W530 Owner's Thread

This question comes up again and again. Lenovo uses different RAM suppliers: Samsung, Kingston, Hynis, Elpida, whatever. If you spend that much on a W530, spend a bit more on a pair of "identical" RAM sticks, or two pairs, depending on your needs.

 

couple questions...

anyone know a good resource for purchasing an Intel 6300 wifi card for the W530 ? preferably a new card and reasonably priced

also the same for a mini display port to hdmi adapter or cable

which 1600x900 screen is 'better' ? the LG or AUO ?

anyone get latest stock nvidia drivers to work on K1000M by modding the .inf ?

thanks



*edit - if i remember right all these W models have three antennas for wifi with one not attached if it doesn't come with 6300, right ?

 

I'd probably say eBay. Make sure you get a Lenovo branded card otherwise it won't boot.

 

noticed that, got the right fru and whatnot for searching

already scoured ebay and amazon but can't find a reputable outfit with the right card for the right price lol, oh and not from asia too

 

When it arrives, I will be able to determine the correct RAM. I will have waited over 3 weeks since I ordered my custom configured W530 to arrive. I have my docking station and ultrabay adapter already. Just hopped to have the correct RAM at home ready to install when I get my W530. I guess I'll be alright to wait a day or two after it arrives to match up the memory. Depending on the cost, I'll be bumping the RAM to 16, 24 or 32GB. Just getting impatient as each day goes by. Only other thing I have to prep for the arrival is a copy of Acronis to clone the out-of-box hard disk image. Just get me my W530 already!

 

You could try TPF.

 

i feel for ya m8, the first time around 2 1/2 weeks was painful to wait for my cto w520 ordered thru lenovo barnes and noble

just recently deciding to buy a w530 I did some research here there and everywhere and saw the much longer and much more painful build and ship times

so i ordered thru a reseller and glad i did, ordered on friday, will receive on tuesday, all at a great price

anywhoo

i ordered 4x4gig of corsair vengeance ram and will slap it in and sell the existing on craigslist, usually how i do it, recommend the same

btw unless you will do alot of VM work 16gig is plenty, in fact 8gig is the sweet spot for no VM work imho

 

Yeah a bit messy and hit or miss there but will do.

 

Does this laptop use the same case as the w510?

 

I do lots of VM work. That is why I ordered mine with 1x8GB so that I can upgrade it (Hopefully I did not make a mistake here. Paid extra for 1x8GB.). One more 8GB chip (total 16GB) will probably be enough for the foreseeable future. I got the ultrabay adapter so that I can use a 240GB SSD for my virtual disk files. I will keep the hard disk as primary OS disk. I got the 16GB mSATA for ExpressCache. A dedicated SSD in the primary drive bay would be faster, but I typically have a lot of ISO and other files so require the extra storage.

I ordered my W530 direct from Lenovo so that I could ensure I got the configuration I really wanted (i7-3740QM, 1x8GB, Win7 Pro). I also got the 2 year warranty with accidental damage protection. I plan on keeping this machine for a number of years.

PS According to Lenovo Order Detail, my W530 should be shipping today!

 

I have similar needs but will end up with a slightly different configuration when I cross the finish line.

When complete I'll have a 256GB mSATA SSD for the OS, apps and personal data. The primary bay and ultrabay will be used for VM storage. I currently have the 1TB Hitachi TravelStar 7200rpm HDD in the Ultrabay. The Samsung Series 840 Pro 256GB SSD will stay in the primary bay.

I have 32GB of RAM as well. I could actually use more but I end up splitting the load if needed with my W510. It is configured nearly identically (except the mSATA).

 

well done !

 

I have heard good things about the Samsung Series 840 Pro 256GB SSD, might get one, also heard bad though

something about the double toggle nand technology wears out the cells quicker or something like that and they are now selling these cheap to get rid of them

i have always had great experiences with the crucial M4 in my latitudes and thinkpads but see they got some banging new ssd's out now

the write ain't so great on the M4 it seems

 

case as in screen body unit ? or main base case ? or like a laptop sleeve lol ?

i am pretty sure the 'body case' (lack of better words right now to describe or name it) has changed since the W510

a quick google and look at pics or peek at the maintenance manuals from lenovo will tell ya for sure

and come to think of it the W530 has a mini display port now so the 'case' has surely changed, right ?

 

My laptop was just push back again. Now I am looking at April 17 for shipping and April 24 for delivery. This will over one full month since I ordered it. I am think of calling them to ask what the hell is going on. My order date was March 21st. This is getting ridiculous.

 

Call in to cancel the order and it will ship immediately.

 

I guess if I did my due diligence, I would have aware of Lenovo's continued supply chain problems. The best I can hope for is that the machine is problem free. Previously quoted Lenovo forum site has lots of similar experiences. I should consider myself lucky if I get the laptop within 2 months of the order date.

 

I hardly think internet chatter is a basis to make broad conclusions about Lenovo's supply chain or problems with said chain. The fact remains most people's ThinkPads ship before esitimated ship date. While delays do occur, it's not the norm. Believe it or not, poeple used to wait a six months or longer for a ThinkPads. A few weeks or months isn't the end of the world if it does happen, which isn't likely.

 

Those were the times when certain things were worth the wait. If your need is pressing, there are resellers who ship next day. These days, the alternatives can be interesting:



Now.

 

So I'm back to the driver modding business, just trying to get the most out of my K2000m for SimCity 2013.
I believe softmodding the K2000m to GT650m does help the performance a bit. I got better FPS in Sim City, not much but still.

If you want to try it out, download it here . Remove the "modded314.22" from the .inf file and replace it in Display.Driver. This is for 314.22 driver.

 

Hello, first post on this forum, I work in a machine shop and the owner wants to teach me CNC Programming, I need a mobile workstation to run things like Solidworks, Mastercam, Geopath, while being able to do light gaming like League of Legends, Teamfortress 2.
My boss says I should get a Dell Precision but I've always been a little iffy on Dell laptops, the only thing I see that I like about the m4700 is the fact it has a numberpad.
ok, down to the nitty-gritty I'm trying not to spend too much, its a $200 upgrade for the 1080p screen, do you feel like this option is worth it? or does it make most things too small and cumbersome to use?
also on the GPU, I haven't been able to find any comparisons pertaining to what I will use it for, I wont be doing multipart drawings or presentations in solidworks, mostly basic CNC programming and some 3D Profiling.
if I took one over the other, just to keep the price down, what would you choose?
will probably be going for the 3630qm, as i dont feel the 300mhz on the 3740qm making as much of an impact.
Any replys would be greatly appreciated.

 

I think the FHD screen is better quality wise, but not sure whether it's worth it or not is a preference. I personally would say it's too small, but some do like it. You might want to head over to the What Should I Buy forum and consider the FAQ stuck at the top of the forum. You might get some better insight over there. Good luck and welcome to NBR.

 

W530 Battery does not charge and the notebook often does not start when no battery is attached


Hi everyone,

I bought a Lenovo W530 a couple of month ago. It was working fine. The battery is 70++. A few days ago the notebook made a noise and turned off automatically. I restarted it and the battery stopped charging. Eventually the battery discharged fully while using the laptop. After that I was not also able to turn on the notebook on AC power. One day later It turned on normally and the battery started charging. But afterwards the battery stopped charging again. The notebook does not start when it is directly connected to the AC power without the battery.Sometimes it starts after a random amount of time. When the battery is attached, It starts and turns off immediately .

I would be grateful if someone gives me some pointers.

Thanks.

 

Lenovo has installed a way to calibrate (drain) the battery even when it stays plugged in, so it's possible that whatever allows that is having problems. There also is a hardware lock that prevents the notebook from charging any batteries that are not the correct generation, and that could be faulty. Either way, it sounds like your issue is likely going to either involve replacing the battery, modifying the BIOS, or repairing the motherboard, so your best bet now is to contact Lenovo.

 

@djembe Thanks a lot for your suggestions. I have contacted Lenovo support. Hopefully it will be solved soon.

 

First time start up of newly arrived lenovo w530... overall ok... but it seems like the fans is too loud... i mean irritatingly LOUD. it is in the setting up process though. but didn't even imagine it to be this loud though.

 

Many T430/T530/W530 notebooks have the "irritatingly loud fan" problem. (Someone may post a reply saying that their fan is whisper-quiet. Just know that they get lucky with that one particular notebook.)

The free software ThinkPadFanControl may help somewhat.

 

How many dB's is it?

 

You forgot to ask about RPM as well.

I don't know if such analytical numbers can help confirm, deny or solve the problem, which has been observed (felt, sensed, perceived) and reported. For example, see this rather long thread on Lenovo ThinkPad forum and another thread related to T530.

 

Dont know exactly how to measure the dB. but definitely a irritating high to medium pitch sound. it is like riding an airplane during take off and landing or perhaps if the computer is in the 3rd level of house and you are in the 2nd level, you thought someone is using hair blower on the upper floor. I thought at first it was just normal, just after i switch on the power button. i took around five minute before it was gone then another 5 mins the sound started again. finally after 4 hours, decided to call the lenovo service rep. told me at the start initially because it is new, there would be that sound but told him that its been 4 hours since and haven't even install other softwares except for the HwinF064 and True image. And told me that it is not normal, and ask to have an authorized rep to check by going to www.bplocator.lenovo.com and enter my postal code. So i just did that, went to the authorized rep. waited, and told me its not normal but i need to leave the unit in the shop and come back tomorrow. But i need to pay 56$. i told them i just got the unit 6 hours ago, paid 3,500$ for it, bought 2,500$ for the upgrade ( which i cannot return anymore coz it pass the 14 day return policy ), included is a 3 year on site warranty+ accidental for 299$. .... oh WOW what a frustrating experience for me to go back to PC again. I am not bashing anything here or comparing lenovo to an apple. But the experience that i have with apple, since then... just simply put A Smile on my Face each and every time. i got my 3rd macbookpro from singapore thru online shipping to a 3rd world country before, around late 2010, enrolled in a apple care. brought the unit in canada, just last week the computer seem not charging. went to an apple store, the guy at counter check the unit, said seems there is no problem... coz it was charging, then told me but i'll just give you a new charger, ask him how much?..... he just simply answered me.... NOTHING..that's what apple care is for...coz we CARE!!! imagine....almost 3 years of use and that just took me 15 mins and left the shop...simple as that. and the unit is not bought in their shop. And here, just got the shipment and pressed the power button....charge me 56$....it seems their is something wrong with their setup and quality control. How can this be a painstakingly engineered for those who roll up their sleeves and make things happen computer!!!! Just have to bite the bullet though, what can i do...what can i say!!!! Just airing my frustration here...sorry.

 

That's the whole point: as if any user would have an instrument handy! (There were explosions in Boston yesterday. Oh? How many dB's were they?)

Very good description.

Sorry to hear all that.

I'm sure you'll get many "rational" responses to your observation on the significant differences in quality.

You can arrange to return (without restocking fee) the present W530. You can then place an order for a new one, hoping that it will not exhibit the fan noise problem -- or decide to buy a different notebook altogether.

(I'm afraid you've spent much money on the upgrades too early.)

 

That's true, it was a mistake on my part to have bought the upgrades prior to the delivery of the unit. i just didn't expected things would turn out this way though. Oh well, i just can't give up this early and i hope to get better answer with regards to the additional charges and the sound problem.
As of the moment, the return without restocking fee is not in my priority option. For one, placing a new order again doesn't simply eliminate the chances of getting a unit with no problem. and Two, it has been a Wait, a new order again is another Waiting time. I'll make a call to lenovo again, and maybe go to another 2 to 3 lenovo authorize service shop and hope they can fix it without me leaving the unit for too long; or waiting for a part to be come. if in case they would advice me to better return the unit now rather than be sorry later, that's the time I will buy a different notebook.

 

A good 80% or more of you here have an iPhone. There are several dB measurement apps in the iPhone store that are free and seem good enough to me. Certainly good enough to provide a couple of extra data points.

 

Don't know how they will help solve the problem raised. Here are some data points:

• Near total silence - 0 dB
• A whisper - 15 dB
• Normal conversation - 60 dB
• A lawnmower - 90 dB
• A car horn - 110 dB
• A rock concert or a jet engine - 120 dB
• A gunshot or firecracker - 140 dB

Let's see, between 50 and 70 dB?

 

Ok. Measured it using a free apple app. Average indicated at 93 and Peak at 99 dBA.

 

That is extremely high in my opinion and unacceptable. My iPhone is sitting 12 inches from my W530 and measuring about 40 dB. The back of the W530 and docking station is actually turned around and pointing directly at the iPhone.

 

well measured it around 24" from the W530, because i am facing my computer so the fan and exhaust area in on the opposite side. I did it five times with almost the same result. and at one point it even reaches 104 dB. Yesterday, around 5 mins of noise then stop around 4 to 5 mins and the sound starts up again. Today same thing but wasn't stopping at any point in time. it is even giving that sound even when its on battery only but a slightly a little better compared to having power adaptor attached, which is at average 72 dBA and peak at 88 dBA.

Well, at least there is a good news ( hopefully ). I have contacted again a lenovo technical support representative ( 1 800-565 3344 ). there two options. one is i could return the unit and wait for new one ( which probably another 3 weeks ... and if i am lucky won't have the same sound or other problem.) and two is someone is going to our place to repair it. The good part is we have already discuss my issues and we were locating the area where the problem is and the rep concluded that it has to be the fan. They will contact me if parts is available. and Luckily after 30 mins, someone called and set up a time for tomorrow to visit me and they will be bringing the replacement fan.... well heres hoping that this could only be the issue coz... i only have 21 days to return the item from the time it was delivered.

 

at the start i was kind of willing to accept it as it is. If the sound is like then maybe it is like that, as long as it can perform and deliver. But after using it just surfing the internet and no work related being done... i just can't take the noise, i can not even concentrate with just surfing the internet. I have not loaded anything yet, so i can not test it with the softwares i will be using.

 

Archphiltan, sorry to hear you are having such horrible fan issues, but it sounds as though you're getting attention from Lenovo, which is promising, at least. I'd love to hear how the service call goes for you. I guess I'm one of the annoying ones who lucked out. My w530 is pretty quiet. I do keep it on a cooling pad when I'm at my desk and the sound from that pad/fan seems a bit loud to me sometimes but nothing like what you are describing. When I turn off the cooling pad, I can't even hear the laptop fan running at all unless I put my ear close to the left side of the laptop. I hope you can insist that a standard like that is met when your machine is serviced!

 

Thanks kayphoonstar.

I don't have to put my ears close to the left side of the laptop to hear something... i could even hear the grinding sound one floor level down...hahaha. My cousin who is two rooms away, woke up and knock on my door and ask what was the noise...and to think both doors are close... oh well!!!

Tomorrow 11 am to 1 pm, the lenovo technician will coming over...and said that they will be bringing the parts already. Definitely, i will update how the machine servicing went.

Thanks

 

If you are beyond your return period, and I assume you are, I would ask Lenovo to fix the issue under warranty. That kind of noise is unacceptable in my opinion.

 

Yah i think i should really do that, if in case the problem still continue to be after the fix.

I just happen to visit a friend of mine who also got the W530, and the unit is definitely quiet... not zero but from 1 to 10... around 2 to 3 but mine is around 10. we will see tomorrow how it goes. I will update it here. thanks everyone

 

Finally, a lenovo technical support guy came in as promised. Changed the fan, and even installed my 4 rams and msata. Now a happy owner!!! This is the phone number i use 1-800-565-3344. Thanks everyone for the help here. The fan is now quiet and smooth. told me of the bearing of the original fan is defective.

I have removed the factory HHD and put in the Samsung SSD. Made the recovery using the 4 DVD i've made to msata and it automatically boot up with the msata. installed updates on lenovo and windows.

The msata is a 256gb. In my computer, window7 OS (C.) is 143gb free of 223gb and Lenovo Recovery ( Q 2.47 Gb Free of 13.6gb, Is this really this big? I still haven't installed any other softwares. I do plan to remove some pre installed lenovo or even windows. Can you guy give me a step by step on how to uninstall them?

 

Glad things have been working out for you. (Quality control is pretty lame. Or maybe the factory workers wear headphones and listen to rock music while doing post-assembly tests.)

I suggest you spend sometime learning Windows 7. Uninstalling programs is the last item on the left column on the Control Panel.

Also, after you install a brand new drive, you must initialize it. This is done in Disk Management.

 

Yah probably your right about wearing headphone while doing the assembly, but at least things are better now.

With regards to the brand new drive? Do you mean the msata or the Samsung SSD. I think the msata is ok because it is where the OS is now and it is working. but the SSD is not showing up in my computer

 

Well, of course, the mSATA SSD is working. It boots and shows the Windows 7 desktop, doesn't it?

As you said, "the SSD is not showing up in my computer." Exactly. It is "a brand new drive" I was talking about.

(Please note that I am being frienḍly here. You should not expect people on this forum to show you how to use Windows 7.)

 

hehehe...sorry..

Ok ill do the Disk management. Thanks

 

Pretty sure the latest BIOS update added a new, silent fan speed

There's now an intermediate speed between fan off and the previous first level, which was audible. The new first level is whisper quiet!

Get it here:
BIOS Update Utility for Windows 8 (32-bit, 64-bit), 7 (32-bit, 64-bit), XP - ThinkPad W530

 

Thanks for the comment. I am going to download and install today. Meant to do it yesterday but got busy.

 

New fan level 1 is approximately 2000 RPM, down from the previous 2700 RPM. It's amazing the difference 700 RPMs makes.