**Dell XPS 17 (L702x) - DO NOT FLASH to BIOS A14 - (Updated 1/5 - see post 1)**

So my new laptop will be totally fine if I just don't do a fresh install?

 

Yes, you will be fine. Mine was working well before i reinstalled, i just always reinstall any system myself as soon as i receive it.

Also, with the new drivers posted to the Drivers website over the last few hours, you should still be able to get everything working even if you do a reinstall.

 

This is very interesting, i got my xps about 7 months ago and am currently on a12 with no issues. I am refraining from a14 untill there is a definite fix. Everyone appreciates your support dell bill and if there is any version no's or info you need from me on a12 then just say. Btw i am using the nvidia driver direct from their site and did a clean install on mine before a12.

 

Are you sure there's anything new in the driver pack? It looks like the "latest" drivers on 12/16 is just the c:\Drivers directory from the original image (L702X A14). I downloaded all of them and the version are exactly the same as I already installed.

 

Please try this fix i created for everyone, also please vote if this works for you! THANKS Good-luck Hi5!

This fix is currently for Nvidia Reference driver 290.36 please see my list of available hardware ID's listed.. To check your Hardware ID's please see my screenshot's on how to do just that. <Brief description> PLease Press "Windows Button" and "Pause/Break" together, go into device manager expand display adapter and double click your graphic card choice Nvidia whatever you have. Click "details" in upper tab selection and goto the properties pull down and choice hardware ID and second from the top of your choices of the last digits is what you should be looking for then take those numbers and compare as to what i have created the replacement nvram.inf Hardware Id's in the following like. to everyone else reading this! Guy's this stuff isn't rocket science difficult at all! guys this could should fix 90%+ us the majority of the L702x Users.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/del...nvidia-will-update-time-goes.html#post8160266

DyingJedi

 

I think the internets were broken. I would not roll back if I had everything working, which you do, right?

Whoa! I wonder...I guess it's possible the 12/16 drivers are the same ones that were cut in at the factory on your build. Sometimes the factory drivers are being used before the same version has been posted (2 different testing teams), and vice versa.

 

So there's nothing physically wrong with the motherboard? And we don't have to lose sleep debating whether to return it now or suffer later?

 

Thanks, yes, everything is working fine now, except i still cant install the latest drivers from Geforce.com or even get geforce.com to detect my installed drivers even though i think someone said this actually worked after they flashed the web A14 BIOS over the factory A14.

Do you know why people using A12 or earlier have no problems with geforce.com drivers and website where they still wont work with the factory A14 and other drivers that shipped in c:\dell\drivers? Thats what is confusing me mostly at this point. I know we can modify the Nvidia .inf files to get the newer drivers to install but each time i have done this i have had varied issues with Optimus.

 

this thread's quite interesting

have had my l702x since march 2011, specs in sig - am holding off from downloading a14 due to these issues that are being reported as I've never had a problem updating the nvidia gfx directly from the nvidia website (am using a12)

could someone with the new "factory shipped" a14 who hasn't wiped/reinstalled and isn't getting any problems possibly run GPU-Z and post info for the version of the GT555M you guys have? My machine has the 144core, 590MHZ (GF106) DDR3 192bit bit version (overclocked considerably ofc!) and it'd be interesting to see if you now have a different version of the card (there are at least 4 or 5 configurations that I know of)

I too would be interested to know what fixes/benefits a14 was created for, seeing as the last version released on the dell support site was a12 it seems likely a14 was created to support some sort of hardware revision?

 

I posted earlier I had the GF116 chipset with the new L702X w/A14. Here is a screenshot:


http://img.techpowerup.org/111215/nvidia_20111215_220816.png

 

OK - took delivery of my XPS L702x yesterday. Brand new, out of the box, everything except the wireless network speeds (which appear to jump randomly up and down - using the Intel Centrino Bluetooth combo card) works fine. Just went to the nVidia website and downloaded the latest drivers (285.62). The website detected the card, but after downloading the drivers and running the installer, I get the message "this graphics driver could not find compatible hardware". So, at this point I can't update the nVidia driver with a factory flashed A14 bios.

EDIT To follow up on this, I have just gone to the Dell website to get the latest nVidia drivers - I get "File not found" in both IE9 and Chrome.

EDIT To further follow up, I have just loaded Team Fortress 2 - to my eyes it was not using the 555GT as it was quite blocky on maximum settings. NOT a happy bunny.

EDIT To further, further follow up - just ran Skyrim - automatically selected High Quality settings and the 555GT. TF2 is either using the wrong one or it is my eyes. I need to lie down...

 

my bad... looks like I have that version too, same specs at least - will check GPU-Z when I get home and see if it's listed as GF116

Edit - found a screenshot on the dell forums of GPUZ for the l702x gt555m, was definitely GF106, so you have a new revision of the card for the l702x.

This is a bit confusing tbh, the other version of the gt555m which used the gf116 chip was gimped with a lower clock speed and 128bit memory interface... However it was only slightly behind in terms of performance with the version I have. With yours running at the same clock speeds as mine and a 192bit mem bus it should theoretically be quite a bit better, even without overclocking

Why would Dell revise the mobo/graphics chip?

 

I just tried to install the new Nvidia driver from the Dell website and it just gives me an error message saying it can't find any compatible hardware. What do I do?

 

This is more nvidia's work according to notebookcheck.net

 

aye, seems the new GT 635M which will basically replace the GT 555M uses the GF116 chip also

on the upside it may mean you can get higher/more stable overclocks :-D

 

Ok another problem I've encountered, and I'm quite sure it is related to the bios. Reminder: I had the A14 factory Bios then I flashed it using the newer A14 Bios available on Dell's website (which is not available anymore).

I wanted to install a linux partition to have a dual boot. I tried using a DVD, then a USB key.

When I launch linux from the key/DVD, it sort of crashes during the modprobe execution (which is actually executed by udev). Knowing what is the point of modprobe, I deduce that it is somehow related to drivers/bios on the laptop.

I have no more information about the issue unfortunately. I tried the install with Kubuntu. I'll maybe try later using Arch or Gentoo to check again.

 

A 635m will be equivalent to a 555m?!? Wow i can imagine how powerful the gtx range will be.

 

Dell is using UEFI ( Unified Extensible Firmware Interface - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) rather than BIOS here, for better or for worse. Apparently it's more secure than traditional BIOS, but since most software expects BIOS, there may be a bit of confusion on the driver end when it comes to reading or polling the HW tags.

 

I have the GF116 GPU as well with factory A14 BIOS.



We still havent seen any release notes for A14 as even when it was posted to the Dell drivers website there was no Fixes & Enhancement section on the BIOS details but i agree with you that i thought it has something to do with hardware revisions after seeing only the one set of drivers that work when we have A14 installed.

 

That is a very interesting fact I did not know about. Is there a work around? I cannot find anyone else with this problem with the l702x on the internet.

 

Hi Bill, thanks for looking into the issue! Might I request you forward me the A14 that was pulled from the website? I want to dump my existing BIOS but A12 is not letting me do so. Also, it is a good idea to put A14 back online, since it is flashable on all systems and does no harm (plus, people doing a fresh install would like to update to the latest BIOS). I can send you my service tag if you like.

 

UEFI with legacy support is what Phoenix dubs their "SecureCore" UEFI. It's just another hurdle in hardware access from within the OS -- it doesn't actually appear to be booting in UEFI mode, though. Perhaps an update circa Windows 8 release time will enable this.

The core issue with the lack of installation here is the NVIDIA chip, which is running a new hardware revision (GF116 vs the older GF106/108 GPU core found in previous L702X models). This is causing both graphics chipset drivers (Intel and NVIDIA) not to recognize the hardware, and indirectly causing the official Dell Realtek audio driver not to output sound. Quickset doesn't install for the same reason.

It's a very simple problem that engineering unconsciously created when they agreed to accept NVIDIA's newer GPU core. However, it is their fault for not uploading the updated BIOS/UEFI and drivers to the Dell website. I think you need to have a word with them (or with their supervisors).

After I figured this out a few days ago (before creating the thread on Dell Community as "Gabe"), I immediately installed a modified version of the latest Intel and NVIDIA (285.86) drivers on the system to incredible success. All that was needed was QuickSet, which just came out yesterday and installed successfully today.

 

Nothing physically wrong with the hardware. I am pretty sure we can fix this with firmware. Awaiting details.

I heard the opposite about flashing the web version of A14 over the factory install, so we had it pulled down to avoid confusion. Awaiting details and next steps. My guess is the platform ID in the factory installed A14 is incorrect, therefore it won't allow any driver or BIOS that is looking for the proper platform ID to continue the installation. That's pure speculation on my part. I could be totally wrong.

We will have a new revision up as soon as possible, We may even put A14 back up once we determine it is not causing any issues for sure.

 

Hi all!

Ive been following this forum for a few days now and i thought it was time for me to post something aswell because i also have problems downloading new drivers for my xps l702x(received it last thursday). i tried installing the newest nvidia drivers through the dell website, through nvidia´s website and also i tried installing the nvidia drivers from the driver disc i got with the system. the all came up with the same message which everybody else has. been on holland´s tech support for about an hour this morning but with no luck, downgrading to bios a12 also failed. the guy on the phone told me he had now idea when dell is coming up with a fix and supposed that i maybe should return the system for a full refund since i dont have it for a week.. i rather see the problem fixed because i love this pc a cannot afford any order laptop with these kind of specs..
i have an additional problem aswell because my battery icon in the task bar always says that it doesnt detect a battery but it is there and working, its pretty annoying that i cant see at what percentage my battery is, the tech guy said that it probably also has something to do with the defect bios.. so i was wondering is this so, and is their somekind of an estimate about a fix,,,

Thanks!

 

Hey Bill, any idea when i should expect a call from the Dell technician to come replace the mobo to see if it fixes my issue? The part arrived on Friday...

 

I would have thought Monday would be the day. Have you heard anything yet? We are very curious to see what BIOS revision is on the replacement board, and what happens after the swap.

Very, very curious.

 

Did they release a new BIOS version. I found one dated 12/15/2011 and it flashed ok but I still can't update my 555m card.

 

I think it's the same one we had pulled the other day. I will have an update shortly.

 

@facecdb Try this Nvidia driver and let us know what happens, please.

Drivers and Downloads | Dell [United States]

 

FYI - link does not work - "File not found".

 

Strange. Works for me. Is your URL the same as in my screen grab?

http://i.imgur.com/eFjlO.png

 

Yes. Identical. I am using Chrome. Will try in IE9 now.

EDIT - Exactlly the same in IE9. Can anyone else check to make sure I am not going mad?

 

When you get the File not found message, in the address bar replace downloads.dell.com with ftp.dell.com. This helped me today with other drivers for the L702x Apparently the new alias downloads.dell.com doesn't work for everyone...

 

Oh man. That is really super annoying. Sorry about that. Let me clean it up and grab full ftp links for all the files. Will edit this post when I gather them all.

EDIT: I'm not seeing them on the FTP site in the usual places. No clue what to tell you. Anyone else having trouble getting to the file?

 

Strangely, I can now download that file, but it is slow (104kb/s).

 

Well, it's a start.

Plan on trying that whole list next? I'm interested to hear how it goes.

 

I'm downloading using the ftp.dell method.

all the downloads are working, completed.

 

Download links in your post are working for me, Bill. I think it has something to do with how a particular browser is redirecting. I've got IE8.

 

I've noticed the list in question does not have all of the available drivers, such as the chipset, audio etc. Is it safe to assume they have yet to be updated?

 

The link worked for me. I am downloading it now. Thatdriver is only the 269 version though. I need at least the 275.25 version. Whenever I try to install it, it will say no compatible hardware found.

 

I have no idea, but I have submitted a request for information about the drivers and BIOS versions. I will post back what I hear.

I am told if you flash the web posted version of A14 you can install our drivers. I would assume that applies to Verde drivers, but somehow I doubt either of those are true statements. If you have flashed A14 over the FACTORY INSTALLED version of A14 and cannot install either driver, please let me know so that I may pass that information along and get any misinformation I am receiving corrected.

 

OK. The Dell driver installed fine so I am at least back to square one. It will not take any drivers from the nvidia site though. The reason I am looking for 275.25 or above is for you tube 3d using the html5. Thanks thus far though for the help.

 

Dell won't be able to provide support on this, but if you place the INF file found in Dell's archive into the official NVIDIA package, you should end up with a near-perfect install. I say "near" because the driver would be unofficial, unsupported by Dell, and tech support might not be able to help you with issues caused by a non-Dell-certified driver.

But if you really "must" have it, there you go. Make sure to extract both .exe contents with 7-zip first, then run the new NVIDIA's setup.exe within the extracted files when you're done inserting Dell's INF.

 

I am unable to download using the links you provided. 'file not found' error

 

OK. We have the official Dell response:

There is no problem with BIOS revision A14. The inability to install the Nvidia driver has to do with the GPU ID. If your system has the N12E-GE2-B-A1 GPU (aka, GT555), you need to install BIOS A14 and:
Nvidia GPU driver.
Realtek Ethernet Controller Driver.
Nvidia Stereoscopic 3D Usb Controller.
Dell QuickSet32.
Synaptics touchpad driver.
JMicron Card Reader driver.
If you have any other GPU ID (as seen in Device Manager), you should be able to install any of the drivers or BIOS revisions on the Drivers & Downloads page. We are still working on a Dell posted Intel GPU driver revision for A14.

 

So you're saying the current BIOS revision is fine and to simply use the drivers listed? That's hardly a solution. I'm still unable to utilize Nvidia's latest updates, which improve performance significantly in games such as BF3 etc.

 

I will pass along your feedback. Please report all issues and problems with this solution.

 

I'm not quite sure what you're saying. Other laptops with a Geforce GT 555M can use the nvidia website and update their drivers yet us XPS 17 (L702x) users cannot.

I hardly call what you've reported back a solution, it is more a workaround that isn't going to please the community that want to have the freedom to instal from nVidia directly.

If the a14 BIOS is working fine, then what is it specifically that prevents us from manually updating our own drivers from websites beside Dell? (I note you refer to GPU ID, but I still don't understand why we cannot update on XPS 17 laptops).

I can appreciate the time you've given here, I really do. I was suprised and very grateful to see someone from Dell trying to help people here; but surely, even you can realise that this isn't acceptable?

edit: To everyone else, can you let me know if you were able to instal drivers from nVidia's website previously? I received my laptop yesterday and to say I'm unhappy over this is an understatement. People that spend this sort of money on a gaming laptop (or at least powerful enough to) will want the ability to update to the latest drivers to play the latest games.

 

agreed cm11, ive had this computer for almost a month now and ive been checking theses forums every day praying that somebody comes up with a solution.
ive tried updating my nvidia after flashing to these bios...A12,A14(factory),A14(dell website) none of which have worked

dell was unable to help me and even after a long remote session told me that i have to stick with 269.59 until nvidia releases compatible drivers with the l702x. i didnt buy it and it seems that i was right, looks like a much bigger problem. at this point im surprised there hasent been a recall.
i dropped over a grand on this do use the one component of the system that is malfunctioning(GPU). having a broken graphics card in an xps is like having a pitcher with no arms.

 

I'm with you guys. No sense at all. This would be absolutely ridiculous if with future bios updates we should stick with dell's late and outdated graphics drivers. Fortunately I still have A12 version.