M11x Problem/Technical Question thread for New Owners

Happens to me on mostly games that run on the half life 2 engine. Yeah just adjust settings before you enter the game

 

if i downloaded the latest intel driver can i install it over the current intel drivers?

 

Remove old ones first, clean your registry (CCleaner) reboot and install the new ones!

 

the strange thing is that after uninstalling the screen went blank and the m11x was still running.

 

Have you selected the Nvidia driver to be the "sole" video driver for your M11x? There is an option in the bios for disabling the hybrid (integrated-discrete) driver switching and making the discrete driver (nvidia) the only video driver in the system. If you have done so, then the problem you're experiencing can be resolved by restarting your computer > going to the bios and then selecting the hybrid or switchable option. Then boot up your m11x and if the black screen pops up, press fn-6 and you should be able to see your screen and perform your update using the integrated intel driver.
Hope I didn't complicate things for you.
peace.

 

i have the R2 and there's no option for it in the BIOS.

 

--- del ---

 

can anyone pin point or diagnose what the problem is with my new m11x R2.

The problem is that as soon as windows log on, the colours on my desktop wallpaper appear distorted, some what very bright and blurry, and then with-in a few seconds it blends back into the normal colour.

If any has experienced this please respond because i wondering weather if this is a common problem, i have tried to google this but to no avail.

Thanks

 

I also have the same issue as yelohotshot. I haven't figured out the root cause yet.

 

every time I OC both the CPU and GPU it always seems to end with a BSOD. the last time was just recently: I had set the CPU to 150 MHz and the GPU to 550/1320/925 and it BSOD'd in crysis 2.

and hence why i am just gonna stick with stock.

 

check my thread below, let me know if it has helped you.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m11x/570033-m11x-r2-gpu-boot-up-issue.html

 

which is better: CPU or GPU OC?

 

I'd definitely say CPU OC makes a remarkable difference in performance. I can't give you the exact numbers but the claim made by Dell regarding the capabilities of the M11x when it first came out were only possible to be attained with the CPU overclocked.
As to the GPU, I sometimes use a safe (C.C (580), S.C(1392), M.C(880)) overclock, but I haven't really noticed any substantial effects on my gaming (Black OPs, GTAIV, etc).
I personally keep my R1 overclocked (cpu) and keep my GPU on stock settings, and everything I have tried so far has worked fabulously. But if you are an fps maniac (no diss intended), I would guess overclocking both would be to your benefit. As for your question, OCing the CPU is without a doubt THE best thing to do for performance gains.
Peace.

 

I have a M11x R1, with the graphics on discrete, not switchable

when I close the lid and wait for the system to shut off all the lights and sleep then open it up again the computer wakes up and all the lights come on but the screen doesn't. I have alienware fusion disabled, I have tried 2 video drivers, reset power plans to default values but nothing.

any advice?

btw when i tell the computer to sleep manually then close the lid it comes back on with no problems at all when i press the power button to wake it up.

 

cool, but it seems every time i OC both the system BSOD's on me and have to set it back to stock.

 

Hello,

I have a M11x R2 and I decided to run 3dmark vantage last night, just to try it out. I have an i5 with the fsb set to 152 in the bios and the GT335m. My 3d mark score is REALLY low and I can't figure out what I'm doing wrong. It's one or two things that could be going wrong i think. problems, 1: the CPU and or Video card are trying to save power while I'm running the benchmark by underclocking themselves, hence lowering my score. 2: it's using the intel HD graphics. I have it sitting on a laptop cooler all of the time and when I've had it off to play games I've never noticed it getting very hot at all. I'm now afraid that all of my games are suffering in performance because of this problem..... help me please!

here's the link to my 3d mark score: Result

I'd really appreciate any help of suggestions you may have. thanks.

 

Hello,

I`m haveing problems with my alienware M11xR2. Sometimes, when i`m not doing anything comes such thing :

http://www.youtube.com/embed/NwQO_pZvEAA

And it keeps until you reset the computer. If i click sth it shows me some error , and it also restar after a while.

I`m posting because i`m wondering whether i`m doing sth wrong or do i have to contact dell support ?

 

Definitely contact tech support buddy. I am no technician but the only moving part that's in that area is your hard disk, and I suspect that's what's making the sound.
Call tech support, tell them about the problem (email them the link to your video) and see what they say.
Good Luck!

 

i too think it's the HDD. get a spare HDD and see if that sound appears.

 

Hey guys. I have just ordered a m11x-r3.

I wish to upgade the RAM and HDD to SSD.. Would someone be so kind to list the relevant information or links, so that I will not buy items that will not work/fit

I have tried to search for 1333Mhz, Dual Channel 204pin DDR3 ram, but seems it does not exist on the page I search from..

Thanks

 

lypse, ANY laptop DDR3 RAM WILL work in the M11x, I repeat ANY! If you buy 1666Mhz RAM it will STILL only run at the specified 1333Mhz. So don't worry, whatever DDR3 laptop memory you buy will work. I upgraded my R1 with the cheapest DDR2 I could find on ebay, works without any problems. Don't listen to ppl saying "oh but it must be samsung or corsair and it must be 1333 bla bla bla" thats a whole load of lies.
Why? BECAUSE COMPONENTS ARE STANDARDIZED!!!! Thats why any usb drive works on ANY usb connector! Simple

only rule is: try to get two sticks of the same size (ie 2x 1GB or 2x 2GB etc.) for dual channel. (BTW DUAL CHANNEL MEANS THE LAPTOP READS IT IN PARALLEL - HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE TYPE OF RAM, RAM ISNT SOLD AS DUAL CHANNEL RAM OR SINGLE CHANNEL RAM BUT AS DUAL CHANNEL KITS BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN 2x XYZ GB WHICH CAN BE ADDRESSED BY THE COMPUTER in parralel because you just bought TWO sticks) They don't have to be from the same manufacturer. It WILL just work like that. Its magic!

Same with your HDD/SSD upgrade. Any 2.5" SATA drive will work with the M11x. Thats right. ANY 2.5" SATA drive, no matter if its SATA3 or SATA2 or SATA1. A SATA3 SSD will run at SATA2 in the M11x, a SATA1 will still only run at SATA1 in the M11x.

I recommend an OCZ Vertex 2 with Sandforce SF-1200 controller. Or any other drive with Sandforce controller.

 

zchay7e,

Thanks for the reply.

So I get two similar sized sticks 204pins (and likely DDR3 1333MHz)!

Will take a look at the SSD you suggested also!

Much appriciated, Thanks

 

is anyone getting popping from their speakers? i have no idea what is causing it but it seems to be in videos only.

 

Does the cloning HDD works? I´m talking about this:

Laptop

I have a 320GB HDD, but I only have 40GB free now, and I want a seagate momentus 500GB....

 

I don't see why it wouldn't work. It appears to be an efficient as well as a very cost efficient way of cloning a hard drive (especially considering that you can the get the 'usb enclosure' for about $11-13).
Just make sure you choose the date of your cloning wisely because I suspect the process will be quite long (moving approximately 280GB through a usb connection will not be a piece of cake lol)
Anyway...Hope I helped.
Peace.

 

I don´t remeber where, I think it was this forums, but I was reading about some bios problems about using the new disc with old content...

But I did not read it that well, because that time my HDD was like 80% free, now I need to get a bigger HDD or complete some games and delete them...

 

nvm I got this sorted out, sorry

 

what does the f1 and f2 keys does when pressed with FN? and how do i off the screen of the m11x wiithout putting it on sleep mode

 

F1 + FN - If you had an external screen attached, pressing this button would switch between the screens. (I'm guessing)
F2 + FN - Pressing this gives you an indication of the status of the battery (percentage of charge, charging, etc). I have also read a post somewhere here that you can install software that could make use of this button to turn off battery charging.
As to the screen, the best way to make it turn off would be to go your power options menu, click the 'change plan settings' and change the time it takes for the display to turn off to 1 minute.
Hope I helped.
peace.

 

Hey guys,

My M11x R3 arrived today, very pleased. However, I don't think the nVidia Optimus tech is working correctly. Crysis 2 runs fairly well when everything's plugged into the mains electricity. However, as soon as I unplug, I end up getting like 10FPS. CPUID confirms that my CPU has properly ramped up to 2+ Ghz, and the Nvidia drivers report that Crysis 2 is running on the Nvidia GPU (rather than the integrated graphics)

I'm at an absolute loss as to why this is happening. Like I say, it runs great when it's plugged in!

 

Why would you game unplugged anyway. You unplug to use as a portable on the go for with long battery life. You game plugged in with mouse especially first person shooters

 

Because I can? Because I don't want to tote my AC adapter around at work? Because I can grab a mouse any time I like at work?

 

I just opened up my M11x to put in my new RAM and I found a loose screw piercing the right speaker! My question is what to to or what are they going to have me do. I contacted and sent pictures. I cant lose my computer and am thinking of asking for warranty extension and just leave it since the speaker is still operating.

 

I have the m11x R1 and I'm having an issue where between every 2 or 3 restarts, the graphics driver disappears, thus not allowing me to switch between graphics modes. I have to manually reinstall the graphics driver and click restart later.

Anybody know why this is happening?

 

Wow, the Broadcom chipset in the Dell WLAN card really sucks. Random dropouts, I can only connect at 170Mbps..

Had to put in my AR5009, now I'm connecting at 300Mbps, no disconnections and I have the 5Ghz band too.

Dell should really do something about it..

 

Quick question. Has somebody used m11x with iMac (not the gen just launched, but the previous one) as external monitor via DP-to-miniDP cable? Thanks.

 

Odd.... but it does sound like some kind of power saving issue. have you tried messing with any windows/alienware settings?

 

I am having some technical difficulties with my WLAN since getting my M11xR2. I can connect to any network when within about 5 feet of the router, but any further than this and I am unable to connect. It appears to be an authentication issue, but it doesn't seem to matter what I change in my settings I can't get any change in this. I have had a look through Google and this thread but I can't seem to find anything that works. Does anyone have any ideas what this could be?

 

Same thing is happening to me, I assume when you arent plugged in, the graphics card switches to HD

 

all you can do is fiddle with the power options in windows.

 

I plan on replacing my stock 160 gig HDD with something that holds a lot more space. I have a few questions:

- How much of an improvement is a hybrid drive when compared to the stock drive?

- Do I need anything special to transfer data between two drives?

- When I transfer my data from one drive to another, will I need to reinstall anything?

 

Tried everything, any other ideas?

 

Have you edited your power plan in 'Fusion'? - (hit fn+f2). I'll run some tests and see if the same thing is happening. My guess is that it's dropping the CPU and GPU performance (power states) when not plugged in.

 

A little, not the most noticeable but fair.

An external enclosure.

I always advocate a clean install on new drives rather than cloning. To answer your question, no.

 

Yep that's it. Using Fraps, I saw a huge, instant dip in FPS on COD: Black Ops from 50+ FPS when plugged in, down to around 18 when pulling it from AC.

This was using the default 'Balanced Mode' in Fusion; the CPU power states remain the same on battery, however the GPU is selected as Balanced Mode, not Maximum Performance. Either setting that to Max instead (or creating your own customized power plan editing that option) will resolve your issue.

Now the FPS is exactly the same whether gaming plugged in or on battery.

 

Does anyone have slowdown or lag using a bluetooth mouse on games? I'm experiencing this when playing Crysis and Mass Effect. I'm using a Razer Orochi mouse and I have all the latest drivers installed.

 

Funny you should mention that, I just stumbled on Fusion today and set for performance which did the trick! But thanks for the reply!

 

A side note, anyone here have light coming through the top of the lid, where the screen meets the plastic on top? It's a little bit and not too worried about it, but seesh, you'd think after spending $1000+ you wouldn't get this sort of thing.

 

This is not something I notice on my m11x.

 

The Orochi is known for stuttering and going to sleep after even 3 or 4 seconds without movement - is that the behaviour you're experiencing?