Benq - S42

Has anyone else experienced any random freezing with this driver or any problems? (I think while using intel graphics only.. but not sure)

 

any idea whether the 32 bit version works?

 

Not working with 64bit windows 7.

I tried DOX's i get a black screen if i boot in unsigned drivers mode.

I hope benq release 64 bit drivers/software and soon. i have a feeling that they not going to give us anymore support because hybrid graphics is pretty much niche. i'm getting rather agitated.


While it works in windows 7 64bit fine if do not install the nvidia drivers and disable it. (it doesn't BSOD but both graphics card are still running and draining my battery) it kind of makes my laptop redundant. i bought it for this usability.

i want to make the full potential out of my benq. c'mon boys and girls write to benq tech support so they'll do something about it!

 

Try Nautis' drivers. I have been using them and have experienced no problems whatsoever. I am running Windows 7 64-bit, and have drivers for all devices on my Joybook S42. Make sure you sign the drivers and leave in test mode. There is a program that will get rid of the text on the desktop that says *Test Mode*, so do not fret.

 

any idea where i can get the volume indicator for x64 when i hit fn+f8/f9?

 

Have you tried the 32-bit one? (I haven't)

If that doesn't work, you are out of luck for an official one from BenQ as I do not think they provide for 64-bit.

 

ok...

if i use dox 185.85 in that link... it doesn't work.. my computer boots a blank screen but i can hear the start up noises.

if i use the nautis 185.85 fix on dox's it worked once or twice. but after a couple of boot ups then it just completely goes into s and won't change graphics when i press fn + f10.


lately I've been trying to get it working again but i'm having no luck..


does anyone know where i'm going wrong?

worst driver support ever. probably the last time im buying benq or taiwanese brand laptop ever.

 

Try Nautis' driver ( http://forum.notebookreview.com/showpost.php?p=5093917&postcount=460 ).

I have *never* experienced any issues while using them.

 

Increasing gpu performance 2-3 times?

Any BenQ S42 owners want to connect an desktop video card eg: HD57xx/HD58xx/Fermi) to get approx 2-3 times the performance of the onboard 9600GT? Based on analysis of a S41, the port arrangement should be able to do x2 1.0 by combining the mPCIe and expresscard slots .

See DIY ViDock thread if interested.

 

namaiki can u give me the link to download the software that can remove 'Test Mode' text on the desktop plz~ thanks !!

 

here: http://deepxw.blogspot.com/2008/12/remove-watermark-v03-build-20081210.html

 

I guess you have it held down here Namaiki. Just upped a 197.45 driver for testing.

 

Thanks for reaching out here, but actually I just sent my Joybook S42 out for RMA due to fan issues. :|

 

namaiki..my benq s42 is facing overheating issues..when i play game about 15-20 minutes i started to feel warm at my left palm..and then suddenly my laptop switch off by itself..i'm using nautis 191.90 driver..is it because of nautis driver(sorry nautis ^_^ ) or my laptop problem?have u face this problem before??if u did can i know how u deal with it? THANKS !!

 

It's not because of the driver. Make sure that the laptop is on a flat surface and that the heat vent at the back isn't blocked.

Try download OCCT and do the powersupply test. Beware that your laptop will probably turn off if you don't stop the test fast enough. Set the test to infinite and shader complexity to Optimal.
Now, I want you to tell me what temperature CPU1, CPU2, and GPU get up to. (remember I said you have to stop the test in time, the computer will turn off when CPU turns to 100C and when GPU turns to 105C)

What I have actually done is I sent my laptop in for fan issues, as says the post right above your one.

Also, don't game while you're on battery or you will damage the battery.

 

namaiki, here the details : 54s - 1024x768@60Hz - windowed

CPU1 : 73*c, 97% CPU2 : 73*c, 97%

GPU1 : can get up to - 97*c, 97% then it go down 95*c, 90%

all information i give you above is from the 'red line' at the graph(temperature) only

 

Were you gaming on battery?

Also, from what you posted above, it's hard to see if the CPU or GPU would reach the cut off temperatures above.

 

nope..juz folow ur advice ..then, is there anything i can do so that it will not shut off suddenly while i'm gaming without using external fan example cooler pad or put a big fan beside my laptop? not only that i also facing fan issues juz like u..sometimes it sound like hovercraft..

 

Try these drivers and perhaps make sure PhysX that PhysX is disabled. I really dunno if your GPU is overheating that much.. CPU at least seems fine.

 

can i know wut ur GPU temperature and wut driver u are using?anyway thanks!

 

I am using the 191.97 and temps are slightly under ~70C and ~100C.

edit: By the way you have to check HWMonitor for GPU temps. I think you're reading CPU percent usage.

edit2: if you were reading the red line, it's alright...

 

Hi namaiki,

I just got a benq s42 from my brother. I'm trying to get win7 64bit running. can you recommend a hybrid gfx for it? there's a big list of drivers in nautis's site:
Index of /drivers/testing

I'm not sure which one to use.
thanks!

 

I'm using 191.97 no issues so far.

You can try 186.88 if you're too lazy to sign the drivers, but it scores less in 3DMark06 (I don't game).

@1280x800
191.97 = 5800Marks
186.88 = 5600Marks ~~

 

Thank you!
I installed 191.97 and signed it. It works good so far. I haven't try gaming, but 3dmark06 runs ok on it for a couple of times. Score not very good only 5600+, compared with 5900+ when it was running the default vista32 with official driver.
temparature of GPU goes up to 100C however when running 3Dmark06, kinda terrifying. CPU temparature rather ok at max 64C when loaded with orthas, and idling at 40C.
I think the dust in the ventilation system may need to be cleaned but with the seal on back which says broken void warranty, I'm not sure if that's worth it. The fan noise is horrible when running 3dmark06, lol.

 

If I run Furmark, I can get my GPU up to 100C, but if only 3DMark 06, then I think it's about 85C..

 

I wasn't very happy about the temperature, so I dissembled the laptop and take a look at the GPU cooling system.

The GPU and 4 Vram modules are all connected to the copper heat dissipator via thermal pad. One of the termal pad on the Vram is broken not sure during dissembly or before that. I applied a very thin layer of thermal compound on the chips then reassemble it. The temperature went even slightly higher than before, idling at about 65C and loaded at 105C.

So I removed the thermal pad on GPU, picked up a small piece of alluminium which is about 1mm thick. I applied thermal compound on GPU, then put the allumunium pad on top of it, and apply another layer of thermal compound on it then put the original copper cooling system back in. reboot, and now the GPU is idling at about 55C and loaded at max 78C (room temperature 30C when aircon is off). I ran Furmark 1.8.2 extreme mode for 3+days continuously, without aircon, room temperature about 30C, and the system survived!

I have to admit that this operation maybe dangerous as the original thermal pad is non-electrical-conductive, while the alluminium pad I used to replace it is. Not to mention it may void the official warranty (I didn't break the seal but I did replace the original thermal pad with allumunium). I suspect the original manufacturer use thermal pad instead of direct contact between GPU and copper heat sink for a reason. If that reason is because they don't have an exact number of the distance between the two, that's kinda lame. But if the reason is to prevent electrical short circuit, then change it with a metal pad may not be very safe.

 

Oh wow!!!!
Are the VRAM modules touching the heatsink? Or just the GPU core?

Which screws did you have to remove to open her up?

 

on the factory setup, both the VRAMmodeuls and the GPU are covered with thermal pad, before touching the heatsink. But the pad are different. The thermal pad touching the VRAM chips are sorta like mud, or chewing gum, but not as sticky. The thermal pad covering the GPU has a layer of fabric inside.

I removed the thermal pad covering the GPU and change that with an alumunium pad with thermal paste on both sides (OCZ freeze is the thermal paste I used). I changed the mud like thermal pad on VRAM modules with this unbranded thermal pad (also mud like) I bought from a local hardwarestore. after reassembly, the 2nd and 3rd VRAM chip is very loosely touching the heatsink with thermal pad in between. But since it runs Furmark ok for 3days straight, I didn't bother to readjust that part.

Now i just hope it runs stable till the warranty finishes, and hopefully after that as well till it's outdated by software in future.

 

and about the process to open her up:

1. remove 2 screws on ram module cover; take out rams; disconnect the 3 pins of wireless lan antenna (remember the order which is black white grey from top to bottom); remove 2 screws that secure the wireless lan card and take the card out;

2. remove 2 screws on HDD (one of which is covered with a seal in my case) bay cover and remove the HDD bay cover; remove 2 screws that secure the HDD and take out HDD;

3. remove 1 screw that secures the optical drive and take out the optical drive;

 

4. remove all the remaining screws on the bottom, 12 if I didn't count wrong; remove the battery, remove another 2 ordinary screws and 3 flat screws under battery;

5. remove 4 screws on the back of the laptop (2 on each side of the screen hinges);

6. put the laptop in normal position, open the lid all the way to the back. now uncover the hinge cover from the right end (the long piece with power button), use some steady force if needed, after which you'll see this:

 

7. lift keyboard from top, under the keyboard unplug the keyboard cable, remove the keyboard; disconnect the lcd cable (top left); pull out the wireless lan card antenna cables (black/white/grey); unplug the touchpad cable and another cable (the two in the middle with blue plastic cover):

 

8. you can remove the 4 screws that secures the lid to the main chasis but that's not necessary; now remove the 3 screws under the keyboard, turn the back of the laptop towards you, then you can lift up the top cover of the main chasis (remove the lid may make this step a little easier) to reveal the mainboard; disconnect the plug near the touchpad which shall be the speaker cable;

9. turn the opened main chasis in normal position, with the mainboard on the left half of the chasis, disconnect the bluttooth cable on bottom left, usb calbe near HDD bay, and power cable on top left corner; remove 2 screws on top and bottom of the mainboard then you can take out the mainboard (remove the lower part where the audio jack is first, then slide it out from left); The empty bottom chasis looks like this:

 

10. the mainboard looks like the picture below. to remove the cooling system, unscrew the 4 screws on CPU/chipset heatsink, and 2 scres on GPU heatsink. These 6 screws are fixed on heatsink so don't force to take them out. then remove 1 last screw on top of fan. Now the cooling assembly can be take out from mainboard.


11. clean the vent on the bottom of main chasis; clean the fan and vent with vacumn or compressed air if there are dusts.

 

12. I forgot to take picture when I first opened up the laptop. So what you see from the final picture is after I remove the thermal pad on GPU. I put a small aluminium pad in between GPU and heatsink (the shining silver pad shown on the heatsink) with thermal paste (OCZ freeze) on both sides.

remark: when I fist open up the heatsink assembly, the two yellowish plastic bands near the top VRAM chips actually covers the chip and the thermal pad is not in direct contact with the chips. That's what make me think that the VRAM chip may not have a big heat issue, so I didn't replace those thermal pads with metal pads.

 

Thank you sooo much, mangos47!! You're like a complete pro!

By the way, when you opened it, was there much dust?

 

Thanks, it's fun and not too hard once you are determined to do it.

The ventilation filter on the bottom of the laptop is half-blocked, but the internal comb-vent and fan are not so bad. I also find some dust here and there inside the main chasis, don't know how they got in the way.

 

How long have your brother and you had that laptop?

On my Joybook S42, the center of the touchpad has gone smooth.

What kind of battery life do you get when on the Intel graphics card?

 

1.5 years with my brother and 1 week in my hand.

The touchpad on mine is almost new as we always use mouse.

battery life is about 2 hrs watching 720p video using intel graphics, 50min running 3dmark06 with Nvidia graphics. I didn't try just web browsing & text processing, shall be slightly longer than watching 720p video I guess.

This laptop is quite a solid one IMO, and very good performance/price ratio. The only thing not so great is the screen, resolution a bit low for its generation. But on the other hand lower screen resolution prolongs gaming lifespan of the 9600m gt,

 

Nice thing for me is is has the same generous keyboard as my previous Joybook S72.

It doesn't really have feel of build quality as it's all soft plastic underneath but this S42 has lasted longer than the S72 for me, as the magnesium alloy case would bend.

Notebooks/Laptops :: BenQ Joybook S72 Centrino (Intel 915PM) :: www.hardwarezone.com.au Reviews ::

The S72 ran a lot hotter, though.

Also, I still have never owned a laptop which has a screen resolution higher than 1280x800.


mangos47, do you have the warranty from BenQ for two years?

 

my brother bought it at a computer show which provides 3 years warranty, so technically still 1 year plus for this machine, but I guess what I did void that lol

 

u lucky. I've already sent mine in twice to replace the fan (technically 3 times, because the first time, I brought it home but it wouldn't turn on)

 

Posted [Nvidia 258.96 / Intel 2020] with PhysX and the INF included here at LV2G. BenQ user already reported success. Huge thanks to namaiki for figuring out the BenQ side of things.

 

namaiki..the link that nautis posted up here is for 64bit..is there any link for me to get [Nvidia 258.96/Intel 2020 ] 32bit ??

 

I can't remember which is the latest for 32bit.
You could try the following:

or you could look in the thread linked above or in this thread for more information. But, I really don't think there is...

 

Wow yeah I guess it has been a while since I modded up some 32bit drivers. I am working on a new sexy top post for that Hybrid Graphics thread. With it i will have some new drivers modded up and will make sure to include 32bit. (Might take a little while so please be patient.)

 

Nautis i have try the -> [Nvidia 258.96 / Intel 2020] with PhysX driver and it did not work on my BenQ S42 Win 7 64bit, so i am back using [HGMS_N19197_I1994_x64].

I am not sure why it is not working for me but i did notice when i install the [HGMS_N19197_I1994_x64] it did "change video" screen fade to black and back on, but the [Nvidia 258.96 / Intel 2020] did not and halfway installing it pop up an error -> something about driver not working etc and it is reinstall any old working driver @_@?

 

Uninstall the older drivers first and install the Standard VGA driver to make sure there are no conflicts. Also, make sure that you have BIOS R1.20.

 

hello fellow s42 owners. I recently bought a BenQ s42 laptop used off craigslist.
It originally came with vista as the operating system but the guy i bought it from loaded windows 7 on it. However the video card or the hdmi output port arent being detected i tried to update the Geforce drivers and it also tell me that it cant find any hardware. any chance this is because of windows 7? BTW I dont have the original recovery disk. Do you think reverting back to Vista will fix this????
thanks for your help
Joe

 

Which drivers were you trying to install? (please link me)
Note that you can only install drivers from BenQ and the drivers that are specifically designed to support Hybrid Graphics ( these are for Windows 7 64-bit).

What version of Windows and how many bit is on your laptop?

 

i got problem on my s42 too.

after i installing windows 7. i try to instal the 9600m GT driver. the installation is complete, but it still not detected.

im still using bios 302, not 1.20. because i use xp before windows 7. where i can download bios 1.20 for windows 7 x64. anyone can help me?