L502X modded bioses download (GPU voltages and more!)

@mtan6

hey
well,A10 works fine for me, you can allways try and check by yourself wich version feel more confortable to you ^^, keep in mind my bios packages allow to rollback to similar or previus versions , you can choose the script file to install moded or original bios, your choice , dont worry about flashing, i flashed a lot of times and my laptop still fine

just keep the battery charged and the power pluged in allways while flashing

 

I haven't used this website in ages, and just wanted to login today to give my most sincere thank you for this thread and these mods.

I was in the Guild Wars 2 beta last weekend, and couldn't play for the 1st 2 days, because my XPS kept crashing after 10minutes of playing. Google lead me to this thread, and it fixed everything for me with the recommended 540m mod. I was able to play the 3rd day of the Beta perfectly, and have you guys to thank <3 Thank you so much capitankasar. Keep up the good work

 

@oburger

glad to know this fixed your crashing issues

also thank you very much for the feedback and your nice coments ^_^

added to first post

 

This is an instant fix for the GT540M GPU crashing problem which is so rampant on the L502X. I'm using your modded A10 BIOS undervolted to 0.85V and no crashes yet!

Thank you so much!

 

@Aurum

added you to the first post ^_^

glad you liked it, and thanks a lot for the feedback.

 

Been using your modded A10 BIOS undervolted to 0.85V for a couple of weeks with zero crashes. I have played Dota2,CS:GO, Starcraft2, Heroes of Newerth for hours and hours and ran 3dmark06 multiply times and no problems at all.

I am running the CPU at 99% and over clocked the GPU 540M to 740, 1480 and 952. CPU temps are always below 80c and GPU below 70c with this setup. Thank you so much Capitankasar!

 

@Izno

pleased to help you

nice temps and stability you have over there , is impressive how good can become this laptop with a little of tweaking

thanks for the feedback, added you to the first post

 

Howdy folks, new guy here.

First off, massive thanks to capitankasar for all the effort that (s)he's put into making these custom BIOSes. I came here basically looking to either permanently or enable at will my M525 on my L502X.

The flash to A10 went without a hitch but I'm basically not familiar with GFX card functionality on the whole, without going through the entire thread (and I assume I've just missed something obvious anyway that the more tech-savvy would take for granted), I basically want to know how to do it enable it?

I'm not overly fussed about modifying the voltages and GPU speeds manually, I just want to be able to do desktop stuff with the M525 enabled (I know this can reduce its life but I'm not overly bothered).

Hope someone can help.

 

I'm not 100% certain that this method will do it, but it's been mentioned before so I figure it's one possible solution.

In the nVidia Control Panel, go to the 3D Settings -> Manage 3D Settings. Inside that there is a "Global Settings" tab and in that tab you should see the "Preferred graphics processor". Set that to "High performance NVIDIA" and save the setting.

I think that will tell the GPU that anytime you run a GPU-based process, it will automatically use the nVidia GPU and not the Intel iGPU.

HTH!

 

Thanks, but I've already tried that and no joy unfortunately. Even Sonic Generations can't detect the 525 (although I'm not bothered as it's only a demo). But I want to be able to access the 525 at will basically to take advantage of the extra processing power when I'm even just using desktop applications, as I like to have a LOT of things running at the same time and a lot of tabs in my browser.

 

@SyG

huge thanks for your nice comments

glad you liked it ^_^

well, hopefully or sadly, this is an optimus based laptop, this means the nvidia gpu will only be used on apps you manually set to use it, or some apps wich come by default with nvidia drivers, such as most of games.

I also have preffered gpu set to nvidia in my control panel, however, I was unable to get the nvidia control panel working with the windows aero stuff at the desktop, however in most cases intel graphics will be fine for that.

I found way more annoying firefox and nvidia card, cause with intel graphics it run with no crashes but slow sometimes, and with the nvidia card, it run nice, but after a while it crash , maybe that can be fixed with the new driver relase.

I found that you cant force some apps at the nvidia control panel, since the gpu option is as a grey option and it isnt changeable

however you can do a small trick with a program named nvidiainspector linked at the first post of this topic

after open the app, click on a button with a wrench tools icon.


then look for an app named windows explorer or windows aero (im not sure about this part since I did long time ago)

the option you must change is "enable application for optimus"

and set the option to shim_rendering_mode_enable

then apply changes and open the nvidia control panel and select the app executable, you should be able to select nvidia gpu now.

then restart the app you are interested on running optimus and it will be fine.

however, sadly , the windows aero stuff crashed inmidiatly with this config, so I switched back to intel graphics at the desktop

 

Thanks, so am I right in saying that it will run Firefox through the Nvidia card if I configure it right?

(I can handle the Aero being done through the Intel one... but that would mean they are running both at once for one screen so I'm a bit confused :s)

Other than the GFX card issues, the L502X is a good little laptop isn't it? I was hesitant about getting Dell but someone forwarded me to their refurbs and I got an i5 with 6GB RAM and 500GB HDD for £410 delivered and it is literally a completely new refurb, even down to the protective plastic covers! One of the best investments I ever made! I've been getting into PC gaming a lot these past few months (I'm a Nintendo otherwise), Portal 2 being my favourite!

 

Oops, accidental duplicate.

 

thanks for the modded bios, i have the GT540, so ill try

because when playing some graphics heavy games, the game crashes and the sound loops. will post results!

 

i'am back. i tried SYNDICATE or med-high setting and after 20-30 mins it still crashes. now i dont know what else to do.

FYI:my warranty died because i got the 1-year warranty from dell.

 

How warm is it? A repaste might help if it get way too warm.

 

quite warm, didn't did a temp check while playing the game, but on prime95 on torture test it got to 83c. already repaste using this. IC Essential E1 - Cooler Master - Leading Provider of Computer Case | Cooler | Power Supply

 

Hi there i had this issue from 2 mouths a goo i tought my laptop over heats ( i7 2720 qm 6 gb 700 gb nvidia 540 gt 2 gb 1080 full hd) i bought a cooler master u2 pad stilll freezez and i searched and searched and found u i have made the AM10 bios to 0.83v and 0.85 v and now it runs NO PROBLEM DO THIS UPDATE IF ut pc does the freeze thinghy that the NVDIA AND DELL SUPORT teams didnt fix and this guy fixed IT Thanq man for thehelp .

 

@SyG

intel gpu is allways enabled, it is directly conected to the internal screen and the minidisplay port, so unless you are using the hdmi port wich is directly connected to the nvidia card, you will be allways using intel graphics.

however, the intel graphics can use the nvidia gpu to render frames and show the final frames with the intel graphics

l502x is a good laptop as far I know, it have some small issues for some people but it should be fine, specially using those bioses.

@huharain

thanks, will add you as tester


@alade

glad to know your problem got fixed, will add you to the first post too ^_^

 

hi again, just confirming, the max core temp while playing SYNDICATE is 82c. is that dangerously high?

@capitankasar

youre welcome!

 

I wouldn't say that it's dangerously high, but it is IIRC ~5C higher than I've been able to push mine.
I'm waiting for some Arctic Silver 5 before I repaste and remove dust filter. I expect that'll bring mine down 5-10C.

 

but before i repaste i think i got bout 90C-ish when playing games. and the fan was going all out, but that dont bother me much, just wear a solid headphones and the sound just drowns away.

 

@huharain
82º should be fine compared with most default temps for those cards, however there is allways room for improvement if you want ot keep your laptop as cool as the ice

while repasting did you removed the dust filter?

I dont own a cooling pad, however I picked four small metal things and placed them under the four computer feets to lift it a little over the desk improving the airflow, it maybe save 1 or two ºC, anyway 82 is fine.

I highly doubt about any xps with stock configurations (non modded bios or hardware) will lower the temps that much.

mine is arround 75-78ºC when playing games usually. (i3-2310m + 525m running at 540m clock speeds 0.83v/0.83v)

 

owhh, thanks for the tips kasar! i use the cooler master notepal U2. which is exactly is this "dust filter"? when repasting i already dust busted every nook and crammy possible. owh yeah, as right now, it doesnt crashes when i play games(and i just finished SYNDICATE a few hours ago )

 

There's a thingy in the air intake that reduces the airflow.

 

yeah, that thingy looks like a black sticker with some vent holes, it is located under the cpu cooler, by removing that sticker you improve the airflow a lot

 

okay! thanks for the advices @capitankasar and @ximenez! gonna do that if the temps are still on going to reach 80++.

 

guys, need your help(again), i dont know what i did wrong but the problems(game crashing) reappear. i still using the same modded bios. any ideas to do solve this?

 

@huharain

the undervolted modded bios fixes the crashes in most cases.

anyway in some cases it only improves it, reducing the ammount of crashes, but they still happening.

in that case you will need to underclock the gpu core a little.

undercloking the core will decrease the performance, but its better to lose 1 or two fps at the game instead have to reboot the whole machine cuz of the crashes

 

underclocking the gpus? using MSI afterburner right? okayokay, i'll try that and i'll post results.

 

If undervolting and underclocking still doesn't fix it; I would urge Dell to replace the motherboard if under warranty (or do it yourself if your confident)

If it's out of warranty, try and say the problem existed before the warranty expired.

 

looking at your sig, looks like you've had my problems before. what did you do to solve it, other than repasting, and using the modded bios?

 

Yep, that's all I did, re-paste and under-volt.

I didn't have the crashing as bad as some people (like yourself); only oddly enough occurring in some games.

The under-volted BIOS isn't a guaranteed fix, but it has helped quite a few people. If you have to resort to underclocking the GPU so it doesn't crash, I'm sure you have the right for a MB replacement.

I would also suggest that you recheck all your drivers if you haven't done so already.

PS Have you done any overclocking recently?

 

the crashing will only ever happen to me running directx 9 games i can clock my card to about 816 for directx 9 games anything after that causes a crash after about 15 minutes of gameplay but direct x 11 games like rage i can clock my card up to 850 and run it for hours without any issues its definately an issue our cards have with processing directx 9 im sure of it

 

^^Pretty much the same. Dx9 would generally kill it.

 

just downloaded MSI afterburner,so never OC my GPU before this. so after underclocked my core clock to 650, it still crashed, but took way more time to crash. also i ran realtemp on background to sound alarm if reach 85c. oddly enough, it didnt even reach 85c. and worse of all, malaysian dell services sucks.

@daryld1988 what is 816? the core clock,memory clock or shader clock?

 

@huharain the 816 is for the core clock this is all i can run my directx 9 games at before they would crash but can run my direct x 11 games at a much higher clock such as 850 without any crashes whatsoever, guess i can only hope for the majority of newer games to be directx 11, such a shame that 1 of the greatest games of the year skyrim is only direct x 9 n causes my laptop to crash on higher than 816 clock

 

@huharain

if underclocking improved the situation, underclock more, try 630.

anyway it seems that the only way to fix your issue is at the cost of performance, I would consider a replacement since you paid more for 540m speed, and you are almost at the 525m clock speeds and crashing

 

a replacement? just askin, because the problem only occur when i am plying games and i need my laptop for university. being a student i am not that rich and this laptop was a gift from a rich uncle. maybe i'll just live by, and use a seriously underclocked GPU to settle everyday gaming. thanks everybody!

 

@huhurain

I mean , if your machine still under warranty, you may get a motherboard replacement for free.

you would keep the same machine, but in a acceptable working condition.

I have my 525m working over 540m speeds without a single crash and I'm happy with it, however having a 540m underclocked to 525m speeds is a little shame I think.

yeah, I know you can live with it, but if your machine still under warranty, you lose nothing by getting another motherboard with a GPU wich will work at stock speeds without issues.

your choice

 

well thats just the thing. its not. i got only one year of warranty on this laptop and it just died a few months ago. well, thats just my luck i guess. why it took me so long for the urge to fix this damn laptop.

 

but thats just the thing, my warranty died a few months ago. looks like i gonna use this for university work and stuff.

 

ahh, sorry for overposting.

 

As i said, If you feel that it is worth the trouble, give 'em a call and complain how the problem had persisted before the warranty expired. (no guarantee though)

I am sure that this crashing would have been in underlying existence before the end of the warranty period.

Cheers

 

Hi there,
I've just read that the modified BIOS for XPS 15 l502x supports VT-x (i think there is option in BIOS->Virtualization->Enabled/Disabled), I would like to ask whether it is available for this notebook BIOS support for VT-D (hardware based virtualization) or whether the gurus who have modified the BIOS, preparing or doing work on this feature. Thank you!

(I've read XPS 1645 have this enabled after some work on BIOS, it has to be possible here too, assume i have VT-D enabled CPU.)

 

@Berserker_cz

huh? where did you read that?


well, I admit hardware virtualization mods to enchance or improve the features of this laptop would be awesome.

but, as for the moment, I just modified GPU voltages, bios tittle and nothing else.

I remember I asked for some help at the bios-mod forums some time ago, and the topic became inactive.

that fact plus this is the first time I tried something like modding the bios (a thing I'm not an expert at) , limited a lot the tasks I can do at this little project.

also my free time decreased a lot latelly.

so as for the moment, I can only relase GPU voltage modded bios for this laptop.

 

I pointed him in your direction because I know you mod the 502x. There's a way to mod the 1645 to enable extra options in the BIOS menu, which include enabling VT-d.

I assume that the 502x uses a Phoenix BIOS? If so, Kizwan could likely modify the BIOS to enable the hidden options. Check out his thread here: http://forum.notebookreview.com/acer/480992-acer-laptop-phoenix-bios-bios-mod-request.html All he would need is your BIOS's TEMPLAT00.ROM module, though it is possible that because the 502x uses UEFI that you can't modify it this way like the old Phoenix BIOS's. Kizwan would know better than I.

 

I think that the l502x is UEFI (or was it UEFI capable? -idk lol). Nonetheless, will be good to give it a try!

 

Anyone try the new 301.42 drivers. It seems to force my card to use 1V during 3d speed setting no matter which BIOS version I use.

 

How curious - same here. I will report back to see if temperatures are affected.

EDIT: The voltage went back down to 0.85v after a bit or when I started a game (not sure which). Have never seen 1V reported unless I had the over volt modded BIOS. So long as it stays down at 0.85v, I'm happy.