*OFFICIAL* "All Powerful" M17x-R2 Edition Owner's Lounge - Part 2

FWIW I've also run into problems with driver sweeper in the past and have stopped using it. The ATi install manager does the job well enough and I haven't had any issues since then.

 

So i just Uninstall the Dell Driver. Reboot and install the ATI Driver?

 

Yep -there is nothing wrong with that.

Although you are discussing DriverSweeper and ATI, I have to agree as well. The only time I will use DriverSweeper is if an NV install is completely hosed from mucking about with the INF and other areas.

Just use the Programs and Features CP to uninstall/the ATI uninstaller. Once done, I would follow with CCleaner Registry in Safe Mode just to clear out left overs. CCleaner has never caused any issues for me. Once complete, reboot normally and run the driver installer.

*Note: Be sure that Windows Hardware (Automatic Driver Install) is not enabled. This may be causing an issue as it will automatically load the WU driver. I prefer to have the OS load the Standard SVGA driver and then I tell it what to load.

Also, lets leave any labeling out of the posts. Its not necessary.

 

You are probably right on this subject, but I also Killed an Nvidia setup with DriverSweeper.
From that point I started to just uninstall GPU drivers through the software screen in Windows and afterwards run CCleaner, nothing more! Then install new drivers and it works like a charm! (Except if you have that hiddeous; Windows Hardware (Automatic Driver Install) option enabled, which has to be banned once and forever.

 

LOL - 100% on the money Dutchy. DriverSweeper should only be used as a last resort. The author needs to crank up the coding enviro and update it.

 

just an update on how to disable the automatic driver installation from windows update :

open gpedit.msc
Computer Configuration->Administrative Templates->System->Device Installation->Device Installation Restrictions->Double Click "Prevent Installation of devices not described by other policy settings"
choose enable
press Ok.
Restart and you're done

 

So, turns out zenith here is right.
You HAVE to have some kind of version of the driver in order for the 10.3 to be installed. Otherwise it won't install.

Here's what i did since the beginning :

1. Uninstall catalyst 10.3 beta that was installed.
2. Go to device manager and right clicking on each card i chose uninstall driver.
3. gpedit to disable windows update drivers install (previous post)
4. restart to safe mode
5. ccleaner for applications and registry
6. boot and run catalyst_mobility_64-bit_util.exe - the file was downloaded from amd website. This is just the downloader that supposed to download the real installation file.
Here's what i get :


So i say ok.. It can't recognize the video card installed, so i decide to let windows install it's driver

7. gpedit to enable windows update driver.
8. from device manager i choose rescan hardware, it downloads microsoft driver and asks for a restart.
9. restart
10. run catalyst_mobility_64-bit_util and it successfully downloads the 10-3_mobility_vista_win7_64_dd_ccc.exe 70mb installation file.
10. I say ok, so now when it's downloaded i don't need the MS driver anymore.
11. back to gpedit ,disable MS update driver download.
12. from device manager uninstall both cards
13. restart.
14. Try to run 10-3_mobility_vista_win7_64_dd_ccc.exe
15. It runs, i choose custom install
16. I get to this screen :

Problem is - it installs everything BUT the screen driver, the log file is here : http://www.4shared.com/file/249837526/7b06e7/ati_report_without_ms_driver.html (you need both files in the archive to see the report)
17. Back to gpedit to enable ms drivers + installing them from device manager.
18. Run 10-3_mobility_vista_win7_64_dd_ccc.exe again and the installation completes w/o problems.

Log file here : http://www.4shared.com/file/249837526/7b06e7/ati_report_without_ms_driver.html

Here's the screenshot of current version of catalyst driver :




Bottom line - you've got to have any kind of driver to install those.

 

Thanks! Now if I only had a M17x to do that on! Oooh well max. 2 months without a laptop still...
If I have it, I will defenetly follow the steps above again.

 

Actually, what I did was express uninstall everything, reboot, MS did install its drivers, and I know because with MS's drivers only one card works.

Then I installed the 10.3 and NOW both cards work with 10.3

So...your point is ?

 

Downloaded 10.3 drivers from front page link (this thread)

Installed over existing driver, while blindfolded

no issues

 

like i said. no problems if you have any kind of driver installed. Just do not uninstall the driver or you won't be able to install those.

 

Well I guess i'd have to ask why people are trying to out-smart the installer?

If you run it and THEN have issues run through the paranoid uninstall, cleaner, re-install routine.. but for a simple new driver? too much effort

 

See my post above......I uninstalled drivers I had and rebooted, ended up with MS drivers then installed the 10.3 and all worked fine.

 

NVidia made me do it!

 

I think ZenithNoesis deserves an apology given the way you talked to him Joker. A certain amount of irony in one of your posts in particular.

 

I don't agree as Zenith was making claims that weren't necessarily true and was very insistent on telling everyone they were wrong

 

hahaha!!! 100% true!

well his claim that you can't install a driver w/o having a previous one installed is true.. he was a little blunt, but ppl here were blunt back so it kinda evens it out

 

I'm pretty sure that wasn't his issue though. It was the fact that he probably messed up a registry entry, as others here have installed fine after removing all previous drivers and disabling the win 7 driver from auto install.

Anyhow you do have a point.

 

I'd say that deserves an apology.

 

We are missing the point. It wasn't a driver problem. It was the order/tools that were used to install the driver.

There is no point discussing this any further. I agree some things were said that weren't necessarily appropriate but we should move on.

 

Yeah, dunno what everyone is talking about. I just downloaded the driver from AMD and installed. No special order or anything. My driver is up to date and installed correctly according to the log. I didn't have to run a "cleaner" or anything.

 

I disagree that they were true...I did just what he said couldent.

 

Zenith insisted that none of us had 10.3 installed. Once he was shown otherwise, he still insisted on people going through convoluted steps involving running a registry cleaner etc. to disable the installer. Why would anyone want to do that?

I don't think so. Read above. The problem is with people unecessarily messing with the registry just like I told him. So where exactly is the irony in that? I'm pretty sure I repeatedly said to stick w/the ATi install manager and there would be no issues--something scook9, who was having similar issues as Zenith, agreed with.

Yup though admittedly I was a bit harsh towards the end, I did try to help him (and went through the trouble of showing him pictures as proof since he demanded it) yet it wasn't good enough.

 

Ok so new driver news should follow.

Performance increases?
Bugs fixed? which ones?
Any still lingering or new issues?

 

Hey guys are you installing only 10.3, or are you also loading the CrossfireX profiles from AMD?

 

I installed 10.3 and also the profiles. All seems well.

 

I'll linger with the beta for some time. Too lazy to do it now.

 

The beta is probably 99% the same as the final version 10.3's from ATi's website. lol

 

Probably. And since it's working perfectly for me right now,- no need to rush.

 

So Alienware is sending a tech onsite to work on my Alienware. The part does not arrive until Monday and the tech will not stop by until anytime between 1pm-5:30pm. All times that I will be at work. I do have someone that will be here so the tech can work, but am very afraid they will scratch up/destroy my M17x.

I am thinking of just taking it apart for them and leaving it open until they come to install the part. This way they only have to put it back together. I think there is a smaller chance of it getting destroyed that way.

What do you guys think? I have the service manual for the M17x R2 and can take out the video card myself without damaging anything.

 

If the tech works on it and damages the system, you can request a replacement system be built. I woudln't take it apart beforehand because then if the tech does mess something up, he can blame it on you.

 

Ok, thanks. So nervous about this, but I will hold back till he's done. From what I am reading on these forums, the secondary card replacement will fix my issue. Can't wait.

 

Ok not to add fuel to the fire but... I downloaded cat 10.3 and didnt uninstall anyhing first. It said it was downloaded sucsesfull. So how do I verify what version I have? Sorry I am not the best with this stuff.

 

Just run the installation, you can choose the default one and it should be fine.

 

I just checked Catalyst Control Center under "Graphics Information" and the driver version shows there.

 

Well I finally got my woes sorted out with the drivers.....just reverted back to a 2 week old image of the drive, moved the data that needed updating, and just installed 10.3 over the beta I had before.

Driver sweeper is the devil

 

Wow if you are waiting for mobile Fermi, I think you have a while to wait:

http://www.hardocp.com/article/2010/03/26/nvidia_fermi_gtx_470_480_sli_review/1

Hot, loud, power hungry, and most importantly no better than the 5000 series.

nVidia has failed this time around.

Mobile 5870's in XF it is

 

CF 5870's should dominate for quite some time.

I still can't believe how good the single 5870 systems have been.

 

well I checked my version of catalyst and its 8.7 something. Anyone have the patience to help a dummy get this rolling?

 

how can we help trd1 ?

 

Probably...

 

Suddenly, I don't want to see the mobile Fermi.

Did you download and run the latest catalyst 10.3?

 

I downloaded 10.3 and now I have no CCC. Should I uninstall all ati catalyst and try again?

 

Did you install 10.3 over another driver or did you wipe the old drivers and install fresh?

 

M17xR-2 On the 10.3 do you need to download just the driver or the whole catalyst suite that includes the control center. Will the 10.3 update improve anything else such as HD video editing, viewing Bluray video or anything other than games..

 

Download the whole suite. It's gonna improve quite a few things. One of the issues with the stock drivers is a system freezing when unplugging the power cord and running on battery.

 

Can't say I see improvements over the 10.3 beta though..

 

Shouldn't be much different, that's why.

 

Sleeyo I cant get the catalyst control cecter to install, I uninstalled using the ati program then reinstalled. When I hit the finish tab nothing happens doesnt ask for a restart doesnt launch anything nothing. Can you walk me through. I must be doin something wrong.

 

It doesn't necessarily ask for restart. Just enter the CCC and check the driver version