Powerful laptop stutters, while older one runs fine

[Hitchhiker]

I'm sorry to hear that. A reset is such a hassle and I avoid it like the plague and just create system images every month which can be used to restore the system to include customs settings, installed apps, drivers etc. I also use System Restore. The latter by the way it's disabled by default in Windows 10. Here's how to re-enable it.

Talking about drivers here's the latest Nvidia drivers for your GTX 1650. It's probably not a driver issue, but it doesn't hurt the have the latest version installed.

Do you have Intel graphics? If so, you can't switch the graphics to use the 1650 in the Nvidia Control Panel. They're greyed out because Nvidia has blacklisted vlc. The workaround is to create another copy of vlc.exe and rename it to something else i.e vlc-new.exe for example. Place the file in the same directory as the original. It'll subsequently appear in the Nvidia CP after which you can configure it as the default gpu to run vlc. You can also right click vlc.exe and choose "Run with graphics processor" ---> "High performance Nvidia gpu". But it reverts to the default Intel graphics again when you exit vlc.

It's still very much a mystery why your older laptop can project 4K to your TV flawlessly while the new one can't. Is that a Lenovo machine as well?

Lenovo has confirmed that your new machine can be upgraded to Windows 10 2004. But enter the serial number in the field provided to confirm for your model to be certain. I'm only thinking along the lines that since the older machine is running that build maybe it fixes something which has gone pear-shaped in 1909.

Apart from that lot I'm still digging.

[Hitchhiker]

Something else which may be worth a try.

After opening vlc hit CTRL + C to open the Capture Device menu and change "DirectShow" to "TV - digital" via the dropdown menu. Save. exit and restart vlc.

[shadders139]

Hi Hitchhiker. I tried what you suggested above, about the High performance GPU workaround prior to my factory reset, and it didn't fix the issue. I also had all the latest drivers.

The old laptop cannot run 4k, but it can run 1080p flawlessly (while the new one struggled with 1080p too). the old one is a dell laptop.

Many thanks for continuing to dig.

Something weird has happened. After my factory reset, I followed lenovo's advice, and installed nothing else, and went straight to the pre-installed windows Films and Tv app to play the file. Still the same stuttering. I tested again yesterday, still stutters.

Then I tested again tonight, and strangely it started playing fine (even though I had changed NOTHING and didn't install anything new). I then installed VLC again, and played the file with the dedicated graphics card, and it seems to play well (both 4k and 1080p)!. But I'm not going to get too excited yet, because it randomly and suddenly starting playing ok, even though i changed nothing, and so it could just as well stop working again suddenly too. Any idea what could be going on?

I'm going to try to test some more on a different 4k video file tomorrow.

Thank you

[Hitchhiker]

It could be a power management issue if these things are happening intermitently.

There are a few settings you can try to provide more power to devices such as the wireless adapter for example.

Right click the Start button which opens the Power Users menu and go to Device Manager. Expand the tree to Network Adapters and right click the Wireless adapter and go to Properties. Click the Power Management tab and remove the checkmark to "Allow computer to turn off this device to save power". You can do the same with the Ethernet adapter. Click OK to save.

Close Device Manager and right click the Start button again and go to Power Options. Click the "Balanced" radio button to enable it and then click the link to the right of that called "Change Plan Settings". In the next menu click the link to "Change advanced power settings". Expand the tree to "Wireless Adapter Settings" ---> "Power Saving Mode" and click the "Plugged In" setting and change it to "Maximum Performance".

In the same menu scroll down and expand "Multimedia settings" ---> "When playing video": and change it to "Optimize video quality". Click Apply / OK to save and exit.

Increasing power to devices will probably cost you a bit more on your electricity bill, but should improve performance.

The Power Users menu by the way has nothing to do with power management and is just a collection of shortcuts to functions you normally have to jump through hoops to reach.

[shadders139]

Hi Hitchhiker, it was a crazy busy week for me so I didn't get a chance to test further until now.

I tested on a 4k file yesterday and the stutter was back. I tried your suggestion of changing capture device, and also changed all the power management settings you mentioned, but no luck.

At this point I think I'll just have to ask Lenovo to do a hardware replacement? But they said they can only replace parts, and not the whole laptop, so I'm not even sure what part could be responsible for this. I guess maybe something related to the hdmi connection, since I dont have the issue when the file is playing on the laptop only.

[Hitchhiker]

Difficult to say what's causing it since you've tested both HDMI cable and Miracast without resolving the issue. Also your older laptop works without a problem.

How about updating to Windows 10 2004 which is the build running on the older machine. If you don't want to go that route make sure you don't install KB4023057 which will force the update. You can use Windows Update Blocker which is a free portable tool to prevent it.

Here's a list of fixes 2004 resolves.

[shadders139]

Given that none of the software options, including factory reset has worked, I'm hoping its a hardware fault of some kind. Lenovo will replace the motherboard (given that they can't narrow down where the issue might be). I really hope this extreme step solves the issue, because if it doesn't, I'll be out of options! I will report back. Thanks again for all your help Hitchhiker

[Hitchhiker]

You're welcome shadders.