M11xR2/R3 - NVidia Optimus Issues/Whitelisting Problems

yea they need to fix this i got a bunch of games i can put on the list still. In time i guess.

 

If you can't add it then it's quite possible that it's already on the list provided by the driver itself. To check this you'll want to uncheck "Show only programs found on this computer" and see if it's there. If it is then you should be ok.

If it is in that list and the 335 isn't being actuated when it runs then that's a problem. If it's not in Nvidia's list and you can't add it successfully then that's another problem again. I haven't run across either of these two issues yet with the Dell beta driver that I'm using now or the verde driver w/ modified inf that I used only briefly.

 

In anticipation of Diablo 3, I recently started playing Diablo 2 again. I have both the M11x R1 and R2. I received the R1 first and started playing on that system with the Nvidia GPU turned on before launching the game. It ran great at 800x600 resolution (best the game does) stretched to take up the full display. When I got the R2, I tried the game and it runs in the middle of the screen with black borders on left and right, much like an HD signal might look on your TV that does not take up the whole screen. Research led me to discover it was running using the Intel GPU, not the Nvidia GPU as expected. I downloaded the test tools and the Nvidia GPU never turns on during game play. I also set the Diablo 2 executable to force use Nvidia GPU, with no change. Finally, I tried the "Run with graphics processor" right click option, but it still runs using only the Intel GPU. I now have the 257.21 drivers installed but it is not helping. How can I force Diablo 2 to run using the Nvidia GPU on the R2?

 

I'm having trouble with Just Cause 2.

Using the beta drivers from Dell. The 335M is set as the default card and I added Steam and the JC executable to the white list and I get a fatal directx error code 3.

Ive tried reinstalling DirectX, running things in admin mode and unistalling and reinstalling several times.

Cant figure it out.

 

know issue need fix from nvidia. only way is to use factory drivers and it will work but non of the 257.xx work atm

 

I hope someone can help w/ this, I love the build quality of this laptop and more than happy w/ everything else I've done w/ it but I cannot believe that a game like Diablo would lag on this machine. Someone please help, I'm rapidly reaching the end of the line and will be returning my laptop if I cannot play this one old and awesome game

 

I have given up trying to get the game to run using the Nvidia GPU. Just does not seem possible right now. However, Diablo II does seem to play alright using the Intel GPU. It is just frustrating that I can't use the better GPU. In any case, I was able to fix the black borders issue by change the Intel GPU settings to use stretch instead of native. Before, in native mode the 800x600 resolution game was showing in the middle with black borders. Now, in stretch mode, it fills the entire screen. Hope this helps.

 

not sure where to post this but is there some where i can actually see if the nvidia card is the one currently in use?

 

Diablo 2 doesn't need the nvidia gpu. The intel hd graphics have more than enough power to play that game. Also, the video output is dictated by the intel (all video goes though the intel, even when the nvidia gpu is running), so you'd have the black bars regardless of using the nvidia or not.

 

It's a problem with FFXI, at least while using Windower. 335m never activates no matter what you add to the list. But there's no Optimus problem with default drivers

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m11x/495489-m11xr2-optimus-test-tools.html

 

When I am using an external monitor every game runs like complete crap even though they are running at the M11X native resolution and are using the 335m. Also I added a game to the nvidia list but when I run it the test tools show that it isn't using the 335m.

 

Did you configure your external monitor to be the primary monitor? Optimus only works on the primary monitor. The secondary monitor will run off the intel Gpu.

 

Tested 258.69 and found something interesting that I tot to share. Not sure how many of to here have tried the driver and notice this. What's interesting is that with this driver installed, steam actually see that we have gt335m in the system. Previously base on 189 and 257beta I remember under system info I'm steam only see intel HD. Another interesting thing is when I launch l4d2. It actually see the gt335m is the primary gfx chip. Now in game I can see msaa and 16xQ fsaa support. This is good news for r2 owners. This just show how much things can change for being patient with the initial issues

 

I think this was my problem. I already figured it out myself but thanks anyway.

 

GOOD FIND! It indeed does seem a matter of time till the M11x R2 can truly shine.

 

Ok i have the download tool to show when the nvidia gpu is on and for somereason when i run WoW and steam games (which is all i have atm) it doesnt show the nvidia gpu is on. I have the m11x r2. i also called alienware and they said its working but man i expected more from the system. Running wow it only runs at 20 fps with almost low settings on the native resolution. is this normal or am i mistaken? Also tried running RE5 and its unplayable no matter the setting i use.

 

Add those games to the game list under the nvidia control panel to make them use the 335. Those games should and do run flawlessly on this system.

 

they are already on the list. also when i ran the benmark on RE5 its showing the intagrated gpu

 

Any ffxi player here? i have very low fps (8-9 in cities), any solution?

Thank you

 

Definitely! This does show an example of what Nvidia had meant Optimus to be. Since it's new tech takes a little bit of time to mature it and fine tune it. I have tried both 187 and 257 drivers with L4D2 and I am very sure it doesnt have that prompt. Maybe I will try again later when I get home from work to see if I get the same message. Will post a screenshot of it to give ppl a better idea what Optimus is mean to work like. With such improvement at least makes me have some confident that Nvidia is indeed working hard on getting it to work right as what its being design for

 

Some of the newest drivers (258.69) are buggy with Optimus and won't engage the 335

But in actuality you may better off with integrated graphics. nVidia is hit or miss with FFXI and the current drivers are among the miss list and stutter with too many PC sprites on screen.

 

Thx for answer Gredival ^_^

It is possible to force install ForceWare 169.17 Beta for Vista with custom inf. in our machine and work fine?

 

If they do not support optimus, then no, even most older drivers that do, won't work. sorry

 

What drivers are you using right now?

I can verify that the 257.30gets the 335M to kick in and gets decent FPS. The newest beta 258 will not engage the 335M for me no matter what you add to the control panel.

The 257.30 driver is here... Drivers and Downloads - Public Sector

This driver won't work with Windower though.

 

The only reason I'm using the pre-installed 189.* driver is because the newer drivers, either from Nvidia or the Beta from Dell, caused me to get kicked from Bad Company 2 MP servers by Punk Buster due to detecting multiple Direct3D devices.

Has it been confirmed that this has been fixed?

I know this is probably a PunkBuster problem, but regardless of who's end is broken it's still a problem.

 

Wondering if anyone is having any luck with Blu Ray software and the GT335 card. I have tried both Cyberlink and Arcsoft players so far. Both of them bomb repeatedly and consistently when I run the playback in NVIDIA mode. Both basically say that the card is not good enough or cant handle certain video overlays and such. However, using the Integrated graphics, Arcsoft runs and looks great. Now, I know battery wise I am better off using the Integrated, but its pretty baffling that the NVIDIA will not work with any of the softwares. That Card should easily run blu ray. I have tried every NVIDIA driver out there that has been mentioned on the boards and all seem the same.

Any thoughts?

Thanks

 

vegasjay, someone a while back mentioned they upgraded to PowerDVD 10 which fixed the problems with Blu Ray playback.

 

I will have to double check, but I am pretty sure PowerDVD 10 also bombed on mine for some reason. That error was about my video card not being compatible and needing to upgrade drivers. When I do get PowerDVD to work with the Integrated, I get video and sound, but its all grey and small lines across it. That could be from the Plextor Blu Ray player, but it all seems odd. So far, the best combo has been the ArcSoft TMT3 Software using the Integrated graphics, everything works pretty good.

 

As mentioned previously... this is an example on how program actually detects our GT335M in optimus for M11xR2

 

I bought an external BluRay drive and I have the same problem with Power DVD 9 the playback is always green and stutters as well as looking fragmented.

Also, I need to correct myself, the m11x did NOT come pre-installed with PowerDVD 9, it came on the app Disk that came with my BluRay drive.

 

ok I played L4d2 fine the other day, everything ran smoothly, but before I started the program up i got that warning and just dismissed it. but now whenever I try to play L4d2 it feels lags as possible.
Every other game seems to be working fine.

I went back and added L4d2 to the control panel and the game is still very lagy on even minimum settings. any suggestions?

 

where are you getting 20fps in wow?

 

Anyone else getting this:

When you first boot up your laptop and run the Optimus Test Viewer (NOT the state viewer), it shows that the 335M is off. Playing SC2 (haven't tested this with other games yet), the 335M turns on. However, after exiting SC2, the Test Viewer shows that the 335M is toggling between idle/off, rather than staying completely off. I then shut down my computer, booted it up, and ran flash on Chrome, fully knowing that the 335M would turn on. When I exited the tab that was running flash, the Test Viewer showed that the 335M was fully off; no toggling between off and idle.

Is this completely normal?

 

look at the wow thread. I posted video of mine as well as the settings I am running on. definitely not 20fps and you can look at those videos that the fps is fine also i have mostly high on native

 

I'm pretty sure I've seen someone else report seeing the alternating on/off behavior as well. I certainly haven't seen it on mine though. What driver are you using?

 

I did a reinstall of the device and drivers now its running like a champ. why the hell alienware (dell) didnt ship a working product is beyond me but meh atleast its working now.

 

The Dell beta ones (257.30). Does 258.XX not do this? Been sorta lazy about updating thee drivers but if it means that it's not constantly toggling between off/idle and if Chrome won't activate the 335M then I'd update without a second thought.

Also what I found weird is that more low quality videos look better with the Intel HD rather than the 335M (i.e. Hulu vids). I mean the Intel will look a tad fuzzier but the HD makes everything sharp, exposing all the pixelation.

 

I recently got my m11x r2, and I tried playing Mabinogi. It was the only game that didn't work for me.

When i set the default graphics processor to Nvidia, the game would close due to the anti hacking shield detecting "Api Hooking." Is there any way to bypass this?

 

hacking shield needs update with the current tech ><

 

I can't even use the factory drivers with mine. Still get that same error message as thisguyrighthere (clever name)



*EDIT* scratch that. It's been a long day and I read your response wrong. I'll try the factory drivers. I hope my other games still work on them though...

By the way, any update on the new, er... update?

 

Alien Swarm for r2 not using the nvdia optimus. using dell beta driver. FAIL ='(

 

it works perfectly and flawlessly mate. read this thread and learn how to get it to work

http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...-r2-how-add-games-applications-whitelist.html

 

Why don't you just force optimus to use the nvidia gpu for alien swarm, right click on your desktop, go to the nvidia control panel, on the left press Manage 3D Settings, then press the program settings tab and then the add program button...

Navigate to program files (x86) > steam > steamapps > common > alien swarm > swarm.exe

press open, and in the drop down menu under "select the preferred graphics processor for this program" mark High-performance Nvidia processor. Click apply on the bottom, restart alien swarm...woooo

At least this should work, I'm not using the beta drivers but the modified INF 258.96 ones (which is VERY easy to do, which I highly recommend for the added taskbar GPU activity monitor).


And alien swarm is really fun by the way

 

Ok so I bought Just Cause 2 about a week ago and it's driving me crazy because I want to play it but can't! I downloaded the new 257.30 driver that was released yesterday and as far as I can tell there is no difference between it and the beta.
Is my only option to switch back to factory drivers for the times I want to play JC2 and back to the current 257.30 drivers when I want to play other games?
This sucks. NVidia and Alienware: c'mon, this is getting ridiculous.

 

What's the reason you can't play it?

 

Relax mate...

Use this http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...er-258-96-beta-discussion-relating-11xr2.html

And discussion for the driver via the new thread http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...r-258-96-whql-discussion-relating-m11xr2.html

Note that thou the topic on the first thread shows beta but already updated just that the topic remain unchange as I cant change the topic and I didnt want to create double post base on the same version with just beta/whql. Anyway Batboy did open a new thread for discussion already so its all good now.

 

Erm....how do I get steam games to work with optimus?
The EXE isn't in the SteamApps>Common.

 

need to know which game

 

Portal
I just got my M11x and I got nothing better to test it out on.