Clevo W370ST - What's the deal with the terrible fans?

Hi,

Purchased a Clevo W370ST specifications as follows:

- Intel i7 4700MQ @ 2.4Ghz
- 8GB Corsair Vengeance Ram
- Windows 8.1 Pro 64 Bit
- 120GB SSD Corsair
- 750GB HDD
- Intel(R) Centrino(R) Ultimate-N 6300
- Nvidia 765M

Everything else is the standard to what come with the laptop.

Since getting this laptop the bios is absolutely the worst i have ever come across talk about basic, no fan control, no overclocking (if at all overclocking features come with any laptops) no bios update options etc all the good stuff.

Don't get me wrong i love the laptop i just cannot handle this fan any more it just constantly spews out freezing cold air at %100 fan speed it never vamps up and down in percentages, it is either idle or %100 (mainly %100), i cannot use this in public places or work due to it annoying the hell out of my colleagues. You cannot watch movies or listen to music without ear phones as it is just plain annoying.

Basically is there a fix for this issue because i am getting to the point of flogging this laptop which cost me over a £1000 and i really don't want to but it is leaving me with no choice.

Thanks a lot.

Ps. I can't seem to find a driver for the camera on this laptop on Sager or Clevo's website, anyone with a link to it would be much appreciated.

 

Try getting your reseller to exchange it for you since you just bought it?

 

There are bios mods and upgrades to change the fan behavior, Check Clevo Bios Thread and the Clevo W370ST owners thread. In last one someone from XMG it think put an EC file that was proposedly made to change the fan behavior.
I didn't installed any because my use doesn't make it worthwhile, when i am rendering the fans will be at 100% anyway and when i am not the fans don't need to work.

 

Thanks for the replies appreciate it, i have managed to find a website with all the latest EC/BIOS updates for the W350/370ST laptop model, i am new to updating the bios of a laptop it is much easier to do on my gaming PC.

Currently having problems trying to update the EC then the BIOS the read me says to boot in DOS which i guess is safe mode, when ever i go to run any of the files i am either met with 64bit is not supported or this app can not run on this pc. It also does this with the file that Bullit suggested from XMG.

Help is appreciated, thanks.

W35xST/W37xST Series

 

DOS is DOS. It's not Safe Mode. Make a DOS bootable flash drive via rufus or something. Extract the EC and BIOS files in there and then restart and boot from USB.

 

Thanks for the quick response done that and got into the DOS via my usb stick, typed dir to open the file directory to show the files on the usb, feel i may of done something slightly wrong in the process i can't get the first EC flash to launch, think i may be getting the command wrong or i have done something slightly incorrect on the program you recommended. I am a bit of a newbie with this as you can probably tell.

Thanks.

 

What exactly did you type, and in what order? I looked at the instructions, I don't see any obvious issues. The only hard part is booting to DOS. So I think we need to know exactly what you did.

 

When the fans run at 100% and blow out cold air that usually means there is a problem with the thermal paste or heatsink connection. What that is telling you is that the fans are not blowing out the hot air in the computer, hence why they are running at 100% since the sensors in the computer are telling it you have high temps so they run up. But cold air coming out means the hot air is still in the computer.

What are your CPU/GPU temps? Are you using the computer on a flat surface so you're not blocking the intake vents on the bottom (no carpet or bed)

I did see you also are looking to upgrade the BIOS but that wont help if the above is the cause. I'd open up the bottom of the computer (as long as your reseller allows) and check the heatsink connections and the fans and vents to make sure there is nothing blocking them.

 

Hi,

Thanks for the response i will message cyper power systems UK and see if opening it up is okay to do, i have seen more than just myself with this problem, XMG posted a custom EC update focusing fan control on this series of laptop, i planned on updating to latest legit EC and BIOS then to the XMG custom EC if the problem persists.

Do you have a preferred program for monitoring temp results on windows 8.1?

I am using a cooler master U3 stand on a hard table without the fans attached.

As for the BIOS/EC i followed this guide:

1. Make a bootable USB stick using zfactor’s guide available here: how to flash your bios with dos using a usb stick:
(Alternatively you can make a bootable CD).
2. If you have the BIOS and the EC/KBC files in separate archives or in separate folders, copy them to the USB stick but keep them separate, don't mix their files in the same folder. If they come in a single folder/archive then copy them as they are, in a single folder.
3. Now restart your laptop and boot from the USB stick.
4. If all goes well you should now be in DOS mode. Type “dir” to see the folders you have on the USB stick. Now navigate to the folder where you have the EC/KBC files, type “cd ” to get inside the folder.
5. Once you are in the folder with your EC/KBC files, type “update.bat”. If you have your EC/KBC files in the same folder with the rest of the BIOS files, then type “step1.bat” or "updateEC.bat".
6. Wait for the system to be flashed, it should reboot automatically once it is done. If it does not, then give it some time, make sure the system has finished the flashing otherwise you will brick your laptop.
7. Once this stage is complete, boot again from the USB stick.
8. Navigate to the folder where you have your BIOS files.
9. Type “update.bat” to update the BIOS. If you have your EC/KBC files in the same folder with the rest of the BIOS files, then type “step2.bat” or "updateBIOS.bat".
10. Wait for the system to be flashed, it should reboot automatically once it is done. If it does not, then give it some time, make sure the system has finished the flashing otherwise you will brick your laptop.
11. Your Done.

I got lost at step 4 type CD part i can see the BIOS and EC file listed just no idea how to launch them.

Thanks.

Edit: I used HWMonitor for temp results don't think it shown my gpu temp though due to me having the VGA button lit orange it will use my Intel 4600 and deactivate my 765m:

 

Did that guide come from a readme.txt file within the download?

The one I downloaded told me to look for the readme.txt file in each directory. The EC one said:


1. Plug in AC adaptor.
2. Run ECFlash.bat under pure DOS to start EC flash procedure, the system will shut down automatically when the procedure is finished.
3. Plug off AC adapter for 5 seconds then plug in AC adapter.
4. Power on system and enter CMOS setup to check EC firmware version.

And the Bios one said:


1. Plug in AC adaptor.
2. Enter CMOS setup to disable "Intel Anti-Theft Technology" if the item is available.
3. Run Meset.exe under pure DOS environment, system will restart automatically.
4. Run flashme.bat under pure DOS, system will shut down automatically.
5. Plug off AC adapter for 5 seconds then plug in AC adapter.
6. Power on system, the system will restart automatically.
7. Enter CMOS setup to check BIOS version and load system default, save changes and reboot.
8. If the original BIOS settings are different from system default, please enter CMOS setup to change BIOS settings before system loads Windows.

As far as your issue, I agree with Hutsady. Check your temps. The other complaints you heard were probably fan related, but probably not exactly the same. Your fan should not blow out cold air. If the temps are high, then a bios will not fix it. If temps are low, then the EC update might fix it.

Try gpu-z to read the gpu temps, or try hwinfo. http://www.techpowerup.com/gpuz/ http://www.hwinfo.com/

 

I'm in exactly the same position - bought my W370ST from pc specialist, more or less the same spec.

the fan control is abysmal, the only way to keep the thing quiet is to run economy mode - fan settings in win 7 power options set to passive, cpu downclocked to 800mhz

set up in that way there is no fan noise at all, silent unless you exceed 55-60c, then the fan runs at about 80% constant for about 10 mins pumping out freezing cold air. brings temps down to the 30's but still doesn't want to stop!

I believe the issue may be that it also monitors the m/board temp sensor, in my case, with two hdds working they may be triggering the fan? the problem is that the fan is sealed from the body of the laptop so it sits there trying to cool the cpu/gpu which are already cold, but its constantly receiving a 'i'm getting warm' signal from the board sensor?

that's what I wonder might be the case?

I thought the issue might have been poor heatsink/TIM application, but I've repasted and shaved off 20c from load temps - when on stress testing the air gets almost hot enough to burn so I know it works when it needs to.

I'm somewhat nervous of bricking my laptop but I can't go on with a brand new laptop at 800mhz!!!

 

Do the ec upgrade and the bios upgrade it may fix the fan problems

 

To launch them just type and enter the name of the batch file with the file extension, i.e. in your case to update both EC and BIOS just type step1.bat and press enter or updateEC.bat and press enter (or whatever's applicable to update EC) then boot in to DOS again and type update.bat and press enter.
The computer should update itself
Please don't be surprised by constant INSANELY LOUD beeping on the first restart after updating, just restart the system again and if it goes away it's fine (happened to me after updating BIOS)

 

I'm being a bit special today and can't find the thread;

I'm sure there was a thread on here with a chap that works for a clevo/sager outlet company that were making their own bios firmware to control the fan speed

can anyone post a forum link?

can't remember the username, something like'XC PC' or... something...

 

HWMonitor is also a very popular one to use HWMonitor CPUID - System & hardware benchmark, monitoring, reporting

 

If it is using the Intel gpu, then the other gpu should be cool. I have heard that after using a discreet gpu, when you stop using it the fan will keep running even though it is cool. I think doing Fn+1 once, waiting, then doing it again fixed it. Also the Prema bios has a fix for it as well. This will also give you over clocking capabilities.

 

which perma bios ?

 

All Prema's modded BIOSes for Clevo laptops are available here:
Prema Mod | Giving you the freedom of choice

I don't think there's a version for the OP's Clevo though. Maybe it would be a good idea to ask Prema directly via PM.

 

There isnt indeed..
Still in the owners topic contains a new ec and bios to regulate the fans..

 

This seems to work well if left alone in 'balanced' mode in win 7



something was screwing it up possibly the active/passive option hence fan disabled completely, then full on, that's what i'm hoping anyway

 

Sorry about the late reply been extremely tied up with work stupid hours, sat down this evening again and gone through every post on this thread ( big thanks to everyone trying to help me )

I have tried all the commands put forward to me such as ECFlash.bat etc and every time i am met with bad file name or command what would usually cause this? I can see the file EC and BIOS in the dir list in dos on my memory stick i just cannot get them to launch.



Tried to re do rufus set up and re copy files and the whole dos has changed but still met with same issue:



What my USB set up looks like:

 

You have to put the files in the root of the drive, without the folders.

 

Thank you very much job done no problems, how ever i did forget to disable intel anti theft technology in bios as instructed to do so before updating the bios, unsure if this will have any adverse side effects but everything appears to be updated in the bios.

Unsure if problem is resolved but will post back so anyone with same issue might have a fix for their laptop posted in this thread, will also be updating to a custom ec to see if that resolves the issue if they persist.

Big thanks to everyone who helped me learn how to update a laptop ec/bios.

Edit: Issue definitely not resolved already at it with the fans will try the custom EC within the hour and post back ( can't seem to locate the custom EC will have a look properly at home on my pc, find it easier to use hate touch pads on laptops frustrate me after a while )

I have noticed the fans are very very quiet so far not ramped up what so ever with the AC adapter unplugged, as soon as the adapter is plugged in 59minutes of an hour the fans spins at %100
.