M11x - Issues with gaming lockups and crashes - Discussion thread

1. 257.30

2. Grand Theft Auto San Andreas

3. Crashes when doing random things like stealing a vehicle, walking or fighting. I can acces the desktop when it crashes by doing ctrl+alt+del but I can't end the process from task manager or the taskkill command, I have to perform a hard reboot to exit the gta_sa.exe process.

4. 1280x768 resolution, View Distance: Full, FX Quality: Very High, Widescreen: Yes.

5. R2, i7, 3GB RAM

6. Indeed.

 

For those of you who missed it, might want to give this one a try

http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m11x/558775-nvidia-267-24-beta-driver.html

 

I have done some testing witht he 267.24 driver, and it offers increased performance over 260.99 ... especially in games like Test Drive Unlimited... my framerate stayed about 40 FPS and even higher at times. There is a noticeable difference. Other games got a 5-10 FPS difference... across the board. I'm pretty impressed.

I am also using EVGA Precision so I have no gotten any lockups or freezes... and I don't expect to. I'm not even going to both testing these without EVGA downclocked.

It should be noted that it's not all sunshine and rainbows with 267.24... Left 4 Dead 2 seems to have some strange shader issue with these drivers, (and oddly enough Left 4 Dead 1 doesn't have this shader issues) ... I've tried just about everything to fix it, and am currently re-downloading the entire 10 gig game as we speak.

 

Damn, three weeks after having my mobo replaced and not having a single crash in any game I played, Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2 crashed about 10 minutes ago, after about a half hour of playing.

I couldn't even get to task manager to end the task, the computer was 100% frozen, and I had to hard reboot while in game. Damn >.<

Might try some of that EVGA underclocking tomorrow and see if it helps.

I have still been running with everything on stock clocks.

 

Crash or freeze (mouse and sound working)?

Sometimes I can still get to the task manager, but it won't change anything, I have to press the power button, and it tries to shut down with the usual result.

 

A complete freeze in which I can't use the mouse, the sound loops like crazy, and the computer doesn't respond at all when I attempt to Ctrl-Alt-Delete. I have to shut down the computer with the image of the frozen game left on the screen.

 

Oh dear, I suppose you maybe need another mainboard again, if nothing else has changed software-wise.

 

Well if it keeps crashing like that (it's only crashed once), I'll grab a new one, at the expense of Dell of course.

Keep it up with your webpage by the way, it's looking good.

 

I'm trying to set up the EVGA underclocking. See tons of different settings in the thread. Which was the definitive one?

 

There is no "certain" one since each computer is a little different, so just try out any combination of clocks that are close to the ones set before. It also depends on the game. I recommend for WoW to use 395 for first clock, whatever the second one is when linked and the last clock as 850.
If it is Cod4 i suggest 385, linked 2nd one, 870 last.
Only to games i got, no im not doing EQ!

 

I have seen a lot of different settings too.... and short of doing a process-of-elimination style test one setting at a time, it'd be almost impossible to figure out the max clockspeed you can get away with without triggering this freeze. For all I know, you could downclock 1 MHZ and fix it. I don't really have the inclination to risk putting my M11x R2 through anymore freezes though. Forced shutdowns aren't good for any system.

My settings (and I've had no freezes/lockups for over 2 weeks)

Core Clock - 427
Shader Clock - 1024
Memory Clock - 790

all I know is that these settings work for me, and I see no difference in performance whatsoever. The games that I get 30 FPS in still get 30 FPS, and so forth... there's no instance where you can point and go "Wow, underclocking has made game X a slug" ... it's just not noticeable at all, and even if it were, it's probably a matter of 1-3 FPS

If someone has got their EVGA settings set a little higher, then I'd like to know what I can get away with and still be stable. Like I said, my utmost priority right now is to avoid these freezes and not have to force shutdown my M11x unless I have to.

 

Hi all,

So I'm going to say that's the EVGA Precision solution is a very good method to have information about this issue.

So yesterday, I've been trying to start without the software, I've playing WoW and after 30 min, there is a lockup.

I have restart the PC, and restart EVGA Precision with settings are : 420/1000/749Mhz for GPU/Shaders and memory.
I playing 3house without crash...

The max uptime I have played with this configuration is 6hours without any lockup... after I'm gonna make other things than plays WoW so

I have install SP1 pack Windows 7 too and no way to correct this issue!

Only EVGA Precision underclock mode can make a solution to this issue

Bye

 

I'll start with your settings then. Thanks.

 

Thanks

I still need someone to do a writeup on the underclocking thing, though. The information here is all over the place (of course, it's a forum. Not blaming.)

 

Any fix to the freezing issues?

Did this do the trick?
http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m11x/558775-nvidia-267-24-beta-driver.html

 

In a word, no.

Only way to fix this problem is with EVGA Precision.

 

Ok, so after reading a couple of pages, I think I understand why my M11x keeps locking. It's mainly because I have my CPU and GPU OCed, right?

Now, I only read 5 or 6 pages, but I'm at a loss as to how this whole underclocking thing is supposed to help me? So if someone could give me a very brief summary as to why, I'd be very greatful.

From what it seems, I'm just dropping the GPU speed... Or is it more complex than that?

 

It's slowing down the shader clock. The performance difference is not noticeable.

and we don't know why the EVGA fix works. It just does. Dell & Nvidia also seem to be in denial about there being a problem too, so I don't think they know why (or care to know why) for that matter.

 

I paid a ton for this machine, I don't feel like down-grading it.

 

I'm not seeing any difference in FPS either. You aren't losing anything at all. Also, this downclocking is to fix a very specific type of lock up where you're forced to power off your M11x with the power button. If you aren't having that occur then don't worry about downclocking.

 

I am having this occur.

It's not the performance that bugs me, it's the fact that because of this issue I can't OC. In order for it to be effective it has to run less powerful than advertised, and that's crap. There may not be a drop in FPS, but I still have to lower my machine's peformance, and I don't find this acceptable.

 

I apologize first, but I tried to search for an answer without any luck or solid solutions.
I have R2, 266.58 nvidia, didn't OC
installed GTA IV, tried white-list, and right click 'run with nv graphic', still gtv load with intel card. and a few times crash back to desktop while in game ( option menu).

Thanks

 

Then contact nvidia and AW support until you're happy. I'm too busy and can't be bothered to go through that whole process. I'm perfectly happy with a work around that doesn't impact my gaming performance.

 

You're not seeing my point. Why are we tolerating this? Because it's Alienware?

Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love this thing when it works. But why should we accept a product that doesn't work like we were told it would? There are better computers for the price, and we don't have to keep it just for the brand name.

 

I absolutely get your point. And your only recourse is to contact AW or nvidia support until they can identify the problem and (hopefully) fix it or replace the part. Or sell it. It's really very simple.

 

I have been running the EVGA modification for over a month, not a single lockup.

 

Ok, first off many many people are having poor performance issues with GTA IV because of the game engine or w/e.
But to fix the game crashing try downloading a 3rd party program like EVGA precision and then downclock your first two settings (moving the first will move the second and vice versa *on default settings*)
And overclock the 3rd setting.
Hope this helps

 

Hey there, nice to meet you. We think alike .

That's why this case is currently at my attorney, because Dell is quite uncooperative and denies the issue.

A technical case has proven the issue, but it's supposedly the games' fault. (Not that I can prove otherwise and something similar happened recently..)

Well, I'm over that, they wanted it the legal way; they'll get it. So I recommend: give it back while/if you still can.


Edit:

Would anyone having a US WoW Account be so kind as to point these guys here? They still think it's just WoW and need help, but I can't post there .

 

It's nice to see someone thinks like I do.

I've got two weeks left to return this thing, I'll see what I can do in that time period. My problem is, for the price, you can't find anything this small and powerful... And I need the smallness.

But I think I may just send it back.

 

I will gladly point other people here

Also note that that thread is almost dead, trying to bring it back up

 

Thanks for that, Bob!

Edit:
I also wanted to inform everyone regarding the service/legal side effects of underclocking.
You're using an unsupported tool running hardware at unsupported specifications. As such, the manufacturer could deny service or claim that the tool damaged the notebook, even for totally unrelated stuff.

That's one more reason I'm not doing it, even though I am 100% sure underclocking does not damage anything. I even run the stock drivers (which are outdated and missing features) because I am supposed to (by Dell), to document more games freezing.

Please be happy and confident with your own opinion on this, I just thought everyone should know.

 

Yes i knew of that i am not sure if anyone else knows that 3rd party programs to over or underclock your computer may void the warranty, though if enough people do this to fix dell's problematic gaming computer then courts would probally rule in our favor. Just speculation.

 

Just in case anyone needs further proof that EVGA fixes this freeze issue, I just tested Starcraft 2 for over 2 hours with my brother just now on the latest drivers.

normally I get a freeze within 10-20 minutes, but had no issues whatsoever. Framerate was a steady 80 FPS, only dropping to 35 FPS once on default medium settings at 1366x768. Unoverclocked, no throttlestop.

It's been 3 weeks now and I haven't had a single freeze using EVGA. It works, folks. There's no way I can deny the results I'm getting. ALL the games that used to freeze no longer freeze when I downclock the shader speed.

I don't think this requires further investigation, instead we should be focusing our efforts on bringing this issue to Dell's attention... unfortunately, they seem not the slightest bit interested in fixing this.

 

In any case, I agree this only helps our (and also my!) case.

 

Mine keeps locking up while playing the Crysis 2 multiplayer demo.

Does this happen to anyone else? Im on the latest drivers from dell. M11xR2

1. Driver you are having issues with

257.30

2. Title you are having issues with

Crysis 2 Demo

3. Describe the issue in detail - try to be as specific as possible (when does it lockup, certain scenes, certain behaviors, etc.).

The game just freezes while in a match. Had it happen 3 times. Sometimes I could play 2 matches and its fine, other times it happens in the first match

4. Include in-game graphic settings you are using for the problem title (please be specific, line by line please)

Gamer (Low i Think)

5. Are you overclocking or using throttlestop and if so, what are your current OC settings

It locked up on me both while using throttlestop or not. Also locked up when I was CPU OCed to 166 MHZ a couple days ago and today when I was not OCed.

6. Confirm you did whitelist your game's .exe - see here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U874jC2blJQ

Yes

7. Is this behavior happening when outputting to an external display or on the 11x display? If external, is the 11x display disabled (meaning HDMI only - not dual view)?

Ive only tried it on the m11x display

 

See the first post and give us the details asked for there.

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...crashes-discussion-thread-24.html#post7197864

 

anyone that has bulletstorm installed is it crashing after you exit the game?

cos it is for me, but it's not a big deal....just annoying.

 

Hi guys
Ive watched this thread develop with interest over the last few months, and agree with pretty much everything u guys have said. Im having the same issues with my GT335m, ie. random lockups which can only be solved by a hard reset etc. So out of interest I had a lil look over at the Dell(Alienware Forums) and yea not much being said over there, and in fact I find Dells arrogance dumbfounding really. Im not sure if im allowed to do this but here goes.....

Posted by warcraftplayer2 on 19 Jan 2011 6:33 AM
Experiencing the exact same issue since purchasing the R2. It´s completely random and can occur 3 times in 10 mins or not for hours. Makes playing games a frustrating experience and I specifically bought this netbook for playing games. Can we get a confirmation that Dell/Alienware acknowledges this issue and are working on a solution? And like the OP said: can we provide any data that will assist this?

Posted by DELL-Chris M on 19 Jan 2011 7:50 AM
Acknowledge and working? Not from engineering.

* All gaming should be done with the AC adapter plugged in
* Make sure you have reloaded the Dell Bios, Dell video card driver, Dell Command Center
* All overclocking should be disabled and the Bios set to our Factory defaults
* M11x, make sure you pressed FN+F6 and chose Discrete before gaming
* M11x-R2, right click on the game icon on the desktop
* Highlight "Run with graphics processor"
* Left click High-performance NVIDIA processor
NOTE: This is a one time selection and the settings will revert to the the default application profile, the next time the application is launched

Posted by C_ronic on 19 Jan 2011 9:00 AM
So much for gaming on the GO!

Posted by DELL-Chris M on 19 Jan 2011 9:24 AM
Give me a break. Only a noob would play a high end game on battery only.

So maybe if we all took this info over to them, and made an issue on there forums they may take more notice. At the moment there are only 7 or 8 posters over there making sum noise, and they perhaps dont take much notice of this forum, so perhaps they are not fully aware of the extent of users dissatisfaction?

 

Everything DELL-Chris M said is a given for me.

Although I disagree on the mobile gaming (battery) part. If you know your power management it does not matter if you're on AC or not (but of course it drains battery).

I also think that it might not be arrogance, lokiswarrior. From all I know now, I strongly suppose the issue lies in a production issue within the graphics components. This would not be new, especially for Nvidia. So I'd rather think Nvidia as well as manufacturers are trying to deny this issue for as long as they can, since it could really develop into a mass return/repair case.

It would've been easy for them to just give me my money back, I've spent far more (not that I will continue to do so...) but that sudden stubborn behaviour is suspicious. They've repaired and replaced all other issues I had so far... so go figure.

 

Yea I would agree, I remember having a Dell Inspiron(I think, been awhile) which had the flawed 8600GT m in it.....which I had to get replaced after it came to light that there was a problem with original design of that mobile GPU.....I'm wondering like u and others if were in a similar position now. Would be interesting to know if the latest versions of the card off the production line are the same as the orignal, or if its the fact that there is an inherent flaw in the application of Optimus itself. Suffice to say, I will not buy another notebook with Optimus in it, at least until Im satisfied that there are no more issues with it. Guess Im just dissapointed, in theory its a brilliant concept.....but somethings just not quite right at the moment, and tbh Im sick of fighting against my beloved lil r2 just to get games working consistently.

 

I don't suppose it's a design issue, otherwise everyone would have this problem, but not everyone does. Especially see the guy a few pages back who has 2 m11x r2 and only one has the issue. Also, forums everywhere would be on fire, but they're not. So it seems to affect only a percentage.

Think of it like producing CPU's - the better ones are sold as extreme, worse ones as slower CPU's. And here the production quality does not seem to match the default speed of the components.

Agreed - Optimus is an absolute no-go for me now. Actually, Nvidia will be for me, for a while.

I'm one step closer to the lawsuit - I'll keep everyone updated.

 

Hi all,

So after 1 month, the EVGA Precision undercloking mode work very good.
No issue by freezing have been detected since yet.

I have only one lockup after turning sleep mode the laptop, the EVGA Precision program still not working and going to end task automatically and resulting by a lockup on World Of Warcraft after 20min.

After restart the PC, and the progam, everything it's going fine !

 

I had similar issues with my M11x going to sleep and not waking up. I solved it by going into my power settings and disabling all that stuff. I don't generally leave my PC on, so if I'm not at my desk I shut the thing down... It seems to be more trouble trying to get this thing to "sleep" properly than it is just turning it off when you're not using it. (which is what I've done for all my PC's I've ever had anyway)

 

Installing Service Pack 1 for Windows 7 solved all sleep issues I've had with PCs running that OS.

 

Hello,

I have the freeze problem with Dark Age of Camelot and World of Warcraft.

Whatever i do, it's freezing within a few seconds of play.

I have m11xR2, i7-640UM, 8Gb memory, Vertex 2 OCZ SSD Hard Drive.

It's freezing with every graphic driver i tried for the Gforce 335M.



I just saw an answer in Dell forum that explain the problem seems to be in the power mode.

This is the guy's answer :

For my opinion, I have the problem when play with battery, because in default alien fusion setting, the GPU / graphic setting are in balanced mode, thats why the games freeze, after i reconfigure the setting into high performance when using battery, the games run smooth.

I'm actually at work and can't test it for now.

Can someone test this possibility ?

 

Well since your new to this forum,
yes obviously it needs to be in high performance mode on battery/plug or whenever you play to get the most stable game play, this isn't a guaranteed fix for the freezing problem.
This fixes it for most people
Download EVGA Precision and use it to UNDERclock your CPU/GPU and overclock your memory I.E.
My settings currently are
375
935
835


There are many different settings you can try, but each computer is a little different so if you keep freezing with these settings maybe try going even lower or moving your memory (last one)
only move 1 at a time so you can find what the problem is for you

 

Hey everyone.
I am trying to play napoleon total war on my m11x and everything goes ok on the camapign map, but everytime i want to enter a battle my game just crashes and a box apears that the aplication has stoped working and i can only press close.

Do you guys know what might be the problem with it??

I have a m11x R2 with core i5.
My drivers are all up to date. i dried deleteing it and downloading it again from steam, tried with steam offline mode. nothing seems to work and i am all out of ideas.

 

Hello everyone, I got a strange issue with a source game called Day of Defeat Source. So, this is the situation, I can run 'ANY' other source game such as Garry's Mod, Half-Life 2 series, Portal and Team Fortress 2 on highest settings but for some reason I get the worst experience with fps when playing Day of Defeat Source on both low/med/high settings.

I have tried to switch drivers, disabling Turbo Boost and Speed Step, whitelisting hl2.exe and run it in lowest possible settings which gives me more fps but it's still bad. Currently I'm back at the 257.30 driver since it's giving me good performance on any other game on my system.

I can load Day of Defeat Source models/maps/materials in Garry's Mod with highest settings without any issues...

Thanks for your help.

 

you should NEVER have to underclock your r2 just to get it to stop freezing. thats why i will never buy 1.. id rather have my r1 and a reeaaally high gpu overclock. (my signature)