*** Official Clevo P177SM-P170SM / Sager NP8290-8270 Owner's Lounge ***

Hey guys, just got my NP8298 this week but I've been having a few issues. I'm wondering if anyone had anything similar to these:

-Battery unable to hold a charge.
Emptied the initial charge and charged for 12 hours as per manual instructions. On the first power up after that the battery lasted little more than 5 minutes. It went from 100% to 7% in a couple minutes, I got a low battery warning, then the computer shut down (didn't even have time to go to sleep mode). It has since then "solved" itself after 48 hours, but I'm afraid it might happen again. I've contacted support and they believe it may be due to the defective PSU and would prefer to send me a new PSU first then try a new battery if this problem persists. More on the defective PSU below.

-230 W PSU (19.5 v, 11.8 A) isn't providing enough power.
I can either use the laptop or charge the battery but not both at the same time. The battery will simply not charge if the laptop is ON.
Used two different software and a voltmeter and got readings of 14.4 v (which would mean 170 W) for the output voltage. The PSU is rated at 19.5 v. Shouldn't the PSU be running at full power (19.5 v, 230W) during computer usage + charging then be regulated down to only what is necessary when the charge hits 100%?
The PSU issue "sometimes solves" itself. I sometimes get readings of up to 16.78 v (230 W) but never more and will still often (the majority of the time) only get 14.4 v, being left with an uncharged battery. Shouldn't I be getting more? Especially during heavy gameplay + charging?
Customer support has agreed to send me a new PSU and have me send back the defective one. How should I test the new one? Should I expect it to output the full 19.5 v? How can I know if the voltage is affecting the machine's performance especially during gameplay?

-Wireless + Bluetooth 4.0 adapter keep "unplugging" (I can hear the "device unplugged" and "device plugged" sound).
At first I thought it was only the Bluetooth adapter since my mouse would go off for a few seconds but I've tested downloads, live streams, and file uploads just to be sure, and every time I hear Windows' "device unplugged" sound the wireless adapter disappears for a couple seconds. I lose my connection for a while, but then the adapter magically plugs itself back. It's an Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 7260.

 

You have a bad PSU. Get it replaced under warranty. It should *always* put out 19.5v.

I have the same power brick and it will charge my battery while running my 880M at a high overclock. I have pulled 280ish watts from the wall.

Update your wireless and BT drivers from the ones off Intel's website. Use at least vesion 17.xx and your issues will be solved.

 

Thanks, I should be receiving the replacement this week. Hopefully, the PSU will be working correctly this time.

As for the Intel AC7260, I've updated my drivers but the issue still persists. It's as if the wifi card had been physically unplugged from the laptop then plugged back in.

The touchpad also seems to be problematic at times, becoming very "jumpy" and "skippy." Not sure how to explain it since it's not a constant issue. I don't use it much but it'd be nice to be able to rely on it.

And is there any known way to turn off the dynamic contrast that seems to be enabled by default? I've glanced through Intel Graphics Options and found nothing. It's an interesting feature but the dimming on dark images is messing with my calibrations. Maybe there's something on the Prema Bios?

 

Look at the power settings in device manager for the wireless card.

 

Ive been away from the scene for quite a while now... If I were to set up 2 raid 0 arrays with ssd's does this HM87 chipset support trim in raid arrays?

 

It should do, though getting the drivers to agree can be a little tricky.

 

Hi all,

I have a quick question, I am not an expert regarding BIOS.

I have this laptop (P170SM):

PCSPECIALIST - VortexIV 17 Laptops, VortexIV 17 Gaming Laptops, Build Your Own VortexIV 17 Laptop

Someone knows where I can find a vBIOS to overclock my 770M GTX, or just a stock one to check for updates?

Thank you so much in advance!


EDIT:

I just found out this website, posted from someone in the forum:

http://biosmods.wordpress.com/p170sm/

Does anyone try it already?

 

That's a system BIOS. Vbios is at Tech Inferno forums you have to register and make posts before you can download

http://forum.techinferno.com/genera...-editions-modified-clocks-voltage-tweaks.html

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk

 

5 posts or a donation for permanent access to downloads on the site.

 

What is the difference?

Anyway, the prema system BIOS is suitable for my laptop or I will brick it if I flash it?

 

Prema's bios unlocks features in the stock bios. The vbios is separate and only affects the video card. The two together are great.

As for risk, as long as you read the directions and flash the right version for your model, flashing your system BIOS is reasonably safe but accidents happen and you *can* brick the machine.

The modded bios will not touch your vbios, its mostly used to unlock overclocking in the BIOS and other advanced features.

Keep in mind that both of these will void your warranty if you damage the system by doing it and that you should only do this if you are comfortable with the potential risks to your machine.

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Thank you so much Ethrem!

So thats means I can flash the prema system BIOS then the vBios on top of it?

Where I can download the vbios? I have registered at tech inferno forum but I can't find the link for my P170SM.

Thanks again!

 

The vbios goes on a chip on the graphics card where as the system bios is on the motherboard. They are logically and physically separate entities on the performance clevo series (and their sager equivalents).

 

Thank you so much Meaker, but still I didn't get a precise answer.

Can I flash this Prema modded BIOS on my Vortex IV?

http://biosmods.wordpress.com/p170sm/

This is my BIOS screenshot:



Just want to make sure I won't brick my laptop....

 

Hi all, just joined this site because I need some assistance with my laptop; Sager's support has not been much help.

SPECS:

Sager NP8270 (P170SM)
Intel i7 4700 2.4ghz
16 gb ram
Samsung 840 evo 120gb mSATA x 2 in RAID 0 configuration
WD Black 750 GB hard disk
Killer wireless-n 1202 network adapter
Windows 8.1 64b pro

ISSUES

NTOSKRNL.exe blue screens (I know this is a very generalized issue, i'm sure its an accumulation of issues causing my blue screens, but this happens the most)

AKWBX64.sys blue screens (this one I am not too concerned about, I know it's an issue with my wireless card, I am running the latest drivers for it provided on Sager's site)

-What I have done:

I've had this laptop since December 2013, and have had so many issues with it from the beginning, considering the amount of money I’ve spent on this machine, really regret my purchase… at first I was attributing the issues to Windows 8.
I formatted and started fresh 2 months ago thinking I had a faulty Windows install, but after the reinstall, surprise surprise getting the same blue screens. With the new install, I installed the latest drivers so there was no overlapping of driver software. Also used a different Windows OS disc (have an MSDN account at work).
Right now I’m using WhoCrashed, it seems to be best dump reader I’ve come across.

I really hate asking for help like this, but I’m stumped… has anyone came across these issues before relating to the ntoskrnl? When someone responds, I can try to provide all of the extra information I can.

 

Have you tested the memory at all? Tried running with a single stick?

 

No I have not, but I've run memtest a few times and it hasn't come up with any issues

 

Have you tried testing the machine removing the wireless card?

 

No, trying to rule all software issues first I guess, still haven't completely opened the laptop, my wireless adapter does do some odd things though, occasionally when it connects, it will actually kick my other devices off of the wifi (but that could also be my wireless range extender) I've been going off of what whocrashed has been telling me, that these issues are most likely software and driver related, but troubleshooting drivers has really gotten me nowhere

 

BTW thanks for the quick response Meaker, it probably is time to open this thing up, the laptop is still under warranty, but that should not be affected correct?

 

So long as you don't cause physical damage, accessing those parts should be ok. Have you tried ringing your reseller for help? They may suggest booking it in for some tests.

How often do these crashes occur?

 

Well, in the course of the 3 hours talking to you on here, it has crashed twice, One was win32k.sys and the other ntoskrnl.exe. Since the reinstall, I've had 37 crashes, they seem totally random.

At this point, I'd really like to not send it back to Sager, I've had to send it back to them twice for hardware replacements (issues with intel SSD's at first, then they put in Crucial SSD's when I asked for the Samsungs. Do you think even reseating the WIFI module or even some of the RAM sticks would help out? I'm a network technician and I know we actually have a few extra internal WIFI modules laying around in my office I could test out.

 

Sorry to bump the post, but I've looked everywhere online for a walkthrough on taking apart this laptop, do you know of any documentation on this? I take apart laptops all the time, but this laptop is my baby, even though it's a b@stard lol... I'd like to do it right.

 

Prema has put up the service manuals over at tech inferno but they don't show complete dissassembly. To what point do you want to take it apart.

 

I guess it depends on how deep I have to go to get to the wireless module and the other two RAM slots.

 

I guess it depends on how deep I have to go to get to the wireless module and the other two RAM slots. I'm sure I could wing it and figure it out myself, but its always nice to have a reference.

 

Remove the keyboard, it does not require taking the top of the machine off.

 

Ok Folks, Ive taken the plunge. I can't stand my 4 year old Alienware anymore and hope I made the right choice to move to Sager. My only fears are the screen and keyboard quality. I think I can get used to a squishier keyboard, but a poor screen will kill me on roadtrips...

I ordered direct from Sager and they listed no specs on the HD Matte screen XD - Any guesses on what I'm getting?

I can't wait to put the 870m to the test! Considering prema bios mod too. Will I need that only for GPU OC or CPU OC too??

Thanks in advance.

 

The exact screen can vary depending on their stock but it won't be a lemon like the Asus machines can have.

You can overclock the cpu using intel xtu without flashing the bios.

 

Thanks for the help Meaker! I've removed the wifi chip about 2 weeks ago and have only had 2 crashes, which is a huge improvement. I've even kept it on for 3 days straight with no issues. I know I still have a few kinks to work out of this laptop, but it seems I'm on the right path. Thanks again

 

You should try using a different module and what sort of crashes are you still getting?

 

Who has received the 8278 with 970m cards? Happy?

The new cards released just in time for me, I RMAd my 8278-s with the 870m after owning for 3 weeks when I saw Sager had the 970m pre-order going. Delivery on Monday. Can't wait.

 

Good decision. The 970M is quite an upgrade from the 870M.

Post up a 3D Mark 11 result when you can.

 

I would go straight for Firestrike to properly test it out

 

I will be sure to post Flamestrike and 3D Mark 11. My previous 3D Mark was P6933 with the 870M... I think I recorded the Firestrike too... Just can't find it ATM.

Hoping to do some tweaking. Did I see that Prema was all set to go for the 970M? Any issues to be concerned about by flashing over to Prema? (Conflicts/ functionality, bugs) I've not used it before but seems to be a trusted bios here.

Thanks!

 

Prema is very thorough. I highly recommend any of Prema's work.

 

It's community work so it's not tested as much as a factory product, however you have a line of comes to the developer and bugs are likely to be minor rather than show stoppers.

 

I actually switched over to the intel wireless ac 7260, I'm going to send the other one back for a replacement to keep as a backup. As for the other crashes i've been getting, I really have no clue what is causing them, they are ntoskrnl.exe crashes. Looking through the event viewer, before the crash occurs, I was getting a perflib.dll error

 

OK, this is the first run. No tweaks, as is out of the box after a few utility installs. I'm up for trying to push this a bit but have no experience in OC. If there are some good posts on this forum, feel free to redirect me. Comments on the scores?

 

You are pretty safe on the default limits and without voltage mods.

 

Nice! 870m I think get around 4.6k. Probably beats my desktop gtx 680 too! Can't wait for my 970m to come in the next few days hopefully.

edit:update your sig

 

Can't blame him for being off gaming rather than updating is sig

 

Ordered 170sm-a / schenker w704

at mysn.de

SCHENKER W704 mobile Workstation 43,9cm (17.3")
. 43,9cm (17.3") Full-HD (1920*1080) Non-Glare
. NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970M 6144MB GDDR5
. Intel Core i7-4710MQ - 2,50 - 3,50GHz 6MB 47W
. 8GB (1x8192) SO-DIMM DDR3 RAM 1600MHz Crucial
. 256GB SATA-III SSD Samsung 850 Pro Series (MZ-7KE256BW)
. Blu-ray Brenner
. Intel Wireless-N 7260 (inkl. Bluetooth)
. Platinum-Garantie: 48M.
. Microsoft Windows 8.1 64 Bit

Mjammjam

Thanks for helping to find my decision of brand and model.
Even without one post, just reading this and the other related threads..

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That's a nice setup, you can add in another 8GB of ram yourself to use dual channel and get a slightly higher CPU performance level. That's going to be one nice computer to use.

 

Jap, that's the plan..
And the 2tb hdd is already waiting in the drawer...

Me is pretty excited!

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It's hard to argue against that combo of parts, good bang for your buck in all tasks.

 

Hi, after got some saving, i plan to order this build in Metabox, there are a few queries below, please advise :
Clevo p170sm/ Sager 8275
500GB SSD Samsung 840 Evo
Intel-Wireless AC 7260 ( SHOULD I upgrade this to Intel-Wireless-N 7260 with 19$ )
17.3'' 72% Matte Screen ( Since i sit near windows )
980M 8GB graphic card
i7 - 4710 MQ ( SHOULD I upgrade to 4800MQ for 159$ to make sure there will be no CPU bounded for gaming ? )
8GB DDR3 1600Mhz ( SHOULD I upgrade to 16 GB for a slight better gaming performance for 99$ ? or it make no difference )
Dual Layer DVD/CD ( SHOULD I upgrade to external USB dual layer to make a laptop lighter on the way for 39$ )

I really hope this build to play smoothly upcoming GTA 5, Metal Gear Soild 5, and AC:Unity Please advise , thanks so much.

 

..........

 

Can you expand upon this please ? It was my understanding that anything over 8gigs ram was superfluous. Also can i cheap out and just order a 4 gig ram to make it "dual channel" ?

 

Your CPU is capable of reading and writing to two memory sticks simultaneously, there is a small bump in performance using two over one stick, a sizeable bump if you are using the IGP to save power. Using a second 4GB stick would give you 8GB in dual channel and 4GB (the second half of the first stick) in single channel.