Lenovo W520 Owner's Thread

Seems to be the ThinkPad Power Manager program causing this. When that's removed, but the ThinkPad Power Management Driver is left installed, it seems to work just fine.

Am I losing anything by not installing the program? (besides the nice charge/discharge time icon) Is this a known conflict with something?

 

My bad, I thought you were referring to Internet Explorer.

Regarding Power Manager, I have never seen or heard of the issue you describe but lets double check a thing or two. Did you install the following?

BIOS v1.36
Intel Chipset drivers
Lenovo Power Management driver v1.64
Lenovo Power Manager v3.66

 

Yep. Right now I'm on BIOS 1.37, v1.64 for the PM driver, and I WAS using the latest version of the Power Manager software. I uninstalled JUST the power manager software this morning, and the machine has been working perfectly all day so far. Is there some other dependency with another Lenovo software? The only other software I had installed at the time I noticed these problems with Office 2010, and CoreTemp & a CPU monitor widget.

 

Someone else will need to answer that definitively. I think it has a .Net Framework 3.5 dependency but I am not positive.

I would remove CoreTemp and the CPU monitor widget then re-install Power Manager 3.66. You want Power Manager.

 

I'm running the install now. We'll see if that was the conflict. On a related note, is there any reason to install RapidBoot and Active Protection since I'm using an SSD? What about installing the Lenovo-branded video drivers vs the Nvidia and Intel versions?

 

Well, I think I found the problem. The Lenovo Update software was installing an old version of Power Manager. I went and downloaded those updates directly and installed them, and it seems to have fixed the problem. Power Manager started right up on boot (previously it would never appear), and it hasn't hung so far!

 

Where did you get BIOS 1.37 from?

The latest BIOS I could find here: Drivers and software - ThinkPad W520 is 1.36

 

That was a mistake on my part because I looked at the wrong area of my repository. I decided to leave it as is to see if anyone was really paying attention.

Regarding the Lenovo Software Update util installing the wrong version of Power Manager, please stop installing that tool. It is banned in my company for a reason. Anyone buying a W520 should have enough technical acumen to look at the list of drivers at support.lenovo.com. and figure out the core drivers needed. At least that is my opinion.

 

What do you mean by "third-party two-finger-scrolling handler" ?
I didn't know such a thing existed! Because the two finger scrolling with the current software is just two sensitive.

What are you using?

 

I normally do all the installs myself, but I had really good luck with that tool on a friends x130e, so I thought I'd give it a shot. Obviously I won't be doing that again.

Question - Are the RapidBoot and shock protection tools worthwhile for anything if you're on an SSD? Doesn't seem to have any impact on boot speeds for the first, and can't see how it'd help anything for the second..

 

I found these first boot videos on youtube

Lenovo Unboxed: ThinkPad W520 laptop - YouTube
ThinkPad T510 (Unboxing + Setup, Part 2) - YouTube

Do 1st boots differ much?

I know if I order now I can't opt out of the Office offer preload, so I'll have to count that in.
But I can choose to have no AV software.

Another question:
As long as the Thinkvantage tools are still there in Windows, you'll be able to make recovery discs to do a "factory reset" right?
(I'm just trying to consider how badly someone else can screw up a 1st boot on your new machine)

Thanks in advance.

 

Nope they're not worthwhile.

 

Shock protection might be helpful if you have an HDD as a secondary drive.

 

You won't lose anything on the first boot. You can opt-in or opt-out of the anti-virus offer. Same for Office 2010. Unless your partners has your credit card and signs you up, no worries.

I opt-out of both.

The factory disk creation process will not be disturbed. You can build them from the control panel applet when you get your hands on the machine.

 

thanks. you guys have been really helpful.

 

Hopefully a simple question:

Is there a way to find what program is using the Nvidia card?

I just did a restore onto my SSD, I wasn't having this issue before but in the power manager the little Nvidia logo is showing that it's on. All the time! I can't figure out what's using it... Thanks

 

"Better" Sound

I have no actual tests to back this up, just how the laptop sounds to my ears, but it's a marked improvement over how my system sounds.

If you right click the volume icon near the clock, and click "playback devices", in the new window that opened click on your speakers then click on properties in the lower left. In the new window that opens, click on the "enhancements" tab and make sure "Loudness Equalization" is checked. Click apply and close out of the windows.

Like I said, I have no hard evidence that this makes the laptop sound better, but for my ears it's a huge improvement. I hope this helps someone out!

 

Yes. This "trick" has been mentioned here and there. I use it and the sound does come out "better" to my humble ears.

 

Are you positive the BIOS is set to Optimus?

 

I just checked, yes it is.

I also tried to close as many processes until it turned off but with no luck.

 

How do you determine which GPU is being used? Does intel or nvidia have a monitor app?

Last question, are you docked?

If someone has a link to a reliable Optimus monitor, let me know.

 

There is an option in the NVIDIA control panel until the desktop menu to place a tray icon to display processes that are using the dGPU.

 

Got it. Thanks!

In my case, the T420 Optimus chipset is using the NVDIA dGPU for FireFox and the DisplayPort connection because I am docked using a U2711.

 

Hi sgogeta4 thanks for the reply. Sorry it took me so long to write back but i couldn't find this thread again! Thanks!

 

Not docked

Found it! But it's just made me a bit more confused:

http://db.tt/iJkrXy7s screenshot

The gpu activity usually says "none" unless I have the power manager open. Then as you can see from the screenshot it shows the power manager icon.

When I click "Customize which programs..." it just sends me to view system topology...

edit: Never mind I found where to change programs.. "Manage 3d Settings." I still don't see anything weird that's using it. pmwui.exe (Power Manger) uses integrated.

I'm not sure what this is, but it's making my laptop louder than it should be!

 

so...

my cpu used to whine, it was loud, obvious, but not the end of the world

today, i let windows update install 70+ new updates

computer restarted, no more whine

anyone else notice this?

 

Usually keep windows up to date always.
But since day 1, my laptop hasn't whined at all. Smooth sailing since the beginning of our affair.
Will keep an ear out though...

 

mine was very very noticeable

it didnt bother me much at all when i was home

but when i'm in class its obvious and everyone around me can hear it

i'm glad its gone, i'm just curious as to what its cause was and how a software update was able to resolve what appeared to be a hardware issue

 

Wow, how quiet are your classes? In my lectures, I can turn on TurboBoost+ and I wouldn't even hear the fan in my laptop.

 

Anyone ever had any problems with their USB ports not powering portable USB drives? I could have sworn I did a windows image after I installed all my programs when I first got the computer. I've attached 3 different drives and none of them show up in mycomputer/windowsexplorer. They show up in disconnect devices (although they don't show a drive letter assigned), show drivers installed and ready to use, show up in control panel devices. They eject properly. I've tried them in the two USB3 ports on the side and also tried the usb port on the back of the laptop.

Thumb drives work properly, USB SD card reader works.

I'm scratching my head. My w520 is several months old, I'd hate to think I already have problems with the USB ports. I keep my data on my desktop, so I'm not worried about losing anything, but I'd like to be able to make an occasional backup.

Thanks..................

 

I'd recommend that you check your USB adapter for issues, its possible that the wire wore out over time. Could you specify what kind of USB drive you have? How long do you usually wait for the USB drive before any attempt to eject the drive?

 

I'm not that concerned about the adapter or whether it's working or not. My usb drives: a Lacie little rikki MS25U3, a Toshiba, a Seagate Black Armour and a Verbatim that looks like a wallet :} None of them will show up in Win Explorer or in the save as dialogue in several programs I tried. They work perfectly fine with my other computers. I've rebooted with them plugged in, rebooted without them plugged in.

I've left them plugged in for minutes at a time. Long enough to brush my teeth or wash the dishes.

Since thumbdrives and other usb devices seem to work okay I'm starting to think there is something wrong with the laptop that is not getting enough power to the larger usb drives. Never had this problem before.

Geez......

 

I am really tired of the throttling that happens with the machine on battery. I can tell the difference in the speed of everything is significant and very apparent. I think some people are trying to deny that or say that it saves the battery but what if I do not care about the battery--I just want the machine to act the same on battery as it acts when plugged it to power. Anyway to do that?

 

Why? What is the scenario that requires this?

 

Though I have the i7 2.5, 8GB RAM and the M4 SSD, the moment I take the charger off the machine, everything starts to act slow (particularly moving between tabs in any browser (especially Firefox) or scrolling through a web page or a heavy PDF file). Also, opening the programs become slower.

I have been reading that BIOS update may help but I have the latest BIOS and others say that it is the Optimus that causes the throttling on battery but I am not sure if this is true. If I can disable something that I do not need but have the same powerful machine on batter, that would be great.

Any clue?

 

The loose screw and credit card worked perfectly. Thanks all.

 

Yes, I run into the same issue.

Throttlestop fixes that.

See my post a few pages earlier in this thread with the recommended settings.

 

Please explain...

 

I am just about to buy a W520, but all the good deals I can find are with 1600x900 screens or the 1366 crazyness. So I think I will just buy a AUO screen and replace it myself.

I have a few questions:
1. Do I void the warranty by doing this? I mean are there any stickers or anything on the screen what would make this upgrade visible, even if I swap back the original screen before sending it for repair?
2. Do I need to change the cable? This page states that there is only one cable: 04W1565. Does it mean that all the W520 models use the same cable, thus only the screen needs to be replaced?
15.6-inch LED-backlight LCD Service Parts - ThinkPad T520, T520i, W520

 

Thanks. I understand that Throttlestop will fix it but what is the price I will pay for that? Also, I was hoping that there is a real fix for the system without trying to manipulate it with third-party software.

 

What is your current bios version ?

 

Version 1.36

 

I have had my w520 for about two months now and i love it, i had noticed the throttling thing to, all i had to do was mess around with the power settings in power manager. all i did was switch system performance to balanced and it all but went away, now the only time i have problems is when it gets hot, then HD youtube will drop a few frames here or there. it does drop my battery life to 8 hours from 10 hours but it still last all school day, i can even play a game of a little with out much impact.

I have attached my Power Config export life if you want to take a look, just change it to a .ini (no questionable files i promise)

 

The price you may pay is that the battery could last less longer.

As far as Lenovo is concerned, it is fixed and any reduction in performance you experience while on battery is "by design".

There is a 29 page thread on this issue here:
https://forums.lenovo.com/t5/W-Seri...rly-on-battery-BIOS-v1-26/td-p/504029/page/10

I suggest you run a common task on A/C and on battery and decide from there if it is an issue for you or not.

 

I thought the only case of throttling now was when the discrete GPU is activated on battery power.

 

Hey Could anyone tell me how well the Lenovo 57Y4536 ThinkPad Battery 42 works, how many hours/min it adds? I want to see if the US$100 price tag is worth it. My google fu and forum search is failing me on this, sadly.

Im debating if i should go for the battery or the HDD try, it would be nice if i can get a few more hours of battery, but i might go for an SSD and change around the HDDs. Still debating one a mSATA + SSD + NAS for random stuff, or a SSD + HDD.

I also heard of these CD tray replacements may leave a gap on the w520, i would like to avoid this, so that would be very useful info.

Thanks

 

I'll be doing the exact same thing! Two poings:
1. SSD + HDD is the best thing ever. Use a reliable model, like Crucial M4, Samsung 830, Intel 520
2. Do NOT buy the official HDD caddy. Buy either the Newmodeus one, or the Chinese engineered good one:
NewmodeUS
Chinese eBay
I'll be ordering the Chinese one, I really like the idea that for 18 USD they make a product what is _better_ than the factory one!
3. For best experience, do a clean install on the SSD (if you have time for it).

 

Thanks for the heads up!

I will be waiting a little for the SSD (need to get the money for it)

And i still dont know if i will go mSATA SSD + SSD + CD Bay Battery or SSD + CD Bay HDD Caddy. It really depends on how much battery life the CD Bay Battery adds. If anyone knows, I would be very thankful if you would share.

 

Price is exactly the reason why I went with a standard SSD. I bought a Crucial M4 64 GB for 68 GBP + the Chinese HDD caddy for 18 USD + 2 shipping.

This way for a very small money you can have an extremely fast SSD + HDD system. For me, 64 GB is perfectly enough for a system drive, and if I want to install a huge program or a game I'll just install it onto the HDD.

BTW, the best 2.5 inch SSDs (Crucial M4, Intel 520, Samsung 830) are really much faster than any mSATA SSD today. On the other hand compared to a HDD the difference is minimal between modern SSDs.

 

For me, too. I eat Crucial M4 SSDs for breakfast, lunch and dinner.