So, a problem...

I have graphics issues. BSOD, odd full-screen flashing accompanied by becoming non-responsive and forcing a hard reboot, and finally black screen followed by driver crash recovery.

The bluescreen reports the problem being the nvlddmkm.sys error. I have upgraded driver to the 296.10.

My machine is, obviously, an Alienware m17x with dual gtx 260m cards in SLI.

I have the integrated graphics disabled, currently, and am using the 260's. Earlier, I had enabled the integrated graphics to see if I still got crashes. None after three days.

So, I opened the case to check to see if a card had somehow come loose or something, and discovered the SLI connector was loose. After reseating the cards and the SLI connector, I put everything back together. I disabled the integrated graphics again, and went back to using the 260's. This morning, I got the full-screen color flashing and had to hard reboot.

I checked to see if I had a c:\windows\minidump but no, I don't have one to give.

I suppose my primary question is this: how do I tell which of the two cards is going bad? Pull both and test them one at a time?

 

Uninstall all your Nvidia drivers and use Ccleaner & driver wiper to clear all of the Nvidia files/software off the system. If your Nvidia cards still show up in device manager using Nvidia drivers, uninstall them and check the "delete the driver software for this device" and reboot. What you're trying to do is get Windows to start up with the Nvidia cards using the generic VGA adapter card drivers included with Windows. Then download and install the default Nvidia driver package from Dell Drivers and Downloads site (use your service tag to get the right one). Install them and see if you get the BSOD or freezes or screen flashing. If you do, shutdown and remove the second card from the laptop. Start up and see if there are any problems again. If there are, shutdown and swap the cards out. BSOD's tend to be caused by corrupted or faulty drivers and files. But freeze ups can be either software or hardware malfunctions. Using the Dell drivers package for the 260m will minimize any chance of the drivers being the problem.

 

You can try this article. If you still have the issue then you can try one video card at the time and if the issue is just with one of them you can send us an e-mail to AWSocialMedia@dell.com with your tag, phone and a brief description of the issue so that we can send a replacement.