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

[Sentinel196]

I just read about people having this same eact issue on Acer laptops with the 580M card too.

[Mr. Fox]

Do you have a link that you can share with us on the Acers you found with the same issue? I'd be interested in seeing that, bro.

[DELLChrisM]

If you are in the USA or Canada and are still getting this error message AFTER updating the VBIOS on the GTX580M, GTX560M, GTX460M, “Prototype test only. NVidia confidential. Not for production. Not for resale.", please contact the Alienware Team at the following email address -
AWCC-Resolution_Experts@Dell.com
The email address is provided for customers in the USA and Canada and it is set up to manage this repair order only. Provide the following information –
Email Address:
Name:
Shipping Address:
Phone Number:
Service Tag number:
Reason: Error = Prototype test only. NVidia confidential. Not for production. Not for resale

For customers not in the USA or Canada, please contact the regular Dell Technical Support for your region. Explain the error and that we recommend that the video card(s) should be replaced.

[lubu]

If you are in the USA or Canada and are still getting this error message AFTER updating the VBIOS on the GTX580M, GTX560M, GTX460M, “Prototype test only. NVidia confidential. Not for production. Not for resale.", please contact the Alienware Team at the following email address -
AWCC-Resolution_Experts@Dell.com
The email address is provided for customers in the USA and Canada and it is set up to manage this repair order only. Provide the following information –
Email Address:
Name:
Shipping Address:
Phone Number:
Service Tag number:
Reason: Error = Prototype test only. NVidia confidential. Not for production. Not for resale

For customers not in the USA or Canada, please contact the regular Dell Technical Support for your region. Explain the error and that we recommend that the video card(s) should be replaced.

Chris Ive already contaced the Alienware Engineering Team in Australia and they had already replaced the two video cards in my previous system, but that did not fix the problem. After a while (about 1 month) they advised me that the problem will be fixed in the coming drivers...

[Sentinel196]

I too am reluctant to contact Dell for a replacement until we have word that this is in fact a software issue and not hardware. I don't want a technician ripping apart my brand new laptop just to find the problem persists as it seems to have for everyone so far.

HERE is the link I was referring to Mr Fox. This guy has an Acer Aspire 5745DG.

[Mr. Fox]

I too am reluctant to contact Dell for a replacement until we have word that this is in fact a software issue and not hardware. I don't want a technician ripping apart my brand new laptop just to find the problem persists as it seems to have for everyone so far.

HERE is the link I was referring to Mr Fox. This guy has an Acer Aspire 5745DG.

Interesting conversation on the NVIDIA thread. Thanks for the link. Seems the NVIDIA rep is telling fstar it is a hardware problem. Even more interesting that the hardware replaced by Alienware did not fix the problem. How strange is that?

Hi,

Sorry for my poor english. I always got a red text message showing "Prototype Test Only. NVIDIA Confidential. Not For Production. Not For Release." on screen while activate 3D Stereoscopic to play 3D movies, play 3D games,
and even for 3D testing.
Is there any way to remove it? I am using Acer Aspire 5745DG laptop with driver version 280.19 beta. I was directly upgraded
from original driver from Acer. And also try to remove old driver before installing new. Thanks!

Hi

This message indicates that you have a non-production quality laptop. I suggest you return it to Acer and get a replacement.

[Sentinel196]

Yeah. Basically as it stands, Dell are asking people to reflash the vBIOS, which doesn't work, then issuing replacements cards, which also doesn't seem to be working.

It looks like either it's a driver/vBIOS bug (my guess is that the vBIOS available on the Dell website is the same engineering BIOS as ships with the cards, or all of Dell's current stock of 580m cards are engineering samples, hence why the replacements have the same issue. Or both.

I think there is a good chance that everyone with an M18x and 580m cards has the issue, but as it only shows up under certain circumstances, it's hard to test.

Have you tried enabling 3D view on your rig Mr Fox?

As for me, I am not keen to have replacement cards issued until I can be assured that the replacement cards will actually solve the issue. I have 10 days left on my money back period and if I can't get a solid answer by then, I think I'll have to ask for a refund. Part of the reason I bought this machine was to be able to play games and content in 3D. The 6990m rig simply doesn't work with 3D due to the terrible driver support, and now this problem with the 580m system.

I think it's great that Dell are taking the issue seriously and participating actively in conversations here, but we really need to try and get to the bottom of this issue BEFORE just splashing around replacement cards which don't seem to be fixing the problem. Left hand really needs to sit down and have a good chat with right hand.

[Mr. Fox]

I haven't seen evidence of this bug on my 580M cards, but I suppose it's possible that all are affected. It's interesting, to say the least.

I have not tried enabling 3D view. I don't know much about it, or how it works. Does it require a 3D display to work? If not, let me know what to do and I will test my system to see if the problem exists.

[Sentinel196]

You need to either plug in a 3D vision kit, or use the virtual driver to trick your system into thinking there is one plugged in. I'm at work right now so I can't send you the file, but you can google it.

Once you have the driver running, Stereoscopic 3D settigns will appear in the Nvidia control panel. Run through the configuration wizard and when it gets to the point of testing the display, choose the anaglyphic display option. WHen oyu click next, it will ask you to click on the pattern you see. On that screen, the "NVIDIA PROTOTYPE" message will appear if you have the problem.

For reference, I'm trying to get it working on a Samsung SA7 series 3D 120Hz display (not 3d vision certified) using the virtual driver. 3D works fine using the Tridef middleware supplied with the monitor.

[Sentinel196]

Did you get a chance to try this brother Fox?