desperately need help, constant 0x00000117 : VIDEO_TDR_TIMEOUT_DETECTED while playing

Greetings

so i have been getting alot of 0x00000117 : VIDEO_TDR_TIMEOUT_DETECTED.

Problem
while gaming, screen freezes, sometimes I get stuck and i have to force restart

sometimes i am able to ctrl-alt-del and kill the process from task manager.

I do not get BSOD.

Frequency of problem
While playing almost any game, timing seems to be random (sometimes 5 mins sometimes 40 mins sometimes 1 hour).

Using windows and other non-game applications the problem does not occur at all, windows never crashed by its own.

I have researched and researched the net for many days now, i learned alot, sadly still unable to solve the problem

Things tried
- Trying dell drivers, AMD / ATI drivers, ... etc does not seem to solve the problem. I am fully updated in-terms of drivers (and BIOS, VBIOS)
- When trying different drivers, I uninstall > safe mode > driver sweep > normal mode > install new drivers
- Playing more than one game to confirm that its not game related. Games crashed / froze (Civilization V, Crysis Warhead, Two Worlds II, Oblivion). played some games that did not crash (NFS, Fallout) but i have not extensively played them, probably in 30 minutes intervals.
- Ran Dell Diagnostic tool to scan memory errors, nothing found
- Ran sfc / scannow, nothing faulty was found
- Monitoring the temps using HWinfo32, the fans are working perfectly fine, the temps sometimes reaches 86C max when crash happens, some crashes happened while its 80C, and few minutes ago it happens while on 70-ish
- I would have tried clean windows install but all the threads i read about this error, the people clean installed windows, and got the same error, so basically it was just waste of time for them (should i do it?).

Solution?
Is there anything i can try to fix this problem?

should i call it a day and say i have bad cards and ask for replacement? even though i highly doubt that Dell support here will be able to replace the cards (if they have them) because they suck big time here and i got my system from another country. (i would highly prefer any other solution)

I have uploaded my Watchdog file (latest files only, because i have dozens of them) in case anyone want to have a look

dump files in watchdog are created even if no BSOD happened, if any applications just crashed or froze Watchdog is there to write about it in a dump file

Watchdog dump files: http://www.filedropper.com/watchdog

P.S. i have Windows 7 Home, rest of the specs are in my signature.

cheers

 

Based on the crash dump, it is caused by ATI driver.

Code:

2: kd> !analyze -v
*******************************************************************************
*                                                                             *
*                        Bugcheck Analysis                                    *
*                                                                             *
*******************************************************************************

VIDEO_TDR_TIMEOUT_DETECTED (117)
The display driver failed to respond in timely fashion.
(This code can never be used for real bugcheck).
Arguments:
Arg1: fffffa800ab97130, Optional pointer to internal TDR recovery context (TDR_RECOVERY_CONTEXT).
Arg2: fffff88000d9b008, The pointer into responsible device driver module (e.g owner tag).
Arg3: 0000000000000000, The secondary driver specific bucketing key.
Arg4: 0000000000000000, Optional internal context dependent data.

Debugging Details:
------------------


FAULTING_IP: 
atikmpag+7008
fffff880`00d9b008 ??              ???

DEFAULT_BUCKET_ID:  GRAPHICS_DRIVER_TDR_TIMEOUT

TAG_NOT_DEFINED_202b:  *** Unknown TAG in analysis list 202b


BUGCHECK_STR:  0x117

PROCESS_NAME:  System

CURRENT_IRQL:  0

STACK_TEXT:  
fffff880`06879630 fffff880`052ec4ef : fffffa80`0ab97130 fffff880`05338d1c fffffa80`0ab97130 fffff880`052ba843 : watchdog!WdDbgReportRecreate+0xa3
fffff880`06879b50 fffff880`052ed1b4 : fffff8a0`0f474080 fffff8a0`0f474080 00000000`00000080 fffffa80`0ab97130 : dxgkrnl!TdrUpdateDbgReport+0xcb
fffff880`06879ba0 fffff880`052c16b3 : 00000000`00000001 fffffa80`0b3d4000 00000000`00000000 fffff880`00000076 : dxgkrnl!TdrCollectDbgInfoStage2+0x220
fffff880`06879bd0 fffff880`052edd07 : fffffa80`0b3c6658 ffffffff`fffe7960 fffffa80`0ab97130 00000000`00000000 : dxgkrnl!DXGADAPTER::Reset+0xef
fffff880`06879c80 fffff880`053bcec1 : fffffa80`0d105010 00000000`00000080 00000000`00000000 fffffa80`0b3c6010 : dxgkrnl!TdrResetFromTimeout+0x23
fffff880`06879d00 fffff800`02f70c06 : 00000000`037cc412 fffffa80`0b3de4d0 fffffa80`06e8a740 fffffa80`0b3de4d0 : dxgmms1!VidSchiWorkerThread+0x101
fffff880`06879d40 fffff800`02caac26 : fffff880`009f1180 fffffa80`0b3de4d0 fffff880`009fc0c0 00000000`00000246 : nt!PspSystemThreadStartup+0x5a
fffff880`06879d80 00000000`00000000 : fffff880`0687a000 fffff880`06874000 fffff880`0da4dac0 00000000`00000000 : nt!KxStartSystemThread+0x16


STACK_COMMAND:  .bugcheck ; kb

FOLLOWUP_IP: 
atikmpag+7008
fffff880`00d9b008 ??              ???

SYMBOL_NAME:  atikmpag+7008

FOLLOWUP_NAME:  MachineOwner

MODULE_NAME: atikmpag

IMAGE_NAME:  atikmpag.sys

DEBUG_FLR_IMAGE_TIMESTAMP:  4cef188f

FAILURE_BUCKET_ID:  X64_0x117_IMAGE_atikmpag.sys

BUCKET_ID:  X64_0x117_IMAGE_atikmpag.sys

Followup: MachineOwner

Since you already tried re-install the ATI driver & BIOS is up to date, try format & re-install windows. Have you tried ATI latest driver? 10.11 or 10.12?

 

Actually I am on 10.12 right now.

I guess only thing left for me is to re-format with a fresh install of windows

in your opinion, what are the chances that this is a hardware problem?

thanx!

cheers

 

I don't think this is a hardware problem. I look into two crash dump, both indicate software problem. The only way to confirmed this is by re-formatting & doing fresh install. Please let me know whether the issue is fixed or not later. BTW, based on my experience, Dell driver is not bad at all.

 

Well i've got my system few days ago. everything fine untill today. Than i started to experiment almost the same problem as you (i was playing MoH when it first happend). If Crossfire is disabled, it doesn't happend. Also furmark fail the stab test with crossfire on

I'll be investigating this further more, since it happends just like that, system was running fine.

 

Right

so i did a clean re-install, installed nothing but dell drivers, made sure that the latest BIOS, vBIOS are installed too.

installed latest DX distribution

I still have this problem, played crysis warhead to try it out

I will give it a try with single card (crossfire disabled) and see wither the problem persist.

right now am playing Crysis warhead with reasonable specs 1680*1050 and gamer quality, dont think thats too high that it causes the system to freeze.

if this failed, than I am going to ask for a replacement GPUs.

even if this doesnt fail, than i believe i have to ask for a replacment anyways cuz it would have been the slave GPU.

I will try after work and report back.

am really tired of this problem, i cant enjoy any games with those crashes.

 

I feel your disappointment. I see at least two (yours & CptXabaras's) M17x notebook have similar problem when playing games with Crossfire configuration. I hope it is not by design.

 

Are your cards overclocked? Overvolted? Both? Have you modded your vbios? I used to get similar errors extremely frequently when I flashed a vbios that was not completely stable. I've since fixed it so it's fine.

But also, if your cards are overclocked too high and not overvolted you can get similar problems and vise versa.

 

actually when crossfire fails, looks like the effect of too much overclock and poor cooling/ insuficient voltage (artifacts etc..).

While i'm waiting for both my vid card to be replaced (the technician already contacted me, should be here by after tomorrow) i did a repaste on the main card that is working on me. It is incredible the improvement i've got on temperatures. I didn't put any thermal pads. Only AS5 (gpu) and shinetsu (memory).

Those cards run too hot from factory for my tastes, anyway

 

I have tried Crysis warhead in single card, i also got a crash, although i got it a little bit further (around 45 mins compared to 20 mins in crossfire) .. maybe its just a fluke i dont know.

I than tried something else last night, ran on crossfire but i changed the game resolution from 1680×1050 to 1280×800 i was able to run the game for one hour and ten minutes, which is very good, i had to sleep then, couldnt continue. i will have another go at the same resolution when i get back.

is the problem heat? .. is ~80-ish C is too high for the cards to be handled?

kizwan, I hope not, because i there are many other people who have the same model and they dont suffer from this.
aarpcard, all are stock clocks, i havent played with the voltage/clocks a bit, and the BIOS/VBIOS are straight from dell without modifications.
CptXabaras, followed your footsteps and gave dell a call and am waiting for my replacement, two weeks! (parts have to be imported from another country)

 

I'm running with CF disabled.

Just becouse i was unable to see my only working vid card running @ 86 degrees celsius (mass effect 2) and 92 degrees under load on furmark / vantage, yesterday i did the repaste on it.

first of, the factory application is crap. really. the paste on the GPU die was so dry and thick that in order to remove it i had to soak it with cotton and alcool for a while. The termal pad over the ram module was so thick that the whole heat sink assembly was not resting properly seated over the die and the ram modules, leaving it at an angle. (was not parallel to the pcb let say).

I applyied shinetsu over the ram module and AS5 on the gpu die.

Now my highest temp is 71 degrees on GPU thermal diode and GPU mem IO (from HWinfo32) under furmark. In game is around 68 C.

The cards imho runs too hot.

EDIT: forgot to say that of course also the fan now runs at lower rpm's. Overall the repaste brought me a lot of improvement.

Anyway, as soon as the technician will arrive with the cards, i'll be doing the repaste in both of them a.s.a.p.

 

the question is, is the problem "overheating"? the problem of constant crashing, freezes etc?

If the problem of constant freezes persist even after exchanging the cards (due to overheating) than i will give the repaste a try

from where do i get the AS5 to repaste?

 

You can get it from e-bay

Idk if the heat is the problem, but of course it can lead to instability and crash. Believe me, if you have a look at how your expansive hardware is keept cool from factory, you'll want to repaste

 

Update:

I just received a call from Dell. The technician is on his way and will arrive here within half hour aprox. I asked them to confirm that he has the 2 cards and they said of course.

Now, that's a good news.

I'll let you know how it goes

 

Ok, both cards and CF cable are changed now. brand new.

Everything is back to normal and functioning. I'll be testing all the night, gaming mostly, but i'm confidant that my problem is over

 

Awesome! How is the gaming going?

 

glad that it worked out for you CptXabaras

i have some good news too!

Short version: my problem is SOLVED!!! by replacing the Master GPU

Long version:

I got a call from local tech guy telling me that he has a GPU to replace for me!!!! i was surprised, cuz last time i contacted they said they will have to wait for 2 weeks for the GPU to arrive!!

anyways, I asked him before he comes "what model do you have? and how many cards?" he said i dont know, its all wrapped up from UPS and we are not allowed to open it until we reach the person and open it infront of him so he makes sure that we didnt replace/change anything and its straight from dell abroad.

So i said ok fair enough, come and am waiting.

he came, the first thing i asked him "Have you opened an alienware before??" he was upfront and honest, he said i have dealt with many dell laptops before, .. but this is my first time with alienware.

so i was thinking to myself, bummer, .. but then again i thought that they dont sell Alienwares here, i got it from another country, so its not very shocking, and i admired his honesty.

anyways, when he saw the device he said "this must be expensive" .. and i said "yeah ... " ... after that i told him to unwrap the UPS package to see whats inside, so he opened it and there was only ONE card! i was disappointed as on the phone i specifically told the guy that both GPUs with the crossfire cable needs to be replace correct? and he said "yea yea sir dont worry we have all the information we need".

I said to myself wth, let him replace the master card and see wither the problem is solved, if not than am gonna call up dell again.

so i opened my other laptop (5 years old HP Pavilion) and navigated to you tube to see the service clip "M17x teardown" to show him and direct him on how to open up the machine, so we waited till the guy in youtube reached the GPU cards, and he quickly knew where everything is and opened the laptop, got the gpu out and inserted the new one. he did it like a pro actually, considering its his first time with alienwares. but then again, the youtube clip was very good and it explained everything. anyhows.

before he left i asked him to stay to make sure that the card is properly seated in its place, so i turned on my laptop and it booted fine, checked HWInfo32 to check the model and version of the GPU (it is HD5870 and Rev:A01).

fired up crysis warhead to check wither crossfire is enabled and working (saw the little crossfire square at the top right where it says Crossfire technology).

then i explained to him that my problem was during gaming, after 20 mins or so the game hangs and freezes, anyways he told me if you encountered the same problem call up dell again and demand a slave GPU with Crossfire cable and you dont have to go through all the tests they tell you, you have a replacement warranty, just tell them that you are skilled enough and you know that its a hardware problem and demand for a replacement, you have my number if you need anything just give me a call. a nice fella.

So anyways after he left i have started Crysis for a test drive, i set everything to max and started the game.

I have been playing for straight two hours without any problem, this is the longest period I have been able to play crysis warhead with no freezes no crashes, everything is just perfect!!!!! woot.

Am gonna try other games just to double confirm!

edit: i just finished crysis, ... hmm its a short game without all the freezes and crashes, Lol