Problem Shutting down/Waking up

Hey!

I bought an Alienware M17XR3 (Windows 7 64 bit) yesterday and I spent the entire day reformating it, I managed to get it all good thanks to BatBoy's clean install driver thread.

I have a few problems, though, some more bothersome than other.

When I tell the computer to Shut down, it logs out and gets to the "Shutting down..." windows screen, but it never shuts down. Rhe screen goes black, but the lights are still on and I can hear the fan blowing from inside (as if it was in sleep-mode) , the only way for me to REALLY shut it down from there is to hold the power button for 4-5 seconds.

Another problem I have is that when I tell it to go to sleep mode, for instance by closing the lid, it won't wake up from sleep again, so I have to hold the power button and restart it.

I followed BatBoy's "clean Windows 7 install" thread.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...er-install-order-guide-alienware-systems.html

Anyone know if I'm missing anything? Drivers from outside that list, or something else?

Thanks in advance for your assistance.

 

Update:

When I tell it to RESTART it shuts down correctly (all lights off and fan off) before powering back up. Why doesn't it shut down properly when I tell it to shut down...

 

Hi,
It,s the first time i read that issue but will try to help you:

First: the sleep mode problem when closing the lid is for each alienware, Sometimes it,s working, but in the majority it will never wake up :/

The shut down error:
I think it can be relied to your wlan card that won't make your laptop shutdown

or try this:
copy/paste on a doc and save it as fix.reg on your desktop and apply it :




Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows

Nt\CurrentVersion\Winlogon]
"PowerdownAfterShutdown"="1"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control]
"WaitToKillServiceTimeout"="1000"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlset\Control]
"WaitToKillServiceTimeout"="1000"

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop]
"WaitToKillAppTimeout"="1000"

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop]
"AutoEndTasks"="1"

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop]
"HungAppTimeout"="1000"

 

Oh wow, thanks! I will try this right away! I'll be back with another reply in 10 min.

Alright, edit:

Nt\CurrentVersion\Winlogon]
"PowerdownAfterShutdown"="1" (was 0)

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control]
"WaitToKillServiceTimeout"="1000" (was 12000)
There were two? Or did you just copy/paste twice?

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop]
"WaitToKillAppTimeout"="1000"

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop]
"AutoEndTasks"="1"

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop]
"HungAppTimeout"="1000"

The last three don't even exist. What I did change didn't solve it though. Screen shuts down but all lights are on, the fan blows inside and it's completely unresponsive until holding the power button... As if in sleep mode.

 

I've had the exact same problem you've had max, at least with the shutting down problem.

It's nothing to do with windows, really. I've done a LOT of tinkering with my M17x, and I've found out that it's to do with the video card hanging at shutdown. You do have an NVidia 460m, right?

It's because of the optimus technology that the card sucks in stability. You should try upgrading your video card drivers to the BETA 280.19 drivers. The ones on the NVidia site might not work though, (could bluescreen at start). However, I found a set of 280.19 drivers that an NVidia tech posted on their forums that address this issue. I could try finding a link to that post..

Anyway, if the drivers aren't the issue, then you'll need to disable optimus completely. You'd have to mod your BIOS like I did though.

 

Thanks for the info Piknikk, I really appreciate it =)

I already updated the drivers, I probably used the same link you did. Found it from an Nvidia tech. Drivers worked and no bsod problems, but it didn't solve the shutdown issue for me though..

Source:
http://forums.nvidia.com/index.php?showtopic=206387&st=0

Btw, is it true that you lose your warranty when you do a clean windows 7 install? I know you lose it if you mod your bios, but if I've already lost the warranty I might as well just do it...

It's pretty rediculous that you have to go as far as to use MODDED bios, and sacrifice your warranty in order to get it working in the first place. Warranty should be for when It's NOT working, you shouldn't lose it in order to make it working on your own.

Again, thanks for the answer... So can you guarantee sacrificing my warranty for modded bios will solve this issue? (Because this is the last issue I have found.) PS: I always hated optimus, it's been nothing but problems.. My games die to 10 fps if I have firefox in the background while playing, since it'll use both drivers at the same time, nvidia for the game and integrated for firefox.

 

It will void the warranty as long as you have the modded BIOS installed, but don't tell Dell and install any other regular BIOS, and you should have your regular warranty back

The modded BIOS will give you a vast amount of options. It'll sort of feel like you OWN your M17x (at least for a techie like me ). It'll give you the option to disable the Integrated graphics card, and the PCI-e card (NVidia card). So basically, you can save power when you're on the go, and have the power of the NVidia card when you're gaming WITHOUT the optimus problems.

You just need to be careful, as you could make your M17x unbootable if you change something wrong.. for example, changing the PowerXPress setting to anything other than a Muxed fixed scheme.

If all goes wrong, you can just do an InsydeH20 BIOS recovery procedure, but it's a real pain, so don't get to it.

Good luck!

Oh, and I almost forgot, the option to toggle between the two cards is under the "Advanced" BIOS menu. Then you go down to the Video configuration. And to toggle...

To the NVidia card:
1. Enable "Special Features"
2. Go into "Integrated Graphics"
3. Set the first option that enables the card to "Disabled"

To the Integrated card:
1. Disable "Special Features"
2. Go into "Integrated Graphics"
3. Set the first option that enables the card to "Enabled"

At least that works for me quite well. Don't want you to screw up and be disappointed with your M17x!

 

Alright, thanks!

I'll build up my courage all day and then possibly go ahead and do that, I'll definitely disable the useless integrated drivers.

Btw, you said you could just go back to the original bios drivers without telling Dell. If I was to do that, would I just install the bios drivers like normally and let them override the modded ones, or is there anything I'd have to uninstall first?

Also, 2 quick questions.

1. Are there any options/configurations I'll lose after disabling Optimus? (except the obvious, not being able to use the integrated card).

2. http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m17x/585515-howto-disable-optimus-m17xr3.html
Does this how:to look good? ^^ I might follow that.

Not sure if I'm going to be able to handle this..

 

When you flash your BIOS, you'll override everything on there, and all the information on it will appear to be whatever BIOS version you install. It's kind of impossible to tell if there was a modded BIOS installed.

You won't lose any options, just gaining more (in the BIOS) . Software-wise, no.

Alright, so it was kind of confusing at first for me to flash the BIOS, so I'll give you some instructions myself.

First, download this archive, it contains everything you'll need to flash your BIOS.
Modded BIOS Stuff.rar

1. Install the HP USB Format tool
2. Open the HP USB Format Disk Tool
3. Choose your USB drive
4. Choose a FAT32 filesystem
5. Check the Quick Format option
6. Check the "Create DOS Startup disk option"
7. Click the ... button, and select the DOS folder that is in the archive
8. Click start to format the USB drive
9. Drag the M17XR3A04.EXE to your newly formatted USB drive
10. Restart the computer and boot into the USB drive (F12 and select USB Storage)
11. Type in DIR to see what files are on the drive
12. Type in M17XR3A04.EXE and press Enter
13. You must now wait until the BIOS has been flashed.

Hope all goes well for you!

EDIT:
If you haven't re-installed windows or anything, your hard drive configuration should still be on RAID. This default setting won't change for you in the new BIOS, so you shouldn't have problems. However, if it's something different, then you'll have to change it accordingly with the new BIOS.

 

Oh my god... Hahahaha, this is way above me but I'll be wild and do it, for the sake of humanity. Let me gather courage for a little bit and I'll start. I very much appreciate your little step by step here, +rep for that.

Can I ask questions just in case, while I do this if I PM you my hotmail, steam, skype or whatever? (I'll be on my stationary)

Thank you very much!

 

I've got time to waste

Sure

 

Okay, so after a few messages back & forth between PiknikkCo and myself I managed to flash the bios and use the mod properly, I want to say thanks to him a final time for taking his time to make that guide and to answer my rediculous questions. Much appreciated, I'd give you more than 1 rep if I could!

BUT!
That didn't fix the shutdown problem. So anyone else have any solutions? Bring it on, I'm ready for anything after this! (haha!) ^^

 

Since you have a brand new system you should contact alienware service about this problem. This is not something you should accept on a brand new laptop.
As suggested before that the graphics adapter was the problem I can say that it has nothing to do with the problem. You have to change the motherboard. I had the same problem when I got my brand new laptop friday last week. Called support and they concluded that the motherboard had to be changed. Got a repair dude to change it on friday. Shutdown and sleep is now working.

 

SIGH...The last thing I wanted to do was to contact Dell...It's probably going to take them 5 weeks to contact me, agree to fix it and return it.

Did you lose any data when they changed motherboard? Would I need to install all the drivers or the modded bios all over again?

 

You have to install some drivers again.
Modded bios also.
If you dont want it to be fixed, don't call them ;-) That is up to you. I have not had any problems calling them.

 

Right click on the Start button, Properties, Start Menu tab. Set "Power button action" to "Shut down." Also controls action on clicking Shut Down on the Start Menu.

 

I didn't know that...Anyway, it's on "shut down".

 

I have the exact same problem as you. Any progress?

my thread btw
http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m17x/602673-shutting-down-problem.html

I wonder who is to blame for this, should we go all out on Nvidia or Intel for a fix here or what ? There must be more ppl with this problem in nvidia system.

 

Well, as the person above me said, Dell screwed up a bunch of motherboards apparantly...The only way you can get rid of this is to send it to Dell, have fun. Kiss your laptop good bye for a month!

I didn't do this, instead I returned it, got my money back and bought an asus g74SX. No Dell trouble!