Locked BIOS

[dwoodward]

In an email I just received from Justin he informed me that the BIOS on the NP5796 laptop I am ordering is locked.


If the BIOS is locked why on the configurator do they have this:
~Intel® X9100 45nm "Montevina" Core™2 Duo Extreme 3.06GHz w/6MB L2 On-die cache - 1066MHz FSB
(Overclockable up to 3.53GHz!) ( + 715 )

How come they advertise as overclockable if it cannot be overclocked?

[dwoodward]

Can someone from Xotic or an expert please comment on this? Perhaps there is a mistake or written piece of information that I have looked over?

Are there any Sager laptops that do not have a locked BIOS?

[Rossdaddy]

No expert here, but I think it would be difficult to warranty a lappy with a unlocked BIOS. Im sure after it's purchased theres ways you can get it OC'ed. I cant imagine xoticpc divulging to much info on the subject, prolly to avoid people from fryin there components and trying to use the warranty. And again i'm no expert, just an educated guess.

[OregonCoastGamer]

I just know that OCing is not supported by Xotic, but it may be possible to OC.

[dwoodward]

Lets put this overclock into perspective here. If mobile Core 2 Duo CPU's are anything like their desktop counterparts, then the chip probably has a quad-pumped FSB, putting the Actual FSB at 266Mhz. This in turn would place the multiplier at 11.5 to achieve 3.06Ghz for the chips stock speed. Now assuming we did overclock the chip to 3.53Ghz we would need to raise the FSB to 307 / 1228 QDR.

This is a pretty small overclock to be honest (about ~15%) and could probably be achieved without any voltage increases and no potential damage to the chip itself. Only drawback would be the added heat, however if the cooling system is advanced as Sager claims, it should be no problems.

Regaurdless I could see why Xotic wouldn't want to include overclocking in the warranty for obvious reasons.

But overclocking is the least of my concerns, I actually have no interest in overclocking my laptop. What I am concerned about is what happened with my previous Dell laptop where the BIOS was locked and I could not disable the onboard audio when I installed a mobile soundcard. This is my real concern. I just want to be sure that the HD Audio setting in the BIOS is unlocked.

[Element.22]

How come they advertise as overclockable if it cannot be overclocked?

To tease you. Actually it's probably so if you do choose to do so (i.e. flashing a new BIOS) you can overclock it. But of course you get no coverage then,

[Justin@XoticPC]

When the Xtreme CPU is chosen you are given the option in bios to OC the CPU. (ONLY FOR THIS CPU) Any other CPU can not be OC'd through the BIOS.

What Justin is referring to is likely OC'ing other CPU's or to clarify that users can not tweak the bios.

[dwoodward]

Thank you for the clarification Justin, can you possibly confirm that the HD Audio portion of the BIOS will be unlocked? If this is true, you will probably see an order from me very soon.

[Justin@XoticPC]

The standard bios features from Sager will be unlocked and available. (by default)

[dwoodward]

That still doesn't answer my question... Wish I could get an answer as Sager's support line refuses to answer my question as well.

[OregonCoastGamer]

If you are thinking of installing a new sound card, are you thinking externally? Most cards that are worth upgrading to are external, and I am pretty sure that you can do this with most of the models offered. There is an option for external sound cards on the configuratior :).

[dwoodward]

This is the card I wish to install:
http://us.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=209&subcategory=669&product=16642

I just want to be sure that there wont be any conflicting hardware between the card and the BIOS and want to make sure I can disable the onboard audio is all.

[dwoodward]

Is there not a single person with this laptop that can go into the BIOS and let me know if you can enable and disable the Onboard Audio?

[OregonCoastGamer]

Uh... that's the exact same card I was reffering to ;). I am going to say a definite YES on this one. You may just want to purchase it through Xotic and avoid installation, unless you want to do it yourself.

[dwoodward]

I actually have the card unopened in the retail box sitting on a shelf in the room. So purchasing it from Xotic would be a waste.

[dwoodward]

Thanks for the help. Just ordered.

1x Sager NP5796 Custom Notebook (Built on Clevo M570TU)

- Warranty: 3 Year Labor* 1 Year Parts Warra
- Software Bundle (Not Installed): None Standard
- "Medialess" Microsoft Office Sof: None Standard
- Operating System: ~Windows Vista Home Premium 64-B
- Notebook Cooler: None Standard
- Mouse / Keyboard Accessories: None Standard
- Fingerprint Reader: Integrated Fingerprint Reader
- Docking Station / Port Replicato: None Standard
- Spare AC Adapter: None Standard
- Car Adapter: None Standard
- Battery: Smart Li-ion Battery (8-Cell)
- Case: Basic Black Business Case - Incl
- Sound Card: Sound Blaster Compatible 3D Audi
- TV Tuner: None Standard
- Camera: Built in 2.0 Megapixel Camera
- Wireless Network Accessories: None Standard
- Wireless Network: Built-in Intel® PRO/Wireless 530
- Bluetooth: Internal Bluetooth 2.0+ EDR
- Memory Card Reader: Internal 7-in-1 Card Reader (MS/
- Floppy Drive: None Standard
- External Hard Drive (Back Up): None Standard
- Primary Hard Drive: ~ 320GB 5400RPM (Serial-ATA II 3
- Optical Drive: ~Combo 8x8x6x4x Dual Layer DVD +
- Exterior Finish: NP579x Orange Frame Trim
- Intel® Robson Turbo Memory: None Standard
- Ram: ~ 2,048MB DDR3 1066MHz Dual Cha
- External Monitor Video Adapter: None Standard
- Video Card: 512MB PCI-Express nVidia GeForce
- Processor: ~Intel® P9500 45nm "Montevina" C
- Dead Pixel Policy: Standard Dead Pixel Policy
- Arctic Silver: Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound
- Display: 17" WSXGA+ "Glare Type" Super Cl
For some reason the order page cuts some of the text off, but I think you get the main parts fine.

[emike09]

The audio is unlocked. Everything is unlocked except overclocking, unless you have the Xtreme cpu. Just like they said.