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

The vbios must be .06 to resolve the issue. If yours is still showing .04, the flash did not take. If you are showing .06 and STILL get the issue, post a screenshot of the NV control panel showing the revision. I will then send that to engineering.

Thanks!

Also, take some screenshots of the NV Control panel for the 3D Stereoscopic, hardware information, and software information.

 

Luckily, I was able to get rid of that message in every game by installing my old SSD with my 1 day ago OS save state. Because I am back on my original SSD before I enabled 3D Vision on the other drive, I can not post a screenshot of the 3D display settings. Unless I re-enable 3D and hook back up to our 3D TV(UN55D8000) and risk being stuck with that message again over all my 3D supported games(even with 3D disabled). Based off of memory I can say that my last screen setting was 3D HD 1920x1080 24hz 32bit. For 3D in HD I only had 2 choices in the presets for my 3D TV. I actually was able to play a few games without that message in 720P 3D. But when I switched to watching a Bluray at the recommended 3D HD 1920x1080 24hz 32bit that's when that message appeared. I thought "I guess I'm done here" because I've seen that non-removable message before in 3D enabled games with 3D enabled on both of our M18x's. Then I found out that I was stuck with that message in every game that supports stereoscopic 3D even with 3D disabled. Now I'm backing up this drive on my 830 Series SSD. I haven't got any sleep yet, so I'll probably be out of it most of the day. I'll check the forum through out the day. I'm about to call in sick.

While 3D was enabled on my M18x, my 3D TV automatically matched the screen refresh rate, resolution and disabled auto motion plus(240hz mode). I believe it does that through HDMI-CEC. While 3D is enabled on my M18x, some of the TV's settings are greyed out to match Nvidia's 3D settings.

Aside from this problem and DPC Latency both of our M18x's run perfect.





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Chris - your assistance is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

OK so going back to a previous SOFTWARE state fixed the issue. SO it's clearly a DRIVER problem. Unless the driver is able to read/write to the vBIOS and switch flags, which seems highly unlikely.

 

I think you're onto something, Sentinel. That seems logical.

The DPC latency is also an NVIDIA driver problem, so it appears there are possibly now two things that need to be fixed in the NVIDIA drivers.

Chris - this may be something the engineering team can validate for us.

 

Dell really knows their target markets. I'll give them that. It's amazing how many Nvidia M18x owners haven't attempted/doesn't have a 3D display to run into this problem. I guess not to many M18x owners with 580M SLI uses Cuda based programs for audio/video editing.

I appreciate the support Chris.

 

If i understand correctly, you don't get the message until you put the 3D option to use, right?
But after you do, the message doesn't go away even if cleaning the drivers and installing other versions.

If this is the case, then probably some files are created, that force the message to show regardless of the video driver version.

 

Correct. You will never see this message until you hook up an external 3D display and enable Nvidia 3D Vision.
If you or anyone else reading this are considering replicating this problem, make sure you have a spare SSD/HDD with a backup OS save state.
There have been times where the message went away after I disabled Nvidia 3D Vision and disconnected my external 3D display. But yesterday I couldn't get rid of the message regardless.

 

I've never had it stay on after I exit 3D mode. For the record.

 

Not yet
10chars

 

Been chatting to Chris and some engineers overnight. SHould have a solution very soon by the looks of things, or at least a solid explanation.

The issue is to do with a combination of factors, including VBIOS, SBIOS and driver version.

Can someone please test to see if this still occurs when using the current DELL RELEASE 26X bios . It still happens for me, but dell engineers claim it shouldn't.

 

I installed the A01269.03 R308308.exe driver. As soon as I loaded up Sonic Generations in 3D, the Prototype Error showed up. After that I tried Crysis 2. Same Prototype Error showed up. I restarted and tried Crysis 2. Same error. Luckily, I didn't get stuck in a permanent loop of the error message after disabling 3D this time. Please let engineering know that both Dell video drivers along with the latest Dell VBIOS still produce the problem.

 

Done. Thanks skygunner. Same thing here.

 

For now, I've uninstalled the Nvidia 3D Vision driver until Dell can resolve the issue. It's not worth being stuck with that error regardless of 3D. I really hope Dell gets this resolved soon because the 3D coming from the M18x is sooo much more immersive than what the PS3 can output. It really bites not being able to use this feature.

 

Because I prefer 240hz, I bought a 24" 240hz Playstation 3D Display. The same "Prototype" error plagues 269.03 and Playstation 3D Display. To use the display I have to uninstall Nvidia 3D Vision. Just like my other 3D Samsung TV's. This problem is not limited to 3D TV brand and/or beta drivers.

 

Maybe give this new driver a go when you get a chance. I don't have an M18x anymore to test.

 

Nope I tried that driver 6 hours ago. Same error overlay

 

Bummer. Looks like its gonna be a long wait for you guys

 

Wow skygunner, you still upgrading your M18x?

 

Nope. I'm done. Both of our M18x's are maxed out.

 

Any updates?

 

Last time I spoke to Dell which was 2 weeks ago, they were still insisting the problem was hardware related and offered me a 4th replacement unit. As you know, I opted for the refund option instead.

 

Crazy dell lol at least your keeping the dell outlet going strong

 

Hi, I have M18x with 580M SLI. How do i test or what programs do i need to use to test if i have this prototype test only? Becuase I don't have 3d monitor capable to test=/.Thanks

Alienware M18x

i7 2920XM
16GB-1333Mhz
GTX 580M SLI
320GB HDD
Killer Wireless N 1103

 

You have to have a 3D display and enable 3D Vision. Play a game and it will show up. Once it shows up you can't get rid of it.

 

I see. Any specific game or any game? Worth for me to test it or just wasting my time? Does all 580M have this kind of issue?

This is what came out as shown on the picture-.-.

 

For me (and most other users) it disappears as soon as I switch off 3D, but comes back again the next time I use 3D.

Dell are still claiming that its hardware related, but we've proven beyond resonable doubt from our testing that it is a driver or firmware issue which is present on all Dell 580m cards. It also would appear that the issue is present in the Clevo 580m cards too as people are reporting the same thing in the Acer forums.

The reason the masses aren't complaining is simply because not many people use 3D.

 

Exactly.
10chars

 

So it only appears when trying to do something in 3D. Is the m18x advertised to be able to do 3d gaming?

 

Not with the internal monitor as it's capable of 60Hz maximum but the cards are capable.

 

On my 2 Sammy 3D TV's and Playstation 3D Display once I connect them to my M18x via HDMI it automatically displays the Prototype overlay error, regardless of me enabling 3D Vision.

 

So Skygunner and I were talking, and we might be on to something. Now we originally thought this was effecting all 580m's since the clevo laptops also exhibit the same behavior, but then we realized that the m17x r3 has a 580m in it and nobody seems to be experiencing the issue with their built in display.

So then we got to thinking, what is different between the m18x and the m17x, well for one were running SLI and they aren't, and the second the only way we can have 3D is through the HDMI port. So the conclusion we came up with is the issue is either tied into SLI or the HDMI port. Obviously the motherboard is different as well but that should have nothing to do with an Nvidia error message.

Skygunner said when he can he will go ahead and disable SLI, and then disable the second VGA adapter in device manager to test our theory out if it is in fact SLI that is causing the issue, if it isn't then the only probable outcome from of our theory is the HDMI port.

 

Have you guys thought of using the Mini-Displayport to HDMI? - more bandwidth for the 3d signal.....

 

after testing out the whether SLI is the culprit, well see as I don't own an adapter and I am not sure if Skygunner does.

 

Incorrect. The issue occurs when I use the DP output from my M18x, and with SLI disabled.

Good thinking though.

From my invetigation, the issue is caused by the way the display driver, or firmware handles EDID of the monitor. If I manually modify and install a different monitor INF, I can make the issue go away, but only if I set it to crazy refresh rates and resolutions.

This is the case via HDMI or DP and with SLI enabled and disabled.

 

When you disabled SLI did you disable the second adapter in device manager? If thats the case then I am at a loss as to why m17x r3 owners are not seeing the same issue.

 

Yes i did.

It could be because the EDID of the inbuilt monitor is recognized by the driver/firmware correctly. I wonder if any M17x owners have issues with external 3D monitors?

 

Thats a very good question, I think I will go ahead and ask. I will come back and post if I get any results.

 

Any new info on this problem?

 

bump bump bump...............................

 

Should be interesting to see if the Verde 295.75 helps with this problem as it did with the DPC latency problem. Can somebody that uses 3D please test and post the results?

 

I'm checking right now!!!

 

I hope it fixes this issue too....wow, what a day that would make this in terms of problem resolution!

 

Nope. The problem is worse than before. Before, sometimes it would take a moment to show up. Now it's instant. I can't get rid of it again. Even on M18x screen. Luckily I did a backup this morning.
http://i.imgur.com/nt5vJl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/GE8Oul.jpg


1 down 1 more to go!

 

Damn......I guess we still have to push on this one - I havent even tried to enable 3d (and Im not gonna either lol)

 

You'll get there, bro. Hang in there.

Nah, me neither. What I don't know won't bother me, LOL. I don't use 3D, but if I knew my system was affected it would drive me nuts.

 

Yup.....I would like it resolved simply because should I choose to wanna use 3d, I wanna be able to do so without this problem.....

 

Yes, plus I want it fixed for the people that do, even if I never do.

 

It's really too bad. On the other drivers I was able to play for a few minutes before the Prototype Overlay kicked in. The 3D is amazing with Nvidia 3D vision. You can even add more depth to 3D from the options. It's really a feature that we need to work. Sonic Generations and Crysis 2 look amazing on the M18x as compared to the PS3 with the same game on the same display.

 

im getting a P55st30 Panasonic. Should be delivered in a couple weeks. If right now if i hook up to the TV i have and go to the setup wizard for 3d i get the prototype test only if i select discover glasses. I have 2x 560m


Sorry im new here couldnt figure out how to embed the image.

My questions are is the M18x ready to do 3d out of the box? Do i need to buy Nvidia 3d play?

And will this prototype error continue when i have a 3d tv?

What are the steps exactly to get 3d working?


Just trying to get prepared thank you!