Razer Blade Owner's Lounge

Thanks all for the response. I am glad to hear that the OS is not on the mSSD. I only want to replace the HDD with my SDD. I seriously can't wait for it to get home. I just got the Corsair Vengeance 16GB ram. I am liking this thread. Not like some other hating threads I've seen about the Blade.

 

Just to be on the safe side, don't do any upgrades or change to your OS until you do the upgrade.

 

Actually, I tried today to change the mSATA and the HDD, one is a Crucial 256G and the other is Crucial 512G. But I cannot make the Blade recognized either of these HDDs. I cannot understand why.

If I cannot find out after this weekend, then I will put the original drives back...

 

That's strange.
Have you gone into the BIOS setup, or checked the options available when you boot up? I guess you know, but you need to press F12 several times from the time that the laptop turns on. One of your SSDs at least should be a boot option. You will then have to boot from a USB flash drive (your second boot option), or external DVD (whatever you have to install your OS.)
A few are already using the Crucial mSata without problem, and I see that other SSDs like the Samsungs work well as well (that't the one I got.)

You only need to worry about the one you used to replace the HDD, since you can identify and format the mSata later.

Just make sure you have a copy of windows that allows for a 'new' install. I have tried one of my upgrade media files, and that didn't go well.

 

played with the new skyrim app and found it to be pretty useful, looks really nice as well. hope razer will keep pumping out more ui apps like this.

 

How does it work, I updated Synapse and when I play Skyrim, the Synapse overlay stays the same. Is there a specific key to press and load the preset?

Also, does anyone have the default wallpapers and audio files. I failed to back them up when I upgraded the ram and SSD and re-installed the OS from scratch.

 

Three finger swipe and you'll see the skyrim app and can launch it from there.

Wallpaper was uploaded a couple of times. I think the original is on page 81, do a search for this thread with 'wallpaper' I believe that's what I used and you'll find it. I do believe it was page 81 though.

Audio files we are still waiting for, Cyanide has them, maybe if someone has a hosting site he can email them to that person who can host them?

Cyanide would you email the file upon request?

Sent from my MB886 using Tapatalk 2

 

If someone sends me their email, or points me to a place to host those files I'll gladly email them. Sorry, been pretty busy.

 

PM'ed you Cyanide can't wait for Thursday when I finally get my Blade

 

The OEMLOGO folder contains the audio startup file plus wallpaper.

The "info" folder is the Windows logon screen wallpaper. You copy that entire folder into C:\Windows\System32\Oobe and it should work.

If not, follow the instructions here: Change and customize Windows 7's Logon screen wallpaper | TechRepublic

Download link here: http://www.filedropper.com/razer

 

Thanks for posting the files, tried the regedits but it doesn't seem to work with Windows 8. System refues to let me copy the files into the oobe folder.

 

Has anyone had any issues with Black Ops 2 at all? I've reinstalled in twice now, tried switching the compability thing a few times trying 98, XP, and 7, and I'm current drivers. Basically I've tried everything I could find on google to make it work, and I can't get the game to actually "launch" as in, it'll launch, black screen with blue spinning logo as if it's suppose to be loading something but it just sits there and spins and spins and spins...on task manager it shows up as not responding, try to end task? Just restarts itself and does the same thing. I have to actually restart the computer to get rid of it.

Apparently it's got something to do with issues with not being compatible with Windows 8. Works for some people, and some it doesn't and they had to re-install Windows 7 to get it to work, and with those that did, it worked the first time...

Anyone have any idea's besides going to back windows 7?

 

When you talk about compatibility, do you mean using the feature under control panel? Have you tried this?
Control Panel -> Program -> Programs and Features -> Run Programs Made for Previous Versions of Windows

I have not used it yet ((haven't had problems with older programs.)

 

I have not tried that, will try and let you know! What I meant was going to .exe for the file, Properties -> Compatability -> Check box -> Select Windows ____

Edit: Okay in Windows 8, that's how you do what you're describing, you actually go to the .exe file and change its properties settings. There isn't anything like that in my programs and features window.


Edit: I ran a compatability test on the .exe and it says it's not compatible. lol. Even running in comp mode for 7, Vista, or XP SP3 doesn't change anything. dafuq.

 

Quick question. How is everyone doing with their headset/mic. Every time I'm vent to Skype my friends say they can't hear me that good. I'm using the razer carcharis which has two ends. While the laptop only has the single combo port.do you guys have an adapter you recommend or what's your solution?

 

Went through that myself, tried an adapter from radio shack but it never worked at all really. I'd suggest buying the Electra, it has just the one male jack for both mic and audio, has worked great for me. I shelved my carcharis. That or get a USB head set. Even with my carcharis though it worked just fine, the mic in the laptop worked fine for me while I was waiting for my electra.

Sent from my MB886 using Tapatalk 2

 

Thanks for the input. I might consider the Electra. Just double checking the megalodon would work since its USB input right?

 

Yep, usb head sets shouldn't have problems

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My Blade is finally here!! First order of business, reinstall Windows 8 with my Crucial mSATA 256gb as my boot disk

 

Grats good sir, you have no idea how jealous I am of all of you. Im crossing my fingers (and counting my pennies) for the Blade r2 or Alienware m18x r2 in the next couple of months.
Decisions, decisions...

 

Occasionally when I start my R2, Razer OSD crashes is this normal and is there a way to fix it?

 

That's quite the decision there. Two completely diff types of laptops lol. That's like cross shopping a sports car with a truck!

Sent from my MB886 using Tapatalk 2

 

Haha I know. Its the old portability vs power decision. I want to be mobile, but by that I dont mean, game on the commute to work. And I am a sucker for turning everything up to 11 and letting my eyeballs bleed rainbows of sweet sweet graphics...

If the Razer could have squeezed in just a slightly more powerful card, and had a bit more apps for the switchblade it wouldn't even be a contest...

 

Apps have been rolling out pretty frequently lately, Skyrim and LoL just got already this year - and with their developer contest coming to an end, more are to come. There's already a VLC App on the developer board. I'm sure they'll probably launch that. If not, it's up for grabs atm. Mine doesn't work like it's suppose to unfortunately...But the others that have downloaded it have liked it

Graphics..yeah...That's a hard choice. Why the M18x, you going for SLI 680's or Xfire 7 series? Might aswell just get an M17x is if you're not and enjoy the savings?

I cross shopped Blade vs M17x, I had a G73 before, and I loved it, but I always was a little depressed because it was just a really awkward machine to acutally use in your lap, and on a plane, I brought it to work maybe twice before I was just tired of lugging it around. Saw the blade and was instantly sold. I don't mind dialing back the GFX a bit to be able to lounge on my couch with this thing in my lap and it not feel awkward, etc etc

 

Yeah, that happens once in a blue moon. Are you starting it from sleep/hibernate? That's a sure fire way to make it crash.

 

I had an Alienware M17x R4 for about 6 months, sold it, bought a 2nd gen Razer Blade instead.

Much much much happier.

I don't notice a *significant* graphics processing power drop, I still run most everything turned up to max/ultra and the Razer Blade usually handles it fine.

The M17x was so heavy (ALMOST 10LBS), unwieldy, loud and had a horrible typing position (the angled front fascia hurts after a long gaming session). After putting 16Gb of RAM and a 256Gb mSATA SSD into my Razer Blade as well, it's no contest in my eyes.

 

Hmm, annoying gripe I'm having right now, i can't seem to make a bootable USB installer correctly! I've tried the Windows tool and the diskpart instructions (the 2 most popular ways to create a bootable installer, it seems) , well my 32 Transcend gb USB 3.0 stick won't show up as a boot option at BIOS setup. I recall never ever having problems with this back when i was installing windows 7.

So I still can't shift to my 256 gb mSATA SSD. Any help?

 

Yeah I was thinking about going Sli or X-fire, probably to get a bit more longevity out of the build. Obv if a new tech like DX12 comes out, playing at max settings will be a no no, but it should have more than enough grunt to last 3-4, maybe 5 years. Going single card is an option, I've had conflicting arguments about the pros and cons of dual discrete GPUs, but figured if Im going to be splashing the cash, I may as well splash it in a big way.

That last bit about lying on the couch gaming on a sleek, light rig really is SO appealing. How much of a performance increase did you notice with your new SSD and RAM? anything to give the Blade more grunt surely has to be a good idea!

 

You're not going to see a difference in "grunt" for gaming with more ram unless you only had like 2G from the get go now. SSD is just faster load times for windows, and for games, won't make a difference once you're in the game, just while its loading.

I don't know if a m18x will last 4-5 years, everything on their is still mobile versions so it'll fall behind faster than a desktop will, plus keeping it for that long you may run into hardware issues, 4-5 years from what I've seen is really long half life for a gaming laptop, my friends have been doing laptops a lot longer than I and maybe things have improved over time but they usually had to buy new machines in year 3 due to hardware failing and it being out of warranty...

However if you are looking for longevity I would go with the m18x, hands down. It won't dissappoint just take good care of it!

Sent from my MB886 using Tapatalk 2

I know you've probably done this, but just to double check you've tried all 3 usb ports and all 3 won't show your drive, yes?

 

Use a different thumb drive

 

This would work too - lol

 

You press F11 to get into a boot menu, you don't go into the BIOS.

 

Try F12 if F11 doesn't work.

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Does a boot menu come up at all?

A boot menu should come up doesn't matter whether you have a USB drive in it or not. If it doesn't, try hooking up an external keyboard to the laptop.

 

I just got my USB stick for win 7 from Razer yesterday and I and f12 is the only thing that worked for me

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Yeah F12 brings up the boot menu, it should come up always

 

Finally got it to work. Bought a new 8gig USB 2.0 thumb drive, used the RMPrepUSB software, then set the OS type to Legacy OS (from UEFI). Don't know which one made it work exactly, but after 2 days of tinkering I'm glad I finally figured it out now in the process of inatalling drivers and essential apps. Haven't even started gaming LOL

 

Ah nice, I like the Microsoft boot software, easy and works great for me.

 

Guys, I just noticed I have a problem with the Switchblade UI. It won't work ever since I reinstalled Windows 8. I've installed all drivers, and Synapse 2.0. Didn't need to install the firmware because it was already updated. The keyboard backlight is lit, and the function keys work as well. The only ones not working are the 10 dynamic adapatible whatchamacallits on the right side and the LCD trackpad/touchscreen which works as a trackpad, but only shows the default Razer logo screen. Tried changing settings of the Synapse 2.0 software to no avail.

Any idea how to fix this? Argh, the challenges and hassles of a fresh install

EDIT: And it used to work before with the factory install

 

Hey guys,

wanna ask those who went through razer RMA for replacing the blade, how long do they usually take to process RMA? especially from singapore, been exchanging email with them and currently awaiting on them to collect them on my house,

but i am getting impatient as i am travelling oversea for a month in next 2 week and i need to carry it abroad..

so my question here is whats the replacement set for Razer Blade R2? refurb set? and how long does it take them to ship u the new unit? and advice?

 

Hi all,

-update

I was able to install the vengance ram and the ssd HD by doing a bit to bit copy of the original HD. The original HD is not a normal 2.5, luckily the SSD did fit. Everything is working great. Except...

When I close the lid and the computer goes to sleep it crashes the next time I open it. The keyboard stops responding and I get the blue screen with the sad face.

I think this has something to do with power management and SSD.

Any advice?

 

In addition to my Switchblade problem, I have another query. I just realized I was only able to boot into USB because I switched to Legacy OS in the BIOS. Changing it back to default (UEFI) did not allow me to use my mSATA 256gb SSD as my boot drive, essentially rendering my installation useless on UEFI mode.

Can anyone explain to me the significance of this? I dunno what I just, all I know was my factory install used to work on UEFI mode, now it doesn't

 

Did you do a fresh Win 8 install or did you upgrade from 7?

 

There's a workaround to it. But basically if you installed it on Legacy OS, you can't change it back until you re-install the OS on UEFI. I had the same issue when I had my M17x. Just make sure you install on UEFI from the beginning.

I believe you can Google it for a workaround.

You should honestly not see too much of a performance difference if any at all between the 2 options. I wouldn't worry about it.

 

Ayt, that's good to hear. I was beginning to think I was missing out with the UEFI option. Already I noticed the boot screen was a higher resolution in UEFI than in Legacy, but hopefully beyond that there won't be any other differences

How about the Switchblade thing? You guys have any ideas for a workaround? It's the only thing keeping me from a 'complete' reinstall.

 

Are the keys just black regardless of you being on the "homescreen" after hitting the razer logo?

The only "fixes" we have for the switchblade are to delete synapse and reinstall it...Keep trying, it took someone else on the boards a few times before it started working..

Also, check the profile you're in the Synpase control, I had issues with the SBUI once and my problem was no profile was selected.

 

Yeah I would just keep trying to re-install it. Maybe update your .NET framework separately as well.

 

Well, i finally managed to get it to work by reinstalling Windows lol. It's finally perfect thanks guys! I'm just wondering though how futureproof the laptop will be given that I did not use the UEFI option. I (stupidly) deleted all partitions when I clean installed Win 8 (including all recovery, MSR etc. partitions). I do it out of force of habit since I always used to do it, as I felt I was tech-savvy enough to not need factory defaults.

Now I think I'm way in over my head now though, you think I permanently forced myself out of the future of PCs?I keep hearing that legacy/BIOS is the old guarf and UEFI is the new wave.

 

You won't see a difference, and it won't matter to be honest.

Oh and everyone should follow this SSD optimization guide after a fresh install. I do it every time. Helps with the lifespan of the SSD and performance.

http://thessdreview.com/ssd-guides/optimization-guides/the-ssd-optimization-guide-2/

 

Hello everyone, I just received my brand new GeForce GT555m Razer Blade and so far it's running game such as Chivalry, Day Z, and other games at great performance.

The problem that I have is that even at the lowest possible settings, League of Legends runs very very poorly where the frame rate is around 8 and so far nothing in the settings will change it. I've read somewhere else that LoL is giving other high end laptops this problem as well.

My question is; is there a way to fix this? It almost seems like it's a driver problem, even though I have the recommended drivers.

I'd greatly appreciate any help given, thanks!