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    New M15x Bios Release X32 and up, post results

    Discussion in 'Alienware' started by firstn20, Apr 16, 2008.

  1. kaak

    kaak Notebook Guru

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    kaak, Apr 19, 2008
    #101
  2. Lessaj7

    Lessaj7 Notebook Evangelist

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    Lessaj7, Apr 19, 2008
    #102
  3. cryptodash

    cryptodash Newbie

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    Thank you Lessaj :)
     
    cryptodash, Apr 19, 2008
    #103
  4. bbb_yaoxiang

    bbb_yaoxiang Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hey guys,

    What is the monitoring program that's shows in graph form?
    I'm using GPUz and hwmonitor but both does not show in graph form.
     
    bbb_yaoxiang, Apr 19, 2008
    #104
  5. Lessaj7

    Lessaj7 Notebook Evangelist

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    RivaTuner.
     
    Lessaj7, Apr 19, 2008
    #105
  6. Mystik

    Mystik Notebook Deity

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    Rivatuner.

    I'm not part of this because i have an 8700M GT, but for the record, i'd like to make two comments about x32RC1 (which I self-installed, probably against the recommendations of AW... who I didn't ask)...

    first, downclocking, gone. I had it before, and though it was odd, it was present... it's gone now.

    Second, Passwords, I'm now unable to set a boot-password for my system... which, of course, makes it more vunerable to infiltration... anyone who knows a damn thing about computers can boot a linux live-cd and ripoff all my data, nevermind blast the harddrive (etc)... so if the computer gets lost or stolen thats it. but with a boot-up password, I can at least say that they won't make it past the POST sequence without my password.
     
    Mystik, Apr 19, 2008
    #106
  7. GRB

    GRB Notebook Deity

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    no, you were allowed to install this BIOS on your own.

    But the fact that the BIOS password ability is now gone is very strange.
     
    GRB, Apr 19, 2008
    #107
  8. Sogarth

    Sogarth Notebook Consultant

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    I hate to say it, but you're being kind of naïve if you honestly believe that the BIOS password will protect your HDD. It's not that hard to pull the HDD and stick it in an enclosure or such. And the BIOS password itself? iirc, it's not that hard to short the motherboard to clear the flash (at least on a desktop motherboard), so it's not like it secures the computer itself, either. If you're that paranoid, you need to have Windows encrypt your entire HDD and make sure that you pull the keyfile off the small unencrypted portion of the HDD.

    Simple conclusion: if somebody has physical access to the machine, don't assume anything's secure.
     
    Sogarth, Apr 19, 2008
    #108
  9. Mystik

    Mystik Notebook Deity

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    i'm not trying to protect my data, i'm trying to protect my hardware. if the system won't boot, the most they have is the parts and my data. unless they can figure out how to reset the ROM... even i'm not sure how to do that on a laptop.

    I could care less about my data, but if someone steals my computer, and everytime they boot it confronts them with a password they don't know, they'll be liable to ditch it, rather than try to figure it out... so the probable situation after that is eventually, someone who is courtious enough to look at the bottom of the computer and see my name on it, can find me and return it.

    when people steal a computer it's either to use or sell, most buyers wouldn't pay for a system they can't even get to boot, most thieves don't have the expertise to fix it. and therefore it's a pointless theft.
     
    Mystik, Apr 19, 2008
    #109
  10. Mystik

    Mystik Notebook Deity

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    Callidor spoke to AW about the BIOS update for the systems with the 8700M GT, and they said that the x27 (original release) of the bios was the correct version for the 8700 cards. the new bios's were only supposed to be for the 8800's with the downclocking issues.

    personally, if my system didn't downclock, i would never have updated the bios. if it's not broken, why fix it?
     
    Mystik, Apr 19, 2008
    #110
  11. tacomenace21

    tacomenace21 Notebook Deity

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    Very Very true but to get past a bios boot password only takes 60 seconds to get past. Assuming they know about computers.
     
    tacomenace21, Apr 19, 2008
    #111
  12. Mystik

    Mystik Notebook Deity

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    do you know where the bios reset button is on the m15x? 'cause i sure don't. i'd presume a theif wouldn't either.
     
    Mystik, Apr 19, 2008
    #112
  13. bbb_yaoxiang

    bbb_yaoxiang Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thanks Lessaj and Mystik.
     
    bbb_yaoxiang, Apr 19, 2008
    #113
  14. tacomenace21

    tacomenace21 Notebook Deity

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    There is no bios reset button. Yes there is a way to reset the bios to default.
     
    tacomenace21, Apr 19, 2008
    #114
  15. Mystik

    Mystik Notebook Deity

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    oh? i'd be interested to hear that...

    Edit: unless they pop the battery (the cmos battery)... that would do it, unlikely a theif would know that though.
     
    Mystik, Apr 19, 2008
    #115
  16. tacomenace21

    tacomenace21 Notebook Deity

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    Sorry can't talk about it here, but a person that is dumb enough to steal someone 's property won't be smart enough to get pas ur password.
     
    tacomenace21, Apr 19, 2008
    #116
  17. Mystik

    Mystik Notebook Deity

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    my thoughts exactly. however I would like to know this alternate method... in case i ever need to use it as a tech. (god knows i've had to reset bios's before.) maybe message me if you're willing to share.
     
    Mystik, Apr 19, 2008
    #117
  18. Concerto

    Concerto Notebook Enthusiast

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    I think i've got a bad performance issue. I'm in X32 bios and i tried Rainbow6 vegas 2 (resolution 1200x960). And i've got 15 fps ....
    My M15X is a 2,8Ghz with the 8800GTX. My Desktop is a 2,9Ghz with a 8800GTX and i have 60fps in the same resolution in the same game.
    Any idea of what happens?
     
    Concerto, Apr 19, 2008
    #118
  19. GRB

    GRB Notebook Deity

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    Well the 8800M GTX is significantly less powerful than the desktop 8800 GTX, but a 40-fps difference is surprising. Have you checked if your card isn't downclocking?
     
    GRB, Apr 19, 2008
    #119
  20. Mystik

    Mystik Notebook Deity

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    perhaps check stealth mode. if thats on by accident it would explain the difference... also worthy of note is that it's almost always in stealth mode on batteries... don't play games on batteries.
     
    Mystik, Apr 19, 2008
    #120
  21. Concerto

    Concerto Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thank you for your answers,
    How do i check (and change Stealth mode)?
    The question seems idiot but you have to know my AlienFx doesnt work (apparently a flash process while installing commandcenter stuck it, Cf the post about alienFx problem) and i have no more light and the Stealth button do nothing.
    ... my first 2 days with that laptop are ... difficult.
     
    Concerto, Apr 19, 2008
    #121
  22. GRB

    GRB Notebook Deity

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    Without the lights, it may very well be stuck in Stealth mode (because you can't tell)

    To check the GPU clock speeds, just download and run GPU-Z (there's no install process)
    http://www.techpowerup.com/downloads/1031/TechPowerUp_GPU-Z_v0.1.9.html

    Click the sensors tab. If it is working correctly, the core clock should be 500 MHz and the memory clock 799 (i.e. 800) MHz
     
    GRB, Apr 19, 2008
    #122
  23. Concerto

    Concerto Notebook Enthusiast

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    You are right, i am apparently in stealth mode, the figures under sensors are:

    GPU core clock: 275
    Memory: 301

    Do you know how i can get out of that mode?
     
    Concerto, Apr 19, 2008
    #123
  24. GRB

    GRB Notebook Deity

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    Yeah, so then you are definitely stuck in stealth mode (if your laptop is currently plugged in, cause as Mystik said the GPU will also slow down if it's on battery). Unfortunately, I have no idea how to turn it off besides the touch buttons, which you say are disabled now... anyone else know a way?
     
    GRB, Apr 19, 2008
    #124
  25. Mystik

    Mystik Notebook Deity

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    the stealth mode button on the touch panel. looks like a little speedometer...

    pressing on that for a second should turn it off and your fps should spike back up to where they belong.
     
    Mystik, Apr 19, 2008
    #125
  26. Mystik

    Mystik Notebook Deity

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    his touch buttons are disabled? thats odd. yikes. there should be another way... i'll poke around.

    also, i did just test it, and there appears to be no way to make the gpu go full-speed on batteries.
     
    Mystik, Apr 19, 2008
    #126
  27. tacomenace21

    tacomenace21 Notebook Deity

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    also a way to check is to go into Alienfusion it will say on the left side if you are in fact in stealth mode

    Edit: also your touch controls won't work properly if the OSD isn't installed correctly.
     
    tacomenace21, Apr 19, 2008
    #127
  28. JWest

    JWest Master of Notebookery

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    Why the heck would it be automatically on stealth mode on battery? Why wouldn't they give the user the choice to use the battery up quickly? Is there no way to play on battery without stealth mode? That seems like a major design flaw, one that would make me not want this computer. I may go with a different laptop after all.
     
    JWest, Apr 19, 2008
    #128
  29. Mystik

    Mystik Notebook Deity

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    honestly, with the power of this system, and consiering you get ~45 mins on battery (on high performance as-is), you'd likely only see 10-15 minutes of in-game before the system would automatically shut down.

    which would be pointless.
     
    Mystik, Apr 19, 2008
    #129
  30. tacomenace21

    tacomenace21 Notebook Deity

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    Just because your running on battery doesn't always put it on steath.
     
    tacomenace21, Apr 19, 2008
    #130
  31. GRB

    GRB Notebook Deity

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    Definitely agree, there probably is no point allowing the full clock on battery, though it's always better to give the option anyway...
     
    GRB, Apr 19, 2008
    #131
  32. JWest

    JWest Master of Notebookery

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    They made it sound like the computer forces you to be on stealth when on battery. Is this true?
     
    JWest, Apr 19, 2008
    #132
  33. tacomenace21

    tacomenace21 Notebook Deity

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    no u have to choose to turn on stealth
     
    tacomenace21, Apr 19, 2008
    #133
  34. Mystik

    Mystik Notebook Deity

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    essentially stealth mode down-clocks the gpu, when on battery, the system automatically downclocks the gpu. regardless of "stealth mode" or not. i can turn it off, but that doesn't make the clocks go back up. (i'm currently on batteries, doing some testing)...

    thus stealth mode is TECHNICALLY on, but technically not as well.
     
    Mystik, Apr 19, 2008
    #134
  35. MAG

    MAG Notebook Deity

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    The graphic card always underclocks on battery. Same thing with my dv9700t and the m1730.
     
    MAG, Apr 19, 2008
    #135
  36. Mystik

    Mystik Notebook Deity

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    i suspected that other, simmilar systems, would do the same thing.
     
    Mystik, Apr 19, 2008
    #136
  37. GRB

    GRB Notebook Deity

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    Yeah, I doubt you're gonna find a laptop that doesn't
     
    GRB, Apr 19, 2008
    #137
  38. tacomenace21

    tacomenace21 Notebook Deity

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    yes it does underclock at the same time if u turn on stealth mode it will go further down.
     
    tacomenace21, Apr 19, 2008
    #138
  39. Mystik

    Mystik Notebook Deity

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    i didn't see a difference in rivatuner.
     
    Mystik, Apr 19, 2008
    #139
  40. tacomenace21

    tacomenace21 Notebook Deity

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    really thats strange I did see a change but I didn't try it in Riva tuner. I'll test also.
     
    tacomenace21, Apr 19, 2008
    #140
  41. MAG

    MAG Notebook Deity

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    Stealth mode underclocks the CPU if the graphic card is already undeclocked because it is on battery (that's the case for the 8800m GTX I don't know about the 8700m GT)
     
    MAG, Apr 19, 2008
    #141
  42. GRB

    GRB Notebook Deity

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    Yeah, this is what I've noticed as well
     
    GRB, Apr 19, 2008
    #142
  43. Concerto

    Concerto Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thanks for you answers but i'm NOT on battery :(
    the OSD seems to be installed because the blutooth button works but with my AlienFx stuck alienFx AND alienFusion seems to be freezed.
    It seems my first problem (AlienFx flash bug) is the key for all my M15x problems
    It's somehow really strange we cant turn stealth mode off by anoher way :(
    Thanks for your help guys ... maybe i'm really in a dead end with no answer from alienware support :(
     
    Concerto, Apr 19, 2008
    #143
  44. shima

    shima Notebook Consultant

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    If AlienFX is the problem, try uninstalling Alienware Control Center and see if it remains in Stealth Mode?
     
    shima, Apr 19, 2008
    #144
  45. Mystik

    Mystik Notebook Deity

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    yeah, you don't need the AlienFX/Command center to change into/out of stealth. you need the OSD control program... that'll do it.
     
    Mystik, Apr 19, 2008
    #145
  46. Concerto

    Concerto Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thanks for the tips, i made a quick test after your post (uninstalling command center and reboot) but i'm still in stealth mode :(
    You have to know that i made an Alienware Respawn and get back to factory state ... but it doesnt solve the AlienFx problem ( detailled here) and for what i understand of your answers ... no speed mode for the 8800gtx due to the connection between stealth mode and alienfx drivers ...
    I keep searching.
    thank you all for your help ... its a nice thing to be with an helpfull comunity when facing such strange problems.
    (excuse my poor english too :) ).
     
    Concerto, Apr 19, 2008
    #146
  47. bbb_yaoxiang

    bbb_yaoxiang Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hi,

    I have done a test for 9hrs using atitools - scan for artifacts. after 9hrs max temp 99oC min temp 91oC. there isn't any downclocking.
     

    Attached Files:

    bbb_yaoxiang, Apr 20, 2008
    #147
  48. the.s.a.i.n.t

    the.s.a.i.n.t Notebook Consultant

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    yes, but unfortunatly 99° is too hot for the graphic card.

    source: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showpost.php?p=3254401&postcount=628
     
    the.s.a.i.n.t, Apr 20, 2008
    #148
  49. ioaniro

    ioaniro Notebook Evangelist

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    ioaniro, Apr 20, 2008
    #149
  50. GRB

    GRB Notebook Deity

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    yeah, I think we can truly put the downclocking issue to bed
     
    GRB, Apr 20, 2008
    #150
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