[PH317-52] A couple of issues with PredatorSense...

AlpineTom

I haven't been using PredatorSense for quite some time now; it stopped working when I uninstalled Intel XTU in December, and I didn't bother even only trying to fix it. Last weekend I reinstalled Windows from scratch, and figured I might as well install PS because summer is coming and I want to control fan speeds. Unfortunately I ran into some issues right away.

Firstly, PredatorSense will show the GTX 1060 as being idle even though it's being used. As you can see in the screenshot below, a game is running and using the dedicated GPU, yet PS says it's idle. This doesn't happen all the time, however. Sometimes PS will show GPU usage correctly, and sometimes it won't. I can't even begin to guess what's causing this, but it's rather annoying.

The other problem, which annoys me even more, is that the fans will stop spinning when I'm using the custom setting in PredatorSense. Now, I know why this happens when the fans are set to auto, and I'm absolutely fine with that. But when I set custom fan speeds, I expect them to keep spinning at that speed until I say otherwise.

And finally, why is PredatorSense so CPU-hungry? Consistently around 1.7% to 2.2% CPU utilization is quite a lot for what PS is actually doing, which appears to be very little. I don't mean to just rant, but compared to the average of 0.2% CPUID HWMonitor is using, PredatorSense's hunger is completely out of proportion.

The only reason I installed PredatorSense is because I want to adjust fan speeds manually, seeing that summer is slowly but surely approaching. SpeedFan didn't work, so I thought I might as well use Acer's own software for that. And unless I find something else that allows me to adjust fan speeds, I'm stuck with it.

Commodore_1995#

I will not solve your problem, but I suggest you uninstall the predator sense and then the program again! Do not install using the setup, but rather by running this file:

AlpineTom

That's how I installed it because PredatorSense wouldn't even start otherwise.

Commodore_1995#

Try installing version 3002: https://global-download.acer.com/GDFiles/Application/Predator Sense/Predator Sense_Acer_3.01.3002_W10x64_A.zip?acerid=636789904125149213&Step1=NOTEBOOK&Step2=PREDATOR&Step3=PREDATOR PH315-51&OS=ALL&LC=pt&BC=ACER&SC=PA_3

AlpineTom

It won't start. The logo animation just keeps looping.

Also, what Predator model is that version from?

Edit: Never mind, got it working. Looks exactly like my version.

Commodore_1995#

Is the problem still remaining?

AlpineTom

PredatorSense is still incorrectly showing the GPU as being idle. As for the fans turning off when set to a custom speed, I'm currently testing that. Need to let the laptop idle for a bit, though.

AlpineTom

Fans just turned off. Had them set to run at about 3700 RPM.

Commodore_1995#

try these tips:
https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/659032/#Comment_659032
https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/558409/fix-for-predator-sense-failing-to-open-on-windows-10#latest

Commodore_1995#

On the fans, it seems they turn off if the temperature is below 45ºc! Also, have you set up the notebook for high performance in the power options of windows and nvidia and intel?

AlpineTom

egydiocoelho said:

On the fans, it seems they turn off if the temperature is below 45ºc!

Yes, but I don't want them to turn off.

Some games and other applications I use will not use a lot of CPU most of the time, but every now and then there will be short bursts. This results in the temperature spiking up to well over 90 C. The hottest spike I had yesterday was 97 C, and there were a few that were around 95 C.

Setting the fans to run at a higher speed even when the CPU is relatively cool most of the time is to prevent these spikes from reaching such high temperatures, but that only works if the fans are actually spinning. If they just turn off once the temperature falls below a certain threshold, I might as well leave them at auto.

egydiocoelho said:

Also, have you set up the notebook for high performance in the power options of windows and nvidia and intel?

No, I have it on balanced. Setting that to high performance is useless. It's like revving a car engine while it neutral.

Commodore_1995#

In fact, the notebook only reaches its maximum performance when set to high performance! I suggest you change this setting and test them on the predator sense!

xapim

Yes i can confirm the fans turn off under 45 and nothing we can do about it this is setup in the bios itself in the advanced tab hidden options that are only available to unlocked bios and these are only available either to acer engineers or anyone who are able to dump the bios mod it and flash it again all via SPI flash programmer cannot be done by normal flash (not recommended as the warranty is voided and its very risky if you dunno what you are doing you might brick it for good) regarding the PS showing gpu as idle this worked for me (https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/558409/fix-for-predator-sense-failing-to-open-on-windows-10#latest) or just battery pinhole reset it was my fix before i performed this permanent fix on that thread