*Official Alienware M18x AMD CrossFire Discussion Thread (re: Dell/AW Conference Call)*

Thx for the info Mr.Fox. I am getting shutdowns with my 6990s but i notice this only happens with skyrim. But temp are above 95...igot my rig just a week go and i was thingking of sending it back.

 

Is Dell going to take care of this problem?

 

They are working on it

 

I did an Alien Autopsy on my M18x when I had to replace its brand new factory motherboard with an old refurb.

 

really? and your like the only person with that revision. lol

can't be to refurbished.

 

Me and Aikimox..its E 1116, super old. Least it works and no cold boot. Can't wait till my 580s arrive.

 

thought you had a newer g2 model or something. shame on me!

hummm. when you looked it over...anything jump out at you? and the bios. can you upload a copy of it? thanks.

 

The original one that shipped with the system was a G2 but it was defective like the rest. Bios of what? The motheboard? Not sure if its possible or would make a difference since it seems to be the EC that is the root of the problem (IMO anyway).

 

the EC is in the motherboard bios.
i would rather have them unlock a working EC coded bios. that's why.

 

Oh I see what you're saying. Hmm well I don't know how to extract the EC. Any suggestions?

 

no. you dont need to extract it. just save a copy of your bios. then we can have them unlock it. we dont want anyone messing with the EC code it self...that could be very bad...lol

 

Invites are out. Excuse my ham fisted edit job on the agenda. I left in some mark up notes that should have been left off. Oh well. At least I got the dial in info straight this time.

 

Thanks, Bill. I will be updating the opening post of the thread this evening with our conference call agenda and phone-in information.

In case anyone is curious, our call with Bill and Louis is scheduled for tomorrow at 2:00 PM Central Standard Time.

 

I'll be there....looking forward to talking with you guys....and Dell, of course!

 

Can't wait to listen. I'll be lurking this time as well, at least as long as I can given work requirements. Would it be an inconvinieve if I have to drop the call and dial back in? Hope it doesn't cause an interuption, phone will be muted.

 

No issues. Just makes a little beep on the line. You will be prompted to state your name followed by the pound sign, but I have the announcements turned off. Just a beep.

 

I seem to be another victim of the thermal shutdown issue.

Hope tomorrow's call goes well & we get some progress

 

Just reboot after cold boot in the meantime, and we'll get it figured out at some point. Right now, I'd characterize it as saying we have leads but nothing concrete yet.

 

To the wandering about the so called "AlienAutopsy":
Description of AlienAutopsy

"AlienAutopsy is an Automated Technical Support Request System. In addition to the most advanced and personalized technical support structure available, Alienware has gone one step further with AlienAutopsy. A very unique and hassle-free tool, AlienAutopsy can provide the Alienware Technical Support staff with a detailed incident report including over 30,000 fields of system-specific data. Alienware Technical Support can diagnose a quick and precise assessment of all critical system issues and respond with a resolution even faster than you may think!

AlienAutopsy will instantly report over 30,000 fields of system-specific data that is accessible through a secure, centralized web-based portal. It captures event logs, device information and application process information. It supplies technical support representatives with a detailed incident data sheet used to assist in resolving the reported critical issue. All reports are non-intrusive and completely confidential. No personal information about the user, serialization information or software-specific data is sent to us. Any information gathered will be used only for diagnostic purposes and will never be sent to a third party. AlienAutopsy requires no additional hardware to install. AlienAutopsy does require an internet connection.

This diagnostic program can be purchased for a one-time fee and remains active for the length of the warranty you select. For example, if AlienAutopsy and a 3 year warranty are selected, your AlienAutopsy service will remain active for 3 years."​

What Is AlienAutopsy? - KB Article - 351661 | Dell

 

So I received my M18x last Tuesday and I have had this issue where the fan for the secondary GPU would not run and I noticed my primary GPU's fan would not run very fast causing my primary GPU to run at over 90 degrees Celsius. I spoke with Alienware tech support and they ran Heaven Benchmark with GPU-Z to monitor temps. They completely uninstalled my driver and reinstalled dell drivers which changed nothing. I noticed that while they were controlling my computer, crossfire would not enable in Heaven so they were not seeing my issue. They thought crossfire was not working properly so they are sending replacement fans and 6990s. I hope the tech will know what he is doing but even though crossfire is running I figured maybe since this is a new batch of 6990s (they are out of stock and getting more in tomorrow) the problem might be solved. The tech did say that they know of a problem with the fans not running but they have no solution currently so I have to wait till they have a solution. Is 1900 in Heaven a good score for this system? I am not really sure though and the tech was like that is an amazing score for a single GPU (1000). It was AA x4 and no Tessellation at full screen. Any advice or comments would appreciated. I tried to have dell send me a replacement with 580s or just the dual 580s for this system but they said they can't.

 

If you are in return period just return and order one with NVIDIA.

 

Unfortunately I am unable to return it and have another one because I need a computer. As it is I installed a lot of expensive programs on this machine and I would need to transfer everything. Dell will not send a replacement system with 580s while I have this system. I can't afford to have two alienware M18xs on my dell card otherwise I would order another and then get refunded for this one after I send this one back. Oh well...

 

killaz05 - sorry to hear of the current issue. As you can tell, you're not alone in the situation. I hope the replacement cards solve the problem for you. Since you have only owned the system a week, if the cards do not solve the issue, you may want to return your M18x for a refund within the 21-day window and pay the extra $150 price difference for another M18x with 580M GTX SLI. I am very confident that a fix for the AMD cards is forthcoming once the underlying cause is nailed down, so it would be your call which route to take.

Although off-topic, yes 1900 is good. If you achieved 1900 when the tech was remotely connected, that would suggest that CrossFire actually was working or the score should have been much lower. Windows Aero does not work during a remote desktop sharing session with Alienware Support, so perhaps that is what you were noticing.

Edit: just refreshed and saw your response to ACHILLES about the option of returning/reordering.

 

Kllaz,
I would not accept the word can't. you are still within your return period and that is great leverage. Personally I would return it and wait for the problem to be resolved before I reordered. Once a dell tech has opened your system there is a fifty fifty shot or worse they will break something else and or use a broken refurbished part. I speak from expierence. i started with a jammed up dvd drive. By the time the techs were done, my otherwise perfectly working m18x was ready for the scrap heap. Do not think like me and assume that it can't hurt to try a swap because it can hurt and probably will.

 

Don't take no for an answer with Dell. You can end up with a fully working computer for only 150 dollar difference, so at worst, just return it and get the working computer. If you are with in the return period, the ball is in your court and you should definately get it done with in that period.

Dell is replacing my system (a replacement system which replaced my old M17x R2), I honestly don't see why they can't replace yours.

On the side note, asking them to replace your GPU to Nvidia won't work even if the tech says yes to it since I was told the 580's are back ordered until the end of the month, and that's the reason I'm getting a new replacement.

M18x is an expensive system. Make sure you get your moneys worth and don't make any decisions that you may regret in the future.

Good luck.

 

Wow!!!! I am brand new to this issue. Just happened to run across it in another thread. FTR, I have had no heat or fan issues with mine. It does seem to idle a little warm at times (60C), but still not shutting down. Hope you all get this figured out and fixed. Again, not to toot Dell/AW horn, but I bet they fix it or make it right.

 

**PLEASE NOTE**​

The opening post has been updated with tomorrow's call agenda and phone-in information. Special thanks go to the "Team Red" panel members for their assistance in gathering information and providing feedback on items to be included in the agenda.

Due to meeting time constraints and availability of key Dell staff that are able to speak on the subject, Quality Control will not be covered in this teleconference. Bill has the list of items that were in the agenda and I know he will provide the information to the people that need to be aware of them. Included in that list were the following common complaints noted on our forum:

• Poor quality (or missing) thermal compound/pad application
• Missing/loose screws, sloppy assembly
• Malformed touchpad (tracking surface and buttons not flush)
• Malformed or blemished palmrest "soft touch" finish
• Inconsistent keyboard quality (some have excessive "flex"/some do not)
• RAID0 installation not always set up as RAID0 with dual HDD configurations
• Speakers stop working after using optical audio jack (stuck "trigger pin")

​

These anomalies do not affect all users and all systems, but they have been reported by multiple Alienware M18x owners in our Community.

We also shared a list of the things we love about Alienware with Bill, Chris and Louis. From comments throughout the Alienware Community, we identified a number of commonly held sentiments:

• Excellent build quality, anodized alloy chassis and cooling system
• Awesome, striking appearance
• Excellent display and the use of high quality components
• Impressive leather-bound manual, installation media, Alien hat and value-added extras
• Love the wallpapers, AlienRespawn USB recovery and lighting effects
• Huge beast shreds all the latest games
• Powerhouse, excellent for CAD, video/audio editing
• Outstanding tech support, warranty and above-and-beyond service
• Impresses everyone that sees it – love the attention it gets me

​

Bill will lay some ground rules at the opening of the teleconference. All Alienware Community members are welcome to join the call and listen with phones muted. Only the Team Red panel will be in direct communication with Bill and Louis during the teleconference.

For those that cannot attend, I think we can count on the fact that there will be discussion on this thread about the teleconference.

And we know we will have continued communication with our excellent Dell/Alienware Community Liaisons, Dell-Bill_B and DELLChrisM. The amount of support we have received from them as of late has been unprecedented to my knowledge and we are certainly thankful to have them in our Community. With resolution of the "Aero/OSD Bug" and the "580M Throttling" and the impending resolution of the AMD issues, not to mention the fact that this is the second conference call with Dell... all in less than 6 months... I think I speak for most of us in saying "Thank You!" and "Dell Rocks!"

 

Can you please tell me what time the conference starts Alaska Standard Time(AKST)? I'm really bad with this Lower 48 stuff.

I have to be a Bestbuy tomorrow morning(10:00AM AKST) for the Kindle Fire launch. My daughter has to have one with a purple Belkin case. I preordered one, but Bestbuy has given away my preorders before. I also have to pick Need for Speed: The Run for PC tomorrow.

I guess I'll call from Bestbuy if I have too

 

Sure, skygunner... For those in the Continental US and Canada, the call is at:

11AM - Alaska Time
12PM - Pacific Time
1PM - Mountain Time
2PM - Central Time
3PM - Eastern Time​

 

I really want to attend tomorrow's meeting. I'll do my best to attend. Use as excuse to leave early

 

Thanks...so I guess I'll be calling from the launch of Kindle Fire at 11:00am....lol...

 

Thanks for coordinating on our end Mr. Fox! Also a big thanks to Bill_B for making this possible. Great job guys!

 

Hi guys, I am writing because I'm having another problem I see is detailed in post # 1 as the random use of Crossfire. There are times it uses both cards and others only 1.
It happens me with the battlefield 3, which works in campaign mode almost always with the crossfire. But when I try multiplayer, the game hangs and does not load the level, is just stop when you start the game (a small square in the bottom right).
Does anyone know any solution for this?
I reinstalled 11.10 drivers with CAP profiles 4. And I used the RadeonPro, I think is causing the problem but to uninstall it persists.

Thank you all! Have a nice day btw!

 

I must have overlooked that note lol
Wondered why it said please wait for others to join

 

Im on hold waiting for others too. Hear u soon

 

I'll probably hop back in around 3:15 my time, 2:15 CST. I see you than.

 

I'm on the call waiting too... Great to see and hear this happening

 

Loius cracks, me up, but as always an educational experience.

 

Wow! Good Stuff! Thanks Red Team and Dell

"Why does Dell use cheap @$$ thermal paste?"... LOL !! Louis, thanks for your explanation and defense of your thermal material.

I am on my 5th replacement and will check to see if I have the thermal shutdown issue and report back.

Gotta drop off the call early and pick up the kids from school.

Thanks Everyone!! Lots of lessons learned today.

 

10 min break...time to get a game of mw3 in. lol

 

10 min break, call back in ten.

 

Very informative so far.

Funniest thing coming from the guy who collected everyone's motherboard revisions. Luis says - those are not revisions, their date codes, motherboards are the same. Who knew.

 

Leaving work so i missed that. Thanks nuroo.

 

Edit: Was off-topic i removed it myself

 

Was great to hear everyone's voices and put them to the names we are familiar with here on NBR. Gotta say the call was very informative and who would have known like Nuroo said that the MB rev. was all but a date stamp in effect, and that there were no differences in any of those rev. numbers we so closely scrutinied.

Look forward to the next call and thanks to Bill and Louis for "2 hours" of thier time....more than planned for but it was worth it....thanks....and also big thank you to Mr Fox for being the NBR key member on this call. Good job mate....very well organised!

 

Nobody pushed for that beta AMD driver we have, and I forgot to bring it up.

 

It was an excellent teleconference and I agree with everything nuroo and steviejones have said. I scribbled out some notes and will collaborate with Bill and Louis to make sure they are technically accurate before sharing them. I'll post a summary with those highlights on the opening thread sometime in the next few days.

For those that are just dying to know something now, rest assured that a solution is forthcoming and we don't expect it to be much longer. A few things need to be confirmed so they can get it right, but help is definitely on the way.

To say that Bill B., Louis B. and Chris M. are awesome would be an understatement and we look forward to having another call with them after the first of the year.

Steve - thanks for the compliment.

 

Anytime almost is good, but realistically the new year will probably be how it shakes out.

 

Perhaps we thought it was untouchable for now. If you are authorized to share that beta with some of the volunteer testers in steviejones' thread, that would be pretty sweet.

 

It was a good conference....even with the Cessna in the background. Fox!!! Get at me!! I've been waiting to hear your report I'll be on Steam playing Saints Row: The Third.