AMD Cool'N'Quiet driver problem

[ish4d0w]

Hi,

This is a system with an AMD Athlon 3500+ and I'd like to enable AMD Cool'N'Quiet CPU power states. (to behave something like Intel's advanced speedstep, which automatically reduces CPU frequency when there isn't high load)


Here's what I tried:

- I updated the BIOS to the latest version.
- There's a BIOS Setting "Enable Cool 'N' Quiet" technology which might be related to this. I enabled it.


It boots up fine but nothing changed. Now the computer is unable to power off if CnQ is enabled.
It just hangs on the "Shutting down" screen (spinner is still spinning, it's not frozen, just hanging). I tried it several times, even left for 10 mins, no effect.


I had to reset the computer. If I disable CnQ, it can shut down correctly.



What should I do?


Here are the system specs:
Motherboard: ASUS M2V (latest BIOS)
RAM: 2 GB DDR2
HDD: 200 GB SATA
GPU: NVIDIA 7600GT
Processor: AMD Athlon 64 3500+


UPDATE:
While on Windows XP this feature works fine by installing the CPU Driver but it does not work on Windows 7!

 

[Solarstarshines]

There is no need to enable cool and quiet if you want to control the fan speed

You might want to look at third party programs

 

[ish4d0w]

I don't want to control fan speed, I want to control CPU core clock. frequency.


Example: I want it to go down from 2200 Mhz to 700 Mhz when idle. Something that Intel processors do. (I believe this is called "Advanced Speedstep" on Intel CPUs)

 

[jc836]

This is something usually found in Mobile processor setups. Desktop machines do not have the same Power configurations. You can control several things in the power setting in Windows 7 if you want. I am using a 3400+ with no issues and did not install CnQ or any other control driver for the processor. As others will advise-it is best to let it run as designed for a desktop setup.

 

[barton]

You have to go into power management and set to power saver mode for cool n quiet software to work, but that wouldn't have anything to do with stopping the hanging I don't think. I guess win 7 built in throttle control not working with the older workhorse Athlon?

Also, I couldn't tell from your post, you mentioned turning it on in bios, but you also have to have the cool n quiet software installed on computer as well I believe. That is different than cpu driver(which I don't think you need as you stated) Not even sure if AMD has cool n quiet software version for win 7, last time I used it was in XP. Old version might still work, or you could try rmclock which utilizes cool n quiet as well and I think it worked in vista so maybe that's your ticket. Don't forget power saver mode.

 

[ish4d0w]

I know about the power mode thing (but thanks for reminding me!)

I tried the CnQ software _and_ the driver for it but it didn't seem to do anything.

You're right, it might be a compatibility issue. I'm thinking to temporary revert to XP on this computer as it's very slow with 7 even after optimization (as described in my other thread: http://www.sevenforums.com/showthread.php?t=284271 )

I have AMD microcode update enabled in BIOS. Should I turn it off? And how about AMD Live? (that one is off and I don't know what that one does)

 

[Solarstarshines]

seriously if you really want it on turn on ce1 c6 then cool and quiet you have to turn on power states for it to do this

Can't just turn on cool and quiet with out CE1 C6 turn those on and QnQ should be fixed if that isn't enough go to AMD.com look your chip up grab the hotfix for windows 7 case closed

 

[ish4d0w]

turn on ce1 c6
(...) turn those on and QnQ should be fixed (...)

How do I turn these on? Are they in the BIOS or do I need 3rd party software to enable these?

 

[Thorsen]

Was thinking, due to what you are trying to do, that this might be a voltage problem and Solarstarshine is right on target I think. I also think you would need to enable the C-States to allow the CPU to halt or limit it's power usage: Everything You Need to Know About the CPU C-States Power Saving Modes | Hardware Secrets

Since you have an Athlon 64 3500+ chip, pay attention to the sections on C3.

the C-States are in the BIOS
If you aren't overclocking, there is also an option for power management (maybe - there should be) that will supply the optimal voltages to the components.

If you can, post the bios brand and version and we might be able to guide you through to the setting you will need.

I don't know too much on this so follow up with others first before changing anything and post back some info.

 

[Solarstarshines]

turn on ce1 c6
(...) turn those on and QnQ should be fixed (...)

How do I turn these on? Are they in the BIOS or do I need 3rd party software to enable these?

They would be in the Bios under CPU it should be some power settings where you were before

they should be right next to cool and quiet features in the bios should see a C6-CE1 and a few others APM automatic power management I would have to see your bios layout to know for sure

 

[Thorsen]

BIOS is AMI from what i can find: ASUS M2V Specs (motherboard - ATX - Socket AM2 - K8T890) - Motherboards - CNET Reviews

Not sure what version or if it looks the same, but it looks like you would need to go into CPU Configuration tab and look for it there.

 

[ish4d0w]

I'm unable to find this setting in BIOS.

By the way I just tested that it's working fine on XP (without this CE1 setting) but not on Windows 7. I just installed THIS driver: http://www.techspot.com/drivers/driver/file/information/14442/

But this driver isn't working on Windows 7.
Is there anything I can do? I want to make this driver work on 7, it'd be all good to go then.

It installed in compatibility mode but doesn't do anything after install.

 

[Solarstarshines]

First of all I asked you to go to the AMD site not a rogue site that might harm your system anyway here is the link I told you to go too Search AMD cool and quiet hotfix&collection=all-us but im not sure if it will work for you since you went and did something else completely against advice

 

[ish4d0w]

I was unable to find a driver on AMD's website that's why I started searching for one on other sites. I wanted to find a mirror that's still hosting it.
The topic title is wrong, it's not about CnQ, I just want to enable CPU power states so it can throttle it's frequency like Intel processors do.

The driver I found is for Windows XP. I still have a license for XP so I decided to give it a try. It worked. All I had to do is to install this driver and I verified it's working by Core Temp. CPU frequency was changing.

This driver doesn't work on Win7, I tried manually replacing the CPU driver in device manager with this one, but after rebooting it got a yellow triangle saying it couldn't be loaded.

I know using this driver might not be the best idea as it's from an unknown source but I couldn't find a better one. This driver is just not on AMD's site anymore (at least I couldn't find it) (again, this is NOT the Cool'n'Quiet driver, this is a standalone AMD CPU Driver for power management that was mandatory for Windows XP but is built-in into Windows 7. That one doesn't change the CPU frequency)



I checked the BIOS Settings but there's no power states option. I can take photos of the BIOS if you like. BIOS is from AMI and it's updated to the latest one.


What should I do?

Summing up answers with updates:

You have to go into power management and set to power saver mode for cool n quiet software to work,

Done.

but that wouldn't have anything to do with stopping the hanging I don't think. I guess win 7 built in throttle control not working with the older workhorse Athlon?

Yes, you might be right on that. I think the same.

Also, I couldn't tell from your post, you mentioned turning it on in bios, but you also have to have the cool n quiet software installed on computer as well I believe.


That is different than cpu driver(which I don't think you need as you stated) Not even sure if AMD has cool n quiet software version for win 7, last time I used it was in XP. Old version might still work, or you could try rmclock which utilizes cool n quiet as well and I think it worked in vista so maybe that's your ticket. Don't forget power saver mode.

I tried the CnQ software too. It seems it compatible with Win7 (Win7's solution center just gave me a solution that my computer is missing a power management driver and offered it for download.
It's compatible with Win7 but it does nothing itself. I think I still need a CPU driver.

This is something usually found in Mobile processor setups. Desktop machines do not have the same Power configurations. You can control several things in the power setting in Windows 7 if you want. I am using a 3400+ with no issues and did not install CnQ or any other control driver for the processor. As others will advise-it is best to let it run as designed for a desktop setup.

This computer supports this as it's working fine on XP. I just want to make it work on 7.
By the way, if you have a 3400+ (which is very similar to the one in this PC), do you use it on constant frequency?

Was thinking, due to what you are trying to do, that this might be a voltage problem and Solarstarshine is right on target I think. I also think you would need to enable the C-States to allow the CPU to halt or limit it's power usage: Everything You Need to Know About the CPU C-States Power Saving Modes | Hardware Secrets

I couldn't find it in the BIOS (I'm not sure if there's an option like that in my BIOS) but I think it's set up right because it's working fine in XP, just as-is, after installing the driver. Not on win7 though.

Since you have an Athlon 64 3500+ chip, pay attention to the sections on C3.

the C-States are in the BIOS


If you aren't overclocking, there is also an option for power management (maybe - there should be) that will supply the optimal voltages to the components.

If you can, post the bios brand and version and we might be able to guide you through to the setting you will need.

I don't know too much on this so follow up with others first before changing anything and post back some info.

OK. I'll check it again and I'll post a photo if I find something revelant.
I'm not overclocking so the optimal voltages setup would be fine for me - once I find it

 

[madcratebuilder]

In order for the C&Q driver to adjust CPU clock and VID, Cool&Quiet must be "enabled" in the BIOS. On mine Cool&Quiet is a sub set of "Advanced CPU Core Features" You well want to enable "C1E" also. Your MB supports C&Q but does your CPU? Both need to support it.

 

[Solarstarshines]

In order for the C&Q driver to adjust CPU clock and VID, Cool&Quiet must be "enabled" in the BIOS. On mine Cool&Quiet is a sub set of "Advanced CPU Core Features" You well want to enable "C1E" also. Your MB supports C&Q but does your CPU? Both need to support it.

Athlons support it they have a Hotfix on AMD site he is trying to get it to throttle down and honestly I don't think that is possible unless it has a turbo mode

Cool& quiet Is supposed to reduce the speed but with the newer bios there is no need for it to be enabled chip runs pretty good without it and pretty much a useless feature now
Because it was used to reduce heat production and power consumption

 

[ish4d0w]

In order for the C&Q driver to adjust CPU clock and VID, Cool&Quiet must be "enabled" in the BIOS. On mine Cool&Quiet is a sub set of "Advanced CPU Core Features" You well want to enable "C1E" also. Your MB supports C&Q but does your CPU? Both need to support it.

Cool & Quiet is enabled, but then Windows 7 hangs on shut down. (works if disabled)

I can't find C1E in BIOS settings (I think there isn't an option) but I think that one is enabled too since this feature used to work on XP (so my CPU supports it too)

Athlons support it they have a Hotfix on AMD site

Where's this hotfix? Could you please post a direct link? I searched a lot on AMD's site but I can't find one.

he is trying to get it to throttle down and honestly I don't think that is possible unless it has a turbo mode

Yes that's what I want to do. I'm not sure if it has turbo mode all I know is that once I could get it working on XP (but not anymore)

Cool& quiet Is supposed to reduce the speed but with the newer bios there is no need for it to be enabled chip runs pretty good without it and pretty much a useless feature now
Because it was used to reduce heat production and power consumption

l have the latest BIOS (I guess it's 2101)

Do you mean that enabling CoolNQuiet wouldn't make a slight difference anymore thanks to the latest BIOS?

So is it now power efficient enough without throttling down? (By the way it's running around 40 Celsius degrees with standard usage, I think that's good isn't it?)