Dell XPS M1730 Owner's Lounge, Take 2

DDT5:

I only have one hard drive, so wouldn't raid be turned off by default?

oh, Thank You for the help, k-lite seems to work. Thanks again.

 

Sorry Bud! I missed it , looking forward to maxing it out.

 

When your drives are in both RAID 0 and 1 you will see only as one drive in "my computer". You can see for sure if your drives are in RAID in HD Tune.

No problem

 

Find attached a .zip file with two registry files. Ones to fix the right click issue, and one to remove them. I couldn't get it back to the original "Right Click lag" - it removes all the NvCP context menu links. The only time you'll ever use this is when you're updating/reinstalling your drivers - so the drivers will install it anyway.

Not 100% sure if it works, seems to for me. If anyone could test I would really appreciate it. I take no credit for this, this was BatBoy's fix. I simply edited it slightly to do it backwards - and put the add/remove registrys into one registry file.

BatBoy - any issues with me editing your work let me know and I'll take it off. Hope this helps someone! (And hope it works! ¬.¬')

 

Depending on model, SSDs may, or may not, actually have temperature detector.

Your drive is a Samsung 256GB SSD (second generation), from Dell, right? you shouldn't worry about the temp.

The drive is very reliable, overheating shouldn't occur; especially considering that unlike most M1730, there is only 1 drive in yours, thus allowing better cooling.

 

Personally I don't even look at my hard drive any more. It's only ever within 2 degrees difference - not really worth worrying about. Hard drives are probably the least likely to overheat out of all the 'monitored' components.

 

Yeah, I don't really get that concerned about my HDDs, not that exciting really... Temperature of the CPU and GPUs are more important.

While I raid my laptop, all my data are backed up, so even if both drives fail, my data is still safe. Having a pair of drives with G-force sensor is kinda extra layer of protection.

Though SSD gives even less cause of concern. But it seems some does heat up more than others...

zsports, do you think you can run a benchmark for us?

http://www.hdtune.com/download.html

 

Sure.
I ran HDtune while downloading one file off of netload....not sure if it would affect the test.

 

Thanks, +rep

 

@Quicklite
Your new avatar made me officially LOL +rep

 

me, too - once I googled "stone vs iphone" so I could actually read the text. For those who are too lazy to do that:

 

Oh, man. Xbox 360 version? Here's a general rule that is wise to follow, until otherwise an exception comes into play. If you have anything around even a single 8800m GTX, then any game that is multiplatform, should be played on your PC - it will be significantly better looking. I tried the X-Men Origins demo and then played the game on the laptop with single GPU mode - quite a difference, going in favour of the laptop. I can say about the same for practically every multiplatform game out there. Despite the xps having a reion advantage, I also find that the console versions of these games perform sluggishly and always feel watered down in the graphics department. Some might say that GTA IV is the exception, but then again, GTA IV on the consoles is significantly weak-looking in comparison to its PC form.

 

Just an update on the HW Monitor Pro fan support. Franck's still having trouble with the Fan 2/3 thing that I posted about earlier.

Also have an issue that when the thermal controls kick in if the temps get too high, the fans are reset to 0 afterwards, which I guess won't be too much of an issue if he can get all 3 fans to turn on (as that will likely keep the temps lower anyway).

Not giving up hope yet, but was a little disappointing.

 

Finished downloading "Prototype" from Steam....

Guys, this game is SERIOUS FUN so far

Maxed out, 1920x1200, haven't tried AA yet, 360 controller, plays great

 

Not at all bud. Hats off for posting this as a quick way for others who don't want to muck with the registry on their own. Thanks!

Not sure how much this plays into it, but I noticed that when using Dell's Diagnostics to test the fans/thermal sensors all fans will run @ the same time even though it says its only testing GPU or CPU. This leads me to believe they are somehow interconnected - at least on some level. Weird to say the least...

 

Well, I`m curious how my old T8300 will handle it...I`m getting it today.

 

Too bad there is no demo - looks okay but for 50 bucks I would like multiplayer as well...

 

Well, I just gave it a go. It doesn't seem to be deleting any enteries. Both of the files. When I tried to apply the fix after reinstalling the new driver, I had 2 nvidia control panels when I right-clicked on the desktop and the delay was still there.

 

That's very strange. When I run the 'undo' regfix, it removes my NvCP link from the right click entirely. Run the fix and it's back - and no lag. Do you have UAC enabled? I wonder if it's anything to do with that...


I'm running Windows 7 with no UAC, and it seems to work for me. Would you be able to try it with UAC off to see if maybe that's causing the issue?

 

I run Windows Vista SP1 with UAC off. Maybe the problem is that we got different OS's?

 

Hm. It's a very basic registry edit, shouldn't make a difference between Vista/7. Thanks for trying it for me - if someone else could confirm it doesn't work I'll remove it >.< Thanks again.

 

DDT5 -

Open up your Registry and find any entries that relate to

NvCplDesktopContext

Check under:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\

If you find any, right click on the entry and DELETE it. Do this for any that appear in this section.

Once this is done, run CCleaner's Registry check and fix any issues.

Close regedit and then open up Notepad and paste in the following:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shell\Nvidia Control Panel]
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shell\Nvidia Control Panel\Command]
@="c:\\windows\\system32\\nvcplui.exe"

now, save the file to the Desktop as: NV_FIX.reg

Close Notepad and then open the .reg file you just created. Ok the merge to the registry and then right click on your desktop. You should now have the problem resolved.

IMPORTANT NOTE:
When you decide to install a new driver, you will need to manually delete this from your registry. Just open up Regedit and find the key you created and delete it:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shell\Nvidia Control Panel

 

Batboy, I have been using your fix and it's working great. I just thought it would be even better if you could do all of that with a press of a button As for my current install, I just deleted KEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\ key and everything works perfectly now.

@Embo
Thanks a lot for trying anyways.
Would be nice if someone else would try it too. Probably I just did something wrong.

 

No problem. I'm still trying to get it to work, unfortunately on my system it works perfectly =-P I'll need a few more guinea pigs to figure out why it isn't working on yours. And it's definitely not your fault, you really can't do it wrong. Double click, click yes, all done. I'm still leaning towards some sort of security with Vista that allows ADDING registry entries, but not DELETING. Anyone else willing to test? >.<

 

If this was an ongoing problem with NVIDIA and the new drivers I would probably write a quick little app - lol. For now though, I think its easier to keep it a manual fix.

@Eambo... if you really want to perfect it, try using a batch file to handle the op. Reference this URL for tips on doing this:

http://www.robvanderwoude.com/regedit.php

 

Wow... you've used a lot of players and codecs... and maybe the fact that you've used too many is the problem. I have a hunch that maybe, just maybe, you installed a player/codec pack over another, and now they're conflicting with each other. If you're multibooting, try running it on your other, clean OS. Or uninstall all the codecs/packs you have and reinstall just one (if mkvs are your game, I recommend Haali Splitter). Your system, just like any m1730 is perfectly capable of playing 1080p video. If none if this works, and you can spare the time to back up, try multibooting with a secondary OS, if you haven't already, or do a good, clean, format.

Hope this helps! (unless the issue has been resolved and I'm badgering on for no reason!)

 

I was thinking of using a batch file, but essentially all it's doing is running the registry file as far as I can see. If it doesn't work I'll just remove it and we can keep it manual heh =-P

 

Lol, if I had any doubts of whether or not there was a GPU issue, they're gone now. Here's my temperatures while playing a browser game on a cooling mat. The CPU heat has dropped plenty since I undervolted severely, and I haven't yet had a BSoD from the undervolting. Dell should be out tomorrow to fix my GPUs hopefully ¬.¬'

 

zsports, can you also tell us, how long does it take to boot into vista?

From pressing the power button, to first seeing the desktop?

Thanks.



hikkoo, nearly 15500 points I see ... maybe having SSD will help with the score.

http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=4647

In that review, 7200.2 drive was replaced by a Intel X-25. As result, '3DMark06 went from 5,230 in the original review to 5,847 with the SSD'. Consider you already almost have 15500, putting in the SSD may get the score all the way up to 16000.

 

Boot Up takes 20 seconds.

 

yes, the Dell 256 gb ssd.
Is that slow?

 

No, I'd call that blisteringly fast.

 

Hello everyone - I just got my 1730 a couple weeks ago and have been reading through the hundreds of pages of this post. I'm astounded at how smart everyone here is on overclocking and drivers, etc. I am looking for some advice -

I've got the 9800M GT's in SLI and on the desktop I get typically 55-60 degrees C on GPU1 and anywhere from 67-72 degrees C on GPU2. These are with the stock settings and the latest driver from nVidia 186.03. I use a laptop cooler and the indoor temp is approx 74 degrees F. Riva and EVEREST are both reporting the same within about a degree or two. I'm thinking these temps are high - should I start worrying about getting this fixed by Dell? Thanks for the help!

 

Are you getting these temperatures idling? What kinda temperatures are you getting from heavy loads? (IE Gaming)

Basically you shouldn't worry until you hit the 90s. Dell themselves have told me anything under 90 is safe, it's 90+ when you start worrying =-P

 

The temp difference between the two GPU's would be more worrying to my mind. Are you sure there's that much difference?

 

http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/storage/2009/06/05/corsair-p256-256gb-ssd-review/9


That samsung drive seems extremely fast at booting, even X25 trails behind.

My HDD raid takes anytime between 35 secs and one minute to boot up...

 

-----
Well I just played Crysis for 20 mins and GPU1 got up to 63 degrees C and GPU2 went up to 93 degrees C. I'm guessing I should start worrying?

 

It sounds to me like your SLI isn't enabled. Double check that in the Nvidia Control Panel - if you update drivers, it disables SLI. Make sure it is enabled.

The GPUs should never really be outside a 10 degree range of each other, give or take a few degrees. This could explain the heat - one GPU is working overtime, and one is slacking. Try SLI, lemme know what you come up with. Also make sure there is enough air ventilation getting through the bottom of the computer to keep it cool.

 

I would reinstall your temp monitoring software. Personally, I think that is where your problem lies. Try HWMonitor.

If there is such a wide range between the GPUs - I would contact Dell.

 

Like he said, you have to make sure you are reading the right temps.

Google HW Monitor like he said, make sure SLI is enabled, and update driver if you haven't.

This isn't a mac, and it does need user tweaks.

 

Ok, I've been messing with it for a while with and without SLI enabled. Here's what I've found - it's really strange.

Idle low = on desktop
High = highest temp when playing Crysis for approx 20 mins

No SLI-
HWMonitor only shows a single GPU - Idle low 63 degrees C, High 80 degrees C
Everest and Riva both show 2 GPU's
GPU1 - idle low 47, high 79
GPU2 - idle low 62, high 62

SLI enabled -
HWM shows 2 GPU's but both have exact same temp
idle low 63, high 94

Everest and Riva -
GPU1 - idle low 48, high 61
GPU2 - idle low 65, high 94

It's strange that there is such a difference between the GPU1 and GPU2 temps. Also, with SLI off it seems GPU1 is doing the work, but with SLI on it looks like GPU2 is pulling more of the load. Even with SLI off GPU2 is idling at 62 degrees, which may be a bit warm.

Is this normal behavior for SLI?

 

Not sure about your GPU, but my 8800's pretty much shows same temp on HWMontitor.

 

I've got 9800m GT's - which are probably almost the same as the 8800's. Do you know if there is an easy way to tell that SLI is functioning the way it should?

 

No problem...

Dox 182.46 drivers from (LV2GO)

CPU OC'ed to 3.4, GPU's 775/1630/1010 w/ RivaTuner

This was achieved with the machine sitting on a big homemade cooling fan setup.

Now, this really isn't a stable GPU OC, that was just used to see how far I could push it (them).... My (semi) stable GPU OC setup is 755/1600/1000, which gave me a 3dMark score of 11602.

Game performance at the lower setting mentioned above is good only if I have (extremely) adequate cooling, lol.

 

3dmark06 scores should be around 10-11k w/ SLI enabled.

 

This is not normal behaviour for SLI. Did the performance in Crysis increase, when you switched to SLI? If not, than you need to call Dell. The only other thing I can think of is that thermal paste or whatever material they are using was not put properly on the GPUs. If you are not comfortable with taking your laptop apart...and then taking your GPU apart, call Dell. Sorry to hear about your problem.

BTW, I was taking my laptop apart to clean out the dust and apply AS5 to my GPU. So, the problem was that my GPU fans wouldn't come off. I removed all 6 screws but fans wouldn't move an inch (And no, there were no additional screws anywhere). I was surprised to say the least. Anyone else had the same experiences? I got my M1730 right after 8800M GTX came out.....probably they were built differently.

 

Since you mention 6 screws I assume you're talking about the fans?

If it's so, same here. The housing will be stuck for a while, probably because its been held together for long. You'll need to jiggle a bit left and right up slowly, apply with a little force, then raise it upwards - It should then come off. Is this your first time opening the GPU?

I use MX2 though.

 

Yeah, sorry, I ment fans. Yes, it is my first time openning up GPU after about 1.5 years. Thanks a lot for the info, I'll definately keep it in mind next time I'll be openning my system up. After cleaning up the dust my temps went down to normal. Temps never go above 84. Besides, I don't feel too confident with openning up the GPU, so I'll just leave it for now. Thanks again

 

Don't worry, I will help you along. If you need any help you may want to check out the special "Dell Certified Systems Expert" (DCSE for short) GPU disassembly instructions at the Dell website for download:

http://dcse.dell.com/ifr/Portables/XPS_M1730.zip