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

Both.
10chars

 

It depends on the monitor attached, but the MAXIMUMS supported by the M18x hardware itself are as I listed as far as I can tell.

 

Who gets the message on the external monitor only?
Who gets the message on the M18x display only?
Who gets the message on both?

 

I only get it will I connect to an external display. 2x's I could not get rid of the message even after disabling Nvidia 3D Vision......which carried over to the internal M18x display.
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Would you like our service tag?


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Chris, to clarify:

The problem _only_ shows up when attaching an external 3d monitor, as the m18x isn't available with a built-in 3d monitor.


I know because I searched far and wide for _any_ laptop with SLI 580's and built-in 3d, to no avail. I would have snatched up the built-in 3d in a heartbeat if it were offered, it's kind of weird that built-in 3d is only offered in mid to low-end graphics laptops.

I haven't even checked if it shows up on the laptop monitor when the external monitor is attached (no reason to), but I know the message doesn't show up with no monitor attached, in any of the games running in 2d mode, if that's what you're asking.

 

I think skygunner's screen shot shows that it happens to the internal display also when an external display is attached.

 

You are on the right track.
That video was after the message showed up, after I had disconnected the M18x from the external 3D display, after disabling Nvidia 3D Vision and after a reset. That message would not go away even on the M18x's non 3D screen.

 

FYI, Chris has informed me that he has e-mailed the Dell "L3" team about the issue. I'm not sure what that means, but it sounds important and official It's encouraging to know word of our problem is being spread at Dell, would be awesome if something came of this.

 

L3 means Level 3 Support, which is closely aligned with the engineering teams on resolving issues. To the best of my knowledge, Level 3 is the highest level of Tech Support.

 

Hopefully they can get this resolved. I am sure dell has a big say in pushing nvidia to solve the DPC latency issue, maybe they will do the same for this as well

I know its off-topic but thanks again Brother Fox for the awesome signature!

 

You're welcome. Glad you like it.

 

Last time i spoke with L3 support (which was a month ago now) they were still insisting that the issue was isolated to a handful of 'faulty' 580m cards.

I really hope that with many more people reporting the issue now, they will start to see some logic. Previously when I spoke to them there were only 5 reported cases on the internet, including my 2 systems.

 

Had you not posted as much detailed information, I don't think nearly as many people would have bothered testing 3D output to see if the same problem was present on their systems.

 

Sorry. LOL!!

 

I meant that as a compliment, bro. No need to be sorry. I think it was great. It's good this came to light on numerous systems so it can be addressed for everyone. It would not be something that gets escalated for resolution otherwise, as it would have been thought of as random and isolated. I don't think anyone, including Dell, knew there was an issue to resolve.

 

I know it seems obvious, but you would think it would be as simple as telling someone at L3 or above: "Hey, go pull an m18x and a 3d monitor off the shelf and YOU tell ME what you get." I know Dell support is scattered all over the globe and the production centers probably have nothing to do with the support centers, but I would hope someone in higher support would have access to some test machines.

 

They do have test systems in L3 support, and they may be already trying to test it and identify a solution to this problem. That is essentially what I was hinting at in my compliment to Sentinel for helping bring this to the surface in more numbers versus the onesy-twosy isolated occurrences. I would not be terribly surprised to find tons (if not all) M18x with NVIDIA graphics cards have this issue with the vast majority of owners not even being aware of it.

They are probably not going to do much testing and research on a problem that has not been identified as a known issue, which is why it is important for a number of people to report problems as early as possible when they are discovered.

 

I tried that and was told they don't have any M18x's to test with.

 

I found the problem within the first hour of use because I use 3D mode quite often. Since then Ive discussed this problem numerous times with Dell techs and engineers since last October when I first received my m18x, unless Nvidia starts to identified this as an issue and have the engineers work on it I dont think it will ever get resolved. The best answer Dell gave me so far is the issue will get fixed in the coming driver releases.

 

Hi everyone, I am new here.

First of all thanks to every single user in this thread, because when I start to have the same problem (red "prototype ...." tag) and the lack of assistance from customer service, I felt somehow reassured that I am not the only one pushing for a solution...

I beg you pardon in advance for the huge post, but I am becoming bilious with this issue! Please understand me...

I am from Italy and, I have to admit, untill now I have been less than satisfied by local Alienware customer service - terrible audio - barely understandable, huge waiting time (half an hour sometimes) and a team frankly well beyond the legitimate expectancies for a 4k+ EUR laptop.
They seems to be competent enough to provide assistance to old granny's issues (have you turn on the laptop? have you connected the plug in the correct way? This sort of stuff... ) but completely out of water with this problem.
Even if I point them on this thread, they sustain that mine is an "isolated" case, with no precedent record in DELL...
First they where trying to convince me that, since M18x do not come with a 3D screen, 3D is not supported by the laptop and therefore they cannot do anything to help. Obviously, I address them to Alienware webpage.
Then they where sustaining that 3D is not supported via HDMI and AGAIN I address them to Alienware webpage.
I tried 3D stereoscopic (thanks to a friendly Media Store Seller) with wireless 3D Vision 2 and the following monitors, all listed in the nvidia 3D ready list:

Acer GD245HQ
ASUS VG236HE
LG W2363DB 120 Hz
Samsung SyncMaster 2233RZ

plus my freshly purchased Head Mounted Display HMZ-T1 from Sony .

All the times with the same result - 3D works, but with message on front.
Last answer that I got from them is that, with the exception of HMZ-T1 (that is not supported at all by nvidia and therefore in their opinion shouldn't work at all), the 3D is not functioning properly because on the page Requisiti di 3D Vision ? Il kit 3D che permette di ottenere il massimo da 3D Vision
they are listed as not "3D Vision HDMI Support" and "NVIDIA 3D LightBoost Technology" compliant...

Additionally, from the latest post here I have understood that there are three levels of technical support: do you know how I can escalate the problem? Talking with these guys is becoming a loss of time and health - not to mention the fact that since I am now abroad for my work, calling to their customers "support" number has already cost me more than 100 EUR in two weeks...

A special thanks for the attention of everyone resilient enough to read all the post!

 

Welcome to NBR. We are glad you joined our community.

At this time, getting your case escalated would essentially be an exercise in futility. There is no point in escalation because there is not a fix for the problem. If they knew what to do to fix the problem, it would be posted in this thread. I suspect they are working on it. Just hang tight and watch this thread for developments.

As a new member of our forums, it is important that you know our rules and know how to effectively search for discussion topics. Please click the link in the left side of my signature and review the threads linked at the bottom of the post. I believe you will find the information very useful.

 

Hi Mr. Fox,

You are right obviously.
Practically, it will not do any difference at the moment because there probably isn't a solution yet.
I was so mad from the answers received from the customers service that I was simply thinking on how to have the possibility to thalk with someone willing enough to understand the issue ...

I will follow your advise and read trough the other thread for useful info.

Thank you again

 

It's very frustrating to get useless or incorrect answers from people that work in a tech support role. This is not unique to Dell/Alienware. Front line support is usually poor with most companies. (Dell/Alienware Level 1 support is a lot better than most, but that is not a huge accomplishment when you look at how lame their competition is.) The silver lining is, Level 2 and Level 3 reps are very helpful and very knowledgeable about the products they support.

 

Hey guys, I apologize of this has already been discussed and researched, but a google search brought me to this link, right here on the notebookreview.com forums, back from October. People seem to be discussing running the M18x in 3d with no problems, has anyone asked any of these posters about their configurations? Or has it already been determined that they aren't using 580m's?

I woulda just posted on there, but I'm not sure if this site has a policy against reviving dead threads.

 

When I click on that link I get page not found.

 

Me, too. It must be a cached page or something.

Mseels, If you can find that again, try saving the web page as a single file or something so we can attempt to locate the mystery thread. Also, see if the signatures of the people posting identify what video cards they have.

Edit: Oooops... here is what the "link" is point to: URL= "Hey guys, I apologize of this has already been discussed and researched, but a google search brought me to" LOL! :laugh:

(honest mistake - hope you can find it again)

Here is another observation...

This Dell document: Alienware M18X: Compatibility of HDMI output with 3D | Dell has a footnote stating:

For those that want to use 3D with an external display and cannot because of the overlay issue... have you installed the NVIDIA 3DTV Play utility? I believe the M17x R3 equipped with the 3D display comes with a license for 3DTV Play. I find myself wondering if the reason this problem exists on the M18x is due to not having a licensed copy of this software installed.

Spoiler

You might want to download and install the 14-day trial version from NVIDIA to see if it fixes the problem. Here is a link to it: NVIDIA® 3DTV Play Free 14 Day Trial. If it doesn't fix it, there is nothing to be lost by trying. If it does fix it, then it's just a matter of needing to step up and buy the license for it from NVIDIA.

Hope this turns out to be useful.

Spoiler

 

That's good info, Mr. Fox and sounds very plausible. I still cant see why we should have to fork out money from our own pockets to utilise functionality on hardware we already paid for, simply because the M18x doesnt come equipped with a built in 3d monitor....its a bit like saying "Right Mr Customer, here is your new Porsche but unfortunately, to drive it more than 60mph, you will have to give us some more money!" LOL

 

Quote:

Here is another observation...

This Dell document: Alienware M18X: Compatibility of HDMI output with 3D | Dell has a footnote stating:
End Quote.


Thank you Mr. Fox!

I will try this evening

I have one doubt, however:

I'm using a registered copy of powerDVD 12 to see 3D BD, and as per the Alienware M18X: Compatibility of HDMI output with 3D page, nothing more should be needed to see 3D BD (actually, 9.6 should be sufficient), so I do not understand why the red tag is shown also with them...

UPDATE:

nvidia has added my sony HMZ-T1 to the list of supported 3d output!

3DTV System Requirements

Effectively it require 295.51 driver with 3DTV Play Update 1.0.0.34

I will definetely give a try this evening and I will post the results!

 

How else are they going to get back all the money they (NVIDIA) spent on the last Class Action lawsuit? http://forum.notebookreview.com/hp-...-cq56-115dx-life-after-nvidia-settlement.html "The way it's meant to be played" ...right?

Sorry... couldn't resist. Still love my greens. I suppose it has something to do with what NVIDIA is willing to license and a bunch of complicated crap. They may not allow an OEM to provide it on a laptop or notebook system without a built-in 3D display.

 

Hahahahaha - putting it like that, I see your point! - I too am pleased with the greens, I would love to see this resolved without any additional expense for those that want to hook up to an external 3d source....who knows, maybe I would adopt 3d at some point in time if this problem was resolved (<<<< check out my nice 3d glasses.....cool, eh? )

 

Just adding to the discussion.

So am I reading this list correctly? The M18x isn't on it? The M17x-R3 is.
* Update - Alienware could not validate a bizlink dongle (no idea what that is) to support 3D monitors which is why Nvidia chose not to put the M18x on the list.

Then, on this list the GTX580m is not listed? Maybe the list was made before the Dell OEM GTX580m came out?

I got this data and do not really understand it...
The cogs required for 3D are, 3DVision Driver, 3DVision key in Sbios, and 3DVision enabled Vbios. 3D Bluray over HDMI 1.4a is automatically supported for all systems regardless of the license.
* 3DVision driver – Nvidia doesn’t usually enable full 3DVision support for their BETA releases. Remove the beta driver and reload the Dell WHQL driver.
* 3DVision Sbios key – Since there is no native LCD, the Sbios does not contain the 3D key to automatically enable 3D gaming. You must purchase a 3DTVPlay license from Nvidia to play 3D games via HDMI.
* 3DVision Vbios – Needs video card bios .06 otherwise 3DVision is not enabled. In M18x, both Vbios have to match.

 

Thank you for the update!

I think you may be onto something there, Chris. It appears NVIDIA has not updated some of their web information on 3DVision and compatible hardware for a good while. If they have not done any recent testing of newer hardware, (which appears to be the case,) that would be a reasonable explanation why the M18x and the GTX 580M are not listed. It may also be a matter of updating the NVIDIA web site is not high on their list of priorities.

It will be interesting to see what happens when our M18x testers install the 3DTV Play software package. I eagerly await their reports. I have a gut feeling (which could be wrong) that the overlay problem will go away once they do that.

 

Simply.

It works!!! The red tag is gone!!!

I have tested few minutes with some Steam's games (HAWX 2 - Skyrim - Jurassic Park - Clive's Baker Jericho - Batman AA).

"Read the manual", they say... Onestly, I didn't.

How I could have been so dumb?!

I will buy the 3D TV Play software, and again, simply, thats it...

I guess that the TAG was somehow referred to the "embryonal" and not fully operating 3D TV Play Software integrated in the nvidia drivers...



So this is it for the HMZ-T1! I hope that will be the same for all the other different monitors.

Thank you again everyone! I will post updates if it will be the case!

I have to go now, "Al-Khali" is worth to pay a 3D visit...

 

Wow, so it seems that buying the 3dTV Play software fixes this issue! - I cant test this as I dont have a 3d tv. Lets hope it works for others too......14 day free trial or $39.99usd (or £25.06gbp) is "swallowable" to ensure this goes away for those of you who use 3d I guess......

 

WOOT! SUCCESS!

Thanks for the update. Now we need skygunner27 and one or two more 3D users to validate it to confirm it consistently works. Thank you, Gyrfalco! +1 rep!

 

Confirmed fixes problem for me

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Exactly.

I don't know if I should be happy or upset. Our M18x's work perfectly with 3D, so the tech is already in place payed for and working. So now we have an overlay crippling a feature that should have come included....because Nvidia wants 39.99USD? That's ridiculous!!! Hasn't Dell already payed the premium on hardware/software to Nvidia?

Who do I need to contact to get this free? Don't get me wrong....I have 39.99USD at my disposal but paying for something that should have been payed for and that is already there....just doesn't sit right with me.

Lately I have been busy so I'll have to save my trial(lmmfao) for a time when I can actually enjoy it.

I am NOT happy!! Regardless of if I chose to pay for it or not....I should NEVER see a " Prototype Test Only. Nvidia Confidential. Not For Production. Not For Release" overlay!!

 

I agree gunner. I feel that no additional expense should have to be paid aftermarket to get our 3d enabled laptops to actually work with 3d....it is basically like Nvidia saying "well, as you didnt buy a laptop with a built in 3d display, we are gonna charge you xxx to actually be able to use it on an external source"

Bit of a dodgy con on Nvidia's part if you ask me....money for old rope....

Basically, even though it appears to work, I believe that Dell should step up to the plate and by means of discussion with Nvidia, come up with some method of enabling us to download and use the software that should have been bundled with our systems, for free. Dell and/or Nvidia should swallow the cost, not the end customer as its not OUR fault...the fault lies squarely with Dell and Nvidia for NOT informing us of this short-coming.

Bottom line, you buy a 3d capable laptop, it should do 3d without having to part with more cash...

 

works with my 560's, still thinks it sucks that you have to pay to get it to work...

 

I agree!!! Well said.
I'm sure Dell doesn't want customers seeing "Prototype Test Only. Nvidia Confidential. Not For Production. Not For Release" on their M18x's and neither should Nvidia if they have a shred of decency/professionalism. All I want them to do is remove only the overlay. Everything else already works. There's no need for an addition program like 3DTV Play.

 

Wow... It never even occurred to me to try the 3dtv play software, as I thought the whole reason for it was television compatibility, not monitor compatibility... I mean, I've already paid $3400 for my Alienware/Nvidia laptop, and $700 for my Asus VG278H, monitor which comes bundled with _nvidia_ glasses. You'd think the license would be in there somewhere, and it sure as HECK is implied in practically all of Nvidia's and Dell's literature that 3d will work, with the proper equipment, straight out of the box.

Not that it matters much any more, but here's another shot at the link that didn't seem to work before... if that doesn't work, just do a google search for "is m18x 3d capable?" and refer to the link that comes up from notebookreview.com. Again, doesn't seem to matter much anymore, just wanted to show I wasn't inventing imaginary forum threads

I'm trying to be righteously indignant here, but honestly, I'm so relieved that there might be a valid fix that I'm mostly just excited to get home, fork over the $40, and try it... We sure as heck got screwed, but the fact that I'm not going to have to fight Dell on a return then scour the web for another "perfect" laptop - basically, not having to "start over" is a huge relief. My sincere condolences to all of those (lubu, Skygunner) who have been wrestling with this problem far longer than I, only to be told you have to give them MORE money for something you should have had bundled to begin with. You guys have had unbelievable patience.

I'll be sure to update when I get home and test! Wish I didn't work so flippin' late!

Mseels

 

No one saw this coming. Everything to do 3D is already in place. So to remove that overlay it's going to cost us an extra 39.99USD.....ridiculous. Let me know if the trial works.

 

I think a free license should be given to those who ask dell. As isn't the m18x marketed as 3d Ready??

 

This really sucks!! On one hand I think Dell should provide us with the license because it's advertised that it is a standard feature. But on the other hand I don't think they should be responsible for footing the bill.

The more I research 3DTV Play the more I found posts where other Nvidia customers are complaining. I hope someone at Dell will be able to interpret our concerns and push Nvidia to hand out some keys that will continue to update past the current version of 3DTV play.


Wait a minute.............our M18x's come standard with 3DTV play. This definitely needs to be fixed by Nvidia for free with Dell's help. Why would anyone expect us to pay for a program that comes standard/completely unlocked on our M18x? Regardless this overlay is not suppose to be there.

 

I'm curious where you read that the M18x is supposed to come standard with a license for 3DTV Play. That may be true, but I just haven't read that anywhere. If a license for 3DTV Play is included with the M18x, it should be fairly easy to get the mistake sorted out. I did not find it posted in My Dell Downloads, and that is where I would expect to see such factory pre-installed software available for download.

 

The 3DTV play that you see in my pics is from the driver. No additional software.

All I want is that overlay removed. Why pay for something that already works?

 

Is this 3D Play software aftermarket or an NVIDIA package?

I posted months ago that 3D worked fine using TriDef aftermarket.

 

There may be some kind of vBIOS key file that is missing that removes the overlay. The 3DTV Play software requires activation. It will also show up in the Add/Remove Programs list if it has been installed.

See this information: NVIDIA Support - 3DTV Play FAQ's

And here's the really smelly one...

There are more FAQ's at the link posted above.

 

I'll do some more digging and see if we can manipulate the bios with something other then svet's vbios tuner. Maybe we'll get lucky and find something that allows us to edit stuff like that.


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