Complete Walk-through For Doing A Clean Windows 7 Install

Can you please explain why you think the Creative software is dangerous?

 

Because it's causing crash and lockup issues with STEAM, and Ease of Access and it's just not needed. There are no creative devices on this laptop.

 

In addition to what aramis109 has said, please follow the link in the guide for more information.

 

does this work for the 6 disk fiasco recovery disk burned by those of us that did not get a disk?

Reason I ask is I am reloading a clean install now. But with the 6 disks, I don't get asked for the support disk (which I *DO* have), and I don't get asked for language choices etc until all 6 disks load. Then by restarting it goes right into restoring a stock version with all the bloatcrap.

I'm trying a few more things, but wondering if anyone has done this with the 6disk recovery disks? I'm D/L'ing the Windows ISO as I type just in case... Or, can I use the retail Home disk I already own and just use the G73 code for it?

 

As you found out, the AI Recovery 6 disc set re-installs everything and is automatic. If you want a lean, clean, mean, install, go with the ISO. After installing the OS and having that working, then run the Driver and Utility disc as outlined.

 

That's what I thought... but I needed to make the disk anyways just in case I need to restore to the factory condition for RMA (knock on wood I don't need it)

Any idea on the retail Home DVD I already have, with the Asus code? Will it activate correctly, or is the code for an OEM copy?
EDIT: answered my own question... loaded a retail disk I already had for Home Premium, entered the G73 code and it did not authenticate. tried doing the phone thing and could not - and no one is there on Sunday to talk to about it. Now that the ISO downloaded and I've deleted the needed file, I'll try it and see if it authenticates. if not then Tuesday I'll be doing the phone thing with them.

 

Yes, in order to use the OEM key you are going to need to call Microsoft, as demonstrated in the following exchange:

 

Hopefully it involves going past the automated section, as I tried that with no luck. I'll try again tomorrow and try the automated version, then continue on to the live person (if one exists)

 

The only time I had to call Microsoft over an activation key was when I transferred a key from one computer to another. As I recall one of the questions was a little tricky since so much time had passed. I guessed and was given a new key. I wish you good luck.

 

OK... done. Did it with the automated system - when asked how many computers installed with this code, I had been saying '0' as it's a new code. That was goofed it up - I tried saying '1' this time and sailed thru the system and it's now activated.

 

Congratulations. It would seem you're all set.

Yep, that's the same question that I was trying to recall that was a little tricky. I'm not sure why an unused key would need to be claimed as a used key, but hey, whatever works.

 

Stupid question time: Is it possible to have two copies of the OS, one on each drive, in case one drive fails? If so, which option should I select when it comes to the Recovery Disc?

Also, does the first option (Recover first partition only) only write to one hard drive, leaving the other untouched?

 

Personally, instead of two copies of the same OS on two drives, I would use Acronis True Image Home and make regular backups onto the second drive.

As to your second question, as explained in the guide:

Recover Windows to first partition only
This option deletes only the first partition and allows you to keep other partitions, and to create a new system partition as drive "C".​

Keep in mind that I have not used this option, but I also don't have any reason to believe that it wouldn't do what it says.

 

Hi!

Thanks Kalim for the great guide.
what is the alternative to a good HD sound for the laptop if I unistall the Realtek HD driver?
Once installed, the sound is very standard (this is the case with headphones too).
Thanks,
Daniel-

 

Can someone provide a copy of his/her driver CD, pretty please? I bought mine from BB and it didn't come with one. I'd really appreciate that...

 

+rep for you...this guide is great! I just picked up a new G73JH-A1, and I was very pleased to find all the info in this thread and on this forum in general. I created my own recovery disks then got Windows 7 clean installed using the provided link to the other helpful thread for those of us who didn't receive a recovery disk with the notebook.

I got the essential drivers installed, though I kept the ADSM one that you recommended not installing, because I want to try out the encryption features. I used the phone activation for my Windows 7 install, got the Windows updates going, Microsoft Security Essentials and Firefox installed...almost ready to go.

A few more installs, then I'll try out some gaming. I think I'll try the leaked 10.6 video drivers, since it sounds like they particularly work well with Battlefield Bad Company 2.

All in all, I love this guide as well as all the links it gives to other threads. Thank you for assembling all the info for new users like myself!

 

I'm glad that you found the guide helpful.

Thank you.

 

First of all, thank you for this awesome work. I am working around the Italian G73Jh thread over at HWUpgrade's forum and I will pleased to translate the guide for the Italian mates.
Of course, credits are your and of any member working hardly to spring the best from our notebook


Looking forward for your news, keep up the sharing spirit.


sev7en

 

You are welcome. A translation would be great. When you are done translating if you would provide me with a URL, I'll put that in my sig to help others find it.

 

Hi Kalim!
many thanks for your kindness! The main is here: [Official Thread] ASUS G73JH Strike in Silence - Gaming Series - Hardware Upgrade Forum

Yesterday I updated the shipped drive with an Intel SSD unit and I put some snaps here: [Official Thread] ASUS G73JH Strike in Silence - Gaming Series - Pagina 76 - Hardware Upgrade Forum


Cheers and have a great weekend!

 

That looks like a very thorough post showing the SSD install. Is your goal to boot off the SSD? If so, you might want to move it to the right hard drive bay. Just a thought. In any case, looking forward to your translated guide.

You have a great weekend as well.

 

Nice spot Kalim I found later the right hard disk order: but I changed the BIOS settings... anyway I write down about that on the mini-guide.
The SSD sports impressive response times: I have on my desktop the latest Velociraptor but the solid state unit is over the stars
I really suggest you to update your system with this unit, it's like a dream

I'll start the translation within this week... Kind Regards, fabry

 

Awesome Guide. Worked for my new SSD

 

Thank you. I'm glad to hear the guide remains useful.

 

Yeah, meant to tell you- I used this guide when I put in my SSD with regards to when to use which disc/when to ignore the prompts. Worked out great. Thanks for putting it together.

 

Updated guide:

Add a new section here.

 

I was wondering if you could elaborate on your recommendation to stick with the ATI (AMD) drivers supplied by Asus in light of the (relatively) new mobile driver progam announced earlier this year?

This new mobile driver program helped convince me to go with the G73Jh. I installed the latest 10.4 Catalyst drivers as a matter of course when I bought my new laptop (which isn't necessarily to say that this was the wisest of moves).

Quoted from the G73Jh review at anandtech:

 

There appears to be overwhelming evidence that suggests the ASUS supplied drivers, in a fully functioning G73, causes zero stability issues. At the moment, this is not the case for everyone using ATI released versions.

Also, AMD themselves recommend reverting back to the vendor supplied drivers when encountering issues. This is from their release notes:

" AMD Mobility Product Support Catalyst Mobility is a notebook reference graphics driver for with limited support for system vendor specific features. Support is available for Windows Vista and Windows 7 to be used at your own risk.

The Installation Verification Software will prevent driver download on certain notebook products. This is to protect against the installing of drivers that may disable features or functionality provided by the system manufacturer. If unacceptable behavior is experienced using Catalyst Mobility it is recommended to revert back to the driver provided by your system vendor for your specific platform. Please contact your system vendor for the most recent drivers for your notebook."​

Plus, the intention of the guide is to ultimately find the reader with a fully working install afterwards and not having them experiment in what might turn out to be a futile attempt to get everything working together.

So, you also had issues with the updated AMD drivers?

 

just for clarification, can you use the supplied recovery disk to install windows 7 on an SSD? Is it the same steps?

 

I do have an issue with Call Of Duty: World At War but whether it's related to my having installed the 10.4 Catalyst drivers I cannot say.

I have uninstalled the (infamous) Creative apps but the game still crashes on me (GSOD).

I guess I could revert back to the supplied drivers and see if that makes any difference (how would I do this incidentally - uninstall 10.4 first or can I just install the older drivers on top?).

Having to rely on the notebook manufacturer for updated drivers seems to be counter to the whole point of the mobility driver program (particularly if Asus has not opted out of the program, which I don't believe they have).

 

Presuming that the SSD has been installed correctly, it acts no different than a spinning hard drive.

You might be able to tell depending on which one was installed first and when your issue started to happen. It seems for those who have changed their VGA drivers, a GSOD is common.

The Creative garbage would cause a lockup, not a GSOD. GSOD is more likely the VGA drivers.

It may come down to a choice between stability and faster graphics. Given the choice between those two, I always pick stability. It's always best to completely remove the current drivers before installing.

ATI does make it clear that you can try their stuff at your own risk. They also acknowledge that if you have problems, to use the vendor drivers. Until ASUS releases a compatible vBIOS update, I don't see this changing in the near future.

 

Recover Windows to entire HD
This option deletes all partitions from your hard disk drive and creates a new system partition as drive "C".

If I have dual hard drives this only removes the partition from the first hard drive and puts windows on it correct? The 2nd Hard drive will still be partitioned or not partitioned, however you have it?

 

Well, G73JH-A1 and G73JH-A2 owners would have received a different Recovery disc, since they have two hard drives. Plus, that was copied directly out of the G73JH owners manual and ASUS didn't use the plural form of 'drives'. Besides, why would it install the OS on two hard drives at the same time. Because of this, I am relatively certain it means one hard drive. In particular, the one on the right side.

 

Is there any use for fastboot if you just disable services through msconfig?

 

The purpose of Fast Boot is to delay the start of applications and services, and not to disable them. If you want to disable something, it should first be done through the application itself. If that is not possible then through the Services application. Finally, through MSConfig, which is easier, but I consider to be the last resort.

Although, lately I have been considering removing Fast Boot and not suggesting it in the guide. It seems that the more that gets included in the list, the less stable Fast Boot becomes. The last couple of times I opened the Fast Boot interface and then immediately proceeded to cancel out, it's locked up the entire system denser than a stone.

I suppose an alternative solution would be to let it do it's magic, but pretend it's not there and not open it.

 

Updated guide:

Decided that stability was more important than shaving one second off boot. As a result, I can no longer suggest installing FastBoot (see item for more information).

 

Stability is a good thing Better to minimalize your startup apps, and invest in a SSD or hybrid drive.

 

Awesome post Kalim. I read it all. I will do reinstall soon so now it should be easy. Thank you mate

 

I just joined up after reading this post...it helped me a lot so thanks btw...
Also i messed with the turbo boost button for like 2 hrs trying to figure out why it wouldn't display the "twin turbo" when you pressed it. Finally found out you have to install the Power4Gear for it to display.

I guess i had it installed though, since i found it under my device manager like Kalim mentioned. Heres my question then- is pressing the button supposed to oc the machine?, or if you have the turbo drivers installed does it oc automatically when it needs?

 

Just a postscript to my earlier note above.

I decided to uninstall the ATI 10.4 Catalyst drivers. I expected I'd have to then re-install the stock drivers provided by Asus (everyone seems to be saying they are version 9.12).

However, once the uninstall was complete and after re-booting it turned out that the stock drivers had once again become active. I suppose this is a side-effect of my having installed the 10.4 drivers overtop of the stock drivers (?).

The only thing amiss is that the Catalyst Control Center seems to be missing (assuming it was there to begin with - prior to my upgrading to the 10.4 drivers). In fact, no ATI applications now show up in the list of installed programs.

All that said, my crashing issues with World At War appear to be a thing of the past.

The only thing I'm left wondering - aside from the missing Control Center -is how I'd go about uninstalling the stock drivers should I ever decide to install a newer version.

 

Yep, I bet you wouldn't even notice it gone with a SSD. I hardly noticed the difference with a spinner. Besides, one less thing to go wrong.

You are quite welcome.

You are quite welcome, too.

For everyday use the Turbo mode is more of a gimmick. As the CPU load increases, the multiplier goes down. So, you may actually see a decrease in performance with Turbo enabled and a full load on all four cores. Like the Splendid button sitting next to it, I never use the Turbo button.

Thanks for reminding me to add the P4G and the OSD to the guide. Guide Updated.

I don't have the link, but ATI does have a standalone uninstaller available that should get rid of most of the leftovers. After rebooting, it should go back to the generic VGA driver. It's at that point you install 9.12 or 10.1 VGA package and after rebooting that should put everything back to normal.

 

You uninstall them in the Device Manager

 

The ATI uninstaller app removes more than just the driver.

 

I will do a clean install this weekend.. what CD do i need?? i have CD-R discs here.. can I use that? and how to burn the files... i just copy it inside the discs?

 

Are you referring to using AI Recovery? If so, you'll need a good brand of 6 DVDs.

 

Hi Kalim!
I just completed the Italian Guide, you can check it out here and... on this post too

Thank you for your awesome work!


sev7en

..:: Guida Installazione Windows 7 From-Scratch ::..

​

Dopo numerose richieste/minacce piu' o meno velate, ecco a voi tutti la Guida per l'installazione del sistema operativo da zero. Prima che aggiunga altri caratteri, credits e riconoscimenti vanno esclusivamente a voi, alla community del forum americano e all'utente Kalim, la cui Guida ufficiale in inglese rappresenta lo starter di quanto leggete e la corrispondente versione "internazionalizzata", in modo ufficiale, della nostra. Il mio è stato solo un lavoro di raccolta, per cui non ringraziate me, ma voi stessi per il tempo e la dedizione dedicata.

Per i sopravvissuti all'incipit di Marzulliana memoria, preciso che nella guida ho cercato di mettere in evidenza ogni possibile situazione da cui siate partiti, scremando il tutto a 2 casi:

• Notebook acquistato negli Stati Uniti, quindi con sistema operativo in lingua inglese
• Notebook acquistato sul nostro territorio, sistema operativo in lingua italiana.

Le versioni G73Jh-TZ014V o G73Jh-TZ013V (mercato italiano - analoghi delle versioni americane A1 ed A2) differiscono unicamente per la presenza dell'unità BR, per cui la guida è applicabile a prescindere da quella acquistata... lo stato attuale dei dischi dovrebbe riflettere quanto nell'immagine a seguire:

​

Con il notebook non viene fornito nessun disco di ripristino per cui, cercando di placare i bollenti spiriti, la prima operazione da eseguire, meglio se neanche scaricando gli aggiornamenti da Windows Update, è provvedere alla creazione delle immagini del disco, utilizzando il tool ASUS installato. L'operazione durerà circa 2 ore ed al termine vi ritroverete da 5 (versione americana) ai 6 (versione italiana) DVD in meno nella vostra pila, però in tal modo, vi assicuro, sarete garantiti qualora, per un motivo o l'altro, aveste necessità di spedire il portatile in assistenza. Apro una breve parentesi su questo argomento, dibattuto e poco chiaro: benchè i CAT non richiedano che l'OS sulla macchina sia quello di fabbrica, ai fini della garanzia, intendo quella scritta, il prodotto va rispedito "integro", "come al momento dell'acquisto", per cui onde evitare qualsiasi tipo di problema, prevenire è meglio che... pagare (il restore "as factory" di un OS può richiedere anche 60 euro).

Al termine del backup possiamo procedere al download della ISO di Windows 7 Home Premium, versione che dovrà essere in lingua inglese per chi avesse preso il notebook negli States ed italiana per i restanti.

• Per i possessori di modelli G73Jh-A1/A2 (versioni americane), è possibile scaricare la ISO a 64Bit di Windows 7 Home Premium dai links seguenti: MIRROR1, MIRROR2
• Per i possessori di modelli G73Jh-TZ014V/TZ013V (versioni italiane), è possibile scaricare la ISO a 64Bit di Windows 7 Home Premium dai links seguenti: MIRROR1, MIRROR2

Qualora tuttavia vi fossero problemi nel download delle ISO seguenti, è possibile, a partire da una versione Ultimate (universale) ottenere qualsiasi edizione di Windows 7 seguendo la miniguida qui presentata ( si ringrazia windowsette.com per la pubblicazione)...
Utilizzando un programma come uTorrent, per il download da protocollo BitTorrent, scaricate la versione di Windows 7 Ultimate che desiderate installare ( Versione Inglese a 64Bit, Versione Italiana a 64Bit) quindi tramite HashCheck, verificate l'integrità dell'ISO ottenuta, confrontando il valore con i seguenti:

• Windows 7 Retail Ultimate English (x64)
  Nome: 7600.16385.090713-1255_x64fre_client_en-us_Retail_Ultimate-GRMCULXFRER_EN_DVD.iso
  CRC: 0x1F1257CA
  SHA-1: 0x326327CC2FF9F05379F5058C41BE6BC5E004BAA7
  -
• Windows 7 Retail Ultimate Italiano (x64)
  Nome: 7600.16385.090713-1255_x64fre_client_it-it_Retail_Ultimate-GRMCULXFRER_IT_DVD.iso
  CRC: 0x03C48BD0
  SHA-1:0x8AF30CC44CEB9A369CDA4BA5F54F67DE8A684477

Con la ISO parcheggiata sul nostro hard disk, opportunamente verificata, possiamo scegliere due strade sulla masterizzazione: burnarla direttamente su un DVD vergine oppure ricreare l'immagine su una pendrive, con capacità di almeno 4Gb.
Prima di tale step bisogna fare una considerazione: masterizzando l'immagine direttamente in fase di installazione verrà installata la versione Ultimate di Windows 7 e non la Premium... c'è un metodo per consentirci, durante il setup, di scegliere quale edizione installare.
Utilizzando un software in grado di aprire l'ISO (WinRAR, WinISO, MagicISO, ...) entriamo nella directory denominata " sources" e cancellate il file ei.cfg quindi chiudiamo il file scegliendo di salvare le modifiche apportate.
Con l'ISO oramai pronta optando per la masterizzazione su DVD, vi consiglio di utilizzare ImgBurn ed una velocità di scrittura pari a 2.4x volendo invece scegliere l'installazione via USB bisogna utilizzare Windows 7 USB_DVD Download-Tool e seguire i 4 passi necessari alla preparazione della pendrive.

​

Pronti i supporti per l'installazione, passiamo al salvataggio della Licenza Utente...

Gli ASUS acquistati sono attivati con una licenza OEM, per quale è stato ideato un tool apposito in grado di occuparsi delle operazioni di backup e restore, in seguito a nuova installazione del sistema operativo (il medesimo originariamente fornito con il notebook).
Il software da utilizzare è denominato ABR ( Activation Backup & Restore) e possiamo scaricarlo, in versione Beta con supporto per Windows 7, direttamente da questo link.

​

L'utilizzo del software è semplice e riassumibile nei passaggi seguenti:

• Scaricate il tool dal link segnalato (qui) e lanciate l'eseguibile che provvederà a decomprimere il contenuto all'interno di una cartella da voi scelta
• Eseguite il file "activation_backup.exe"
• Salvate il nuovo file generato (txt) in un luogo sicuro

... e al download (per chi installasse a partire dall'edizione americana) del Language Pack Italiano e del tool Vistalizator, che ci permetterà di integrare il language pack.

Abbiamo tutto il necessario per l'installazione:

• Riavviamo il sistema, entriamo nel BIOS e modifichiamo l'ordine di lettura delle periferiche al boot in modo tale che venga scelta l'unità DVD/BR o la memoria di massa USB come primaria.
• Durante il setup scegliamo di effettuare la procedura di installazione personalizzata e naturalmente le opzioni di localizzazione per l'Italia, quindi installiamo l'OS nella partizione scelta o ripartizioniamo nuovamente i dischi con la consapevolezza che la partizione da 20Gb data come non riconosciuta è quella contenente l'immagine di recovery.
  
  
  ​
  
  
  Nel quote seguente lo schema di partizionamento che ho adottato a seguito della sostituzione di uno dei due HDD con una unità SSD (cliccate qui per la discussione completa)
  
  Evidenziate, nella seconda immagine, sul Disco 0 (Seagate 500Gb built-in):
  

  • In Giallo la partizione di recovery che Windows erroneamente identifica essere vuota;
  • In Magenta la partizione che ho ritagliato per installare programmi ed altro;
  • In Celestino la partizione di backup personale;

  
  Sul Disco 1, l'unità SSD, invece:
  

  • In Verde la partizione su cui è installato Windows 7
  • Negli spazi non partizionati le due partizioni dedicate all'installazione di OSX e Linux

  ​
  -
• Alla richiesta della versione da installare, selezionamo Windows 7 Home Premium quindi configuriamo alle impostazioni della Rete scegliamo "Home Network" (grazie a marcello1854 per la segnalazione) al fine di poter ripristinare con successo la key precedentemente salvata
• Al termine dell'installazione ci troveremo dinanzi la versione in lingua inglese dell'OS (se con l'edizione internazionale) o nella nostra lingua natale (se in origine con Windows 7 Home Premium/Ultimate in italiano): per il primo caso utilizzando il tool Vistalizator è possibile attraverso pochi passaggi importare il file di localizzazione italiana e, riavviando il sistema, ritrovarsi con un OS finalmente localizzato in lingua italiana.
• Il passo successivo prevede il ripristino della licenza utente: l'operazione si esegue tramite ABR, importando il file di licenza salvato ed eseguendo l'opzione di restore.

Il lavoro è quasi completo: mancano all'appello i drivers per le periferiche non riconosciute ed, opzionale, le utilities ASUS. Al primo reboot, Gestione Dispositivi conferma che gran parte dell'hardware è stato installato correttamente anche se...

​

... scheda video, driver per la gestione degli hot-keys ASUS e WebCam richiedono il nostro intervento. Utilizzando il DVD di ripristino drivers incluso nel notebook (scelta sconsigliata...) o scaricando i nuovi drivers direttamente dalla pagina sopra i vostri occhi (consigliata poichè piu' aggiornati), consigliamo di installare:

• INF(R) Update Driver Recommended Application (V9.1.1.1023)
• IMSM Driver (V8.9.2.1002)
• ATI VGA Driver (8.683.0.0)
• Intel(R) Management Engine Components Driver (V6.0.0.1179)
• ATK Package Recommended Application (V1.0.0001)
• Keyboard Filter Driver (v1.0.0.3)
• Touchpad Driver (V14.0.10.0)
• LAN Driver Driver (V1.0.0.14)
• Bluetooth Utility Recommended Application (6.2.5.500)
• Wireless LAN Driver Driver (V8.0.0.238)
• Audio Driver (V6.0.1.5978)
• Camera Driver (V061.005.200.270)
• Intel(R) Turbo Boost Technology Monitor Recommended Application (V1.0.115.11)
• Multi-Card Reader Recommended Application (V1.5.17.25482)
• Power4Gear Hybrid Recommended Application (V1.1.28)
• FastBoot Recommended Application (V1.0.5)
• Net4Switch Optional Application (V1.0.0020)

Completati anche questi steps (mi raccomando, riavviate ogni volta che il sistema lo richieda, evitando le installazioni "rush") lanciamo Windows Update per finalizzare il tutto...

​

... e congratularci con noi stessi per l'esito dell'operazione

 

You are quite welcome. One concern I have with including the Italian Guide here is the forum policy:

If you are going to post non-English on these forums, please also post an English Translation of your post.​

I'll leave it up to you to decide how you would like to handle this, but I thought you should be aware of it should your guide happen to disappear.

Since our last conversation, I've taken FastBoot off the suggested list because in it's current form it can lock up the computer when you close the UI. Plus it didn't provide much benefit to boot times.

As to Intel's Active Management Technology it's pretty useless unless you're a system admin. But, I suppose if you don't mind extra processes running that will never be used it will make Device Manager look prettier than simply disabling it.

I was somewhat conflicted with Net4Switch when I originally wrote the guide. I read up on it's purpose, and I just couldn't justify suggesting it. Having said that, if you travel to many Wi-Fi locations, perhaps it's value would become more obvious.

Thanks for providing your guide and the update on it's progress.

 

Updated guide:

Added a link to David's wonderful "Asus RMA and Warranty Guide".
Added links to various Blu-ray player software.
Cleaned up text.

 

Spectacular guide - thank you so much.

Banged my head into the wall with endless crashes till I followed this guide and ditched the Creative driver.

 

Or read my Creative debugging thread, and turned on CMSS-3D, and say goodbye to your crashes.