Strange erroes when SLi is enabled.

Hi!

I suddenly got some strange problems while my SLi is activated. Whenever I try to start a game I either get:

- Nvidia kernel mode driver stopped working and has recovered (3Dmark, Rome 2 Total War)
- xxxxx program have stopped working (Heaven and Valley)
- DirectX error (Battlefield 4, Arma 3)


When I disabled SLi, no problem at all.

I first thought it was the SLi bridge but I changed that with a brand new one I still have the same problems. I also tried to reinstall the lastest driver and do a driver sweep and install a fresh driver but nothing helps. I did the buildt-in Alienware diagnostic (F12 at boot) but every test passed.

Any ideas?

PS: Alienware M18x 3840MX and 680M SLi

 

And some games I dont have any problems with, like DayZ and Sniper Elite.

 

Some games dont utilise SLI,i would try re-installing your Nvidia driver to the latest version (doing a "clean" install) failing that maybe windows itself is corrupted in some way

 

I would try uninstalling and reinstalling
- direct x
- MS netframework 4.0 and 4.5
- nvidia drivers

 

Thanks for your reply.

I have uninstalled both DirectX and Nvidia drivers several times and tried to go back to the previous driver without any luck. I can try the netframework, thanks for that advice.

If not, maybe a complete re-installation of Windows?

 

Yeah try the Netframework 4.0, 4.5.
Also if that fails you can try a system restore to an earlier point and see if that fixes things.
Last option.. Reinstall windows if all else fails.
Hopefully it won't come to that.

 

Re-installed Windows and still got the same problem.

Guess its time to get a new laptop, how far is 880M SLi away?

 

Sounds like one of the cards is resetting and is likely failing with the testing you have done, I would get it looked at if its under warranty.

 

The warrenty is out :-/

 

Maybe the slave card is failing given what Meaker said?

 

Bummer you're out of warranty. Perhaps try reseating the cards as people have suggested before you throw in the towel.

 

ahh, that what he ment.

Thanks! I will give that a shot

 

Okey, resetting the videocards didnt work either but I found out that if I run Valley/Heaven in "window" mode everything works. If I run fullscreen mode, I get the "nvidia kernel mode driver stopped working and has recovered" error. If I disable SLi, I can tun these test in fullscreen without problems.

PS: This is a clean version of Windows 7 Ultimate and I only have installed drivers and valley/heaven..

 

Hmm seems like something's up with your second card.

 

I didn't see if you have swapped the cards around yet. I had something similar happen to my rig, swapped the cards around and fixed the problem. For some odd reason after enough usage it tends to be good to swap the cards around to give the other a little break so to speak.

 

Yeah, next step would be to swap the cards. Thanks for all your inputs, every much appriciated!

 

Its just so strange! Every game works PERFECTLY in window/boarderless mode but once I change it to FULLSCREEN, the game crash :-(

It could be the SLi brigde as I only replaced it with a used one so I have tried to order a brand new one to see if that help.

I just need it to work until 880MX Sli comes available.

 

The reason it works in windowed mode is because window mode doesn't use SLI. Therefore when you go fullscreen it crashes once the second GPU starts helping.
Yep a bum or burnt SLI cable most definitely be the problem.

 

I hate to say it but that logic is not there for the comparison for full screen to borderless/windowed. If that was true my BF4 would be running 1 video card instead of 2 with that logic. And either I have an odd ball or you might be wrong because my rig shows usage from both when in borderless or windowed mode.

 

I think he said it because he used to have dual AMD 7970m GPU...crossfire won't work with both "windowed" mode & "borderless window" mode.

It's a problem with AMD driver.

SLI works fine with borderless/windowed, for me at least, with my GPUs.

 

Yes I might be wrong here. Well played fellas. Especially KH90123!
Yeah I used to have CF which was notorious for doing that.

Hmm.. Anyone have any suggestions for brother Arotished?

 

I did a test and with SLi activated in window mode, I got higher FPS then I got with SLi deactivated in fullscreen.

I guess there is no good explanation for this error, just have to hope that a brand new SLi bridge will sort put the problem.

 

Ok, now Im getting this error even with SLi deactivated......man I hate these alienware laptops, nothing but problems from my experience.

next stop is another brand!

 

Im so weak :-( 4930MX/780M SLi just ordered!

Now I have 4 alienware laptops at home....

 

What? Why not send the one you're having problems with back?

 

Sending it back where? Warrenty is out so will not get anywere with is.

Anyway, I wanted to get 780M SLI anyway so this was a good excuse to change it I have a 780Ti SLi desktop at home but need something with alittlebit power when I out traveling with work..

 

What are you going to do with the old one?

 

Collecting dust I guess....

 

Well if your throwing in the towel you might as well part it out in the market place

 

Switched around on the cards now,
hopefully this will work.

 

ok, after I changed the GPU, windows cant find any of the cards in device manager..

 

Maybe you're lucky and the cards are not seated well or the BIOS setting is wrong. If you are able to enter Windows and open Device Manager there is a good chance the BIOS is set to IGFX by mistake. Otherwise, you would not boot up or the screen would be black.

Be sure the BIOS is not manually set to IGFX. It should be set to PEG for the primary display adapter in order for the video cards to be active. If it is not, change it to PEG and then reboot. Go to the second Advanced menu ( screen photo) and select "Video Configuration" and then confirm it is set to PEG ( screen photo).

If it still does not work and you assembled it fully already, take off the palm rest again. Just set the display hinges in their pockets and connect the LVDS cable, power button and a USB keyboard. Take out the right GPU. Remove the left GPU and then put it back in. Boot up and press F2 and see if the GPU is visible. If so, unplug the power and try again with the second GPU. If they are still not visible, put the right GPU in the left PCIe slot again. See if that one if visible by itself. It would be very unusual for both video cards to be bad at the same time unless something unusual caused it to happen.

 

yeah, it was somehow set to IGFX, works perfect now and the SLi works in games again

Thanks alot!

 

WOOT!!! Congratulations, Brother Arotished. I knew you could do it.

Did you figure out the CPU temps yet?