M17X R1 - Diagnose this!

Background:
For the last day and a half, I have been using my M1730. M17x was left to rest in the XPS carry bag.

Today, I get the M17x out and powered up for a couple of routine tests.

I enter windows, and find that I had switched the machine off last time with Hybrid SLi in 'power saver/stealth/silent' mode. So I switched to performance.

The moment 'Boost Performance' was active and running, the CPU usage went into 100%. System was sluggish as ever.

I rebooted a few times, and even disabled hybrid SLi. No luck. Applications weren't even starting, and 3dMark runs were under 5 FPS and took ages loading.

I even checked the device manager and HWmonitor profiles, and both 280s were turning up without problems. Temperatures were also very cool and normal.

I went back into bios, disabled hybrid SLi, but enabled integrated GPU. I enter windows and everything is running smooth on the 9400m.

I got back to BIOS and enabled hybrid SLi, and return to windows. Performance was sluggish once again, so I entered stealth mode to replicate the effect, and again, the system was running smoothly and CPU resources were not a complete mess.

Majority of apps. refuse to run. Even the Medusa tech demo just stays hanging at the 'loading' splash screen.

Seriously, dudes. What the hell is going on with this system?

 

Re-install drivers. If that doesn't work I would system restore. Something somewhere is wrong in software. The m17x is so tempermental because of the dang stealth mode (argh). I avoid it like the plague.

 

Thanks for the input.

Now, I already did the whole driver removal, sweep, reinstall. I did plenty of things to get the system back to its normal state, and no luck! All that remains is a system restore.

What's the world on the Alienware Respawn v2.0 that's in the start menu? I read that it restores the original settings. I don't mind giving that shot. I just don't want to come to terms with the notion that my GPUs died from. . . a one day break!

That is the strange part. I've turned it off and on plenty of times. Experimented with a few drivers, and then restored the ones that served the purpose best. Then I switch off the machine and put it away, and all has gone to hell. I hope it wasn't the cold. . . because that'll be really stupid.

 

Kade,

I had this happen before...

Before you restore, pull the battery and AC Adapter. Press and hold the power button for 20 seconds.

Then reinstall the battery and bootup from AC.

There is an issue where the power management system on the motherboard gets confused and is kindof in Stealth mode, but not indicating it. My Area51 m15x did this once too.

That 'should' fix it.

 

. . .well, too late. HA! HA! HA!

I already started the full system restore, to the HDD contents are now goin' to hell! It is going to take a while, but I'll wait and report back after the restore. I'll also try what you suggested, Denver, just to rule out any possible oversights on my part.

Cheers.

 

Thank you, Mr. D E Sullivan!

I'd post pictures, but I'll refrain. After the format, Windows loaded--very slowly--and I had a WEI of 2.3. Lovely. Almost all of the numbers were around 2ish, with the exception of primary HDD, which was at 5.9, and business 3d/gaming, which was 5.2 or something.

After doing the reset of the system they way you had recommended, the index came right back up to 5.5, with only the CPU being a 5.5 whilst every other rating being a firm 5.9.

Thank you, sir.

So I wasted my time, but I think I like the system clean and formatted.

How it ever managed to get into this state from merely remaining powered off inside my XPS case is a bloody mystery. So much for machines being consistent, eh? Hah.

Cheers.

 

Kade,

Glad I could help...

I have no idea however what causes it to happen. My M17x has done it once in the 6 months I've owned it under circumstances similar to what you described.

My Area51-m15x did it once when I hard crashed after tinkering with PowerDVD.

It's nice to know I'm not the only one who has these crazy things happen to them

 

Now where the Twilight Zone music when ya' need it; this would be a very appropriate moment for such a que.

I had no idea one could reset these machines by removing the battery and holding down the power button. I know we had a similar feature on the M1730, but this. . . well, good enough.

Anyway, thanks again.

(Mods/gods/devils, you may close the topic, if you please.)

 

This will also work when your touch buttons stop working and won't even light up.