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

The only time you should see this is if you have an external 3D Display. The minute you connect to it with the latest drivers you will see the problem. This happens before you enable the use of your 3D glasses. The drivers that will come with your M18x are probably not the latest and will allow you to get a few minutes of 3D before the overlay shows up, ending your gaming session in 3D. You can play through it, but why would you want to? Even if you skip the discover glasses the error overlay will eventially show up. I've had it happen in game.

 

im just trying to to get a hold on how all of this will work and how 3d TV play fits into all of this. Once i have my 3d TV and hook it up with HDMI will a game automatically try to play in 3d or is there some configuration necessary because i can reproduce the error on my non 3d Sony bravia.

 

With the latest driver, all(3) of my displays automatically trigger Nvidia 3D vision. Once 3D vision is enabled I get the Prototype overlay. At this moment I have 3D Vision uninstalled to avoid the overlay, but forfeit 3D.

 

are you the only one having this issue?

 

Nope, anyone who has an m18x 580m setup will get this, Brother Sky is the only one ballsy enough to keep on testing so we don't have to. We do appreciate your efforts Skygunner!

 

Any reports with the 560m

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

 

any reports if it is working with the latest 295.73 drivers yet?

 

Seconded - gunner is like a dog with a bone LOL, we all appreciate his constant efforts.....

 

Thirded! 'gunner rocks... one of the most persistent guys I know for pressing to get things fixed on our beasts. It was that way with the R2 as well.

 

Thank you.

It still doesn't work.
http://i.imgur.com/nt5vJl.jpg

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

Thank you.

Thank you.

 

I am wondering if this is only for Alienware M18x or do other 580m notebooks have the same issue. Might be worth finding out, could mean a manufaturing problem or if is a driver issue.

 

If you read a few pages back you'll see that the issue exists on other brands too. Lots of reports from systems with 580m cards on the NVIDIA forums.

 

Here are some examples of the same or similar type of error message causing a variety of problems on other NVIDIA-powered systems, so it's not an entirely new thing, and it's not specific to Dell/Alienware systems.

About red text message while activate 3D Stereoscopic - NVIDIA Forums

BIOS Update for nVidia GTX 550 Ti? - NVIDIA Forums

Engineering release - not for production use (5.73 - NVIDIA Forums

PNY 9800 GT Bios update please? - NVIDIA Forums

GeForce 7600GS AGP - Engineering Release - NVIDIA Forums

GeForce 8600GT shipped with Beta bios - NVIDIA Forums

Computer Restarts Unexpectedly (GTX 550 Ti) - NVIDIA Forums

BSOD with Dual 8800GXT / Vista with latest drivers - NVIDIA Forums

7300GT doesnt work... - NVIDIA Forums

 

Brother mobiousblack - using that Svet's vBIOS Tuner app you purchased, if you load your vBIOS can you see anything in there about enabling or disabling an "engineering flag" or something of that nature? NiBiTor is not compatible with the GTX 580M vBIOS, but I read something about NiBiTor being able to do something with an engineering flag on NVIDIA cards. If you can find something about that in the Svet's app, please post a screen shot. I am just wondering if there is a remote chance this is something we can turn on or off.

 

As far as Svet's Vbios tuner goes, nope. These are the options you get.



Sorry the image is not so clear, basically you have these options to choose from.

Core Tune
Memory Tune
Fan Tune
Voltage Tune
Max Vcore Tune
And Vbios-z Report which is the green screen on the left.

 

Thanks for checking, and for the screen shot.

 

Hello guys,

I recently acquired an M18x (Intel 2960XM - 16 Gb DDR3 at 1600 MHz - dual GTX 580m - Wifi Killer - 2x256 Gb SSD in RAID 0 - External monitor: Asus VG278H (27" Full HD 3D with nVidia Vision 2) - External keyboard: Logitech G19 - External mouse: Logitech G700) and, as I am new to 3D I have some questions on the subject.
I have read your post with attention as I have more or less the same problem with the “Prototype test only” message when using 3D, perhaps my own case could help a bit in solving (or at least identifying more precisely) the problem.

When I received this laptop 2 weeks ago, I immediately reformatted it to my own taste and needs. Basically, I have 3 partitions: 2 bootable with Windows 7 x64 Ultimate SP1 (1 for professional needs and the other one for personal needs) and 1 for shared documents. My external monitor (the only one capable of 3D) is connected to the laptop with an HDMI cable.

Surprise: the message only appears on my personal partition, 3D works perfectly on the professional one (wish it is the opposite ).

I will try to identify what are the differences and, with your help (and the time I will be able to spend on that) perhaps understand why it behaves like that.

1) Both partitions are formatted the same way, only noticeable difference is the software installed after the OS was configured (mainly games on Personal environment and development tools like Visual Studio and SQL Server on Professional).

2) SLI is not activated on Pro, activated on Perso (I tried to deactivate it but it didn’t change anything for the problem).

3) nVidia driver version is different (295.73 on Perso, 285.62 on Pro, taken directly from nVidia’s web site as Alienware download center has many versions late). I forgot to update the Pro partition and noticed that difference so, for now, I am staying with these driver versions.

In order to avoid putting any more mess in the configurations, I will wait for your replies and hints as I am quite sure you will have interesting ideas.

…

This is for the “Prototype test only” problem. However, as I said, I am new to 3D and I have other questions for you (you seem to have more knowledge than me on this subject).

For now, I only managed to make 3D work in 1920x1080 (monitors native resolutions) at 24Hz and 1280x720 at 60Hz. Can’t believe a $5.000 computer cannot handle Full HD (1920x1080) at 60Hz, for me the only acceptable combination to play 3D games (Skyrim, BF3, …) .

I have read on some forums that the problem could come from the HDMI connection which doesn’t have enough bandwidth. Can you confirm?

It also seems that VGA connection does not allow any kind of 3D, do you confirm as well?

Finally, it seems the 3D I need to play games only works with mini-display port connector on computer side and DVI dual link on screen side, am I right?
If yes, does that means an additional special adapter (apparently extremely expensive) is needed between the 2 connectors? I have found some on Internet but I need your advice to buy the good one:
- Startech (105€) : StarTech.com - MDP2DVID - Adaptateur actif Mini DisplayPort vers DVI Dual-Link - USB - Argent: Amazon.fr: Informatique (but it seems this one has issues with the built in 3D IR receptor from my Asus screen…)
- And at least 2 models from Club 3D (1150: Mini DisplayPort to Active DVI Dual Link cable - Graphic solutions GeForce & Radeon and 1151: Mini DisplayPort to Active DVI Dual Link 330MHz Stereo 3D Gaming cable - Graphic solutions GeForce & Radeon) ranging from 100€ to nearly 150€. I can’t really see the difference between them (max resolution?).

I am done for now, thanks for reading.
I am awaiting your replies.

 

Hi all, I just got an M18x and I'm having this issue. I'm new to the forums, and I want to message DellChrisM with my info, but it would seem I don't have the option as I'm new. Can anyone help me get in touch with him?

 

Congrats to both of you on your M18x w/580M SLI purchase and welcome to NBR. We are glad to have you.

@ The Good Bear: I find you post to be most interesting. I don't even know where to begin with your multiple OS's to try and replicate your findings. I'm glad you posted here. Maybe Dell/Nvidia can make sense of what's going on with your system in our search to produce a fix.

@ Mseels : I can PM him if you'd like, but he already knows about this problem.

 

@ Mseels : I can PM him if you'd like, but he already knows about this problem.[/QUOTE]

Wow, thanks for your quick reply! Well, I wanted to PM him because back on page 6, he specifically asked for the service tag numbers, shipping addresses etc. of those with the problem. Figured giving that kind of stuff might make Dell take more notice, made it seem like he was submitting official issues or something. But I'd rather not post all that stuff on here... any suggestions? When should I be able to PM?

 

I know Mr. Fox will chime in here soon with the info on when you'll be able to PM. In addition to PMing Chris make sure you let Dell and BillDell know. Bill has made it known that Dell reads our posts, so they probably already know or will know shortly.

 

Thanks, Skygunner. I'm kinda heartbroken over here because I put a good lot of time and money into selecting, purchasing and setting up this computer and pricey Asus monitor specifically for 3d, and now I'm seeing it may all be for naught. But for the time being I'll try to remain positive and look through Red Message Of Death at all the 3d goodness that's so close to being realized... sure is purty behind it...

 

Trust me we are in the same boat. I have been begging for a fix to this problem for a loooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooong time.

I have 3(UN55D8000, UN55D7000 and Playstation 3D Display) 3D displays that I can not use with my M18x and Nvidia 3D Vision.
http://i.imgur.com/nt5vJl.jpg

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

If I was Dell/ Nvidia I would be embarrassed and have fixed this ages ago. Nvidia needs to get to work!

 

On a side note, here is a few clips of the Oooh cat...lol. These always cheer me up.

width='560' height="315"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/8T0sFpDGUoI?version=3&amp;hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/8T0sFpDGUoI?version=3&amp;hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width='560' height="315" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object>

width='560' height="315"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/_1vptwP1qtI?version=3&amp;hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_1vptwP1qtI?version=3&amp;hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width='560' height="315" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object>

 

I soooo agree with this statement. How can any OEM keep selling a system with THAT message and NOT have resolved it by now - its ABSURD!!!

 

Well to be honest, a reputation for such stuff is why I was extremely hesitant to go with Dell in the first place... But I just couldn't justify getting a Clevo when what I HAD to have was SLI 580's, and seemingly only Dell has dropped the price to match the ATI high-end cards. It's funny, everyone says Alienwares are overpriced, but for a top-end graphics setup (with Nvidia cards) they're cheaper than the cheapest Clevo retailer. At the moment, at least.

So is it true that I can only Download driver updates from Dell, and not Nvidia? On a related note, has anyone tried to bring this problem to Nvidia's attention?

Sky, after seeing your setup, I'm almost ashamed to even complain I feel for ya dude. Just wow. I also have the Ps3 monitor, though I'm selling it to pay for (half of) this Asus. Thanks, though, the clips cheered me up! Bet they'd look nice in 3d... I mean, flatter is better! Depth is for... divers.

Hey I was clicking around and somehow stumbled upon a post that said you picked up a Vita, I did too, go ahead and add me, "Imebatman". I'm liking it, but I'm SUCH a fan of 3d that to be honest I think I prefer the graphics on my 3ds... I realize that the Vita blows it away on paper, but I'm really just a huge fan of 3 dimensions, the 3ds made me never want to go back, and that's why we're here today, 4+ grand in the hole.

But I got MvC, blazblue, wipeout, not very good at any of 'em, but always lookin' for someone to play fighters with.

 

I'm always buying the newest tech...lol. Just ask stevie and Mr. Fox. Poor guys....I'm always trying to push new portable tech on them...lol.

The Vita is truly revolutionary!! It even supports 8 people cross-game voice chat on the go through wifi or 3G. I have all my current HD shows in HD on my Vita. It's a portable PS3. At home I thought I was good a UMvC3 & Wipeout. Online it's completely the opposite...lol. Mobiousblack also has a Vita and so do many other M18x owners. The PS Vita FEB bundle sold 74,674 units on the 15th here in the states. Video Game Charts, Game Sales, Top Sellers, Game Data - VGChartz Currently it's sold out in my area. I sold my 3DS. Besides 3D the Vita owns all on the go. Including tablet gaming..lol.

With the Vita I am truly "Gaming Forever" at least until the battery runs out of charge
width='420' height="315"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/5tjOZZi3TC8?version=3&amp;hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/5tjOZZi3TC8?version=3&amp;hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width='420' height="315" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object>
I'll add you in a few minutes.

 

Did you all see this from Dell

Alienware M18X: Compatibility of HDMI output with 3D | Dell

Are they saying its now not compatible?

 

I'm confused with a hint of by that link from Dell. Nice find by the way +rep!!!

http://www.dell.com/us/p/alienware-m18x/pd.aspx
" If an 18.4" full HD display isn't big enough, you can wirelessly blast 3D games and HD content to any properly equipped external display. Note: 3D viewing requires additional equipment, sold separately2.
Go Big: Enjoy intense 3D gaming by connecting to a compatible 3D TV via HDMI 1.4 or ditch the wires entirely. With optional Wireless HD you can wirelessly blast 3D or Full HD games to any 3D-ready device. 3D viewing requires additional equipment, sold separately5".

 

That article doesn't make a great deal of sense to me, seems to contradict itself. If the red boxes truly are incompatible, they should explain more fully what the little captions mean.

I wanted to direct you guys to this link.

After I got my monitor and alienware in, and, like most everybody else probably, was pulling my hair out when I realized that hdmi couldn't support 120hz, I started looking for a DP solution. I came across this device on Amazon, and ordered it based on the first review, written by Ninjawithagun (I haven't received the device yet). As luck would have it, he, the first reviewer, claimed to have an M18x that he got working with 3d. Said the adapter solved all of his 120 hz problems. If he happens to have the Nvidia model (doesn't specify), wouldn't this be the first sighting of someone who got the M18x working with external 3d and no Red error message? Take a look at the first review.

So I was thinking it might do some good to question the guy and see if and how he got around the problem, but I don't know a way to contact someone through Amazon. Anyone know how to do that? I have a sneaking suspicion it'll end up he just had the ATI model or a 560 or something, but I figured it was worth a shot.

 

Interesting. I have a HDMI 1.4a cable and a bunch of HDMI 1.3 cables. All of them aid in producing this error. He most likely has a AMD setup. Maybe not. Keep us posted.

 

I just replied and asked the guy on Amazon. I guess we will see if he responds.

 

Thanks Fox.

 

You're welcome.

I think the article is not saying the M18x is not compatible. I think it is trying to explain how to make 3D work properly, but it is not worded clearly. The legend says "not compatible" while the text above says otherwise. Some of the tech articles seem to be written by people that have English as a second language.

This is true. While I am not interested in spending my own money on a lot of the same toys, almost all forms of technology are interesting to me. I don't mind hearing what others are excited about. It's nice to interact with people that are enthusiastic and passionate about technology.

With respect to the 3D, I used to be an early adopter and stuff is just way too expensive for me to go that route any more. I am waiting for everyone else to work out the bugs and for the prices of new tech to drop. It always does, and when it does, I'll join the fun fashionably late with more cash left over, LOL. I am waiting for the technology that requires no 3D glass to become cheap mainstream, so I've got a bit of a wait ahead of me.

 

I seem to recall that Sentinel has been using a dual link DVI adaptor like the one shown.....Its my belief that its supposedly the only way to get a true stereoscopic 3d image transferred from laptop to external display due to bandwidth limitations of HDMI.

If I am right and Sentinel does have one in use already, he was still getting the error message with said equipment, right?

Also, I guess I am too slow to adopt & embrace new tech with the passion Gunner does....Im just to tight fisted after dropping a bomb on this baby....hahaha!

 

Mseels, welcome to NBR. We are glad you joined the Community and especially glad you are in the Alienware forums.

You should be able to now. Please click the link in my signature on the left side. There are a lot of links to useful threads. Look at the short list at the bottom and you will see links that are important for you to be familiar with as a new member of the Community.

Again, welcome to NBR. I'm looking forward to seeing more of your posts in the future.

I don't know that DELLChrisM is still wanting people to send in their information, but it certainly will hurt nothing to send it to him.

 

Good call, Fox. That first comment under his review is actually mine that I posted a little while ago, and never heard anything, but mine was more of a "thanks" and not a direct question. Hopefully he'll notice that someone is asking him something.

 

Mark, look at the link I mentioned.

 

Hi again guys,

So many posts since my first one yesterday, this forum (and thread) is really active and that's great.

I see that I am not the only one wondering how to use full HD 3D and disappointed seeing that HDMI could not do the job.

However, no hint concerning the red message?
It seems it really is a software problem as one of my 2 boot partitions doesn't show the message. But I don't figure how to go further in my investigations.
- I cannot reformat or make new partitions on My SSD RAID 0 (all are now in production environment).
- I fear updating my Pro partition to 295.73 drivers, if the message appears, I will loose my last chance to see 3D films (perhaps by creating a restore point just before with the hope it does not change anything I cannot reverse while restoring?)
- I don't think I can do that kind of testing through a virtual machine (like one made with virtual box) because high end graphics are not supported in emulations.
- What if I try to make a new boot partition only for testing on an external HDD connected to eSata? (I never used eSata before but I have some spare HDD in hold computers I think I could use for that)

Do not hesitate to argue on this.

 

Yes, you can run an OS through eSATA. I have done it before with Windows and Linux on my M18x. That is a nice way to test things without disturbing your normal OS installation.

 

This happens with my 560s as well can confirm now that I have the tv.

Anyone thought about getting dell to switch over to the AMD camp to the 6990s? It would be an upgrade for me. Any chance they would do it?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

 

If you explained your case properly, they would certainly give you the upgrade in hopes of closing your case. If I was you I would take that route. As soon as you got the 6990M's, this problem would disappear. I believe Dell upgrading you to fix the problem would be a reasonable solution.

 

The only thing I could think of being a problem is I have read bf3 3d is exclusive to nvidia. Can anyone confirm?

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

 

3D using AMD cards is sketchy compared to NVIDIA. It uses 3rd party 'middleware' to render the 2nd perspective for 3D, rather than being built into the driver package as it is with NVIDIA.

I was able to get 3D working in BF3 on my AMD system using TriDef middleware, but it was completely inferior to the experience with the NVIDIA cards.

In summary, if 3D is important to you, stick with NVIDIA.

 

Correct. I have one and still get the same message.

The adaptor uses EDID passthrough, so the PC detects it as if it were the same monitor.

Guys if you have any more questions like this, please feel free to PM me with a link to the forum and I'm happy to respond. I am not frequenting these forums anymore so I will miss stuff like this otherwise

 

The M18x supports 3D via HDMI at resolutions up to 720p @ 120Hz (60hz per eye), or 1080p @ 60Hz (30Hz per eye).

This is regardless of the cable/monitor/EDID hacks/etc.

The ONLY way to view Full HD 1080p @ 120Hz is to use the displayport on the M18x.

End of story.

 

Actually I can have only the following via HDMI :
- 2D in full HD 1080p @60Hz
- 3D in HD 720p @60Hz (not 120Hz)
- 3D in full HD 1080p @24Hz (not 60Hz)
Is it my mistake or yours?

If I am right the only way to get :
- 2D in full HD 1080p @120Hz
- 3D in full HD 1080p @60Hz
would be via mini-displayport.

 

I'm confused now. Is the "Prototype Test Only. NVIDIA Confidential." error message seen on the M18x display or on an external TV/monitor? Or both?

 

Both for me if its mirrored and external only if I only have the TV on.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

 

Same here, except external monitor is not a TV.