Undervolt settings greyed out on Intel Core i7-13700HX

[Syun]

Model: Victus Gaming Laptop 16-r0008TX

For nearly the past year, undervolting with ThrottleStop worked flawlessly but in the past few days I've noticed my laptop's temps going up again and checking the FIVR window I discover the settings for voltage control have been locked.
I've tried the following and still to no effect:
-Disabling Core Isolation
-Uninstall Windows quality updates
-Changing Overclocking Lock and CFG Lock values using these two guides (throws up error unable to write / error 0x0000000000000008):
-https://www.reddit.com/r/hackintosh/comments/hz2rtm/cfg_lockunlocking_alternative_method/
-https://brendangreenley.com/undervolting-2020-dell-laptops-like-the-vostro-7500-and-more-tips-to-improve-thermals-battery-life-and-speed/#cpu-undervolt
-Installing earlier versions of BIOS (downgraded from Insyde F.20 to F.12)
-Disabling virtualization in the BIOS settings

I'm in despair at this point and don't know what else to do. Please, I'd appreciate any help.

 

[unclewebb]

The FIVR window shows Locked. The overclock lock needs to be disabled in the BIOS. It might not be possible after the update that was installed.

 

[Syun]

Crap, that sounds bad.
I see from this thread https://www.techpowerup.com/forums/...ertised-all-core-boost-of-the-13700hx.317217/ that BIOS version F.11 seems to work, and based on the date I bought my laptop I believe that might also be the original version my device came with.
There are 2 versions of the BIOS on the download page for this model (https://support.hp.com/us-en/driver...ptop-pc-16-r0000/model/2101566994?sku=7X6F9PA), I downloaded the F.11 installer for both and one says "not compatible with this device" while the other says "not fully compatible". I can install them manually using a USB but I'm not sure if this would be a good idea. The F.12 installer does say compatible though. Would installing even earlier versions of the BIOS be something I can try?

 

[unclewebb]

not sure if this would be a good idea

Installing the wrong BIOS version can turn a laptop into an expensive brick. I would be hesitant doing this update.

 

[Syun]

How about BIOS modding with an external programmer, will that be likely to bypass the Overclock and CFG Locks?

Installing the wrong BIOS version can turn a laptop into an expensive brick. I would be hesitant doing this update.

I suppose, if I get a CH341A external programmer, if bricking were to happen it can be easily fixed? How true is that?

 

[unclewebb]

it can be easily fixed?

I have zero experience with BIOS programming using an external programmer.

So some Google searching first. Maybe you can find someone else that has successfully installed an older BIOS version on the same laptop model that you have..

 

[Syun]

While I wait for the external programmer to arrive, I downloaded OMEN gaming hub and it actually allowed me to undervolt there, except this time the results are worse--my system crashes around anything under -150 mV while previously on ThrottleStop I could go down to -250 mV with no issues. Running the TS Bench there are also POWER and HOT alerts in red, neither of which were there before. Any TPL settings I could potentially change for improved thermals?
ThrottleStop does detect the voltage offset, though the continued throttling makes me doubt if it is applied, but I'm really confused as to why undervolting works on OMEN gaming hub when ThrottleStop indicates it is BIOS-locked. Any ideas?

 

[unclewebb]

there are also POWER and HOT alerts in red, neither of which were there before

The undervolt is not fully working when using OMEN Gaming Hub because it is not applying any undervolt to the P Cache. Software needs to undervolt both the core and the P cache.

When you make a voltage change with Gaming Hub, does that change show up in the FIVR monitoring table immediately? I am guessing that you will need to reboot each time. The Gaming Hub likely applies the voltage change during startup before it locks the voltage control register.

Have you been using Gaming Hub the whole time while testing? If the BIOS does not lock the voltage control register then it is likely that Gaming Hub does before you boot into Windows.

 

[Syun]

The undervolt is not fully working when using OMEN Gaming Hub because it is not applying any undervolt to the P Cache. Software needs to undervolt both the core and the P cache.

Any way to do this using the Gaming Hub?

When you make a voltage change with Gaming Hub, does that change show up in the FIVR monitoring table immediately? I am guessing that you will need to reboot each time.

Correct, the Gaming Hub prompts me to reboot every time I change the voltage slider.

Have you been using Gaming Hub the whole time while testing? If the BIOS does not lock the voltage control register then it is likely that Gaming Hub does before you boot into Windows.

No, I only installed it as a last resort after I've exhausted all my current options to disable the Overlock and CFG locks.

Have you been using Gaming Hub the whole time while testing? If the BIOS does not lock the voltage control register then it is likely that Gaming Hub does before you boot into Windows.

If you say this is the case, does it mean that potentially something else besides the BIOS is locking the voltage control register?

 

[unclewebb]

Any way to do this using the Gaming Hub?

Probably not. I do not know how to fix the Gaming Hub. Is there no option available to set the P cache voltage?

Correct, the Gaming Hub prompts me to reboot every time I change the voltage slider.

That helps confirm that the voltage register really is locked while you are in Windows. The Gaming Hub might be integrated with the BIOS. That would be OK if it actually set the P cache voltage and worked properly but it does not seem to.

I've exhausted all my current options to disable the Overlock and CFG locks

If you say this is the case, does it mean that potentially something else besides the BIOS is locking the voltage control register?

There could be a separate driver or some other software that sets the Overclock lock bit within the processor. It might not be the BIOS that sets this lock. All I know is that something is locking the voltage control register. ThrottleStop cannot adjust any of the voltages after that happens. I do not know how to track down what is causing this to happen.

 

[Syun]

Probably not. I do not know how to fix the Gaming Hub. Is there no option available to set the P cache voltage?

Nope. There's only one slider and it appears to only change the core voltage.

There could be a separate driver or some other software that sets the Overclock lock bit within the processor. It might not be the BIOS that sets this lock. All I know is that something is locking the voltage control register. ThrottleStop cannot adjust any of the voltages after that happens. I do not know how to track down what is causing this to happen.

Hmm, does resetting or reinstalling Windows wipe all drivers? If so, I might give that a try.

 

[nvnstar]

Turning off Virtual Machine Platform in Windows might help. (supposed you dont' use VM)

 

[Syun]

Turning off Virtual Machine Platform in Windows might help. (supposed you dont' use VM)

It is already off, didn't solve the issue.

 

[nvnstar]

It is already off, didn't solve the issue.

Try turning off Undervolting in OGH, disable XTUOCService in Services. It's possible that Windows auto-install the service without asking. Or does this guide work for you ? It does work on my 2021 model, if not then HP did some write protection on later models.
You could install fresh windows on another partition to test whether the undervolt work.

 

[unclewebb]

There's only one slider and it appears to only change the core voltage.

HP created a fake undervolt feature that is fundamentally broken. Usually both the core and the cache need to be undervolted.

does resetting or reinstalling Windows wipe all drivers?

I do not know the cause or how to solve this problem. If you are going to reinstall Windows, try installing an original ISO direct from Microsoft without any HP software or HP drivers added to it. Before installing any drivers or programs, check to see if ThrottleStop shows Locked.

 

[Syun]

Try turning off Undervolting in OGH, disable XTUOCService in Services.

Tried it and did not work.

Or does this guide work for you ? It does work on my 2021 model, if not then HP did some write protection on later models.

I have tried this method which is the exact same but also walks me through finding the correct Overclocking and CFG Lock values for a 13th gen processor. It doesn't work, reports "error 0x0000000000000008", which apparently indicates editing values has been locked by the manufacturer.

Before installing any drivers or programs, check to see if ThrottleStop shows Locked.

Just tried that and it is still Locked.

I then tried to bite the bullet and downgrade to BIOS version F.11, but apparently it won't even detect the recovery files in the flash drive. I used HP's BIOS installer file to create a recoverable USB stick and then powered on my laptop while holding down Win + B, then the screen says it does not detect a recovery USB. Maybe I am doing it wrong, how else do you update/recover a BIOS from a USB?

 

[MOCCOR]

Just curious, have you made any progress on figuring this problem out? I assume its just locked until HP decides to unlock it

 

[Syun]

Unfortunately no, it still remains locked as of now. I don't have much time to spend on this anymore, but the solution recommended in this thread (the one with the PDF file) might be worth taking a look at if you're still interested