M11x - can't get past window login

My problem started when I first tried to run some games on the 335m. First game I fired up was Anno1404. Few seconds into a game lobby, I start seeing artifacts and my screen blacked out and restarted(about 20 second or so later). Soon after that, every time it get's to window login, it blacks out and seem to stay there idling.

Thinking that something might be wrong with the hybrid system, I decide to start it up with discrete GC (bios setting). With that setting on, there seem to be a red frame around my screen and at one point screen full of ((((((, after that went away, windows started up some what normally but has a 800x600 resolution. Is that normal?

For some unknown reason, I had the sudden inspiration to try running it back on switchable graphics. Funnily enough, everything worked fine apart from the fact the screen blacked out for 2 second before coming back on at window login screen.

Thinking that it may be a glitch, I tried running bioshock. Before the game even loads up, the screen blacked out and I get to enjoy another round of storm. Thinking that it may be the driver, I've tried reinstalling it, but the problem remains.

On the upside, I finally get to see a BSOD with this nvlddmkm.sys written some where in it. Any ideas?

P.S. my CPU isn't Overclocked. and funnily enough, Overclock works fine when I was trying it prior to all this bull crap.

 

Wow, this is a first someone was actually glad to see a BSOD. Dude that laptop is ed up, go get it replaced.

 

I'm equally amazed by the fact I would be pleased to see BSOD. I actually cheered rather than cursed when I get to see it.

The fact that I actually need to use it (I can't bare with an Aspire One netbook anymore), along with the fact everything else seem fine except this possible software issue, I rather find a way to fix it myself before calling dell for a replacement.

Right now I'm making a bootable USB window 7 and will be starting everything from scratch.

 

Overclock is not going to cause this - its fine to use.

Have you tried a clean install of the driver?

1. Change the default behavior of Windows to not automatically install a device driver when new hardware is detected. To do this, Start Menu ---> Right Click on Computer ---> Choose Properties ---> Select Advanced System Settings from left sidebar ---> select Hardware tab ---> Device Installation Settings. Select the No, Let Me Choose radial and the Never Install Driver radial. Select Save Changes and close all boxes.

2. Start Menu ---> Control Panel ---> Programs ---> Uninstall a Program. Select NVIDIA Drivers and Uninstall - Remove ALL including Display

3. Reboot into Safe Mode (repeatedly depress F8 @ Boot Screen)

4. Once in Safe Mode, run CCleaner registry scan. Choose Fix all selected issues. Once complete, reboot normally.

5. Once @ the desktop, Windows will load the Standard VGA Adapter. You may not see a notification for this. Once it is complete, verify by checking Device Manager, Reboot normally.

6. Once back at the desktop, run the display driver installer. Remember, you need to have Switchable Graphics selected in the BIOS whenever you install the display driver on the M11x.

7. Now, either the driver will finish installing and you will be in Hybrid Mode with the 335M active - or, it will finish installing and you will be in IGP Mode. If in IGP Mode, reboot and once back at the desktop, depress FN+F6 so windows will kick over to Hybrid and complete the install.

Try out your game and see if you continue to BSOD. If so, contact Dell Support.

Display Driver Link:

http://support.dell.com/support/dow...typeid=-1&dateid=-1&formatid=-1&fileid=371976

FWIW, I was crashing out whenever I would start playing L4D2. As soon as I performed a clean reinstall of the driver - all was fine.

 

Ah dang, saw your post a tad bit too late, Am in progress of reinstall my windows. Pretty much did most part of what you posted apart from the CCleaner.

Funny how I manage to skip all the common problem m11x has, and get an odd one.

 

No worries - its not a big issue. This is the first Intel/NV Hybrid Driver - so its going to be touch and go. The next release from NV or from Dell should be better.

 

Oddly enough, when I started installing the display driver on my fresh copy of windows, it went dead half way through the installation. Any idea why's that happening?

Update : Tried removing the driver + ran it through with CCleaner, same problem again. Ima give it another shot. Should I try using dox optimized driver if the original one doesn't work?

 

Alrightie, so far everything else i've tried doesn't work. When the driver for 335M goes in, everything goes black. Safe mode works fine, I can see window's login screen for a few second (sometimes even manage to get my password in) before the whole thing goes black again.

Without the driver, everything else runs, I believe the display is being run by IGP, not sure how to confirm that. Is there anyway I can install the driver solely for 335M and not the hybrid driver to test whether there's any hardware issues with mine?

update : Oho, tried running it on discrete(bios). worked for less than a minute, and I get a BSOD about nvlddmkm.sys

 

Bump, anyone has any other idea?

and is the IGP driver suppose to install itself even with the driver installation off?

 

Still sounds like a driver install gone corrupt to be honest.

Dobby, have you tried a factory restore yet? I suggest restoring using the Dell DataSafe Local emergency rescue flash drive or media which you should have created. See if the Dell Factory image is having the same issue. If it does not, then its not a hardware issue.

If you no longer have access to the factory image, my only suggestion is to go over the steps I posted again. Be sure step #1 has been done.

 

should I uninstall the IGP driver that kept on coming back on it's own along with nvidia drivers?

Right now I'm on somewhat of a clean slate for display driver. Only driver I've got running is the IGP. The VGA adapter in device manager shows

This device cannot start. (Code 10)

 

Uninstall via the Control Panel (NVIDIA Drivers - ALL). When you are in safe mode, go to the device manager and check the display tab. If you want to remove whatever driver is loaded for the IGP - if I recall its like 1.11 or something along those lines of the Microsoft Intel Series 4 driver, right click on the entry and select UNINSTALL.

The VGA adapter reporting a CODE 10, thats actually your 335M without the Standard VGA driver loaded. Just reboot normally for good measure and then run the installer.

 

alrightie, just tried what you said. Half way through the installation process, the screen went black and came back on with lower resolution, which I believe is normal. Then it went black again and this time it dies off.

Oddly enough, this time I manage to start it back up to windows normally.

Problem signature:
Problem Event Name: BlueScreen
OS Version: 6.1.7600.2.0.0.256.48
Locale ID: 1033

Additional information about the problem:
BCCode: 124
BCP1: 0000000000000000
BCP2: FFFFFA80060D2038
BCP3: 00000000B2000040
BCP4: 0000000000000800
OS Version: 6_1_7600
Service Pack: 0_0
Product: 256_1

Files that help describe the problem:
C:\Windows\Minidump\032810-25615-01.dmp
C:\Users\Dobby\AppData\Local\Temp\WER-45645-0.sysdata.xml

Read our privacy statement online:
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If the online privacy statement is not available, please read our privacy statement offline:
C:\Windows\system32\en-US\erofflps.txt

Device manager still shows VGA adapter with a code 10

 

Well, at this point I suggest you go with the factory image restore. If you have access to it, then go with it and see if you still have this problem (BSOD).

If you don't have the image, time to call support as I am not sure what else to suggest.

 

Oh well, what can one do against such disaster heh. Thanks for the help!

at least I get to own the most powerful 11.6" subnotebook powered by Intel Graphics.

 

I gave Dell a call, and lucky for me, I got someone who knows his stuff and did not bother asking me to do further tests. Gonna have a tech over tomorrow to fix my m11x up.

Funnily enough, even though the local dell website did not provide the number, there's a 24 hour customer support for any alienware products..

 

I had the exact same thing! The NVIDIA GPU was fried - got a replacement mainboard n all works fine again.
You can still use the m11x if you uninstall all nvidia drivers or put the stock win from cd on it.

 

Ah, good to know the tech is bringing along some parts to patch it up for me . I still can't stop smiling whenever I though of the fact the most powerful 11.6" notebook powered by intel graphic processor heh.

Update : All fixed up, it was something to do with the 335m. Everything seems to be working fine now, time to go try out some games on my m11x