*OFFICIAL* M17x R3 Owner's Lounge Thread - Part 3

Guys, I just swap my SSD and my other HDD from their original port, and then reinstall the windows. I check in the BIOS first and it detect both of my storage all right. During windows installation, it detect 4 partition. C drive (my SSD, I format it off course), My other HDD, System reserved, and I forget the other one.

There's no problem during windows installation. Just realize when I checked my Explorer, that my other HDD is not there. Only the C drive and system reserved partition. Check the device manager and it detect the other HDD. Off course the BIOS also...

Did I miss some step during installation ? I never had this problem before swapping my SSD into another port.....

 

Right click Computer, select Manage, navigate to Storage..
Your drive should be listed there, right click it, format it and assign a drive letter.

 

Just bumping my question.
Can Win7 backup/restore work the same way as Alienrespawn or other 3rd party apps like Acronis?

And if I get the Ultimate DVD, do I need to fresh FULL install over Win7 HP? Or can I just install as upgrade? Thanks guys!

Edit: This thread seems to be slow the past days. Looks like everybody is busy with the new R4 and forgetting the good old R3

 

Thanks Katalin, it works......

it strange all right, I already have my data there and pretty sure is not an Unallocated space status during first install......

 

Does this laptop use a 90% NTSC Color Gamut or standard 1080p panel?

 

Hey all. I just wanted an opinion from you guys.
Do you use your alienware as your primary machine(which means you use it everytime, including now)or you use it occasionally when you are away for example, as a secondary machine?
At a first glance this might seem a stupid question, buy it will help me decide whether ill buy an alienware or not.
Thanks for your time

 

I use mine as my primary machine.

 

i don't see how one can use M17x as a portable unit.
for me, it's gonna be a main unit that won't leave my desk at home.

 

hey guys to all of you that use the Killer Wireless N-1103 card. What driver do you use? I read that some of you use stock Atheros and others the Bigfoot driver. Which one did you choose and why?

I would prefer to keep the ability to monitor which apps use how much bandwidth etc,... But occasionally the connection got interrupted for a few seconds then resume again (I monitor via the Network Meter gadget).

Thanks in advance!

 

Thanks a lot. I almost decided which laptop i should buy. Anyone else's opinion?

 

I use the Dell driver. It's specifically meant for the killer 1103 whereas the atheros driver is more generic. The killer driver used to be unstable (or so I've heard) but now it's fine. Thats just my two cents though.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using Tapatalk 2

 

Learnt the hard way
I installed my W7 Ultimate on top of the existing HP by just running the .exe setup file and:

1. It was installed flawlessly.
2. It set aside my "old" windows HP on a separate folder which I deleted later.
3. I learnt that I have to reinstall all the drivers due to this so I did.
4. Driver installation went on properly until the .Net framework and Command Center. I got a BSOD during CC installation. So I tried reinstalling it again.
5. I finished and played then had slow FPS and then BSOD. I tried it again and got the same result.

I checked which GPU is running and noticed that R3 is not detecting my 580M from device manager. Although it was detected earlier when I was installing the 580M driver. I even checked it from Device Manager.

I dont know how to read crash dumps so I decided to repeat the installation of Ultimate by booting from the CD and reformatting the boot drive.

And then everything went fine finally.

I hope somebody will answer my question about the Windows backup and restore function. I really want to have a good backup before I encounter some problems.

If ever I get a new or bigger SSD, can I just restore my system to that new SSD? Or does it only work for restoring any working backup to the same SSD?

 

In windows, I prefer use a Create System image rather than back up. It will leave your system "exactly" same like the last time you create it. It's different with system restore function, which not deleted your data even you got it after you create a restore point.

From my experience, as long as you don't delete the System Reserved partition during windows installation, you can put your system image into different SSD or HDD. Yesterday I try to swap My SSD from port 0 into port 1, and put my other HDD into port 0. I put my system image on my HDD and it's work fine.OS, Display, wallpaper and everything is same like before I create the restore point. Off course, with the HDD speed.....

 

Thanks for the reply. Yes that's exactly what I meant and want to know. I used create image and saved the image on the secondary drive. So the image created can be restored to any drive in case its needed?

Lets say my primary drive gave up and I have to replace it and my system image is saved in the 2nd drive. Can I go straight to system restore from boot and restore the system in the image to the new primary drive?

 

Umm... I'm not sure about that if you plan to change your hard drive. My only worries is in which drive you put your system reserved partition. If you have it in your primary drive (which that you will be removed) then you can't do restore process (need suggest from other member to confirm this). But if you still have system partition, let's say like I'm doing in my system. I put my system image on my HDD external (WD passport essential) and always restore from there. But I didn't replace my drive, so my reserved partition still there.

Everytime I do a fresh install including formating my system reserved partition, I can't restore my image.

My suggestion is rather than using a windows, better you using a clone drive like Ghost or something for your image backup.....

 

Hey guys I am looking for the latest driver to install over my current one. The ones I get from the website don't seem to be right for the 6970m. I try to install and it gives me an error saying contact provider etc...

The last time I updated was around December when swtor came out (I am on 11.10). Now I am trying to play Diablo3/Natural Selection2/Dota2 and I experience sudden yet random fps drops that I think will get help from better drivers.

 

install these:

AMD Catalyst 8.97 18 April – 7900 MOD – BenchmarK3D

this is what i have on my computer now and they are fabulous

 

thanks for the help slickdude80 =]

how does that one compare to AMD Catalyst 12.4 WHQL – 7900 MOD – BenchmarK3D ?
I looked at the supported list and I do not see the 6970m!

 

Your GPU will be AMD6720.1 = “AMD Radeon HD 6900M Series”

That's what it is on the link Slick posted. It's not on the one you posted though.

 

I think the one I linked is wrong. I never used an amd driver 8.xx always was 10.x and higher.

Should I be driver sweeping before installing? Should I install during safe mode?(I don't like this idea and I do not care for the intel switchable graphics)
Or can I just install it over 11.10??

 

Install over

 

Its not a good idea to try R4 system bios on R3 is it?

 

FYI - for those with new systems arriving...

 

No, it's not. Different motherboard etc.
But i don't think it'll even start flashing.

 

Any driver recommendations for the 6970M? I think I have 11.5.

 

the last driver i used with my 6990m was the 12.3 whqls. they worked great and installed without a hitch

 

cant seem to use the 7970m for desktop even with the driver

 

wat? please explain yourself

 

How is everyones temps with the M17x R3? I am running Prime95 and Furmark at the same time with my fans on max thanks to HWiNFO64. Now my GPU temp is great. After about 20 min the temp is 71C! But my CPU is 85C running at 2.4GHz. (Normally runs at 2.2GHz). Seems fine? I would think the GPU would be running a bit hotter due to it consuming twice as many watts.

 

I downloaded the Benchmark Guru 3D Mobility Drivers the other day as I saw those were the latest ones for the 7970M. When I downloaded these last night, and tried to install, it warned me that these were already installed, and installing them again would pretty much be moot.

Hm, I see that these Dell ones are about a day old, yet the other ones from Benchmark Guru are a few days older. What gives? Same driver, but just official by Dell...or? The only difference was some kind of PX thing that wasn't already installed, but I ended up just cancelling the install.

 

Quick question: Does the R4 warrant it's own Owner subforum? Or is there not enough of a difference between the R3 and R4 to warrant a new subforum?

Just wondering.

 

just wait a little until all the drivers get sorted out. What version catalyst are you on? 8.34? I'm on 8.97. They are way better. However, they won't work on your laptop because of the integrated graphics ENduro support.

So just wait...the R4 is too new

 

Whichever version the Benchmark Guru ones were, it's definitely 8.xx, just can't think of what the rest was off the top of my head. Also another quick question while we're on the topic of Enduro: the 7970M should kick into high gear when I load up a game, right? Or do I have to manually set my power preferences for all of these?

Just curious, never had a laptop with switchable graphics yet.

 

I've already read on one account about someone getting 5700 on 3dmark11...but they were getting 30fps on WoW. So similarly to nvidia optimus, Enduro isn't working perfectly.

For the time being, i would disable your integrated in your bios. Apparently, the R4 owners have that option in your bios. Then you will be running on 7970m all the time and you won't have to worry about the system deciding which GPU to use.

Eventually, they will fix Enduro or at least give you the ability to white list like you can with nvidia

 

Ah I gotcha, makes sense. I'll probably be doing some Left 4 Dead tonight and will see if it's giving me issues, if it is I'll disable the onboard.

 

hope they get the bugs fixed with Enduro. That would give me an even bigger reason to buy a new machine one of these days

 

Soooo I installed the 8.97 drivers that were recommended and it shrunk my screen resolution even though it was at 1080 (the maximum). I could not figure out how to stretch it to reach the corners. I looked at my monitor,graphics settings/config and nothing. I thought there was a place to do it and there might be... but I could not find it. After this I system restored back to 11.10 and 8.902. My screen went back to normal with the restore. I then tried the 12.4 that was recommended in a thread and it actually installed fine, not shrinking the screen size. I went to test out natural selection 2 (in beta) and it felt much more choppy and more fps drops then before. I again decided to switch back to 11.10...but.... it does not feel like it used too =[

any ideas on what to do? I'm pretty noob at driver stuff and dont understand how/what/why it makes the game act differently.

 

I am thinking of a sticky for the best driver for each hardware ..

most of people get so confused with drivers specially with older posts and nobody follows everything ..

suggestions ?

 

I wonder if slick or geo are around. Would like to hear your thoughts on my issue.
With d3 launching I want everything to go smooth!

I wonder if slick or geo are around. Would like to hear your thoughts on my issue.
With d3 launching I want everything to go smooth!

 

Stelio. Sounds like you need to clean out your system with driver sweeper and reinstall fresh. In driver sweeper, choose ONLY "Amd Display".

And i'd use 12.3:

http://download.benchmark3d.com/AMD/Catalyst/12.3/12-3_mobility_vista_win7_64_dd_ccc.exe

With D3 coming later today, I'm pretty sure that a newer driver in the new future will be required that will increase performance.

The good thing is that D3 isn't too demanding...so the horsepower of your card may cover up for issues

 

Had a few quick questions about my M17x R4:

- The Blu Ray drive sometimes makes a quick noise every once in a while, like once every hour or two, wondering if this is normal? No I'm not using it at the time.

- I used HWID to check temps: using a HD3 Gaming Chill Mat with 1 out of 2 of the USB's for power, and the fan settings on the highest for that one USB; getting high 40's-50's C for idle temps, 60's for load on CPU. 47-54 C or so for the 7970M on idle, 60 max on load. These sound right? Stock Paste(s).

- Had a weird issue the other day when trying to play BF3: kept starting the game and it always seemed like the 7970M wasn't kicking in, I know it wasn't because I was getting horrid framerates. After a few reboots, it seemed that the 7970M was now getting used, and everything was smooth. What gives..?

Thanks! Loving the system so far. Is it necessary to do any bios updates or anything like that to get the most out of it? Or? Haven't touched much. Also any better drivers out there other than the 12.4's?

 

The R3 and R4 isn't radically different, so they should have the same thread much like how the R1 and R2 share one.

Some mod should change the thread title.

 

I was thinking the same thing, which leads to...

Agreed.

 

thanks for the tip.

Should I driver sweep and install that 12.3 in safe mode? or does it not really matter?

 

no safe mode required...just driver sweep and when it reboots, you'll be running on default VGA drivers. Then install the 12.3 at that point

 

I did as you recommended and after restarting I went to install 12.3. At the end of the installation it said some warnings had occurred. I restarted and it said no amd driver was foud. Tried to reinstall 12.3 and same warnings occurred.

I'm tryin to restore to before drive sweeping.

 

Also noticing some sound stuttering, when listening to music or watching video. Sometimes when playing games as well. Tried making firefox run in high-performance mode and it seems to have fixed it, but not entirely sure. Haven't noticed the stutters once I tried that 'fix'.

 

Fresh Owner's Lounge here:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...lienware-m17x-r3-r4-owners-lounge-thread.html

If you're questions weren't answered, feel free to repost in the new thread.

Enjoy!