M17xR3 w/460M - Dell OEM Nvidia driver issue

Which driver are you folks using from the NV site which is causing issues? Can someone recap for me (yeah, its the weekend and I'm being lazy) what are the issues here?

Looking for:

1. What is the issue(s) with the Dell driver ( 266.08)

2. Which NV Reference Driver are you having issues with and what is the problem?

3. Can someone head over to here ( http://www.geforce.com/#/Drivers) and run NV's auto detect and post back which driver they suggest?


Thanks guys.

edit: just noticed the post above this one... docz, can you reply back with your specs? 120Hz or non-3D bundle?

 

I installed the Intel HD graphics first. Nvidia drivers were the last thing I installed, even after the Alienware software. I wanted to make sure everything else was stable.

Perhaps you should uninstall all the graphics drivers, including the Intel HD, then reinstall the Intel first, followed by the Nvidia? Mandrake or someone else may have a better answer as my experience with the clean install and driver loading went smoothly. No freezes or STOP errors.

Sorry I can't be of more help.

 

I have had zero BSOD with OEM nvidia drivers on this optimus r3

My driver install order was something like this:
chipset
free fall sensor
wireless
intel graphics
nvidia graphics
...the rest (except HD audio - I still haven't installed that)

 

Thats a good order. On Optimus enabled systems the intel driver should always be installed before the NV.

 

No issues so far. Stable and good frame rates.

Tried 266.58 and it reported that it couldn't find a supported GPU.

"Compal requires that you download the driver for your GPU from their support site."

And the spelling "Compal" is an accurate quote from the Nvidia site, not a typo.

 

Well then, first - thats how you spell Compal...

Second, perhaps that is the issue some were having with the dell driver. Intel first then NV...

as for the 266.58 reference driver, its most likely the INF.

 

Compal is the original manufacturer or ODM for the M17xR3. They are also the largest computer manufacturer in the world. (last I checked)

 

REMOVED.

Reports that performance is suffering with this modded driver. Others are reporting the dell driver is performing better.

 

I was not aware of this. Thought it was some mistake and that it meant Compaq. Never heard of Compal.

Since my Dell install appears stable and Optimus seems to be working, I'll hold off on using BatBoy's modded .INF and the 266.58 drivers, but I'm curious to hear the results from others who try it.

 

I'm gong to try it after I finish this battery life test and re-bench with 06, vantage, and specviewperf (as a reference)

 

100% agree. If you are not having issues, stick with what you have. Even if the modded INF for 266.58 works and it happens to slightly increase bench#s, is it really worth it in the long run? My take: NO. Stick with what works.

 

Kunekaden, is this your most recent screenshot with the IGP on? Can you describe your current system settings? Only thing that's obvious is that wifi is ON via the screenshot

Thx

 

No.
I'll make a battery life thread later, when I'm done all my testing.

 

Looking forward to the specifics and photos. Perhaps it'll be the make or break thread for me keeping 460m or not.

vikingrinn says that Nvidia will release better drivers, which'll bump the battery life, just like in the m11x. I hope he's right.

 

This was exactly why I chose to go with the 460M rather than the ATI 6870: a history of reliable driver updates with steady improvement. ATI/AMD is better than they used to be in this area, but are still playing catch-up with Nvidia.

I tried ATI on the desktop I built back in August, but have mixed feelings about their drivers.

I have faith that we'll see improvements in all areas with the 460M.

 

Need more good news folks, if I'm to keep my 460m. Convince me!

...And you folks better not be the so-called "fanboiz" that I used to read about on various nvidia vs. ati threads on other desktop forums.

 

I'm actually a bit more of an AMD/Ati fanboy if anything but am liking my 460m quite a bit so far. 3D on tv's I've seen/used has been very gimicky but 3D gaming with this combo is actually very cool. The drivers seem to be awesome but with Optimus you're in a different situation as modding drivers is very hard for Optimus setups so you're at the mercy of others and Nvidia. There's ups and downs to both setups but I'm definitely not regretting mine so far

 

I'm about ready to just pay someone to get my OCZ up and running w/o any BSODs and video issues - anyone wanna make some extra cash??

 

That much trouble, huh? Couldn't Dell techsupport on the phone help you? I've always wondered what type of people and for what problems do people call them for? Is it just old grannies who don't know how to turn on their computers?

 

I don't think I would contact Dell for this issue...? Was fine until I tried to use this OCZ drive. I think I'll pull it, pack it, and ship it back lol

 

If you can find someone in the Dallas area I'm sure someone would be willing to help you, only issue is if the guides that are already up don't help you there isn't much anyone will probably be able to do without having your rig in their hands. The OCZ drives are awesome but if you're having that many issues and don't have any other options you may want to consider getting and Intel or Samsung drive, they're both awesome drives and shouldn't cause you any issues at all.

 

For system configured to enable Optimus:
Is it possible to only install Nvidia's drivers (do not install intel) and use the system as if it were non-optimus?


EDIT:
Nevermind, the answer is no (I just tested).



Now, does anyone know if I can install an AMD card (from Dell) in my r3 and get it to work?
I'm at the point where I'll need to return this laptop if I can't get my issue sorted out.

 

Yeah kinda figured that - I am done with SSD for now. Definitely done with OCZ SSD. I may try again in the future with a different brand, but I had to re-do everything on my HDD and the Respawn disc I made didn't come through like it should've. There are still some bugs I need to work out (Logging in, I don't have the AW screen - it's regular Windows) but I'll call Dell and get them to log in and fix it

Sending back the SSD I bought from Newegg and since it's non-refundable, I'm asking they swap it out for one that's already updated to FW 1.28, but they will probably send me another 1.27. It'll end up on Ebay I'm sure lol

 

hi what's BSODs stand for?

 

Blue Screen of Death

Guess it's our affectionate way of writing it out...

 

What issue again? The battery life or random crappy fps/lag issue?

 

Has anyone tested a Samsung SSD with the R3? Are there actually no driver issues with those or any other SSD manufacturers?

 

Isnt the Dell ssd samsung? mine is blazing fast and not a single issue for a week almost

 

Yeah, it is, I was just wondering maybe there would be Nvidia driver issues if someone installed a samsung or intel ssd on their own or if in fact, those ssd's are natively supported. It's probably a noobie question but just curious as I plan on upgrading to a SSD

Depending on cost and timing, I may go with an OCZ ssd vertex II (getting really good reviews and I think it's a bit cheaper than a samsung drive) or just wait on a SATA III drive.

 

Once I got past the firmware update hiccups on the OCZ Vertex2, I had smooth sailing. Win7 install went fast and no driver problems other than trying the various options for the Nvidia driver.

Pretty happy so far. Looking forward to steady driver improvements in the next few months.

 

My biggest issue is when i finish installing all the drivers except command because i need dotnet. it runs fine... the moment i run install to get service pack 1 it get bsod.. this is on my ssd hybrid momentus, on my corsair sata 3 ssd, i got further and actually got the service pack 1 installed, but the next day it crashed and i couldnt figure out why so i dropped the ssd tried the hybrid.. if i just run the stock 300gb it runs perfect, but i want to get my ssd's to work. dont know if its the dell drivers or something else.. >.<

 

bump since this still isn't resolved and people are not blaming their SSDs for Dell/NVidia's failure

 

The interesting this is, I can't even install the intel hd3000 drivers at all. It just says "nope your computer isn't compatible". Maybe it's just disabled for 120hz 460 computers.

 

Onboard graphics are disabled for 120hz...This has been discussed numerous times.

You can't install what isn't there

 

Figured as much. Too bad I can't clip my computer's eyes open. LOOK IT'S THERE!

So without the ability to force the usage of IGP, how are people getting 3-3.5 hours with the 460 120hz set up?

 

I have no F'n clue

I can barely get 1.5 hours... But I leave WiFi on and brightness at 100%...

There was a device that was a portable charger for like $200-500 but I can't find it anymore, was pretty nifty looking.

 

Yea I saw the $500 PSU thing, great for gaming on battery at maximum power but geez, it's $500.

 

Got the link?

 

I don't, however, I think the thread was called "gaming on battery low performance" or something like that. Should only be a few pages back. Or "low fps when on battery"

 

lol that was my thread i think

EDIT: Yup

http://www.batterygeek.net/Super-Mobile-Freedom-Power-Commercial-Series-s/79.htm

 

I remember that link lolz. If one day I happen to have lots of dough leftover, I'd buy one of those.

 

hey guys,

I was wondering if you guys ever faced the problem running skype on your alienware. I tried it and whenever Skype if turned on, my whole computer starts to have short lagging periods like for 1 or 2 seconds, then resumes back again. Its quite annoying and i'm wondering if anyone of you can help me with this problem.

 

Hi all,

I brought M17xR3 in september and i have recently been having huge BSOD problems during game play on it. After trawling through several sites and forums i found that my NVIDIA driver was out of date, and was advised to uninstall it. Ever since then i have been unable to install the updated NVIDIA driver for the Gefore 460M card i have in the laptop. Each time it tells me i either have no compatible hardware or to go to compal where their driver manager does not even pick up the device.

Ever since i uninstalled the driver i have NOT been getting any BSOD's, using the Intel graphics driver that was already on the system as well, but is there anything i can do to get the updated NVIDIA driver? It kind of seems pointless having the graphics card if i cant use it!

Is there any information you guys need from me? Any advice you all can give me would be great, as while i can use PC's im not that great in regards to the software/hardware side of things!

Thanks.

 

skype works great on my computer. What you are experiencing sounds more like your internet connection or a router QoS issue

are you downloading the mobile driver? Here, ...official 285 verde mobile drivers. Try these

http://www.geforce.com/Drivers/Results/39066

 

you could also try the new beta drivers. I haven't had a problem with them so far and they are optimized for the latest games here is the link to the beta drivers if you wanna try them.

 

Ok, so I don't have to start a thread, and this thread is similar to my question... I have the 267.64 stock driver from dell, and I would really like to update to one that supports BF3 gameplay and I downloaded the beta driver from the support page but I lose the HDMI-In feature. Am I going to have to wait for them to make a new driver? Or is there one that allows me to use it? Thanks in advance. :]

 

the newest beta driver from nvidia is the best for BF3 from what I have heard, but you lose the HDMI-In feature so its a lose/lose situation I guess

 

NVIDIA supports the 460m now, so go to their site and download the latest version. You don't need to modify anything to install the drivers.

I didnt lose any functionality whatsoever and I'm running v290.36

 

Yup, I do kinda need the HDMI in. :/ Thanks anyways BTM (BigTonyMan)

Sooo, HDMI-In works? *Crossing my fingers*

 

I'd say test it and see. If it doesn't work you can always role back.