Asus G74SX number pad "problems"?

I just received my brand new Asus G74SX gaming notebook last Friday. I was really satisfied with the looks and the build quality of the machine. When starting up you really notice the speed. Fist off I installed the game WoW (World of Warcraft) which is my primary reason for buying this machine.

The game looked great and the response was good and everything was fine until I tried flying. If you are a regular gamer you know that key bindings are very important. In my WoW settings I have bound the “zero” key on the number pad to “jump / fly up”.
But when I hit the “zero” button on the number pad I just registers as a normal “zero” and not as “zero” on the number pad.

This is a huge problem for me, if this is working as intended you would lose 4 to 6 good buttons for key bindings on the number pad. Sins this is a gaming machine I hope I am doing something wrong, or else I will return the PC to the seller, which is sad as this is a realy fine machine. But this is as I said after all a gaming "rig", but if the number pad is just a replica of the normal keys it will not go down very well with a lot of players.

Anybody with any experience ragarding this "problem"?

 

When you bound the key to the 0 on the num pad, was your Num Lock on? That would affect whether or not it registers the number 0 or just that location.

 

There are no "numlock" on this model. Where the numlock button usualy are there is a button that opens the calculator of all things.
It might be useful for gamers who needs a quick calculation midgame???

 

Lol...I took a look at that model and it does not come with a num lock as you mentioned. That does seem odd that they would replace that with a calculator. Unfortunately, I am not sure if there is a solution to that.

 

That is what I am very afraid of, I have a 45 day free return on the machine and I am starting to think about using it.

 

I had a look at the Toshiba Qosmio X770 but it "only" supports 1600x900 screen resolution.

 

While I don't have my G74 yet (it has shipped!!) there has to be something overlooked. Looking at images inside the manual it does show a number lock button but the keyboard itself shows a different icon (pointer) on the same button. Have you guys tried to hold FN while pressing this pointer button? Maybe Chastity can answer better since she has a G74 for review.
Here's from the manual. page 42 Just trying to help.

When the numeric keypad is engaged by pressing [Fn][Ins/Num LK], the number lock LED lights up.

 

I think that the description on page 42 is for using part of your keyboard as a number pad.

If you look at page 43 it says: "Extended Keyboard (on selected models)
An extended keyboard is available on selected models. The extended keyboard has a dedicated numeric keypad for easy number entry. Use [Num Lk / Scr Lk] to toggle between using the extended keypad as numbers or as pointer directions."

The picture on the page is not what you get on your computer. I tried holding down the "FN" button to no succsess.
Clearly they have made some changes to the production model after the manual was maed, I just cant figure out WHY? A calculator button????
Well you can say its a new thing....

I have sent an support ticket to Asus and have gotten sort of an answer they said: “Thank you for your feedback, unfortunatly we don't have any solution for your issue.”
I replied that thy must be able to tell me if the number pad is working as intended by the designers.

 

Oh well worth a try. No solution is not acceptable. How could they overlook this when designing the keyboard? Have you tried the second keyboard option? Maybe connecting a usb keyboard will allow control of the number lock? dunno...now I'm getting worried about mine when it arrives...

 

I have tried to connect a USB keyboard and that numberpad works just fine, but the pad on the Asus doesent.

Pressing the numlock on the usb keyboard does nothing on the Asus.

Note that this is only a problem if you bind spesial keys to the number pad that is diferent from your 1 to 0 keys. Playing WoW I loos 4 keybindings i need. Looks like a return for me.
Please let me know if your model has the same layout. If your model has "numlock" I will buye it, but i do not think so. Real sad because it realy is a "kikk ¤%# " PC in every other aspect. Looks great, silent and cool.

 

I just looked, and yes there is no numlock key. Odd, but there it is. I never noticed this as I never change the numpad from being numerical.

As for Darkcleaver and WoW, you mean to tell me that you are going to return a laptop because you don't know how to remap keystrokes in WoW? Just remap the keystrokes to the keys you are used to, assuming the game has a command key remap feature. I myself never play WoW so I wouldn't know. ( I refuse to pay to play monthly )

 

Did you press that button above Numpad 7? The one with the calculator logo?

 

Yes it opens the calkulator, same resault while using the "fn" key.

 

Yes i can remap keys i WoW

The problem is since the number pad is a replica of the normal 1 to 0 keys and I already have key bindings for 1 to 6 for all together different abilities i can't use the number pad keys. I lose 4 very important bindings.
WoW is the only game I play (and I play a lot) and the only reason for buying this PC. For all other things I use Apple

So if I can’t play WoW the way I like it it’s going back.

 

Wow..Sounds like someone plays a little to much WoW. Just remap the keys. Returning a laptop because your too lazy to remap the keys seems crazy to me and others I imagine.

 

If I could remap I would do it, but there are only so much buttons around your movement and "dps buttons" and loosing 4 is just no good. Of course I could move the bindings to other keys but you would lose to much time to hit them.

But this is getting out of topic is'ent it?

 

or you could buy an external keyboard from logitech or razer or some other brand :-??

 

Doesn't seem crazy to me. If you pay hundreds if not thousands of dollars for something and it does not meet your needs then returning it is a no brainer. You should probably check MSI's offerings for something that might suit you better.

 

It would be a lot cheaper than the restocking fee, I'm sure. It all depends on whether the original poster plays WOW on the move (where an external keyboard would be a problem) or just at home.

 

i agree and i am glad that i ended up with what i ended up with.

 

When you remap the keys, the game doesn't distinguish from the "1" key and the "NumPad 1" key? That's odd.

 

Thats the hole problem, there is no "NumPad 1", there is only "1" no matter what you do.

I have newe seen a "keyboard" whith a number pad that is'ent a number pad.

 

My notebook was shipped and I'll receive it in some days.

Grrrr... now I'm really dissapointed.
Whatever everyone says NUM LOCK is verry useful when it comes to key bindings no matter the game. Why i would have a numeric keypad as a gamer when i can't use the numeric keypad as i want to?

 

Hopefully Asus will come with some sort of "update" for this, it must be something you can do on the software side.
They can't possibly have made a direct link on the hardware for the one to one mapping of the keyboard?

There are programs such as SharpKeys SharpKeys (thanks to hpfreak for this on) you might use. But I am somewhat doubtful it will work. If someone gives it a try let me know if it works. But then again if you pay about 3000$ (in Norway) for a PC you really want it to work “properly”. Sins I have a "free" return I will return it and see what happens. I can't install to much programs on it or I can't return it "free of charge", so I havent tried SharpKeys as this is considered a regestry "hack". As I have said before this is a really nice PC. If there is a good solution I will consider ordering it again

 

I really hope that's not the case..

 

Has anyone tried out a USB Num pad? I saw where a seperate keyboard was used and the num pad on it worked. I've got GTA IV where I've always used the num pad to fly the helicopters and haven't been able to get a remap that the game will accept (it complains about double mapping, not enough keys otherwise).

I was wondering if something like this would work?

This is the only thing I don't like about the laptop, and Asus gave me a simlar response via tech support where they just shrugged off the issue. It's almost like the designer stepped out for a moment and they mistook it for a business laptop and gave us a calculator button!

 

I used an USB keyboard can’t see why a USB number pad wouldn’t work. There is nothing wrong with the notebook just the mapping of the numbers on the number pad. Everything else seems to work fine.

Still can’t believe that they have done this. Still haven’t gotten a reply from support after I replied to the first answer I got where I asked if it actually is functioning as intended and why they have made such an change.

I am currently looking at the MSI GT780.
MSI Global ? Notebook - GT780

 

I don't want to use an USB number pad... what they did is simply stupid...

 

That is why I returned mine. They say that you get what you pay for, not in this case.

 

Has anyone tried this application to remap the Asus NumPad keys to what you need them to be?

http://forum.notebookreview.com/asus/150016-asus-notebook-keys-v1-3-a.html

I think this may provide a workaround, and you can set it up as a profile to activate as needed.

 

Chastity, I gave the key program a try but wasn't able to get it to see then num pad keys for some reason. It saw the calculator button but I couldn't find num lock to reassign it to in the list.

I did notice an oddity though, right beside the caps lock indicator light (top left from escape key) there's another light there but it's not labeled and I can't get it to react from any of the keys. It's almost like they were going to put a num lock light there or was possibly meant for another toggle? (this could be due to my bby model too, anyone with a higher end model that it does something let us know).

For now I'll plan to get a USB pad. If anyone else is able to get them working I'll check back and be willing to run tests too.

 

With the Windows OnScreen Keyboard you can activate the numlock light which is not labeled... however, it doesn't have any effect on the numeric keypad.

I'm extremely upset and dissapointed by this, the machine is a monster, runs everything with awesome speed, but I need to write a lot in spanish and extended characters (alt+### on num keypad) are a must for me.

I can always change the keyboard layout to spanish, but I believe that for 1200 bucks they shouldn't oversee this.

On the other hand I clearly remember testing the ext char combination in the display G74SX at BestBuy and worked just fine

Asus Keys 1.3 doesn't work either... a solution should come from Asus.

EDIT**

http://www.notebookcheck.net/Asus-G74SX-Does-Not-Have-a-Number-Lock-Key.57602.0.html

 

I would like to see Asus give an explaniation for why the key was omitted yet the light is there. It'd be nice if they would release a software/bios update to allow you to reassign that calculator button to a num lock. I've heard good things about Asus's customer service, any chance of that happening?

I'll get a num pad on order for now and add it to my bag but I'll keep an eye on the thread too in case a solution shows up.

 

The suggestions have already been submitted.

 

I really hope this is something that can be fixed in a BIOS update. I really hope the keys aren't tied together in hardware. I don't even need the Num Lock key, I just need the keys to be keypad number keys so they can be assigned separately from the top row keys.

Very, very annoying. I absolutely love my G74SX-A1 otherwise (except that I'm having a hard time getting used to the HUGE touchpad) and really don't want to return it...

- Trip

 

These are the kinds of retarded things that ASUS does... until they stop doing it they will always be sub-par... it's maddening that they forget such simple things in otherwise well-priced laptops.

 

Ok guys, check this response from ASUS TSD, it reads from bottom to top, since is the history of the messages :

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is shocking!!! you don't even know your product, do you? don't look at the manual, because the manual does not display the actual final keyboard layout. This machine HAS NO DAMN NUM LOCK BUTTON! instead it has a ridiculously stupid "Calc" button, which brings up the windows default calc application, yeah, very usefull to gamers.

Oddly enough, it has a led with no label which you can turn on and off using the numlock key on the windows onscreen keyboard, however, it has no effect on the numeric keypad... so what we need is BIOS update to fix this.

Give a read to this article and thread to see what Im talking about:

Asus G74SX Does Not Have a Number Lock Key - Notebookcheck.net News
http://forum.notebookreview.com/asu...um/595604-asus-g74sx-number-pad-problems.html

And please, don't insult me again telling me that Im not using the numblock... I've been on the IT for 20 years, probably the age you are.

WE, the people who trusted your brand need and DESERVE a solution for this OBVIOUS flaw in design.

Thank you

---------- Original Message ----------
From:ASUS TSD
To:[email protected]
Date:2011-08-03 07:56:50


the ASCII character Table is avaliable with any computer, there is not a limitation for any part with this computer if you are having problems with this is because you are not using the numblock to press the numbers associates to the character.

---------- Original Message ----------
From : [email protected]
Sent : 7/29/2011 12:54:31 AM
To : "[email protected]"
Subject : <TSD> Notebook G74Sx



[CASEID=WTM20110729845274308]



Apply date : 7/29/2011 12:45:27 AM(UTC Time)

[Contact Information]
*Name : #####
*Email Address : #######@hotmail.com
Phone Number : #######
City : ######
*Country : ######

[Product Information]
*Product Type : Notebook
*Product Model : G74Sx
*Product S/N : ###########8239
Place of Purchase : BEST BUY
*Date of Purchase : 2011/7/19

*Operating System : Windows 7 64bit

[Problem Description]
When I tested the laptop at Best Buy I remember I could use extended characters by
using Alt+### (2 or 3 digit number on the right keypad such as alt+164 [ñ] ), but I just
can't do that with my G74Sx! I feel stupid stucked with something so simple... but I just
can't find any numlock button or a way to use extended characters. It's a must for me
because I write a lot in spanish so its imperative to have extended characters, actually
its one of the reasons I bought this machine. Tnx in advance.

 

Have you tried to send your email to this address? I hear it has better support than the tw version. Give it a try...can't hurt.
http://vip.asus.com/eservice/techserv.aspx

 

Thanks but there is where I posted my "issue" as a registered "vip" user

And Its confirmed! its a DESIGN FLAW (that can be fixed via a BIOS update that ASUS SHOULD provide)... I connected an Actek numeric keypad via usb and guess what? doesn't work!!! its exactly the same as the stupid num keypad wannabe on the laptop... the num lock button manages to turn on the unlabeled led on the G74SX, but it does nothing different.

Shame on you ASUS!!!

**EDIT

Sorry, haven't noticed that it wasn't the TW site... I'll give it a try, Tnx for the tip

 

You know sometimes I wonder what ASUS's mindset is. Why would you change that out? It makes no sense, like literally makes no sense. For the calculator no less. I would have loved to have been at that meeting where they decided to change the numlock for the calculator, none of the engineers or programmers thought that was a bad idea? Wow.

 

I'm glad I don't use numlock keys, as this sounds like a PITA issue. I know some ppl who play WoW use one of those mice with a zillion buttons and map everything to those buttons and scroll wheels. That seems like something you can try if you don't mind learning a new way to play. Might be faster to access everything on a mouse versus having to go to numpad for certain skills, etc.

 

I sent a message to that form about it on Friday and never heard back. Wound up calling today, and after telling them that updating the ATK and restoring the system didn't work, I was told to apply a BIOS update that doesn't exist. So there's that.

- Trip

 

GUYS! Heads up...

Asus is already aware of the issue, and Gary has requested of R&D to make a KB Filter and/or ATK update to bring back the NumPad functionality. So there's no need to go nuts sending in emails and complaints to Asus Care. I did this 2 weeks ago, and the ball is already rolling. If it requires a BIOS update, I'll get that too.

As soon as a working fix is in my hands, I'll post it.

 

ok i read through the post and didnt see this mentioned has anyone tried the fn key plus the insert key? exotic specs show that to be the hot ke for number lock hope it works for you

 

How on earth did lack of a NumLock key slip through QA? I mean really!

 

Worse, they mapped the numpad keys to equal the integer keys. So in games, you can't map both. :B

I think the idea was someone wanted to make a feature of easy calculator mode, but didn't foresee this "problem".

 

An Asus representative on another forum has informed me that a BIOS update is in progress to resolve this issue. I'd link it, but I'm unfamiliar with this forum's rules on linking to other sites.

- Trip

 

forum rules

You can link to any site as long as it's not yours or associated with you. If you have a beta bios link by all means...

 

Not a beta BIOS yet, but a report that work is underway. Asus G74SX-A1 Keypad Problem

- Trip

 

Awesome! thanks for the great news!!!