Laptop runs like absolute crap since reformat.

[Cheeseman]

Originally Posted by [R-DEV]Jaymz

Considering the amount of options we've tried here as well as the fact that this all started with my system blue-screening over and over. I think that what you've said there would explain pretty much everything.

I'm pretty sure we can call "case closed" on this one, my GPU is semi-fried and needs replacement. Unfortunately that's not going to happen because I believe my warranty is up and I have no money at all. Looks like my LOA from PR is coming a month early on the "actually playing" side of things

Call up Dell, they should still look into replacing something which is defective on their part. I recall in a few cases some notebook manufactures replaced the defective G84 and G86 chips even after expiration of warranty (Dell might have been one of them).

You can also find replacement parts on ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Dell-nVidia-Gefo...3A1%7C294%3A50
Or here (not really worth it):
http://forum.notebookreview.com/show...ight=Dell+8700

[SocketMan]

I forgot to ask what the (gpu) temperature is under load.Could just be overheating and once
the temperature "thresh hold" is reached (105c or so) it would "slowdown"
automatically.Can use the rivatuner or gpuz's sensor panel (check the "continue
refreshing this screen while in the background......)

[Jaymz]

Right, something completely fuber just happened.

I was messing around in rivatuner and I changed some setting (AGP fast write) that seemed to uninstall my GPU drivers (it asked me to restart when i changed, so I did). After the restart, windows started up in 800x600 resolution and it pretty much looked like the drivers for my 8700M's were uninstalled.

Right now, if I try re-installing them. this happens.

1. I run the driver install program
2. It prompts me to restart
3. It restarts, but once windows comes back up there's no difference (like the driver was never installed)
3. Windows says it has found new hardware and asks me to install it.

**I've tried using driver cleaner before attempting a re-install, doesn't make a difference**


So I then tried to install it with the "new hardware" thing, I select "8700M" from their list of drivers and it installs..somthing. Doesn't even prompt me for a restart. Here's the thing, I can now get into the Nvidia control panel again but when I bring up my system info it tells me my GPU is a "9650 GS"......w...t...f?!?!?!

[SocketMan]

Looks like NV is renaming whatever it can,instead of making something new.
Marketing I suppose. I had this motherboard with Radeon x300 and about a year after it became x1150 (according to the drivers) go figure.

Next Generation Performance Notebook PC - NVIDIA

GeForce 8700M


The specs are pretty much identical.


edit*
This explains it:

http://support.dell.com/support/down...&fileid=288798


Fixes/Enhancements
------------------
1. Added support for New Graphic card.

edit2*

Not sure if you tried this driver:


http://support.dell.com/support/down...&fileid=285118

[Jaymz]

Originally Posted by SocketMan

edit2*

Not sure if you tried this driver:


Drivers and Downloads

Just did, and it sees my GPU as what it is again. Thanks.

Did a Furmark benchmark test as well....

[Cheeseman]

That's normal. Its is well known that Nvidia renamed their 8 series. The 8600M GT was renamed to the 9500M GS while the 8700M GT was renamed to the 9650M GS. This is mostly due to the defective GPU line of the 8 series with the soldering issue being corrected and the GPU's being renamed as the new 9 series.

[Jaymz]

Still runs like shit for BF2

[Robbi]

You are using drivers that are dated from October last year....

Get new ones!

Probably wont help but it may be something that is fucking the SLi config up mate

[nick20404]

Have you attempted to edit the settings in your Nvidia control panel IE turning High performance on instead of High quality, I notice when I use high quality settings on my 9800gtx+ it runs horrible.

You could try speeding up your GPU fans or CPU with Riva tuna, dono if this is possible with a laptop or if those GPU's have fans.

The problem is probably software, if you are desperate you could try to reformat again and start over, remember to install everything drivers,SP's etc before even attempting to install bf2 or test out how things are running, give the computer little chances to create errors.

[Jaymz]

Originally Posted by [R-TEC]Robbi187

You are using drivers that are dated from October last year....

Get new ones!

It doesn't matter for BF2, but I've tried the latest ones as well anyway. No difference.

Judging by that furmark score, my GPU is fine