Dell ATI 8.763 (M15x/M17xR1/M17xR2) Driver/AMD 5870 VBIOS **READ POST 1 AND 2!!!!!**

My patience is starting to wear thin, I've been a loyal Alienware customer since 1999 but these video drivers and bios are starting to irritate me. I cannot play BC2 without it going into some major lag 10 minutes into the game. A three thousand dollar computer that cannot play one of my favorite games, give me a break. Sorry for the rant guys, but this is starting to get old. Why cant there just be a new bios that allows us to use regular ATI drivers instead of having to wait and wait and wait for Dell to give us betas and wait to see what needs fixing?

 

It's your particular configuration. I don't have this problem with BC2 so you might want to look at what you've done to the system (e.g. programs added, registry mods etc) that could've caused this. We have the latest drivers available to us (newer than what AMD has on their site) so what can Dell realistically do beyond that? Nothing. AMD Catalysts have had issues with BC2 for a long time now, that's up to AMD to sort out but this lag you talk about is not one of them.

 

Having so much problem with my 17x. Dell replaced the motherboard and the graphics cards but it was still . So I just had it replaced. They upgraded my rig from 920xm to 940xm. Everything works perfect now.

 

Today I've installed the A08 bios, beta video driver and then the vbios. Everything is running perfectly and smoothly for my system except the AMD GPU tool does not let me change frequencies anymore. Anyone else experienced this?

 

Yeh I can't do any OC at all anymore either. Although I never really got the chance to try earlier either. Have only had the new system for a couple of weeks.

I read on another thread that apparently 10.5 drivers up and the new vbios don't allow you to use the amd gpu tool to OC anymore. So will have to look into other methods such as rivatuner or flashing the vbios for OC clock settings.

Cheers.

 

Yeah Joe same thing has been happening to me as it seems like my secondary card isn't clocked right and is only taking a 5-10% load at a time. I've tried multiple ways to configure the AMD GPU tool to work but alas I have failed. It's a bummer because I'm thinking that maybe my secondary card is bad but I'm going to need to test it via some other tool. Rivatuner here I come you sly chump.

 

You need the 10.8b driver for full gpu utilization.

 

Hi folks,

just wanted to report my feedback on my problems posted some pages before:

The problem with hibernation and standby just disappeared ^^ I just got no time and nerves to make a clean install, but I wanted to chat a bit. Later on, I just tried standy again and everything works fine so far.

So no idea what caused the problem as I did nothing with my rig I like these kind of problems! ^^

 

Safe to install on the R2?

 

Frozen, what is your config? I have the the lag issue also, on 2 different m17x's with the same configs. I have seen other posts where many people have the lag, just after the beta drivers came out. Its def not just you.

 

@Frozen and Getfound:

Have you guys tried going into CCC (advanced view); click "options" on the top right, click "preferences", click "restore factory settings"?

I was getting massive lag in CodMW2 and that fixed it...it would appear that is better to manage those settings in the individual games than with CCC...

@Joker:

Does 10.8b still required the "workaround=true" method?

**Edit**
Also I meant to ask...what the general consensus on the dell beta 8.763 vs ati reference 8.762 drivers? I am using the reference card drivers and seems to be getting 5 to 10% more fps in all my games (codmw2, metro 2033, fallout 3, batman AA, BFBC2, Mass Effect 2, Dragon age) except for Two worlds which behaves the same with either driver. If anyone wants specific numbers I can give you them...but I was mostly wondering who's using which and how its working for them.

 

I've been running on Dells 10.8 betas for a couple of weeks now. All going well with stability and games. However now just reading your post I'm intrigued and will perhaps try out AMDs 10.8 drivers.
I just have to do the workaround=true to install them right?
Also yeh post up some numbers. I'd be interested to see.

I can also hear 10.9 coming soon LOL ehahahaha.
Nvidia just released its new betas so CMON AMD lol.

Cheers.

 

With the Dell Ati beta driver 10.8 8.763 P02 and default vBIOS: Cannot resume from Sleep/Hibernate, nor will the video resume if the monitor goes to sleep, regardless of the keys pressed or mouse movement. Have to completely power down and try again. Would like new driver to work for the performance and no working power management is not really an option. How long until a real fix? Or how to get beta vBIOS to go with driver?

Alienware M17x R2 (Space Black): Intel Core i7 920XM, ATI Radeon Mobility HD 5870 CrossfireX, 8 GB Dual Channel 1333MHz DDR3, 1 TB RAID-0 (2x 500 GB 7,200RPM), 17" WideUXGA RGB LED, Intel Ultimate N WiFi Link 6300, Blu-Ray Burner, BlueTooth 2.1 with EDR, Windows 7 Ultimate x64

 

Hello fellow Tucsoneon Make sure you totaly unistall the old driver before to install the new one, it sounds like you have some of the old driver left on your system. Use a Driver cleaner program after you uninstall the old driver. Page one of this thread has all the information on this.

 

I thought that too, at first, so I: 1.) Uninstalled all ATI drivers in Control Panel & rebooted, 2.) Further uninstalled everything ATI-related that was left using DriverSweeper 2.5.0 & rebooted, 3.) Reinstalled beta 8.763 & rebooted. Nothing changed. If the monitor goes to sleep I still have to kill the system with power button and endure the "Windows did not shut down properly" nag screen on restart.

Alienware M17x R2 (Space Black): Intel Core i7 920XM, ATI Radeon Mobility HD 5870 CrossfireX, 8 GB Dual Channel 1333MHz DDR3, 1 TB RAID-0 (2x 500 GB 7,200RPM), 17" WideUXGA RGB LED, Intel Ultimate N WiFi Link 6300, Blu-Ray Burner, BlueTooth 2.1 with EDR, Windows 7 Ultimate x64

 

Page 33 guys on this thread for the vbios.
You can dl it off jokers link. Thanks.

If you want to use the new dell beta 10.8 8.763 drivers you will also need to flash to the new vbios as well otherwise those issues will remain.

Cheers.

 

Guys my mistake: The 10.8b are ONLY for the 4870s. I thought the poster I responded to had 4870s and thats why I suggested it. If you have 5870s, stick to the 8.763 release.

 

Please refrain from discussing other drivers in this thread. This thread is for 8.763 and the beta VBIOS.

If you want to discuss other drivers which are non-dell drivers, see one of these existing threads -

http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...crossfire-m17x-general-discussion-thread.html

http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m17x/512756-ati-reference-10-8-a.html

Thanks.

 

HJberret, I forgot, the Vbios fixs that issue your having.

 

New vBIOS seems to have done the trick. Thanks for that.

 

Sweet, after doing those two updates, your lappy is ready to rock!

 

Well I had my laptop repaired a few days ago and wonder how to do the update correctly. I uninstalled the CCC then ran driver sweeper pro. After I rebooted the machine I installed the beta driver. Then tried updating the vbios got an error and then after reboot the laptop was dead or at least the graphics cards...
Do I need to disable crossfire to get the cards to flash?

 

As Brian noted in post#1 of this thread -

Not sure how you can recover... since you rebooted.

 

I was trying to figure out what I did wrong! I have not attempted since I got new cards installed, I am scurd. I ran the vbios 4 times in total not sure why it gave me errors. Does anyone play BFBC2 and how is the performance with the new update?

 

My recommendation is to always use the dos method of flashing the vbios when in doubt. You can get instructions on how in my sig.

 

As I understand it...there is no recovering once you reboot. Time to get on the horn with AW and get new cards!!

Sorry dude...you gotta keep flashing until both cards are flashed. If it says ROM fail, you have to keep doing it.

 

hey guys I am having a problem after using this beta driver for my m17x-r2, I downloaded the driver from dell, and just followed the on screen directions, now in the description it says "Fixes reported power management issues (Sleep and Hibernate)"..........................I DIDNT HAVE THIS PROBLEM UNTILL I USED THIS DRIVER!!!!! what have I done wrong? every time my computer gos into sleep after being idle for a while the screen wont turn back on? I have 5870 crossfire. I also have updated to the A08 bios.

I dont want to use this vbios thing your talking about because I dont trust myself with risking hardware, is it possible to just download the normal release dell drivers and reinstall?

I need to use my eyes more, I found a post saying exactly the same thing I just asked? I will have these problems untill I use this vbios right? ohhh man I hope I dont break anything......

 

Oh wow. You should read through the thread.

-Ash

 

That reminds me.....although vbios/drivers are great for those who have implemented them, there are people out there afraid to take on what can be a daunting prospect for them hence the importance for Dell to have this released as an official update via Dell Support.

Would be good to get some feedback from Brian as to when this may happen so that inexperienced users can do a "once click fix" without worry.

(Appreciate that Brian has stated that the problem lies with the vbios not being backwards compatable for those with 8.6xx drivers and would cause problems IF they updated their vbios)

 

lol I am very inexperienced with comps however after taking the time to read all your posts I have just successfully

1. upgraded to the A08 bios
2. installed the beta dell drivers
3. used the vbios to flash both my cards

booted up fine and Im happy as hell I was able to do it myself...cheers guys

the only thing I have to ask is I followed jokers guide to using the vbios in windows, I downloaded something he recomended called the ati profiles which seemed to make a folder somewhere on my computer......what was this for?

I did it just because he recommended it......

 

The Application Profiles are like a seperate Hotfix ATI provides parallel to their monthly driver releases to improve the gaming experience for selected games even more accurate with automatic profiles, so just install it and hopefully, ENJOY. You only need the latest one, and they usually work with any catalyst version from 10.2+

 

beautiful....thanks mate

 

Ok, I think I found the reason for the lag. When playing BC2 I get major lag when I was playing at work and at home. When I would get the lag I checked the ping and it would skyrocket, I have no idea why it is doing this, I know it has nothing to do with the video drivers but it seems it only started doing this after the new ones. After my ping would skyrocket, it goes back down to normal and so does the lag. This does this on every sever. Any ideas?

 

I think you should create a new thread with describing your problem in detail, with all the specific info you can think of to provide, System, Network Type, Provider and whatnot. If this occurs only in Online Game, then you might have a Network or Routing issue...

 

Is the Vbios for our cards that Brian released still in beta or is there a final version somewhere? I am having issues when shutting down the computer... screen turns off but all the lights and fans are still on... someone said the beta vbios fix this...

 

That is correct, it's all in here, vbios on page 33. Official Safety Instructions on Page 1. Still in Beta, Final TBD. If you are actually happy with the beta display drivers so far within games, and don't to seem to have any other issues, and you are sure you don't want to revert back to older drivers for the moment, then this might be for you, if you feel comfortable ofcourse

 

yeah, I am comforortable for sure. I'll do it tonight. I just need to get this Shut Down bug to go away!!!!

 

Turmoil,

I am glad that you took my advice and checked out this sub-forum. Like I said I also had the same issue with shutdown. After following the good advice in this forum I flashed the vbios and installed beta 8.763 and it fixed my shutdown problems. Good luck, hope everything works out for you.

 

Thanks Brotha, I hope it works out as well. With all the new upgrades, this shutdown thing definatley kicked me in the nuts...

 

Here's some more feedback as per request:

I tried this vBIOS and it does indeed fix the sleep/hibernate/battery BSOD/freezing issue.

 

The Vbois is Awesome, Dell you are going in the right direction, we will help you get there

 

Just updated the VBIOS! No problems whatsoever... except for... now, I get a Windows Aero Score of 1... any ideas?

All my other scores are normal....

EDIT: fixed it... all is good.

 

Sooo, when will this driver and vbios be out of beta? I'd love to update my drivers too, but I can't install betas;(

 

I'd imagine within the next month... can't be too much longer if you look at the initial post date of the drivers and VBIOS.

 

Wow!
What an incredibly easy process!

 

Yeah, if it works the first time, which seems to be not always the case flashing it, so they are sorting that out aswell, so it's more safely to release for "everyone"...

 

yep. So smooth that even I risked it, in spite of being in a remote, isolated part of the world. And certainly was worth it!

 

@Grimfan you play mafia 2? Pls show me your setting and your FPS with this driver and beta Vbios, mine is a little slow FPS,wanna know yours for checking! thanks in advance

 

Hey here's the post about running the mafia 2 benchmark and the Setting i used was Profile High with AA On, Physx Off, Ingame. Standard CCC Settings All Application Controlled. V.Sync On. Tripple Buffering ON.

That's also the settings i play the game with.

 

Quick question for you guys regarding the beta vbios.

I got Brian to email me it the other day (thanks Brian) but didnt get around to doing it.

I have the file and have unzipped it too ready for use...what i wanna do is try it out on this system before my new one....

Is it possible/advisable to burn the files to disc and then use them on my other m17? - have burnt them to disc already but wanted to check with you guys PRIOR to running them on a differenct laptop. (I want the vbios stored for use on my new m17 ya see....)

The other way i had thought is that because i have the file from Brian saved in my email client, i could always just go to his original email and d/l and unzip/run from there?


Basically, will the file work the same or is there any danger that the flasher may not work properly from my copy disc?

(I am also gonna reset THIS laptop back to factory state before giving them a whirl on this system as its getting returned!)