[*Resolved] "Prototype Test-NVIDIA Confidential" Error Message [See posts #283, 319]

[Gyrfalco]

Hi everyone, I am new here.

First of all thanks to every single user in this thread, because when I start to have the same problem (red "prototype ...." tag) and the lack of assistance from customer service, I felt somehow reassured that I am not the only one pushing for a solution...

I beg you pardon in advance for the huge post, but I am becoming bilious with this issue! Please understand me...

I am from Italy and, I have to admit, untill now I have been less than satisfied by local Alienware customer service - terrible audio - barely understandable, huge waiting time (half an hour sometimes) and a team frankly well beyond the legitimate expectancies for a 4k+ EUR laptop.
They seems to be competent enough to provide assistance to old granny's issues (have you turn on the laptop? have you connected the plug in the correct way? This sort of stuff... ) but completely out of water with this problem.
Even if I point them on this thread, they sustain that mine is an "isolated" case, with no precedent record in DELL...
First they where trying to convince me that, since M18x do not come with a 3D screen, 3D is not supported by the laptop and therefore they cannot do anything to help. Obviously, I address them to Alienware webpage.
Then they where sustaining that 3D is not supported via HDMI and AGAIN I address them to Alienware webpage.
I tried 3D stereoscopic (thanks to a friendly Media Store Seller) with wireless 3D Vision 2 and the following monitors, all listed in the nvidia 3D ready list:

Acer GD245HQ
ASUS VG236HE
LG W2363DB 120 Hz
Samsung SyncMaster 2233RZ

plus my freshly purchased Head Mounted Display HMZ-T1 from Sony .

All the times with the same result - 3D works, but with message on front.
Last answer that I got from them is that, with the exception of HMZ-T1 (that is not supported at all by nvidia and therefore in their opinion shouldn't work at all), the 3D is not functioning properly because on the page Requisiti di 3D Vision ? Il kit 3D che permette di ottenere il massimo da 3D Vision
they are listed as not "3D Vision HDMI Support" and "NVIDIA 3D LightBoost Technology" compliant...

Additionally, from the latest post here I have understood that there are three levels of technical support: do you know how I can escalate the problem? Talking with these guys is becoming a loss of time and health - not to mention the fact that since I am now abroad for my work, calling to their customers "support" number has already cost me more than 100 EUR in two weeks...

A special thanks for the attention of everyone resilient enough to read all the post!

[Mr. Fox]

Welcome to NBR. We are glad you joined our community.

At this time, getting your case escalated would essentially be an exercise in futility. There is no point in escalation because there is not a fix for the problem. If they knew what to do to fix the problem, it would be posted in this thread. I suspect they are working on it. Just hang tight and watch this thread for developments.

As a new member of our forums, it is important that you know our rules and know how to effectively search for discussion topics. Please click the link in the left side of my signature and review the threads linked at the bottom of the post. I believe you will find the information very useful.

[Gyrfalco]

Hi Mr. Fox,

You are right obviously.
Practically, it will not do any difference at the moment because there probably isn't a solution yet.
I was so mad from the answers received from the customers service that I was simply thinking on how to have the possibility to thalk with someone willing enough to understand the issue ...

I will follow your advise and read trough the other thread for useful info.

Thank you again

[Mr. Fox]

It's very frustrating to get useless or incorrect answers from people that work in a tech support role. This is not unique to Dell/Alienware. Front line support is usually poor with most companies. (Dell/Alienware Level 1 support is a lot better than most, but that is not a huge accomplishment when you look at how lame their competition is.) The silver lining is, Level 2 and Level 3 reps are very helpful and very knowledgeable about the products they support.

[Mseels]

Hey guys, I apologize of this has already been discussed and researched, but a google search brought me to this link, right here on the notebookreview.com forums, back from October. People seem to be discussing running the M18x in 3d with no problems, has anyone asked any of these posters about their configurations? Or has it already been determined that they aren't using 580m's?

I woulda just posted on there, but I'm not sure if this site has a policy against reviving dead threads.

[skygunner27]

Hey guys, I apologize of this has already been discussed and researched, but a google search brought me to this link, right here on the notebookreview.com forums, back from October. People seem to be discussing running the M18x in 3d with no problems, has anyone asked any of these posters about their configurations? Or has it already been determined that they aren't using 580m's?

I woulda just posted on there, but I'm not sure if this site has a policy against reviving dead threads.

When I click on that link I get page not found.

[Mr. Fox]

When I click on that link I get page not found.

Me, too. It must be a cached page or something.

Mseels, If you can find that again, try saving the web page as a single file or something so we can attempt to locate the mystery thread. Also, see if the signatures of the people posting identify what video cards they have.

Edit: Oooops... here is what the "link" is point to: URL="Hey guys, I apologize of this has already been discussed and researched, but a google search brought me to" LOL!

(honest mistake - hope you can find it again)

Here is another observation...

This Dell document: Alienware M18X: Compatibility of HDMI output with 3D | Dell has a footnote stating:

Note: nVidia 3DTV Play! is a required add-on for Gaming and 3D Streaming Content on external TV's. For more information, please refer to nVidia 3DTV Play website.

For those that want to use 3D with an external display and cannot because of the overlay issue... have you installed the NVIDIA 3DTV Play utility? I believe the M17x R3 equipped with the 3D display comes with a license for 3DTV Play. I find myself wondering if the reason this problem exists on the M18x is due to not having a licensed copy of this software installed.

NVIDIA 3DTV Play software will be bundled on select Dell and Asus notebooks, as well as AsRock systems.

Spoiler :

Turn your 3DTV into the ultimate, high-definition, 3D entertainment experience

NVIDIA® 3DTV Play™ lets you connect your NVIDIA® GeForce® GPU-powered PC or notebook to an HDMI 3D TV for the ultimate, high-definition, big-screen 3D entertainment experience. Don't just watch your 3D TV. Leverage the power of your NVIDIA GeForce-powered PC to create an immersive 3D gaming experience on your 3D TV.

3DTV Play will run on NVIDIA GeForce-based PCs running Microsoft Windows Vista or 7. Click here for a complete list of supported GPUs, 3D TVs, and other system requirements.

Already own a 3D Vision PC? Upgrade now to 3DTV Play

NVIDIA 3DTV Play software is available as a free upgrade for all 3D Vision PCs. Download the latest Release 260 GeForce Drivers for desktop GPUs and Release 260 Verde Notebooks drivers for notebook GPUs.

Note: Please view this knowledge base article for important information regarding installation of the NVIDIA 3DTV Play software.

You might want to download and install the 14-day trial version from NVIDIA to see if it fixes the problem. Here is a link to it: NVIDIA® 3DTV Play Free 14 Day Trial. If it doesn't fix it, there is nothing to be lost by trying. If it does fix it, then it's just a matter of needing to step up and buy the license for it from NVIDIA.

Hope this turns out to be useful.

Spoiler :

[steviejones133]

That's good info, Mr. Fox and sounds very plausible. I still cant see why we should have to fork out money from our own pockets to utilise functionality on hardware we already paid for, simply because the M18x doesnt come equipped with a built in 3d monitor....its a bit like saying "Right Mr Customer, here is your new Porsche but unfortunately, to drive it more than 60mph, you will have to give us some more money!" LOL

[Gyrfalco]

Quote:

Here is another observation...

This Dell document: Alienware M18X: Compatibility of HDMI output with 3D | Dell has a footnote stating:
End Quote.


Thank you Mr. Fox!

I will try this evening

I have one doubt, however:

I'm using a registered copy of powerDVD 12 to see 3D BD, and as per the Alienware M18X: Compatibility of HDMI output with 3D page, nothing more should be needed to see 3D BD (actually, 9.6 should be sufficient), so I do not understand why the red tag is shown also with them...

UPDATE:

nvidia has added my sony HMZ-T1 to the list of supported 3d output!

3DTV System Requirements

Effectively it require 295.51 driver with 3DTV Play Update 1.0.0.34

I will definetely give a try this evening and I will post the results!

[Mr. Fox]

I still cant see why we should have to fork out money from our own pockets to utilise functionality on hardware we already paid for, simply because the M18x doesnt come equipped with a built in 3d monitor.

How else are they going to get back all the money they (NVIDIA) spent on the last Class Action lawsuit? Coping with the Compaq CQ56-115DX - Life After the NVIDIA Settlement "The way it's meant to be played" ...right?

Sorry... couldn't resist. Still love my greens. I suppose it has something to do with what NVIDIA is willing to license and a bunch of complicated crap. They may not allow an OEM to provide it on a laptop or notebook system without a built-in 3D display.