Dell Studio 1557

in the above test 1333mhz ram is having less latency...
i think the scores have an influence of the processor... i7 handles it better than the i5 ..

whats the condition of your battery? whats the wear level of the battery
mine is 19%- i havent used much on battery power.. and i havent drained it also till now.

 

I believe 1333 is better because it have better memory bandwidth & timings. The i5 always clocked in 2660 MHz during the benchmark while the i7 is lower than that. My Asus benchmark score (3DMark06) is twice than our Dell. So, combination of hardware contributed to overall performance. However, let us not dwell into this technical stuff as long as it produced good benchmark results.

Mine still 9% for the last 10 - 11 month at least. Occasionally I drained the battery & re-charged it back. Li-Ion battery not good to be drained fully. When got warning (not the red icon, the yellow one), re-charge immediately. Now when it lower than 20%, I just re-charge it immediately. When on just the battery, I got less than 2 hours. Well, I'm not really turn off any unused device or close any unused software/service while on battery though.

 

Hi Guys

Wonder if you can help.

I'm trying to apply the firmware update for my seagate ST9320423AS 7,200 ATA drive which is making a squeaking/beetle noise!

I've downloaded the firmware update from dell site for Windows 7 professional but keep getting the message:

"cannot start or run...due to incompatibility with 64 bit version of windows. Please contact...for compatible 32 bit version."

I've downloaded seagate tools and run checks that say the hard drive is ok but surely it shouldn't be making these noises and they're driving me mad - I keep thinking the hard drive is going to fail.

Any ideas???!!!

Many thanks.

Tim

 

I assume you're talking about R250679.EXE?

Is the error happening when you try to run the R250679.EXE file? It is a self-extracting archive. If you get the error here, you have a corrupted download (I just downloaded it and tried it, and it works). Try using a different web browser or selecting a different download method (browser vs. download manager).

If you are getting the error when you try to run the FDLH.EXE file that was extracted from the archive, you need to run it from an MS-DOS environment, not Windows. There's also an ISO image in there which you can burn to a CD, which may be easier than trying to set up a bootable USB key w/ MS-DOS and this update utility on it.

P.S. - I'd suggest making sure you have a current backup of the drive's contents, just in case something goes wrong.

 

Hi Terry

Thanks for your answer. I've tried both methods, firstly from making the bootable disc (which didn't give me the error message and said it had been successful) so I thought I'd try it from a USB drive to see if that cured it.

Basically applying the firmware upgrade hasn't cured the problem so I'm stumped what to do next!

Regards

Tim

 

Is the system still under warranty?

 

No It ran out Nov. 2010

 

Well, your choice would be to either live with it until it fails (make sure you make frequent backups) or pro-actively replace it. Newegg lists a large number of 320GB 7200RPM drives for $49 to $79. You could also go larger or smaller, depending on your needs.

Note that some software, like Adobe products, uses the drive serial number as part of their activation scheme, so replacing the hard drive will require you to re-activate the software. To be safe, I'd suggest deactivating any software that allows it and then re-activating once you copy your system to the new drive.

 

Hi Terry

Thanks for the advice and I'll let you know how I get on...

 

Yeah those seagate drives are notorious for being loud,hot and clunky.I had one in my first 1557.The hotfix did nothing either.

I got lucky with my replacement 1557 it has a WD scorpio black 7200rpm.

Smooth drive I must say.

 

These are modified BIOS image for Dell Studio 1557. It is based on BIOS A08. Use it at your own risk. I will not responsible for any problem.

###################################################
(UPDATE 23 April 2011)
This is new BIOS image, based on BIOS A09 - Use at your own risk!:-
Dell Studio 1557 R301433_A09 MOD.rar
( MD5: 650FFEAEC29A11EF39E5D104938EFA31)

• Unlocked hidden options.
• Updated microcode for CPUID 0106E5h from Rev 3 (29 Mei 2009) to Rev 4 (05 April 2010).

###################################################

###################################################
(UPDATE 18 February 2011)
This is new BIOS image with minor changes:-

• Fixed the "Item Specific Help"'s text not properly wrap
• BIOS recovery package included (Crisis Recovery Disk Dell 1557 BIOS A04)

Use it at your own risk!
Dell Studio 1557 A08 MOD_FIXED.rar
(MD5: B483D0488C00E52C7F5AA0D4FC9488DA)
Modified BIOS files:-

• 1557_A08_MOD_FIXED.WPH - Unlocked hidden options (CRC32: BDABC738)
• 1557_A08_OC_720_900_FIXED.WPH - Unlocked hidden options + GPU O/C Core 720MHz Memory 900MHz (CRC32: 75DE3AB6)
• 1557_A08_OC_750_850_FIXED.WPH - Unlocked hidden options + GPU O/C Core 750MHz Memory 850MHz (CRC32: A4E8A650)
• 1557_A08_OC_800_880_FIXED.WPH - Unlocked hidden options + GPU O/C Core 800MHz Memory 880MHz (CRC32: C2795118)
• 1557_A08_OC_800_NC_FIXED.WPH - Unlocked hidden options + GPU O/C Core 800MHz Memory Stock (CRC32: 4DDC6734)

Note: O/C = Overclock

Previous modified BIOS (e.g. Intel SpeedStep Menu):-


New modified BIOS (e.g. Intel SpeedStep Menu):-


###################################################
(OLD MODIFIED BIOS)
Dell Studio 1557 A08 MOD.rar

OneCool Special Request (Core 720, Memory 900): Dell Studio 1557 A08 OneCool MOD.rar
- Use it at your own risk.

1557_A08_MOD.WPH (CRC-32 7EF4E948):-
- Unlocked hidden options in BIOS menu

1557_A08_OC_750_850.WPH (CRC-32 67B78820):-
- Unlocked hidden options in BIOS menu
- ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4570 Overclocked - Core Clock 750MHz, Memory Clock 850MHz

1557_A08_OC_800_880.WPH (CRC-32 01267F68):-
- Unlocked hidden options in BIOS menu
- ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4570 Overclocked - Core Clock 800MHz, Memory Clock 880MHz

1557_A08_OC_800_NC.WPH (CRC-32 8E834944):-
- Unlocked hidden options in BIOS menu
- ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4570 Overclocked - Core Clock 800MHz, Memory Clock is not changed
###################################################

Screenshots of unlocked hidden options in BIOS menu:-

Please make sure your notebook can recover corrupted BIOS with CRISIS disk before flashing BIOS with this modified BIOS image. I will not responsible for any problem. Good luck.

 

That's fantastic! Can you do this for the 1558 BIOS A11? Personally, I'm only interested in the unlocked menus and not the overclocking (though others probably are).

While you're in there , can you see if there is a "HDD Delay" or similar option available? Some 1558's (depending on CPU) are problematic with Crucial C300 SSDs, sometimes not detecting the drive (a control-alt-delete will usually detect it).

 

Sure. PM me or post a request at my Phoenix BIOS Mod Request thread (link at my signature).

There are options for SATA port (enable/disable & other sorts of options). I'll look into it when I got the BIOS file.

This is risky. So, make sure your notebook can recover corrupted BIOS with CRISIS disk or any other method. CRISIS disk & BIOS recovery should work on Dell Studio though.

 

hello kiz,
is the overclocking stable (how it affects the powerplay and stuff)
.... and how different is it from the oc by riva tuner..
what abt temperature, stability and all ...

any thing else about this mod , like anything related to i7 and its tweaks..

any ways to reduce temperatures without affecting the performance..

great work anyway..

 

Can you confirm disabling HyperThreading works?

That should drop temps some


BTW great job!!

 

Well couldnt wait so I flashed mine with the 750/850

All is good.GPU works great.If a 3D app is on it runs at 750/846.


As for the HyperThreading.


Its weird.When I disable it and boot to windows it only shows a single core CPU running at 2.8ghz constant not 4 cores


Strange.

I had no problems flashing BTW.

Great job kizwan

 

The overclock based on my overclock settings; most maximum & stable clocks I can get - tested with rivatuner a while ago. The different with this way & when using overclock software is with BIOS overclock, it doesn't stay on overclocks' clock all the time, it will throttle down to lower clock when it is not needed, just like you got with original BIOS. This is because I only change the highest/3D clock. I leave everything else as default value. I haven't played any games yet but basically in regular usage the temperature doesn't change, just like with original BIOS. The temps only increase when you played games - maybe 3C to 5C more than normal. It should be stable if your 4570 support the overclocks' clock.

Yes, I can confirm HyperTrading option does work. I just tried it now:-

I also can confirm it does cool down the CPU's temps.

From all options, I interested with the Fan control (Thermal Configuration) & VT-d. I don't know yet what software utilize VT-d. When I enabled VT-d & disabled HyperThreading earlier, when I save the settings, the notebook automatically turned off. I believe when VT-d enabled/disabled, it require power cycle for it to take effect, just like VT-x. There is also memory options which one of 'em control memory speed (800, 1066, 1333 & 1600). I haven't tested myself all of the options. In case your notebook doesn't boot after changing something in the sub-menu, clear CMOS by disconnecting the CMOS battery near the wireless & memory module.

 

That is weird. Did you change settings for Speedstep or Turbo Mode or Core Multi-Processing?

If you benchmark now, I believe you'll get higher score since it run constantly at 2.8GHz.

 

Didnt change anything else.Just disabled HT.

I get this



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

 

I'm able to re-create the same result here but after I disabled HT & set Core Multi-Processing to 1 core.


Good to see it reached 2.8GHz.

 

Well I have something wrong.

Now with HT enabled it only shows 2 cores.

Its going to be a long night.....

 

Ohh, boy! Try load default if you haven't tried it yet.

 

All is good now.

I did a reflash with the same BIOS and everything is good.


Disabled HT and bingo 4 cores


Now I just need a BIOS set up for GPU

720 core and 900 mem

I can run 750 on the core but thats cutting close for me but my memory can run 950 all day.Plus with the 64bit bandwidth higher memory speed helps the most.

When you get time

 

Mine can get 800 on the core & run stable. Mine can only go up to 880 on the memory though. I thought 750 & 850 on Core & Memory respectively already covered for all people. OK. I'll look into it. I'll let you know when it is ready.

 

Have you tried overclocking with MSI's Afterburner?

I used Rivatuner at first and could only get about 710/875.

Afterburner worked better for me but it will lockup the computer on occasion.

I found that evertime you want to overclock with it restart your computer and open Afterburner before you do anything else after the reboot.

 

I already tried that but can't go beyond 880. Your BIOS is on the way. I just need to double-check the modified VBIOS (core 720, memory 900). FYI, I use RBE (Radeon BIOS Editor v1.27) from Techpowerup to modify it. Your modified BIOS will be ready soon. (In a couple of minutes or hours)

 

Hi OneCool,

Your BIOS is ready here. Use it at your own risk. Good luck.

 

@OneCool,

I just tried myself the modified BIOS I made for you.

 

Sweet!!!!!!!!!!

I cant rep you again but you deserve it Thanks

 

hello kiz, oc
does this way of gpu overclock have any advantages/dis advantages compared to software based oc.
any change in benchmarks and temperature levels,

what about mending the core i7 with the hyper threading, turbo boost ( heard its cooler) any significant effect on performance??
all together whats the best recommended setting (for the studio, might vary but suggest)

 

Hi altoster,

The advantages is with modified BIOS you don't need to use 3rd party software anymore. Also with the modified BIOS, the core & memory clock won't stay at full speed all the time. PowerPlay still in effect. When using RivaTuner or MSI AfterBunner, the clocks stay at what you set until reboot or when you lowered it manually. The temperature will be increased around 5C when on full load. Idle temp still the same. I haven't run any benchmark yet.

Yes, I can confirmed when Hyper Threading is disabled, CPU run much cooler. For performance the default settings already good. 8 core vs 4 core, of course 8 core will triumph over 4 core most of the time (this depend on the applications compatibility - how many cores it utilized). If you prefer speed, I believed the best setting are; disabled Hyper Threading & set only 1 core for " Core Multi-Processing". With only 1 core you can achieved full speed which is 2.8GHz.

 

Right now I'm using modified BIOS with Core Clock 800 & Memory Clock 880 & I got 4871 with 3DMark06.
Result

The benchmark score should be similar with the score when using software to overclock.

 

Wow, this is crazy. Is there any chance you can come up with modified BIOS for older Studio 15s as well?

 

If you're willing to take the risk, I will mod it for you. If you want it, please post a request at my Phoenix BIOS Mod thread (link at my signature) including the download link to your Studio 15's BIOS file.

 

I am. But the older Studio 15s have the older ATI 3450 cards. Am I allowed to request things like, overclocking the maximum multiplier for the GPU while requesting for undervolting the first multiplier?

I was going to post this in your Phoenix BIOS thread, but since my questions are still Studio 15 specific, I'd thought I'd post here. Sorry.

 

You can request anything & I'll look into it. If it is not possible, I'll let you know. I believe I can't do undervolting since RBE (Radeon BIOS Editor) do not support voltage mod on older ATI GPU's VBIOS. Make sure the overclock's values (Core & Memory Clock) has been tested on your Studio 15's.

There is no problem posting here since you also have Studio 15 notebook. So, don't worry about it.

 

Hi Kizwan. Thanks for the reply. If you can come up with a custom BIOS for me, that'd be great. I think the only changes I'm "requesting" is to increase the clock and memory speed of the GPU at max multiplier. The current values are 500 Mhz for both GPU clock and the GPU Memory Clock. If you can increase the values to 620 Mhz for the GPU clock and 540Mhz for the memory clock, I'd really appreciate it.

Here's the link to the Studio 1535 BIOS.

Drivers and Downloads

 

@Xiphias,

The modified BIOS will be ready as soon as possible.

 

Thank you! Take your time, there really is no rush. I wish I could offer you more than just my word of thanks, but yeah, thanks =)

 

hello kiz,
i have been wondering what all will go wrong if we use this modified bios( i meant how safe it is) and will void the warranty of the system.. i would like to use it .. though i have plenty of warranty left( 3 years more)

what all are the dos and dont's reccomendations from xperts..

 

Since your notebook still under warranty, I recommend do not use the modified BIOS.

Regarding how safe it is; it is actually risky to flash BIOS. There are 50-50 chances it will bricked your notebook for a lot of reason (do you remember while ago I bricked mine while updating BIOS with official BIOS file?). This risk can be eliminated or reduced if BIOS recovery with CRISIS disk works, like our Studio 1557.

 

thanks kiz,
i will stick on to the official bios. by the way will there be any sort of updates( bios and others) coming for this studio model. since studio model is stopped. is there a need of new bios... ( i think the its more or what stable now..)
previously there were some issue with power adapter being 90w which was insufficient (dont know for sure,)

 

I don't think there will be new BIOS for our studio.

If our notebook lack of power because of the 90W adapter, our notebook will be unstable. But our notebook have overheating problem, mainly GPU which doesn't look like lack of power at all. Basically, when more power supplied or used, it will produced more heat. If there is not enough power, our notebook will not suffer overheat, instead it will become unstable (BSOD, crashed, power cut-off, etc).

 

BTW, the day I post the modified BIOS images, is the day my warranty expired.

 

I have PM you. Just in case you didn't get any notification.

 

Hi guys,

As you already know the modified BIOS menu is a bit annoying like these:-



Good news! I have fixed the above problem:-



The new modified BIOS image can be found at post #1711. Use at your own risk!

kizwan

 

Yes that is annoying.

Did you fix all of them or just the one you posted kizwan?

 

I have fixed all of them. With original BIOS, there is no "Item Specific Help" box in Advanced section. In the first modified BIOS, I accidentally enabled the "Item Specific Help" box. I have corrected it in the new modified BIOS.

Beside the Advanced section, I have to removed the help text from 3 options/menu:-
- Virtualization
- Speedstep
- USB Emulation
These three options are common, no need help text. The name itself self-explanatory.

 

Nice!

Thanks kizwan

 

Working great here...thanks kiz.

Somebody rep him...i cant


kiz have you tried setting your ram to 1600 yet?


When I do it just down clocks it too 1333 CL9 but at when I set it to 1066 it sets the CL7

Im guessing the ram just wont do it.