Asus G73JH Keyboard Light Failure After BIOS Flash 209

People just do as the manufacturer's notification at the download section of the new BIOS tells them where "use Winflash or EZflash" can be read. There is no indication that "Using Winflash might result some disfunctionalities in your unit" or such.

And people usually spend hours with searching and read through 30-40 forum pages only after an official update causes problem in their machine and they don't get help from official sources.

Now, I'm wiser as well...

 

Yep, we first get our cool new notebooks and want to make sure they have the latest drivers and bios...so we go to the manufacture website where the new bios is listed...and winflash. Then to only find this website later with the posted issues after the problem surfaces. Bugs me that Asus knew about this issue months ago...appeared in 206.

Yet now I have finally got my system stable (still no keyboard lights) by removing half their utilities...updating some drivers and keeping others unupdated. Thanks to this site for the info.

But in the end, if Asus fixes the keyboard lights I will be delighted with this laptop...at ($1500) price/performance makes me wonder if I will continue with the custom destop approach.

I actually got one for my wife at the same time I got mine last week...she loves the fact now she has the cool keyboard lights and I don't. She did complain on how heavy it seemed...but I dusted off our old smaller P3 HP laptop and it was about the same weight.

It seems like it should be a simple bios switch like on my Striker Extreme motherboard lights. What's the holdup Asus?!

 

Hey,
I just received my g73 and upgraded the firmware following the method Kalim suggested. I also went as far as to wait a minute before and after flashing and I made sure nothing was on my flash drive except the firmware. I also did not have any other devices hooked up to the laptop. The keyboard lights were on all the way before flashing and they still work! I will post my manufacture info later.

 

I called ASUS Tech Support @ 1888 678 3688 and asked if the above was a fix for my backlighting because I don't want to flash my bios anymore than I have to. I was told to just run the recovery disc and that should fix the backlighting.I couldn't make him understand that how is that going to fix a problem with the bios update.If it was something that happened while installing windows ,mostlikely running the disc would fix this issue.I did ask the so called tech guy if he has heard of this problem much and he told me "no ,your the first with this problem and was I sure that I used the right bios for this laptop " It must have been his first day on the job.From what I have been seeing in the different forums this was happening with the 206 bios update also.

 

I have removed the keyboard and flashed with no success. This problem is more complicated than that.

 

I called Asus the other day and they said they had no record of the keyboard backlight issue. I was floored. They said to update my drivers. Of course, it did not work.

 

This keyboard illumination problem is BIOS related and nothing more. Before ASUS broke our illuminated keyboard the device would light up for a second right at the ASUS Splash screen every time the laptop was booted and this is before Windows starts loading. Hence this is not driver related, but rather some inconsistency caused between the BIOS and the back-lit lights.

This is my 5th ASUS laptop and this is the 3rd ASUS laptop I've had technical issues with. All 3 have been part of the Republic of Games line and also suffered from BIOS issues. In all honestly I can understand a few bad apples when it comes to computer hardware, but this is the 3rd time I've had to put up with this sh*t and frankly I'm getting tired of it. In my opinion ASUS was once a reliable brand, but these past few years they've continued to release new models every few months and it is apparent that we have become the guinea pigs for their products which didn't see proper testing before being shipped. I payed good money for a laptop and I expect it to at least perform right within the first year; instead I'm left waiting 4 months with a broken keyboard light with my only option to RMA my notebook while having to wait 2 to 3 weeks for ASUS to send me back my man-handled laptop full of scratches with potentially new problems added on top. The least ASUS can do is admit to this problem instead of ignoring it while technical support gives various futile and untested "methods" of resolving the problem.

 

Ok, what in the world do we have to do in order for them to wake up and realize that there is a problem? I too have waited for a while only to hear other people say that Asus said that they never heard of the problem. "Asus Customer Care" are you here? We need to hear from you and whats going on with this. Or somebody better get on this. I am getting tired of this, and if this is the way they are going to handle problems, this might be the last time I get their laptops. I hope they prove otherwise...

 

To be quite frank, the Winflash app looked waaay to dodgy for me from the get go, and I wouldn't even trust it to perform simple tasks like check for updates much less flash the laptop's main BIOS from it.

That's just me though.

 

I had a HP notebook before this ASUS and I flashed its BIOS with Windows based flash utility two times without any problems despite it had much more stuffs packed inside therefore I doubt it has anything to do with the way people flashed the BIOS of their units.

The problem is that nobody has the smallest clue - including ASUS - why it happens.

 

Yes, I find the lack of updates from Asus regarding this and other issues regarding the G73JH worrisome. It looks like the release of the laptop was rushed and Asus ignored for a long time the issues regarding this laptop.

Together with the rookie level tech support Asus has which is more interested in pointing the finger at the end user instead of identifying problems and working towards a solution brings us to this situation.

Complete silence regarding issues and no solutions.

 

Sounds like the only fix is basically to replace the mobo. Stupid, but it is what it is. I would have it done at an ASP than mail it in.

 

Flashed Bios using EZFlash and clean usb flash drive
Flashed from 206 to 209 and keyboard lights are working fine

 

Non-Update: Looks like no solution in the works. Asus still says we would have to RMA the notebook to fix the lights...

Dear Valued Customer,

Thank you for contacting ASUS Customer Service.

If your keyboard lights already do not work, you need to send your laptop in and let our engineer fix the problem for you.

Please fill-out the online form to request a RMA/Purchase order.
eSupport Case Submittal Form (USA or Canada Customers ONLY)

This will auto generate a 6 digit service number.

You can response to this call with the service number that was provided,
from there we'll start the RMA/Purchase process

Fill out this form before calling.

Please provide your Product S/N and the service number when you call in.
The telephone number is 888-678-3688 for Notebook Technical Support. Monday thru Friday 7:30 AM to 6 PM Pst.

Sorry about the inconvenience.

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

Best Regards,
Eleven
ASUS Customer Service

 

And what if i just happen to live in a non USA - Canada country?

Lets say mine: Colombia?

I'm going to Germany for a whole scholarship year in a month. I know for sure that asus is just waaay more popular there than here. How should i RMA or send to repair my lappy? this thing of waiting for a BIOS update that fixes this issue is just never gonna end.

 

I've just flashed my unit without any problems. KB Back Light is still working. No name thumb drive with FAT32.

 

man im so jealous D=

Congrats, you are very lucky.

just posted this on asus forums:

 

I think it's suggestive that 3/4 of poll responders had NO trouble and 1/4 of poll responders did have a problem...

Because Asus insists that they must get the computer back by RMA, it makes me wonder if there is indeed a hardware problem which does not play nice with BIOS upgrade, therefore requiring a hardware fix.

BUT....

If that were true, then that would imply that anyone that has successfully upgraded their BIOS once, should always be able to upgrade again without difficulty. But I don't think that's been the case. I seem to recall people that upgraded ok once but not the second time. Is that right?

This is MOST VEXING!!!

 

flashed to 209 (dunno my original BIOS) using ezflash with a fat32 formatted flash drive. kb lights still work

 

Correct BillyRay. Some have succeeded, then have a later flash fail. TBH, it seems this 209 BIOS fixes most if not all issues, so I really don't see the need for another flash myself.

 

How long does an Asus RMA take usually within the USA? Anyone done the keyboard light RMA. I have the 1333 Ram and don't want to lose those.

 

2-3 weeks by mail, 3-7 days at an ASP.

 

Is there an ASP in Arizona? Probably have to mail it in to Cali...maybe I will wait a few more weeks and see if a fix actually surfaces.

 

look up ASP on asus' support site. they list them for worldwide locations.

 

I got a reply from ASUS. I have to bring my unit to the local ASUS service center so there is really no other options yet than replacing something inside it seems.

Better than nothing I guess.

I hope I won't get back a scratchy wrongly reassembled notebook.

 

As I heard from David. Asus laptops are being repaired super fast in Taiwan.

 

Got my G73 3 weeks ago, read these forums for a week or so and have now just flashed my bios to 209 all went well and keyboard working.

 

Just to complete the list, I've got the same problem.
Hope there will be a fix soon.

By the way if there are so many people facing this issue, why are there only 28 votes?

 

Can someone please explain to me what flashing means? I get the impression that it means to update your laptop BIO (what is BIOS).

I dont have the laptop backlit keyboard at all. It has it when i start the laptop, but the FN3-FN4 does not work. I tried reinstalling ATKPACKAGE but it hasnt work for me. It has for some people, but I havent gotten it to work.

 

You probably need to uninstall the package then reinstall it again. It should work then.

 

I can understand the feeling that after dropping a huge chunk of change on a gaming laptop that it should work without any issue. I felt like a beta tester when I first got mine. Fortunately, I was able to work out the quirks, with some help of some nice techy people, and now it's ironed out. I guess this is what happens when one is on the budget bleeding edge.

 

Hi everyone,

Got same problem. The funny thing is, I let the service center update my bios for me after servicing my laptop (because I bricked my laptop after updating the bios to 209 from 206). But it didn't occur to me to check on my keyboard lights before I went home with my laptop. They really screwed up. That was my 4th time sending my laptop and my 5th time sending it back to them to fix the damn keyboard.

Ok here's my contribution, I asked the details of what they did to fix this lights. They told me that they updated the firmware of the keyboard itself by plugging in some kind of a USB device. And it has nothing to do with the BIOS or something. I asked him if I can do it on my own and he answered no, that is not possible because only they have the fix for it.

So for guys who are hesitating to send back their G73JH, sorry you really gotta send it back (again). Fortunately it only takes 5 minutes.

My hunch is that there might be some kind of incompatible combination of BIOS and firmware. I don't know. But when I asked them if do I need to update again the firmware of my keyboard in case there another BIOS update? They said no with confidence. But I don't trust Asus anymore, not after my 9th visit to the service center (sending it and getting it back requires two visits with at least two weeks waiting time in between!). Not gonna happen again.

 

Just updated bios from v204 to v209 using Ezyflash, no problems before or after flash... but i didnt try Fn+Esc or other triggers either.

Been on 10.6 drivers for awhile now and absolutely love'em bc2 load times are brilliant and fps boost is also a plus.

 

K, that's informative. So what one can do is get a new keyboard with this updated firmware to fix it.

 

update ? keyboard ? keyboard-bios?!? this sound strange ...

 

Wow, thank you for the info! That really helps a lot. I'm wondering also if I could just get a new keyboard to fix the light issue. I really wish I had a service center right around the corner, but unfortunately its about 5 to 6 hours away =[...

 

Didn't work for me and a few others.

 

Apparently a new keyboard would work IF it had the newer firmware that's available. Unfortunately, no way to tell by mail order.

 

I'm not buying it....I would think the firmware is for a controller chip on the MB, not a chip on/in the keyboard - especially a keyboard that only costs $25US.

I'm not cracking open my spare keyboard to look though

 

Maybe guys like Ken Lee can get the firmware updater?

 

Has anyone attempted this with the G73jh?

http://forum.notebookreview.com/asus/465841-ul30-backlit-keyboard-mod.html

 

Succssfully flashed to BIOS 209 using EasyFlash and a flash drive (FAT32) without any problems. Keyboard lights are working perfectly.

 

Please.
BIOS Flash method: EasyFlash
BIOS Versions: ? -->209
OS: Windows 7 ?
Model: G73JH-?
MFG date 2010-? China/Taiwan

 

.
BIOS Flash method: EasyFlash
BIOS Versions: 206 -->209
OS: Windows 7
Model: G73JH-A1
MFG date 2010 - May 05 2010 - Taiwan

 

Talked to a tech at a authorized repair center, he said to restore HDD to factory settings. If anyone wants to try this, let the other victims here know. Seems to be a conflict with keyboard drivers and bios and restoring settings would fix that I guess?

 

ziddy123: that sounds wonky, esp with another tech stated that they fix it using a firmware updater for the keyboard.

 

LOL wow I wish it was that simple

 

Asus techs haven't been very upfront about this. I know I've read where one person said it was some bios, another user I know said the tech reset the keyboard drivers which would be similar to what I suggested, resetting by reverting HDD to factory defaults.

Hoping Ken will receive a reply from Asus about this.

Did you try this already?

 

Very first thing I tried back when I lost my lights (March)...system restore and BIOS reset to default settings.

 

Did you try this already?[/QUOTE]

I tried it also, and it didn't work. Ended up returning the notebook to Best Buy that sent it to a service center that played with it for three weeks before issuing a store credit. I promptly bought another G73 that has worked flawlessly for 1 month so far. It took about a week for me to update the Bios to 209, but I certainly didn't do the update with WinFlash.