*** Official Clevo P650RG, P650RE3, P650RE6/Sager NP8658 and NP8657 Owner's Lounge ***

i wouldnt trust the task manager for exact values. same goes for cpu frequency for instance, it just shows u "ballpark" values and i also think its refresh rate aint really up to task

 

Okay awesome. Do you know where we can find BIOS updates for this model?

 

u can either try prema's website www.premamod.com or head over to the driver section of mysn/xmg at www.mysn.co.uk or .de (should be the xmg p506 models)

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

 

Others said it is hard to install Windows 7 on this machine. Granted, I did take me six hours to figure it out... ...But, I did find a *relatively* easy way to install Windows 7 **without** inserting device drivers into the Windows 7 installation DVD. Everything seems to be working fine. I willing to outline the process if anyone is interested. The complete install then ended up taking 30-40 minutes roughly, and my machine is running great...

 

I tried an RMA for my screen and the reseller won't do it because I installed aftermarket components. My fault for not keeping the original components around and/or checking their modified warranty terms, apparently I had to get written permission to install my own components...

Guess I'll have to wait for the G-SYNC IPS screens to hit the market and attempt the replacement myself.

 

lol@written permission for aftermarket upgrades thats just wrong on so many levels with such a machine...

name them and shame them so that other users stay clear

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

 

Agreed... This reseller deserves to be totally shamed...

 

I don't want to name any names yet. After a whole day of going back and forth they have finally agreed to service my laptop with my installed configuration. I have an issue with my Samsung 950 Pro not being detected by the Windows installation, which is why I wanted to leave it installed for them to check whether the drive is faulty or the PCIe port doesn't work.

I still agree that for a Clevo laptop their warranty stipulation is completely absurd. If one buys the minimum configuration it only has an 8GB RAM stick and wireless card. How the hell is anyone supposed to get their system up and running if they're not allowed to open the laptop?!?!?

 

easy: just give them more money to sell the needed components to you and also install them for you

 

Has anyone run into an issue where the display fails to wake up after a certain amount of time? The laptop isn't asleep, but the display is off. I have to put the laptop into sleep mode and wake it back up to get it working again.

 

Does it do the same in switchable and dedicated mode?

 

I am interested in your method. Please outline how you did it. Thank you.

 

Has anyone tried the new 1.05.07a BIOS from Schenker/XMG or is it not compatible?

 

I am interested in getting this laptop.
Before I take a jump, I have some questions. Thank you in advance.

1) If I purchase it from XoticPC without OS, do I get a disc for W7/8 drivers (I do both W7/8.1 full versions)? I intend to install W8.1.
2) If I install W8.1 (or 7) instead of W10, does MSHYBRID work fine or not?
3) I know that the battery is screwed. But can I still replace a battery? Or is a replacement battery available or not?

 

Sure thing... I like to help...

This is how I installed Windows 7, on a Sager NP8658-S with no OS installed... I did *not* inject Windows 7 drivers into the Windows 7 installation disk. You will need a couple of extra items to do as I did. Namely, two USB stick drives. I had two USB 2.0 drives but you can install even faster than me with USB 3.0 drives... Also, for this install method to work, you'll have to have two drives physically installed on your target machine. I have an mSata m.2 drive that I was installing Windows 7 on, and a SATA HDD as the other drive. (You could also "borrow" a spare SATA drive with a NTFS partition, or another compatible format.).

First, I created a self-booting Windows 7 installer USB out of one of the USB sticks. I think a stick of 8GB should be big enough, maybe even 4GB..
To do this, follow the instructions like those here --> http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/usb-installation-disk-windows-7-extra-software/

Now, you have the Windows 7 install stick, set that aside, it will *not* work yet...

Those that don't like Linux may not like the next step, or have some other idea about how to do this, but here is what I did... I had created a bootable Linux USB drive from the other USB stick. I formatted that stick as FAT32. A fairly easy way to do this is to install "unetbootin", and use it to create a bootable, USB drive. Unetbootin is available for Mac, Linux, and Windows. I used Linux Mint as my distro on that, but any should work...

There are several places on the internet that show how to use Unetbootin to make a Linux distro, and it doesn't take long. I had one laying around, so I didn't have to make one.

After this, go to the Sager site on another PC and copy all the Windows 7 drivers from that site --> http://www.sagernotebook.com/drivers.php. You'll have to provide your model number.
The most important driver at this point is the one for USB 3.0. That driver set is absolutely necessary to complete the install.

Most of the drivers are WinRar self-extracting files. Extract all of the self-extracting files by executing them.

Now copy all the drivers in their respective directory structures to The Linux distro stick (or a third USB stick if that is more convenient).

Put the Linux distro USB in the Sager PC. Turn on the PC, and use it's BIOS to prioritize it to boot off the Linux Distro USB.

Copy the extracted drivers to the HDD that will **not** receive the Windows 7 OS. Mine came formatted from XoticPC as NTFS (Important to note, if your Linux distro can't read or write NTFS, could be a problem at this step. If so, you'll need to start the Linux distro with an internet connection and install an NTFS driver. I used the Synaptic Package manager in Linux Mint (my distro), and did this in a couple of minutes. I installed the "ntfs-3g" package, problem solved.). You could use Ubuntu as your distro too, if it suits your fancy.

Now, shutdown your Linux Distro, remove it's drive from the Sager notebook.

Mount your Windows installer USB drive, and use the BIOS to boot it.

You will get to a point where it will ask to install "CD"/"DVD" drivers (Paraphrasing here... ..I can't remember the exact message. Feel free to suggest an edit to this part of my method to fix my short-term memory loss issues). That message is deceiving... ...It really needs the USB 3.0 driver files from Sager I mentioned earlier... Use the "Browse" button, navigate to the HDD in the Sager machine. There should be a checkbox to "unhide" drivers that are not applicable to installed hardware... Click it. Find all the driver files that end in the extension ".inf" in the directory structure for the USB 3.0 drivers. Select all those ".inf" files. Hit "Ok" (or whatever that button said, can't remember..)

The Windows 7 install should complete now. After it does complete, you'll still need to install all the drivers besides the USB 3.0 ones... Install all the others off the second HDD, and you've completed your install. Pat yourself on the back. Have a beer.

Alternatively, you could skip all my Linux install antics by pulling out the drive, putting the extracted drivers on it by another method, but the method I've outlined keeps you from opening the machine up and affecting the warranted machine adversely..

 

I dual booted my NP8658-S in Windows 7 and Linux Mint....
I'm having problems getting the sound drivers to operate the speakers in Linux.. Anyone using Linux either have and/or fix sound issues? Looking to collaborate and join forces to solve.
For me, the drivers are loading and running, but no sound.
If you're using Debian or Ubuntu distros, and having similar issues, that may prove helpful too..

 

Try booting 15.10 from usb and see if that works. Mint does not use the latest kernel version (17.3 runs 3.9). If it does, install the latest lts kernel (4.2) on your mint install. You should probably do that anyway.

 

Thanks for your suggestion. Guess I forgot to say I'm running 17.1. I'll try fiddling with USB installs and different kernel versions. Hadn't considered that. Thx..

 

totally compatible, just make sure to choose the correct corresponding machine out of their models

should be xmg p506 and p706

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

 

Thanks, I'll give it a try as soon as my rig gets back from the RMA.

 

Thank you very much.

 

I think 17.1 is running the 3.16 kernel, so I'm impressed that it is working well as it is.

 

Redmop,
Thanks for your help. I installed the 4.3.0 Kernel and it appears to have fixed the sound issues. So, I very much appreciate it...
For you and anyone else... Is there any way to get the standard installed WiFi working under Linux Mint???
I'm using a USB Alfa wifi adapter as a stopgap and possibly permanent measure, but being able to use the built-in wifi (Intel® Dual Band AC 8260 802.11 A/AC/B/G/N 2.4...) would be nice.

 

I don't actually have a clevo, I'm just a Linux guy with some drools the corner of his mouth waiting fit the bank account to say buy.

So you say the wireless is the only remaining issue?

Intel is great with getting things to work with Linux, so be patient. It will likely work great with mint 18. 6 months or so.

If you are impatient, like i am, Google "intel 8260 arch linux" and see if it is working there yet. It won't have exact directions, but it is a start. Note that Mythlogic sells this laptop with ubuntu on it, so they likely have it working. Just need to find out how.

 

Yeah, the installed wifi is the only hardware I'm sure is not working. I haven't played with everything yet. I am impatient...
I found a page on "the compendium of world knowledge" that says if you upgrade to linux-firmware-1.127.15 it should work... But, when I go in Synaptic after having upgraded the kernel to 4.3.0, I see that I have linux-firmware-1.127.7, and that linux-firmware-1.127.18 is available for install. Sounds good... But... ...Synaptic has that package marked as "Installed(Upgradable)", however Synaptic won't allow me to mark it for a re-installation... So, other than informationally, Synaptic is not helpful. When I go check the Update Manager it says that my machine is up to date. So, it's of no help at the moment.

A confusing state of affairs. Trying to decide what to do... Hmmm...

 

I just placed an order for this laptop and will be running Linux, so I'm finding this all interesting. Curious, have you tried dropping the driver in manually? Check to see if you have /lib/firmware/iwlwifi-8000C-13.ucode or similar. If needed you can obtain the driver directly from https://wireless.wiki.kernel.org/en/users/drivers/iwlwifi. the .ucode file should drop in to /lib/firmware. If the kernel is looking for it, this will help. Are there any "firmware requesting: iwlwifi...." or similar lines in /var/log/syslog?

 

Question: I just bought a 8658 and Samsung 850 pro SSD because hardware encrypted and all you need to do is set ATA password for SSD in bios, so if laptop stolen no one can decrypt it. Problem is Sager refuses to put that BASIC and necessary option in the bios. And I am not going to pay to upgrade to Win 10 and use software penalized bitlocker when bios option should be there. Any ideas or help?

 

Thanks comminus.. I did drop in the driver manually, and now it works... Thanks for your suggestion...

I'm guessing maybe not important or sign of another issue - I get the following error messages during some of my installs:
update-initramfs: Generating /boot/initrd.img-4.3.0-040300-generic
W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/rtl_nic/rtl8107e-2.fw for module r8169
W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/rtl_nic/rtl8107e-1.fw for module r8169
W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/rtl_nic/rtl8168h-2.fw for module r8169
W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/rtl_nic/rtl8168h-1.fw for module r8169
W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/i915/skl_dmc_ver1.bin for module i915
Warning: No support for locale: en_US.utf8

 

This is definitely related to the linux-firmware package. Can you try manually installing it?

wget http://launchpadlibrarian.net/224242981/linux-firmware_1.127.18_all.deb
dpkg -i linux-firmware_1.127.18_all.deb

Could you also tell me if the headphone jack is working?

 

FYI - The headphone jack is working great...

I'm travelling and haven't done your suggested update yet, but will as soon as I can and report back here. (Poor hotel internet)

Thanks for the suggestion.

 

Follow up... This has the best headphone output I've ever gotten from a laptop under Linux. The amplification is great and very free of distortion and static.

I did your suggested update, and it got rid of the error messages. Thanks very much, comminus...

 

I have decided the return the new Dell XPS 15 I bought and get a Sky MX5 (P650RG) from Eurocom with the glossy 4K display. Anybody else have this display? It sounds great from the specs, but it is odd that no other resellers or builders seem to offer it.

 

Glad to hear the firmware update fixed the errors, if you run in to any other roadblocks please let me know - this is helping me prepare for what to expect and fix when my machine arrives. Great news about the headphone jack! I knew there were issues with the amplifier on the P650SE under Lnux, so this makes me very happy.

 

Any word on fan noise from the P650RE w/ G-Sync?

Incredibly, here in Oz, I can pick one of these up for less than the vast majority of 960m machines. For example, even the Dell Inspiron 15 7000 series is more expensive (list price).

Thing is, I cannot stand loud fans. I had a P157SM with 780m and ended up giving it away. I would happily use a 960m machine if it was significantly quieter (currently looking at new Asus G552VW), but it's very difficult to tell from online reviews.

I would love to get the P650RE. Even if it means running it in a low power mode where I lost 15% of the GPU output or something along those lines

 

hi guys i am planning to get NP8657-S from sager but I am thinking if the G-Sync monitor is worth the additional price can you explain me the main difference between the standard monitor and the G-Sync IPS one since I am not really knowledgeable about that part thanks a lot

 

Gsync will synchronize the displays refresh rate to the GPU. Eliminates screen tearing, etc. That aside, the fact the panel is IPS rather than TN makes it a worthy upgrade IMHO. IPS provides a more complete rgb gamut and better viewing angles than TN.

 

So just to confirm, the 950 Pro can be connected to the PCIe x4 M.2 slot and run your OS with no problems?

Also how can you tell which M.2 slot is PCIe x4 and which one is Sata III?

 

ok thanks however i read some post and articles that IPS suffers light bleed is it pretty common for IPS rather than TN. is not really a deal breaker but it is annoying when the screen is like that based on the screenshot i saw

 

screenshots wont show u light bleeds, just actual photos of a display. also, consider that photos overexaggerate lightbleeding, same goes for video clips, in real life those exact screens look faaaaar less worse, was the same in my case.

IPS screens do have significantly more lightbleeding issues than TN screens, but that can be alleviated or even completely fixed by adjusting the local pressure points of the surrounding bezel. exchanging the screen wont help in that regard in most cases.

all in all:

IPS vs. TN
- better viewing angles / worse viewing angles
- slower response time / faster response time
- more lightbleeding / less lightbleeding
- cannot reach high refresh rates / can reach way higher refresh rates via overclocking
- generally larger gamut and better color reproduction / generally smaller gamut and worse color reproduction

so yeah, based on those facts one can already surmise the target areas for those screens: namely IPS first and foremost for graphical design, creativity applications, etc and TN for high paced gaming

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

 

Anyone have a problem where you have an external monitor hooked up to your laptop, and when you power the laptop on the external monitor flickers on and off every few seconds? The only thing that fixes it for me is 1 or 2 restarts. Anyone encounter anything like this?

 

Have you checked the cable? Updated your IGP video drivers?

 

Yeah I've tried different cables and also a different laptop with my monitor. My video drivers are up to date as well. I'm scared this might be related to the problem that I and many others have with the weird screen distortion/blurriness that happens on start-up as well.

 

Have you talked to your reseller? Got the latest bios?

 

Anyone able to answer whether the P650re (g-sync) is the same/louder than the P650se?

 

It will be the same as it can still switch to the IGP (and turn g-sync off as a result).

 

I've had the P651RE6 a week now, and it's working splendidly. Silly me, I updated the WLAN drivers through the device manager (after finishing installing everything), and instantly had a blue screen crash, as others have reported in these forums. Re-installed with drivers from Atheros Killer website, and chose the drivers without the actual "Killer" software. I'm never going to use it for anything anyway. Since then - no problems. I'm very happy with my new machine, so far. I think the LG IPS G-sync screen is gorgeous - certainly much better than my previous Clevo TN screen. (My old Clevo was a D900F, which served me well for 7 years (!), but since the GTX 280M on that one frizzled out last week, I decided it was about time for a change.

3DMark results on the 354 drivers (I have since updated to the latest 359 drivers).

Fire Strike 1.1: 6643
Sky Diver 1.0: 12455
Cloud 1.1: 11341
Ice Storm 1.2: 14662

Intel Core i7-6700HQ
Nvidia GeForce GTX 970M (6 GB VRAM)
8 GB DDR4 Samsung RAM
Intel X-25 M Gen 2 SSD (Sata III) - (kept my old SSD drive from the old machine, it's still working fine, still 97% of it's life cycle left after 7 years)
Win 10 Home

Any questions; I will answer if I can.

 

That's a nice upgrade

 

More of a question for anyone here, but how are you finding the build quality of the chassis? I hear the lid bezel flexes and twists VERY easily which concerns me as a potential buyer. I travel a lot and I also game while on the airplane or at the airport.

 

More of a question for anyone here, but how are you finding the build quality of the chassis? I hear the lid bezel flexes and twists VERY easily which concerns me as a potential buyer. I travel a lot and I also game while on the airplane or at the airport.

 

OMG, me too! That thing was/is a beast! Mine is still going strong; I mainly upgraded for improved battery life and reduced weight.