Clevo P170HM notebook screen brightness problem + slows down (after BIOS update)

Dear All,

I got a Clevo P170HM notebook and recently updated the BIOS, the EC and my videocards (GTX 675M) BIOS also.
I updated these stuffs because i had incompatibility issues with my new GTX 675M.
Before these updates i didnt experienced the following "minor" problems:

- I cant change the screen brightness in windows, just from BIOS with Fn + function buttons. In Windows 7 I can see the slider, but does nothing.
- If i dont touch my notebook for approx 5 mins the system fan begin work hard.
- If i watch youtube and dont touch the keyboard or the mouse for approx 5 mins the videos slows down very very.
- the same thing happen when i play a game and leave it for approx "untouched". If i touch the mouse everything speeds up immediately.

If i play games continually everything works perfect for hours. If i watch HD videos with my media player and dont touch keyboard or mouse everything is perfect.

So, i think something turn on after 5 minutes, but cant run properly and thats why my system slows down... I could be the screen brightness reduction or the sleep function which was on before i installed the new videocard. But with my new GTX 675M i can manage these functions in windows. As well changing brightness.
I need to use a modified Nvidia driver, because GTX 675M is not 100% supported by Clevo. Also i tried to cross flash to GTX580M, but it wasnt successful. System still detects as a GTX675M...

BTW my Clevo works perfect and very fast, never freezes. I have completed a lots of games... encoded videos, i am using 3d designer programs, everything works without any problems. No overheating or any other things.
The only issue is what happen after every 5 min and the disabled power management functions.

Any ideas?

Thanks!
Zoltan

 

Hmmm... nobody?

 

What BIOS EC version do you have?

 

First of all we need information which version of EC firmware and BIOS you have already installed. I have 680M in my P170HM and it works great.

 

Hi all, so here you go the versions from my BIOS:

BIOS: 1.01.10
KBC/EC: 1.00.09

VGA: empty
vBIOS: 70.24.31.00.02

I got the new BIOS, EC and vBIOS from Prema.

Just clarify i did these updates, because i bought a new videocard (my GTX675M). This card comes from an Dell Alienware machine and had to update the vBIOS, because my Clevo doesnt recognized it.
After the vBIOS update it works, but windows can see it just like a "standard VGA adapter". Therefore i need to use modified inf drivers with brightness and power manadgement issues.

My BIOS shows "empty" at the VGA's line. I dont know why...

Any clues?

 

Ok so BIOS and EC you have latest same as I but my EC has modified fan table.
BIOS show "Empty" at the VGA line becouse there is no information about Hardware ID in BIOS it's totally normal. I have also same information but it's nothing bad.
Try to update drivers to latest Geforce drivers 331.82 and mod inf file by yourself. First of all disable all SLEEP options i power sections.
GTX 680M and others has problem with sleep mode and I can't use sleep function becouse wake up function does not power up gpu card (black screen symptom).
What are your temperatures at IDLE ? Check if you use FN+1 shortcut to enable and disable maximum fans spin is that helps for a while for very loud working of vents.
My GTX 680M is practically not audible at IDLE, fans spins on very minimum speed. If you want I can share you my EC firmware on PM.

 

Hi,

I havent tried 331.82 drivers, i didnt found a working inf file...

So are you using modified drivers also?

Prema (an expert guy form the forum) wrote me that if i use GTX 580M bios on my GTX 675 it will work with normal nvidia drivers and hopefully it will solve my brightness and other problems.
I tried to cross flash the vBIOS. Nvflash said update was successful but did not installed GTX580 Bios... i dont know why...

Anyway, do you have a working 331.82 driver with inf file?
How can i turn of "sleep" if my power management doesnt work well?

Thanks your help!

 

Is the 675m a clevo card or dell one?

 

I can modify for you inf file but you need to provide information about Hardware ID of GPU.
Go to Device Manager -> Display Adapters -> Right click GTX 675M Properties -> Details -> Hardware IDs -> Copy first value and paste here then I prepare for you modified inf file.

 

The card comes form a Dell machine. It had Dell Bios on it, but i updated to a generic BIOS (what Prema gave me)
Before bios update my Clevo doesnt recognised the card and freezed at startup. After the update it worked.

Do you think something is wrong with my current BIOS?

 

Do you want this one?

PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_1212&SUBSYS_71001558&REV_A1

 

Well Guys, ive just updated the video driver to 331.82. I found a working modified driver.
But my problem is still exist. I cant change the brightness from windows and still no power management control...

I thing it could be either BIOS or EC problem...

Should i try to update or change EC?

 

You will never get a dell card to work with Clevo EC I am sorry for the bad news, they just ain't compatible.
Even the great Prema cannot fix this.

 

You could be right... but i dont know... The card works "perfect" except brightness issues.
Prema told me to try to use a GTX 580M bios on my GTX 675M. (these cards are basically the same)
I did the update, which was successful but - i dont know why - my system still detects this card as a GTX 675M...

I think i will give up...

 

I am owner of a P150HM with a dell GTX 675M i bought recently...
I had the same problem that you, couldn't flash the GTX580M vBIOS on it.
VGA Card says empty on my BIOS as well... and i have a lot of problem updating drivers.

Anyway, i'm using Windows 8 and not Windows 7 as you and I have no problems with slow downs or maxed up fans. But i have the brightness control problem.
Maybe you should give Windows 8 a try.

 

What exactly causes the incompatibility between Dell and Clevo cards?

 

Optimus most likely.