Strange Issues With M17X R3

I just received my M17X R3, and it's been nothing but problems from the second I turned it on.

AlienRespawn was a buggy mess, kept crashing on me constantly. Uninstalled that.

Tried to update display drivers to 11.2, after clearing all traces of the driver, the program says it can't detect my GPU. I would advise others to stick with the current Dell drivers, for now.

Used Windows Update to install several updates at once, I log in and it just hangs there for ten minutes before I decide to do a cold boot.

Not to mention several failed Windows Update procedures (can't remember what I was updating).

Did a clean install following BatBoy's guide, under Device Manager, under Other Devices, there is an unidentified USB Controller and a Network Device. I installed the Dell WLAN card drivers, and it's not properly listed under DM, so I have no idea what that thing is.

Not to mention the fact the resource disc is missing the Command Center app, as well as the USB 3.0 drivers (which refused to install).

But, by far, the most annoying and weirdest thing that keeps happening to me on FF, Chrome, and IE 8, is this weird blur that comes up on You Tube (the video itself and the player controls). When I installed FF 4.0 RC, the entire thing was blurry. Open up Command Center and the app's menu bar as well as some of the controls are blurry. I have the latest Flash Player and Java running, I have no idea what's going on.

Ugh... Makes me wish I didn't cancel my Sager...

Any ideas on how to somewhat fix this mess?

I'm updating to SP1 at the moment, hopefully this helps.

Also, the Intel RST app is blurry too. It's near unreadable.

The 6970M, for me, scored a 6.5 on both graphics tests. Seriously?

http://profile.imageshack.us/user/ineverrelax

Some pictures for reference.

Notice how even Solitaire is blurry, the cards look jaggy and kinda grainy.

IDT image points out that even though the system tray icon should launch at start up, it's not there at all.

It even shipped with the fault B2 chipset, as far as I'm concerned.

I just had a complete lock up, the mouse stopped working, everything froze up, Ctrl + Alt + Del stopped working, had to do a reboot.

Just experienced ANOTHER crash, same exact issues. When I rebooted, and tried to eject a CD from the ODD, it hung there for around 40 sec before actually doing anything. Bear in mind the disc was not running at all.

And there's the THIRD crash, it just powered off and restarted.

There is no doubt in my mind that there's a hardware issue.

Fourth crash today. Was trying to install the WLAN card while playing some music, stuttering occurred, system crashed.

 

are running 1024x768? blurry?

I hope you created your restored dvds before uninstalling AlienRespawn...

 

Can you do a fresh install perhaps?

 

I'm running at the native res.

I did a clean install, the resource disc, apparently, is missing some drivers (infrared, USB 3.0), I'm also missing the Roxi media disc, and the like, but that doesn't really matter.

I also believe they shipped mine w/ the faulty B2 stepping chipset, as I observed under CPU-Z. This *may* have something to do with it, given everything I tried has not solved the issue, so it's probably hardware based.

 

How does having the faulty old chipset affect your fresh install? Cuz this is something that we all may be concerned with, and dell with get another verbal thrashing from me if needed.

Please advise, folks.

 

Really considering asking for a replacement model, or just returning it entirely and getting something else.

 

Replace it first. See if they can send you one first, and then you send back the old one. Tell 'em you're using it for school or work or something. Maybe they'll allow it.

 

Yeah, I most likely will.

All in all, I cannot believe this is happening.

Alienware is Dell's premium line, and this is the product they ship out?

I want to get this out just in case the faulty chipset is indeed the cause.

 

Same with the ENVY series. Top-of-the-line my foot. Blame the mergers with Compaq and Dell for the lower-quality

Anywhoo, good luck with your return, and hope to see you continue posting in the AW section once you receive your new (whatever it may be) laptop.

 

I had originally planned on getting a Sager laptop, but decided not to do the freezing issues.

You can read the thread there, no one was able to pinpoint the issue. Some found the issues were fixed through updating some drivers and to SP1. One thing in common, was they all had the faulty chipset.

Perhaps I'm experiencing something similar to this...

 

During the WEI scoring, Are you using the 6970m? Or just the IGP?

 

I was using the 6970M.

 

I can't answer from an M17 R3 perspective, as mine has been flawless to date - received 9 Mar 11. However, I once bought a gaming desktop from cyberpower and had similar issues (several years ago). Turned out the processor was not seated correctly...may be something to check...

 

damn, you gotta look at the Java console, it looks as if someone spilled water all over a piece of paper.

 

I've had another 4-5 crashes.

Gonna see if I can get a replacement.

I narrowed it down to this task called RAC which runs every hour or so and caused my comp to crash.

Ugh...

Judging by the "smudged" graphics and the B2 chipset, I'm still sure this is hardware related.

 

How would you identify that you have a b2 chipset on your brand new r3? Can you post a screenshot of cpu-z and explain what you are looking at? Maybe that should be stickyed since this could be a widespread issue.

 

CPU-Z Says b2 chipset. I wouldn't trust it though as almost everyone's new r3 says b2.

I'd more look at the revision number right above it.. I know the bad SB systems had Rev4. Mine says Rev 9.

 

Anand tech had a blurb about B3 is the new chipset....what is the correct
chipset fix from Intel...B2 or B3 ?

 

Dont mean to threadjack but: Anyone get a 6300 aftermarket for theirs? I had mine running and now my laptop doesn't even recognize it. Anyone know what driver from Dell to install first. There are like 5 and I can't seem to get it working for good. I also checked to make sure it was seated well and it was.

 

I haven't seen any individual posts about an r3 review yet with complete benchmarks and this has me wondering if a bunch of you guys are troubleshooting stuff, or just too busy gaming or playing with the r3.

 

Troubleshooted my keyboard.. Thats fixed. Then I ran out to eat and get my Win7 Pro disk / key from work. Going to install and play a few games, run a few benchmarks and THEN I'll put up my review.

Managed to get 4 days off so I have a lot of time to play with this sucker.. No work till Weds wooo!

 

Ok, so now Tech Support is saying this is MY FAULT because I chose to do a clean install of Windows 7 and now he wants to do another one with his "guidance" and that he won't charge me $90 to do it

You've got to be freaking kidding me.

I had these same issues before (within hours of the original setup) and after the clean install, so therefore, I'm pretty damn sure I didn't cause this mess.

He also says doing a clean install without TS guidance invalidates your warranty.

SMH...

 

That's BS. Get a hold of an American rep, asap. And then a supervisor right after to clarify. Make sure you call the warranty dept.

 

Really looking forward to your review. There has been so many people that got their R3s and haven't done a full review yet.

 

Gonna get a replacement tomorrow, hopefully they'll comply with my terms.

On another I've learned that the chipset my not be (entirely) faulty, if you look under CPU-Z > Mainboard, for HM67 the revision should be B2, under Sandy Bridge, the revision should be 09. If it's 04, you have the defective chipset.

This still doesn't explain the "smudge" graphics as shown on the Java console.

 

I bookmarked this post. Thanks for the tip. Exactly what I was looking for, without having to peel the R3 apart.

 

First - there is no Roxio disc. If you go to Dell.com and register your laptop, you get to download Roxio and webcam software from "My Software". The only discs I got this time and the first time was the Microsoft Windows 7 disc and the Drivers disc.

Second - can't you use the Respawn discs to restore back to factory and see if your hardware works without crashing. I know it may be easy to get a new computer but you always risk getting a refurb or simply waste time not having a computer while the swap is occuring.

Third - keep in mind that the original R3 owners had trouble with the clean installs having BSOD on the models with 3D and 460m. We narrowed it down to the NVidial drivers causing the BSOD but never figured out why it would crash on a fresh install but not the factory image. I'm running the clean install with the SSD that used to crash on my original R3 with the 460m. I uninstalled the 460m and reinstalled with AMD drivers from Dell. I have not had a single BSOD since getting my computer 2 days ago. So, the good news it is should be an issue only with the 460m/3D version in my opinion.

Lastly - Are people with smudges possibly getting it from customs? I know that my box was sealed. But doesn't customs in some countries open up a box to take a look? Maybe a curious custom inspector who wants to see the latest Alienware laptop?

 

By God, I figured out that the discrete GPU is definitely causing the smudged graphics.

When I switched over to the IGP (never bothered until now, lol), everything looked better, no more fuzzy YT controls and the whole nine yards.

I've already done 2 clean installs of Win 7 and 2 clean installs for the display drivers, this did not fix the issue, therefore this is most certainly a hardware problem.

 

Still i read all about M17xR3... But no clue for a review, benchmark , games FPS..how 6970 card is performing...sooo?
Anyone wants to make an simple review?
3DMark06, Vantage , games, Crysis, Crysis 2 Demo etc.

Looking forward to see one!!!!

 

My main man, please post your request in the appropriate thread. You can prolly put out a request either in the Owner's Lounge, the Benchmarks thread, or even the RELAUNCHED thread. I'll rep you for incentive

Thx!

 

try running this to see what is causing the bsod problem.

Resplendence Software - WhoCrashed, automatic crash dump analyzer