New Replacement - 25x Multiplier A08 BIOS, Help with 940XM

Hi all, i just received my replacement laptop, M17xR2 with specs in my SIG. ok, First thing first, it came with A08 BIOS dated 24/8/2010 and the max turbo multiplier for all cores is 25x by default, just like the original A07! this is totally different from the A08 BIOS released to public with intel default multiplier. I double checked this using throttlestop, and a fresh copy of throttlestop gives me 25x across all 4 cores. checkout the image.

the second thing is about the 940xm in the replacement. it is NOT overclocking friendly. i've replaced the thermal paste with AC-MX3 (done it over and over again for 4 times now). temperature seems ok, quite similar to what i had before. allow me to elaborate.

1. with everything default, when i set 5% OC in BIOS, system would bluescreen during boot or wPrime (2 threads)

2. without BIOS 5% OC, and using throttlestop to set multiplier for first 2 cores to just 27x would give me bluescreen when running wPrime (2 threads)

3. after much trial and bluescreens, i determined that the stable speed for 940XM that came with the new system is anything LESS than 3.5GHz which is really horrible. Comparing it to my first system, that 940XM can easily hit 28x for 3 cores running at 3.8GHz during wPrime (2-3 threads tests)

so, instinctively, i went on to remove the 940XM from my old system and install it into the new one, feeling happy that my alienware is finally the system i dreamt of. HELLO!!! WAKEUP CALL!!! Within less than an hour of use, laptop shuts down by itself while i was watching video. i've reported this before and didnt get this issue resolved. here is the reference thread.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m17x/516813-new-m17xr2-randomly-shut-down-help-needed.html

so now i can pretty much confirm that the cause of the random shut down for my previous laptop is the CPU, not the Motherboard, which is really wierd considering how robust CPUs are and not to mention, a 940XM which is supposed to be quality tested (hand picked?) before shipping.

if you are still following me, here is the problem. i have a defective 940XM cpu that overclocks like how an extreme cpu should be, and a working stable (at stock) 940XM cpu but is not OC friendly. what should i do?

if i contact dell, i would imagine they will give me the same stupid reason that OC is not supported even with extreme cpu and 5% OC Option in BIOS. if i decide to keep the replacement system stable at stock cpu, i feel that the EXTREME premium i paid for is NOT giving me EXTREME performance. is there anyway i can get dell to send me a 940xm cpu? also, will i void warranty if i replace the cpu myself?

 

So you ended up with a brand new replacement for nothing?

 

depends on how u look at it. i've got a special A08 BIOS that is NOT locked to intel default mulitplier, and a stable 940XM at stock speed But doesnt OC well. plus i found out that the defective cpu is the one causing the constant random shut down.

the purpose of this thread is to inform u guys that there are two A08, one which is released to public with locked intel default multiplier, and the other which i just discovered, the one that came with my replacement.

the second purpose is to get some feedback and advice on what i should do with my replacement system's 940XM CPU.

 

I would take which ever CPU is stable at stock clocks. Since thats where it's going to be used most often. Since dell doesn't warrant any overclocking, thats going to be tough to get them to replace it. If you keep the 940XM that isn't stable at stock, then later down the road you might be able to convince them to send out a CPU. It's all a gamble really and in the end your call.

 

Stick with the stable cpu.
Just out of total curiosity have you tried to make a backup copy of your current BIOS and flash to A07 BIOS to test it out. Maybe, just maybe there is something else going on.
You are in a tight spot as far as what to do. BUT this:
1. with everything default, when i set 5% OC in BIOS, system would bluescreen during boot or wPrime (2 threads)
should be reason enough for Dell to issue you another cpu.
Just a guess but the 940XM should be, by Dell standards, able to handle the 5% OC that is enabled via the BIOS.
Unless they let you change out your own cpu (doubtful no matter what experience lvl you have) you may be looking at yet another system exchange or at the least a tech visit. I believe other users have had the tech visit and were allowed to change their own cpu while the tech supervised. But I'm not sure of the circumstances.

 

How do i convince them that i have a defective 940XM? in my years of dealing with pc, i have never seen a case with a defective cpu, at least not a week after purchase. and the symptoms (random power loss/shut down) doesnt look at all like a defective cpu. i can run wPrime for 12 hours straight and it will be rock stable at times, or it can shut down in less than half hour even when browsing web/watching movie.

dealing with those incompetant "tech support"' people is also a major headache. half the time they dont even understand proper english, not to mention technical language. im sure they will replace every single component of the laptop first before getting to the conclusion that cpu is defective.

 

i tried calling them just now, spoke to (yes! yet another incompetent indian tech support) and once he heard i set 5% OC in BIOS, he starts talking nothing else other than "dell does not support OC even if OC is available in BIOS and all cpus are different, some OC better some dont and back to the same thing over and over again".

 

that's a interesting question. how can one show that a cpu is defective to a dummy?

 

Grrrr.... I agree totally. Time to have a look at how that processor is advertised on their site. If it says it can be overclocked by 5% in the BIOS then it darn sure better be able to do it or that's false advertising. You can't explain it to a dummy. They read from scripts most of the time. Kind of like 911 does here in the states. The operator isn't necessarily an EMT but they can read from a script to help you until the EMT arrives.
You need to get to the 'EMT' at tech support and I'm not sure how.
A thought... with your Complete Care did you purchase the 'Your Tech Team' option? If so you are in luck. Check and see if you did. It will make a difference.
**EDIT**I don't know if this is only available in the states or not.

 

im afraid i dont have that ÿour tech team option in UK. im sure most of us here are fed up speaking to those tech idiots. even reading from script they cant read them with proper english.

 

Unfortunately they have no explicit numbers for either the 920XM or 940XM they are just lumped together as extreme. Wasn't this way before. Oh well.
This is just one of the advertising pics I was talking about since I noticed these are not available via the UK configuration site at Dell.


Wasn't of much help. If it comes down to it maybe you can get Brian to help you with the proper way to address your issue or prove to tech support that it's your cpu and not other components. I wish you luck and maybe someone who knows exactly what to say can help you better than I.

I hear ya on the accents. It doesn't help if neither of you can understand what is being said either due to accents or tech knowledge.

 

thanks for your feedback. much appreciated.

 

Strange....I didn't knew that Dell doesnot support OC. Just a month back one of my friend with R1 replaced his CPU totalled while OC. Looks like it totally depends on the agent you are talking to. If you start being smart then they will let you down by some mean. So, you can act totally dumb and you will get what you want.

 

how did your friend describe his fried cpu? what are the symptoms?

 

Since you already discussed that you OCed the cpu, it will be in Dell's chat history. So, you cannot lie now and follow what my friend did.

 

He doesn't have to lie. Yes he said he OC'ed the 940XM in the BIOS the 5% that is supported or else the ability to do so would be locked down, like the other processors. It is an extreme processor and as such there is a tiny window they will allow.
Besides he can't OC without BSOD'ing even just that 5% in the BIOS and that's the problem. Unless I am totally misreading the original post.
I hope someone who can give you the perfect advice will PM you. Sure wish I could. Still say you should keep the stable cpu and eventually you will have the answers to rectify the situation. Good Luck

 

What I am trying to say is, if he talks with Dell reps and they don't know what to do, then they will just blame him for ocing and leave the case. You know how Indian techs are.

 

I understand what you are saying, believe me I really do. I had to return a system and after 6months of battles I got a refund. In that time period I got some really tech savvy reps that I enjoyed working with; but that was a rare occurance. I can't tell you how many tech reps I came across that my computer illiterate mother could have run circles around. (at least you could understand her when she read a script)
BUT even if you get a rep like that you will have to push for a manager/supervisor/or customer resolution rep until you get to the one person who can understand what is happening and actually help.
You might have to play very dumb at some point or get crafty and find the one way to prove your cpu is defective without ever mentioning overclocking. Even if the irony is that you CAN'T overclock it. It could be as simple as a particular application fails to run properly after the replacement and that particular software application is cpu dependent. I don't know. Wish I did.

I still say that knowing the A08 has changed the turbo multipliers limit and you have A08 installed... you should test out a flash back to A07 to be absolutely sure. Just back up your current BIOS and have a go. At this point what could it hurt?

 

i will try to talk to the customer service guy who helped me with this replacement. there is no point talking to those indian tech reps. it's just a waste of time. even if i decide to play dumb, it would take multiple occasions of repair and replacement (power supply, motherboard, etc..) before they even start to suspect the cpu is faulty. time is a luxury i dont have. but thanks for your advice. i will try to come up with something.

as for the special A08 BIOS i have, it's really strange that alienware would ship a BIOS with the same revision but different from the one they released publically. if anyone requires a copy, i can help out. but i think Brian and his engineering team are working with A09 which is basically almost the same as my current A08, full working 25x multiplier across all 4 cores with mouse lag pooling rate fix.

 

if you would share the symptoms that your friend had that got his cpu replaced, im sure i can work out something. afterall, this forum is about helping people right?

 

Ok then will pm you tomorrow with all the steps...Its time for me to sleep..
Damn...4 in the morning and Im stilll on NBR.

 

thanks. will give it a try