The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Once again I am having additional video display problems.....

    Discussion in 'Alienware' started by Blazertrek50, Jul 20, 2009.

  1. Blazertrek50

    Blazertrek50 Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    62
    Messages:
    666
    Likes Received:
    114
    Trophy Points:
    56
    About three weeks ago I had problems with my M17x connecting to an additional display. The problem wasn't in seeing the additional 23inch Samsung monitor, it was in showing both displays at the same time. I finally figured out that I had to disable SLI to get that to work.

    Now this morning when I once again tried to connect the external monitor, it didn't work. But now this time it doesn't even show the Samsung at all!! On top of that when I go into the NVIDIA Contol Panel there is no menu for enabling or disabling SLI!! What is going on??

    Oh and yes the Samsung works fine with my m15x. Is it something with the video cards? Should I send this baby back (the one month mark is on the 25th)? Or is it somehting simple that I am not seeing. This is quite aggravating.

    Thanks for your help.
     
    Blazertrek50, Jul 20, 2009
    #1
  2. Rob41

    Rob41 Team Pirate Control

    Reputations:
    896
    Messages:
    2,491
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    56
    Did you contact Alienware tech support?
     
    Rob41, Jul 20, 2009
    #2
  3. Blazertrek50

    Blazertrek50 Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    62
    Messages:
    666
    Likes Received:
    114
    Trophy Points:
    56
    Not yet. I tried going into Stealth mode and that worked, I can now use both displays. However that does not make sense. With my old mALX I could use both displays even in SLI config. I want ot and should be able to use this lappy maxed out with an external display! If not then that could be a deal breaker for me! Perhaps it is a driver issue. I will call AW Tech support probably later today.
     
    Blazertrek50, Jul 20, 2009
    #3
  4. NDJason2009

    NDJason2009 Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    2
    Messages:
    80
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    I asked Moo about this in another thread. If you're still using the stock video drivers (179, I think) then dual displays is not supported in SLI mode. The newer drivers are supposed to fix this. Try installing the beta drivers from Dell and see if that changes anything.
     
    NDJason2009, Jul 20, 2009
    #4
  5. Blazertrek50

    Blazertrek50 Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    62
    Messages:
    666
    Likes Received:
    114
    Trophy Points:
    56
    I will do this and thanks for your help :)
     
    Blazertrek50, Jul 20, 2009
    #5
  6. Blazertrek50

    Blazertrek50 Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    62
    Messages:
    666
    Likes Received:
    114
    Trophy Points:
    56
    I am having difficulty locating an updated driver for the 260M video card. I went to the Dell Web Site which then directed me to the Alienware Web Site which had nothing! HELP!!

    Nevermind I found it :)
     
    Blazertrek50, Jul 20, 2009
    #6
  7. Blazertrek50

    Blazertrek50 Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    62
    Messages:
    666
    Likes Received:
    114
    Trophy Points:
    56
    It appears as if I already have the most up to date driver (179.85). Are there some Beta drivers that I should try?
     
    Blazertrek50, Jul 20, 2009
    #7
  8. blade445

    blade445 Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    36
    Messages:
    126
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Yes there is a beta one also on Dell Site 186.12
     
    blade445, Jul 20, 2009
    #8
  9. Blazertrek50

    Blazertrek50 Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    62
    Messages:
    666
    Likes Received:
    114
    Trophy Points:
    56
    It appears as I fthe 186.12 driver is not for my video card (260M). Can anyone tell me how you can tell if your computer is in Stealth Mode?
     
    Blazertrek50, Jul 20, 2009
    #9
  10. The_Moo™

    The_Moo™ Here we go again.....

    Reputations:
    3,973
    Messages:
    13,930
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    455
    it is for both cards im using it right now ;)

    future reference
     
    The_Moo™, Jul 20, 2009
    #10