FSC Amilo Mx438G updates - Page 2

Oh man! So this time I downloaded the 81.95 driver from laptopvideo2go as well as the modded INF-file: http://www.laptopvideo2go.com/forum/...showtopic=8261

Then I did the following:

1) Right-click on the driver-icon and 'extract to file'
2) Move the modded INF file to this file/folder and have it replace the INF on the file/folder
3) Uninstall the old driver and reboot
4) Open the 81.95 file/folder and run Setup (the blue icon)
5) Reboot

After doing this, I ran 3MARK05 but got a really lousy score (the opening sequence used to run about 20-30 FPS with my old FSC drivers, but now it was 2-3 FPS). Then I tried CS stress test and, once again, got way lower results (an avarege of 20-25 FPS) than with my old FSC drivers. What's going on? Didn't I install the drivers correctly or what?

Okey, apparently this problem could go away if I update the BIOS of my GPU, the video-BIOS. But how do I do that? First of all, I don't even know from where you can get the video-BIOS updates? Please help me!

Okey, thanks. Everything is working great. CS Stress Test gave me 84.99 FPS and 3DMARK05 a score of 3693.

I think I've now updated every major component driver in my notebook. Not only that, but now I know how to do all the updates. Thank you very much for your assistance and patience with me.

Has anyone tried the new BIOS, 1.10C. It's not available in FSC download site though. I still have the 1.06RC version of BIOS but am kinda interested in this new one. Still, I think it's safest in the case of BIOS to stick with the versions that are in the FSC download site. Or does someone think otherwise?

Are you sure you are not talking about the VIDEO-BIOS update? I mean I'm using the latest Forceware (well, Forceware 81.95 anyway) and have no problems using with the BIOS from FSC, 1.06RC. I did have to update the VIDEO-BIOS of this Forceware in order to make it work optimally. But I was talking about the (system) BIOS, not the BIOS of the Forceware.

Anyway, I do know how to install the BIOS, I just wanted ask you guys whether it's a good and reliable update. And once again, I'm NOT talking about the VIDEO-BIOS (the nVIDIA BIOS).

I don't know the model of my Kingston memory sticks, just that I bought two 1GB sticks that are 533MHz PC2-4300. I did not buy these separately but at the same time with my M3438G (the vendor installed these sticks so I did not get to see them or anything).

I have only played HL2 and CS so I haven't really witnessed any performance gain due to my 2gig memory. Of course, in 3DMARK05 and in CS Stress Test I got a bit higher scores than those with only 1gig memory (3DMARK05: 3693, CS Stress Test: 84,99). Obviously for those who have overclocked their laptop the scores are higher.

About the Nostromo SpeedPad n52... boy let me tell ya, it's awesome. I have played CS with it and it's so comfortable and easy to use -- really ergonomic too. Those extra buttons on the right side are kinda useless (for me at least) but nevertheless, n52 is awesome. For playing with a laptop, I'd choose it anyday over the best gaming keyboards from Logitech, MS, Saitek or Razer (although I don't think Tarantula is on the market yet). I guess some games do need more buttons then n52 has but I don't play those kinda games and can't really understand after using n52 who would be willing to sacrifice his/her deskspace for a big-ass keyboard. Oh and there's also a little extra bonus: the style matches exactly to my G5

G5 is a brilliant mouse and I fully recommend it. Granted I have never played with MX518 but I have tried on several occasions and I have to tell you that in my view the ergonomics of the G5 are much much better (G5 even tops MX1000 in ergonomics with ease). Performancewise G5 is as solid as it gets. The one complaint that this mouse sometimes gets is that it has only one side button (BACK). This is not a problem for me since I don't even need another side button. And also, it's a perfect match to N52 so that's another reason to get it. G5 is awesome. Just remember to buy the right kind of mousepad (or of course as it's a laser mouse, you don't necessarily need one). I myself use X-RAY Thunder 8 and the smooth side and that'a a combo to beat (it's almost like the mouse is floating on air). I've heard that G5 has problems with Icemats and with Ulti-mats so I wouldn't necessarily get those. So buy N52, G5 and X-RAY Thunder 8 and you are set, my friend. Believe that!

Oh, and I'll look into the memory sticks. By the way, I do have SiSoft Sandra and when I did the system analysis it 'told' me that I have Samsung memory modules. I don't know if I'm reading it correctly but I should have Kingston memory since I paid for them and in my bill it reads Kingston.

Well as much as installing the 1.10C BIOS from FSC has helped, the glitched are still there. Don't get me wrong, some people have great working Mx438Gs, and some people have not. These glitched don't bother me that much because they don't occur that often.

I suspect that the particular glitch I have is because of overheating. Some people have suggested that I should lower the voltage via Notebook Hardware Control, some have suggested I should put something under my notebook (on the sides) so that my notebook would get more air. I'll probably try these in the near future.

But, by all means, buy this notebook. Even if I had known about these glitches I'd have still bought this notebook. M3438G is an awesome notebook and worth every penny although you might also be interested in looking some of these new DTRs with nVIDIA 7800. Still, Mx438G is one kick-ass notebook.

You might want to check out this thread: http://www.notebookforums.com/showth...36#post1480036