Asus G73JH Keyboard Light Failure After BIOS Flash 209

Yep that's normal

 

Normal indeed. As long as you follow kalim guide and use ezflash (part of asus bios) and boot from usb. The success is very high. Its the flashing from HD, winflash, and other apps that gets you in trouble. Bios 209 is worth updating IMO.

 

If you received yours back with the same keyboard and the keyboard attaches to the motherboard - with only a couple exchangeable parts available, I'd say the odds are good that they exchanged the motherboard the first time.

The first time you go to put the G73 asleep with the Fn+F1 key and in a hurry press ESC instead, you'll know the answer.

 

I figure that's the case. I also have a feeling I got a motherboard from another return since it came back with so many new problems. It was an early (in the G73 product lifespan) RMA so who knows what I got. They came up with a new motherboard a lot faster the second time

 

I have Mandrake's old G73JH-X1 and it was made in China 2010. I cannot read the month on it. He updated via USB and the keyboard lights are dead. I also just tried reflashing 209 to see if it would fix it. No go. I may try downgrading to 206.

 

Just downgraded to 206 via USB, AC only and keyboard lights off. It did not fix the keyboard...

 

Pro Tip: If you lose your kb lights, a BIOS flash will not fix it, no matter what BIOS version or number of times flashed. Basically, you ist hozed until fix comes.

 

Would be nice to know how can a BIOS flash exactly damage the part of the motherboard that controls the keyboard lights

 

Prolly sets some hw flag to "h0zd"

 

Hi All,

If you have experienced losing the keyboard light functionality after a BIOS update, please send me a pm with the following details:

BIOS Flash method: EZ Flash or Winflash and the version
BIOS Versions: Old---->New
OS: Only needed is you used the Winflash utility.
Model: Your notebook model and serial number.

Thank you.

 

Hi,

Private message don't works for me

Bios flash method : winflash 2.29.0. File version 1043.5.31.229
Bios version : 206 --> 209
OS : windows seven ultimate 64 bits english version
model : g73JH TZ011V

Since I flahh to version 209 with winflash, keyboard light is desactivated
I try to flash to 206 and 205 version with the bios utility but it don't réactivate keyboard lighting.

Is there a solution ?

Thanks for your help

 

Send it to Asus for repair.

 

maybe there really are some G73's with different kind of hardware that might be causing the KB lights to deactivate.

What models or serial no.s does those who had KB lights deactivated have?

 

ASUS rep asked for PM details on Page 6 of this thread. Perhaps they will find a solution.

Cheers,

 

Pmed you. Thank you for looking into this. Others, if you have not done so already, please PM "ASUS Customer Care" with the information needed. Good luck everyone!

 

I joined to reply to ASUS CC's post, haven't been authorised to PM yet.

BIOS Flash method: WinFlash, file version 1043.5.31.229, Product Version 2.29.0, modified 27/8/2009
BIOS Versions: Factory shipped 206, flashed to 209
OS: Win7 Pro x86_64
Model: G73J
MB Ver: G73JH ID: 1A
Won't add Serial number to public post. When I finally get Authorised, will PM through that detail.

 

i can't PM Asus customer care since my account was validate by the forum administrator, please help us to reactivate keybord lights

 

ok my G73 gave me some minor issues when I got it but I believe I have now got it running perfectly and I believe everyone elses should also work the same.

I used to experience random freezes, I fixed this by disabeling all creative effects in Audio center (please note i didn't uninstall the software just unticked all the boxes) Instant result has not locked up since.

Yesterday I upgraded my bios from the stock 206 to 209 using winflash, I experienced what most of you are discribing "no keyboard lights" . I trolled through a lot of forums only to see people complaning and no solutions at all. After the Bios update I can now press Fn + Esc and no lock ups but not lights, then I pressed Fn + F4 and to my suprise the tights came back they were just set to dim by default after the update.

so can everyone who has no keyboard lights please press FN + F4 and tell me if it works.

I have now turned on the creative EAX software and so far no lockups after the update.

 

Fn+F4 don't reactivate keyboard light to my g73.

I hope there is a solution to this problem

 

I also cannot PM yet.

BIOS Flash method: Winflash
BIOS Versions: 204-->206
OS: Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit.
Model: G73JH-A1 ser# A2N0AS54698309A

I'm currently on bios 209 however. Just thought I'd throw that in there. Also, everything else runs fine except for some keystrokes missed while typing.

 

You are one of the lucky ones. Unfortunately, this has been tried by many, but for the rest of us that are in this thread, the FN + F4 does not work. If the keyboard does not light up at the post (initial bootup of the computer) then you are out of luck like the rest of us, as there is no fix up to this point... Hopefully something will come up though. Asus, don't leave us hanging ...

 

Just updated to 209 BIOS and did not lose KB lights. Went from 205 to 209.

ASUS G73JH-X1 from newegg.com

 

BIOS Flash method: Winflash
BIOS Versions: 205-->209
OS: Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit.
Model: G73JH-A2
MFG date 2010-02 (unable to read where from, assuming its Chinese lettering)

Back lights are working fine, I havnt noticed any new issues from the new bios yet.

 

If you're interested in editing your post to update the information, look in the battery slot. There you will find three information sections. It's the right section at the bottom left that should indicate where it was manufactured.

 

Just to let you guys know, "Asus Customer Care" has responded back to my pm. If you are one of the ones that has this keyboard light issue, please pm him/her, so they can continue to investigate on what the problem maybe. Thank you guys!

 

That's good to hear. Just need to get my post count up so that I actually can PM.

Keep us posted on what you find.

 

I got PM'd too, but is was kinda a default response.

 

just got my RMA back on this issue and it seems to be fine now. gave it to FedEx on 6/16 and got back today. fyi, the note on the repair memo says "reset driver for kb"

 

hmmm, now we just need to figure out how to perform such a "reset" w/o sending it off.

Cheers,

 

"Reset"???? If you don't mind me asking, did you try to uninstall and then reinstall the keyboard driver yourself, as well as try the other methods? And can you tell if they replaced your motherboard at all?

 

I never looked for a keyboard driver specifically. I re-flashed the BIOS and re-installed the hotkey drivers from the ASUS website. There is no indication that they replaced the motherboard. There is a blank on the form for "Replaced Parts:" and there is nothing listed. under "Repair Result:" it says "reinstall/reset software." everything else on the machine seems to be the exact same as when I sent it off but I really haven't done more than turn it on to check the keyboard and to see if my installed stuff was still on there.

 

Flashed using Winflash (seems I saw less people having bricks after using winflash believe it or not) from 206 which my lappy came with to 209.

No issues after, everything went great. KB lights fine, boots fine, throttling on ac fixed, etc.


BIOS Flash method: Winflash
BIOS Versions: 206(my stock)-->209
OS: Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit. (installed by me)
Model: G73JH-A2
MFG date 2010-04 China

 

encountered the fn+esc error, flash to 209 using the method posted by kalim and stubb, kb lights fine

mfg date 2010-03 china

 

Updated Bios 206 to 209 using winflash...before reading this thread...now no keyboard lights. Tried 205,206 and back to 209... still no lights. Reinstalled keyboard drivers and ATK package...no lights.

Called Asus Tech support...they said they had no record of this keyboard issue. Everyone call them.

BIOS Flash method: Winflash
BIOS Versions: 206(my stock)-->209
OS: Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit. (installed by me)
Model: G73JH-A2
MFG date 2010-05 China

 

Had the laptop for a week,had some keyboard issues so I updated bios 206 to 209 lost backlighting on keyboard,no other problems found yet.Made in China 2010-04,used Winflash.This stinks!!I have Glaucoma with loss of vision and can't see the keyboard well without the backlighting.I tried USB LED lights but they cast shadows.Oh yah ,got it from Newegg

 

Well, I would debug this problem, except I don't have ill-fated lights. And no, I'm not going to go WinFlash 2 dozen times looking for it either.

 

Sorry to hear people... I wish they would get on this quick. 25% of the people are having this issue, yet they still haven't posted anything....

Please people if you have not done so already, PLEASE CALL ASUS as well as PM "ASUS CUSTOMER CARE". Hopefully he will respond back to us. Let us know whats going on please

 

Or you can gather at the California branch and storm the place with farmer tools and pitchforks and torches. I vote the latter.

 

Count me in!

 

Same here, 1st day ran WinFlash 2 and updated from 206 to 209 and no more keyboard lights...

BIOS Flash method: Winflash
BIOS Versions: 206-->209
OS: Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit.
Model: G73JH-A1

 

BIOS Flash method: Winflash
BIOS Versions: 206 ----> 209
OS: Windows 7 Ultimate x64 (Windows Update Feature)
Model: G73JH
ID: 1A
MFG Date: 2010-02 China

Keyboard lights do not work after flashing to the 209 bios. I have also called in for them to resolve this issue.

 

Sorry to hear. But hopefully people are calling and PMing Asus like you are so they can acknowledge there there's a problem and fix it. Still waiting for a fix...

 

This is what the e-mail form ASUS said that I got today,has anyone tried this?
Dear Valued Customer,

Thank you for contacting ASUS Customer Service.
Please unzip BIOS file to a removable drive. Plug it into USB port then restart your computer, access BIOS by pressing F2 before system start.
Switch to Advance menu, start easy flash then locate to the path of BIOS file. Wait a few minutes until the program completes the updating.
Please make sure that the power not cut during the operation.After that access bios by pressing F2 while the asus logo appears and load manufacture default, then press F10 save and exit.

After that please try to press Fn+F4 light up the keyboard lit. If still not work, would you please try to remove the keyboard from the notebook.
I attach the instructions in this mail.
Then please plug a usb keyboard, reflash the BIOS to V209, replace the keyboard then try again.

If you continue to experience issues in the future, please do not
hesitate to contact us.

Best Regards,
Lathan
ASUS Customer Service


I don't think its going to work but?????

 

They always recommend a BIOS flash. Feel free to try it, but don't get your hopes up. However, trying it once without the keyboard could potentially cause it to recognize the "new" keyboard once you plug it back in.

I say give it a go and report back. Also, could you post the instructions they sent you here? I'm curious to see if they're any different than the disassembly guide.

 

Unless this is a "RESET" Bios it won't work. If you look at back at my post a little while back (Post #20), I have already tried to reflash the bios with the keyboard out, as well as reset the motherboard to default settings. But maybe your result maybe different. Let us know how it goes.

EDIT: By the way how are you getting emails for ASUS?

 

On ASUS web site for support I filled out a form telling them what had happened and 3 days later they e-mailed me with the above reply.(when I get home I will try to get the instructions on here for the keyboard take down)

 

I had the keyboard out of my first G73 and the clips along the top of the keyboard are easy enough to deal with, but the keyboard was also held by some very strong double sided tape which made removal without bending the keyboard a little tedious. I just lifted very slowing allowing the tape to release slowly. I reflashed the bios with the keyboard out, but this didn't result in the recovery of the lights. The unit was subsequently replaced by Best Buy under warranty. The new unit has bios 206 and I'll not try bios 209 until there is a proven way of keyboard light recovery if things go wrong.

 

Hi All,

I made the big mistake and "upgraded" my G73's BIOS with the official BIOS "upgrade" and ended up with non functional keyboard backlight "in order".

BIOS Flash method: Winflash
BIOS Versions: 206 --> 209
OS: Win7 Home Premium 64bit

My unit was made in China. Ordered it from the USA.

Why I had to do it when everything worked fine I don't know... Maybe I thought I could trust in an official upgrade from the manufacturer. What a big mistake, I'll curse myself to the eternity because of this.

 

How did you flash it? With the Winflash app or with the EasyFlash flash utility in the bios with a flashdrive formatted in FAT32?

*bolded being the tried and trusted, recommended way of flashing.

 

People just don't get it. And I wouldn't be surprised they aren't using the latest WinFlash version too.