Prema mod for w230ss?

Hi,

I was looking to undervolt my nexoc notebook, which is a rebranded clevo w230ss. I heard that the prema mod bios would allow such a thing and was looking to try it out. However I couldn't find it anywhere, premamod.com is an empty website and I can't get any response in twitter either.

Could anyone tell me how to obtain a copy, or is there an alternative to open up the bios on the w230ss?

 

The only way is to write a private message to @Prema: himself. He seems to be away tho, so you might want to be patient on his response.

I just checked out your system and boy is that cooling solution classic Clevo, it's horrid.

Also you should be able to undervolt your CPU with XTU without Prema. Have you tried it?

Actually, no, this is not even classic Clevo, they topped themself, this is literally the worst cooling solution I've ever seen on a Clevo yet.

Honestly, you might want to look into how to mod your heatsink etc. more than undervolting. I literally cannot believe that clevo decided to take 2 small copper peices next to each other, combine both plates with 2 heatpipes and then add fins on the end of the heatpipes. This is literally a cooling solution designed to heat up your GPU for absolutely no reason whatsoever.

 

Thank you for your answer, i will contact prema.

My main interest was undervolting so far. But i would gladly enjoy an unlocked bios overall, given the very limited options the stock bios offers.

I do not see the problem with this cooling solution, as long as you keep it clean and use fresh thermal paste, it is actually quite ok. Believe me, i do a lot of cryptomining on this machine, and even under full load it does not get over 80 degrees celsius. Also there is this great key shortcut, FN + F1, that you can use to put your fans to full throttle.

Other than the cooling solution there are much worse things to this notebook, like the horribly brittle case and the missing thread-holes on the vga plug. However i like the way it is built, making it very servicable.

The reason i want to undervolt is for more power efficiency, not for cooling reasons

What is this XTU thing? I will definitely have a look at it.

Edit:

I have just been to prema's profile, however i can't see a way to message him. Am i blind?

Edit2:

I've just seen that the Intel XTU Utility is for Windows only. I might try it on my dual boot system, however this laptop mainly runs linux.

 

You must be new here JK. Judging by your posts count—obviously not, but the W230Sx series is four years old this year. It's a relatively old design, to boot.

Actually, the heatpipes aren't connected to each other. The CPU heatpipe actually levitates a couple millimetres above the GPU's. But you're right, it's still horrible—neither the GPU nor CPU can keep up with an extended session of rendering or gaming.

You'll need to have five posts here before you can PM other users. If @Prema will allow, I have a version of his Prema Mod for the W230SS, which I can send to you.

 

Why yes they can. I do not know where you are getting this info from. What exactly do you mean by "they can't keep up"?

As i said, if you keep the heatsinks clean from dust and apply some fresh thermal paste, the notebook will never even reach 90 degrees. And anything below that is fine for a portable computer imo.

I do extensive gaming and cryptomining and never had the machine throttle itself or shut off because of excessive temperature.

And compared to the asus RoG gaming laptop i once had, it will also not overheat if you close the display lid.

 

Oh comon a GTX 870M with a haswell I7 on that cooling solution is downright terrifying. I've seen notebooks from 2012 who have vasty superior cooling solutions, so you really cannot blame the age of the notebook for it.

But wait, the heatpipes don't touch each other? Doesn't the upper heatpipe heat up the one below regardless?

@dudes0n
U're wrong, even on notebookcheck they note that the cooling solution cannot keep up with the hardware at all. If you'd play games like mafia 3, withcer 3 etc. your notebook would throttle pretty hard. The only reason why you want to undervolt is probably for the very same reason.

 

That would be awesome.

Dear @Prema, is that ok with you?

 

Source: Look at my signature I own this laptop. You're right, it doesn't throttle. Doesn't really shutdown either. But it definitely does get insanely hot given I have overclocked my 4710MQ to 3.5 GHz all-core turbo, and also overclocked my GTX 860M to 1.3 GHz from the stock 1.1 GHz. CPU load temps hit 90°C, GPU load temps hit 83°C. The GPU has, on occasion, throttled down. @Danishblunt is correct, this is lousy thermal engineering. I have repeatedly thought of better heatsink designs, and designing a new 3D-printed chassis for this notebook. But I am getting rid of it soon, anyway, and no point wasting more money on this.

Doesn't help that my ambient temperatures are 35°C either.

 

Well in that case of course. I was referring to stock settings. The cooling solution is definitely good enough for stock settings. But yeah there is not much headroom for overclocking.

Are you interested in selling it cheaply if you're planning to get rid of it? They make a good mining rig.

 

To be honest, even with stock, it isn't particularly impressive. Compared to other 13-14" notebooks (which all have two fans nowadays), this is particularly weak in that regard. I hardly need mention that the 13-14-inchers also have GTX 1060 GPUs in them, which are nearly twice as power-hungry as the GTX 860M.

Do they? I was under the impression the GTX 860M, and by extension, all GM107 chips, were quite weak with regard to computation and mining. What currency are you mining, though? I'm quite interested...

 

As long as it stays between the two of you, sure NP. Have fun!

 

Thanks, @Prema. As always, helpful and altruistic. I'll send it to him when I get back.

 

Well, if you consider that most used w230ss you could get on the market have major flaws like a broken case. That makes them rather cheap and useful in situations where power costs are negligible. Mostly cryptonight for cpu and whatever pays best for the gpu. Used to be about 80cents-1$ per day.

Thanks @Prema and thanks in advance @Ionising_Radiation. Is it the latest version and do i need to do any research about compatibility with my w230ss? Do i need Windows to flash?

 

Hello all, apologies for interjecting but I am also looking for the Prema BIOS for my W230SS as my ITE chipset has probably packed up and no longer charges the battery, along with some other issues with keyboard Fn shortcuts not being available as well. I was hoping to flash the Prema BIOS and see if it makes a difference.

 

I would try flashing a standard BIOS/EC combo, are you sure it's not just the battery that has gone?

 

Hi,
I want to run OSX on my W230SS so I really need the Prema Bios. Sadly he took down those files (he was betrayed so I understand why) but can anyone be so kind and send me the files. That would be so nice @Ionising_Radiation @Prema

thanks in advance
Mrn0body

 

Why on earth would you need Prema BIOS for OSX?
Also just saying this right now, linux >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> OSX

Also nobody would send you the BIOS wthout Premas permission.

 

Man, let people have choices. Not a very good attitude to have, shoving your preferred choice of OS in the noses of someone else.

The Prema BIOS allows unlocking the MSR(0xE2) bit, without which an extra patch is needed OS- or bootloader-side to allow OS X to boot.

Plus, that's exactly what the user was asking for—permission. He did tag @Prema too.

Sent from my HTC 10 using Tapatalk

 

I always used the prema mod for my clevo notebooks. There is a lot good stuff in it... prema is the god of bios modding. @Ionising_Radiation can you maybe send me the bios? You already got permission... that would be so nice of you

Best regards
Mrn0body

 

I didn't say that he can't have MaxOSX, I'm saying Linux is so much better it's not even funny. Has nothing to do with attitude.
Good to know. Guess he can search for an unlocked BIOS and not prema specifically then.

 

Has everything to do with attitude. You may consider Linux to be superior to OS X/MacOS. It might even be objectively be the better OS. But the way you put it across was 'mine is sooooooooo much better, why would you even bother with something so crappy?' You want to change someone's view, don't put down their current choices bluntly. But I guess that's in your username.

Doubt there are any modified BIOSes for the W230SS besides Prema's.

Sent from my HTC 10 using Tapatalk

 

There are some around.

Which would be a legit question, why would someone even bother. For all I care he can go for OSX, but if he wants a good OS then Linux is the way to go.

 

Hello Meaker, thanks for replying to my post. I've had no time to have a play with the W230SS until now. I've tried two different new batteries and it hasn't made a difference. The batteries discharge normally and the laptop stays on without AC connected, but it does not charge the battery at all.

 

Sounds somewhat familiar ... recall there was another user that had a similar problem. In this instance an overdrawn inductor was the culprit and simply replacing it solved the issue:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...8-owners-lounge.748242/page-356#post-10247985

 

Sorry to bother here
I have an xmg P306 with prema bios 1.03.03PM v1.1
FHD display

It's amazing, can I ask if there is an update version or I am using the latest one? I cannot find any info and BIOS download disappeared from premamod.com
I think for a good reason

Thanks

 

What issues are you having?

 

Not much problem here
just guessing if a newer version could be available

xmg p304 BIOS (latest) was 1.03.08a

22/5/2015

Well, I am going to upgrade RAM to 8GB and OS to Win10... before starting I always check if any BIOS update out there

 

Hello,

I need to swap my W230SS motherboard with a new one due to an almost dead 860M, which not work anymore under heavy load.

I have Prema modded BIOS v1.1 on my MB and I would like to install it also on the new MB. Unfortunately I did not keep (4 years ago) a copy of Prema BIOS files.

I would be very grateful to you @Ionising_Radiation and @Prema if i could receive a copy of Prema BIOS (if @Prema agree of course)

 

Hey @RaptorITA,

Didnt realise people still wanted to keep their W230SSes alive...

I don't have the PremaMod BIOS with me right now, perhaps you can PM Prema directly... I'm pretty sure he'll respond, he's a great guy.

 

In the last year I didn't have so much time for gaming, so I would like to keep this PC alive for at least another year (with a small investment) before revamping my setup if my spare time increase.

My GPU failure was very unlucky, since this PC for me is still a lot good for every day usage and work.

I will try to PM Prema hoping in his kindnesses.

 

Either that, or perhaps you can find someone to help dumping the BIOS on your current W230SS before it finally gives up the ghost.

 

I thought about that, for both BIOS and vBIOS.

I already asked help in this topic:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/clevo-w230sd-motherboard-in-a-clevo-w230ss.821679/

Any help is welcome

 

Hi there,

I'm also desperately looking for the W230SS Prema BIOS.
I really tried everything even The Wayback Machine but it seems impossible to find a copy.
@Ionising_Radiation @dudes0n @Prema could one of you guys help me please? (I can't send private messages yet)
Of course, I'll keep the copy for myself.

Thanks a lot,