M17x and Windows 7

Everything works fine for me w/ windows 7 but for some reason my ram is always maxed out, running around 90%+ and slowing my computer down by alot.

 

New Alien Command Center A03 works flawlessly on Windows 7. Every feature is working.

 

Who's blog? Have a link?

 

The services I disabled to eliminate the 'intermittent FPS drop/stutter/audio mp3 playback intermittent popping' are as follows:

1. Alienware Fusion Service

2. FAService (This is for AlienSense - worthless in my opinion and a resource hog)

Reminder, when making changes to Services always do so by typing 'Services.msc' into the Run command. Never make changes to Services using the Services tab within the Task Manager.

In addition to this, I have also disabled the following startup items:

1. AlienFXController
2. FATrayAlert

Downside to this (and its only a minor issue) is that in order to change your AlienFX lighting you will need to first launch the AlienFXController via the Programs Menu or just create a shortcut to it on your desktop. Once you have made your changes, right click on the little alien head and choose exit. The .exe is here:

C:\Program Files\Alienware\Command Center\AlienwareAlienFXController.exe

Also be aware - if you have your PowerProfile set to turn off/Go Dark the AlienFX lighting while on battery power, you will need to manually do this since the controller is not running.

Doing the above has eliminated all stuttering issues and audio/mp3 playback issues I had experienced.

I have also not bothered to re-enable everything to see if the new command center has the stuttering/audio pop issues fixed. So, feel free to test if you like. I'm content for now.

 

^ Batboy's blog. Check his sig for the link.

 

BatBoy, just so im clear, you reccomend that both Alienware Fusion Service and FAService should be disabled and not set to manual? FAService I understand what it is and definitely will disable becuase I have no need for facial recognition. The Alienware Fusion Service is another story because im still a little unclear about all its uses.

 

The AlienwareFusion Service is what ties the CommandCenter Fusion module into the OS's PowerProfiles. Personally, I'd rather have the OS in control and not have the two fighting it out for control.

 

Ok thanks! I was just a little confused weather to set to "disable" or "manual" at startup. Well since my system will have Win 7, maybe I wont have to do any of this and the problem will be fixed. Or maybe im just to optomistic.

 

Batboy..thanks as always for your continued support when issues come up. Keep it up!!

 

you can close those services just before playing a game through using task manager. its the same right?

by the way i face random freezes on win7 x64 ultimate when doing something with windows explorer or browsing-downloading with firefox. anyone else with those issues and how to fix them?


by the way there is still no nvidia chipset driver for win7?

 

there's a chipset for win 7 you just have to install it through device manger. i have not experience any freezing in firefox. i have win 7 ultimate NFR (Not For Resale).

 

Good news for you Win7 users... Dell posted a few Win7 drivers specifically for the M17x. Here ya go:

NVIDIA MCP79 Chipset v2.05 A00, Last Updated: 10/14/2009

Dell Broadcom Multi-Device Wireless Card Driver (Dell/AW 1510) v5.30.21.0 A02, Last Updated: 10/14/2009
*Be sure to take a look at the very detailed help docs - see the Help--->Help Files link inside the Broadcom Wireless Utility window (this will install under Vista 64 without issue)

ITE IT8512 CIR Receiver v5.1.0.1 A00, Last Updated: 10/14/2009

Synaptics TouchPad v13.2.4.12 A00, Last Updated: 10/14/2009

Dell also posted an updated Win7 driver for the Bluetooth 370 card (posted for another system but its still the same card):
Dell Wireless 370 Bluetooth Module v6.2.0.9600 A01, Last Updated: 10/15/2009

Enjoy.

 

yaaaaaaaaaaaaay

I'm pretty sure the nvidia chipset driver fixed my audio stuttering problems

 

great new drivers!

some stuttering remains to me. it seems that win7 os doesnt freeze anymore though. i ll give it a few hours more to be sure.

 

So at present, the only remaining drivers I am missing from my list for Dell/Official Win7 drivers are:

1. Creative Webcam
2. NVIDIA Display Driver (Hybrid Enabled/Functional)

The list will soon be complete.

 

nevermind, still have stuttering and system crashes.

 

do you have this list somewhere my friend? no freeze until now on win7 x64 ultimate! and the stuttering is minimum.

i think the freezing was relating with the nvidia chipset driver ( when windows explorer was freezing) and the wlan driver (when i was browsing).

 

I just realized my wireless network problems disappeared when i uninstalled my gfx drivers...

 

my network problems dissapeared as i installed this new driver! finally everything is a matter of drivers!

 

which gfx drivers are you using?

 

NBR Forum Rules prohibit posting links to personal blogs in posts... I'll give you a hint though, look in signature (which is permitted).

 

i use 186.91 but 186.81 is the latest official from nvidia. i dont know which is better finally. Batboy whats your opinion on this?

 

My system was doing fine until recently when I'm freezing a LOT, getting stuttering, and I can't connect to wireless networks.

I'm on my MBP right now because I can't even get online on my M17x anymore...

 

I'm using 186.82. After testing 186.91 I found 186.82 was more stable in terms of waking from sleep/hibernation properly (no black screen on wake up). 186.82 performed better for me in-game than 186.81 as well.

I should mention though that I am still using Vista 64. Even after I receive the Win7 media from Dell/Microsoft I most likely will stick with Vista for the time being. Just a personal choice. I can't stand that Fisher-Price Start Menu. I prefer the classic menu. Yep, I'm old school.

@Koshinn: You mentioned your system was fine until recently... do you recall making any changes just prior to the stuttering issues?

 

The stuttering was since I installed win7 and used SLI graphics. It doesn't happen on the 9400. The network problems and random freezing/crashing didn't happen until recently, but I have no idea what changed.

I really should downgrade to vista64 and fix ALL my problems (who would've thought someone would switch to Vista to FIX problems?), but it's so close to retail of Win7 that I should just stick it out.

 

I'm sure you have already tried it, but what about another nvidia driver? 186.82? Which one are you on @ present?

 

did you install the new broadcom drivers a few posts before? right now all my problems with win7 x64 are solved!

 

186.91 just crashed a lot for me, 186.82 crashed/stuttered a lot as well.

 

Yes, it didn't fix the problem.

I just uninstalled my gfx drivers again and I can easily connect to the internet at 150 mbps.

When I install my gfx drivers, I get 10 mbps or no connection at all.

I think I found the culprit of ALL my problems. I'll reinstall 186.82 in a min.

 

Are you installing the driver using the Vista compatibility mode or just running the installer normally? Perhaps Aristotelhs2060 can post his process he used when installing the 186.91 driver...

Not saying it will make a difference, but its something else you can try.

 

I'm using the have-disk method with the modded infs

 

Since I'm not on W7 I can't say with 100% certainty but, if you are using a modded INF why are you using the Have Disk method? If the INF was modded properly, you should be able to run the installer without issue.

 

I'm pretty sure that's not how it worked in Vista even...

 

I am attaching the WHQL 186.82 and 186.91 INFs (these support the M17x and require no modding). Try one of those two drivers.

Before running the installer, remove the existing INFs (nvfu.inf) from the top level of the driver directory. Copy and paste this INF (nv_whql.inf) into the top level and launch the installer.

Be sure to uninstall the existing driver first and have the 9400 enabled when installing.

 

well I just got a driver crash then system freeze in 186.91 using modded infs. I'm gonna retry 186.82 using the standard install.

I think I fixed my networking problem. I ran driver sweeper and completely removed the nvidia chipset drivers... I can now get internet with SLI graphics!

 

I've been using the 186.91 drivers for awhile now and I have no crashes or wireless issues. I installed using the method BatBoy described, those INF are actually included with the installer in a zip file, but you need to manually extract and load in the root directory before launching.

 

ok so i uninstalled my previous drivers, restarted twice, ran driver sweeper and ccleaner, then installed 186.82 and my system froze on CS:Source. I'm constantlygetting really bad driver lag.

186.91 freezes too.

Hm.. CS:Source still freezes, but Fallout3 is stable. I still get audio stuttering.

 

Koshinn - I had the same problems with shuttering and connectionissues under win7. I disabled the Hybrid graphics and integrated card in the bios, uninstalled the hybrid software and i'm running just straight 280 SLi and everything so far is fine. Right in the bios is says the Hybrid option is for Vista only. I didnt think win7 would differ but I guess it does. I messed with Vista 64 for a couple days and everything worked flawless. I Installed win7 32bit and i'm hitting some bumps. Nothing major just small bumps. I'll decide if I'm going to stay with win7 or go back to Vista in a week or so.

 

i installed the the 186.91 straight from the installer with both card enabled and hybird sli on and they have worked perfect for me. the modded inf work perfectly.

 

Won't official drivers be available in 4 or 5 days?

 

i installed 186.91 as usual using the modded additional inf files (otherwise its not installed). thus i think it has better performance to me than the 186.82 one. as for the net speed i use internet download manager to increase speed. no difference in speed in comparison with vista x64. also be sure to have hybrid sli enabled when installing a new driver. thus use the correct method to uninstall a previous nvidia driver before install a new one.


something i also noticed in comparison with vista x64 is the reduced benchmark06 rating(around 500 points)

 

Will our free upgrade be available on October 22, 2009, the release date?

 

Also, how would you go about upgrading your system to win 7?

 

1. I believe Microsoft is shipping out the disks once they release Win7. That is if you entered in the code and stuff.

2. If you are getting an upgrade disk, the only way to install is to do it over Vista. I did it with one of the release candidates and it worked out just fine...

 

Entered the code...could you elaborate?

I do remember receiving some sort of CD key for win 7 i think, but what do I do with it? How does Microsoft know to ship it to me? Is there a tracking number i can get?

Thanks

 

The new Nvidia chipset drivers screwed up my WLAN. Icant see or connect to any WiFi anymore.

 

you go to the link on the card, enter in the key, then enter in your shipping address and the type of Vista you're currently running. I think you can get an auto-generated e-mail when it goes out though I can't remember since it was a couple weeks ago that I did this...

 

Same here (also Windows 7). I think it's actually the new Nvidia Chipset drivers in combination with any of the Nvidia Video drivers, as I didn't have any problems with WLAN connection with the same ForceWare drivers before I installed the new chipset drivers.

Update: Actually, it appears that only the chipset driver is responsible for wireless not to work properly anymore. I just looked and as soon as I install it, my WLAN drops from 216-260Mbps down to 11 or 27 Mbps or no connection at all.

 

Yeah, used driver sweeper to completely remove the chipset drivers and now I'm getting amazing WLAN speeds and no connection problems at all.

 

The weird thing is, that no matter which chipset driver I install, even if it's just manual install of the Coprocessor, it bugs out. Using System restore didn't help either. I'm at a loss.