All the G73JH Problems and solutions here!

Problems and solutions:

I. Creative Issue
G73 randomly locks up (freezes), especially common with playing steam games.
Solution:
Install the latest Realtek drivers (R2.51 or later).
Thread with download links for Realtek and Creative here.

II. GSOD
Random GSODs/VSODs on newer drivers from ATI (so called Grey/Vertical screens of death, but they actually come in every color of the rainbow). Video here. (from Xellos)
Solution:
Flash the vBios to the new Asus vBios.
How to:
1. Make a bootable USB stick:
Needed files:
HP Drive Key
DOS Bootable (bootme) Files

Note that you can also use a bootable CD/DVD and this can also be done with any burning program that can burn a bootable CD/DVD disc (once you select make the disc bootable you will need to add the bootme files to that disc).

Making a bootable DOS USB Key (credits to zfactor):
- Extract and install the HP Drive Key program.
- Extract the DOS boot files somewhere and remember where you extracted them.
- Insert a USB stick.
- Now run the HP utility. (Vista users need to start the HP Drive Key Program as an administrator by right clicking the icon and selecting "Run as Administrator")
- In the HP Drive Key program Choose FAT32 as the filesystem. Name the volume whatever you (you can just leave it as it is since it doesnt matter). Under "Format Options" make sure the box next to "Quick Format" isnt checked and "Create a DOS startup disk" is checked. Find the button next to "Using DOS system files located at:" and click the little browse button "..." next to the blank and navigate to wherever you extracted the DOS boot files earlier and Click OK once youve pointed to the bootme map. Now click "Start" and the HP Drive Key utility will turn your USB device into a bootable DOS disk! It will popup a window asking you to confirm. Answer OK and it will continue.

2. Flash the vBios:
Now here is a package with files you need to flash the vBios to either Stock or Beta:
MegaUpload

Files inside the rar are:
Stock.rom (the stock vBios), Beta.rom (the beta vBios) and Atiflash.exe/.cfg (flashing software for vBios).

To flash the vBios:
- Extract these files onto the bootable USB stick.
- Reboot and keep pressing ESC.
- When the boot menu pops up choose your USB stick.
- After the DOS screen loads, type the following command:
To flash to the Beta vBios: atiflash -p 0 Beta.rom
To flash back to the Stock vBios: atiflash -p 0 Stock.rom
- After you get the message that flashing is done and to reboot, just press CTRL+ALT+DELETE and youre done.

If youll ever get a newer or some modified vBios youll want to flash, the general command is: atiflash -p 0 "filename".
"filename" is the name of the vBios file you want to flash onto the GPU. Just name it whatever you want (though filename must be 8 characters or less since youre working in DOS) and put it on the bootable USB stick you made with atiflash on it. So for instance if you name it New.rom, the command will be atiflash -p 0 New.rom.
Original thread (needlessly more complex instructions).
How to blindflash the G73JH (in case your flash fails).
HellCry's vLow vBios (much lower clocks on powerplay to lower temperatures and increase battery life, unlocked overdrive, based on the MSI vBios powerplay clocks).
Flashing from windows has more chances to brick your laptop, so use a flash drive as instructed and flash from DOS!
Also a reminder, theres always a chance a vBios flash can brick your laptop!

III. Keyboard missing keystrokes
Random missing letters when youre typing.
Solution: Try flashing to the 213 Bios. Also use ATK 1.0.0008 & Synaptics 15.2.11 driver versions with it, since that combination has been found to work. If that doesnt work for you or if your touchpad becomes crappy becouse of it your only solution is to disable the touchpad in Bios, which will solve the missing keystrokes, but youll sadly be left without a touchpad.
The Bios and drivers can be found here.
Instructions on flashing it are below.

IV. Fn+Esc freezing
Pressing it is supposed to freeze up the laptop.
Solution: Solved in 209 and later Bios.
How to:
Needed files:
Bios files.

The rar contains:
G73JhAS.209 (Bios 211) and G73JhAS.211 (Bios 211).
Ive included both, since they both have the same bugfixes, only 211 has fan profile changes, meaning with 211 the fans will spin up faster, so it will get louder sooner, but some people report lower load temperatures. Both are fine, so choose which you prefer.

Flashing Bios (credits to stubbornswiss):
- You need a USB stick again, but this time any will do. (it doesnt need to be bootable, but you can use the bootable one if you made it for flashing the vBios too, you dont need to format it or anything, just add the bios files onto it)
- Extract the files from the rar onto the USB stick.
- Save the Bios on a flash drive.
- When you see the Asus splash screen, press the F2 key to enter Bios.
- In the Bios, navigate to the Advanced tab.
- In Advanced tab, select "Start Easy Flash" (should already be selected), and hit enter.
- This should bring you to the Asus Tek. Easy Flash Utility page.
Under "Current Platform" you should have your current Bios.
- Navigate to the right middle pane, and select G73JhAS.209 (if you want the silenter 209 Bios) or G73JhAS.211 (if you want the cooler 211 Bios), and hit enter.
- It will ask "Do you want to update BIOS", and give you options "Yes and No".
- Select Yes, and the update will begin, and run through to completion.
- When finished, the notebook will shut down.
- Go ahead and restart your notebook, which should now have the new, updated Bios.
Update bios using Easy Flash utility in Bios, do not do it from windows, since that may cause your keyboard lights to go out and has more chances to completely brick your laptop!
Also a reminder, do this at your own risk, since theres always a chance a Bios flash can brick your laptop!

V. CPU stays underclocked
After going from battery to ac power the CPU stays underclocked. A reboot fixed that.
Solution: Also solved in the 209 and later Bios.

VI. Sluggish performance on battery
When switching to battery the laptop suddenly becomes very slow and unresponsive.
Solution: Unpark all cores.
How to (credits to Kalim):
- Click the "Start" button, type "regedit" and press "Enter".
- If necessary, scroll to the very top (or press the Home key) to highlight the "Computer" branch.
- Press Ctrl+F.
- In the "Find what" field type "unparked cores" and press "Enter".
Find will now start searching the Registry for your query and will eventually stop on the key:
"0cc5b647-c1df-4637-891a-dec35c318583"
This is the minimum value. Pressing the F3 key again continues the search and it will next stop on the key:
"ea062031-0e34-4ff1-9b6d-eb1059334028"
This is the maximum value. Both of these keys are located in ControlSet001.
Here, a search from the top to the bottom of the Registry will find these exact two Registry keys in ControlSet001, ControlSet002 and CurrentControlSet, for a total of 6 locations. We are only interested in the CurrentControlSet. The other ControlSets will get modified automatically.
- Press the Tab key and then the Home key to go back to the top of the Registry.
- Press the F3 key until you arrive at the first CurrentControlSet (minimum) key.
- Click once on "Attributes" entry, press the F2 key and rename to "Attributes.off" (without quotes).
- Press the F3 key until you arrive at the second CurrentControlSet (maximum) key.
- Click once on "Attributes" entry, press the F2 key and rename to "Attributes.off" (without quotes).
- Close RegEdit, save any unfinished work and reboot.
- Once back up and running, go to:
Control Panel -> Power Options -> Change plan setting -> Change advanced power settings
- Scroll down and open the "Processor power management" branch and you should find that you have two new entries:
Processor performance core parking min cores
Processor performance core parking max cores
- You should now be able to independently make adjustments for AC and battery. Adjust as needed. (setting 100% on both of them unparks all cores)
Original thread here.
This procedure requires editing the Registry and should only be performed by those who are comfortable and understand the risks. It is recommended that you create all necessary backups.

VII. PSOD
Psychadellic screen of death - defective screen.
Solution: RMA and get a screen replacement.

VIII. Fan problem
Fans would go to full speed after waking from sleep.
Solution: Also solved in the 209 and later Bios.

IX. CCC shows wrong driver version
With some driver packs a certain registry key doesnt get overwritten (like with 10.1) so if you had a different driver installed before, CCC will show that version.
Solution: The easyest way is to just change the following key in regedit:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\Class\{4D36E968-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}\0000
The name is: Catalyst_Version. Just modify it and change it to the correct one.
(You can also use find and type in the version CCC is currently displaying, should also find it that way.)

X. Overheating
Laptop suddenly shuts down - happens either when GPU core reaches 106C or at 110C, depending on the Bios version.
Solution: Repaste the GPU yourself or RMA it and hope you get it back properly repasted.
G73JH Video Dissasembly Guide (credits to BTOTech).

XI. Keyboard lights are dead
This can happen after a BIOS flash.
Solution: Thanks to Gary we now have a working solution that doesnt require RMA, but be aware of the risks of doing it yourself again.
By Gary Key:
This solution is provided as is and will only be supported by yours truly. If you are not comfortable flashing the BIOS on the G73Jh and have the missing light issue then I highly suggest you contact our Service group to arrange a RMA. Although every precaution has been taken to ensure the safety of this flash, there is always the possibility of a failed flash due to power outage, hardware modifications to the unit, or simply bad luck.
How to (credits to Gary Key):
Files needed:
MegaUpload
- Make a bootable flash USB stick (guide above under the GSOD solution).
- Extract the files from the rar onto the USB stick.
- In Windows turn off the lights completely using the light switch button in the upper left corner on the keyboard deck. Insert your bootable USB flash drive with the Fixmykb.rar contents extracted on to it.
- Reboot and keep pressing ESC.
- When the boot menu pops up choose your USB stick.
- Once you have booted off the USB drive, simply type fixmykb and you should see a flash completion screen immediately. Remove the flash drive and power down the system.
- Wait ten seconds and then power up the system and enter Windows. Once in Windows, turn on the lights with the switch button and you should have a backlit keyboard now, use FN+F4 to brighten the keyboard or FN+F3 to dim it.
~ Now just in case this did not work then reboot the system and wait until you are in Windows, press FN+F4 a couple of times again and the keyboard should be backlit now. At testing there were two units that needed the ATK drivers reinstalled so if the lights are not working by now, please reinstall the ATK drivers. Use the latest version from the Asus support site. After uninstalling the old set, rebooting, and then installing the latest ATK driver set the lights should start working again after using the FN+F4 procedure.

XII. Sluggish performance of SSDs
4k reads and writes are less than half of what they should be, the other reads/writes are also lightly affected.
This is caused by power savings settings of these chipsets.
Solutions (thanks to JJB & PulsatingQuasar):
a) Simplest tweak.
In regedit modify the following:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Processor (cpu drivers)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Intelppm (turbo boost drivers)
Change on both the "Start" from 3 to 4. (doing this will disable the two)
Just disabling Intelppm gives almost the same results as disabling both, so just disable that one.
Use this only if you dont mind loosing turbo boost to gain SSD speeds (if you use only/mostly multi core optimized software).
To restore previous settings its not enough to just change back the registry values, but before that you must uninstall the yellow marked CPU devices from device manager!
b) More complex, but much better tweak.
TWEAKS FOR IMPROVING SSD READ / WRITE SPEEDS
Also disable core parking as described above.

XIII. Windows 7 random freezes
Random lock-ups keep occuring.
Solution: Install the update from here.

XIV. White keyboard light
Does the white keyboard light disturb you and you wished it was different?
Solution: If youre want the keyboard light to match the other blue lights, or just want it to be some different color or combination of colors, thanks to Ken, there is a "how to" guide here.

XV. Broken button
A keyboard button no longer works/squeaks.
Solution: Try removing it to see if there is a buildup of filth under it and clean it.
To take a key off, just put your thumbs on the bottom of the button and put your other fingers on the top, push down with your thumbs and pull up with your fingers.

XVI. Quick Buttons (Twin Turbo, Splendid...)
Tired of having those buttons do useless things?
Solution: Now you can change what they do and all you need is posted here.
Dont forget to hex edit the HControl.exe if needed as described here.

Thanks to all who think of and post more problems and solutions!

 

I'll also be ordering a g73 this week, took me long enough The big ones I remember reading about were...
-Fn+Esc causes lappy to freeze out of the box (fixed with bios 209)
-CPU stays underclocked after going to battery mode and needs a restart to get it back to normal (i forget how to fix it)
-GPU underclocks itself aggressively with bios 209 ( ? )
-losing kb lights with bios 209 (only seems to happen if you flash in windows)

The ones that were tricky or required an RMA so far are:
-crackling speakers (re-install windows or RMA)
-quag bricking his machine by flashing the xeven vbios via windows (do it via the bios/ezflash thing)
-PSOD (re-install windows or RMA)

Moral of the story so far seems to be that IF you choose to update your bios or vbios, for the love of god don't do it under windows.

 

"OR... Just enable CMSS-3D from Creative Volume Panel (Highly recommended if you still want to use all Creative features such as Bass, etc...)."

Are there any drawbacks to this? seems to me this is the easiest solution and lets u have all the features?

 

How come you sold the D900F and going to buy the G73jh?

Are you going to buy the G73jh and build a desktop instead of having one uber expensive laptop?

 

I may be the only one but on BIOS 205 the fans would come on full blast after wake from sleep (but not from hibernate)
Solution - BIOS update from 205 to 209

 

What about Fn+esc freeze the system? Was that solve in 209 bios?

 

Sure was, doing it right now, no freeze . As said before, DO NOT flash in windows, unzip to a flash drive and flash from the bios.

EDIT: There doesn't seem to be any aggressive GPU downclocks on bios 209. GPU-Z and AMD GPU clock tool both report stock clocks of 700/1000 on AC. It will downclock on battery to 300/100, but it already did that before (change your powerplay settings if you don't want it to).

 

Thanks I didn't know about the CDMSS-3D thing.

 

If you don't care for the cmss-3d effect, set it to minimal and you shouldn't even notice it. Or, just adjust the level to taste.

 

The CPU would stay under-clocked after going back to AC and a restart was needed to get it back to normal. This was fixed with BIOS 209.

Haven't seen that one.

The BIOS and vBIOS are two different things requiring two different pieces of update software.

RMA.

The drawback is crappy fake sound, useless features and hiding tabs in the Realtek HD Audio Manager.

Oh, IMO of course.

Yes.

 

Nice dodge there, Kalim....

 

If some1 is carefull enough, he can use the Creative software without freezing his laptop.

 

Ok here's an odd one.

I haven't tried the built in windows speech recognition since the initial release in Vista which was kinda meh. I hear it's much better now.

So I enable it, test the mic and begin the tutorial, some fullscreen garbage in bright white where you say 'Next' a few times to begin reading different phrases, etc.

It crashes on page 2 of the tutorial every time, right in the middle of an animation between page 2 and 3 I think.


Can anyone else confirm? I'm using latest RT drivers and I do have some creative stuff left installed but not running (disabled from starting up).

 

** Deleted **

 

I thought there was only an issue with creative if you turn on the bass boost.

I had the steam issue and turning off bass boost fixed it. documented this an others confirmed it. Everybody was uninstalling when it was a simple fix.

I figured it out because I had everything working fine until one day, and on that day turning on bass boost was the only change.

 

I can add PSOD in the list of problems.That problem resolves only by LCD replacment. But, since I haven't heard about this recently. I guess it was defective batch of LCD panels. It happens only on Hannstar LCDs. No one reported about this on LG and AUO panels.

 

Cool thanks for reminding me. I've always wanted to try that out and never got around to it.

Works pretty decent - no problems here.

I'm using Windows 7 Ultimate x64, stock Realtek and Creative install with all enhancements turned off on the speakers playback device.

 

And, having it installed and everything turned off does what?

 

I infact already built a new desktop rig, so i just wanted somehing lighter, quieter and something that i could have on my lap with similar performance (i know its not as good and the build quality is much lower, but it will just be a gaming rig for when im on holidays, to take with me to college and when im too lazy to get out of bed ).

 

And thanks for all the info, i updated the list!
Tell me if i missed something.

 

In that case you will be happy. For school, you can get the G73jh to last 2-2.5 hours on a single charge for class work, with two batteries all set to go.

For gaming performance, I've been having great results 800/1100. In game, I don't think you'll notice any difference between your D900F and the G73.

Have fun.

 

Off-topic, HellCry, but I was stationed in Italy for two years and I visited your country several times. Your country is really nice...amazingly beautiful women.

 

Well thats nice to hear, ive got one right here

 

I think weve got pretty much all of them now, so if anyone wants to sticky or link this thread in some info thread i think this would be useful to a lot of people...

 

It is ChyrosNX, not CryosNX.

Thanks to Chastity and her debug threads. So +rep to her.

 

My laptop keeps freezing every hour or two. It will freeze for 30-60 seconds everytime, then unfreeze.

I've formatted the computer and didn't install creative.

Would anyone know what would be the problem here?

 

When formatting, these were the stuff i didn't install from the recovery disc. Is there something from this list i needed to install or was there something I shouldn't of installed?



I am also using Avira AntiVirus.

 

What? No, this is just wrong. Yes, there is a chance it'll cause problems. No, that chance isn't any greater than on any other laptop. Yes, there have been people reporting problems doing it in windows. No, it isn't a widespread phenomenon (not even as common as GSODs). Yes, it is always safer to do it in ezflash/from the bios. No, it isn't because bios is better - it's because there aren't any background tasks. Yes, I think this guide is great, otherwise. No, I don't think it'll stay near the top. Yes, I think people will still discuss their problems in specific threads.

Good job, otherwise!

 

See top link in my sig for their descriptions, so you can determine what's right for you. Having said that, after seeing your list, there are additional things I wouldn't have installed. Whether their removal would help your issue, I can't say.

 

WOOT! She appreciates all rep given

 

Sorry about that, fixed it

 

Well i think we agree it is more likely to cause problems to flash from windows, so ill change it to "it can cause problems".

Well i hoped someone would sticky it, but its not my loss..

 

Is windows really the one that cause this?

 

I cannot say myself since i dont have my g73jh yet, i just posted what i was told.

 

I have found a new solution for the creative freezing that retains the EAX modes in mah old games ( I tried it in Halo after enabling it with ALchemy).Go into your speaker properties in control panel and then in the sound blaster tab click "disable enhancements"

 

Kinda moot if people want to use the Bass Enhancements and such.

 

after much testing , the bass enhancements are worthless, might as well just use the EQ setting as its basiccly only that. the CMSS-3D doesn't work at all so I'm not going to be missing that. the only feature that's worth while is the EAXmode in games IMO. I just installed the Realtek Xfi mod drivers 2.22 and those add EQ and EAX like stuff . i;m going to test them out with the creative audigy MB that came on the driver CD to see if it fixes anything with the freezing.

 

Good news, creative doesn't crash ease of access anymore with the 2.22 realtek X-fi modded drivers. grab it here and test it out Realtek_XFi_MB_R222_Fix.exe

 

Can someone confirm this so i can add it to the list?

 

It's a modified Realtek driver pack by Daniel_K on the Creative forums back in May of 2009. Old driver is old.

 

Since this falls under G73JH problems, figured I'd post here.

Anybody having a squeaky left Ctrl key? I do a fair bit of Photoshopping and everytime I press the Ctrl button and release, it squeaks.

Hold it down for 0.65 seconds and lift up. *squeak*
Hold it for longer and its fine.

I'm blaming the shoddy quality of the chiclet keyboard (as opposed to other gaming notebooks of this class)

 

oh yeah? well I just managed to get
the latest Realtek 2.49 driver working with a Sound Blaster X-Fi MB install on the g73, fixing all the freezes and improving on the stock Sound Blaster Audigy ADVANCED MB.

is that bleeding edge enough for you?

 

Nosir, no squeaking here, not even with a mouse.

 

OK, so where did you get the X-Fi MB install package?

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/6385125-post49.html

i'll upload later when I'm done testing it

 

/facepalm

 

WD-40 FTW?

 

I do, sir... Just got it a few days back and already the left ctrl is squeaky, makes a loud click and the area of the keyboard near it has a lot of flex!! D,R,T,Y and C keys keep slanting left and not staying straight also. Guess I need a new keyboard. DAMN you ASUS... what great quality!!!

 

Just an FYI: I have no keys or flexing issues here.

 

Flex is a common issue with the G73 IMO..but what about the keys moving in awkward angles?? Its not supposed to be moving up and down from the corners..

I am even terrified to game on it since even the "D" key is affected.. dont want to strafe right in game and have the D come off!!