Dell XPS M1730 Owner's Lounge, Take 2

Kade storm - if you're poor like me and unable to afford or even find a replacement 8800, shoot me a PM, and I might have something for you to look at...

 

PM sent.

I still have next business day on-site support crap running for about another two years.

 

Ouch Kade - sorry to hear you are still having issues. I responded to your PM, let me know if you have any questions.

 

Thanks for the consistent support, BatBoy.

I've responded back, and your pre-complaint queries and suggestions were very helpful. I should've--for the sake of being absolutely thorough--confirmed the same problem with driver changes.

I did switch through quite a few drivers, and I'll share the results with everyone, because this mighty possibly help someone else in future.

I tried a variety of drivers ranging from the 190.xx from Laptopvideo2go, to the 186.12 and the 186.18. I even tried the older drivers from Dell and the 179.48 (I think) from nVidia. I got the exact same problems with all of them: The moment I enabled SLi, the computer would either jam into a complete black screen without a backlight, or it would crash in a nvkmm-whatever B.S.O.D. BTW: The same problems occured in both Vista 32 and Windows 7 64, so even different operating systems seem to be presenting the exact same problem.

I think the issue is with one of my two GPU processors, which essentially means that the dual video card solution is screwed, which means the GPUs are screwed.

 

I had the same problem when enabling SLI, BSOD. Dell even asked me to reload my system and verify, so I did. Dell did replace my cards and I have been stable since.

 

FYI to all...

Dell posted an updated NVIDIA driver (for the new M17x). Driver ver. 186.12.

This is a beta driver and not WHQL (you'll get the driver not certified message during install) but it is stable.

Even though Dell released this for the M17x, it will install for the 8800M GTX on the m1730.

They released the Vista64 driver - I have yet to find the 32 on the support site. If you are running Vista64, give it a go...

http://support.us.dell.com/support/...eid=R226274&formatcnt=1&libid=0&fileid=324207

 

@ Kade Storm
Sorry to hear your GPU's failed you again. I hope Dell will replace them quick. Maybe it already started when you noticed that nVidia PhysX didn't run well and you had to use the Ageia card.

I read a lot about failing GPU cards here in this thread. As specialy the 8800's. I start to be a little worried about my own now.

 

On the subject of failing cards, I mentioned to Kade and figured I'd share with all of you as well... I am currently seeing a bit of abnormal (I think) behavior while playing Left 4 Dead.

My GPU fans don't seem to really want to kick in while in-game (L4D). The CPU fan is running at a very high RPM and is quite loud. GPU temps do not exceed 70-73c and CPU temps are normal as well. I believe however, with the lack of GPU fans the CPU fan is handling the majority of the cooling for the system while in-game. Kind of a scary thought.

I'm debating on contacting XPS Support - not really sure if I want to have my cards replaced with possibly bad refurb cards.

The issue may very well just be Left 4 Dead. TF2 has no problems at all. L4D is more CPU intensive that TF2, but I am still concerned.

Anyone else seeing this behavior while playing L4D? I just updated my driver to 186.12 (Dell driver) and will wait and see how this one performs.

Thanks.

 

I have different BIOS versions on my video cards and am wondering if that is normal, or anything to be concerned about? I'm not having any issues, more or less just curious. Should I update them to the same rev?

GPU 1 BIOS Version 62.92.2C.02.04
GPU 2 BIOS Version 62.92.2C.02.05

 

Its normal. No need to worry.

 

Awesome. Thanks!

 

Is that a playing option or is there a free option?

 

Dude, this is a tough one. Honestly, I can't be sure that this is a hardware thing, and your temps aren't bad as you already told me over PM.

Now, if you tell Dell, they won't be too hesitant about replacing your cards. I've noticed in my experience that they're rather eager to get parts replaced. And if you do get a replacement, it will never be the same spankin' new hardware that kept your machine running fluently for so long.

On the other hand, you could just wait it out, enjoy your current GPUs for what they're worth, and when and if the fans really do conk out and the VGA just doesn't perform right or downright fails, you can then have these guys replace the cards for you. The way I see it, I'd rather have my first 8800s back with slightly higher temps, but the problem with them was that they completely died out.

Tell me about it; a card dying here and a card dying there all the bloody time. I mean, just a few pages back, we almost had a card error issue on a per-page basis. Damn.

I heard, quite a while back whilst looking for some performance enhancement tips, that there is a general reliability issue with the G92 architecture. They say that old 8800s on the desktop were more reliable in comparison to the G92 versions. Our laptops all the way from the 8800s to the early 280ms, use the basic G92 concept. So I did some research, and the faulty-nature of these chips has earned them quite an infamous status amongst tech-blogs and gurus.

Link:
http://itnerd.wordpress.com/2008/08...ght-desktop-nvidia-chipsets-may-be-dodgy-too/

 

Yikes Acronis is $59.99, that's way to much IMHO. I'll stick with the free-bie options or OS ones.

 

Is there any reason why the M1730 is horrifically expensive? Is it because of the graphics cards?

 

Dell is finally sending me the replacement battery, even though the warranty on the battery expired.
Sweet

 

$600 graphics card; made by Dell; built like a rock - take your pick.

 

I dont see how its expensive. Compare it to M17x for eg, and see which offers more performance/price ratio....

If you can find better deal on sli laptop, please list it. But the fact of the matter is that, M1730 is an awesome gaming package.

 

i got my beast for $1769 with shipping and backpack cant beat that deal!!

 

Nice! I got mine for ~ the same 1700 or so - backpack ;-). How do the Blu Ray movies look on the machine?

 

great, i hook it up to my 50 inch plasma on movie night looks awesome.cant compare to the wuxga though.

 

I am having problems windows vista 64 bit and windows 7 64 bit,I cannot get all my drivers installed, Turbo memory wont work with either and part of my card reader will not install drivers. and flash player will not work in firefox. is there really any gain yet for having a 64 bit operating system? or would it be best to go back to 32 bit?

and i dont want to have to run it in ata mode

 

I got mine for $999 specs in sig less than $200 in little upgrades like memory afterwords.

 

http://xpsm1730.blogspot.com/2009/03/xps-m1730-vista-drivers-64-bit.html

all of the 64-bit drivers are accessible from this ^^ page. the only thing i can't get to work right is my dang media direct outside of windows. it hangs upon exit, don't know exactly what the incompatibility is.

 

I dumped my Turbo Memory card when I switched from 32 to 64 bit Vista. It really serves no purpose if you have 4GB (or more) and are on a 64-bit OS. Not too mention the driver is buggy as hell... I found my startup time decreased the moment I removed the card and uninstalled the driver.

One thing to keep in mind, if you are using the Turbo Memory card be sure to ONLY install the Intel Turbo Memory driver. It is not necessary to install the Intel Matrix Storage Manger using its own seperate installer since the Turbo Memory installer includes its own version of Intel Matrix Storage Manager.

I would stick with 64-bit since you have the 4GB... IMO its worth it.

 

As was said, you don't need Turbo Memory with 4GB of RAM, not even in 32-bit Vista. In respect of flash player, in Vista x64 you get both 32-bit and 64-bit Internet Explorer available for compatibility purposes, so if you need to use Flash you just run 32bit instance of IE. Doesn't Firefox support anything like that? Or isn't it possible to install 32bit version of FF and then use both depending on your needs?

 

tuwa, my m1730 config is about the same as yours except i have 9800m gt sli. does your media direct 3.5 work properly outside of windows, when you turn it on by itself using the house button?

 

Media Direct doesn't work with 9800M gpus.

 

media direct works just fine with my 9800gt's no problems?

 

I was toying around with my 'MediaDirect' (by using the button on the laptop) but, it always ends it an error with Microsoft BitLocker :-S

 

To be honest, i NEVER really used Media Direct. I tried it once when my system just arrived with Vista 32bit out of the factory, found out it worked and found it pretty useless for my needs, then reformatted drives, put on Vista x64 and never bothered again, i didn't even install Media Direct again after wiping the drives. CDs are rotting and collecting dust somewhere in the bottom shelf. So can't help you there, sorry

 

Tuwa, I see you sold your M1730. Why you did it?

 

I think my graphics card is on the way out.

I seem to remember reading (without trawling the thread) that someone on here had one card a lot hotter than the other - thats whats happening to me (GPU2 in Everest is showing 12 degrees hotter than GPU1) If you read this can you confirm it pls?

the machine keeps locking up and I have to hard power it down, wait 5 mins, then power it up again - it then warns me that it overheated....

Also Everest isnt showing a fan speed for the cards either - can anyone confirm if Everest can correctly read the fan speed of the GPUs?

thanks.

also if it is on the way out - can I extend my dell warranty so I dont have to shell out a gazillion quid on a replacement?

 

The only way to get MediaDirect working properly is to install it the right way.
Everything new from scratch:

• 
  Start your system with the MediaDirect disc to install MD

• 
  After that install your XP or Vista OS

• 
  Install all drivers for your GPU, Bluetooth, WiFi, etc. If needed also configurate your OS

• 
  At the very last, when everything is running fine you start the MD disc in Windows and install MD into Windows. This will finish the installation of MD.

Also don't forget to upgrade it.
I installed it this way a few times in Vista 32 and Vista 64 and never had issues with it this way.

 

Blinder - yes, go for an extension. Just got mine extended three years for $345.

 

That might have been me. I've been watching my cards closely. Crysis seems to work them the most and I've had max temps in HWMonitor of 94 degrees! But the games still play fine, no slow down or anything else seeming to happen - I keep debating whether or not to call Dell and get them replaced. I'm going to be going to Iraq in a few months and don't want them to go out on me over there... Also, my laptop is only a month old, so dust shouldn't be an issue yet.

I have noticed a discrepancy between my cards - HWMonitor shows the same temps for both but EVEREST shows them different with GPU2 about 15 degrees hotter than GPU1 when gaming and 5-10 degrees hotter when idling. My current theory is that GPU2 is bad and not cooling properly and GPU1 is ok.

 

I keep getting random FPS dips in DoD that I've never gotten before. The only thing I can attribute it to is the cards are refurb replacements.

 

Blinder = I have just extended my warranty by 2 years for £120.

I had a quote from dell a week before that and they quoted me £150 for 1 year.

So please bear in mind that is the amount you need to aim for, don't be fobbed off with more expensive price. Just stick to your guns and quote what I paid.

 

cheers for that lads - have just extended for 3 years for 150 quid - am going to call them next week to swap out the cards and see what that does, im not even using the box for gaming really - glad they extended - didnt fancy 500 plus for new bloody cards.

 

Been monitoring the M17X threads and decided to try this CPU/GPU stress tool;
OCCT"Overclock Checking Tool" http://www.ocbase.com/perestroika_en/index.php
Here are some results from the GPU testing, anyone else tried this?

 

Hello,

i don't understand and wich one is correct now?

everest:
GPU1: GPU diode 61 °C (142 °F)
GPU2: GPU diode 64 °C (147 °F)

HWMonitor:

Hardware monitor
-----------------------------------------------------

1.GeForce 8800M GTX hardware monitor
Temperature sensor 0 57°C (134°F) [0x39] (GPU Core)

2.GeForce 8800M GTX hardware monitor

Temperature sensor 0 57°C (134°F) [0x39] (GPU Core)

grtz

 

I trust HWMonitor on this one.
That's what I've been using, since I hear the fans kicking in at exactly 75C , so I know it`s accurate.

 

What's you're Everest refresh rate?

Also were the temps stable when you took the measurements.

 

+1 Rep. Great great app.

 

Ok Eleron911 thx
72hundred, yes the temps were stable when i took the temps

 

Well I had fun this morning. My RAID 0 was at a failed state. Oh Noooo.... What to do. Well first I tried a restart of my computer. Good RAID 0 Normal again. Oh no, now windows gets a BSOD, and to quick for me to read. I can barely tell its blue it goes so fast. Safe mode does not work. Can I say CRAP! What to do, I know lets try the windows install disk and see if I can do a repair. Repair ran for about 20 minutes and WOW! Success. I am not to sure about this RAID 0. I may go back to a RAID 1.

 

That's crazy you're getting fails. I've had RAID0 since I bought the M1730 (14months ago) and many many others have RAID0 without difficulty. Is there a chance that you might have done it wrong when changing from RAID1 to RAID0?

 

No chance of me doing it wrong. I know I have it right. I am not sure why it failed. It could have been I left my computer on all night and something caused the computer to reboot. Maybe this resulted in a failure. I will do a full backup with a schedule of incrementals everynight. If this happens in the next few weeks again I will go back to RAID 1.

 

If installation is OK, there must be something else unique going on here for a RAID0 fail to happen so quickly...

 

RAID 0 is just risky. The performance gains vs. the failure rate can be questionable. Here's a bit more info on RAID 0 pertaining to failures:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standard_RAID_levels#RAID_0_failure_rate

In a desktop system I would be all for it, but with the lappie - its a toss.

Here's a little RAID calculator which is kind of fun...
http://raidcalculator.icc-usa.com/