Asus G73JH-A1 & i7-920XM Problem

Hey guys!


After a couple of weeks just messing around with this new laptop making sure there wasn't any issues, I finally decided that it was time to massively upgrade everything internally ! Those in a hurry read the "important" and "question" section .

[FLUFF]
I bought 2x intel 160gb G2 SSD, Intel Wifi 6300 + 3rd antenna, and a i7-920XM (ES version from ebay) with IC Diamond thermal compound (for cpu + gpu).

I decided that I would install everything at once so that I would save myself the trouble of taking apart this laptop multiple times. And I began! So the SSDs was a smooth install and the 3rd antenna wire threaded throught the LCD screen was also a go! Then I gutted everything out and finally saw the cpu and the gpu heat sinks! (by the way, a note of warning to people, getting to this point took at least an 1hr to 1-1/2hr with careful removal ).

[IMPORTANT PART]
So I went ahead and placed the new i7-920XM (ES) with the ICD on both the cpu and gpu and pieced everything back together. When I tried to boot it up, the blue lights on the buttons lit up, but there was nothing showing up on the screen . Then all of the sudden, the fans kicked it at full blast and kept going with nothing showing up on the screen. I had to manually shut it down. Tried it a couple more time hoping that it would bootup but from this point on it would shut off immediately as I turned it on. For a second there I was wondering if I did something wrong or even broke something as this whole thing was a pain in the butt. My guess was it was the cpu that was bad, but wasn't absolutely sure. So I went ahead and took everything apart, again, and put the i7-720QM back in hoping that the laptop would be operation again. And lo and behold, it works, thank God!

[QUESTION]
So, I'm wondering could it have been a bad i7-920XM (ES) chip or could it be the fact that I updated the BIOS to v.206 that the motherboard no longer accepts the i7-920XMs, as I have saw on Asus website where they no longer list this processor as a compatible one, plus there is a lack of information on what the v.206 actually addresses? Note: I have been working with computers for over 15 years, but have yet to come across a bad cpu or work with ES version (maybe this was the mistake), so I'm a little confused what the problem was. Did I miss something here? Chime in and let me know what you think!


EDIT: PROBLEM SOLVED!
So with the help of Geared2play and Mandrake, I was able to fix this problem! And it seems like some people are having a little trouble with the procedures. So here's a little more detail in how to take care of this problem step by step .

STEPS
0. If you had a failed attempt like I did, don't panic and take every thing back apart or replace the stock CPU just yet! Take a quick rest, recharge, and jump back on it when you're refreshed as trying to tackle this thing when your tired won't help, trust me . When your ready, follow the steps below.

1. If this i7-920XM chip is still in the cpu socket, this is a good thing! If you have already taken it out, then you might have to go back through the trouble and try it again.

2. Re-disassemble the laptop, but only to the point where you can get to the ram under the keyboard. (note you might have to take the LCD off the hinges, but do not unclip the wires from the motherboard! Just let it rest with the wires still attached for the next step #4)

3. Take out only the RAM under the keyboard.

4. Now carefully, plug the power back into the laptop to power it up. You don't have to attach the hard drives, touch pad, keyboard, palm rest, or anything else as long as the CPU and the 3 other RAM is in place. Just press the little button where the power button would lay over.

5. At this point you should be able to take a deep sigh of relief, as you now should see the Asus logo during the intial bootup and then take you directly into the BIOS menus, letting you know you didn't mess up your computer .

6. If you see everything in step #5 then unplug the ac adaptor and place the RAM back in the slot under the keyboard. If you don't see what I'm talking about in step #5, then you may have other problems.

7. If everything is a go, after you place the RAM back it, plug the power back in and see if will boot again, but this time with the 4th RAM in. If done correctly, you should be really happy by this point !

8. Unplug the power once again, and finish reassembling everything back together!


I hope this helps future i7-920XM owners good luck!

 

I think bad cpu, or some rare ES sample that is not reading as supported in the bios.

 

I'm thinking the same thing, but don't know if I want to return it try it again or get my money back... Does anyone else who has a G73JH have a i7-920XM ES version so I can confidently try another one?

 

I would return it.
Just slap in the old one till the new one comes in.
That's one of the pitfalls of getting a ES CPU you never know exactly what your getting.
Most work fine but then again.....

 

Did you change your memory at all?

 

*sign* lol... And I was so excited to see a crazy fast and powerful laptop Guess that's going to have to wait. Just sent it out for a return or an exchange still trying to decide... What should I do!?!?! Any good place to find a retail version cheaper than a $1000?

 

No I didn't, but that was going to be my next upgrade, to the hyper X's . If I remember correctly, you had a power issues because of the amount that everything was drawing, and the 150 power supply wasn't enough? Is that still a problem for you, as I wanted to replace all my 8gbs to the hyper X? You think that might have been the problem?

 

It really had to do with the slots I used when adding the memory. I had the same symptoms you described. That "white" slot needs to have a dimm in it. There is also a reset button on the bottom of the system you could have tried along with a power drain. Regardless I have seen what you described with my OEM 920.

 

Interesting, so I guess it could happen with a retail version?... I have actually tried the reset button on the bottom (the little hole right?), but had no luck. What do you mean by a power drain?

 

Yep, cause you're not only changing the proc you are also changing the memory controller. Much easier to troubleshoot if you don't use the inaccessible memory slot.

Power drain is similar to the reset button, disconnect all power and hold the power button down for 20 seconds.

 

So is it not possible to have the i7-920XM and all 8gb? If so, this is news to me... and not a very good one . I'm assuming that with only 6gb it should work? Maybe that is the reason why they took off the i7-920XM as one of the compatible processors...

 

No I'm not saying that. All I meant was if you don't use the slot that is inaccessible then after replacing your proc and putting everything back together it's easier to test. Reseating your memory modules should be the first thing to do if it fails to boot after changing your processor.

 

You can always get a more powerful PSU.
Targus makes one that's rated at 180w and it comes with different size connectors only problem is it costs around $129.00.

 

I have that one but I only paid $50 for it. It didn't really make a difference. Both PSUs topped out around 176W with the G73.

Plus that was a very high OC to hit 176W. My proc went over 105W.

 

I see. I probably should have done more trouble shooting if it wasn't such a pain in the butt disassembling everything and putting it all together . I'll have to suck it up next time if it happens again and see if that works. But thank God that it works with everything in it .

If power does become a problem I guess this is the root that I'll have to take. So how big would this PSU be, as the one we have is already a huge, lol...

 

Is there any kind of CMOS battery that could help reset the bios?
The fans kicking in at full speed is making me question what it could be.

 

Yes there is a CMOS battery, but I believe the reset button or the power draining method would accomplish the same thing. For me though it didn't work.

 

Once you do it the first time it becomes much easier.

 

Any link to that $50 PSU?
Are you saying getting a higher W PSU is a waste?
When I do get mine more than likely it will have the 920-XM not looking to break any records OC'ing or anything but I will want to do it at some point.

 

I would hope the i7-920xm is able to be used in the v206 BIOS since xotic offers it as a purchase option as well as 8gb of 1333mhz (possible it could ship with v205). I would agree that it is possible the new BIOS didn't like your ES model since it is identified slightly different. AND Asus didn't give any description as to the updates done in v206.

 

your problem is not with the es cpu. the problem is in the assembly. take the unit appart and remove the dimm in slot 0 (the one under the keyboard). Happen to me 3 out of 3 times. always the same problem. no post. take the module out. turn it on (you can do that in the open state) and make sure it posts. put the module back and retest. not sure why this happens. couldnt figure that part out
Essentially slot 0 must be empty on first post with new cpu.

 

Wow... if this is the case, I just wasted a night of no sleep. Is this just with the i7-920XMs or is it with any new cpu's that one might put in? Great... and I just shipped the cpu back... what luck

By the way, thank you to everyone that has been of help! I really appreciate it! And I hope this helps anyone that will go about install a new i7-920XM.

 

For me the problem was just with the 920 not the 820. i dont know why. i lost more then a night of sleep on this however this unusual aproach worked. i dont know how or why. i dont even know if that is what fixed it. all i know is out of the last 3x 920's we put into g73 each and every one had no post symptom until dimm 0 was removed. hope this helps you

 

LINK

The default PSU went above 150W with no issues.

 

Looking @ the pictures of the g73 with the bottom open it almost looks like you can get to the 0 slot of DDR if you remove the HDD & cage. Anyone that can confirm this?

Obviously you can get to it when changing the CPU, but just curious if someone was just looking to do a memory upgrade only.

 

Nope, you need to get under the systemboard to unclip it.

 

Darn, I was hoping with tweezers or such you could get to the clips and slide it out. So much for an easy way.

 

If you remove 3 of the screws hold down the system board which is accessible underneath you might have some wiggle room but you could also damage it.

 

You cant get the ram out wothout removing the palm rest cover. Dont try the tweezers. it should take you all but 3.5 minutes to remove the palmerst cover. Its not going to get much faster.
To get to the cpu however may vary from person to person. there is only one right way

 

If you do decide to fiddle around upgrading ram or cpu, make sure you have enough room (without dogs or cats running around!) so you can properly place like 50 or more screws that you remove from the laptop. [note: 50+ screw is for getting to the cpu, ALOT less for just the ram ]

 

Now I like screws as much as the next guy but 50+ just to get to the CPU!!
I definetly know I will lose one no matter how carefull I am(grrrrrr) or it accidently falls into the laptop or on the floor(it always FN happens....grrrrrr ) and magically turns invisible(DOOOH!)

 

What I do is use a sheet of paper, quick draw the laptop and the location of the screws and have them through the piece of paper...

This way, you have a scheme and a screw holder ^_^

 

Great idea!
But I would probably knock it over and scatter screws to places unknown.
I mostly end up places them in shot glasses and use sticky notes to remember what hardware it came from.
It's a little extra work but it works for me......most of the time.

 

Well, that IS much easier then expected. Glad it is only the palmrest to gain access to slot 0.

 

There may be 50+ screws but only different 5 types and 40 of them are the same.

 

Is there a disassembly guide anywhere?
Great April fools joke Mandrake..lol

 

Yes there is. I don't have the link on my work PC but someone on this forum had a link to the PDF of it.

 

use to be in sleey0's sig.

 

Don't know if this will help but the file is called "G73 Series Chapter 02-v1.0pdf" And as long as you done this type of things before, it's not that bad... just be careful!


Edit: Found it! http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=461828&page=276 , post #2757

 

Thanks!
This should help a great deal.
Instead of just taking random parts and screws off.

 

there are 3 types of screws.
1. the most common is the screws removed from the bottom cover. these will be the norm
2. 4 small screws from under the battery compartment and above the cd drive
3. silver screws from the lcd mount and silver screws from the fans (6 each 12 total)
There are no other types of screws. Just 3. If you have more then 3 types then you are taking the "long" aproach to get to the cpu

 

Here's a better link to the post, click here.

And, here's a direct link to the PDF download page, click here.

 

Well people, I'm back . And I got my i7-920XM (ES) back from where I purchased it. And tested the above procedure .

They tested the cpu and like what I thought there was nothing wrong with it. So I had it shipped back and received it today. I just finished installing the cpu and did as Geard2play.com has suggested. And guess what? He was absolutely right, so make it 4 out of 4 G73JH that requires this method ! The "ES" cpu is working wonderfully without a hiccup and I couldn't be more happy with it (especially when I purchased it for about $480).

So for those that are planning to install any version of the i7-920XM, follow the method above and good luck !

 

Glad it worked out in the end.

 

Thanks Mandrake . Quick question for you... Can you recommend me what I should put in the BIOS setting for overclocking that isn't "extreme" like what you would do (ball of fire needing artic temperature, lol ), but something decent thats stable and won't overheat? Having a little trouble figuring out what value I need to put in for the first two settings (I believe the watt and amp?) and for the cores? Thanks for your help and hope you get your laptop back soon .

 

Thanks, i cant take all the credit for it but i will. Updates regarding other issues are found in the rma section of my forum. 820qm is not prone to the same issue described above.

 

By the way +rep for Geared2play.com and Mandrake for shedding light on this situation and solving it! Everyone is more knowledgeable!

 

Ok I have my i7-920XM OEM and will have my G73JH-X1 on Monday. From what I understand the Dimm Slot 0 under the keyboard needs to be empty when I first boot the system with the new CPU then shutdown put the ram back in the dimm slot 0 and good to go?

 

Yes! That's what worked for me as well as other. Let us know how it goes so that we can confirm if this is for every G73JH. Good Luck and don't lose screws !

 

Is there a video or picture diagram of how to take out the CPU. I mean I have taken out many laptop CPU's so I can probably figure it out but tutorials always have some due diligence that is great for not going in blind.