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    M15x multiple crashes

    Discussion in 'Alienware M15x' started by Adrian36, Oct 14, 2019.

  1. Adrian36

    Adrian36 Newbie

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    I have an M15x which I purchased new in 2011. Some time ago I decided to upgrade from W7 to W10. I upgraded the bios to A09, updated all drivers and installed W10. This did not prove to be that successful. There were frequent flashes of colour on the screen which was usually followed by a freeze or crash. Tried ALL solutions even took it to a repair shop, they suspected they GPU was at fault, which is the original GTX 460M. In the end I thought it best to revert to W7. I did this with a clean install, installed all updates and drivers. No more flashing screen but....

    Now when W7 starts, all is fine until I try to do anything. This can be browsing, gaming or even checking Window updates. Usully after a few minutes I will either get a freeze, crash, or both. I frequently see the "display driver has stopped responding and recovered" message.

    I have done exhaustive research and tried everything recommended.

    I am reluctant to replace the GPU if this is not at fault. I have the latest driver for it. 2321.1391.35

    Not sure what else to try. I would be grateful for any help.
     
  2. Tanyrhiew

    Tanyrhiew Notebook Guru

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    Sounds like GPU is dying.

    I can vouch that the AMD Firepro M6100 works well with W10. AMD still support the card and they are pretty cheap and easy to pick up on e-bay.
     
  3. blazeghost

    blazeghost Notebook Consultant

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    Can you post your specs? Have you checked your temps while using it? Since it seems to be an untouched machine it most likely has original thermal paste on. My advise is to log your temps and CPU/GPU usage until it fails (if you are able to run HWMonitor) and that way you'´ll see if it's only a matter of some cleanning and repasting.
     
  4. Adrian36

    Adrian36 Newbie

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    Thanks for the replies. Specs as follows:

    CPU: i7 M620 @ 2.67GHz. SSD: Samsung 840 EVO 500GB. RAM: 4GB.

    The only addition I have made to the system is a Bluetooth card, years ago. For some reason this is no longer showing in device manager and I have been unable to get it to work despite downloading drivers. Perhaps something happened when I was changing the OS. If it was necessary to replace the GPU I would maybe get another 460M as this worked fine for my needs. Have not seens a NEW Firepro M6100 on ebay only refurbs, which I'm not keen on. If I can get everything back to normal I would consider another go at W10.

    With regard to the temps. I can run HWmonitor which is showing averages of 40C for the GPU and 44C fot the CPU. It's difficult to do anything to put any load on them as this will result in either a freeze or crash. Temps increase to around 50C on slight load. Don't know if this a bit high? If so I can try repasting.

    Any advice would be appreciated.
     
  5. blazeghost

    blazeghost Notebook Consultant

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    50° is not high at all. It doesn't seem to be a temperature issue at all. It's rather a power issue either on your gpu (most likely) or in the power stage of your mobo. You could try reinstalling your gpu, but it's a long shot. Sadly it seems to be actually dead.-
     
  6. Adrian36

    Adrian36 Newbie

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    So it seems I will need to replace the GPU. Will likely go for another 460M, if I can find a new one at a reasonable price. I just hope that this solves the problem.
     
  7. senso

    senso Notebook Deity

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  8. Adrian36

    Adrian36 Newbie

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    Thank you. I have already ordered a 460m, waiting for it to arrive. If the problems go, after I have installed it, then it will prove that my current card is the cause of the faults. Could then consider a 970m although I am wary of buying used or refurbs.
     
  9. Adrian36

    Adrian36 Newbie

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    I have now received the 460m and installed it. Although I no longer see the "display driver" error, I am still getting multiple BSOD. These are for various faults. I also installed a new Bluetooth card as the previous one stoped showing in device manager and despite trying different drivers it is still not working.
    All drivers and updates have been installed and I have tried all diagnostics, no errors are reported.
    Don't know what else I can try?
     
  10. blazeghost

    blazeghost Notebook Consultant

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    You can try using this software in order to get an idea of what is exactly causing BSODs (it´s free)

    https://www.resplendence.com/whocrashed

    After installing it, you´ll be able to read previous BSOD reports and the cause of new ones.
    With that info, it´ll be much easier to diagnose your issue
     
  11. Adrian36

    Adrian36 Newbie

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    I am attempting to use the software suggested, but due to frequent crashes, it is difficult to read the reports.
     
  12. nforce4max

    nforce4max Notebook Consultant

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    The fact that you are still getting crashes something is amiss, since the temps are good you might have a software issue. If you have use of another 2.5 sata drive with a copy of windows installed see if the crashes continue to rule out software otherwise you are in for some work determining what hardware is at fault. By the way is the SSD new or does it have a lot of hours on it as they do degrade with extended use.

    As for the furnace pro M6100 they are hardy cards that they are dependable compared to most other mxm cards, they can survive heat like nothing else so they are safe to purchase used and they are cheap these days for little as $20 or so.
     
  13. Adrian36

    Adrian36 Newbie

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    I have performed a clean install of W7, twice. The SSD is a few years old but is the same age and type as the one in my main PC, which doesn't crash. I still have the original HDD from the M15x and can try to use that to see what happens. May take a while for me to do this as I will be away for a couple of weeks.