NOVA 15" - Unable to change the screen brightness (Possible fix)

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NoNastyNick

Bronze Level Poster
Hey guys,
I hope you're all well.

I've got myself the kick-ass Nova 15" and it's even more kick-ass as its the first AMD system i've ever brought / built in my entire life (I'm 29.) I was always an Intel boy, but this has definitely changed me.

Anyway - Like all, here is the specs:

Chassis & DisplayNova Series: 15.6" Matte Full HD 144Hz 72% NTSC LED Widescreen (1920x1080)
Processor (CPU)AMD Ryzen 7 3700X Eight Core CPU (3.6GHz-4.4GHz/36MB CACHE/AM4)
Memory (RAM)16GB Corsair 2666MHz SODIMM DDR4 (2 x 8GB)
Graphics CardNVIDIA® GeForce® RTX 2070 - 8.0GB GDDR6 Video RAM - DirectX® 12.1
1st M.2 SSD Drive1TB INTEL® 660p M.2 NVMe PCIe SSD (up to 1800MB/sR | 1800MB/sW)
Memory Card ReaderIntegrated Micro-SD Memory Card Reader
AC Adaptor1 x 180W AC Adaptor
Power Cable1 x 1 Metre Cloverleaf UK Power Cable
BatteryNova Series Detachable 4 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
Thermal PasteSTANDARD THERMAL PASTE FOR SUFFICIENT COOLING
Sound Card2 Channel High Def. Audio + SoundBlaster™ Cinema
Bluetooth & WirelessGIGABIT LAN & WIRELESS INTEL® Wi-Fi 6 AX200 (2.4 Gbps) + BT 5.0
USB/Thunderbolt Options1 x USB 3.2 PORT (Type C) + 2 x USB 3.2 PORTS + 1 x USB 2.0 PORT
Keyboard Language15" NOVA SERIES UK KEYBOARD
Operating SystemWindows 10 Home 64 Bit - inc. Single Licence [KUK-00001]
Operating System LanguageUnited Kingdom - English Language
Windows Recovery MediaWindows 10 Multi-Language Recovery Image - Unlimited Downloads from Online Account
Office SoftwareFREE 30 Day Trial of Microsoft 365® (Operating System Required)
Anti-VirusBullGuard™ Internet Security - Free 90 Day License inc. Gamer Mode
BrowserMicrosoft® Edge (Windows 10 Only)
Notebook MouseINTEGRATED 2 BUTTON TOUCHPAD MOUSE
WebcamINTEGRATED 1MP HD WEBCAM

I'm currently experiencing a few little niggles (not so much it warrants an RMA.)
One of the main niggles, is that i'm unable to change the screen brightness at all - This is even after reinstalling windows, CCC and multitude of driver versions all from Clevo / PCSpecialist account.

I've done some digging around, and another manufacture has issued a BIOS update to address it.

The BIOS version which resolves the issue is 1.07.07. This has been noted by a competitor

I know this is a competitor, but it's using the exact same base chassis from clevo. They have confirmed that this has resolved the issue for many of their customers.

I'm currently awaiting confirmation from PCSpecialist to flash my BIOS with a later version - So if you're experiencing the same issue, please try to reach out to PCSpecialist and get authorisation (do NOT flash without their say-so as it can invalidate your warranty.)

Another thing - If you are wanting to use this laptop for VR purposes (Oculus Rift S especially,) you WILL have issues using the standalone USB 3.2 ports. What you need to do is get a USB A to C adapter (preferably the same generation USB,) and use the USB C port next to the HDMI and DP. This has resolved ALL tracking issues (notoriously these happen when haptic feedback is too much.)

Hope you all enjoy the Nova as much as I am!
 
Last edited by a moderator:
N

NoNastyNick

Bronze Level Poster
Hey all,

I can now confirm that with the new BIOS provided by PC Specialist (NH50Ax_07.efi which is 1.0.7) I can NOW change the screen brightness, fantastic! Also included in this new BIOS is the option to manually choose the AMD Voltage and CPU Frequency Limit (This just translates back to CCC.)

As this BIOS is not branded by PC Specialist, the boot screen is showing up as "Style Note," which I imagine is the name of the laptop range Clevo uses as default.

So if you're having issues with screen brightness - get a BIOS update!
 
M

mrlip

Gold Level Poster
SuicidalChick3n said:
Hey all,

I can now confirm that with the new BIOS provided by PC Specialist (NH50Ax_07.efi which is 1.0.7) I can NOW change the screen brightness, fantastic! Also included in this new BIOS is the option to manually choose the AMD Voltage and CPU Frequency Limit (This just translates back to CCC.)

As this BIOS is not branded by PC Specialist, the boot screen is showing up as "Style Note," which I imagine is the name of the laptop range Clevo uses as default.

So if you're having issues with screen brightness - get a BIOS update!
Click to expand...

Very interesting that frequency and voltage can now be set in the bios. No issues with screen brightness here but I’m tempted to upgrade just because of the voltage tweak. Do the same settings that you were using in Ryzen Master still work ok if you set them via bios?
 
N

NoNastyNick

Bronze Level Poster
mrlip said:
Very interesting that frequency and voltage can now be set in the bios. No issues with screen brightness here but I’m tempted to upgrade just because of the voltage tweak. Do the same settings that you were using in Ryzen Master still work ok if you set them via bios?
Click to expand...

Hey man,

From reading a competitor's threads in Reddit - Clevo are releasing small amounts of tuning ability to the end user; however they're concerned that there will be a high RMA rate due to people not knowing what they're doing. When you consider this is their first AMD laptop with a CPU, it's very understandable.

It appears that the BIOS entries for Frequency and Voltage are being transferred directly to Control Center (I've updated to 3.0.2 which has manual Voltage and CPU entries within their performance application.) It also appears that this is directly communicating with the AMD ryzen through a very slim and cutdown version of Ryzen Master. I've decided to ditch Ryzen Master entirely, as there's a conflict with CCC (I know, I know... I went back to CCC.) The conflict is that with Ryzen Master and CCC installed - THIS is what's causing the drop from 88W to 78W PPT.

So to cut some rambling short - The BIOS changes for Voltage and Frequency is directly translating to the AMD Ryzen CPU - it's as if you're doing a "manual OC.
 
M

mrlip

Gold Level Poster
SuicidalChick3n said:
Hey man,

From reading a competitor's threads in Reddit - Clevo are releasing small amounts of tuning ability to the end user; however they're concerned that there will be a high RMA rate due to people not knowing what they're doing. When you consider this is their first AMD laptop with a CPU, it's very understandable.

It appears that the BIOS entries for Frequency and Voltage are being transferred directly to Control Center (I've updated to 3.0.2 which has manual Voltage and CPU entries within their performance application.) It also appears that this is directly communicating with the AMD ryzen through a very slim and cutdown version of Ryzen Master. I've decided to ditch Ryzen Master entirely, as there's a conflict with CCC (I know, I know... I went back to CCC.) The conflict is that with Ryzen Master and CCC installed - THIS is what's causing the drop from 88W to 78W PPT.

So to cut some rambling short - The BIOS changes for Voltage and Frequency is directly translating to the AMD Ryzen CPU - it's as if you're doing a "manual OC.
Click to expand...

Great info thanks. Might try it out next week will see how things go.
 
N

NoNastyNick

Bronze Level Poster
mrlip said:
Great info thanks. Might try it out next week will see how things go.
Click to expand...


This is the new version of CCC and the performance profiles - The BIOS changes are reflected in here. 200Mhz jumps as well as .250mV jumps
CCC Overclock.png
 
M

mrlip

Gold Level Poster
.250mv jumps?! Damn that’s a shame it’s so big. .250mv is huge, too big. For example 1v would be unstable for most boost clocks and 1.25v would spike temps near enough stock. Shame it’s not 0.50mv or even 0.100mv would be ok
 
V

VPATEL

Member
SuicidalChick3n said:
Hey man,

From reading a competitor's threads in Reddit - Clevo are releasing small amounts of tuning ability to the end user; however they're concerned that there will be a high RMA rate due to people not knowing what they're doing. When you consider this is their first AMD laptop with a CPU, it's very understandable.

It appears that the BIOS entries for Frequency and Voltage are being transferred directly to Control Center (I've updated to 3.0.2 which has manual Voltage and CPU entries within their performance application.) It also appears that this is directly communicating with the AMD ryzen through a very slim and cutdown version of Ryzen Master. I've decided to ditch Ryzen Master entirely, as there's a conflict with CCC (I know, I know... I went back to CCC.) The conflict is that with Ryzen Master and CCC installed - THIS is what's causing the drop from 88W to 78W PPT.

So to cut some rambling short - The BIOS changes for Voltage and Frequency is directly translating to the AMD Ryzen CPU - it's as if you're doing a "manual OC.
Click to expand...

Thanks, Great Info.
This might solve the lack of appropriate software issue for tinkering Ryzen CPU on Nova from Linux.
 
ubuysa

ubuysa

The BSOD Doctor
SuicidalChick3n said:
That's one of the best use cases for this.
There's a control center for Linux available mind, that seams to be made by another manufacturer: I will send this into a private message so as to not get deleted.
Click to expand...
The reason we don't allow links to personal cloud sites (and many suspect websites) is to protect the membership. We have no way of knowing whether software or drivers being linked to on these types of site are genuine and/or free of malware. From a security point of view it's always a good idea to be wary of any website you don't know, in fact you really should only download drivers and other software from sites you absolutely trust. :)
 
O

Omegalpha

Member
I agree with the non-signed Bios. I've myself asked for a bios update (because of another problem, the lateral USB one, that wasn't fixed ). For me also, when I boot, it appears as a "style note", which I found a bit ugly in my opinion. I think they did that because a lot of people were asking for this bios update, and they had no time to rebrand it. Anyway, I asked them if they will release a branded one in the future, but no response for now (asked 4 days ago or so).
 
ubuysa

ubuysa

The BSOD Doctor
ChaDUV said:
I agree with the non-signed Bios. I've myself asked for a bios update (because of another problem, the lateral USB one, that wasn't fixed ). For me also, when I boot, it appears as a "style note", which I found a bit ugly in my opinion. I think they did that because a lot of people were asking for this bios update, and they had no time to rebrand it. Anyway, I asked them if they will release a branded one in the future, but no response for now (asked 4 days ago or so).
Click to expand...
I appreciate that you don't like the default Style Note splash screen but it doesn't cause a problem, it's only there for a few seconds, and in the big scheme of things it's a very minor issue... :)
 
ubuysa

ubuysa

The BSOD Doctor
ChaDUV said:
I agree it's just that I find it a bit weird, and that I fear that it isn't normal. Regardless, if it works and it's normal then I'm satisfied (y)
Click to expand...
It's perfectly normal, I had the same splash screen on a BIOS update for my old Optimus IV a few years ago. It's nothing to worry about if that's what you're thinking, it's just a generic splash screen. :)
 
N

NoNastyNick

Bronze Level Poster
ubuysa said:
I appreciate that you don't like the default Style Note splash screen but it doesn't cause a problem, it's only there for a few seconds, and in the big scheme of things it's a very minor issue... :)
Click to expand...

Absolutely - Nothing major about it, just rather unsightly haha! Still, the new BIOS is working amazingly and still able to control the brightness.
Perhaps when PCS are able to edit the image and get their logo we can get that flashed as well.
 
S

Susanna

New member
@SuicidalChick3n
I've been following your progress with this brightness issue, it is really reassuring that you managed to fix the issue with PCS's greenlight.

I've been suffering the exact same issue with my new NOVA15. Sadly, every time I use it I feel like looking into the sun and get a headache. I just wish I can turn down the brightness.

I've called PCS2 weeks ago and they told me a person will email me with a solution/bios upgrade, but I haven't heard anything. I sent them a message using the online ticketing system today.

Can you advise as to how you got this issue sorted? Thanks :)
 
N

NoNastyNick

Bronze Level Poster
Susanna said:
@SuicidalChick3n
I've been following your progress with this brightness issue, it is really reassuring that you managed to fix the issue with PCS's greenlight.

I've been suffering the exact same issue with my new NOVA15. Sadly, every time I use it I feel like looking into the sun and get a headache. I just wish I can turn down the brightness.

I've called PCS2 weeks ago and they told me a person will email me with a solution/bios upgrade, but I haven't heard anything. I sent them a message using the online ticketing system today.

Can you advise as to how you got this issue sorted? Thanks :)
Click to expand...

Hey there,
Sorry to hear you're having the screen brightness issue as well.

I kept on pestering daily, is the honest answer. I work in IT and have worked on many service desks - keep on pestering daily. I absolutely hated it when clients did it with me, but you can bet your arse it got me to solve the issue as soon as possible!
 
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