Lenovo W520 Owner's Thread

Also, forgot to mention that sometimes when I'm scrolling through web pages, there is a sort of "tearing" in the middle (vertically) where one half will slightly lag in scrolling compared to the other side. Maybe I should upgrade my GPU drivers?

Running on the 2000M only and it's using the 8.17.12.6802 driver.

 

When you are browsing web pages you are on Intel GPU, so you should update the drivers for that. Check this to detect all your Intel drivers:
Intel® Driver Update Utility

It's 2 clicks in ThrottleStop:


About temperature:
I'm having 10+ browser tabs open + Dropbox + Wuala and i'm idleing at 36-39 C degrees. It's 25 degrees in the room, so it's delta 11-14 C degrees. If it's more then that, the first start with a powerful vacuum cleaner, check if it helped, if not, then to a thermal repaste.



About shutdown:
Look, this thread has 1 million+ views, there was almost no one having this issue. Just buy the laptop, it will be your stable workstation for a couple of years! Just be careful what brand of memory and SSD you are using, and it will be a boring experience

 

+rep zsero. Thanks for the helpful info. I went and checked out the w520 today. The shopkeeper lied that it was new but it is a refurb. But it is a 2820qm, 8gb ram, full Hd, which is gorgeous by the way...and I'm getting it for around 750 USD, so its basically a steal.

He probably won't honour any warranty but at that price I can sell off the individual parts for more.

 

Prosetheus, Lenovo is one of the few brands which offers paper-less warranty on higher-end laptops, like Thinkpad W line. You just check warranty based on the serial number on the bottom of the laptop here, and you never deal with any "shopkeeper". You have a high chance of having an international warranty!
Lenovo Support - Check Warranty Status

Also, don't forget buying a Crucial M4 or a Samsung 830 SSD + a nimitz caddy from eBay! It's a must have for these laptops. Also, better do it before installing OS + programs.

 

Or get an mSata SSD and keep both your HDD and Optical drive.

 

Nope... I always let it on BIOS... I used 64 preset only few times i wanted it to cool quickly... Why? This is in the TPFanControl ini :

That's also what i thought, running too long @this speed could damage it or something, who knows. By the way, i don't know why the dev named that mode 64 since 8 runs @max speed also...

Do you personally run @64 ALL THE TIME while gaming? From what i heard, Intel processor (especially recent ones) are extremely sturdy and can handle these temperatures (~100C°) very well without damage.


What's the last version of TPFanControl for the W520? Apparently i have 1.0.7.3 what about you? Mine only shows cpu temperatures, can't see gpu or anyhting else... And how do you set it? I tried but apparently failed..?

I put it in manual 64, go gaming, then it returns to BIOS after ~1minute...I put it on smart mode, it will always return to BIOS mode! I really don't understand even though i looked upon how it work and tried to modify the ini...

For example this part :

Celsius is the temp, ok... FanCtrl is the fan speed, ok... BiosCtrl? ... Why's this here and what for? Same for CtrlNWrite... I tried put Bios to 0 but doesn't work. Anyway i NEVER use smart mode QUIET, sadly it's the default smart mode, how do i disable it or how do i make smart mode COOL the default?

PS: Still nobody who's also missing the boot from sd card "feature"..? I think this is the best place where to ask about it...

EDIT: OK after looking at it more i managed to understand it 100% (almost)!

 

Hi All,

Last 2 days I've been noticing a slight lag with the boot time of my W520. The major change I did was to Uninstall Symantec and Install Nod32 AV. Also, I activated Fingerprint login. Boot time seems to take about a minute now (compared to the 30 second something it used to be). I'm on a SSD.

Anyway, I'm using a 4270CTO with Intel Core i7 2760QM processor. When I check the Task Manager, Performance Tab, it only shows 2 CPU graphs there - I remember seeing something like 8 there. Should it be 2 or should it be 8?

On MSInfo32 it shows the processor as:
Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-2760QM CPU @ 2.40GHz, 2392 Mhz, 1 Core(s), 2 Logical Processor(s)


I thought it should show 8 cores, instead it only shows 1?

Have I messed up something somewhere with the processor?

Or everything looks just fine and I'm just paranoid here?

Please advice. Thanks!


EDIT:
Ok, found the solution. On MSCONFIG > BOOT > ADVANCE OPTIONS
The number of processors were limited to 2. I unticked it and rebooted, now I see all 8 cores Relief!

 

Well, proud new owner of a W520 here. Its an incredible experience so far. The 2 things that absolutely blew me away are not the hardware specs but the amazing keyboard and phenomenal display. I can't believe how I was using my previous crappy laptop.

At the same time, I am a bit overwhelmed by the sheer amount of weird options and configuration options available. I usually prefer to use barebones windows and add only the stuff that I need.

I could really use some help as to setting up everything.

I seem to be on the BIOS version 1.34.

Proc: I7 2820QM
Ram: 8gb
HD: 640 gb
VGA: Quadro 2000m
FHD Display ( I would also appreciate any help on setting up proper color profiles for display.)

Again, much thanks for helping me make the right decision!

P.S I have 744 days remaining in my warranty but the warranty is for the US only. Whilst can have the laptop sent to the US, I just want to know what steps are there to get an International Warranty? Also, I have the option of returning the laptop in 7 days if there is a fault in it or something. I'd also like to therefore stress test the laptop fully to see everything works as it should. Is the built in software's stress test sufficient to check it out?

 

Yep. Would prefer to kill a fan than a considerably more expensive CPU.

I'm on 0.73ti. It's a W520 specific version troubadix released.

This means you're hitting the upperbound where TPFanControl will revert control back to BIOS. On hot summer days, I have to turn off CPU turbo to prevent this from happening.

 

This is good advice. Fans are like 20 bucks on Ebay. If you wear out your fan early just buy a new one and replace it yourself.

The single helper that I have found to control temperature while gaming is Nvidia Inspector. It's a driver control software, but the most helpful part is that you can set a global framerate limiter that applies to all of your games. Limiting the framerate helps to keep the card from working too hard and keeps temperatures down. With it, I set my max FPS to 58 and was able to play through all of Max Payne 3 without my temps getting much above 80 C at any time.

Give it a go if you are having thermal throttling issues.

 

When graphics cards are fully loaded (i.e., working hardest), the frame rate tends to fall. Limiting the upper end (e.g., enabling VSync) typically only prevents screen tearing when the frame rate exceeds the refresh rate of your display.

Think of it like a car. When you are driving uphill, the engine labors, and your speed falls. When you are driving downhill, you take your foot off of the accelerator and coast. Speed increases, but the engine is hardly laboring.

IMO, the biggest thing you can do to reduce thermal throttling in game settings -- other than increasing fan speed or disabling Turbo mode, mentioned previously -- is to lower the display resolution and graphics settings in the game menu. That will unload both the CPU and the GPU and produce lower heat.

Unfortunately, the W520 shares a heat sink bridge between the CPU and GPU, so CPU temp is often the limiting thermal parameter on game performance, not GPU temp.

 

Using VSync to reduce heat only works if you're rendering above 60 frames per second. If you can't hit 60, then VSync isn't going to do anything.

 

How'd you know which TPFC version you have? I can only right clic the exe and check the "details" tab for that, which says 1.0.7.3 as i mentionned... Which coud be 0.73 if you remove the 1..? As for the temp issue, why would anyone worry about killing anything (cpu, fan..) since they're replaced for free the next day?

Now something else about the screen : I still use an old 4/3 17" screen with my desktop and it's hard to switch between both. No it's not (just) cause of the resolution/text size difference! On the old 4/3, color are (very) yellowish and on the Thinkpad it is VERY blueish, at least i feel so. What can i use to make color clother to my 4/3?

 

Can anyone tell me what is the safest way to update the W520 bios? I am on 1.34 now and should probably update to 1.37?

Also, is it possible to use the 135W adapter with these specs?

2820qm
quadro 2000m
FHD display?

Will I run into problems running this at full power on the 135w adaptor?

Thanks in advance.

 

It will say "TPFC.73ti" on the top bar of the tpfancontrol window after you install the files and click the icon on the taskbar.

 

You can find the official Lenovo BIOS Update Utility 1.37 ( here). The BIOS Update Utility is to be used on a Windows OS.

Lenovo BIOS Update Utility 1.37 readme ( here).

The 135W adapter works, you should look here for more on W520 power adapters.

 

+rep AESdescription.

Thanks for sorting that out and making it really plain and simple for me. Really appreciate that and the community over here is very helpful and knowledgeable.

I am new to Workstation class laptops with all these doohickeys as well nVidia Optimus, as I was on a C2D powered MSI GX600 before this. I work in TV and video production and have been used to working with pre-setup systems maintained by editors and this is my first foray in doing this on my own.

I found this helpful and detailed blog about another guy setting up everything. Can someone please look this over and let me know if this is a viable way to go about setting up my hardware? I will also be going down the mSATA route in the near future.

Primitive But Effective: Lenovo W520 for Sony Vegas Pro 10 and Adobe After Effects CS5 - Part 2

Primitive But Effective: Lenovo W520 for Sony Vegas Pro 10 and Adobe After Effects CS5 - Part 3

Much thanks in advance again.

 

Ok that's the version i have then...

 

Personally I trust the bootable CD method when I update the BIOS of my ThinkPads. I have been around long enough to have read several threads regarding bricked laptops. The culprit in these cases was running the BIOS update in the Windows environment. If you do decide to go the route of choosing the bootable CD method burn the ISO at a slow speed (2X or 4X speed).

 

I'm content at BIOS ver 1.34 - working perfectly, why upgrade unless it directly resolves an issue you are having?

 

Has anyone tried out the SanDisk Extreme SSD? It's pretty cheap with good performance. As it uses SandForce, any problems with SandForce? Or would it be best to dump some money and get a Samsung 530?

 

It uses the SF-2281 controller, same one in my Intel 330. You should give it a shot, and if worse comes you can just RMA or return it. My past SanDisk products were pretty awesome (View, Clip, various flash memory).

 

But Intel is special with the firmware, unlike Sandisk what uses the default SF firmware, known to be buggy. I'd recommend sticking to Samsung 830 or Crucial M4.

 

That was premature, because the information he gave is wrong: You asked for the safest way to update the BIOS, and the safest way is to use the iso image, NOT the windows utility. You only have to remember to check that the image that you burned on the CD is identical to the one you downloaded.

Moreover, if there is nothing in the BIOS changelog that suggests that it fixes something that affects you, and you don't have any weird issues with the machine, it's best to not update the BIOS in the first place.

 

I agree 100%, especially if out of warranty!

 

Usually they change a lot of other things, and just write about a few of them. Like tweaked fan profiles, or other little changes what never gets written about. I think the best BIOS to use is 1.36, as with 1.37 the XPM profiles gets discarded and you cannot use 1600 Mhz RAM.

I'd recommend using ImgBurn and write & verify an ISO file. That way I've never seen a Thinkpad fail a BIOS upgrade. Be sure to remove ALL usb, etc before and run from AC connected.

 

Thanks for being so helpful guys. I'm glad I have not messed up anything yet, still figuring out stuff. As is the common consensus around here, i will wait and see if I run into problems and then update.

@zsero: Would you recommend a clean install for me or should I just roll with things as they are? Also, should I get the latest display drivers from nVidia or lenovo? And what version is the best one for now?

Lenovo must also be commended for making a laptop with the worst speakers seen in years. It reminds me of the old internal speaker in desktop PC's of old. Besides trying out the stuff there in the W520 sound improvement thread, I have heard people are installing w530 sound drivers as well. What is the last best known solution to that?

Thanks again.

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/lenovo-ibm/657971-dolby-home-theater-your-thinkpad.html improves volume quite a bit. Otherwise, external/bluetooth speakers or headphones.

 

Clean install of course! Makes your computer faster and longer on battery, as well as you are learning something! It's actually quite easy:
1. Save factory activation with ABR Backup and Restore, keep it in a safe place (Dropbox, etc.)
2. Download official Microsoft 64-bit Win 7 ISO files, delete ei.cfg, write the ISO to USB stick.
3. Install Win 7, advanced, clean hard disk, make 2 partition, one for system, one for data
4. Restore factory activation using ABR Backup and Restore
5. Install drivers software from Lenovo (except video). The only software I install is Hotkey utilities and Power Management Driver. The other is redundant in Windows. Instead of Power Manager, I recommend BatteryCare.
6. I use the latest nVidia drivers (297.03), they work perfectly! First install latest Intel GPU, then latest nVidia 297.03. The good thing with nVidia drivers is that there is a "clean install" option, what I always use and makes wonders fixing crazy issues!
7. If you want to tweak the system, remove unneeded Microsoft apps from Control Panel, Remove & Features, Turn Windows Features on and Off. The only one I leave is .NET.

Good luck! I hope you have an SSD, as it'll make night and day difference on this machine! Samsung 830 or Crucial M4 + HDD in Nimitz caddy is an amazing combination!

 

Oh? Dropbox security breach.

Great summary, though.

 

Actually I prefer Wuala, but it's much less known.

 

*dirty eye* HIPSTER!!! (lol, jk)

I still use Dropbox sometimes, but the only thing I have in there is an encrypted TrueCrypt folder, just in case another breach happens again.

 

I think Dropbox is still far the best, but the lack of a 15 GB or 25 GB package makes me use alternatives. Waiting for AeroFS to go public.

 

New BIOS, 1.38, not showed in the index, but when you click in the 1.37 you get this:

BIOS Update Utility for Windows 7 (32-bit, 64-bit), Vista (32-bit, 64-bit), XP - ThinkPad W520

Version 1.38
UEFI: 1.38 / ECP: 1.34

(Fix) Fixed an issue where specific hard disks might not be detected after resuming normal operation from standby/sleep state.
(Fix) Fixed an issue where an unnecessary fan error message might be shown during boot.

I am running 1.34 whitelisted, and I don't have any problems, so will not update, but for some people it maybe interesting.

Regards

 

I went ahead and got myself the w520 around a month ago. Excellent notebook so far

2 days ago I installed a SSD as my primary disk and moved the original hdd to the ultrabay using a caddy. My problem is that the secondary hdd in the ultrabay is always powered on, so its spinning like mad and making too much noise. How can I power it down, so it only spins up when I need to use it?

 

If you have a proper Windows 7 installation, it should power down after x minutes, set in the power settings.

But be careful, because maybe there are things on it what might make it spin up from time to time. Do you have any programs installed on it? If you have only documents or music, it shouldn't be a problem. But if you have something relating to the system, it will power on regularly.

Also the other thing what spins up hard drives are SMART monitoring tools. Any hard drive monitoring tool running in the background stops the HDD from going to sleep.

 

You mean the NVIDIA Quadro 2000M, right?

Also, can you explain how you have set up the displays?

I use only 1600x1200 displays, so wondering if 4 of these units could be set up in a similar manner?

 

With W520 + 2000M + dock you can connect at most 2 external screens + laptop.

To connect more screens you'll need additional hardware. USB video adapters, things like Matrox TripleHead2Go DisplayPort | Multi-Monitors for Laptops , eGPU etc.

 

That's what I thought.

Let's see what LoG!K replies regarding his config...

However, does anyone know how many monitors the W530 supports when docked? (In a Lenovo dock)

 

He won't reply (the last login and the message were from 2011), and he didn't have any config as it simply does not work.

At least 4 external. Lenovo ThinkPad W530 Optimus - Quad Multimon - Keith Combs' Blahg - Site Home - TechNet Blogs

And possibly more, once DisplayPort 1.2 MST hubs start to appear (they are promised for quite a while already).

 

Sorry - didn't realize I bumped an old post!

Nice - thanks for the link!

 

Yeah, it was a clean Win7 install. I edited the power settings to turn the HDD after 30-60 seconds of inactivity and it seems to be working. What I find weird is that the HDD is so noisy while in use, I didnt notice it was so loud when it was the primary drive.

 

I had the 0x000000F4 blue screen today... It happened after Lenovo solution center suddenly ask me to do the "scheduled"(?) hardware check... It scanned the Crucial M4 and on SMART scan that went wrong... Just reporting!

 

An other reason why you should never use any of these "solution center" tools. I'd recommend you to uninstall all non-essential Lenovo tools, it'll give better battery life, faster computer, less process, more memory

 

All I ever use from Lenovo is the Power Manager and the fingerprint software. If there's ever an issue with my laptop, I'll just let IBM remote in over the internet (that's what happened when I called about the battery not charging).

 

Agree totally.

 

It's true, dunno why i kept that crap... It's gone now!

 

hi,
Everything is running great on the W520 so far, except for one issue...the screen refresh rate keeps resetting itself to 50Hz instead of the 60 Hz I keep setting it to. Is there any way to enforce the setting that the screen refresh rate sticks to 60 Hz? I believe I am on the latest Intel video drivers as well has very recent nVidia drivers as well.

i7 2820,
quadro 2000m
Windows 7 64 bit

 

In which case (game, text...) do you see a difference between each?

 

I have to read a lot on the screen, and at 50Hz the strain on the eyes feels more than on 60. It just seems odd that it resets itself. is there no way to keep it fixed at 60? Because both the nvidia GPU and Intel igpu revert to 50hz.