a bad backlighting system, or other issues.

So I try calling "customer service" but I guess that's really called "order support" according to Dell. Anyways, they are closed (8pm Central) so I will have to call back after work tomorrow to get my Mamba. *sigh*

 

Anyone know of an easy way to get to the GPU cards? I looked at the AW technical manual and it looks a bit daunting. I got to the bit where I had to remove the 'central piece' (where the power button and volume control sits) and had trouble getting that piece to open.

I finally abandoned and decided to wait for the technician to replace/check the card.
How do you pry that bit open without damaging the fragile plastic bit? or even put a nick on the aluminium edge?

I got a call from AW today saying that they received my email and have forwarded it to their manager to get in touch with me.

Hopefully I'll be able to get more than a Mamba for my troubles! I'll keep you guys posted!

 

Check up on Mr Moo videos he shows how to replace video cards and cpu.

 

I dont know what your policy at work is, but you can have the tech come to your place of work so you can supervise it...

Here is Moo's Video.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=402017

Seriously it only took me 15-20 min tops from unhooking the system, replacing, and hooking the system back up at my desk.. Just take your time.. Also key thing is to tilt the screen all the way back when removing the touch panel.. It makes it so much easier..

 

To help ensure I didn't damage anything, I used a plastic knife for the prying. I didn't put any knicks in the aluminum and I was able to pry up the touch sensor bar. My issue was putting it back in. I can't get it to clip all of the way on the sides and the middle looks like it has a lump in it. Hopefully the tech that replaces the mobo will fix that. We will see.

 

Just firmly press it down.. I would not be moving the lid unless that is secure.. You dont want to knick up the LCD or the panel itself.. Just kinda massage it back into place... It will snap back in..

 

Updated my video drivers through Windows Update, went from some drivers that were dated for 3/2/10 to 11/29/2009 or something like that, but the version number was higher, I believe, for the new set of drivers

Played BC2 and got no more flickering, ran beautifully

can't open CCC though, probably gonna have to roll that back to 10.2, I have 10.3 now

whatever works I'll do it!

 

Yeah, you probably do not have crossfire enabled when it ran on the windows updated drivers. Especially since you couldn't get into Catalyst Control Center to check and see if crossfire was even enabled at all.

 

Know where I can get CCC 10.2?

 

Hmmm....now BC2 has flashing water effects and L4D2 skips all the time, grrrr...

I miss how console gaming just....works, but the graphics are great on PC with some other added functionality, maybe I'll go back to those newer drivers, we'll see.

 

You need the 10.3. Period.

 

I am on the phone with Customer Service. They are telling me there is NO compensation WHATSOEVER. wth is going on?

They won't give me anything.

Ok, seems like that was a BS cover. My Mamba is on it's way. next day delivery.

 

Hmmm, I am thinking of doing a reformat, even though I've had this system for like 2 weeks now, maybe that'll solve my problems and trim some of the fat that came installed with the system.

 

Flashing textures in BC2 happens because of the game. I get it too once in a while with the 10.3 drivers. EA hasn't completely fixed it yet.

 

Roger, thanks Joker

I had L4D2 stuttering during gameplay just today and yesterday after I updated drivers via Device Manager's online search, that didn't happen before.

The drivers I have are version 8.680.2.0

 

Install the Catalyst 10.3 on top of them and you should be fine.