Tuning the Aero 15-w/x/v7/v8 - Common problems & solutions

I installed touchpad precision drivers but I cant seem to find palm rejection, which is a pain because of the trackpads poor placement. I tried downloading touchpad blocker, but that has its limitations. Any solutions?

On another note, should I be updating drivers on smart update if my current version is higher? Smart update says my intel graphic is 25.20.100.6325, and the "latest driver" is 24.20.100.6229

 

FN Brightness manual adust is still not working with updated SmartManager 18.0.31.... Pressing FN + Volume now will actually crash the app when its open.

I even opened a ticket to Gigabyte but they only tell me fully reset my system which is no solution.

Im open for new hints?

 

@Rar9

On my system all of the function keys work exactly as expected.

Just to confirm you definitely uninstalled all versions of smart manager via 'add/remove programs' in the control panel including the old V3 that comes as stock before installing the latest version via smart update?

Uninstalling V3 after installing the latest version gave me problems similar to yours.

Using smart update the latest version of smart manager is 18.0.2.8.

 

So is there no way to fix the high wattage of the CPU? I haven't changed my fan mode, and my CPU always uses 13 watts regardless of what I do. It doesn't go away either and my battery life is only like 4 hours right now.

 

How do you check yours? Mine run around 6watt, but I do undervolt (package wise around 9watt include the iGPU)

 

Are you running the stock Windows 10 installation or did you do a clean install? Gigabyte's power profile on battery has max processor state set to 30% which I think is a large chunk of the savings.

 

Just following up after posting about my BIOS boot loop issue with the Aero-15w v8.

With a hard drive swap i was able to get rid of the boot loop as well as triple the speeds with an NVME drive. I was also able to get a stick of Crucial ram working at 2666mhz with the kit ram which also made me happy (No resulting BSODs... yet).

Overall I think my issues are gone but I'll keep testing for a week before telling Gigabyte that I fixed it. Everything else on this laptop has been solid and I have only felt a need to undervolt the CPU slightly.

 

I had some issues with my battery life and after some investigation I found out that the 1070 Max-Q wasn't idling. Could see that in the Smart Dashboard showing the temperatures of the GPU the whole time instead of "idle".
So I tried to find out why that is: turns out Afterburner was the culprit. I had Afterburner starting with Windows because of my GPU undervolting. But that led to the problem that the GPU won't idle.
So if anyone is facing the same issue, especially because of the GPU undervolting tutorial of this thread, close Afterburner and check Smart Dashboard if the GPU says idle then.

 

I'm in doubt between the GM501 Asus, MSI GS65 and the Aero 15 was just right with the GS65, due to cheaper price and quantiade of reclamções / problems in the forum aero 15 made me give up for a moment. But now a discount appeared on the Aero 15 1070 max-q, and I ask friends. Have these issues been resolved? Do you advise buying? What worries me the most are the hardware ones.

 

The Aero 15 is a great laptop even with some of the issues. It just requires you to be more willing to dive into the system and make your own adjustments to make the most of it. This may require a new hard drive, or it may require an RMA if unlucky but with a working machine or the ability to fix it on your own, makes the Aero a solid laptop if you can get a good deal on it.

I would buy this laptop again even with the issue I've had. At least for the price I paid.

 

What problems did you have?

 

the only problem I've had is a boot loop where I have to bypass the BIOS at times in order to boot into windows. Gigabyte offered to RMA it but I decided to deal with it. It just requires two key strokes on a boot if it forces me into the BIOS.

 

Yes I would recommend the aero over the 3. With a fresh install windows all is fine. Got a Oktober version and they shipped with a different keyboard style, so lighting is no problem. Only speakers are extremely poor as they are quite as they are down facings and lack base. My Samsung S9 Speakers sound better



I would also recommend that you look at the levono legion, also if its a bit thicker has a lower version gpu, and 50% less battery life.... But its got a great keyboard/speakers and built quality represents a much better price point value

 

I'm in the same situation.to Buy or not to buy the aero 15x v8 with 1070 max q, or to prefer Aero with 1060, or wait for Aero with 2060, because will there be a model with 2060?
Any news?

Where have you seen the discount?

 

Hi everyone I'm new to this forum. I purchased the Aero 15x V8 a few months ago and the info here has been priceless. So thank you everyone for your contributions. My problem has been with some videos looking washed out. I'm not very tech savvy so I couldn't say if it is a software problem or hardware. However when I go to my nVida display panel I only have the 3D tab. There isn't a tab for video or display. My laptop has a fresh install and all the drivers appear to be updated. I basically I did everything that was recommended for tweaking this machine. I've changed different players like VLC and MP-BE but still seem to get those washed out dark colors. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

Do you have the 4k model? You could play around smart manager color gerent/xrite pantone see which one fit you. For setting the LCD color you go Intel iGPU not Nvidia.

 

No I do not have the 4K version of this laptop. Thank you for that tip about the intel iGPU. Did not know about that setting. Gives me something to mess around with hopefully I can get some good results.

 

I have the problem that videos from the Harddisk or even Netflix streamed movies are extremely choppy. The stuttering is so intense that it's almost unwatchable. I do not have this problem on the internal display, it only happens when I output to an external TV (either 1080p or 4k,same result). Power is set to max so it's not a cpu throttling problem. The machine has more than enough power so there must be some other problem, but I can't figure out what it is.

Any thoughts?

 

If you can get it quite cheap, I would say just go with 1070 maxQ. Even if Ray Tracing is future proof, I don't think the current gen will be utilized well (and with thermal limitation of this laptop, I wouldn't expect much). If you can wait tho, wait for the actual benchmark of 2060maxq vs 1070maxq (and with official launch usually come with price drop, tho it doesn't happen in my country as the price of current 1070 is actually increasing by another 150usd).

Which app did you use for watching video? And which port? Personally I have mine connected to Marantz SR7007 (both Type-C and HDMI, haven't tried DisplayPort) and have no issue with 1080p. I don't have netflix so can't test with that. If you connect it using HDMI or miniDP (with/without adapter), then it will be something wrong with Nvidia driver while Type-C is with Intel iGPU driver.

 

Videolan for 4k files and Chrome for Netflix. I use only the HDMI out. Not sure what the driver problem could be since outputting games via HDMI-out shows no issues, it's only with video material

 

Same app here (VLC) for 1080p, can you check power option in windows? I am not sure whats wrong tho.

 

wait a minute. this could sound like a stupid question, I haven't tried it myself, but does this mean if I try playing a game on my laptop (without connecting it to external display), only the intel GPU will be active?

 

The signal gets passed from the dgpu to the igpu which is the only one connected to the internal monitor, and when you connect it to an external monitor with hdmi etc it outputs directly from the dgpu

 

Ohh! Thanks for the explanation. The last laptop I had, had this functionality where I could switch graphics by switching power. So this is a bit new to me.

So if I understood correctly, when an application requests 3D computation, Nvidia crunches the data and hands it to intel and intel shows ut in the screen. Right?

What are the advantages of doing this way?

 

I'd prefer the mux switch to be honest, software switching is buggy

Pretty much yeah, it's for power reasons, if you're not using the dgpu it just uses(think it goes idle or something, really low power) the igpu which is why you see some gaming laptops with battery lives x2/x3 gsync laptops(dgpu only). That's the only advantage. You lose options like adaptive sync and the dgpu can power on without you wanting it to eating away battery life and other issues

 

I see DCH drivers, what is DCH?

 

DCH are new types of Windows drivers

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/wi...evelop/getting-started-with-universal-drivers

 

Thanks, you learn something new everyday.

 

Dank, will the gen 8 upgraded with DCH driver too? I don't see touchpad driver tho, wonder if they change the touchpad?

 

A Major disadvantage is that you lose quite a lot performance when gaming on internal display only. Apparently the handover from the nvidia to Intel GPU is a major bottleneck. In my case, I get 50% more fps when gaming on an external Monitor, where it skips the iGPU entirely. At least that's for me, nobody seems to notice/care about this though and the ones that do claim it's only 10% performance impact. I had the exact same situation on my 2012 Dell laptop so I don't believe it's an isolated case but rather that people don't notice it since they only game on the internal display

 

"- Keyboard problems
Applies to: 15w-v7, 15x-v7, 15w-v8, 15x-v8
Chattering, ignored inputs, keys falling off (lol) have all been reported - mostly the former. The true fix is keyboard replacement but software can help with chattering. Likely doesn't affect the majority of units, but be aware this is still happening with the new v8 model. If you have keyboard issues that are really bad, best is to return - firmware updates will not fix a hardware defect. Note that v8 units produced after mid-2018 should have keycaps (R shift, etc) better aligned with the lights."​

So my keyboard seems to be faulty, these two keys do not press correctly, they at first do not get registered, but on second attempt, they appear twice/double entry.

" and ^

I tried updating Fusion, uninstalled and re installed smartmanager etc but no luck. Is this the type of defect that may need the laptop to be sent in for warranty repair? If yes, would they just replace the keyboard? How do I know if mine is a hard ware or software defect?

My machine seem to be all good other than this issue(for now!) but it is still driving me nuts. Advise please?

 

Concerning the speaker quality, I have installed Viper4Windows and it's much much much better now. I also prefer it over APO Equalizer but you can even use both if you want. When I initially heard the speakers out of the box I found it to be the biggest flaw of this laptop. At least now it's bearable. Link here: https://github.com/alanfox2000/non-official-viper4windows

 

I believe that a firmware update will help sort the repeated keys.

For non responsive keys to test them you sould be able to press them in the centre and at each corner using the same light force and they should work. If yiou find they are not responding or need a significant different amount of force to working keys then it is a hardware issue and the proper fix is to have the keyboard replaced.

I think the palmrest is also done as I presume it's supplied as one unit (the stickers on muy plamrest had clearly been removed and reapplied to the new palmrest.

Depending on how confident you are you may be able to fix the non responsive issue yourself by removing the key cap, checking the mechanism can freely move and then by increasing the thickness of the bit of the keycap that actually touches the keyboard membrane (a circular area about 4mm in diameter).

I did this by using several applying 4 or 5 layers of masking tape in the correct shape and position and this worked as a temp fix however I had a lot of keys that weren't perfect so decided to get the keybard replaced anyway.

 

Awesome, so keyboard double entry can be fixed through firmware. I'm on the latest firmware but hopefully another one in the future will fix it completely.

 

That was my understanding however I thought the latest firmware sorted this so maybe it is a hardware issue.

 

Not in my case mate, I'm on latest fw but still got two keys with double entry. Hopefully next fw fixes it or I get it fixed by warranty if can be bothered!

 

You can hope that future firmware may fix it however I'd just get it swapped out.

It was only after having mine replaced that I realised just how bad my keyboard actually was, the new one is much better and I make so many less mistakes.

 

I would also swap it under warranty like Ollie said. I am still waiting for a BIOS update for RAM since the beginning. They only did a minor fix on it

 

What profile / impulse response did you use? Or did you create your own?

 

Okay, more keyboard issues. Just have had the 15X V8 for 3 days, after deciding not to go for the X9.

And just after having installed my ram and sdd and bunch of software I notice my keycap Y popping off so now and then...

Been in touch with my seller, gigabyte support and they both wont send out replacement keycaps and hinges. Wich is sad because sending it back just for this does not meassure up to the time spend installing and tweaking the laptop..(wich works great) And I need it for work.

Now I read on reddit someone describing the same issue and simply fixing it self by bending back some clips. Now I have been trying to figure out what is meant by this.
The hinge holding the keycap itself is white plastic. And the hinge is held by metal clips, but its not the hinge popping off, just the keycap.

Has anyone an idea, came across the same issue and was able to fix it? Or suggetions on how to get a new keycap and hinge?

 

It sounds like a keycap or hinge issue however I'd suggest with the keycap removed carefully tighterning the metal clips that hold the white hinge i place. If memory serves me correctly the top ones need to be pushed towards the screen and the bottom ones away from the screen.

You don't need much force to change how the keys works and while I was playing with my keyboard looking at why the keys don't register I noticed if they were loose the key cap could come off easily.

When you put the keycap back into place you should be able to feel the top corners click back on.

 

I noticed that there is an update for Smart Manager 18.0.3.4 on the download page but it's not showing up in Smart Update.


Also I notice the new Aero 15-X9 has a new GIGABYTE Control Center. Are Aero 15X-V8 users going to get this new version?

 

Hi everyone I also both the second ram g.skill rippjaw which was recommended from gigabyte, and first impression was same like everyone here neverendless bootloop . I don't disconnect battery for first time whenbtrybto set g.skill in but the second to run out from neverendless bootloop I disconnect battery. I have originally V Color 16 GB stick, but I don't know it until I both g.skill . So for the second time I disconnect battery, remove V color ram and putting it it's place g.skill and laptop start, but go direct to bios and set the default settings. Laptop starts on g.skill. so then in another slot close to battery I add V color and laptop starts and went to bios to set default setting again.
Laptop working and recognizing dual channel 32 GB ram. So that's good.
This what help in my case. Now g.skill. stay on slot where previously was v color and v color sit on the slot near battery.
All function.
Two different ram producent but all function.

 

I use the Joemeek Impulse Response and custom made preset as seen on the screenshot on this link:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/qpqc5ghk08yueo6/AAD2ijA3ql2H_xXAYHedig77a?dl=0

It's mostly focused on more bass...

 

I noticed another Gigabyte 15X v8 update (Gigabyte Fusion 4.4.0) not showing up in Smart Update. So it looks like Gigabyte have given up on supporting their last gen machines already.

So anyway I decided to uninstall Fusion and Smart Manager and install the Aero15-X9's Control Center ( direct link) on my 15X v8 and it appears to work great (I also read that a v7 user on here mentioned that it works for him too). Only issue for v7/v8 hardware appears to be the battery status showing "Recommended replace". Apart from that everything works such as fan control and the Fusion software is built-in.

Since they do not seem to be pushing updates to Smart Update I'm uninstalling that too and will be checking the Gigabyte website for updates instead.

 

While older equipment may not be their main priority, I note that the Fusion 4.4.0 and the new Smart Manager now show up under smart update.

 

Has anyone bought aero w9 with rtx 2060?
It's more cheaper than the aero v8 (gtx 1070).
Which one i must consider?

 

No one?

 

Hi Guys,

Is there any / same issue with the new model X9 RTX 2060 / 2070?

I want to buy but after reading this I am scared and thinking to go MSI GS65 RTX 2060 / 2070

Kindly advise.

Thanks.

 

Yeah the latest version of Control Center no longer works on the v8 so I've rolled back to using Fusion / Smart Manager.