PowerSpec 1710 + 1510?

Still wondering how or if I will ever be able to update the damn bios on this thing.

 

Well, after a much extended debate with PowerSpec (MicroCenter), and after showing them the available BIOS updates from Clevo for the PA70HS-G, the short of it is that the unit if flashed to the Clevo ones will work, but will no longer be identified as PowerSpec units, which will affect your OEM Win10 Home activation. Whether this is actually true is open for some speculation.

As for myself, I wouldn't need worry since I upgraded my license to Win10 Pro Retail, and I can reactivate via my MS Account.

 

Unless the update overwrites the key area (very odd) I would doubt it would impact activation.

 

Right, flashing the system firmware would, unlikely, affect activation. We use OEM licenses also and don't run into this.

 

The OEM licenses would only freak out after large hardware changes unlikely to be an issue with soldered parts.

 

Genuine status is lost whenever a main board is replaced, but usually re-activating over MS's phone system is easy enough.

 

Ugh, looks like one of the fans over the GPU on my 1510 has died. Wires look fine. Should this make much of a difference if any? Maybe a repaste just to optimize temps as best I can?

 

It will yes. Half your gpu cooling just went.

 

Has anyone upgraded their screen on the 1510 to the AUO B156HTN05.2? I did it and the replacement went great, but this panel is 120Hz and supposed to support GSync, and I can see it's running 120Hz but GSync is just not available now that I'm using this panel. The Nvidia control panel is acting like this is not a GSync panel at all. I've been reading up on this screen and others, and apparently with laptops there are some hoops that have to be jumped through to get things to pair, including possible changing EDIDs or using DSDT or updating BIOSes and such. I've done these things before but I don't think I've seen anyone specifically using this laptop and this screen replacement. Has anyone here done this and gotten GSync to work? Can you share how it was done? Thanks.

Edit: forgot to mention, I am in Discrete mode. GSync was working before the replacement.

 

NVIDIA forces panels to be whitelisted in BIOS to enable GSync. If it's not listed, the NV chip will disavow it, even tho the display supports it.

 

In fact the firmware of the panel in and of itself is not G-sync related directly, it just has to match what is in the BIOS.

 

Ugh - so I guess that means I'm out of luck unless I either figure out how to hack a BIOS myself or find someone else who has done it and who is willing to share. Not going to be easy either way.

Thanks anyway!

 

You can try and contact @Prema and ask him..

 

Ah, more BIOS complaints. Gotta love it. Is there any resource/guide for how to actually update the BIOS and where to download the files? A few pages back I believe there was a post from somebody who did it on a 1710, but that led me to a directory with an absolutely massive amount of files to download and no clear instruction, so I opted to let sleeping dogs lie.

Thankfully that second GPU fan came back to life. Not sure what that was about.

Maybe a quick question, when using both of the m.2 slots with NVMe drives, what is the performance on each? Do they both run at x4? Or does one drop down? I'm trying to figure out the easiest way to clone the m.2 NVMe drive I have in there at the moment in order to do a hopefully seamless upgrade with a larger, newer NVMe SSD.

 

Updates come from your reseller.

 

1) There have been no updates by reseller @Meaker@Sager

2) 2nd M.2 runs at x2 instead of x4

 

Sitting here I've realized that come November, I'll be at my 1 year anniversary for acquiring my 1710. In this time, here are the changes and fixes I've applied:

1) Repasted gpu/cpu after 3 months due to rising temps.
2) Had to apply Intel MEI 11.xx security fixes manualy thanks to no BIOS updates from MicroCenter.
3) No BIOS update for microcode mitigation, despite numerous requests.
4) Added 2nd 960 EVO (500GB) to 2nd NVMe port (at x2) using included thermal pad from MicroCenter/Clevo.
5) Swapped out the included 1TB HDD with a 850 EVO SSD.
6) Purchased a 6TB Seagate Backup+ USB3 drive for external storage.
7) Bought a smaller laptop cooler to fit my backpack.
8) Purchased Corsair Dark Core and K63 Wireless keyboard to allow me to use Bluetooth connections. Allows my to keep laptop off to the side when using my 4K Samsung panel, or when I am gaming on the 4K TV downstairs.
9) Still on the original install, tho I upgraded the license to Win10 Pro Retail, and on 1809.

and I still have another year on my warranty. So far, so good. Like to hear some others 1st year experiences.

 

Just to throw in my $.02, it has been about 9 months for me and still really happy with the purchase. Playing around with throttlestop and purchasing obsidian's control station suite has really turned this laptop into a monster. Also, I travel extensively and the ebag professional slim backpack has been a godsend. As a point of reference, mine is an EVOC branded PA71HS-G purchased from hidevolution. They applied the liquid metal tim during the build process and have had zero issues with any part of the laptop.

 

With the 1510:

1) Repasted with MX-4, dramatic decreases in temps, fans still spin up a little too quick however.
2) Haven't been able to do a damn thing with BIOS or Intel MEI, still looking for a well done guide/resource, but oh well lol
3) Currently using 500GB 960 EVO for a Linux install, and an 860 EVO for a throwaway windows install
4) I mostly use the windows install to get the RGB keyboard the color I want, then boot back into Linux
5) Dremel'd out the fan openings on the bottom of the enclosure. Not sure it did much but at least it gets air now. Grills before were horrid.
6) Using the Obsidian Tools utility on the Windows side of things. Puts the Control Center to shame and works fantastic for drivers and RGB

Not sure there's much else to modify on this unless I spring for an even bigger SSD, or if there is a better IPS G-Sync panel available. Probably not worth the work a that point and I'd be better off selling this and investing in a new system.

Overall, for as good of a deal as I got at Microcenter (I think I paid like 1100 out the door?), I really can't complain too much. It's not a perfect laptop but certainly better than average and will get the job done for me for years unless I really want to splurge.

 

Prema has a patcher that will work for your system, in his Security Fix thread. At least for the MEI part.

 

Thank you, that was easier than anticipated. One thing to cross off the list at least.

 

Has anyone had trouble with the Ethernet adapter on the 1710? I've recently purchased a PA71HP6 (same as the 1710, but with a GTX1060), and installed W10 1803. Got all the latest drivers using the Obsidian Updater, and everything checks out but the Realtek Ethernet adapter. The driver installs properly and the device seems to be working, but even when I plug a cable into the port, the status indicator reads that a network cable is unplugged. Physically, there doesn't seem to be anything wrong with the port. All the contacts are straight and clean. Plus, none of the other ports are acting up.

I've done a bit of reading, and there seem to be a ton of issues related to Realtek devices and Windows 10. I tried the suggestions posted here, but no dice. I have also tried rolling back to the default Windows driver, disabling any and all of the eco- and power saving features, manually setting speed & duplex, and even booting a live Linux Mint installation to see if that fixes the issue. I tried two different cables and two routers (ASUS RT-N12 and Synology RT2600AC). Network cable still unplugged.

One solution I keep seeing posted is to unplug the computer and remove the battery for a few minutes, which I have yet to try. I would appreciate any suggestions or tips to fix this issue.

 

Sounds like a physical issue to me, speak to your reseller.

 

or the cable is bad

 

Unlikely with 2 different cables going into 2 different devices.

 

@CM_11 How did you fix the MEI part? I downloaded the Intel tool, ran it, downloaded 11.x, but it won't let me extract the file. It says I need a password?? (Side note: I have the Powerspec 1510.) Nevermind...found the password. Anyone else with 1510 find out their laptop has the vulnerability? Thanks, CM_11. I wouldn't have known about this, if you hadn't mentioned it.

 

1510/1710 owners all have the vulnerability, and we haven't had 1 BIOS/EC update ever.

Also, Intel fixed a performance bug with their latest RST driver regarding resuming from Standby. Download here:

https://downloadcenter.intel.com/do...l-RST-User-Interface-and-Driver?product=35125

You only need the Floppy package, and the RST app is pointless for us.

 

Is the second SSD m.2 slot not able to be used as a boot drive? I've got an SSD in both, one Linux and one Windows, and only the drive in the #1 slot appears in BIOS.

That's....frustrating if it is indeed how it operates.

Edit: Ah damn. It looks like if BOTH m.2 drives are PCIE, only the one in the first slot will work. The #2 m.2 has to be of the SATA type, which in that case I may as well have used the SATA3 port that the original mechanical 1TB drive came slotted in.

Was hoping to be able to swap down my extra m.2 drives from other systems as I had upgraded my primary one, but doesn't seem like having two NVME m.2 PCIE SSDs is an option on the 1510.

Maybe that'll help somebody in the future lol.

 

Does it swap behaviour if you swap the drives?

 

Both drives had been used by themselves in the #1 slot without a problem. The Linux drive is a 970 EVO. The Windows drive is a 960 EVO.

I have not put both of them in, in reversed positions, yet. What I have done thus far is:

Linux install works in m2 #1 by itself, no drive in m2 #2 or SATA port. Windows install works in m2 #1 by itself, no drive in m2 #2 or SATA port.

Linux install works in m2 #1 with Windows install in m2 #2, Windows install does not appear in BIOS.

Both installs work in m2 #1, with SATA3 port SSD in use.

 

Sounds like some kind of contention in boot loaders.

 

Not sure. Doesn't even show the secondary m.2 drive in SSD#2 in GPARTED when booting from Linux. So the SSD#2 slot doesn't appear both in BIOS and in Linux.

Seems that the entire #2 SSD slot is disabled when an NVME m.2 drive is being used in the #1 slot.

 

Ah wait, yes it is, you cant mix types due to the chip that is used to convert between SATA and pci-e

 

TY for the confirmation. Not a major issue really, as a secondary install doesn't need the full speed of the NVME standard. Would be nice to have but hey, again, with as solid of a deal as this was, can't complain.

 

If you have a 2.5" bay free you could adapt the sata drive. That will work still.

 

I finally did it. Gave the 1510 the Liquid Metal treatment. It's been...an experience.

Took everything apart, cleaned the CPU and GPU with rubbing alcohol, a cloth, and Q-Tips. I put a healthy dose of Kapton tape surrounding nearly the entirety of the chips. I also had standard black insulation tape originally on top of that in some spots, but that ended up acting as far too much of an insulator.

Applying this stuff for the first time is weird. I used Cool Laboratory Liquid Pro, which is supposedly in the Top 3 with Liquid Ultra and Conductonaut. You need to use a fair amount to ensure there's contact with the heatsinks, as it simply isn't thick like conventional paste and if it's not transferring, that's no good. At first I think I had this problem because booting back into Windows, I was seeing higher temps than before, around 96C just on standard desktop usage. Took it all apart, triple checked everything, re did the liquid.

Right now in Windows I haven't seen a temp higher than 68C, and in Linux I've maxed out at 63C. I have not done extreme stress testing and likely won't do too much of it, as my main objective was to lower temps so the horrible fans don't go wild constantly. Does anyone know if the CPU fan can be replaced somehow? Surely there has to be some mod to improve the acoustics and performance. That said, the fans are much more tame now, albeit imperfect. Not sure about fan/power profiles via BIOS updates as Microcenter has not issued any BIOS updates at all for the 1510. **** them.

Another issue I ran into that may not be related to the Liquid Metal is some graphics/display problems. The display wouldn't turn on after I thought everything was successfully completed. Everything was booting, I ran Cinebench to stress things some, it all seemed good. I restarted and there was no output on the monitor. I worried that maybe I had spilled the liquid metal somewhere and things got fried, but that didn't seem to be the case as everything was booted fine, Cinebench ran successfully, everything else was good, and the issue only happened after a restart. The issue seemed to be resolved with ALT FN D, for the NVRAM reset, but I also ended up removing all my drives and RAM, putting them back in, and then finally things seemed to be back to normal (for now) after readjusting the cable that is located behind the CPU fan for what I believe is the actual cable connecting to the display monitor LCD itself. Perhaps that is wrong, but I'd rather have that be the issue than a GPU issue or having fried my board. I have seem some very very similarly explained issues posted on NBR here, so I'm not sure. Any thoughts on that?

I think the last thing I will do once I make sure this is totally stable is to consider if Grizzly Conductonaut is worth re-applying the liquid metal for, probably replacing all of the thermal pads or other smaller heatsinks (any recs?), cutting some openings in the bottom, base of the frame, and seeing what can be done about the CPU fan replacement. Unless the display itself can be upgraded with a higher quality IPS (doesn't even need G-Sync), I think I would then be set to ride this thing out until I eventually replace it.

 

Could be the display cable has been knocked.

 

I'm buying a new NVME M.2 and wanted the make sure that I will able to use it as a main drive on the first slot.
I'm planning to use the original one(Samsung 960) on the second M.2 slot and as long as I understand it will work fine but not with the NVME speeds.
Can someone confirm that? Thank you.

 

On my 1710, the 2nd slot operates at PCIe Gen3 x2.

 

Thanks for confirming. PCIe Gen3 x2 is fast enough to run Win 10 on it and I'm planning to run Linux Mint on the main M.2 slot.

 

SATA would likely be fast enough too to be fair unless you have something specific in mind.

 

Haven't been able to use the fn commands on my keyboard in place of the built-in keyboard. The fn key on the separate keyboard just doesn't register. Not sure if this is the correct place to ask.

 

Is there some difference between the 1710 and the 1510 that allows the 1710 to do this?

On my 1510, the second slot is totally disabled when an NVMe drive is in the first slot.

 

I’m sure this has been asked before, but can u use an m.2 sata drive in that second pcie slot?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

Looks like there is a difference. On my 1710 I added a WD Black 500GB NVMe to the first M.2 slot and I'm running Linux Mint on it. The drive is super fast, even after I installed all the drivers and apps that I needed.
I moved the Samsung 960 NVME to the second slot and my original windows install is running fine on it. I can't tell that there is a difference from before.

 

Unless something is wrong with my 1510, based on the comments it looks like yes you can on the 1710, but not on the 1510, possibly.

I was unaware of any technical differences between the two models other than the display panel upgrade on the 1710.

However, maybe it is possible that when an NVMe m.2 is being used in the first slot, the second m.2 slot will still accept and recognize an m.2 SATA drive, but not another m.2 NVMe drive.

The only drives I have been able to try to use in the second slot with the first slot occupied have all been of the NVMe variant, not the m.2 SATA type. Other than that, I don't know. The drives are all good and work fine from the main m.2 slot on both the 1510 and my desktop.

 

The 1710 has switching capabilities, it can use optimus or G-sync (if equipped).

 

Anyone knows any BIOS tweaks for best NVME M.2 performance>?

 

Install it and have a decent drive.

 

Anyone knows if there is any "special way" of changing the thermals???
On the same chasis i7 8750h getting above 95 whenever i game