Complete lock up (No BSOD) while playing games

I don't know what the minimum requirements for the game are but I doubt that the GT540 has any balls to play any of those games, it seems to me that the graphics are more for the casual internet browser youtube streams and that is it.

Then again, you said you have been playing those games with no problems, and if after doing a clean install the problem still persists, perhaps the lappy is all but done for?

Saurabh A said:

Hi Jfonta3,

Thank you for the reply. Good that you attempted a fresh 'Windows re-install'.

Please share the following details:
- Current BIOS version installed in the unit (to verify the current BIOS version, click 'Start' > Type 'msinfo32' in 'Search Programs and Files' text box > Tap 'Enter' > Capture the current 'BIOS version' from the system details)
- Current 'Video driver' (Did you install the 'video driver' from 'nVidia website' or from 'Dell support website'? Please mention details of the 'display driver' that you've used; you may give the 'download link')
- Do you experience similar issues while playing any other game also?

'AstaLaVista' has 'pointed at' the capability of 'GTX 525/540' to handle the game; I checked the 'System Requirements' of 'Final Fantasy XI' and found that the this card does not find a place in the list of 'recommended GPUs from nVidia'. However, since you've been playing this game in the past with the same equipment without problems, the 'hardware' should suffice even now.

Do reply with the details; would be glad to assist.

-BIOS Version/Date Dell Inc. A12, 9/7/2012
-Name NVIDIA GeForce GT 540M
Driver Version 9.18.13.1070
Name Intel(R) HD Graphics Family
Driver Version 8.15.10.2342
-Out of curiosity, I put Diablo 3 in and played it for over an hour and had no issues (much more visually demanding game.)

As for the video card not being on the list for FFXI, it's a 8~ish year old game, and Ive been playing it for almost 2 on this laptop and have not had issues thus far, so I dont think it's too demanding for the card.

Please let me know if this is the information you needed and I'll be happy to provide whatever else you need to know if it can help me fix this issue :)

Thank you again

I don't get it, you have an Nvidia Graphics card, yet, you are using an Intel HD Graphics driver????

Here's a direct link to Nvidia's latest driver for your Card... Drivers | GeForce

Geforce 310.70 drivers

Ive noticed that I can't switch my main laptop display to be with the nVidia, but when I plug my TV in, the option for nVidia appears, but I still can't make my laptop display appear under it's section.
(Picture attached)

AstaLaVista said:

I don't get it, you have an Nvidia Graphics card, yet, you are using an Intel HD Graphics driver????

Here's a direct link to Nvidia's latest driver for your Card... Drivers | GeForce

Geforce 310.70 drivers

I downloaded this driver and was able to play for ~3hours before a freeze happened again. Are we on the right track, or does this point to something else, like overheating or something?

I think that regardless of whether it is or it isn't a heat problem (I also assume that it is) I would suggest the purchase of a cooling pad... your legs and laptop will thank you for it!

Since you are able to play 'Diablo 3' without any problem, it is likely that 'nVIDIA's default settings' may not produce optimum results with 'Final Fantasy 11' by design. It may be an issue between 'nVidia GPU' and 'Final Fantasy 11'. I shared in my previous post that 'GTX 540' is not listed as a viable card for running 'Final Fantasy 11'. Rename the default filename of 'Final Fantasy 11' in your system to something else; if it is 'ffxi config.exe', try renaming it as 'ffxi config-optimus.exe' (or anything else); and add it from the 'nVIDIA control panel' to be run on 'discrete GPU'. This 'work-around' may help.

Also share if the laptop gets 'overheated' or produces 'abnormal noise'. The BIOS version shared by you is the latest version available (A12); however has a different 'release date'. Please check the following link and verify the details: Driver Details | Dell United States

If the issue persists, please try the following steps:
1. Check NVIDIA GPU activity monitor: Please check the activity monitor designed for NVIDIA GPU. It will give us a good idea about the way GPU behaves while you use the laptop with this game. You may want to refer to the following NVIDIA article for exact details: TAKE A LOOK: NEW OPTIMUS INTERFACE

2. Though mentioned in the NVIDIA article and shown in the video, let me reiterate; please right click the 'game shortcut' and select 'NVIDIA GPU' in 'open with' menu option to launch a game

3. Try using the NVIDIA Optimus test tool. It reflects the working status of discrete GPU; tells if it is functional on top of the onboard card. Though this test is designed to test 'Alienware computers' with 'Optimus technology', you may try using it on your laptop. Please check the following webpage link on Dell website for detailed information on the 'test tool': NVIDIA Optimus Test Tool | Dell

Hope this helps. Do reply with the findings; would be glad to assist.[/FONT]

Dell XPS L502x
1.) I changed my .exe file's name and readded it to the Nvidia control panel.
2.) Ive been running a program called 'Speedfan' to monitor my internal temps, and they are ~45C idle, but get up in the 80'sC while running the game. I put an external fan blowing and was able to play for ~45min (not a significant improvement). The laptop does not run abnormally loud (I honestly don't know if it has more than 1 fan).
3.) The nVidia monitor was "On" the whole time, and said that it was in control of FFXI while I was playing.
4.) I opened the game via your instruction in the "Open with.." menu

So far, no change in performance. I still freeze up while playing, the time playing varies, but the end result is the same. Im looking into getting a cooling pad (any suggestions) to see if that would help.

Got anything else I could try?