**OFFICIAL** Dell XPS M1730 Owner's Lounge, *Part 4*

My 8800 GTX performs far better in windows 8 without SLI, game or GUI, so to give it some use, the 2nd module is dedicated to PhysX.
I wonder if driver updates will fix this?

 

Thanks . For now I will switch it off by the device menager - I just a little afraid to open and remove it .
It is to bad that new nVidia driver does not works fine with M1730 in sli mode . Especially when it is still able to run all new games .
But the most important to me is that my Beast is back to life : - it does not matter for how long .
And I must to say , that the difference between 8800gtx and 9800gtx is really noticeable to me .

 

So how did the Windows 8 install go on this beast? I have ordered windows 8 and will give it a whirl. I got a new 9800m gtx sli videocard. since i bricked my 8800m gtx with 9800m gt bios on it. it did run for a year though. If anyone has install windows 8 on this machine please let us know how it went

 

Window 8 installs and runs just like Windows 7.

 

This is my experience too. Played the Dishonored game to half way point and everything worked perfectly (but got bored of the game).

Still has the dodgy Dell Bluetooth mouse driver problem, so my mouse is a bit 'hit and miss'.

[J]

 

Thanks guys! I look forward to installing Windows 8 now.

 

Hi All,

I got a weird problem with my M1730, I cant get the LCD screen to work at all, I've tried 3 different LCD screens and different inverters but still nothing and the strange thing is the M1730 works on external fine.. oh and I have tried a smaller LCD screen and that works but displays 2 screens but thats prolly because it cant take the res so I'm not sure what else to try and I don't think it could be the GFX card? Any help would be great thanks.

 

Have you checked the display cable's connection to the motherboard? That would be the easiest and most probable cause of your internal display not working. Failing that, you can make sure your GPU is properly seated. If that's not working, then your GPU might be the culprit, but I haven't come across a failing GPU that worked just fine on an external monitor.

 

I want to update you guys on my Windows 8 installation. It installed great over Windows 7 and have had no issues. Just like Metalman indicates. Bluetooth is buggy with my phone which is nothing new. Windows 8 is weird! I really like this laptop even though it is a bit dated. It run Wow with 30+ FPS on High and Ultra settings. I wish I knew the decent video card overclock with frying the card. Currently got X9000 at 3.6 ghz with throttlestop and videocard set to 600/1500/900. Getting around 14.5K in 3dmark06 but i hear that is very cpu dependant. What is a good videocard benchmark to check videocard overclocks? I dont seem to get much difference in results from 3dmark06 with overclocking my 9800m gtx sli card.

 

Hello people I recently bought a Dell XPS m1730 with the following specs :

core 2 extreme x9000 2.8 GHZ
8800 gtx sli
bluray drive

I did a fresh win 7 install and now the graphic cards are not installed. I got the latest drivers 306.97 drivers from nvidia but only one card is installed,the other one has an exclamation mark. I also tried installing vista 32 bit from dells site but then both shows the little exclamation mark. How to get both working? Which driver to install? How to check both cards working?

Secondly the bluray drive does not recognize any dvd or bluray and thinks of it as a blank media and gives burning options, what to do?
which drivers to install and in which order? I just got this laptop and its already giving me problems. kindly advise a solution. Regards

 

Can you tell us what error message it gives? Is it "the device cannot start" or "the driver for this device is not installed"?

Depending on the situation, it will either require a firmware flashing or a bake in the oven. But I need more information.

 

I don't get any errors when I install the vista 32 old sli drivers from dells site, just that either two of them show an exclamation mark or a restart shows the second one installed while the first one has the ! mark. When I install new drivers (306.xx n beta 310.xx) from nvidia's site, the first one is shown as installed while the second one has the ! mark. But when I try to launch nvdia control panel from tray it says "no nvdia gpu attached to display or something..

GPU-Z gives proper info about the first card except leaving some blank fields. Whilst for the second gpu the info is wrong. I'm attaching pictures of the screenshots from gpuz.

http://s9.postimage.org/yf0x9n1bj/nnn.gif
http://s13.postimage.org/d3ljgrnvr/nhbn.gif

 

Bios version unknown. This sounds like a job for a reflash.

But personally I can't recommend you try that. I bricked mine trying to do that and have to blindflash it to get it working again. I have to get around to blindflash it, been busy lately.

 

How are two cards installed? One at a time? I run the 306.xx setup which installs one card, and the second one if i try to install from thesame directory it says current version is best but still displays the ! mark next to it.

How to flash the bios for the cards? And which one to flash?

 

The faulty one. There's some instructions for doing that in the forums here.

Whether you do it or not is up to you. The choice is yours.

If after the flashing it still fails, it may need a 10-minute bake in 180~200 Celsius.

 

When I Installed the vista 32bit drivers from Dell, Gpu-z reported erroneous readings, with 306 or 310 beta drivers gpuz reports correct readings except for the blank fields. ImageShack® - Online Photo and Video Hosting


I tried flashing the 9800 bios it flashed on the first card but couldn't on the second. Then I messed up flashing the bios for the second card with the firsts...couple of tries later its back to where I started. Now what to do?

P.S: I get artifacts on the boot screen and bios page but not anywhere else...

 

Now does your GPU-Z give you different results?
As for the artifacts, it's something a bake can fix. I've done it with mine twice.

 

My dell xps would turn on now with keyboard leds but with no display..looks like the cards died? How to fix it now? could you or some one link me to a proper tutorial

 

Hi and Thank you for your reply. I was thinking it could be the GPU but as you said its weird its still working on external, I have reseated the GPU and made sure the LCD cables are in correctly but I'm still having no joy It's out of warranty ages ago so I cant go and speak to Dell any ways. I'm out of all ideas but I did notice when I switch on the laptop I notice the LCD initialises but nothing happens after that, if it was the inverter and it wasn't powering the back light on all the LCD's I've tried you should still be able to see something on the LCD's faintly.

Any other idea's? Cheers..

Regards

Matt

 

After the flashing? Looks like you did something wrong. If not, (as in it booted, then it went kaput) now's a time to bake the video module.
Youtube has lots of videos about video card baking.

 

I did reflash it back to stock...There were artificats on the boot screen before so at most the flashing might have accelerated the process lol..anyways I'm gonna bake it and see if it'll work or not

 

Good luck with it. Personally, you'll have better chances with it being baked. Don't forget your thermal compounds, and clean the vents well.

 

Would reballing help the cause? A local repair shop here offered the solution but I was a little hesitant and wanted to ask around before jumping into it. A little explanation regarding reballing the 8800M GTX sli would be appreciated as to what kind of reballing technique would be helpful and ensure longevity.

 

Reballing replaces the soldered balls attaching the GPU to the board with something like true lead, which is more resistant to excess heat. What happens is that the lead used initially doesn't cope with heat resulting from what we commonly do to our m1730s-- overclocking, extreme usage and gaming, and stuff.

Reballing is no joke, and must be done by an experienced crew, with exceptional equipment. But once reballed with the right soldering, you'll never have to bake your 8800gtx again, hopefully.

 

Today I was going through some error code list for the XPS, I couldn't find one but I did find for other models. Apparentyl when I hold the Fn + Power, I get the the Caps lock led flashing, which according to this and this relates to Memory error. I took out both the RAM modules and started the system, it then gave the No memory error according to the links. This is weird because just before it went dark I saw lines/artefacts across the screen which led me to believe it is the GPU malfunctioning.

 

Hi guys,
I've got a big problem . My beast has just died. It froze and since then won't boot. Just black blank screen when I press power button. I'm assuming it's the video card? I've looked on ebay for a new one. I had 9800m GT, but most auctions are 9800m GTX. Is it ok to put one of those instead 9800m GT? Thx for help.
cheers,
Tom

 

Yep. Go bake it. You still have a chance.

If it's for the m1730, that 9800 gtx will work fine.

If you've given up on that card, just send it to me.

 

hi guys. Ive done more testing. fn+D showos greyish screen. anyone knowss what does it mean? Isn’t it a sign that graphic cards are workin? FN+power: middle lock led is blinking. after some time there is a beep code 3-3-1 which is insufficient vram powerr. Could this mean CMOS battery too weak?. What is middle lock led blinking? I couldn’t find its meaning in a code table. pls, heeelp .
on a side note: very rarely, instead of blank screen it freezes on a dell logo sign. With this bottom bar 3cm filled.

 

Can you link me to the error list or decoding list? is it specifically for the m1730?

 

Just noticed you've got similar problem. I'll be checking memory tonight. I've got 2x2GB. I doubt both are faulty.
Dell Diagnostic Beep Code Troubleshooting Chart – Nullamatix – Technology Made Simple It doesn't look like it's for m1730 specifically but at the same time it's very likely they use same codes for different models.

Just for reference LED CODES (5th post): http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/laptop/f/3518/t/19271072.aspx it's for m1710 though. I'm assuming theyre gonna be the same for m1730

Guys, I'm looking on ebay for new motherboard. What's the difference between F513C and Y012C ?

 

Win 7 64-bit; 9800m GTX in SLI. I'm noticing occasional frame rate drops/slowdown in Borderlands 2, and since I just replaced the card I'm trying to determine whether there's something wrong with the card or perhaps it's just my settings. Driver is nVidia 296.10.

Some video settings:

Resolution = 1920x1200
Vsync = On
Framerate = smoothed 22-62FPS
Anisotropic Filtering = 4x
Foliage distance = far
Texture quality = High
Ambient Occlusion = On
FKAA (no idea what this is) = On
PhysX effects = Low
Texture fade = On

If anyone has a good profile for Borderlands 2, I'd appreciate seeing it. Would also like to hear if anyone is having any similar issues with the game, or if it could be the new video card.

 

I tried to install lgs835_x64 on windows 8 x64, but it doesn't detect lcd panel after installed. Does it work on yours? Thanks.

 

You need the old version lgps306_x64, the newer versions only work with the Logitech keyboard itself.
Download it at: ftp://ftp.logitech.com/pub/techsupport/gaming

I think it's only the revision, nothing more.
See also: http://forum.notebookreview.com/har...des/504309-m1730-motherboard-y012c-f513c.html

 

I tied the 306 version and it would not install. The game panel is the only thing I have not been able to get working.

 

Use compatibility mode

 

Tried compatibility mode and it wouldn't install.

 

Is anyone here running the 306.23 WHQL driver listed here at the nVidia site? It shows the 9800m GTX as being supported. Updating the driver might fix some of the Borderlands 2 problems I posted above, but would like to hear from someone using them that the driver is stable for the m1730/9800m GTX combination.

 

Which file are you trying to run and how do you apply the compatibility mode? It's working just fine here.

Has been quite a while since I used that driver, can't recall I had any problems with it though. What about the most recent WHQL driver? 306.97 WHQL, they seem to work just fine as well.

 

Your right! I installed my win8 hard drive and tried again and it works with winxp compatibility mode, I tried vista and win7 compatibility mode in the past and it did not install.
You would think that if it work fine in win7 then win7 compatibility mode should work fine.

 

Hi guys,
I've bought a new MB. After fitting it in it doesn't work ((. As soon as I plug power cord in the blue light on the power supply turn itself off. What does it mean? If it's a short it can't be my fault. I've checked everything. I've disassembled it a lot of time already for cleaning and never had this problem. Any advice???

 

The power brick is probably tripping because a component in your system is causing a short circuit. Try removing one component, then another etc. and each time watch the blue light on the power brick to see if it trips. In my case, I removed the battery first, then HDDs, them memory, then the bluetooth card at which point there was an electrical flash (blue colour) somewhere on the mobo and the M1730 sprung back into life. I refitted the components and the laptop has worked perfectly since (6 month now). In my case I suspected an insect (roach) which infest most property in the Middle East and like to hide in expensive laptops.

 

damn roachesss!. Great advice THANKS! I've done what you said and it looks like it's a touchpad Just ordered a new one. Will report back when I get it.

 

I need to replace my current 9800M GTX. Not too many on eBay right now, but I'm looking at one listed by a UK seller called ukportableparts. Anyone know this vendor, or have a reliable vendor that you'd like to recommend?

 

My service tag never did check in. What could be the reason? I bought it from someone else.

 

As I said in previous post. I've done what you suggested. It stopped tripping after disconnecting touchpad. Bought a new one. Fitted it in and it's tripping again!! I'm so depressed. Chances they've sent me faulty touchpad are really small. I can't belive this is the case. What's going on?? Already a month without a laptop, arghhhh.

 

Hi
I have a problem with sudden black screens . No matter of what I'm doing , from time to time i have black screen and only hard reset is what I can do . I done lot of 3dmark tests - no problem , hd tune test - no problem , mem test a- no problem , all Dell diagnostic tests - no problem . I have no idea what can be wrong . Sometimes black screen becomes after a few minutes from the start , sometimes it is after a few hour . I'm stupid with this - mayby someone knows what else can I do ?

 

This must be the most disastrous laptop release ever.

 

Hi there!

Nvidia GeForce 9800M GTX 1GB DDR 3 | eBay
Try here. This is a GTX sli, because the pictures shows no s-video output, and it has 1.5billion transistors.

I bought one, because my 9800m gt card died... after "re-balled" it works perfectly, then I bought a new cpu (x9000), but to intall it, it was necessary to disassembly the notebook. After this, it workd for a week or so, and once the screen doesn't turn on... power off power on, screen works. Shut down, power on, screen goes blank again. After 2 week, (more and more black screen after pwr on) i can do anything, but the screen remains black. D+PWR, backlight works, and after a close/open lid the color-check done endlesly, so the wuxga is ok... windows boots up, i got screen just on DVI, so now i play on my 22" monitor Maybe something seriously injured, and later died when i uninstalled the videocard...
So... i make an offer of €150, seller accepted.
Happy bidding.

 

Has anyone out there with x9000 + 9800 GTX SLI tried out Hitman Absolution? I was wondering whether it is worth it to purchase an M1730...I don't play games but Hitman is something I've been doing for 12 years now so I would need to occasionally take it for a spin.

If anyone has tried it please share fps/settings from the internal game benchmark option.

Many thanks,

 

Hi I played it on mine and I was running it ok on high settings with both gpu and cpu overclocked. I would say I'll find out the fps for you but I just sold my m1730.

Are you looking at buying a m1730 then?

I done the same thing and had the same result. Drove mad so I got rid of the thing in the end and replaced it with a nice msi gt70.