[*Resolved] "Prototype Test-NVIDIA Confidential" Error Message [See posts #283, 319]

Ive just received my m18x today, great machine. Love it with the first glance, everythings great until I started playing 3D games. When ever a game is launch theres a box saying the following in red letter:

"Prototype Test Only. NVIDIA Confidential. Not For Production. Not For Release."

Did I somehow got two gtx580m prototypes?

Update: Hack/work around on page 29 (post #283).

Batch file on Page 32 (post #319).

 

You should probably contact Dell.

 

Quick! Sell it on Ebay and make a killing!

Yeah I would call them up, something wierd going on there.

 

Do you have a 120hz screen also in there???

 

Quick dump the vbios and lets see

screen dump a picture in gpuz please so we can see what it says!

Hmmm i didnt know the m18x can play 3d games internally, he must have a 3d 120mhz screen. lol

 

Hehe nope but it did go up to around 100hz before artifacts. Maybe this m18x doesnt have throttling issues?

 

bar-code, I connected it with my Christie Mirage 3D projector, didnt play with the lappy screen.

 

yep!! i was only kidding, would have been nice if they are thinking of including a 3d screen tho, anyway can you screen dump a gpuz shot.

 

Sure give me a sec.

 

Here it is...anything out of the norm?

 

Nope all looks good except you still have the old vbios instead of the new one besides that all is good you must have another problem.
Are the games your trying to play at least being launched playable
Otherwise, im at a loss and as mentioned above contact Dell.

 

Yea all the games played fine besides that annoying warning, same thing happened with 3D movies, but no issues with 2D. Do you reckon the new bios will fix it?

 

Nope the vbios will not fix it, but the rev 2 is better then the current one you have, also you can try a motherboard bios reset default settings might help.

Otherwise the last suggestion would be to uninstall the nvidia drivers and install the dell ones and see if it's still occuring. Then you can ring Dell.

Good luck!

 

I've got a 560M that says its a GF106B chip (instead of a GF116) at the vbios boot screen, with a similar "For engineering use only - not for production use" disclaimer. No warning or anything comes up during games, and it's detected in Windows as a GF116 with the right clocks.

I'm still debating on contacting Dell to see what's up. Selling engineering samples to customers as production models is a big no-no.

Since yours is interfering with your user experience, I would say contact them ASAP. You deserve the producton chips you paid for, and probably some compensation for the hassle.

 

Download the latest NVIDIA drivers and you should be all set. Also maybe try installing DirectX 11.

 

Yea Im gonna call them later today, this really p*sses me off. I cant believe they send engineering samples to end users on such a highend machine.

It didnt work, I tried everything I can think of from latest Nvidia driver to Dell's to older driver, latest vbios, directx11 like you suggested, motherboard bios etc..

Heres a pic of what Im talking about...sigh*

 

Oh wow.

That is a prototype alright.

Make sure you document EVERYTHING. You may want to take photos and even keep this thread going with updates to document whatever happens.

Hopefully they take this seriously and at least offer to replace the GPUs, but I would say a new notebook is what's needed here, unless you'd rather keep what you have and just have two new GPUs.

If Dell/Alienware does nothing or gives you a hard time, the next step would be to contact Nvidia directly and let them know you received engineering prototypes in a production notebook. I think they'd be pretty interested in that.

 

he doesn't have to document anything or do anything because he is still within the 21 day return policy. call dell and have them send you a new system. it won't be an issue.

but before you do this i would overvolt and overclock the crap out of these cards to see if they throttle.

 

Haha yea will do...I'll post the update once it's done. This should be interesting...should I keep it of the cards don't throttle?? Lol

 

Ah, didn't know you were still within the return window. I would still try and get them to do a genuine exchange rather than having to return it, possibly incurring a restocking fee and all that.

If they don't throttle...I'd say sell the system to the highest bidder and buy yourself another and pocket the profit. I'd bet there are some hardcore mobile gamers with deep pockets who'd pay through the nose for some non-throttling 580Ms, prototype screen or not.

 

Too bad Im addicted to 3D gaming otherwise its no problem for 2D gaming. Only recieved it yesterday so I guess there's still 19 days windows time... What would be the thread with all the info on 580s overclocking??

 

You are looking for these two threads:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m18x/610973-580m-sli-throttling.html

http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m18x/616150-dell-580m-throttle-contact-group.html

 

OK I dont think they throttle but then again I dont know what to look for, how do I know when the cards throttle?

Anyway I used MSI Afterburn and overclocked them to 760mhz (just the cores) and got 22685 score in 3Dmark06.

Highest temp is 78c and the core clock remains at 760mhz at the end of the benchmark.

 

While playing games you suddenly feel the frame rates dropping to single digits. It can happen when you see more intense sections of a game. The clocks go as low as 73Mhz or something on the core 146Mhz on shaders and 172Mhhz on RAM or something.

It happens apparently to many on common Benchmarks like 3Dmark 11.

GPU Stress tools like Furmark and OCCT are sure shot methods to see it in action.


So the main issue the people want resolved is throttling of any form at stock clocks especially when temperatures are super fine for most.

 

With 3D vantage, I got a score of 24356 highest temp was 85c. I dont think the system throttle at all as all the fps were above two digits.

The cards again were overclocked to 760mhz, woulda go higher but I think they need more voltage with clock beyond 760mhz. Got kicked back to desktop when trying 770mhz and froze at 800mhz.

 

You can try Furmark, and you will see it 100% before long.

But stock clocks throttling is the main issue. So if that less or non existent then its very good.

 

Just to confirm, you flashed the current VBIOS from Dell and you still have the prototype message? If so, you need to reflash again - it should resolve your problem of having that annoying message display on-screen.

The direct link to the VBIOS release is here:

http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/download.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&releaseid=R316408&SystemID=ALW_M17XR3&servicetag=&os=W764&osl=en&deviceid=25783&devlib=0&typecnt=0&vercnt=1&catid=-1&impid=-1&formatcnt=0&libid=6&typeid=-1&dateid=-1&formatid=-1&source=-1&fileid=478843

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Custom Instructions for GTX580M_Vbios_A01.iso:

This is an ISO image of the production GTX560M Vbios. Burn image to CD, insert CD into system and reboot. Press F12 at the BIOS screen. One time boot menu will appear, choose CD/DVD drive. When prompted, select 'Y' to continue.


-

 

can you do the same thing with daemon tools without physically having to use a disc? or am i foolish and thats what ur talking about...

 

I'd rather flash via a clean DOS bootup. If it were me, I'd go with a USB boot stick - I dont like wasting optical media and I typically dont have any CD-RWs laying around.

 

i remember that there was a thread explaining how to set-up a flash-drive to do this. is that thread still up? and where can i find it?

 

always will be buddy.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...ion-how-search-forum-read-before-posting.html

4th link under 'General Information, Links and How To's here on AW NBR'

or direct link:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...sh-drive-flash-aw-bios-updates-under-dos.html

 

awesome, thanks man, +rep even though you dont rlly need it.

 

I reflashed it but still having that annoying msg on screen. I contacted Dell but it doesnt seem like they are much of help. Keep saying they will call me back but never did.

 

Yea they do that a lot mate, you just need to keep phoning back till you get an answer. :/

 

My guess would be the message isn't from the vbios, but is implemented into the prototype chips to discourage what is happening here - engineering samples being sold in place of production models.

Based on my ES 560M, it seems AW might have done this in lots more notebooks, possibly as a result of the limited availability of 560M/580M chips even weeks after release. The big question is, will there be any consequences from Nvidia for them doing it, in addition to will AW admit to it and replace the GPUs with production models we were to be buying in the first place.

 

Nope, its part of the VBIOS. It should have been resolved by the flash but something isn't right. Perhaps his initial download of the VBIOS went wonky. Something. Flashing this to the current Dell VBIOS for the 580M should resolve this.

Lubu - definitely stay on top of support to change out the card. Either that or download the VBIOS again, re-burn it and try the flash again.

 

Honestly I dont know what going on here, changing vBios is not something new that I havent done before and Ive done everything that I can to delete this msg. Im a Mining Engineer and this really effect my work both in terms of business and pleasure...I believe this is hardware encoded, not software. Anyway you guys have a good day, Im bugged and I think Im a few bottles away from D.E.A.D. Cheers

 

Just call Dell and have them do a complete swap for a new system. You have the right for such request and I believe they will do so.

 

lubu, wasn't saying you didn't know what you are doing - just in case my post read that way.

Just keep on support and get the GPUs or the system replaced. If you find you are not receiving responses to your follow-up calls, hit the Unresolved Issues ---> tech support option on the Dell main page. You'll need your current case# when completing the webform.

 

Keep us posted lubu. It's certainly ridiculous that a manager hasn't connected with you yet. I've owned a few Dell in the past and I remember feeling at the mercy of their techs whenever I'd encounter what I believed to be a hardware flaw. Every once in a while you get connected with a great rep that goes the extra mile and even does callbacks to make sure you're setup.

 

Good news, the engineering team decided to replace the GPUs so they will send out a tech tomorrow or the day after

 

Cheers!

Finally you will see the light at the end of that tunnel...

 

Thanks, but.....

So the tech came over today to replace the two 580s. I was watching him and got really annoyed at how he disassembles the parts. He was so rough on them, pulling the keyboard trims out without removing the screws!! To a point where the frame starting to bend and cracks at the joints, I had to ask him to look for screws which hold it in place. Thats not all, the tech also didnt know how to take off the under frame of the graphic card to which the heatsink bolts to, he bent them as he taking them off and broke one of the nuts off the frame. Now that GPU can never cools properly as the heatsink bolts to the card by only 3 screws. To top it off he didnt even apply heat compound to the GPUs...nice!!!

Thats not all.

While reassembling he got lost of which screw goes where and now some screws are pretty much in the wrong places. Was really harsh with the ribbon connectors while trying to put them back, left handside keyboard now bulged up for no apparent reason, to no surprise the keyboard doesnot work. Some button work and some do not.

Finally to make matter worse the issue remains. Still having that warning whenever the system is in 3D mode.

I guess the lesson learned is that I do not want another tech to touch my laptop again, ever, unless hes well trained. One would think that being a tech they must undergo trainings which allow them to disassemble and reassemble parts together without forcing them and make sure that they WORK after reassembled them.

Its only a laptop with so many screws and parts.

Im going to call DELL tomorrow and ask for replacement. This has taken too much of my time and money, I had to install/uninstall, update, clean install etc and staying at home waiting for the tech.

Oh did I mentioned he came 2 hours late?

 

this is unacceptable, to allow such low-qualified techs "try to repair" the high end device, and must be unacceptable for Dell to employ them

I think this should be reported to Dell in all details

 

I would highly recommend writing a rather firm and informed email to and let them know just what has happened here and all the issues that you are having, as well as the fact that your main issue is still present.

I'd either ask for an immediate system exchange or a refund, your system will NEVER be right again now that Unisys / Qualixserv have had their fingers in it. I've had Unisys tech destroy 2 of my prior laptops with their Alien dissasembly skills and as a result any repairs to my systems I now do personally.

If for whatever reason they would send another technican to service your machine make sure the following are in the dispatch cause you will need them for your system to operate correctly.

1.) Keyboard Frame (Formerly the Indicator Cover)
2.) Media Daughter board Cable (These typically break durring service even if your careful)
3.) M18x Palm Rest Assembly
4.) SLI Bridge Cable
5.) Left and Right VGA heatsinks (these include underside mounting kits)
6.) A new pair of 580m graphics cards (the tech probably raped your new ones)
7.) Alienware TactX Additional 6 Macro Keyboard
8.) Keyboard (Maybe depends on how goofy the tech is)

So given that so many parts will likely need replaced / retrofitted to bring this system back into spec they will likely exchange without any issues.

I'd definilty write and include this thread in your email. You can generally expect a reply in 24 - 48 hours and these guys will definilty take care of you.

Just my 2 Cents.

-Ligithin

 

quick reminder - forum rules,

We have a thread here with ways to 'escalate' a given issue if support is not responding to requests.

Thanks.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...placement-systems-warranty-repair-issues.html

In addition to the unresolved issues route outlined in the above linked thread, many have had success reaching out to Dell via their twitter and facebook pages.

 

seriously...you actually let him continue? your a better man than i. as soon as i seen him doing something that didnt look right...he would have gotten stopped dead in his tracks. as soon as a part got broke..thats when i would have had to stop him right there. and call dell tech support. so as to get some sort of ruling on the situation...as much effort whet into your post...would have been far more for me to put in when i seen the situation turning drastically wrong!

and as suggested...you will need most, if not all those new parts...plus any screws he may have stripped....

 

If that happened to me, I would demand a brand new replacement system. Deep apologies from Dell in aspect of upgrades as a compensation would be the right thing there as well.

 

Yep, basically at this point you need a new system.

You can call and explain the situation (it is helpful if you have the "tech's" name) and make sure they know that they need to send you a new system as this one is beyond repair.

When I had a similar situation they said they wanted the name of the tech along with other details so that they can "rectify" the problem with the on-site techs.
Whether they did anything with that I do not know, but they did end up sending me a replacement system.

You just have to be firm, let them know exactly what your issue is, and what they can do to fix it (ie.. replacement system)

Good luck

D.

 

What is the latest, did you get a new system or what ?