ACPI DSDT Investigation

There has been this problem with Acer Aspire 4530.
When the temperature of the GPU hits 99 degrees the fans don't seemed to turn on to cool it.
Instead the GPU throttle down but without the active cooling the throttling doesn't help instead it stays around 95-99 cycling back and forth.
Therefore I investigated the ACPI configuration of the laptop.
Using Phoenix BIOS editor I extracted the AML file contain compiled ACPI instruction.
The AML file is actually the DSDT Table which Windows load from the BIOS
Using Microsoft ASL Compiler I decompiled the AML file to a notepad readable format.
After checking with ACPI specification PDF documentation I discovered a flaw in the coding.
According to the ACPI documentation as shown below
_PSV is supposed to be the temperature which it safe to do passive cooling meaning fan can turn off.
However Acer programmed the _PSV value to be 0x63 (hex) which is actually 99 degrees in Decimal.
Which means when the laptop reaches 99 degrees it is safe to turn off the fan which led to this situation.
Therefore I modded the DSDT changed it to 45 degrees and overload the table to Windows Registry.
Now the fan no longer stop working when the temperature reaches high levels.

Here I share with you the patched DSDT (actually you can patch the BIOS but I prefer not to do this)

To use the DSDT install Microsoft ASL Compiler, v. 3.0.1 [646 KB] from this page.

Copy and paste the patched DSDT to "C:\Program Files\Microsoft ASL Compiler v3.0"
Then open a Command Prompt Windows with Admin Permission then type

cd "C:\Program Files\Microsoft ASL Compiler v3.0"
asl.exe /loadtable DSDT.AML

You should see "Table Overloading Succeeded".
Reboot.

I modified another value.
It is the return value for the THRM.
I modified the else condition to a higher hex value so the else condition will assume higher temperature.
I relink the link above to the newer file.

Hi guys sorry I promised there would be no changes to th Acer Aspire 4530 BIOS but I found some errors in the Acer Aspire 4530 DSDT code hence I had to recompile and replace the buggy DSDT code found originally in the Acer Aspire 4530 BIOS.

Here is an excerpt from the original buggy code.

I used IASL Compiler (Intel ASL Compiler) for this purpose as Microsoft ASL Compiler is non-standard(Doesn't guarantee Linux Compatibility), no optimization & buggy.

The new output after I corrected the DSDT:


As usual I always tested the new BIOS with my Aspire 4530 before releasing it so no worries.

Please refer here for the modified BIOS for Aspire 4530

**Note important!
I have removed the optimized DSDT as many seems to have issues with it.
If your Windows report error please flash from DOS (Read Instructions) because DOS doesn't require ACPI so it should be possible.

(Includes Win7 SLIC, Undervolted GPU & Corrected DSDT code)
I noticed things like Brightness Display during unplugging of Adapter and Battery is solved with this DSDT Code Correction.

RAM SPD Burner

I wish to share with you guys this tool ThaiPhoon Burner, I was introduced to recently by der_mali of Notebookreview.
Quite a guy as he had quite a few tip and tricks up his sleeve.
I will not reinvent the wheel instruction of how to use here.

BEFORE I FORGOT, YOU NEED A SUPPORTED CHIPSET TO READ THE RAM CORRECTLY!
THE SOFTWARE WILL NOT RUN CORRECTLY ON CERTAIN CHIPSET.

I did as instructed and flashed both my RAM to PC2-6400 from PC2-5300 but Aspire 4530 only reads 667MHZ as shown in CPU-Z.
But the RAM timings improved and performance improvement for free is considered great.
Only thing I have to warn you is like flashing BIOS it can kill your RAM, so try to flash settings as close to your original RAMs as possible.
Take a look at my upgraded RAM originally it was PC2-5300 at 333MHZ
I even got in an EPP Profile!
In other words this Tool is a must have!

Simple Step by Step Guide:

1)You must run this software on a Compatible Chipset.

Certain NForce Chipset like the one on the Aspire 4530 WILL NOT work.

2)First extract this program to a location you find comfortable to run it in.

Right Click and Run as Administrator.

Agree to the EULA.

3)Click on EPROM, Read SPD at 50H or 52H if you have 2 RAM SLOTS occupied.

If you have 1 RAM SLOTS only either 50H or 52H will be available.
If it is read correctly you should see the Module Specification read correctly as shown above.

An example of incompatible Chipset is shown below.


First notice the numerous SPD displayed.

Next the Module Specification is incorrectly displayed.

Do not proceed if you encountered the above.

4)Next Click on Browser button.

Then Click on Download button.

It will proceed to download all the RAM dumps from the server as shown above.

5)Using the search parameter find the next closest update in RAM Specification

For Example you have a Kingston DDR2-667MHZ find the next closest DDR2-800 based on the

Module Code Number and Parameters.


Click Save Dump and save it to a location on your Harddisk

7)Next Exit the Browser Back to the Main Menu.

Select Open and Choose the Dump File you saved previously.

8)It should open up the Dump File details.


Choose EEPROM Select Full Rewrite.

9)You should see the Full SPD Rewrite Windows as shown below.


Select the correct SPD Device Address and click on write.

Wait for the process to complete and you are done!

Some Interesting Modding Ideas

I modded my Aspire 4530 AGAIN to control resultant temperature.
Below are some ideas and pictures.


Another mod idea

This time a black anodized Aluminium heat sink (Can be found in any hardware store) is added to increase the mass.
I had to cut and file it to size.
On the plus side it had thermal adhesive tape under it which makes attaching it an easy task.

Checking Battery Capacity in Windows 7

A new feature in Windows 7 is the ability to check battery capacity.
Take a look at the following:

Open a Command Prompt Windows with Administrative Permission
Enter:
powercfg /Energy

It will create a report in
C:\Windows\system32\energy-report.html

There is one line like this

Battery:Battery Information

Battery ID	11121SANYOAS07A31
Manufacturer	SANYO
Serial Number	11121
Chemistry	LION
Long Term	1
Design Capacity	48840
Last Full Charge	41214

The amount of battery life left can be calculated by

41214/48840*100

Which equates to 84.38% meaning my laptop battery has only 84.38% of charge left (because I didn't take good care of it. There was a few times when the battery was almost fully drain)

So make sure you switch off the laptop or connect it to an AC outlet when battery life reaches 10% and do not expose it to high temperatures.

Alternatively you can download the new HWMonitor as it reports the charge capacity directly.

Things To Do in Windows 7

Firstly set Control Panel to "View By Small Icons" as more options will show up.

1) Set System Restore Space
Location:
Control Panel >> Advance System Settings >> System Protection >>Configure
Set the System Restore to use less Disk Space so it will not "eat up" additional Harddisk Space as time passes.
You can also use this to set/delete restore points.


2) Set Performance Visual Options
Location:
Control Panel >> Advance System Settings >> Advance >> Performance Options
Uncheck the Options as shown below while leaving the rest untouched:

3)Uninstall Unused Features
Location:
Control Panel >> Program & Features >> Turn Windows Features On or Off
Uncheck unused Programs like "Tablet PC Components" and "Windows Media Centre"


4)Disable Unused Devices
Location:
Device Manager
Right Click and Disable rarely used Devices to reduce System Device Polling and conserve power.


5)Set Advance Power Options
Location:
Control Panel >> Power Options >> Edit Plan Settings
Customise Power Plan settings according to your preference


6)Defragment and Disk Clean Up

Tweak Firefox to return search in URL Bar

Tweak Firefox URL Bar to return search results

Most modern web browser such as Firefox, Google Chrome, Safari and Internet Explorer (IE) is able to handle invalid URL or link location that user to type into address bar or location bar. The most typical option is automatically treat input as a query string or term, and search for it using default search engine.

Firefox takes “auto-correction” feature in address location bar a step further by automatically redirect user to a web page that it assumes user is looking for, much like Google’s “I am feeling lucky” feature. In fact, Firefox is using Google search engine to find possibly related or matching website and then direct Firefox to open the lucky first link returned by the Google.

For user who prefer to see a list of matching websites or search results instead of auto redirect to a web page when entering keywords in the Firefox’s link location bar, it’s possible to change the Firefox behavior by modifying its configuration using steps below.

1. Run Firefox.
2. Enter about:config into the address bar.
3. Locate keyword.url or type keyword.url into “Filter” text box to search for it.
4. Double click on the line of “keyword.url”.
5. By default, the string value for “keyword.url” is “about:neterror?e=query&u=”. To display search results instead, replace the string with one of the following search statements, depending on the search engine you prefer:

   Google: http://www.google.com/search?q=
   Yahoo!: http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=
   Windows Live Search: http://search.live.com/results.aspx?q=

   

6. Click OK when done.

To revert to existing behavior where best matching site will be shown immediately on any typo error or keywords and terms been entered, just set the “keyword.url” value back to “about:neterror?e=query&u=” (without quotes).

Source:http://www.mydigitallife.info/2009/06/12/hack-to-modify-firefox-3-address-bar-to-return-search-results-when-query-or-invalid-url-is-entered/

UnderVolting AMD Griffin Processor

Edit:

You can read continue to read this as a guide but this is a better tool IMHO.

I chanced upon this site : http://amd.goexchange.de/

This is a new Tool designed to undervolt AMD Griffin ZM/RM/QL/SI Processors.

The program is free for home users (However you are encouraged to donate as it is a lot of work) and it is not free for business users

1)Why Undervolt?

In short conserve power (Battery Life) and reduce thermal emission (Overheating) with no effect on Computing Performance for more info check on the previous link.

2)For Intel Processors and AMD TL and older Series Mobile Processors RMClock is able to overclock them.

However no tool was available to underclock CPU until this tool was release.

How to use?

The documentation on the site is very lengthy and rather confusing.

I was confused first time I read it.

A very simplified guide as follows:

1) Create a folder in Program Files.

eg. Create C:\Program Files\GriffinControl

2) Download the files required (scroll down a bit you should see 2 files each for 32bit and the other 2 files for 64bit) and extract them to the folder you created in 1).

3) Open the GriffinControl_config.xml with notepad (the author provided a skeleton configuration file) .

You will only be looking at the following column and the values in bold

Note QL/SI Processor only should have 2 pstate number (I think it is 0 and 1 , no 2 not sure about this).

How do you go about setting voltage?

Basically AMD ZM/RM Series Processors has 3 Power State.

A full state runs at max frequency when you need the processing power it throttles up to maximium frequency giving you the computation power you need.

This is pstate number 0 which is 100% of the total CPU Power.

pstate number 1 is 50% of the total CPU Power.

pstate number 2 is 25% of the total CPU Power.

If you set too low a voltage the CPU will not run stably due to unsufficient voltage and cause BSOD.

For QL/SI Processor you only have 2 pstate, 0 & 1.

pstate number 0 which is 100% of the total CPU Power.

pstate number 1 is 50% of the total CPU Power.

How do you know the default voltages for the CPU?

Either you run CPUZ as shown by the picture at the end of this entry.

Then use Vista Processor Power Management to throttle at different percentages to find the 3 or 2 voltage level depending on what processor you have.

If you are not sure you can leave a comment at the end of this entry I will recommend values for you to try.

Another way is to refer to the config file provided with the downloads.

4)Reference this table for the list of Voltage ID.

eg. The value 42 as shown above translate to 1.025V and so on.

(Note the lowest VID is 64 no lower values will work and value above 36 can fry your processor )

Edit the values to the voltage you want.

For my RM-72 Processor, I tested 64,52 and 42 is the most extreme stable values.

Which translate to: 0.750V, 0.900V and 1.025V respectively.

Original Voltage: 0.800, 0.950V and 1.075V respectively.

A difference of 0.05V, 0.05V,0.05V , any higher it BSODS

Change the values accordingly and save.

6)Run GriffinControlService_32bit.exe for 32bit Windows and GriffinControlService_64bit for 64bit Windows.

Follow instruction and create the Windows Service if you encounter an error message you did something wrong.

Go to Services Menu and Start the Service if you ever want to delete the service you must stop it first (using the same manner, stopping it instead of starting it)

If you are doing testing make sure the service is set to manual start instead of Automatic so after BSOD it will default to original value and not BSOD repeatedly I learned this the hard way.

If you did not listen to me and it BSOD repeatedly, when it is possible to get to Windows Either start with last saved configuration or try to switch to Power Saver Mode in Vista Power Plan so it will not cause BSOD again.Don't worry no physical damage is done to the processor.

7) Run a CPU stressing Tool like Intel Burn In make sure no BSOD happens when running the tool so the voltage is stable. Use the Vista Processor Power Management to test the different Power States.

Set to auto start service if you are happy with the final setting.

This program is very well created especially when the author implemented it as a windows service, so donate to the author if you are able to.

Special Thanks to the author, now my CPU Voltage Temperature Dropped by a lot at max frequency.

Proof that it works!

Edit: The Service hung on Vista and created a Windows Event Log (no error message) so I set it to Delay Start and the problem went away.

At the end of the process the result of undervolting implies AMD chips are indeed overworked in order to catch up to Intel Processor Performance, the undervolted amount of 0.05 at max frequency implies this.

Any further undervolting results in BSOD.

Just encountered another BSOD raise voltages by 0.025

Finally whenever you encounter a hardware BSOD (read the message on the BSOD) just raise the voltage by 0.025.

Eg. when you BSOD on youtube you probably need to raise p-state 1 and p-state 2 by 0.025

My guess is when the CPU changes state from 2 to 1 it switches too quickly therefore insufficient voltage to support the boost hence it BSOD.

Result of Changing Thermal Paste

(Temperatures at idle)

This is the new temperature reading after I changed the thermal paste.

Notice the new low reading especially on the GPU.

The reason is because Acer uses a thermal pad to conduct heat away from the GPU which is pretty inefficient.

After I changed the thermal pad and the original thermal paste, which is silicon based, the new temperatures are lower.

Originally the Processor Temperature is 60-70degrees.

Now it is 50-60 degrees at normal load 40-50 at idle.

Original the GPU is nearly 70 degrees now it is nearly 60 degrees.

10 degrees difference that is a lot.

(Temperatures while Gaming)

The temperature for the GPU used to exceed 100 degrees when gaming as some of you have experienced

Now it even barely hits 90 degrees (With elevated platform to allow airflow).

Hence I recommend if you want to game, please replace the factory thermal paste with high quality ones like Arctic Silver 5 or MX-2 if you are able to get one.

Arctic Cooling MX-2 is better as it is non-conductive, no cure time required and easier to apply.

Dissembly Guide here.

Example of the thermal pad use to transfer heat from the GPU to heatsink

In the Acer Aspire 4530 Air enters the laptop through the bottom and exits through the rear so for better ventilation try to prop the laptop bottom on an elevated platform to improve thermal circulation.

Full Dissembly Guide here

Realtek Optimal Driver Settings

The Latest Realtek High Definition CODEC Driver is available here

The following is a guide to optimal driver settings so that

1. The full driver features are utilised
2. The amplitude of the volume is controlled so the speakers do not get damaged
   

First Right Click the Icon Shown below

Choose Playback Device
Select Speakers then Properties Then Check Limited Output
This will prevent speaker damage when the volume is maximum

Next

Switch PC Beep to Zero or Mute it to turn off the annoying PC Beep
Then Ensure the Microphone in Speaker Properties is Muted to remove the annoying static that can be heard some times

Next Right Click the Icon shown below and select Sound Manager


Check Either Full Range Speaker Or Virtual Sound for best sound effects because Virtual Sound refers to headphone sound virtualization


Select the following options to reduce Microphone interference
The Red Cross Should Show if the options are enabled

Internet Explorer Tweak

Here is a registry tweak for Internet Explorer


Similar to the Mozilla Firefox tweak this enable you to increase the number simultaneous server connections.
It is one of the few "tweaks" Internet Explorer has as it is not designed to be this tweakable

If you can't see the words on the picture, the registry entry is as follows:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings]
Entries to be edited

"MaxConnectionsPerServer"
"MaxConnectionsPer1_0Server"

Windows Networking Guide

Here is a interesting site contain information regarding Windows Networking

For Windows Vista, Server 2008 Guide see here

There are also many other interesting knowledge regarding networking there to check out

If you are not comfortable with modifying values via commandline there are downloads available too

Firefox on steroids

Have you ever wondered why Firefox is so popular?

Firefox is fast BUT that is still not the fastest it can go

To put Firefox on steroids do the following:

Type in "about:config" in the URL box (This is the secret switch which allows you to ramp up firefox performance drastically)
Of Course I am assuming you have a excellent internet connection if you are on a 56kps Dial Up no way you will notice improvements

Right Click
Create a new Integer
Enter "nglayout.initialpaint.delay"
Enter "0"

Right Click
Create a new Integer
Enter "browser.cache.memory.capacity"
Enter "-1"

Filter "network.http.max-connections"
Change the value to "64"

Filter "network.http.max-connections-per-server"
Change the value to "32"

Filter "network.http.max-persistent-connections-per-server"
Change the value to "24"

Filter "network.http.max-persistent-connections-per-proxy"
Change the value to "16"

Filter "network.http.pipelining.maxrequest"
Change the value to "8"

Filter "network.http.pipelining"
Change the value to "true"

Right Click
Create a new Boolean
Enter "network.http.pipelining.firstrequest"
Choose "true"

Filter "network.http.pipelining.ssl"
Change the value to "true"

Filter "network.http.proxy.pipelining"
Change the value to "true"

Filter "network.http.redirection-limit"
Change the value to "32"

Filter "network.http.request.max-start-delay"
Change the value to "0"

Create a new Integer "ui.submenudelay"

Set value to "0"

Then RESTART Firefox

Edit: Sorry I forgot to add how to reset the values

First you sort the value by status
Then you right click and reset them


Or alternatively

Start Firefox in safe mode, in the dialog that appears select Reset all user preferences to Firefox defaults, then click Make Changes and Restart

Ultimate Windows Tweaker Update

Edit:
There is an update to Ultimate Vista Tweaker, however the updates do not introduce new significant tweaks

Tweak Vista to remove as many unwanted functions as possible to make it faster and more responsive
Ultimate Windows Tweaker is actually a front-end for Windows Registry no additional Services or Programs is installed into your system
Get it here
You can alternatively find the registry entries manually and tweak it however it is not worth the time when someone already made a user friendly front end

Tweaks I used
____________________________________________________________________


I disabled the annoying pop up balloon tips because pop ups really irritates me
____________________________________________________________________


I set the Shutdown time to a lower setting
It is not good to set it to the lowest because Vista has lots of services, setting it too low can cause Service Abortion pop ups which is not a good thing and the default shutdown time is too long

I set Menu Speed to fastest because Vista animation is rather slow hence it irritates a user who wants to do real work This tweak will make Vista more responsive

Disable Vista built in Zip if you use third party compression tools no use having 2 identical tools on the machine (Most of the time 3rd party compression tools are better

Disable ReadyBoost because it is really useless
You are better off buying RAM upgrades

Disable Tablet Input if you are NOT using a Tablet
____________________________________________________________________

Disable Autoplay
Autoplay can sometime cause Virus Programs on Thumbdrive to be executed you will not want to test Vista security or your Anti Virus's abilities by enabling this

Disable Windows Mail if you are using Outlook or Thunderbird or anyother Email Client

Disable Windows Media Center if you are not using your PC as a entertainment Centre for TV Programmes
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Hide your server from browsing list so when you connect to a network other PC will not know you are connected to the network

If you don't use Remote Desktop into this machine disable it

Disable File Access to this machine from other PCs in the network for better security

Disable IPC for other users again a security setting

Disable Recent share so your network access history to other Computers will be safe from prying eyes (this is not Internet History but LAN History)

Auto Discovery of Media is redundant (If you want the media files just copy it to your PC :P)

Set the bandwidth setting according to your network performance (Mine is high)
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