The Official MSI GE40-2OC Owner's Lounge

I think disabling Power Saver C0% C-State was what was done in the past to fix that whine noise. But now I can't remember which app can do that. Throttle stop maybe?

http://www.techinferno.com/downloads/

 

My GE40 has a single stick of ADATA 8GB 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800). I couldn’t find the exact SR# on-line but NewEgg had ADATA single stick with the same specs for $70, unfortunately the prices for laptop memory seem a little high.

 

1) I just bought 2 x 8GB performance RAMs to replace the 1 x 8GB. Sold that off.

2) Look at the picture I posted recently. You can find my post by looking at the "Likes" at the top right corner of this. If you get the mSATA model, it will come with a SATA to 2 x mSATA adapter/caddy.

3) I'll open it up over the weekend again to have a look to let you know.

 

The card is replaceable and is a standard mini-pcie with bluetooth built in.

 

I am facing the same problem too. I have a slow 3Mbps downlink service and watching youtube clips should not post a problem but I'm getting choppy videos. I am waiting for an Intel Advanced-N 6235 wifi/Bluetooth combo card to arrive. In the mean time I have to use my tablet to surf the internet which is quite inconvenient.

Many thanks for your tip as it works. However, I use a Bluetooth mouse so I can't disable Bluetooth.

I have tried updating my unit to the latest EC firmware but I have not seen any improvements.

Many thanks! I will order an IC Diamond 24 today from ebay and I hope that it will arrive in a few days' time. Is it possible to modify the GE40 to include a backlit keyboard? I have tried doing some research but I could not find any solutions. By the way, I love my Acer Aspire 3820 but unfortunately I've sold it to buy a quadcore laptop. Cheers.

 

I asked the MSI support about the whining noise and they told me to flash the newest bios and firmware. Tried out the firmware today and while it did nothing to the whining I can attest after one gaming session that the temps were better and more stable. Might have been a fluke, but I will keep an eye on the temperatures in the coming days to make sure.
I also have to check my bios to see whether or not I actually have to flash it or if it is already up to date, considering the newest bios on their site is from 2013-06-05.

 

On Bluetooth interference with WiFi tip: the bluetooth was off, so it wasn't the case.

On Intel 6235 vs 7260: thanks for the tip. I had to do Amazon overnight because of the travel, so 7260 wasn't an option.

On 6235 performance: I can say that I've inserted it and that it works. I cannot tell if it's better or worse than the original card, as I'm travelling right now, and I want to compare apples to apples. Once I'm back to office, I can send an update here to say definitely if my laptop wireless is back to my expectations (i.e. being able to use Skype at work, as I was able with my previous lappy).

On firmware: it's great it's not bricking laptops I'll try it as soon as I'm back from travel, too risky now. Did you guys try it with Windows 7? I would think there's no difference, but the manual on the downloads page referred to Win8, so I'm checking just in case.

Also a weird question (maybe it's jet lag): I remember somehow turning the web-cam off, now I can't remember what I didn't and can't find how to turn it back on So Skype doesn't see it. I looked in tray, control panel and device manager. Maybe I'm just staring at it and missing it, but a tip would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

Did only try it with windows 8.

 

A little bit of sleep+the right Google query, and the result on the web-cam question is immediate: Fn+F6

 

On 7260: it looks like Intel has no Win7 downloads, only Win 8.

 

I'm not particularly certain but I have looked but I could not find the GE40's webcam driver for Windows 7.

Could you guys please help? Much appreciated.

On another note, the Intel N6235 is performing beautifully. The only problem with it at first was the Bluetooth not functioning properly. The problem was resolved when I've uninstalled the existing Bluetooth driver and went on to Intel's website to download the proset Bluetooth driver 3.0 and it is done!

I am also trying to get a modified copper heatsink from xoticpc but I'm not sure whether they will send it to the UK. Any ideas?

 

Could someone please provide the direct link to the Firmware update? I am having difficulty locating it on MSI's website.

 

Here it is...

MSI Global GE40 2OC Dragon Eyes

 

Are the led 'red eyes' always on when the lid is open on this model? Is there an option to disable them?

 

I'm afraid that the 'Red Eyes' are always switched on when the lid is open. I had a chat with a support officer online and they said that it is not possible to disable the lights via software.

 

Just finished adding a second 8gb ADATA stick of ram, based on a recent article in TomsHardware that should help the service life of my Samsung 830 SSD 256gb drive I already installed. Other than adding a BluRay drive in place of the DVD writer I’m good to go hardware wise. Next is upgrading Win8 with StarDocks Start-Button replacement software.

 

I wish there was an option for this, its about the only thing I don't care for with this laptop. That and I voided the warranty by opening up the bottom, turned out the thermal paste job from the factory was terrible

 

I am also no big fan of the dragon eyes, but at least they are subtle. Hearing about the crappy paste job is sad, but a good repaste should give a nice drop in temperature then. About the warranty you should call the MSI customer support. I read that e.g. over here in Germany you can simply ignore the sticker and open it up, as long as you dont't break anything you are still under waranty. Gonna flash the BIOS tomorrow, fingers crossed that it will help my noise problem.

 

Thanks for the replies.
Great then I'll get another 8GB 1600MHz memory and a 7260 802.11ac with mPCIE HMC formfactor. If I understood the thing about the mSATA ports right:

Not all models come with the SATA to 2x mSATA adapter? There are no built in mSATA ports by default, you only get them via the adapter? In my country (Sweden) we only have the model with the 750GB HDD, wonder if it is included.

Sorry about the pic, cant seem to get it to display :/

Edit: Nm, got it via the pic and post. Thanks.
ODD houses the 750GB HDD and "HDD slot" houses 2xmSATA.

Edit 2:

You don't happend to have bought the same memory as the one which was included? If so do you have the ADATA model number for the original RAM?

 

I searched online for an exact match to the P/N that was on the sticker on the Stick in the machine already and came up empty. So I matched the specs and bought a stick from Newegg that is ADATA and matches the specs "ADATA 8GB 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Laptop Memory Model AD3S1600W8G11-S”.

 

Hi guys,

I just received my MSI GE40. Because I bought it in China, I removed the Chinese Win 8 installation and installed a clean Win 7 Ultimate. My problem is, that the video driver doesn't work properly.

Sometimes after rebooting the power button is blue and the device manager shows the GTX760. Sometimes it's red and the device manager shows just a standard VGA card.

Anyone had that issue? Any ideas?

----
Edit:

Ok, after deleting the drivers, reinstalling them again (chipset, videocard - both, etc.) It seems to work now.
But the LED switches between orange and blue during login and then just stays on orange, no matter which card is being used.

So still not done. Any others that installed Win 7 have that issue?

 

I downloaded the new bios followed the instructions to update but it always fails Anyone had better luck updating their bios?

 

I had similar problem but the problem just disappear when I swap the original HDD for an SSD.

I have to try a few times before succeeding. Good luck to you.

 

I think MSI should have installed the Intel Advanced N6235 or similar wifi/Bluetooth combo card on the GE40 instead of the Azure wifi/Bluetooth combo card. Both wifi/Bluetooth are now running properly.

It appears that fan noise has diminished once I have downgraded the laptop from Win 8 to Win 7.

 

I updated my bios, worked on the first try. Can't really tell any difference. Any of you other users have got a whining sound going on that stops every time you scroll? MSI support couldn't help so far and I am trying to narrow down the cause. If it was the usual C4 CPU whine then most units should have the same fault afaik.

 

Did mine today, no problem but a detailed task for something that is usually a lot simpler these days. What indications are you getting, in what steps?

 

Not that I noticed, but your hearing may be more sensitive at that particular frequency. You may have a problem, but I cant think what would cause the whine to STOP while you scrolled the mouse wheel. (or is it the touch pad?) Does it happen on battery as well as on brick? What GPU is being used?

 

I also thought that I had gone insane at first, but then I had some other people confirm it and all could hear the whining. It stopps when either scrolling with the mouse wheel, touch pad or up and down keys. Happens both on battery as well as plugged in. As for the GPU I am not sure anymore. When I try to change it manually (changing the PhysX-prozessor in the NVIDIA control panel) nothing changes, but the colour of the power button also doesnt change, indicating that it is still running the Intel GPU. Is this even the way to change GPUs?
What I did notice just now is that when I click on that 3D-preview thing in the NVIDIA control panel with the spinning 3D NVIDIA logo, the noise immediately stops. But the power button also does light up orange, indicating that the NVIDIA GPU is doing the work. It also sapps the battery a whole lot faster, which is to be expected. My theory is that some part of the CPU graphics unit is vibrating when in an idle state, causing the whining. When it has to do work and leave the idle state temporarily (scrolling) or is flat out not used (doing work on the NVIDIA GPU), the whining stops. Take all of that with a grain of salt because in general I have got no clue about notebooks.
Another thing that I am wondering about, do I have to update the BIOS before the firmware or does it not matter which way around it is? MSI customer support contacted me again and asked me to return the unit for repairs, but I want to make sure to try anything I can do myself before parting with my notebook for weeks

 

My best estimate is a power supply capacitor or a choke coil of some type causing the whining. If they want you to return it I would as the component could fail any time and that may happen after the warranty has lapsed.

 

I’ve noticed this weekend that the power light is always amber now. I tried to force the integrated graphics via the NVidia control pnl but it’s still amber. Based on others experiences I think it’s because of a program I recently installed so I guess I’ll try un-installing them till I find the right one.

 

Do you have Steam running in the background?

 

Yes that’s it, I did a quick test last night and not only do you have to close the steam window but close the applet in the sys tray as well.

 

You know, that could've been my problem as well. Because steam automatically started up, I have never seen the LED on blue.
Origin strangely doesn't cause it to turn orange.

You can change the settings for Steam in the NVIDIA control panel to chose the internal video card and it stays nice and blue
Hope this doesn't affect the games played through steam though..

 

Guys, now that the W230ST from Clevo is here with backlighting keyboard and overall rigid and better built quality with a gtx 765m, 1080p IPS display for $1,200, there's almost no point in getting the GE40 unless you like the MSI design and if you are still in need of an optical drive. When I had the GE40, the temps cpu temps were so high in the 97c-99c after only firing a game within 2-3 minutes and the left side was very hot that you had to lift your left hand once in a while to cool off. I returned mine to xoticpc and they gave me an expedited refund and bought the W230ST from them also.

 

The Clevo does look damn nice and I am also considering it, but up to this point we neither know how the batterylife nor how the temperatures look like. Also depending on the country you are in and the resellers you have access to the Clevo might be more expensive. And I am not even sure how bad of a defect your GE40 could have possibly had to reach 95°C+ in 3 minutes of gaming. That sounds like MSI skipped the thermal paste entirely ...

 

I had the same problem with my GE60 so there is something going on at the MSI factory.

 

"You can change the settings for Steam in the NVIDIA control panel to chose the internal video card and it stays nice and blue"
I’ll try that but for reference I had set the IGP ONLY in the NVidia control panel under Global settings and that should have affected ALL programs, but it didn’t do a thing. The power light stayed amber until I exited the Steam applet.

 

Anyone else still having heating problems? I just ordered my GE40 from Gentechpc, but I am becoming a little apprehensive now reading about all these issues of overheating. I am not a heavy gamer and I do not mind playing on average settings. I mostly chose this laptop for its portability and battery life, so I feel that this fits perfectly for my uses. However, I do want some longevity with my machine. I am just curious if anyone is happy with this machine or if I should be looking for something else?

 

While ordering from Gentech did you get the IC diamonds Thermal Paste ?

I am also planning to order from Gentech with IC diamonds paste, 16 GB ram, and the Intel 7260 WLAN card .. Do you think that should improve the performance,longevity and solve the heat issues ? Will i have driver issues with the Intel 7260 card?

 

The 326.19 beta works with the 760m. On another note, the lan adapter is having some major issues with upload. It maxes out at .7mbp, while wifi goes up to 35.

 

Has anyone ordered this laptop with the IC diamonds paste or extra copper shingles? I am trying to find out if that helps the temperature problems this laptop has. It's really the only reason stopping me from buying it at the moment. Not worried too much about the display as I will probably be using an external monitor most of the time.

 

Yea I got the IC diamond thermal paste. I have pretty much the same setup as you.

 

I got my CM NotePal U2 today and tested it while gaming for several hours. The CPU never reached more then 90°C, all of that with stock thermal paste and at stock voltage, so there might still be more potential.

 

What load temps do you get with the IC thermal paste?

 

The stock paste is a mess! I cleaned it up and applied my own much cooler to the feel

 

Did you measure your CPU temps before so that you could give us the difference? Also, what paste did you use?

 

my factory paste job was terrible as well, all over the place!

 

Can anybody point me to what RAM they used? I want to put in another stick but I don't want to buy 16GB of matching ram if I don't have to.

 

Thanks for the update! Is that compatible with Win8 though, i thought that was the Win8 SP1 driver for the beta? Or am i getting confused haha.

 

8GB A-DATA DDR3 1600 SODIMM from memory.