Steam Deck OS Beta Patch Notes: March 30, 2022

[Lawrence]

We have made updates to SteamOS and BIOS for Steam Deck in the beta channel, for those who would like to try it out and provide feedback.

You can opt into this by going to Settings > System on your Steam Deck, and selecting Beta from the OS Update Channel. Again, this OS and BIOS are still in beta and being tested, so only opt-in if you would like to try it out and provide feedback.

• Added messaging when a charger that doesn't meet the minimum bar is plugged in
  
• Added uncapped framerate setting in Quick Access menu > Performance
  
• Added fTPM support, enabling Windows 11 installation
  
• Added button combo: hold "..." + "Volume Down" to reset PD contract in the cases where Steam Deck gets stuck due to an incompatible Type-C device
  
• Updated power LED to dim a few seconds after power supply connection events for better experience in dark environments
  
• Improved compatibility for a number of Type-C docks and PSUs
  
• Improved battery life in idle or very low usage scenarios
  
• Improved stability
  
• Fixed issues where the touchscreen does not work after some boots
  
• Fixed compatibility with some SD cards specifically when used as boot devices.
  
• Fixed ACPI error spew in the kernel

[DarkCrystalMethod]

What url/forum do we download the installer iso file from?
Also the Settings panel Doesn't have "System" I'm in the Steam beta though... if thats what you meant. I'm on Win10Pro.

[Lawrence]

This is the OS Beta for Steam Deck

[Magdev]

Originally posted by DarkCrystalMethod:

What url/forum do we download the installer iso file from?
Also the Settings panel Doesn't have "System" I'm in the Steam beta though... if thats what you meant. I'm on Win10Pro.

You'll have to be using the Steam Deck OS in order to check this beta out, on the Deck itself.

[DarkCrystalMethod]

Isn't the Deck OS actually SteamOS 3.0(just preinstalled)? Just wondering where to get the installer for one of my spare desktops so I can explore it before I get my Deck. Will the steam that I'm using eventually get updated so I can see the mentioned "System" tab/step in the Settings window?
If for some reason you've got a new (unexpected) SteamOS 3.0 special "Deck only" version thats different than what I'm looking for. I'm looking for the regular 3.0 iso installer file that I can put it on a pc. Been waiting to hear news of it ever since it was mentioned and now here is this announcement.
Slightly confused here, but hopeful you can explain. If you want to chat me on steam instead of here on this thread thats fine.

[traindoc]

Does this address issues with blurred out screen happening for seemingly no reason?

[BraveStarrTG]

Originally posted by DarkCrystalMethod:

Isn't the Deck OS actually SteamOS 3.0(just preinstalled)? Just wondering where to get the installer for one of my spare desktops so I can explore it before I get my Deck. Will the steam that I'm using eventually get updated so I can see the mentioned "System" tab/step in the Settings window?
If for some reason you've got a new (unexpected) SteamOS 3.0 special "Deck only" version thats different than what I'm looking for. I'm looking for the regular 3.0 iso installer file that I can put it on a pc. Been waiting to hear news of it ever since it was mentioned and now here is this announcement.
Slightly confused here, but hopeful you can explain. If you want to chat me on steam instead of here on this thread thats fine.

SteamOS is the software in the Steam Deck, but it's also an OS Valve plans on releasing as it's own distro in the future for people to install on other devices. That's why they are specific about the Steam Deck OS.

[The_tainted1]

Thank you for addressing the issues with hubs. You should note that the drop down menu to switch back to the stable version is moved all the way to the bottom of the system menu after switching to this build I freaked out a little bit when I didn't see a way to swap back at first.

[Gengear]

Nice this seems like a great big update for the deck, any idea when it might come to stable? I'm cool playing with steam betas, but when it also affects bios, Im not so cosy abot opting in

[Reenee]

Added uncapped framerate setting in Quick Access menu > Performance

What is the intended use for this?

[ben]

I am so desperately hoping for a 40 fps limiter instead of unlimited.

[darrenphillips666]

Be nice to see a battery charge control option
To stop & start charging at set ‘%’ to increase battery longevity/ life

[Silmaril]

What about stick drift? When we get manual setting for deadzone?

[n00mkrad]

Originally posted by Reenee:

Added uncapped framerate setting in Quick Access menu > Performance

What is the intended use for this?

Benchmarking I would say.

Originally posted by ben:

I am so desperately hoping for a 40 fps limiter instead of unlimited.

This is not going to happen because the Deck does not have a variable refresh rate (VRR) display, and 60 can't be divided by 40, so you will get stutter.

[Shark]

Is the fTPM-enabled BIOS using AGESA 1.2.0.7 or later? Previous versions result in stuttering issues on Windows 10 and 11.

[Shark]

Originally posted by n00mkrad:

Originally posted by Reenee:

What is the intended use for this?

Benchmarking I would say.

Originally posted by ben:

I am so desperately hoping for a 40 fps limiter instead of unlimited.

This is not going to happen because the Deck does not have a variable refresh rate (VRR) display, and 60 can't be divided by 40, so you will get stutter.

And that's exactly the use-case for VRR on mobile platforms. Valve said it was because of battery and I get that too, because enforcing a frame rate limit while still having VRR would be tricky if even possible.

An alternative would be to be able to set the panel refresh rate to values between 30 and 60. That we could have 40, 48 or 50fps without stuttering or tearing.