X62 problems, quirks, and fixes

[mifritscher]

Ah, thanks, I hoped that somewho else tries it OK, it seems to be indeed a memtest86+ problem then - see also the strange frequency and CL-values. They seem to be random, and after a short Windows boot there are zero.

On one of the laptops I got one bit flip with 4x memtester 1536M, but during a nigh-tlong test no further problems.

P.S. it seems that http://thinkpad-forum.de is dead?

[mdancer]

For people hunting PC7 in linux. There is an alternative driver for realtek ethernet card which is way less buggy then one from realtek https://github.com/KastB/r8169.

[harryK]

For people hunting PC7 in linux. There is an alternative driver for realtek ethernet card which is way less buggy then one from realtek https://github.com/KastB/r8169.

Works great, thanks very much, even though r8168 also worked all right for me.
My problem is the bloody sd card driver. With the modified Realtek driver (rts5227) lspci reports this stuff, and PC7 is lost.

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01:00.0 Unassigned class [ff00]: Realtek Semiconductor Co., Ltd. RTS5227 PCI Express Card Reader (rev ff) (prog-if ff)
	!!! Unknown header type 7f
	Kernel driver in use: rts5227
	Kernel modules: rts5227

However if I reboot the device is completely gone, no module is loaded, lspci doesn't show signs of it ever being there and PC7 is back. :-/

[harryK]

For those interested, X62 fourth batch motherboards don't need the ALSA hack thing any more. Sound works oob now with IntelHDA + realtek codec.

The SD card is still blocking PC7 though and behaving weirdly with the Realtek driver (for me). I would appreciate if someone using the patched Realtek driver (successfully) could post the output of

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systool -m rts5227 -v

Thank you!

Bye.

[mrj47]

Does the fn+brightness keys generate acpi events for anyone on Linux? Running xev doesn't detect the key. It's still adjustable but its kind of annoying that Linux won't know the brightness level has changed when pressing the brightness function keys.

Bios: 12/10/2016
EC: ec0106
Batch: 2nd

Also, the fans are spinning quite loud while the temps are only 33c. Perhaps I am on the wrong ec?

[harryK]

- The speaker in both my X machines is a single speaker with a 2 pin connector. The X62 motherboard only accepts a 4 pin connector. Checking online, this appears to accept a two speaker configuration like the T420. I have access to a T420, so I will be trying the speaker.

I was wondering whether you then tried the T420 speaker, or you found out which speaker fits the casing and connector

[fatpolomanjr]

Has anyone updated to the Windows 10 Creator Update? I can't get my ultranav drivers installed anymore. Every time I run DPInst.exe it says the drivers are installed but nothing shows up in Device Manager, so I'm unable to install the X220 ultranav drivers manually.

e: Figured it out. I just followed an old post of mine (see below) and paid closer attention to what wile linked to in the german thinkpad forums. I was looking for a "Trackpoing PS/2" driver in Device Manager, but I had manually update drivers on the "Default Microsoft Mouse" driver, or whatever it's called.

viewtopic.php?t=117955&start=180#p789970

[TPFanatic]

- The speaker in both my X machines is a single speaker with a 2 pin connector. The X62 motherboard only accepts a 4 pin connector. Checking online, this appears to accept a two speaker configuration like the T420. I have access to a T420, so I will be trying the speaker.

I was wondering whether you then tried the T420 speaker, or you found out which speaker fits the casing and connector

I plugged R50p speakers into T410 and they worked. It's a fairly standard port, X201 speakers or perhaps something out of a good smartphone may fit better.

[dmdsoftware]

Here is also a pro tp.

Since you wont' be needing the X60/1 media slice dock anymore, you can open it up and use the stereo speakers in it (4 pin, 2 speakers).

[harryK]

Here is also a pro tp.

Since you wont' be needing the X60/1 media slice dock anymore, you can open it up and use the stereo speakers in it (4 pin, 2 speakers).

Cool! Is that a drop in or are there modifications to be made?

[dmdsoftware]

Here is also a pro tp.

Since you wont' be needing the X60/1 media slice dock anymore, you can open it up and use the stereo speakers in it (4 pin, 2 speakers).

Cool! Is that a drop in or are there modifications to be made?

Drop in but you might want to attach some adhesive on the speakers to hold them down. The two speakers are together in a black piece of plastic. I stuck it in the space between the motherboard and audio board.

[harryK]

https://translate.google.com/translate? ... page%253D1

[NonesensE]

https://translate.google.com/translate? ... page%253D1

This may reduce palmrest heat, but the processor runs hotter than otherwise possible. Thus, you earn more noise. I recommend to put the SSD into the 2.5" bay (if you have an mSATA SSD use an adapter) as the mSATA slot is pretty much on the back side of the CPU. This way, the SSD and the CPU stay cooler. Then make shure your CPU reaches "Package C7" state and undervolt it and noise is mostly gone. As well is most of the heat. And this is even though I have put my board into an X60s case, so I have a smaller fan than most people (I modified the non-s fan assembly for it though, so I have the bigger heat pipes). My CPU idles around 40°C (core/package) and 43°C (thermal zone sensors).

[harryK]

I have put my board into an X60s case, so I have a smaller fan than most people (I modified the non-s fan assembly for it though, so I have the bigger heat pipes). My CPU idles around 40°C (core/package) and 43°C (thermal zone sensors).

I also put mine in an -s case and I am getting the exact same numbers in Linux, only with the small heat pipes and without undervolting, which is not possible in Linux.
However, the temperatures spike under load and the processor is throttled, which didn't happen with the big non-s fan. I am tempted to put the old thermal compound back. Guess your solution (modified non-s heatsink) is the proverbial sweet spot.

[jaspen-meyer]

With an x60s case, and the fan disconnected:

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acpitz-virtual-0
Adapter: Virtual device
temp1:        +50.0°C  (crit = +105.0°C)
temp2:        +50.0°C  (crit = +105.0°C)

coretemp-isa-0000
Adapter: ISA adapter
Physical id 0:  +49.0°C  (high = +105.0°C, crit = +105.0°C)
Core 0:         +48.0°C  (high = +105.0°C, crit = +105.0°C)
Core 1:         +49.0°C  (high = +105.0°C, crit = +105.0°C)

I unplugged the fan.

[NonesensE]

I have put my board into an X60s case, so I have a smaller fan than most people (I modified the non-s fan assembly for it though, so I have the bigger heat pipes). My CPU idles around 40°C (core/package) and 43°C (thermal zone sensors).

I also put mine in an -s case and I am getting the exact same numbers in Linux, only with the small heat pipes and without undervolting, which is not possible in Linux.
However, the temperatures spike under load and the processor is throttled, which didn't happen with the big non-s fan. I am tempted to put the old thermal compound back. Guess your solution (modified non-s heatsink) is the proverbial sweet spot.

Oh. Didn't think the small heatpipe was that bad. I believe, the tablet guys on the German forum got better results. Is the fan seated correctly? Is the thermal paste applied correctly?
Under load (prime95), my processor goes up to approx. 80°C, I get no throttling at all.

[fatpolomanjr]

I have a 2nd batch X62 with bios 1012 and embedded controller (ec) 0106. The ec is really meant for the 3rd batch and later, but I've found it works perfectly for the 2nd batch aside from one issue: at lower temps (35-37 deg C) instead of turning off the fan goes full blast. All I have to do is stress the CPU a little to bring temps up to 40 degrees or more and it works perfectly again.

It seems like the issue is with the "0 fan speed" setting, below a certain temperature threshold, is not a valid value. So the fan decides to go all out. Is the only way to work around this to modify the EC? I really like the fan settings except for this one thing.

[harryK]

I have a 2nd batch X62 with bios 1012 and embedded controller (ec) 0106. The ec is really meant for the 3rd batch and later, but I've found it works perfectly for the 2nd batch aside from one issue: at lower temps (35-37 deg C) instead of turning off the fan goes full blast. All I have to do is stress the CPU a little to bring temps up to 40 degrees or more and it works perfectly again.

It seems like the issue is with the "0 fan speed" setting, below a certain temperature threshold, is not a valid value. So the fan decides to go all out. Is the only way to work around this to modify the EC? I really like the fan settings except for this one thing.

There was a "utility" posted on 51nb some time ago to monitor temperatures and set the fan speed in Windows. Works with BIOS 0704, possibly with others. https://forum.51nb.com/forum.php?mod=at ... MzNg%3D%3D

[fatpolomanjr]

Nice! I'll definitely check it out. I gave up on the 0107 EC so I'm currently using the 1012 2nd Batch BIOS with 0708 EC; that one was optimized for the 1st batch. It makes the fan really quiet (read: inactive), so my X62 idles around 53 deg C, and only turns on when the temps get ridiculously high. Like in the 90's or something like that. Hopefully the utility lets me customize it further.

[harryK]

Nice! I'll definitely check it out

Good, let us know how it goes plz

[vavet]

Can confirm that webcam mod for x61(s) works for x62 as well!
(fitted in place of bt board on lid and connected to BT 3.3v usb port on lcd cable ribbon)

[evil]

I made a writeup for bringing the X62 to 60Hz: http://mikejmoffitt.com/articles/0048-x62-sxga60.html

Just want to mention that you can change edid without reflashing it using

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Option "CustomEDID" "eDP1:/etc/X11/edid.bin"

to ' Section "Device" ' in your xorg.conf file

I found drm_kms_helper method, so it should work under linux console, wayland, Xorg if your driver utilizes KMS:
https://forums.fedoraforum.org/showthread.php?t=313712
For one display:

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drm_kms_helper.edid_firmware=edid/3840x2160.bin

For all the displays:

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drm_kms_helper.edid_firmware=HDMI-A-1:edid/3840x2160.bin

I haven't received X62 yet, but I hope it will work

[flyingfishfinger]

Can confirm that webcam mod for x61(s) works for x62 as well!
(fitted in place of bt board on lid and connected to BT 3.3v usb port on lcd cable ribbon)

Same. I simply transplanted my entire lid (SXGA+ / Monty daylight LED / webcam), worked without a hitch.

R

[vavet]

When I put the machine under load the fan doesn't kick in when on battery, with power supply it starts at >65C and keeps the teperature on 85ish level. On battery the machine goes above 100C without any sign of fan working.
Seems like a bios hardcoded issue, is there a bios version that has this problem fixed?

Update: problem resolved by installing different version of bios (1012)

[bitonic]

Hi,

Can anybody with a 4th batch confirm that he was able to get the fan to not go up and down like crazy? I got mine a few days ago and I've tried everything to no avail. The only thing that seems to make it go silent is the ec0718.bin bios -- but then the fan does not turn on until the temperatures are around 90C or so, making it far too hot...

I've reached PC7, but still to no avail.

What's especially maddening is that the fan seem to spin up completely at random, I can't identify any pattern between it and the output of lm_sensors.

Edit: Actually, after reading the post above, I tried older 1012 BIOS and EC (*not* the 1210) and it seems to work out fine! So for future readers, if you have trouble with the 4th batch, try with both the bios and the EC from https://forum.51nb.com/forum.php?mod=vi ... a=page%3D1 . I'll update this post if something stops working.

[fatpolomanjr]

There was a "utility" posted on 51nb some time ago to monitor temperatures and set the fan speed in Windows. Works with BIOS 0704, possibly with others. https://forum.51nb.com/forum.php?mod=at ... MzNg%3D%3D

I used the utility linked above and it does work to control the fan; you just need to run it from a command line as admin after editing ThermalTable.txt. The settings I am currently using are what I got from the 51nb forums:

00,0,0,0,
35,30,20,0,
45,40,1,0,
56,53,10,0,
60,58,20,0,
65,62,40,0,
73,70,65,0,
82,75,99,0,
255,0,100,0,

I haven't done too much tweaking to those settings as of yet. I usually stick with the default 1012 BIOS / 0718 EC fan settings.

[bitonic]

I used the utility linked above and it does work to control the fan; you just need to run it from a command line as admin after editing ThermalTable.txt. The settings I am currently using are what I got from the 51nb forums:

00,0,0,0,
35,30,20,0,
45,40,1,0,
56,53,10,0,
60,58,20,0,
65,62,40,0,
73,70,65,0,
82,75,99,0,
255,0,100,0,

I haven't done too much tweaking to those settings as of yet. I usually stick with the default 1012 BIOS / 0718 EC fan settings.

I have not been able to try it because I don't run windows, but could you clarify if those values are permanent and what those values mean? I might get to run windows just to do some fan speed tweaking...

Edit: with the help of google translate and the doc document, the format seems to be as follows:
* the first column indicates when the fan speed level kicks in;
* the second column indicates when the fan speed goes back to the previous level;
* the third column indicates the PWM setting for that level;
* the fourth column is unused;

The default values according to the doc, are:

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0  0  0  0  
45  40  100  0  
56  53  60  0  
60  58  30  0  
65  62  30  0  
73  70  20  0  
82  75  2  0  
255  0  100  0  

Which do not make too much sense assuming that higher PWM = higher fan speed. However it would kind of be consistent with the bonkers behavior in the newer bios (1210)

I might get around to installing windows and trying it too, since under normal usage with the older bios (1012) it tends to constantly switch between off and on, even if it does not go full blast.

The executable is very small (32K) I might try to reverse engineer it a bit if I find the time, it'd be neat to have this utility in linux.

[vavet]

I have noticed two issues with Tempareture_Monitor:

1. it goes crazy and stops doing it's job after suspend/resume (at least in my case). so it has to be restarted.
2. the console stays on task bar which is kinda annoying.

I have done few tweaks to fix these.

1. I have added few vbscrip/bat scripts that 1) run the tool in hidden mode (no console) and restart it by killing the running instance and starting a new instance.
2. In task scheduler I added a new task that runs my restart.bat upon resume from suspend to kill the process and run again.
3. Added the call for silent runner in the startup (start_silent.exe).

with this I have it working fine without any visible windows.

if you want to try, there is just one thing to consider I have hard coded the path so the folder should be C:\fanspeed. If you want to put it elsewhere just modify the two .vbs files and put your paths of the folder containing the executables.
here is the link

[bitonic]

ok, I did end up reverse engineering it, see here: viewtopic.php?f=80&t=125041

[vavet]

ok, I did end up reverse engineering it, see here: viewtopic.php?f=80&t=125041

thanks, it does work.
Nevertheless, the temp table is still kinda unclear to me...

1. if the higher number means higher spin rate then why the default values are decreasing with higher temperature rates (I mean the table that is included in the download version on 51nb) ?
2. do the ranges need to overlap to avoid short fan boosts that I assume happen when the range changes? In the default table there are obvious gaps in the value ranges. What does it mean ? Is it just a mistake?
3. sometimes I can hear an annoying low "whistle" sound on the range that is set to 0. The fan doesn't seem to spin but does produce this sound. If the tool is restarted the sound goes away for few seconds.

I am still playing with the table values to find the optimal configuration. My aim is to keep it off until 70C, any input is welcome.