M17x screen auto-dims/brightens?

Hey guys. Finally got my m17x and she's a beaut to say the least. However there is one minor annoyance that keeps bugging me..

During video, depending on the picture, the image will sometimes flash dim or brighten randomly. It's pretty subtle, but can be distracting. I believe its some kind of auto-dim feature built into the screen. Are you guys familiar with this? Is there a way to turn it off?

Thanks...

 

I guess your M17x is a R1/R2 with CCFL screen.

The CCFL screen auto dims when the screen is showing a dark image. This feature can not be turned off.

The WLED (R3) and RGBLED (R2 with screen upgrade) does not auto dim.

 

Is there a way I can tell what screen I have? It's the 1080p R3 version...

 

The 1080p R3 60/120Hz is WLED. The screen should not auto dim (unlike the CCFL screen).

This is probably a gpu driver issue. Reset everything to default in the GPU control panel. If the issue still remains try a full power drain.

To do a full power drain, follow these steps:
*Remove battery, coin cell battery and power plug.
*Hold the start button for 30 sec.
*Reinsert the batteries and power plug
*Start up the computer.

 

Hmm..... When you say GPU control panel, do you mean the AMD catalyst control center? I don't think that could be the issue, as I just took this thing out of the box 20 mins ago and haven't changed any settings whatsoever.

I'm not sure if I'm explaining the problem right.... It does't just dim, it will randomly kind of flash, whether the picture is bright or dark at the time regardless.

 

I meant the AMD catalyst control center. I did not know if you had an AMD or nVidia card so I called it "GPU control center".

If the computer is fresh out of the box, the drivers should not be an issue. The screen should not auto dim, so I would recommend giving Dell a call. I suspect this is a hardware issue (GPU).

 

Check out the video I recorded here:

‪VID00064‬‏ - YouTube

Watch from :11. Its a bit hard to tell cause my camera is crap, but you can see it sort of fade in and out quickly if you look closely.

 

I would update the drivers first, then go from there.

 

Specific source where I can update them from? Cause device manager says its up to date....

Sorry, I'm new at this

 

Which graphics card do you have at the moment? The 6870, 6970, 6990?

 

got the 6990m

 

Go to here, Global Provider of Innovative Graphics, Processors and Media Solutions | AMD

Mouse over to Support & Drivers, then input your specs.
Notebook and Radeon HD series. Then put in the 69xx series.
Download what it mentions and you should be fine.

 

Appreciate it man. I'll let you know how it goes.

 

Think it might be too new. I get an error saying its not compatible when I try to install.

 

Check a few things please.

First download these programs.

CPU-Z, GPU-Z, HWmoniter.

Then tell me your exact system specs and current bios,(A01-7).

 

In process now.

Just downloaded newest driver from Dell's site. Problem is still happening. Attached another video for your reference.

If you look close you'll see the screen flashes/fades as the emperor spins his chair around.....almost like a flicker actually..

‪VID00065‬‏ - YouTube


Update:

Definitely not an issue with the screen itself. When I play a video in window mode, the problem only happens within the video. GPU problem I suppose...

 

alright, i just need processor, gpu, and current bios.
Restart your comp, press F2 when you see the alienhead loading screen, and check in the bios for your current version. It's usually labeled as A01-07. You should be on the A07 bios. Or the A04 if you prefer. After that, try this.

Well...here's a bit lengthy part that will not be fun for most people.

I'm going to assume you downloaded the 11.7 Drivers from the AMD site and still have it ready to install. Also download "Driver Sweeper." When you download it, it should be from the Phyxion.net

Press the Window Key then type in "Device Manager.
Right click on your gpu, the 6900 series card, and choose uninstall.
Once its uninstalled, run the driver sweeper and choose every amd/ati option, and choose to clean it. Afterwords, restart your computer.

On restart, run the 11.7 driver you should have, and it should install. If it doesn't. let me know.

This is just the general way I install vid drivers, it may be different for amd users. So, just wait a few hours and the other amd people will be able to help out more specifically than me.

If it does work, and the flickering persists, you may have to call dell.

 

Hey, I've got the exact same "problem" you're having. Only, mine auto-dims when my M17x is on battery power and at a brightness setting that is not max. It works just fine if you have it plugged in and at max brightness, at least for me.

I think it's some kind of power saving feature?

 

Just to let you know, the official drivers from the Dell site downloaded okay, its just the AMD ones that didnt work. So, if I do this method, it should recognize it okay?

 

Well...you are single card so it should be okay. It's up to you though. Stay up to date with amd? or stick with the slightly old dell drivers.

If the flickering still persists, you probably need to replace the display.

 

This is getting weird. I'm running drivesweeper at the moment and I only have ONE AMD option, and thats display. The rest are....NVIDIA?!?

 

Bios is A06.

Catalyst driver from AMD website is still saying incompatible with my hardware.

Update...again:

Strangely enough Pinkie, my problem seems to be happens at the exact OPPOSITE time yours is occurring. I just tried unplugging the battery, and the problem disappeared! It's only happening plugged in!

 

You should update to the A07 bios, its stickied on the forums at the top.
After that, ask around for help on installing the amd ccc. I'm an nvidia user, so i'm guessing the methods are quite different.

Good luck though

 

Do NOT download drivers from AMD's website. They do NOT work.

Download Catalyst drivers here:

http://www2.ati.com/drivers/mobile/11-7_mobility_vista_win7_64_dd_ccc.exe

Save the above URL and use that whenever a new driver version is released. Simply replace the "11-7" with "11-8" for instance, when the 11.8 drivers are finally out. You'll have to go to AMD's website to find out when a new version is released though.

 

Worked like a charm! Thanks guys!!

 

mine seems to only happen when it's on intel HD and i have brightness to minimum, sometimes it'll light up a little when i'm browsing.