Easirok

I was planning to update to the latest ThrottleStop as part of this (already downloaded it) in addition to updating all my other tools and software. It has just been running well for a long time now so I didn't want to break anything by tinkering. This is also my primary work machine in addition to being a gaming rig. I guess my biggest questions are - is A09 the bios revision I should be using, and what is the most stable / best performing Catalyst release for these machines?

It's time to bulldoze and start fresh. I have been using my m17x-R2 for a year and a half now - and it operates great for the most part. But eventually something was bound to give. First, I am stuck on ATI Catalyst 10.9. I have not been able to load a newer display driver, nor have I been able to fully uninstall that one. The CCC installer did something nasty (well, that's who I am going to blame), and I can't get a clean uninstall/reinstall done. I can't even open up the CCC config right now - no matter how much effort I have put into hacking around. Second, SP1 for Windows7 refuses to install. The error points to a driver installation issue, so I presume it is linked to the ATI driver problem. But no matter what I have tried, I still have never been able to load this service pack. Third, I am having other minor issues pop up, like Steam's updater not working correctly, etc. So I bought a new Series 510 Intel SSD (250G) and intend to repave this thing soon. My 160G gen2 Intel SSD will become the secondary drive once I am happy with the install. I haven't been keeping up here or on the notebookreview forums, so I am hoping someone can bring me up to speed on the current versions of major drivers / bios / etc that I need to worry about. My system specs are: AW m17x R2, with the LED screen, A09 BIOS 940XM (ES) ATI HD4870 (single) Intel 6300 WiFi 8G RAM SSD drives mentioned above Razer Naga mouse Microsoft Sidewinder X6 keyboard NuForce Icon uDAC-2 external DAC I use both the HDMI port and the VGA port to drive two 24" monitors. I will likely be adding a USB-VGA or USB-HDMI adapter to support a third monitor soon too. I have seen the posts about the potential to upgrade my display adapter to a 69xx card, and I am contemplating doing that within the next few months also. I never operate my system from battery, nor do I ever use hibernation functionality. I have a far more portable MacBook Air that I take with me when I need to be mobile. I have been using several tweaks and tools from these forums and the NBR forums. I am comfortable continuing to use them, unless there is a reason not to: I have modified my registry to tighten up the CPU C power states (aka, "JJB Tweak") ThrottleStop (actually still on v2.89), 17x multipliers, 100% cmod, TDP:80, TDC:75, Max turbo limits 1-4 cores = 25 Disabled core parking via registry RadeonPro (1.0.11.2) to handle core affinity for Fraps and SC2 (other programs have internal settings for this) Intel SSD Toolbox (weekly cleanup process) Installed the 940XM CPU myself, following guides originally posted to NBR Re-pasted the GPU heatsink following guides originally posted to NBR Thanks!

I currently have a 24" HP and a 24" Acer external monitor hooked up to my Alienware m17x R2. HDMI is feeding the Acer (current generation LED tech), while VGA is feeding the HP (older generation LCD tech). This works pretty well, but I have some minor complaints. First, the native resolution of the two is not the same. The HP display runs a full 1920x1200 while the Acer is at 1920x1080. It seems that 1920x1200, while superior in terms of viewable area, has become obsolete - you can't really find new monitors in that format now. Since these two displays aren't identical, there are noticeable differences in color, brightness, sharpness, and responsiveness between the two. Lastly, neither of these two monitors has the mounting holes needed to attach them to an adjustable arm / stand (this is usually called "100x100 VESA Mounting" or something like that). I am thinking about replacing this with a new setup, and was hoping one of the others here might have some experiences to share. I like the idea of a single stand that both displays are mounted to, instead of each display having its own stand. Unfortunately, my desk is not conducive to "clamp-on" style mounting arms, and I am not going to drill a hole through the desk for a "grommet" or "fixed" style mounting system. So that pretty much leaves "free-standing" as the only viable type of mount I can use, which limits me quite a bit. This is the mounting system I am considering. It is not cheap, but after some research it seems to be the best bet: Amazon.com: Planar 997-5253-00 Dual Monitor Stand (Black): Electronics I am also contemplating going with a three-monitor configuration, using a USB to HDMI adaptor to drive the 3rd one. The same manufacturer offers a three-panel variation of the same hardware: Amazon.com: Planar Triple Monitor Stand: Electronics Manufacturer link with more info on both products: Planar: Accessories: Wall Mounts, Stands, and more for Planar LCD monitors - When Image Experience Matters So with those options in mind, I also need to find appropriate display panels. Ideally, these would be LED with high contrast ratio and fast response times. I realize many LED panels do not have the VESA mounting holes though (LED panels are sometimes so thin that the mounting screws are in danger of penetrating into the screen), so I might have to go with LCD. Thin bevel frames are best, so I can get them as close together as possible. Also, I prefer high-gloss displays over matte finish. And obviously if I am going to be buying three of them, price is a consideration. Any recommendations? All I know for sure is that the two monitors I have right now will not work.

So I must admit I have been away from the various m17x forums for a few months. My system has been working fantastically well and I have been rather swamped with work, so my head has been in the sand. What is this statement describing? Has someone hacked the last Dell BIOS image to unlock OC options and add HW IDs for non-Dell video cards? Does this mean I might be able to use one of those 5970 cards currently sold "for Clevo machines"? Still using a solitary 4970 card in my R2. It works great for my current needs, but I plan on keeping this machine for another two or maybe even three years, so eventually I will want some more horsepower in the GPU department.