M11x Problem/Technical Question thread for New Owners

How about re-installing the game itself? Why would you go about screwing with the driver when the first thing you should have done, solely my opinion, would be to try and re-install the game. It's not at all uncommon for a PC game to be corrupted upon installation.
Good luck bro.

 

Why didn't I try that first? Because all signs point towards it being an issue with Optimus. I already know it wasn't corrupted upon installation. Like I said, I fully played through the game without a hitch. Didn't touch it for a month or two after that, but I DID download a new version of NVIDIA drivers. And now the game points out that my PC doesn't have the resources to run the game. Which it doesn't if it's not using the 335M.

If you really think it's the game, a reinstallation certainly wouldn't hurt, though. I'll try it.

 

Okay, I just finished completely uninstalling and reinstalling the game, but the problem persists. :[ Tells me my graphics card isn't powerful enough to handle the game even though it is set to use the 335M in Optimus and it worked fine just a month or two ago.

 

Ok, small problem maybe somebody can help with...

Got my i5, 8 GB m11x on saturday. It can run all the games I wanted better than expected, and it overclocks stably at 166, so I have been pretty happy.

However, a slightly annoying problem has been occuring. I get random hard freezes, usually when I'm NOT gaming or doing anything intensive. Only when browsing online or searching the internet (or about 6 times when just letting it sit and download a couple games/demos).

Anyone have any suggestions? I'm glad I can play the games I want, so I'm not complaining, but freezing while browsing is not ideal either. Please help.

Edit: Just to let you know, this began happening before I ever updated any drivers or did any overclocking (or even installed anything new). It hasn't been any more frequent since, so that's not the problem.

 

If you get random hard freezes, you are most likely not stable at 166Mhz.

Here's what I recommend:

(1) Download a CPU torture test application, like Prime95.

(2) Run Prime95, and see if it generates errors. An error message looks something like "Rounding was 0.5, expected less than 0.4" in one of the thread/status monitor windows.

(3) If you get errors, you are not stable. Go back into BIOS, and start backing down your overclock.

(4) A stable system is one that can run Prime95 for hours without any errors. The rule-of-thumb is a 24-hour test without errors. But in reality, if you can run for 8 hours overnight without problem, then you are most likely fine.

 

But that's what I was saying. This happened more frequently before I ever overclocked it. It happens actually less (either coincidentally or otherwise) since I've overclocked. Gaming and all is fine. I played SC2 for about 4 hours yesterday, no freezes. But when I posted on the forums before that, it froze.

It's not the overclock is my point.

 

If you are absolutely positively sure that it isn't because you're overclocking (CPU overclocking, GPU overclocking, running ThrottleStop, etc), then call Alienware (not Dell) for support.

There is something else going on with your machine. Random lock-ups are too tough to diagnose over forum posts. If the lockups are caused by a software problem, then they will be able to assist you with getting your laptop back to factory configuration. If the lockups are caused by a hardware problem, then you would need to have contacted them anyway to schedule repairs.

 

Yeah, my only concern is they aren't a huge problem and not that frequent (yet...knock on wood). I'm thinking I may try a few things (like reseating the RAM) but if they become extremely frequent again, I may have to give in and call.

 

Well, there are a few things you can do in the meantime to try and isolate the cause of the crashes.

If you ran Prime95, you can see if the crashes are coming from the CPU. If you ran MemTest86+, you can see if the crashes are coming from the RAM. Any call to Dell would most likely have you running similar utilities anyway.

 

finally, my R2 is here.

just downgrade bios from A04 to A02, since so many people here said 02 is better.

my question is, I'm still using the stock intel / nvidia graphics driver, which new ones should I get? ( I know there are many saying 260.99 and new ones, etc etc, I'm not asking that, not which is better) I'm just asking, should I get the one from dell support site and use them, or go to intel, nvidia site and grab those?

and just to ensure, I should be installing the intel graphic driver first right?

I also want to update other drivers. should I do that before upgrading graphic drivers or it doesn't matter?

Thanks in advance.

 

Get the Intel HD Graphics GPU drivers directly from Intel's support site. Get the nVidia 335M GPU drivers directly from nVidia's website.

If you are doing a totally clean Windows install, you will want to install Intel GPU drivers before nVidia GPU drivers. If you are upgrading a system that already has drivers on it, it does not matter in which order you install them,

 

will do, thank you very much

====
edit


Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator Driver for Windows 7* 64 and Windows Vista* 64 (exe)
is this correct?

 

I just ran through this scenario. I am EXTREMELY pleased with the results. Here's the order of drivers from start to finish.

1. BIOS (from DELL)
2. CHIPSET (from INTEL )
3. WiFi (from DELL)
4. LAN (from ATHEROS - version 1.0.0.36)
5. ATA Controller (from INTEL)
6. Free Fall Sensor (from INTEL)
7. AUDIO (from REALTEK)
8. TOUCHPAD (from DELL)
9. FIREWIRE (from DELL)
10. BLUETOOTH (from DELL)
11. NVIDIA (from NVIDIA)

Alienware OSD/CC/Themes/Wallpapers were installed very last.

I am in the process of setting up 3D Mark, Prime 95 and all the additional OC Tools needed that really wake these machines fly.


So, try installing drivers in that order. It worked very well for me.

 

thank you so much for the list and install order.
since I'm one complete computer noob, could you provide the driver version / name please?

 

Problem solved. The culprit was the latest version of the NVIDIA drivers (266.58). I uninstalled them and installed the archived 260.99 drivers which are what I believe I was using when I played through the game last time on this system. Anyway, it works now. I guess 266.58 causes Optimus issues.

 

So I've had my R1 for about a week now and its been doing pretty good so far but when I just tried to turn it on a bunch of colors just flashed on the screen like red, green and white. The computer just shut off after that. When I tried to turn it on again it worked just fine. Has anyone else had that problem or know what would cause it?

 

my old Hp laptop had something similar. then the video card fried....


not sure about m11x, just saying..

 

So when I turn my computer on and I get to my welcome screen it always loads for about 5 seconds then there's a blackout for about 8 seconds where the screen goes completely black and then it comes back to the welcome screen and everything loads normally again. This isn't really a huge issue but it's sort of an annoyance and I would love to know how to fix this if possible. I have used tweakslogon to change the welcome screen background if that is relevant at all.

 

just got my m11x, anyone else find the display a little dissapointing? Or is it just mine? Its looks as the display has very prominent pixels. You can clearly see that the screen is made up of a bunch of small squares. havnt seen a screen like this since the mid 90s. they are very noticable when viewing something in white.

 

The M11x screen is known to have subpar viewing angles and contrast levels can vary between each user's screen since there are at least two manufacturers of the screen. I can notice the pixels if I get close enough, but I can do that with any screen so I would say it's the same as any screen in that regard.

 

You bet! "A little disappointing" is a really mild way of saying it. My m11x display was stark unbearable out of the box. Applying Slickie's color profile makes it much better though, be sure to do it as soon as possible, if you have an AUO screen.

Nope, however terrible the m11x screen is, I cannot say I see anything of the kind, well nothing I would have noticed anyway.

 

Okay so, I just got my M11x and am very happy with it, however the only fault I find with it is the processor, and considering the fact that the i5 was an extra $400, that wasn't feasible on our budget. I currently have an SU7300.

I'm not happy that I don't meet the minimum requirements for some games, even overclocked at 1.7GHz. Is it possible to upgrade the CPU on my M11x to any other? I'm not looking to do this any time soon, but just for my reference down the line.

Thanks

 

Well, what are you running into that makes you believe that the CPU is underpowered?

 

A couple games I want to play say that a 1.8 GHz Core 2 Duo is one of the minimum requirements. I haven't tried just playing the games regardless; that's next on my agenda. Any advice on the main bit of my question?

 

Question here with regard to screens. Ive heard alot about the hinge problem and the like. My screen is slightly off canter. Its only noticeable when its closed, but on one side it hangs off the edge of the machine by about 1/2mm and on the other its inside the edge by about 1/2mm. There is also a gap between the hinge and hinge cap when looking at the computer when open...though I assume this is normal. Is any of this reason to be concerned or be calling dell for an upgraded hinge?

 

i would like to know whether it is possible to upgrade the processor from core2duo to i3 r i5.

also does m11x have wifi as standard?

 

No. The CPUs are soldered onto the motherboard. Repacing the CPU isn't possible at all (even replacing a Core i5 with an identical Core i5).

Yes. Every M11x that you buy will have WiFi pre-installed. There isn't an option to buy an Alienware M11x without WiFi in it.

 

You are correct. Some laptops have socketed CPUs, which allow the user to swap out the CPU. The Alienware M11x (and most "small" or "portable" laptops) uses a CPU that is soldered directly on to the motherboard, and does not use a socket.

BTW - even the laptops with socketed CPUs only allow you to swap out CPUs within the same generation. A Core 2 Duo --> Core i3/i5/i7 are different generations of CPUs. They use different motherboard chipsets, different memory (RAM), different pin-out configurations on the CPU. So if you did happen to have a Core 2 Duo laptop with a socketed CPU, then you could only ever possibly replace it with another Core 2 CPU. And even in that case, you couldn't just use any Core 2 CPU... you would have to use specific Core 2 CPU models that are supported by your particular laptop.

 

thanks. so which one would you recommend for me? gaming is important factor.
either M11x R1 or this VPCEB46FG : E Series : VAIO Laptop & Computer : Sony India

 

Quick quiz: Ask yourself what you want out of a laptop.

If the word "portable" isn't one of the first words out of your mouth, don't buy an Alienware M11x.

The M11x R1 is a fantastic laptop at a fantastic price... but it makes sacrifices in order to achieve portability. If portability is not one of your top 2 priorities, then I think you'd be happier buying a different laptop with more powerful components and a larger screen.

 

Hi Guys ~ I have a quick question about some characteristics that my M11x R2 has.

Sometimes, while it is on, it omits a very high frequency buzz (not too loud, but I can just hear it). Sometimes, it is dead silent. I am using an SSD, so besides the fan, there should be no mechanical components that can cause this sound. This sound can be heard above the fan noise.

Does everyone else experience this?

 

You sure it's soldered? Dell says it isn't.

Or is this only on previous generations of M11x?

 

anyone know how to fix an irql_not_less_or_equal error caused by ntfs.sys?

 

I'm going to call that a slip on ChrisM's part. It is soldered for all current versons of the M11x (R1 & R2). No exceptions.

 

Why my m11x have weird noises? like high pitched noise

 

just got my m11x from newegg

quick question --> when i punch in service tag @ dell, it says that model is m11x r3

it's obviously R1 but why would it say R3...

 

I think the high pitched noise is normal, both my m11 and m15 do it

 

Hey,
I had the same thing happen to me when I went to Dell support to get the new video driver for my R1. I stopped using my service tag and just selected my model from a list, it worked that way.
Don't know what could be causing the issue, just wanted to tell you that you weren't the only one with the issue.
Cheers.

 

Excuse me if this has been asked already, I tried searching but couldn't find anything.

I just ordered the M11x R2 (i7 640UM, 4GB RAM) and would like to know how many memory modules Dell uses.. is it 1x4GB or 2x2GB?

 

I was able to check by carefully reading my Order Status page at dell.com.
About halfway down the list, mine says this:

So I know it's coming with 2 x 1G sticks. I'm betting yours is 2x2, but I don't really know.

 

Doing the same right now, but mine only says,

1 317-4706 4GB Dual Channel DDR3 at 800MHz

I wanted to install a 4GB DDR3 module I have in the netbook I'm currently using, but it's not really a big deal, 6GB should be plenty if they are indeed 2x2GBs.

 

It will be 2 sticks of 2 gb each.

 

Hi guys have an issue that's developed today. Had the machine for 9 months approx and its just started to whine. The only way I can describe it is that it sounds just like the old dial-up internet sound but very high pitched :-/
Appart from being very annoying is this a major issue? I have and SSD so it shouldn't have any moving components other than the fan, which I have eliminated as being the cause. Does anyone know what could be making this sound and how to fix it?
Many thanks

 

I've only had mine for 4 months and I've gotten that sound every so often. I would just describe it as a high pitched sound. Any solutions? Sometimes I think it's the fan sometimes I don't think it is.

 

I had this issue (capacitor noise) from the very beginning, surprisingly, it got much more quiet with the time - no idea why. I don't know what causes yours, mine seems to be motherboard whining.

Had the problem on another laptop as well - solved at once by reseating the HDD, but that won't help with my m11x. Is your noise constant or kicks in after regular intervals? Or even more - does it coincide with the HDD activity (this should be easy to notice)?

Does the whine continue if you mute the sound?

How loud is yours? An information slipped by me that some AW users negated (or significantly lowered) their whine by disabling the keyboard AlienFX. It didn't work for me though. Probably it will do something for either of you?

 

Thanks! I'll keep it in mind if it works or not I'll report back here. Also, my space bar on my M11x R2 is distorted; it isn't flat. It's angled and disconfigured. Will Dell/Alienware replace my keyboard if I ask?

EDIT: and the rubber pad that's supposed to soften the impact of the screen when I close it, is beginning to come off are there any replacement parts?

 

Hello there.
I don't know if it is the right topic here or not..
Anyways I got my laptop yesterday.. threw all the gaming stuff etc on it.. but I got a little bit of a problem with punkbuster. It kicks me after 5min saying: "restriction: multiple direct3d loaded"
Anyone knows a fix?
And does anyone know if the latest graphic driver is already on or not? .. i mean it got assambeled a week ago

thanks!

 

Hi.
I reformatted my laptop a few days ago. Whenever I use the FN-volume button while I am in game, it minimizes the game and brings me to the desktop. I wouldn't be able to bring my game back up either. Help?

 

if a game crashes the entire system is there any idea what the cause might be?