*** Windows 10 + NVIDIA WHQL Drivers are Killing Alienware and Clevo LCD Panels ***

We have someone in our order status thread and his new model AW 18 bricked with 8 beeps. He said he didn't install Win 10 but did overclock through the bios and the XTU program.

 

He may have bricked it by not knowing how to overclock the 18 the right way. That's not uncommon. Used to happen all the time when the 18 was first released. It may also have been fully updated and Windoze OS X ready, and that may have killed it. Wonder why he is posting that in the order status thread? Weird place for it.

If it is soft-bricked from using messed up overclock settings, he can do what is documented in the link below to fix it. If the EDID is corrupted from W10-ready updates, it won't help, but it also won't hurt anything. So, no harm in trying it. All it does is reset the BIOS and dumps everything stored in NVRAM.

**Alienware 17 (Ranger) /18 (Viking) Owners** - How to 'Un-Brick' Your Mobo

 

He is one of the ones that ordered a new one along with me and others. He has only had it a week so we have been sharing order and shipping info in that thread. He said there were also stress cracks so I guess it's very possible what you stated about the possibilities.

 

Beside what is in that link, he can also try what works to dump NVRAM and reset BIOS for Clevo. Pull the bottom cover. Remove the CMOS battery and system battery, and disconnect AC power. Pull just one stick of RAM. Connect CMOS battery, system battery and AC power. Leave the stick of RAM out, then power up. It may light up and do nothing for 30-60 seconds, then suddenly start working. If it does, shut down, put the RAM stick back in, the boot up and set the proper BIOS values, date/time, etc.

BIOS settings being stored in NVRAM with UEFI BIOS sucks. Volatility rocks... I'd like to go all spider monkey crazy with a hammer on the person(s) responsible for that flawed approach to PC technology. For smartphones and routers, storing firmware setting in NVRAM makes sense... I get it... not for a high performance computer... retarded.

 

1. Wrote fine, so write-protect is off.
2. Clean Win10 install with all updates. Windows update installed Nvidia Driver 353.84 I updated to 358.50.
3. Wrote fine, so write-protect is still off.

I'm lucky so far. All done pure UEFI/secure boot. I plan on installing Win10, but this time an upgrade over the original Win7 install so that it is a legitimate upgrade. Let me know if you need anything else. You guys are great.

 

@razel ,

Thanks for the excellent job . Too bad your panel wasn't write-protected in the first place, meaning we can't use it to test wp-flip. That being said, it's presumably the same situation for all affected systems, so they were at risk for edid corruption all the time (long before Windows 10/10-ready came along).

Not sure how the gpu-switch works on an AW, but perhaps you can try one other thing; set it to iGPU and retry writing an edid different from the current one. Since edid control is handled over the gpu (hence Intel/Optimus and AMD are unaffected) it might be interesting to find out why this is so;

1. Do Intel (and AMD) prevent writing to the edid eeprom altogether?
2. Is writing still possible, except there's no driver/program attempting to do so?

Aside from that, one good thing about this; you now know exactly how to fix your panel if it does happen to brick .

 

And this is why I am actively looking to ditch my Alienware 18 for a second M18x R2. I can't deal with this. I had my system brick for no reason in the most inconvenient of places (project meeting), and it really pushed me to go find somebody to trade with or just sell it as is.

 

Look into the Clevo P870DM, available next month. Mr. Fox is currently reviewing and it looks to be better than current and upcoming alienware offerings! Desktop cpu and gpu, ddr4 with 4 so-dimms (and support for up to 3200mhz if using Prema's bios with a partner retailer, with 3000mhz coming out in the next month or two). Metal frame under the plastic chassis. Sounds like that might be the move for you...

 

No monies

 

When you sell your old one with the problem, that should give a good start... I understand, though. Same boat...

 

If you're serious about wanting to swap an 18 for an M18xR2 send me a PM to discuss offline. Not sure I'm 100% ready for that deep of a of compromise, but I have been considering ditching everything I have from Alienware. So, I might consider it. I have tons of spares parts. If I do decide to sell this stuff, I can sell an 18 or an R2, doesn't make any difference to me. Either way it is going to be a HUGE hassle and result in financial loss. Someone might as well benefit from it, since I am certainly not going to benefit either way... no-win situation here.

This is really sad, because I do still love these machines. These beasts are like wounded warriors now. You appreciate all they have done for you in the past and honor their faithful service, but they can't serve any more due to tragic circumstances beyond their control.

I don't care any more. And, why should I, if Dell doesn't care any more? It's not our fault they let the brand turn to crap and slide so far off the edge. I'm just sick of all the nonsense, including the 780M SLI driver throttling bull crap that affects all three generations of my 18" beasts. It is becoming glaringly obvious the glory days are over for the Alienware brand, and we know NVIDIA never, ever, fixes any of their messes. First the 880M debacle, then the 780M SLI driver throttling, and now the LCD bricking problem. They have a que sera sera attitude and just don't give a rat's butt. You get whatever you get and their own incompetence is never their fault. His Majesty, the Jolly Green Giant, can do no wrong.

At least with Clevo parts as a starting point and @Prema having the firmware modding skill and amazing talent to fix their (Clevo and NVIDIA) engineering blunders the grass is actually greener on the other side of the fence for the time being. That might not last forever the way technology is dumbing down and circling the drain, and you can't make a silk purse from a sow's ear. But, for now it's the one and only acceptable option available for performance notebook enthusiasts and it is an unmistakably superior option.

 

Any news on this topic?? Been stocket to slam win 10 on my 17xr4....


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^^^Not worth the hassle. I'm using it on two machines. Win10 is a totally a piece of trash OS built on a foundation of malware. On top of that, it's crippled and ugly.

 

Well, i am using it on all of my machine and i am enjoying it so far... So yeah really can't wait to upgrade actually :/


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The gpu-switch works after installing Dell/Alienware 'On Display software' within Windows. You then press FN-F5. I seriously would have thought you can switch via the BIOS, but oh well. Tried integrated graphics. It DID NOT write! I even compared the dumps before flashing and after attempted flash. Identical. I suppose for those that want Win10, at least on the AW18 they must switch to integrated and turn use UEFI/secure boot as a fallback to allow you to fix the screen. I'm going to try it again via NVIDIA but this time SLI off. I doubt it matters though. Let me know of anything else.

By the way in your instructions.txt,@ step 07 sudo modprobe i2c-dev, causes a reboot when on Nvidia. I did not try with the Intel. I ended up always skipped that step. I doubt skipping it matters any and yes the instructions aren't mechanical do-this then do-that. It's more read/absorb me otherwise you'll get lost.

 

Just tried non-SLI Nvidia. It writes. No surprise. There ought to be no difference, but at least we know that integrated Intel graphics (4700MQ) does not write EDID, I guess we need a test with an AMD user now.

 

With an unlocked BIOS on the M18xR1 or M18xR2 you can do that. Unfortunately, the AW17 and 18 doesn't have that outstanding feature due to Secure Flash cancer.

 

Manuel Guzman, from NVIDIA, provided a tidbit of new information, and a link to a Dell support article. Neither NVIDIA nor Dell provide a full explanation, though, and the Dell article gives no hints as to what the user should do to remedy the issue. But they do formally indicate that EVGA Precision X is a piece of the puzzle.

Manuel's reply:
https://forums.geforce.com/default/...book-lcd-display-panels/post/4712299/#4712299

Dell support article "No POST issue with 8 beeps on Alienware systems using Samsung/LG LCD panels and running NVIDIA graphics after upgrading to Windows 10":
http://www.dell.com/support/article/us/en/19/SLN299581

Fun.

 

Thanks for useful info.

 

Personally, I feel at the end it should say "and a special thanks to @Mr. Fox for the findings and apologise from Dell for taking no effort into helping our customers despite the huge number of reports"

Secondly its not because of the higher refresh rates that cause EDID corruption is it? I know EVGA Precission triggers it but I thought it was something else that corrupts the EDID than the refresh rate?

And thanks for sharing the information.. Its nice to see an official post that admits the problem.. For people with Dell Warranty will they still repair the issue now given that they've gave the warning to not install EVGA + Winshite 10?

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I'm using CRU@96Hz on my AW18 about a 2 week with win10 RTM (when he came out), MSI Afterburner (overclock and OSD) and still no issues. I never used EVGA Precission.

 

http://www.dell.com/support/article/us/en/19/SLN299581

With regards to that - what about the folks who never had PrecisionX installed? They haven't solved jack ****.

 

Good point, no doubt when someone on here finds that out Dell will also publish the findings as though they're there own haha.



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Those lazy monkeys just copypasted what Mr. Fox observed in this topic and didn't care at all to find the real issue with Microsoft and Nvidia.

I bet they were happy that it was some third party program that can be guilty for this too. But I wouldn't complain much if they'd provided a BIOS update at least to protect from that. But they did NOTHING AT ALL.

I'll never buy Alienware. I wouldn't buy it anyways due to my taste (never liked brick-like shape laptops) but now it's 100%

 

with all this BS happening it's gonna take A LOT of convincing to me in order to move to win 10....and I mean I need every assurance this is fixed!

 

As I said, they formally indicated that EVGA Precision X is a piece of the possible. Perhaps it is only one of many vectors where the compromise can happen -- one of many pieces.

There's not much information that was provided, especially in terms of "how to avoid" and "how to remedy", but at the very least we have a list of models, and formal indication that Precision X can cause the issue.

Feel free to leave feedback at the bottom of that article, indicating how insufficient it is. I sure did.

 

I wish tech companies would stop treating us like toddlers.

 

Good point... Didn't see that haha.



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i knew it! i knew it had to be a BIOS fix!

 

We don't know there will be a bios fix

 

Haha.. With the way Dell are going @Mr. Fox and @t456 will make one up before they do.. I mean.. Take what we know now which is there's more than one trigger, they didn't even take the time to research this thread alone to see there's more than EVGA that triggers it. They don't care, definitely not putting in any effort and until now have copy pasted other peoples findings. Thank the lord we have people like Mr fox and t456...


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Yep, i am very disappointed of dell.

 

Thx Nvidia and Microsoft ! I up-graded to windows 10 on my Alianware M17 4 lap top a few months ago and all was fine. Well yesterday I went to start up my lap-top and got a black screen and 8 beeps!I have tried everything to fix it but still black screen. I just ordered a new lcd screen and "hope and pray" it works! I will do a clean install of windows 8 and hope I can use my lap top again. Thx Nvidia and Microsoft for screwing me and putting me threw this hell!!

 

Oh wow!! Microshaft and nGreedia do it again!
And to think I was thinking of jumping on the death board of win10.
Hey could you post what setup exactly you were using prior? If it was fine a few months did you update the geforce driver recently or install any specific software that might have triggered this?!

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Btw, I'm pretty sure I've found the other trigger. It's Samsung Magician. I'm almost positive, but I'm not willing to trash a screen to prove it again.


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Oh man, so sorry to hear it. You have my heartfelt condolences. Did you have EVGA Precision X installed, or not?

Do not be deceived by the cooing of the Kool-Aid drinking yuppies. Windows OS X (OK, "10" for those that don't do Roman numerals) is absolutely not a safe OS. It's a piece of feces. Even if you don't end up with a screwed up LCD, it's built on a malware foundation that serves the Redmond Mafia like no other OS in the past. On top of that, it lacks too many features, all but no meaningful UI customization, and doesn't perform as well as Windows 7 in some areas. All of that is totally inexcusable 2 generations later (or, 3 generations if you actually believe Windows 8.1 is more than a Windows 8 Service Pack).

Good find. It's definitely not "the trigger" but could be one of multiple contributors (like Precision X) in a nasty software cocktail with Micro$loth Malware Updates or Windows 10. I say it's not "the trigger" because my Alienware 18 doesn't have any Samsung drives and it has never been touched by Magician. It was sodomized by the Redmond Warlocks, but not the Samsung Magician.

Glad your LCD is still working.

 

I remembered that my brick happened right after I enable the faster SSD option where it uses some RAM. I don't have Samsung Magician installed now and I'm running fine. Pretty tempted to take a hit for the community after I get some more cash though. Maybe @Arestavo can try since he has 3 screens lol.
Couldn't have done it without you @Mr. Fox!!!


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I absolutely agree with you. however I fear the switch is inevitable. As it is 980ms in M18xR2 only work with win8 which is already far off being the perfect OS and soon the support is going to be cut from both nvidia and Microsoft as more developers and specially games begin making their products for DX12... So I think unfortunately well have to start getting along with Microsoft's new turd as eventually they will force it down our throats like puree for babies!

 

Oh, you're definitely right. That's the only reason I am allowing that cancer on my M18xR2. But, if the little hitlers from Seattle have any say in the matter we will all be worshiping at their altar of feces, whether we like it or not. I'm in as an early infiltration reconnaissance mission to break as much of their digital dung-heap as possible as early as possible.

The night before last they somehow deactivated the Windows 7 installation on my EUROCOM Panther with an odd message that I had never seen before. The message told me I needed to re-establish my Windows 7 activation and it automatically presented me with the phone activation method rather than online. I reactivated it by phone without issue, but updates are still disabled and none are making it through with 7, 8.1 and 10. Maybe the Redmond Nazis are taking extra steps to keep tabs on me because I am not drinking their nasty wee-wee flavored Kool-Aid, LOL. So, now the Redmond Mafia has a phone number associated with my Windows 7 installation.

Also interesting, and kind of scary, they detected my incoming call was on a Windows 8.1 phone and offered to automatically activate my Windows 7 by sending a text message to my Nokia Windows 8.1 phone with a link that I can click to immediate activate Windows 7 on my PC. Naturally, I was like, oh hell no. Big Brother, the Gestaponaut, is with us more than we probably know. This is very Orwellian and I am not happy about it.

Little did we know this Photoshop jesting I posted in another thread shortly prior to July 29 would become prophetic...

 

This. My AW17 R1 died on me while running Samsung Magician. I have three SSDs in the rig, all Samsung. The software messed around with some power settings in Windows too.

BTW are you running without Magician on Win7, 8.1 or 10?

 

I have Samsung Magician, its triggered nothing. Performance optimisation and RAPID. Oh and Winshite 8.1

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Can someone post that article from Dell in the Evga forum and hear what they said about this problem?

 

http://arstechnica.com/information-...automatic-recommended-update-early-next-year/

THE END IS NIGH. THE END IS NIGH. THE END IS NIGH.

 

For those that are not prepared, this will be disastrous. Clean install W7 SP1 and lock it down, folks. No more Automatic Updates. This has always been a bad thing, but they have taken evil to a whole new level.

If you favor W8/8.1, then keep that OS and lock that down. Do not let the Micro$loth Mafia own you or your machine. I even have W10 locked down. I has the update functionality shattered and broken. It's has not been updated since the day it was installed and the door to updates is nailed shut.

Otherwise, prepare yourself to be assimilated by the Redmond Zombie-PC army from the pits of hell... like it or not.

 

so much for aftermarket GPUs!

 

So... I dislike automatic updates. When I reinstalled the system a few months ago I disabled that right away. I only have a couple of updates from that install, otherwise the machine is clean. I have been told that I am contributing to the spam bot problem. Do you (or anyone else) think this is the case?

 

My laptop just bit the dust (8 beeps) and I am on windows 7. I did go to windows 10 for couple days like a month ago and then back to 7 for a month. I loaded up the latest Nvidia Game Ready drivers and was playing GTA V for 2-3 hours. I did not have Samsung Magician but I did have EVGA Precision X through Steam. Not sure what caused it but my system was already on its way for system exchange.

They sent my computer to the depot twice and replaced pretty much every component in there. Now it died and Alienware finally wised up and decided to replace the computer instead of wasting time and money repairing a lemon. They took a lower model config and frankensteined it to meet my original specs as a system exchange.

This lemon has never been right from day 1 since dell used the original 765m heatsinks with upgraded 780m video cards. I told them multiple times which part number to send but it took them 1 year to send the right part and get the temps down. Glad I have a 4 year warranty but their support is a miss most of the times. Packed the laptop up in the same depot box it has been in twice...lol

 

@Mr. Fox , are the Generic PnP Monitors affected as well?

 

Everything is a "Generic PnP Monitor" bro. That's what Windows calls any display that doesn't have a unique driver installed to give it a special name. This is normal. If you see something other than that it's because a custom driver was used to tell Windows what to call it.

Nope. Sure don't. That is a lie or an ignoramus is telling you that nonsense. If you visit the wrong web sites and do things that are silly to get your machine infected by malware you could be doing that, but Windows Updates won't help you with that problem whether the machine is updated or not. And, if you were infected you would know it because the machine would not be running the same. If you have a good firewall and updated antivirus you should be fine. I've been refusing Automatic Updates for over two years on all of my systems. Everything in life carries a risk. You can either enjoy it and do what makes you happy, or live in fear and have a machine that runs like crap because of Micro$loth's indiscriminate and Procrustean one-size-fits-all peanut butter spread approach to Automatic Updates.

 

Okay got it. Are you having any issues with windows 10 so far?