Notebook Hardware Control
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F A Q - Frequently Asked Questions
 
 
Summary of Notebook Hardware Control FAQ:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
G o o g l e   l i n k s
 
Google
Web www.NotebookHardwareControl.net
Common questions:
 
Which operation systems are supported?
Notebook Hardware Control requires Windows 2000, XP or a newer NT based 32Bit OS.
What does NHC mean?
NHC = Notebook Hardware Control (abbreviation).
What does CHC mean?
CHC = Centrino Hardware Control (abbreviation). This was the old name of Notebook Hardware Control.
How do I can start NHC on restricted user account (accounts without administrator rights)?
To run NHC on restricted user accounts you need the professional version of Notebook Hardware Control
How do I can uninstall NHC?
To uninstall NHC open the Control Panel, go to the software section and remove Notebook Hardware Control.
 
- For the old Centrino Hardware Control version 1.9 BETA 01 and BETA 02:
This version has no installer. Just close CHC and then remove the CHC files and directory.
 
- For the old Centrino Hardware Control version 1.8x and earlier only:
If the uninstall of CHC fails (only version 1.8x and earlier), copy the file "crackNT.exe" to the Centrino Hardware Control installation directory and try again. You can download the file
How do I can change the color and visibility of the system tray icons?
You can change the color and visibility of the system tray icons in the NHC advanced settings section.
Why does NHC access the internet on startup?
On NHC startup the program will check if program updates are available. Check for updates works only if the option "Automatically Check for Updates" is enabled and NHC isn't blocked by a firewall. (NHC will download the actual NHC version number = 7 bytes; NHC will never upload something)
I can't start Notebook Hardware Control (loading errors, dll not found, exceptions ...)
1. Uninstall Notebook Hardware Control and the Microsoft .NET Framework.
(If you want keep the NHC settings, make a copy of the configuration file settings.xml)
2. Restart the computer
3. Reinstall the Microsoft Framework and then NHC
Mobilmeter and NHC
Mobilmeter and NHC can be used at the same time.
If Mobilmeter and NHC are used at the same time the System can't go to Standby because the system thinks that the ACPI driver is locked. To prevent this problem disable the CPU temperature reading in Mobilmeter.
SpeedFan and NHC
SpeedFan and NHC can be used at the same time.
SpeedswitchXP and NHC
SpeedswitchXP and NHC can be used at the same time.
NHC and SpeedswitchXP changes the CPU Speed (CPU Policy) settings. If Notebook Hardware Control and SpeedswitchXP are used at the same time, Notebook Hardware Control will check (and overwrite if different) the SpeedswitchXP settings all 5sec
 
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CPU Speed Control:
 
Difference between custom dynamic switching and dynamic switching?
Dynamic switching is the system default "dynamic switching function". Custom dynamic switching is the Notebook Hardware Control dynamic switching function, which gives you full control over the CPU dynamic switching steps. Custom dynamic switching also don't have short Voltage drops like the system default dynamic switching function if CPU Voltage Control is enabled.
How do I can show the current custom dynamic switching steps?
To show the current custom dynamic switching steps click on the custom dynamic switching icon.
Which custom dynamic switching values are recommended?
The default values are recommended.
Why does my CPU speed is always a fixed value (for example 1000MHz)
Check the CPU speed settings.
Check if "Use only Multiplier #1 and Voltage #1" is not enabled.
Check if another program is not locking the CPU speed
Your system does not support dynamic clock switching (SpeedStep not supported)
Why do I can't change the CPU Speed settings?
Changing the CPU Speed is not supported on your system
 
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CPU Voltage Control:
 
How does CPU Voltage Control works?
Notebook Hardware Control will set the Voltage on selected frequency Multiplier.
How do I reset the CPU Voltage to default value?
Uncheck the multiplier and voltages in the CPU Voltage Control section.
Which CPU Voltage values are suggested?
Suggested are the CPU default voltage values, but you can set a lower voltage to reduce heat dissipation and save power. To show the CPU default voltage information please click on the help icon in the CPU Voltage Control section or visit the CPU vendor webpage. You will find some voltage exampled
 
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Battery section:
 
What does battery wear level mean?
Indicates how much Full Charge Capacity has become less compared with Designed Capacity. A battery wears gradually as it goes through charge and discharge cycles or secular charge and its capacity decreases. Battery recalibrating (you will find this function in the BIOS) mostly improves the battery wear level.
 
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Hard Disk control and monitoring:
 
Why do I can't change one or more Hard Disk settings?
The features are not supported on your System / Hard Disk
Why does the Hard Drive does not turn off even in the idle state?
In some cases, the Hard Drive does not turn off even in the idle state if SMART and the temperature is monitored. The option "Don't monitor if the computer is running on batteries" allows the Hard Drive to turn off on battery operation.
Maximum Operating Temperature of the Hard Drive?
The Maximum Operating Temperature depends from drive manufacturer and model. Typical maximum temperature range is 50-55°C, with some drives being able to operate at up to 60°C.
What is S.M.A.R.T. technology for hard drives?
S.M.A.R.T. (Self-Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Technology) is implemented into all of the modern hard disks. A special program inside the disk constantly keeps tracking the condition of a range of the vital parameters: driver, disk heads, surface state, electronics, etc. At the present time, S.M.A.R.T. technology is able to predict up to 70% of all hard disk problems! However, to use this information, you firstly have to retrieve it from the disk and to analyze it. This is one of the Notebook Hardware Control program's tasks.
How does Notebook Hardware Control can protect my data on the Hard Drive?
Just as soon as the hard disk state changes, the S.M.A.R.T. system (integrated into the disk) notifies the changes. NHC will check periodically the S.M.A.R.T data and shows you a warning if the disk has problems.
 
The disk condition may slowly decline; however, this might not show for a bit, while the disk is able to correct its own mistakes. That can go on for some time until, one day, the disk is not able to fix its mistakes and the data on the disk is no longer readable or recoverable. All this time, while the disk condition is growing worse, the S.M.A.R.T. system notifies the changes. If you use NHC to obtain the SMART information you will get warning messages and you can save and backup your data in time.
 
However it is recommended to backup your data periodically!
Why does the "Power-On Time Count" value in the SMART window show a wrong value?
The Raw Data varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. Please use the "Correction value" and the "Power-On Time reference" to correct the Power-On Time Count.
How Hard Drive Advanced Power Management works?
The power management level is a scale from the lowest power consumption setting of 01 to the maximum performance level of 254.
 
Advanced power management levels HEX value
Maximum performance
Intermediate power management levels without Standby
Minimum power consumption without Standby
Intermediate power management levels with Standby
Minimum power consumption with Standby
Reserved
Reserved
FEh
81h-FDh
80h
02h-7Fh
01h
FFh
00h
 
Device performance may increase with increasing power management levels. Device power consumption may increase with increasing power management levels. The power management levels may contain discrete bands. For example, a device may implement one power management method from 80h to A0h and a higher performance, higher power consumption method from level A1h to FEh. Advanced power management levels 80h and higher do not permit the device to spin down to save power.
How Hard Drive Acoustic Management works?
Device performance may increase with increasing acoustic management levels. Device power consumption may decrease with decreasing acoustic management levels.
 
Automatic acoustic management levels HEX value
Reserved
Maximum performance
Intermediate acoustic management levels
Minimum acoustic emanation level
Retired
Vendor Specific
FFh
FEh
81h-FDh
80h
01h-7Fh
00h
 
The acoustic management levels may contain discrete bands. For example, a device may implement one acoustic management method from 80h to BFh and a higher performance, higher acoustic management method from level C0h to FEh.
 
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ATI Clock Control:
 
Why do I can't change the ATI clock settings?
ATI clock is not supported or ATI clock control is locked if ATI's POWERPLAY(tm) is active. You have to switch off POWERPLAY(tm) to unlock NHC's ATI clock Control.
Should I use NHC's ATI Clock Control or ATI's POWERPLAY(tm)?
Use ATI POWERPLAY to reduce heat dissipation and power consumption and use ATI clock control to overclock the graphic card for maximum possible performance.
 
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Release Notes of Notebook Hardware Control
 
NHC 2.0 - Pre-Release-06  (04.05.2007)
- add support for Windows Vista
- add new function in the ACPI Control System
- add most available ACPI Control System source files to the NHC installer
- add Thermal Zone support in the ACPI Control System
- add 2D/3D detection and process filter (Professional Version)
- add better support for dual-core CPU's
- extend the support for ATI Powerplay
- fixed the errors in the NHC 2.0 Pre-Release-05 (only 3 hours online)
- fixed a lot of problems and bugs
- To-Do: prepare the release 2.0 and AMD Voltage Control support
NHC 2.0 - Pre-Release-04  (01.09.2006)
- removed the voltage control bug of the earlier NHC 2.0 Pre-Releases -> IMPORTANT BUG FIX!
- (example: System locked up on CPU Speed Max. Performance)
- removed the problem "Error initializing ACPI control system"
- (some systems had this problem)
- To-Do: prepare the release 2.0, add more ACPI Control System classes, AMD Voltage Control support,
- change CPU temperature warning to CPU temperature clockdown
NHC 2.0 - Pre-Release-03  (14.08.2006)
- add ACPI Control System functions to read and write Field values -> see main features for more details
- updated the ACPI Control System classes for Samsung and ASUS Notebooks
- add xml configuration files to select the right ACPI Control System classes
- fixed the bug (object reference not set...) that interrupted the loading of NHC on some systems.
- fixed the NVIDIA PowerMizer Bug (Battery and AC online settings were exchanged)
- fixed the battery lifetime bug
- To-Do: prepare the release 2.0, add more ACPI Control System classes, AMD Voltage Control support,
- change CPU temperature warning to CPU temperature clockdown
NHC 2.0 - Pre-Release-02  (01.08.2006)
- fixed the bug (Count must be positive...) that interrupted the loading of NHC on some systems.
- fixed the bug (Read Processor Policy failed) on Windows 2000
- To-Do: prepare the release 2.0, AMD Voltage Control support,
- change CPU temperature warning to CPU temperature clockdown
NHC 2.0 - Pre-Release  (31.07.2006)
- add ACPI Control System (powerfull and open source) -> see main features for more details
- updated the ACPI Thermal Zone
- removed the Intel Core Duo CPU Speed bug
- add CPU Speed Control for Windows 2000 and Windows Vista (preliminary)
- add Custom Dynamic Switching Speed Up and Slow Down delay
- add large Battery Icon for the TaskBar
- add alternative function to detect the "System Power Status". This is a workaround on system
- that have problems with the keyboard or touchpad when using NHC.
- add possibility to change the ATI Powerplay settings
- add nVidia Powermizer support
- add LCD Brighntess support (in combination with ACPI Control System)
- updated the system tray menu for the professional version and add new profile icons
- add possibility to change the profile after a defined user idle time.
- add XML settings file (settings.xml)
- updated the nhcDriver
- removed the nhcACPI driver (not longer necessary)
- removed the nhcsafe.exe file (not longer necessary)
- updated the nhc webpage and nhc help file
- removed bugs and problems
- To-Do: prepare the release 2.0, AMD Voltage Control support,
- change CPU temperature warning to CPU temperature clockdown
NHC 1.10 - BETA 03  (01.04.2006)
- add new faster and better nhc driver
- add new faster and accurate clock detection function (+- 0.2%)
- improved stability and fixed the blue screen problem on some core duo and P4 notebooks
- nhc is now faster and needs less cpu time
- To-Do: -> BETA 01
NHC 1.10 - BETA 02  (21.03.2006)
- add support for Intel Core Duo / Solo
- add multiprocessor support
- add new system tray icons (CPU Load, HD Temperature)
- add icons for profiles
- add clock modulation
- improved the monitoring function
- removed standby bug on HP Notebooks
- removed other bugs
- ToDo: -> BETA 01
NHC 1.10 - BETA 01  (10.02.2006)
- NEW SERVICE (now NHC works on all user accounts at the same time)
- ADD MONITORING (chart window and data logging on HD)
- REMOVED the power scheme bug with NHC service (bug: the settings were set to default)
- SECURITY IMPROVED: on restricted user accounts NHC runs with the restricted user privileges
- (with RunAs NHC was running with admin rights and this was a security hole)
- add Voltage Control for Pentium 4 (mobile and desktop)
- add NHC Messages (possibility the send messages to NHC).
- add ASUS / SAMSUNG HotKey Control
- add Power Scheme Control (with service also available on restricted user accounts)
- add the possibility to show the HD temperature in the system tray
- add ATI Powerplay support, improved the ATI Clock Control
- add HD Standby Time
- improved the CPU clock detection
- fixed bugs and problems
- To-Do: finish the nvidia support, finish the acpi fan control, add AMD and Intel Core Duo support,
- expand FAQ, Help and webpage, add events in nhc and improve/add tray icon options.
NHC 1.9 - BETA 03  (09.10.2005)
- renamed Centrino Hardware Control (CHC) to Notebook Hardware Control (NHC)
- NHC start and run faster with the new Microsoft's .NET Framework Version 2.0 Beta 2 or newer
- add the Professional Edition in Notebook Hardware Control
- add the possibility to run NHC as service. If NHC runs as service, it starts earlier on windows
- boot and will be available on all user accounts without limitations.
- add multiple user profiles. Now you can change all NHC settings with one mouse click.
- add the possibility to set different profiles on AC line operation and battery operation.
- add the possibility to switch only between max. and min. Multiplier in the CPU Speed section.
- add support for all new Pentium M CPU's (also all new low voltage Pentium M)
- add default pre-configuration in the CPU Voltage section.
- add the possibility to hide the default windows battery Icon on battery operation.
- add new battery detection if NHC is running (battery check).
- add CPU and Hard Disk temperature warning and system shutdown temperature.
- add multiple Hard Disk support and expand the Hard Disk detection and support in NHC.
- add the possibility to show the temperature in Fahrenheit F°.
- add FAN control compatibility for some newer Notebooks.
- add Hardware Information section.
- add Nullsoft Scriptable Install System Installer.
- add new licence agreement.
CHC 1.9 - BETA 02  (28.06.2005)
- fixed the problem: CHC shows a wrong Battery Life Time on some system.
- fixed the problem: CHC resume from standby and set sometimes a wrong CPU clock.
CHC 1.9 - BETA 01  (15.06.2005)
- the new 1.9 BETA 01 and future releases of CHC do not need absolutely an installer.
- just download the Zip file, extract all files and then run nhc.exe.
- add separate custom dynamic switching for AC and DC (with possibility to set a switching delay)
- add battery life time in the tray icon and calculation if the system does not provide the life time.
- fixed the chc startup bug on restricted user accounts and keyboard problem on some ACER notebooks.
- removed crackNT driver, improved program performance and removed some bugs.
CHC 1.8  (31.05.2005)
- add possibility to run CHC on restricted user accounts (not administrator)
- add possibility to change the TaskBar Icon ToolTips (CPU load, ATI clock or Fan status)
- ATAPI blue screen fix (some notebooks have problems with 1.7 -> atapi.sys blue screens)
- improved chc loading (startup) speed
- removed all unsafe code blocks in CHC
- add support for the new ATI ATOM BIOS (X600, X700 ...)
- improved ATI POWERPLAY(tm) check
- add battery charge rate visualization
- removed bugs and optimized program performance and functionality
- expand the help file
CHC 1.7  (01.05.2005)
- new surface layout
- add PentiumM 533MHz FSB (Sonoma) CPU support
- add battery information window
- add battery taskbar icon (system tray icon)
- add CPU stability check program
- add ACPI Thermal Zone information (now CHC read the CPU temperature from SMBUS or ACPI)
- changed CPU clock taskbar icon (system tray icon)
- add possibility to disable hard drive monitoring (allow the hard drive to turn off and save power)
- add ATI Clock Control support for nearly all ATI chips
- add ATI POWERPLAY(tm) check (prevent blue screens and problems with CHC and POWERPLAY)
- removed bugs and optimized program performance and functionality
- expand the help file
CHC 1.6  (09.03.2005)
- renamed Samsung P35 Control to Centrino Hardware Control
- add CPU Speed Control (CPU policy)
- add custom dynamic switching
- add Voltage Control for all CPU Multiplier
- add custom ATI overclock
- add Hard Disk SMART and temperature monitor
- add CPU Speed and CPU Clock taskbar icon (system tray icon)
- add automatically check for program updates
- removed bugs and optimized program performance and functionality
- add icons, improve program look
- expand the help file
CHC 1.5  (20.01.2005)
- add CPU Voltage Control and ATI overclock
- add Hard Disk Advanced Power Management and Acoustic Management Control
- add Options field on task menu, Windows Autostart and Taskbar Color Option
- add windows shutdown in 60 seconds to avoid System-Overheating on
- CPU temperatures over 90°C or if the SMBUS is blocked.
- add possibility to turn on and off the fan control
- most features now are available on all centrino notebooks
- removed ATI Standby bug, functional defect and some other bugs
CHC 1.4  (18.01.2005)
- same as 1.5 but with a functional defect (don't use this version)
CHC 1.3  (14.12.2004)
- add support for all P35 / P35 notebooks
- crackNT driver will be installed on install and removed on uninstall
- removed some other bugs
CHC 1.2  (09.12.2004)
- removed the "too early turn ON" bug of the notebook FAN
- on program termination the default temperature values will always be reloaded; even on
- abnormal program termination
CHC 1.1  (06.12.2004)
- removed ini read bug
CHC 1.0  (06.12.2004)
- first release
 
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