*** The Official MSI GE60 Apache/Apache Pro (850M/860M) Owner's Lounge ***

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Just got my Apache Pro a few days ago and I'm already running into issues. The USB ports will function about 75% of the time, I have to reboot the machine to see if they will next function on startup, and if there are USB devices plugged in forget it, Windows won't shut down on its own. What's weird is I think this occurred right after I installed the Elantech touchpad driver but I fail to see how that could influence the USB ports... Anyone else encounter this issue?


If it happened after updating elan driver I would roll back the driver, or use system restore, bad driver could mess up anything, I had finger sensor driver messing up sound on my older Dell, go figure that one. Funny thing is I just updated Elan driver last night, but not used USB yet, now I will pay close attention to this.

 

MSI just posted new BIOS, claiming to "fix RTC error issue", but usually there are other fixes, not listed, maybe you should try and see. I'm not sure what the RTC error was, never had any time/date related issues, so I have not updated yet and tonight I will check if I have the USB error as well, I use USB often but always USB3, but actually I've seen all 4 cores get stuck at 3.5GHz under no load on mine, but as soon as I start Intel Extreme utility, it gets fixed, so I didn't worry too much

 

Is that Clevo laptop available in the UK?

 

Probably from resellers, I know for sure it is available in Poland, since they released detailed specs there, long before anybody else and some members were trying to import them into US, but that was while ago, now they're everywhere. There is huge thread in Clevo/Sager forum, check it out.

 

Ok will check it out. Are the problems with the USB ports on the Ge60 and/or Ge70 Apache pro?

 

Is the link below the Clevo laptop you were referring to?

http://www.scan.co.uk/3xs/configurator/17in-gaming-laptop-nvidia-geforce-970m-980m-clevo-p771zm

 

that's 17 inch
This is 15 inch on US site: http://www.xoticpc.com/sager-np9752s-clevo-p750zm-p-7854.html?wconfigure=yes
They must have them in UK also.
This is owner's thread: http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/official-clevo-p75xzm-batman-sager-np9752-owner´s-lounge-welcome-to-the-batcave.767105/
for 15 inch, there should be 17 inch thread as well. I just read couple things, since I was interested in it, but decided against it, didn't want to pay that much money, and went for MSI. If you ask in sager forum, the owners will know much more than me.
here is one of reviews : http://www.anandtech.com/show/9087/clevo-p750zm-gtx-980m-overclocking-investigated

 

I have GE 60 2PC, US model with 621 BIOS, running Win7. I plugged 2 x usb2 memory sticks and another stick in USB3 for good measure, I cold started, I restarted couple times and I have no issues you mention whatsoever.
However, after shutdown, pressing power button, my computer will not restart until 2-5 sec pass, then power button becomes functional again and computer starts. I would update BIOS and see if it's fixed, but you do have a fix already, just don't restart right away, but wait few seconds. One of the USB ports is powered , even if computer is asleep, that could be hanging up USB hard drive, which hangs up computer on restart. I would just wait few seconds before restart, which personally I don't do often, since computer never crash or gives me problem, so no reason to restart. The obvious fix would be to delay reactivation of power button, like it seems to be doing on mine.

 

Well, I myself havent seen the problem with Flash drive/Ext HDD, but I do have my cooling pad connected to the left USB 2 port and even when I plug it in either USB 3 port, it continues to spin after shutdown, until I disconnect the charger... Cant this be somehow turned off? To me, it seems that computer keeps all USB´s powered up even after shutdown. I didnt find any option to turn this off in BIOS, only supercharger option, which is turned off for me.

 

According to specs, one USB port should be powered at all time to be able to charge phone etc. I'm not sure why other ports would be powered. Actually, wait, are you sure you're shutting down the computer, not hibernating? Win 8 has fast boot option, if that's enabled then computer should go into hibernation, instead of shutdown and maybe that's why all USB ports are powered. Also there are options to wake up on LAN and stuff like that, so depending on settings computer has to be partially powered on.
Also check what action computer takes when power button is pressed, power off is just one of the options.

 

In my video I never put on hibernation or sleep my computer, the action for pressing the power button was always "shut down". Neither had "wake up on LAN", nor Supercharger BIOS option activated, and yet the left-hand ports stay under tension indefinitely. The only one that turns off completely is the right-hand port, which is the supercharger port, and still I have to wait a good 5-6 seconds to press the power button. I´m not exactly an expert, but I´m a stickler for this kind of things. My brother owned a computer store for several years, he bought the same computer, he experienced the same issues, and got to the same conclusion as I did, after I pointed it out to him. So no hibernation, sleep, or Supercharger, we don´t own Apple devices to take advantage of this function, and because of the mSATA SSD, hibernation was disabled from day one. What you see and read is EXACTLY what happened.

 

If that's the case, I have no idea, but I'm 100% sure it does not happen to my computer. Which Windows was installed on your computer at factory? I think MSI has 2 different BIOS: one for Win 7 and another for Win8, if mixed up, they do say some things won't work properly. Mine came with Win 8, but even if I run Win 7 only, I still supposed to install BIOS for Win 8.
The hibernation, wake from LAN I posted more in response to guy who had cooling pad running after shutdown, than yours.

 

Yes, powered should be the USB2 on the right side if I remember correctly and yes I am sure I am shutting down, not hibernating I am not shutting it down through power button, but through "Shut down" option from advanced Start menu.... I will check the Wake on lan though, but I think I havent seen any option for this in BIOS. It looks like many BIOS options are hidden :/

 

Well, the notebooks came with no OS, so we installed windows 7, I don´t see why on earth we should update to the W8 BIOS version, instead of W7 one. Did MSI explained to you why? It should be great to finally have an explanation, but I would never do this unless THEY told me so. About the cooling pad, in my vid happens the same, the device is still on after shutdown, so I figured I could pitch in my info, I hope it´s ok.

 

I'm guessing here, but I think Win 8 BIOS comes with UEFI, Win 7 model comes with standard BIOS. You can run Win 7 with UEFI BIOS, by switching to legacy option, you can run Win 8 on standard BIOS also. The problem is, if your computer comes with UEFI bios and you UPDATE to standard BIOS, or vice versa, then you may have problems, that's what I read on MSI site, since I was confused which BIOS should I run, as they have 2. I know it's a long shot, but I throw it to you anyway, since non working keyboard lights was one of issues they list, if you mix up BIOS update. Check their website it's somewhere there, under support, downloads, at least it was under my model. As far as why is that I have no idea, but I blame MS.

 

How is the GE70 Apache Pro? Does it have the same samsung pls display as the GE60 Apache Pro?

 

Since GE 60 is 15 inch and GE 70 17 inch, it can't have the same screen. Non pro has chi mei TN screen, pro has better screen but not sure if it's Samsung PLS.

 

Ok but is the 15 inch definitely a Samsung PLS screen? Also is the screen ideal for professional use?

 

GE 60 pro should have Samsung PLS 156hl01-102 screen at least in US, you would have to read detailed reviews if it's good enough, from memory I don't think it covers full sRGB,but should be close and I think it's 6 bit, but this is midrange gaming laptop after all. I'm sure there are better screens, there is a website that list laptops with best screens http://www.notebookcheck.net/The-Best-Notebook-Displays-As-Reviewed-By-Notebookcheck.120541.0.html , maybe that would help but I can't vouch how accurate it is.

 

Yes, the Apache Pro is definitely a Samsung PLS screen. I wouldn't know if it's suitable for professional use, but a friend of mine who is a photographer was surprised about the image quality. Nevertheless, the cover is quite flimsy, and slightly concave on the upper side because of the lack of support. What I mean is that the display is forced to bend a little, which might cause the appearance of an unpleasant lightbleeding that alters very dark tones in the affected areas. I saw this on my brother's and mine both, but if I strengthen it by pushing the edges backwards (you can see my hand on the left side), the flaw goes away completely, so I blame (once again) the manufacturer for thinking the display should be in charge of preventing the cover from twisting, and not the other way around.
Now, bear in mind that the pics exaggerate the effect, in reality is much less perceptible, but maybe for a pro it would be a drawback.

 

Hmm interesting. What if I calibrate the screen will that fix the errors?

 

That's a calibrated screen using Colormunki Display, you can download the profiles from a message I posted a few days ago. And no, it won't fix it, because it's about the LED backlight that bleeds through the PLS screen, and you cannot cure a hardware flaw (in this case caused by mechanical forces) using a software.

 

Ok fair enough. Do you think the Sager NP9752 has a better screen than the GE60?

 

Well, I had no idea about the Sager, did a quick search, and what I found out is that you can choose between various types of screens, so really wouldn´t know what to compare to. Besides, it would be kinda grasping at straws, since I don´t own one, I don´t like misguiding people on the false pretence that I know it all. All things considered, the Apache Pro´s display is a very valid option, that´s all I can say.

 

Did anybody updated to new BIOS posted on MSI site just few days ago? They don't list whats fixed, except RTC and I wonder what issues did I miss and if it's worth updating, since often they break more things than fix. I think EC update changes fan speeds table, is it more aggressive, or quieter?

 

Yes please let us know

 

Yes, I have the latest BIOS, but since I updated it right away when I bought the laptop, I have nothing to compare it to... I think that FAN is fairly quiet and it doesnt spin at full speed even when under full load.

 

Has it fixed the USB problem?

 

Im not sure if it fixed the USB problem, but I dont have it. But maybe I have some other MB revision or smthn, I have the laptop only for week now. I have Win8 and all newest drivers and latest BIOS. Only thing that grinds my gears is that USB´s are powered even when I shut down the computer if I let the charger connected. As soon as I disconnect it, USB powers down.

 

Funny, right after I posted questions about BIOS, I noticed my laptop clock is 1 hour behind (I know it was correct just hour before), so eureka, that's the RTC bug new BIOS is fixing, so updated BIOS already.

 

By the way I was REALLY annoyed that I dont have Win key on the left, I am really used to it... So I paid a little fee to MSI forum member Svet who sent me modified EC table with switched Fn and Win key and unlocked BIOS for my laptop. I can only recommend him, he is very helpful and patient. You can find the forum topic here -> https://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?board=51.0

 

What else do you get in unlocked BIOS? since XTU can undervolt and overclock (about 200 MHz) CPU and MSI burner can overclock Nvidia graphics? Personally I never use Win key, but I use Win7 and with turbo fan button, fan RPM is not as crucial to me, so I'm trying to see other benefits of unlocked BIOS.

 

You can ask Svet from MSI forum to make one for you, but there are other unlocked VBIOS by other users on the forum.

 

Well, there is a ton of options, most of them I dont understand, so I wont tinker with it, but with BIOS he also unlocked +135Mhz Nvidia core OC limit. Also, I wont use that - I asked him for unlocked BIOS mainly out of curiosity and because I wanted to take a look if there is any option, that could turn off USB´s when computer is shut down and connected to charger... unfortunately, its not there or its named somehow that I dont understand it.

 

Thanks for reply.
Yes, be very careful with unlocked BIOS, BIOS that is designed for overclocking has build in protection, if you put wrong settings, after failed boot up settings are reset to factory, this BIOS being originally locked may not have (I don't know for sure) this build in protection, there could be a chance wrong settings won't even let you get back to BIOS and reset it.
I'll look into it, it's always good to have options.

 

Yes, I know, that´s why I wont tinker with options I dont know Anyway, the program from MSI Forum created a backup of BIOS, so in case of semi-bricked BIOS you can roll back.

By the way, I asked about the powered USB´s after shutdown and official MSI rep for my country service told me, that its "feature, not a bug" Basically, he told me that computer remembers that there was something plugged in USB in the time of shutdown, so it leaves USB´s powered up, if charger is connected. I think its some BS, but it works this way...

 

It's not BS, it is a feature, it is listed in manual and if you look at config files for super charger program, it lists whole bunch of iphones etc. that it supposed to detect and switch on extra power, or how the power stays on and when (maybe you could edit those??)etc. However maybe it is not implemented properly, or user manual wasn't updated: manual says only right USB port should be powered, on mine it's the only one that shuts down, all the left ports are powered, but personally it doesn't bother me, once shutdown I unplug everything, since I move it around often and if I had left something plugged in, I could break something later, when picking it up.

 

Well, I disabled SuperCharger in BIOS and it should be active only for the right side USB, as I read... Do you know where can I find the SuperCharger config? I would love to just disable it I think there is some problem within BIOS or SuperCharger settings, it seems pointless to have all USB´s powered up when you have power cord attached... One USB? Thats fine, but all of them...

 

Once you disabled it in the BIOS then they will only work as regular USB ports (left side only).

 

Unfortunately, that´s not true for me... I have it disabled from the beginning and yet all USB´s are powered up when computer is turned off and power cord is attached... There is only one SuperCharger option in BIOS, so I guess I couldn´t disabled the wrong option.

 

If I go to ProgramFiles(86)/MSI/supercharger and open supercharger.ini it looks like this:

TITLE]
FAST_CHARGING=Enable fast-charging immediately.
FASTER_CHARGING=Enable fast-charging immediately.
SUSPEND= -Enable fast-charging in suspend.
HIBERNATE= -Enable fast-charging in hibernate.
SHUTDOWN= -Enable fast-charging when shutdown.
SUSPEND_FASTER= -Enable fast-charging in suspend.
HIBERNATE_FASTER= -Enable fast-charging in hibernate.
SHUTDOWN_FASTER= -Enable fast-charging when shutdown.
IPAD=i-Pad / i-Phone 4 mode

[MESSAGE]
FAST_CHARGING=Please plug your device into USB charging port.
FASTER_CHARGING=Please plug your i-Pad / i-Phone4 into USB charging port.

[TIMER]
POWERRESET=1500
LINKCHECK=3000
ICONSWITCH=1500

Normally .ini file should contain script with switches, to properly initialize a program, I don't know if those actually work, or are some old leftovers, or for different computers, or if this is only for increasing charge rate, or USB charge in general , but SHUTDOWN =-Disable could possibly work ???

 

Powered USB is different than SuperCharger.
SuperCharger has to do with its output amperage rating.

 

Yeah, well, the problem for me is, that USB´s are powered, I dont really care about power rating, since I dont charge iDevices or my phone with notebook

Unfortuntately, this seems to be just text of the options.. changing this ini or MSIsupercharger.ini does nothing. But the program couldnt be started, I may try to boot from Win7 x86 live CD/USB and take a look if it can be started and if the settings can be somehow changed..

Im preparing for the option that this cannot be changed and I will try to look for some "USB On/Off switch" for the cooling pad.

But thanks for all your ideas!

 

USB PROBLEM. In my case only sometimes usb devices aren't recognized 1% or when a usb is plugged in, windows don't shut down. also 1%.A difficult problem .
WARNING ! i just loose 150 gb on a hard disk near new .

 

Is this USB 2.0 or 3.0 port?

 

The unit is a western digital 1 T my passport plugged in one USB 3.0 port . I often left plugged in the laptop and see light going when closing. Yesterday windows don't close and i loose the data.I have this problem since the first day .W 7 PRO installed by the shop i buyed . I'm going to try the new BIOS or change to 8.1

 

Try disabling USB selective suspend setting in Power Options and see if it helps at all.
Control Panel -> Hardware and Sound -> Power Options -> Change advanced power settings -> USB settings -> USB selective suspend setting -> Disable both.

 

I' ve done before and it don't help . It' failing only sometimes ,the mouse etc and on all the ports don't detect the device or windows don't close. My laptop is ever plugged. I have an audio external module with XMOS ship ( self powered) doing usb to spdif to plug into a Bryston converter.It's working OK but if i reboot the computer the device always disappear and don't work . If i unplug the computer 10 s and reboot the problem is gone. So it's an energy problem ?

 

Try running without Bryston converter, see how it goes.

 

Hey guys. Need some help with this laptop. Does it have the samsung pls screen? Also the MQ Intel processor means it's socketed not soldered to the motherboard correct? Also will a laptop cooler be a viable solution to reduce noise and heat?

http://www.saveonlaptops.co.uk/9S7-16GF11-609-MSI-GE60-2PF(Apache-Pro)-609UK_1693289.html#DetailTop