Asus G73JH Keyboard Issues

I don't sense any lag after installing it.

 

be77solo, have you experienced any other keyboard issues since cleaning the contacts? Also do you notice whether or not this affected any keyboard backlighting issues, before and after cleaning the contacts? I'm curious whether the keyboard backlight issue, some are having, may be due to this problem, as well.

Thanks..

P.S. Even if your keyboard backlighting has had no issues, and is working fine, are you using the 206 BIOS?

 

No, mine's running the stock bios, it's also a newer batch though. How do I tell the version, go into the bios?

Edit: wth? I went into the bios and it's 206, I guess they're shipping with the 206 bios now.

 

I have actually returned that machine and swapped it for a replacement G73. The left speaker was dead on my first one. Keyboard lighting worked just fine both before and after though, and that was all using initially 204 and then the updated 206. I noticed no difference between the two bios's, and the keyboard did seem to work better after cleaning the contacts, but the spacebar was still hit or miss.

The replacement G73 has the 205 bios. I have not done anything keyboard related, but this keyboard works even better than the "cleaned" keyboard on the last one. Spacebar is fine, and it types and responds very similar if not identical to the G51 keyboard that I swapped in and also as it types while in the G51, it no issues.

As a side note, both G73's do have that same keyboard conflict on Device Manager, and both are running the stock keyboard filter and synaptics drivers.

So, I feel that the first one did improve with the cleaning, but the second one is fine right out of the box.

Sorry for the delay on this response, lost track of this thread.

 

G73JH-A1 owner here, just thought I'd chirp in after lurking this thread for a few weeks.

I was one of the unlucky ones experiencing so-called keyboard lag and missed keystrokes and discovered that I was able to resolve this after 1.) uninstalling my Synaptics driver and 2.) disabling my touchpad altogether in the BIOS. Now, the keyboard types as it was intended. (Knock on wood)

A week after making this resolution, I'm still a little discontent that not only do I no longer have control over my touchpad, (not a huge deal, I use a mouse anyhow but still) I was also required to disable a piece of hardware in order to ensure another piece of hardware works properly. As many of you have previously stated, this is unexceptable for a $1600 laptop.

Just out of curiosity, has anyone narrowed this problem down any closer as to hopefully fix this without having to disable the touchpad? I'm okay with eliminating faulty drivers such as the Synaptics, but BIOS work is just a little too much for my satisfaction.

I think many of you can agree.

 

I've resisted disabling the touchpad in the bios - just on principle. I have tried cleaning the contacts on the keyboard ribbon connector but don't notice any significant change. I am considering RMA'ing but have been holding out hope for a bios update or a new keyboard filter driver that fixes the issue. Some of the more puerile forum members might suggest it is user error (bad typing) but considering the frequency of the reports, I don't buy that. If I had never used this style of keyboard in the past I might consider that possibility but that's not the case. Hopefully this thread can remain alive as updates arise.

 

Nah, I don't think it's user error, I have had two different G73's, and the keyboards behaved differently on each. I'd call up Asus and ask them to send you a replacement keyboard, it's very easy to swap. Then you just send them the old keyboard. My first keyboard was much harder to type properly on, missing strokes regularly. Cleaning the contacts did help, but the spacebar never worked quite right. The replacement works much better.

 

I just started reading this thread with interest. The reviews so far look good but I am wondering if i should just wait for the keyboard issue to be resolved? For $1200 I expect little or no issues but I do understand that things happen. The keyboard issue seems to be widespread? I almost picked this up at BB today but I wanted to get some more feed back before pulling the trigger. Thanks, and oh yes my first post and the reason I joined the forum. Answers to questions. Have a nice day!

 

Thanks for the reply. So Asus was fine sending you the replacement keyboard to replace yourself? That is very encouraging! I will give them a call (hopefully being in Canada won't be a problem). +rep

 

HOw is that driver that Mandrake recommended working for you???

I just installed it ...

 

HOw is that driver that you recommended working for you???

I just installed it .

 

Disabling my trackpad in the bios worked...how shameful for Asus to have this issue eh???

 

I don't have the issue at all. However, there are reports that the newest beta BIOS resolves the incompatibility and potentially fixes this error. It's worth a look. I'm trying it out and thus far keystroke errors are at an absolute minimum- before I was never sure if it was me or if it was the keyboard.

 

Bios 206 has a keyboard I/O resource conflict.

Bios 209 does not, they resolved that issue.

 

Bios 2.09 resolved the I/O conflict but the missing keystroke issue still exists. Disabling the touch pad in the bios is the only consistent fix. The 2.09 bios may have improved it slightly but there is a noticeable difference between disabling the touch pad in the bios as opposed to disabling it with Fn-F9.

 

For reference, BIOS 205 also has the I/O conflict.

Perhaps the reason that Fn+F9 might not work as well as disabling the TouchPad in the BIOS is because the Synaptics software is still actively installed. Disabling in the BIOS prevents the software from starting. Although, disabling the TouchPad in the BIOS is easier than removing Synaptics, if you don't want keyboard lag and still have a working TouchPad, you could try removing Synaptics and use the generic driver.

 

Have you guys tried the newest Synaptics software out on their site? Just curious as I'm running it and BIOS 209 and don't have any issues (not that I ever really did however).

 

I haven't had much of a lag issue either. (Mar 2010 build, 209 BIOS)

 

Came with the 206 Bios version here.

No keyboard lag noticed at all on my X3. I'm typing at my usual speed and no missed keystrokes so far.

So unless I'm misunderstanding what keyboard lag defines, I don't have it.

 

If it matters, I too haven't noticed keyboard lag with the stock Synaptics installed. My G73JH is from mid-February, BIOS 205.

 

It's not lag for me, sometimes I get a missing keystroke. Haven't tried disabling touchpad or uninstalling synaptics drivers but I am willing to try because it is somewhat of a nuisance. The keyboard reminds me a lot of the aluminum macbook I used to use - but I never had/or had the feeling that I was missing keystrokes - the ones I missed I knew I messed up whereas with this keyboard, I know I hit the key, but it is missed, making me have to go back to the word and correct it.

 

Same as above - no lag just missing keystrokes. I am creating and editing documents and emails all day long on my notebook and there is a very noticeable difference between when the touchpad is disabled in the bios as opposed to disabled at the driver level through Fn-F9. As I mentioned earlier (or in another thread) I rma'ed the keyboard and have a new one with no change. Another poster in this thread indicated he had to do this 3-4 times before getting one that solved the problem. I am not prepared to pay the return postage for every keyboard rma - the first one was a hassle to coordinate and I don't look forward to doing that again (not being convinced that it is actually due to the keyboard as opposed to a mainboard or driver issue). I tried an updated synaptics driver just a little over a month ago to no effect so, unless it has been updated again, I don't hold much hope when it comes to the touchpad driver fixing it. However, I remain open-minded.

 

I have had a problem with the keyboard since I bought my G73 from Best Buy 3 weeks ago. Until 5 minutes ago, I got missed letters at least every sentence. Often more than that. After reading some of the above posts I decided to turn off the track pad in the bios. Problem solved 100%. It's a good thing I had already turned it off in Windows as I hate using a track pad. As pretty much everyone who is using this as a desktop replacement or gaming machine is using an external mouse anyway, I think this will be more than satisfactory in the short term until Asus figures out the problem between the trackpad driver and the keyboard.

BTW, I'm using Bios version 204. Must have an older model. Best Buy, LG screen, DDR3 1333.

AV1611 out......

P.S.: I typed this entire message without a single missed letter.

 

I didn't mean to suggest updating the Synaptics driver, but instead uninstalling it and use the generic TouchPad driver.

 

Anyone hear anything new on the keyboard front? I agree that most are using an external mouse anyway and I agree with the BIOS fix for a temp solution to the keystroke hiccup, but still I'm trying to rock this crappy touchpad out and I too write/edit a lot of docs and emails daily. Just checking in... I wish Asus would be faster on their responses to this sort of stuff, especially considering how much the G73s should pwn.

 

I use the touchpad a lot (when I'm not gaming) and don't really have a keystroke hiccup. Make sure you have the new Synaptics driver, the keyboard patch from ASUS and maybe try Touchfreeze?

 

7hief: Agreed... and to Kalim - using the generic touchpad driver still results in the same problem. Zero problems with the touchpad disabled in the bios but it would be nice to be able to use it occasionally.

 

So far this is the only issue I have had with my G73. I noticed the missing keystrokes almost immediately, and for some reason, it was more noticeable on some message boards than others? I have always had the touchpad disabled with Fcn+F9, so that told me just the presence of the Synaptic drivers was the problem. I uninstalled the synaptic driver and lo and behold, the keyboard kept up with my typing no matter how fast I typed, and I can be a very fast typist.

Of course then the problem is, there's no easy way to disable the touchpad, other than in the BIOS, or risk accidentally touching it with catastrophic consequences!

I have just resigned myself to the fact that I will have to disable in BIOS until something is done by ASUS to correct the synaptic driver.

Stats: BIOS 209 (upgraded from 206) Synaptic drivers uninstalled.

 

Hmm. Yeah thx Billyray for the info, I'll prolly uninstall synaptics then and wait it out with you until Asus gets off their Asus and does something...

...wow, just finished the uninstall. The typing is great without any missed strokes. I actually can't even remember how to type correctly because I've become so used to failing with the drivers installed. Only problem now is that my touchpad is almost completely nonresponsive...windows stock drivers ftl. Hope Asus comes out with a fix sooner rather than later.

 

Just curious, have you guys tried the newest Synaptics drivers to see if that helps?

 

I was thinking about trying the new driver, but then more posters that did try it were saying it made no difference. The touchfreeze software doesn't seem to be available for Windows 7, or that might be worth taking a closer look at.

 

This i can also confirm. It's damn annoying when I'm typing and after finishing a paragraph, many of my words are missing some letters. It seems the the keyboard can't keep up with fast typist. I'm using 209 BIOS.

Is there a fix for the missing keystrokes?

 

It's right there in the post you quoted...

Disable the touchpad in BIOS.

Or, from a few posts back, uninstall the touchpad driver

 

True. It's all "good" with the touchpad uninstalled/disabled from bios, but man does this stock windows driver stink. So many phantom spots to missclick on and the response is slow (expected), but at least I can type now without fear of being my own spellchecker every 2 words.

 

WOOT!!! Asus page has a Synaptics update that overcomes the keyboard lag!!! V14.0.10 ftmfw! Lemme know if the file works for you guys. I'm typing like a fiend over here without lag or missed keystrokes!

 

Do you have "proof" keyboard lag was fixed? Although your perception is all that really matters.

 

I installed the driver and things seem like they might be much improved. A day of typing will tell but it appears to me as though there are not near as many missing keystrokes (though in typing that, I just had one <g>). Will post later.

 

Just to be on the safe side I reinstalled the keyboard filter from Asus after installing the updated Synaptics driver (probably doesn't matter). So far at least it's working fine (aka how a keyboard should work), but you're right, only IMO. I'm trying my best not to "perceive" lag now, and just type unbiased, lol for an honest test. Either way, more feedback is def. needed and maybe someone with more technical understanding will be able to illuminate better how effective this really may/may not be.

 

I'd feel a lot more confident if a new keyboard driver AND a new Synaptics driver (not to mention a bios update) came out at the same time. Even better if they all indicated that they were intended to fix this problem.

It is tough trying to not focus on the missed keystrokes! I haven't had to do any long reports today where it would be more noticeable but in typing this post, I have only had to correct my typing twice because of missed characters. I think that is better than usual (as I have had the touchpad disabled in the bios for the past month).

 

LOL, I've already got a newer version installed from the Synaptics site. Glad it seems to be working for you guys.

 

From the specs it seems that Synaptics released 14.0.30 before 14.0.10 (Aug.09 vs. Oct.09). And with 14.0.30 installed my keystrokes are missed, pinch zooming glitches and my desktop icons realign on startup, no matter what. Also, it doesn't allow for disabling touchpad with external mouse input. I don't know though aramis, for me 14.0.10 is no problems yet whatsoever. But 14.0.30, which I had before when complaining of lag and missed strokes, fails epically for me. Like I said before, this issue needs more input and from ppl who are more technical with examination of the issue... I just want a once-and-for-all keyboard/touchpad fix, and hopefully this Asus release continues to work for me.

 

I updated to 14.0.10 and the keyboard is MUCH better. I'd say it's about 90-95% perfect. It's definitely good enough to use again. I have the tp enabled in bios, but disabled through Fcn F9. Typing really fast is still good! But it's nice to know I can revert to the touchpad easily without going into the BIOS!

 

As 7hief implied, just because a driver is newer doesn't mean that it is better. I had used the latest driver from Synaptic and it most definitely did not help the keyboard problems I was having. The older driver just released by Asus has been the best solution so far. It is definitely worth a try for those who have given up on a solution and simply disabled the touchpad in the bios.

 

I don't really experience the problem, so I can't say that this one would help. I have had some missed keystrokes but assume they're from my not-so-hot typing just as much as anything else. I'm not a super-speed typist either, so I'm sure that's part of it.

I may get bored and try it at some point, but since it's more than a click n' install, it'll have to wait for now.

 

What are the chances a simple touchpad/keyboard update can FUBAR our beloved G73, which is purported to be an indestructible beast that is made of military grade rubber with actual stealth fighter-like exhausts thingys?

 

These new drivers caused my laptop to catch on fire and I'm now sterile!!!!!


... Or maybe it was me using the deep fat fryer on the keyboard while resting the G73JH on my lap. Regardless, DAMN YOU ASUS!

 

I've been running with the touchpad disabled in BIOS since it solved the missing keystroke problem for me.

I just installed the "new" Synaptics release from the Asus G73JH downloads to try it out.

Maybe someone mentioned this already and I missed it, but 14.0.10.0 (Oct 2009) is the version I had before - it came on the installation disk. This driver is the same version. So is this driver actually new?

Regardless, I noticed a couple missed keystrokes typing this...I'll leave it on for a while to see if it's any better, but so far I am skeptical...


*edit* D*mmit...my laptop just caught fire and now I'm sterile too. Curse you, Asus.

Oh, and this driver is the same as the one on the driver/utility disk so no improvement...

 

Have we been the victims of a placebo? The digital equivalent of sugar pills? I feel so embarrassed... :confused2:

Is it possible, however, that these are the same driver revision but tinkered with by Asus or Synaptics? Based on the typing i've been doing in the past few days, it really doesn't seem as though there are as many missed keystrokes.

 

I too have experienced plenty of the "missed character syndrome"...

It is most noticeable for me when I am using remote desktop to my server. I run my IRC session on the server since it is online 24/7 and while typing it is quite noticable.

I do know that there is a 14.0.19 revision that was provided to Dell. I had that installed before I reinstalled my G73 from scratch and it did seem to help a little, but the problem was still there...

I might try disabling the touchpad in BIOS and giving a couple days with a mouse hooked up to see if I notice it no longer being an issue.

 

Well that's embarrassing. Hmmmm and I thought I was really getting somewhere with this missed keystroke shizzz. Well, back to the windows stock drivers then... disabling in bios wasn't necessary for me to get rid of it. Only problem is the touchpad goes rogue when on the stock drivers and crazy stuff happens sometimes. Either way, as if we all have 2000$+ comps with a epic fail 3x4" space that only needs a minimal fix.

...very disappointed in the Asus support on this one...
(also sterile, burning alive an going blind from keyboard light refraction)