M17x - Random stuttering every 5-10 seconds?

Hi all,

I just got my new m17x about 2 weeks ago, and it's been working great except for one tiny problem. When I'm watching movies or playing games, the system will stutter every 5-10 seconds. Usually, it isn't too bad, but it really takes away any sense of immersion from a movie or game when it regularly stutters.

Everything stutters though. I have Norton Internet Security 2009 installed on my computer, but even when I turn off Auto-Protect/Smart Firewall/Anti-Spyware/Pulse Updates, the problem still persists. Should I try uninstalling it?

Also, could it be the Alienware-specific processes? The only processes listed in the bottom right of my taskbar are:
-Windows Media Player
-Steam
-AlienFX
-Norton Internet Security 2009
-Bluetooth
-Power Options
-Wireless Network
-Sound Control

Could someone please help me figure out what's wrong? Thanks!

P.S. My brief specs:
-Dual GTX 260M's
-4 GB 1333Mhz RAM
-Core 2 Duo 2.8 GHz
-500 GB HDD

 

I use NIS 2009 as well and have no issues with stuttering. Be sure you are on BIOS A02 and have all the other M17x related driver updates installed including Command Center and OSD (Onscreen Display). Verify you are not in Stealth Mode. Also consider updating to 186.82 or 186.91 NVIDIA display driver if you aren't running it already. Reference Moo's driver thread or hit my M17x blog link in my signature for up to date drivers.

If you do not use the Vista Search function to search your files (most people do not), disable the Windows Search service. This can cause quite a bit of drive activity + occupy system resources when the OS is 'freshly installed'. Do this by typing:

Services.msc into the RUN COMMAND via your Start Menu. Look for 'Windows Search' in the list and open it up. Stop the service and then use the 'Startup Type' pulldown menu and select 'Disabled'. For more info on disabling Windows Search, see HERE

 

Runs much more smoothly after the new BIOS and OSD/Command Center updates; thanks for the advice.

I'm trying to install the 186.82 drivers, but when I run the setup it says something to the effect of "NVIDIA could not find drivers compatible with your system configuration. Setup will now close." Any help there? Thanks!

EDIT: I also just disabled Windows Search. The stuttering is less frequent but, again, it's still there.

When it happens, the sound/video will clip twice or thrice, and then it will continue as normal. I know it doesn't sound like that big of a deal; it's just that with a computer this new and expensive, I want to make sure that it performs perfectly. Thanks again for all your help so far.

 

After you grab 186.82 or 186.91 from LV2Go, you will need to run the executable to extract it. Once the driver is extracted, look inside the directory for the 'Additional INFs' .zip archive. Extract this and copy/paste the 'nv_whql.inf' into the top level of the .82 (or .91) directory. Once this is done, run the setup.exe app to install. This is required for the driver to recognize the hardware in the M17x. The default INF (nvfu.inf) does not support the M17x GPUs.

Another thing to check for stuttering is - Check your Vista Power Profile (little battery/plug icon in the task tray) or use AW's Command Center (Fusion module). Make sure you are on High Performance. After you have everything finally installed (display driver, M17x related updates, etc.) be sure to run Windows Update as well. There is nothing from MS that will address any specific stuttering (that I'm aware of) but its always a good thing to have the OS updated. You are on Vista SP2 correct? If not, this is another update for you. See this if you have issues with updating to SP2.

 

Try installing WHQL 186.42, and please make the move over to Windows 7 now. Get the RC or if you can get the RTM install that as well.

 

Be aware that there are some compatibility issues with Command Center and Win7 at present. Also with 186.42 you will run into issues using HybridSLI on the M17x as it is not properly supported.

 

OK, I've done everything (except for rot112's advice due to the compatibility issues) but install SP2...which I've heard doesn't do all that much and causes a few compatibility problems. Is it really worth the install?

The stuttering is still going on, and it's sort of annoying. I'm going to go ahead and update my sound drivers, even though those have only been tested to work with BIOS A01.

 

Alright, I updated my sound drivers and installed SP2.

On the plus side, the stuttering has stopped.

On the negative side, my computer can't play DVD's anymore. Any advice?

EDIT: I'm gonna make a separate thread for this new problem, since people who know the answer might not look here.

 

Alright, so update/bump:

1. I formatted the computer (fresh Vista install, not AlienRespawn) because of the audio problems.My computer can play DVDs and music again (yay!).

2. After completely formatting and installing only the Chipset, GTX260M, IDT Audio, WLAN, and Synaptic drivers from the resource DVD, the stuttering problem is back. I have nothing else installed on my computer so it HAS to be one of those drivers, or just the configuration itself.

I really wish there was an easy fix for this; it's very annoying.

 

I used to have this issue, finally after many days found out one of my hard drives were bad. I would check into that have you run a hard drive sector test?