Help with 5797, please! Flicker and fade to black ...

Hi, all -

I don't know what's going on, but I've a pretty good system but it seems whenever I try and play a game (Fallout 3, Witcher, GTA IV) I get the same problems, ranging from the top settings down to pretty mediocre, both overclocked and standard CPU.

At some point, either during actual gameplay or during a cutscene, the game will start to flicker and eventually fade to black. On some games I can alt-tab out and re-enter, which provides a temporary fix. Sometimes I alt-tab out and can't get back in.

In any case, it is pretty near intolerable. Witcher and Fallout 3 used to run great when I first got the computer, but not for awhile now. I use adequate cooling (Zalman something or other turned full blast). I tried updating to the latest beta Nvidia drivers and that doesn't fix a thing. Specs are below, but if anyone can help I'd really appreciate it.

To say that I'm beyond frustration doesn't scratch the surface.
Sager NP5797 Custom Notebook (Built on Clevo M570ETU)
- Display: 17" WUXGA "Glare Type" Super Cl
- Processor: ~Intel® QX9300 45nm "Montevina"
- Video Card: nVidia GeForce 9800M GTX 1,024MB
- Ram: ~ 4,096MB DDR3 1066MHz Dual Chan
- Intel® Robson Turbo Memory: 4GB Intel® Robson Turbo Memory I
- Exterior Finish: NP579x Orange Frame Trim
- Optical Drive: ~Combo 8x8x6x4x Dual Layer DVD +
- Primary Hard Drive: ~ 320GB 7200RPM (Serial-ATA II 3
- Memory Card Reader: Internal 7-in-1 Card Reader (MS/
- Bluetooth: Internal Bluetooth + EDR
- Wireless Network: Built-in Intel® PRO/Wireless 530
- Camera: Built in 2.0 Megapixel Camera
- Sound Card: Sound Blaster Compatible 3D Audi
- Battery: Smart Li-ion Battery (8-Cell)
- Fingerprint Reader: Integrated Fingerprint Reader
- Operating System: ~Windows Vista Home Premium 64-B
- Warranty: Sager 3 Year Parts & Labor Warra

 

Have you tried any of DOX's drivers found here? I have not tried them myself but I have heard that they are pretty good. Maybe it will fix the problem. Also, have you tried calling tech support at the place you bought it from. Most of the Sager resellers I have dealt with have been pretty responsive and knowledgeable. Other than that I am not really sure. Hope that helps.

 

I haven't tried those drivers. The odd thing is that I've only recently started experiencing this problem (never had it before with Witcher or Fallout), so I'm disinclined to think it a driver problem.

For giggles, I downloaded a Video Card Stability Test. While the number seemed to be good, the screen again flickered and then went black, only to return after the test concluded.

I think I'm going to have to contact Xotic and get their input, but if it was something others experienced or if I could have some greater insight I figure it'd be better for Justin's team.

I'd hate to be without the laptop if it needed to be fixed. 'Tis the season to update the resume, and all.

 

Have you tried running HWMonitor during one of these fase to blacks to check what your temps are like?

 

My maximum temperature was 61 C. Note that I'm not even able to get past the opening scenes of Fallout 3 or GTA IV without the system going haywire.

Also, I restored my system to a point in time where I know everything was working smooth as butter. That seems to me, and I'm a relative newb in all this, that it would be a hardware problem. Would that be reasonable?