9 Posts
0
1354
July 24th, 2022 06:00
m17 R3, RTX 2060 issues from Windows Update?
Alienware m17 R3
Hi all, hoping someone can point me in the right direction for troubleshooting...
Have an alienware m17 r3, a few years old, pretty good condition outside of needing an initial GPU/mobo replacement from Dell ~1-2 months after purchase. Ran great the past year or two since.
Early last month (6/22), there was some windows update that caused a cascade of other updates (including the series of nvidia driver updates recently) which has got my GPU going haywire. For games, youtube videos, adobe suite, and even on Word docs, I was experiencing black screens with sound still on (sound is frozen on last note), with lights on keyboard still on. Have to shut it off with the main button, when it happens. Anything that is graphic intensive, it'll black screen crash within ~30 seconds. Lighter loads, it's hit and miss. Occasional BSOD with the directx kernel note.
The latest memory dump files also point to nvidia drivers, with module nvlddmkm, 10.0.19041.1 being highlighted. What's strange is I think that's related to the OS version of MS windows home (10.0.19044)? But maybe I'm seeing patterns now where there aren't any.
I've tried a dozen reinstalls of nvidia drivers, from the recommended 512.98, the latest 516.59, and step-wise back to the OEM suggested 466.18. Driver-only, and also with all the attachments. Usually clean-installs on the settings. From current driver re-uploads and testing, I'm on Dell's suggested 512.98 for my RTX2060. nVidia's GeForce Experience program pushes the 516.59, if I install the application.
Up-to-date on checks from Intel's Driver Support Assistant, and from Dell's SupportAssist (also from Alienware Updates v4.5.0, and Alienware Command Center, up to date). Windows updates, also up to date. Intel Graphic Command Center says it's up to date. Device manager has no unknown devices or anything like that. Recent re-install of Windows (keeping-files version) did not change anything.
At this point, test programs like 3Dmark just fail to start the test entirely. Other programs I've been testing with, like Minecraft, load up but fail out with error codes for Java environment, directX BSOD, or a generic 1073740791 (seems tied to graphics driver from what I can see).
Aside from asking for advice on how to proceed, I also wanted to ask if anyone has noticed or could comment on the below:
https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000200573/dsa-2022-151
| Alienware M17 R3 | 30.0.15.1298 | August 2022 |
Dell support docs vs the backend of dell's 'my drivers' is showing this same download as a July 8 2022 driver update... not Aug 2022... so have I gotten caught up in early updates that aren't ready for primetime, that basically bricked my system until nvidia-intel-dell teams work out the kinks??
| 08 Jul 2022 | |
|
Version 30.0.15.1298, A13 |
njd384753
9 Posts
0
August 7th, 2022 16:00
To anyone else out there having this problem, I have found (a temporary) solution...
Ubuntu Linux on a resized smaller partition on hard drive... and using the nouveau open source drivers > Nvidia official drivers. Why is beyond me... but I've read a few other threads on here + Reddit about BIOS / driver (intel + nvidia) conflicts that resemble my issue. nvidia drivers on linux is no better.
If nothing else, try loading your system on linux will show if the GPU is still functional with open source drivers. Helpful as a spot-check when half of the support forums seem to default to 'hardware issue, spend more money'.
njd384753
9 Posts
0
July 24th, 2022 07:00
As an additional note - under Drivers for my PC, there are 2 separate nvidia drivers recommended for some reason. Also leads me to believe that something got borked with the recent driver release. Strange:
Version
27.21.14.6618, A04|Older versions
Download Type
Driver
Version
30.0.15.1298, A13|Older versions
Download Type
Driver
njd384753
9 Posts
0
July 24th, 2022 10:00
Thanks for the feedback crimsom. No expectation for official support, but I appreciate your 2 cents.
Ran it, and had one security update generate after. No other change.
I have also run the following multiple times at this point:
crimsom
7 Technologist
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6.1K Posts
0
July 24th, 2022 10:00
Hi @njd384753 welcome to this free user to user Alienware laptop discussion forum. This is not Dell Support.
In the bottom LH corner, please type troubleshoot and click to open Troubleshoot settings, click on Additional troubleshooters and then click on Windows Update (which you may have to load for it to appear).
Please run Windows Check Disk to automatically find and fix any file errors on the OS(C:) boot drive. How to Run CHKDSK (Check Disk) in Windows 11 - All Things How
crimsom
7 Technologist
•
6.1K Posts
0
July 24th, 2022 12:00
Hi @njd384753 thank you for sharing update.
This is free user to user Alienware laptop discussion forum. If wanting official paid for Dell warranty response you are encouraged to contact Dell Support. Please click on @DELL-Cares and send Private Message requesting assistance.
njd384753
9 Posts
0
July 24th, 2022 13:00
Understood about official support crimsom; not intended or desired.
Hoping there are others that own an alienware m17 r3 that have started experiencing similar sort of issues with their RTX 2060/2070/2080's though.
Looking back through updates and changelog timestamps, I'm now wondering if the BIOS 1.17/1.18 June/July 2022 releases could be part of the (my) issue. Really not wanting to have to start testing out different versions there, but it fits the timeline when my system started failing out. I did come across a couple of threads from earlier alienware iterations where users had early updates for their system's BIOS and had to revert to get away from GPU/crashing problems.
Fun times trying to understand where the breakdowns happen!
njd384753
9 Posts
0
July 27th, 2022 13:00
M15/m17 r3 BIOS-breaking updates? 6 updates (and none patch-level), in 6 months? My understanding this is not supposed to happen so often... so my only assumption at this point is that Dell has been caught off guard by mandatory Intel bugfixes/security snippets breaking the service layer, and needing additional driver updates across the board? Or windows 11?
1.18.0 11 Jul 2022
1.17.0 13 Jun 2022; https://www.reddit.com/r/Alienware/comments/vd9na6/alienware_m15m17_r3_system_bios_version_1170/
1.16.1 20 Apr 2022
1.15.0 15 Mar 2022; https://www.reddit.com/r/Alienware/comments/tfa1z6/alienware_m15m17_r3_system_bios_v1150_posted/
1.14.0 17 Feb 2022; https://www.reddit.com/r/Alienware/comments/sud8ce/new_alienware_m15m17_r3_system_bios_v114_posted/
1.13.0 08 Feb 2022
I do not believe any of the recent BIOS reversions would fix the problem, but I also have not been able to find any developer documentation around the BIOS updates. Note to self: look harder for git repos and bug reports... Dang Reddit ‘release notes’ are basically worthless.
If one were to ‘fix’ this, it would be to revert to (probably) pre-2022 BIOS updates and associated older driver versions for all other utilities/systems. Which means a usb drive setup with https://www.dell.com/support/home/en-us/product-support/ loadout.
Note to self pt 2: semi-annual system snapshot for recovery and rollback...
References for troubleshooting:
Reddit – similar-ish symptoms, in roughly the same time frames... (I also thought this was a failing fan / heat problem to start)
https://www.reddit.com/r/Alienware/comments/w8yl7y/m15_r3_laptop_lights_on_and_fan_running_full/
https://www.reddit.com/r/Alienware/comments/vmvxne/m17_r3_fans/
https://www.reddit.com/r/Alienware/comments/vce15b/is_there_any_way_to_use_tcc_offset_on_my_m17_r3/
https://www.reddit.com/r/Alienware/comments/t36mck/alienware_m17_r3_crash/
https://www.reddit.com/r/Alienware/comments/vyrqrg/is_the_rtx_2060_super_still_relevant/
Dell Support – other recent programs/driver/heat issues... Win 11 support / migration a potential issue so that’s probably not an option to solve
https://www.dell.com/community/Alienware/m17-R3-FX-tab-unavailable-HELP/m-p/8232551
https://www.dell.com/community/Alienware/m15-R3-right-fan-making-drill-noise/m-p/8241357
https://www.dell.com/community/Alienware/m15-R3-exceeding-100-C-on-regular-basis/m-p/8227032
https://www.dell.com/community/Alienware/17-R3-randomly-freezing-for-3-seconds/m-p/8236144
https://www.dell.com/community/Alienware/17-R3-PCI-BUS-FAIL/m-p/8240795
https://www.dell.com/community/Alienware/15-R3-MIO-board-is-defective/m-p/8237098
njd384753
9 Posts
0
July 28th, 2022 11:00
Tried the new nVidia studio drivers, 516.93 from 2022.7.26, but no dice.
Saw an Intel UHD 630 update come up today as well, also tried that one with/without the 516.93. No luck there...
Microsoft also had a system update for the 22H2 pack, I think? Should have taken a screenshot of that one before letting it go! No luck after that one either...
More BSOD’s, nvlddmkm, Event ID 14?
Seeing a couple more comments about 15/17 r2 r3 and fans / heat on the Alienware monthly support thread: https://www.reddit.com/r/Alienware/comments/vnh9ni/ralienware_tech_support_sticky/?sort=new