G73 GSOD Fixes and Resources

Alright Chastity, answer me honestly. Should I vbios update with ziddy's voltage/overdrive enabled?

I just furmarked for 10+ minutes on these settings:
1280x1024
extreme burn settings
post fx
AMD GPU Clock Tool manually set clocks at 705/1100, voltage (can't alter) at 1.15
ATI 3d settings maxed, vsync off

... Temp readouts were 60C min, 101C max and stable

 

I have the latest, the thing is that Crysis doesnt use this so how is this crash crysis warhead?

 

I think you should have your thermal paste redone honestly. I'm preparing to do it soon myself. (I just need pads) Tho to test for stability, you should let it run for a longer period of time. Or play a game and see if it crashes/GSODs.

 

SPTD is still a driver, and maybe you are running an old one. You may be having a conflict with Crysis' DRM.

 

Ya did a quick search sptd.sys Windows process - What is it? And it for sure is the cause of my bsods by the sounds of it. Updated to most current from the site, if this does not fix issue I will delete Daemon tools.

Please other users check your safe mode registry the next time your system crashes, its not hard and takes 2 seconds to do.

 

http://www.duplexsecure.com/download/SPTDinst-v169-x64.exe Daemon Tools doesn't always have the latest version. This site supplies the driver, so get it from there.

 

I did I downloaded separately and just got another BSOD after installing the new and running the game, I guess no Daemon for me, I must have not installed it properly , how do I do a complete uninstall to make sure that this spdt.sys is fully out of my sys32. Ill need to find another ISO program that doesnt use SPDT I guess.

 

SPTD is installed separately by DTools. You need to uninstall DT and SPTD

 

Depending of what kind of image you want to mount, I recommend the free alternative that do not use SPTD. Virtual Clone drive.

Get it here

 

I uninstalled both , I havent checked yet tonight if this fixed my problems Ill check tomorrow.

 

Daemon Tools Lite is free too.

 

Well I am getting crashes while playing Just Cause 2. Its probably GSOD as it has green lines. Ran the Furmark stability test for 15 mins at default settings and the max temp went to 95°C and the fans went full speed as it reached 94°C.

I still have to play AC2 and check if it is giving me the same problem. I am able to play less graphic intensive games without a hitch like PES 2010 but JC2 is crashing now.

I have g73 BB version with clean install of 10.7 drivers and modified bios for Overdrive(but i don't use it)

 

I installed 10.7 ontop of stock drivers, had some GSOD issues so I went back to 10.1. In my CCC, it shows the 2009.xxxxx as the version at the bottom, but the Catalyst Version is still showing 10.7. In system information [in the CCC] it shows the bios version as 2010.01 though.

Everything was uninstalled/driver sweeped when I did the stock Asus CCC + 10.1 - is my system back at 10.1 right now? The 10.7 thing is throwing me off .

 

Oh well. Was testing again with Furmark but this time with Extreme Burning Mode and Post FX and i got a different screen color crash 7 mins in the test.

I don't know what the problem is. Before crashing the temp was around 94, this time using Post FX and Extreme Burning Mode it crashed. Is it a driver issue?

 

I know. Just pointing that virtual clone drive doesn't use sptd.sys because the original poster say he has problem with this particular driver.

 

It's a bug. Just ignore.

 

Great, thanks! Was worried for a bit..

 

after uninstalling all the basics and drivers im currently on 10.6 cata and default bios and still getting BSOD's
I haven't had a GSOD in a long time but BSOD's are abundant and i don't even know what else to remove at this point...

 

Actually something else I also noticed. After installing 10.7 then downgrading to 10.1, Furmark no longer works [crashes on startup]. Anyone else experience anything similar? Reinstalling it doesn't help.

 

GSOD Update: Seems that the issue with driver stability is that Asus' drivers are monkeying with the timings to achieve better stability with the KNOWN issue of their somewhat lacking job of thermal protection on their installed GPUs. So in a nut shell, our attempts to fix it with vBIOS mods and software updates won't ultimately fix it. The stock settings in the ATI released driver packs are causing instabilities, most likely with the memory, which is why the MemIO temps are much higher than core and shader temps. OC may help the issue because it disables powerplay and does a small bump in voltages. However, this is not a guarantee of a fix. While the gpu is being monitored, the memory chip temps aren't.

You need to redo the paste and pads. Either yourself, or have a tech do it. I'm having the techs at MicroCenter do mine. They're an Authorized Asus Service center, and will do the work as a warranty job. Also, if it continues, they'll order my GPU part and call me when it's in to do the swap. That's better than shipping it out and waiting 4 weeks.

BTW, does anyone find it curious that people often find a slight bump in performance when switching to ATI's driver packs? Hmmm....

 

Are you paying MicroCenter to do this for you, or is it included in the warranty service? I'd really like to have mine done too, and there is a MicroCenter only 30 minutes from my house.

 

It's a warranty service. They're doing all the paperwork with Asus.

 

What's the turn-around time for the replacement thermal paste? Is there any issue number or other information I could provide them to expedite service? I don't need them to run diagnostics, as I've already done it myself. I just don't want to void my warranty to replace the paste on my own (though I know I could do it).

 

Depends if they have the thermal pads in stock. I had to order a set, because they didn't have any, and trying to get them from Asus is paramount to root canal. Once I have them they said at worst 1 day turnaround.

 

There's actually a Micro Center about half an hour from my house. I talked to them and they confirmed that they do warranty work on ASUS laptops (they also said they do not touch netbooks... Interesting). So my question is, if I want them to redo my paste and pads (and replace the GPU if problems persist), what do I need to tell them when I take it in?

 

Tell them what your telling us?

 

My concern is that my system is perfectly stable on 10.1 drivers. I don't want them to tell me it's a software issue because it works with old drivers. They specifically told me that software issues are not warranty work.

 

Interesting, there's a microcenter an hour away I suppose I should ask them if they handle ASUS work as well, by the way, if the microcenter has the thermal pads and paste in stock, the cost is covered by the asus warranty correct? Or is only the actual work installation covered?

 

Should I flash the vBIOS back to the stock version before bringing it in? I mean, if they're just going to swap the thermal pads out, they don't need to mess with the system in any other way, right?

 

I'm debating taking mine to the Microcenter in Rockville, MD. Has ASUS fixed the manufacturing issue yet? do _all_ G73JH made until now suffer from this problem?

 

I uninstalled power4gear and didnt even reboot and for now I am not getting GSODs, screen still flickers from time to time like before, it was a sign that GSOD is approaching but now playing for 1.5 hours and no GSOD (used to get like 1 per hour)
edit: my happiness lived shortly as I got a GSOD/vertical bad while playing alien swarm

 

I did a clean install this time properly. Kept uninstalling until it said Standard VGA adapter and used driver sweeper. Uninstalled all ATI components as well.

Fresh install of 10.7 worked great yesterday. Played for 2 hours without crashing and temps under 92.

 

Hmm I figured as much, my black screen is so random I figure either heating or power issue. Good to know ill get this sorted out asap today, I could do it myself but ill leave it on warranty. A piece inside of me really wanted it to be software related but relieved to know that its an easy hardware fix. Generally when shadows and pixel errors occur are when the GPU overheats (had this with my ps3) , in terms of my ps3, the GPU now has heat damage and will always artifact, im almost gonna opt for a new card entirely dropped into my system.

My power supply brick is worrying me too, it sounds like its shorting, but only when i click or do something on the computer does the power supply make fizzling noises, it also gets really really warm which I believe to not be the norm. I was thinking maybe this was part of my problem aswell. But im gonna phone the people in the city I bought it from and see what they say.

EDIT: So just phoned asus support, and guy will be at my door monday or tuesday. Both reps on the phone said its a common problem with the thermal paste/pads , asked if I updated to most current driver said of course 10.7 said is that ours or atis, said ATI. Guys like did you try mine said no yours underclocks the card to get around the problem, thats not a fix if I cant use most current drivers. i mentioned the ac adapter aswell said alright we will look at it. So asus knows about it

 

I called the Microcenter in Rockville, MD. They are not an authorized ASUS Warranty Repair facility in-store. They would have to mail my G73JH to someplace else. I'm now looking for an authorized warranty repair facility in the general DC area...

EDIT: The nearest ASUS ASP is 4.5 hours away. That sucks. Maybe I should just do it myself >_>

 

I guess it depends on the store. The one by me services the Metro NYC area, which has a sizable population.

 

Yeah. I think ASUS themselves have that location listed on their ASP page.

EDIT: I'm just worried I'm going to be slowly murdering my own machine by using it in this state. How hard is it to upgrade the pads yourself? Has anyone done it? I haven't found a specific walkthru online yet.

 

I may just do it myself, as I'm feeling spunky. Besides, I really want to see what kind of job they did on this one.

 

Voiding warranty is never fun, id recommend against it. If the card has heat damage artifacts in the game will start showing up more often even with your new paste/pad job and youll end up with a dead card before you know it. Might aswell let asus tinker with it, you might end up with a new card, thats what im hoping for, them to just stick a new card in the lappy.

I speak from experience on this, my ps3 was an exception it was already out of warranty, but once I started having problems with the GPU there was no going back, when i load in any game now into the ps3 I get artifact spikes and black squares now no matter what, super annoying and wrecks the game experience. I also re-melted the solder and re applied heat sync material and I still get artifacts up the wazoo.

 

opening the laptop yourself to install thermal paste won't void the entire warranty. They have to prove that what you did was a direct result in the product failing. If it is an unrelated part then the product warranty should still apply.

 

Good point, but still let them do it and fiddle with their own problem.

 

People, these steps work! I just gamed on StarCraft2 for hours w/ 4xAA on, every setting maxed all the way out in game and in driver. No GSOD. Oh, and this is on the new 10.7hotfix driver that fixes AA for SC2. This driver used to GSOD me w/ these settings on in a few minutes after loading any game, previous to these steps.

 

Where did you get that hotfix?
Thanks

 

Thanks! I could not play Starcraft 2 at 1900x1080 without getting GSOD. I followed the directions except the optional items and step 6. Installed Catalyst 10.7 and it works! She is also running cooler.

 

Link



10char

 

Bought my A2 about 6 weeks ago and just started having freeze issues about 2-3 weeks ago.

MY SOLUTION (Many thanks to this thread)
Complete uninstall of ATI drivers (no safe mode) reboot
Installed 10.7
AMD GPU Tool - set to 705 clock
Power4gear updated to version provided here
NO Twin turbo - Just cause 2 actually took a 3-4 framerate hit

I updated my HD to a Kingston 128SSD, which was oddly difficult until bios was set. I also did a fresh install of W7 Ultimate (DAZ method). just to have a clean system. Everything works, lights, audio etc.

My issues were a mix of striped screen or 2-4 second crash freezes.

I was one step away from trying to send it in, but so far so good.

 

I was looking at the 10.7a page, and the first thing that hit me was that the package is released as a universal for both desktop cards and for mobility. So I asked myself "I wonder if Asus designed their OEM cards spec'd as desktop cards, and used their timings in a lame attempt to get some sort of performance edge, or weird marketing scheme." And as history has shown, they'd do something like that. Ask the 2 techs in my sig.

So I did my install, and reset all my stuff to stock speeds. (700/1000) Fired up Dragon Age and played for about a half hour, which is AMAZING on my system. Also fired up FurMark, because you know HellCry will be itching to know. Well, The Furmark has been running for 40 minutes, with temps of:

TSS0: 79.0C
TSS1: 81.5C
TSS2: 79.5C

The point being, is that the Furmark is running AT STOCK SPEEDS! This was not possible before. This made me think that being a universal package, the timings haven't been skewed with, and are using some sort of ATI default, or the installer has separate timings for Mobility, which is possible. But the point being is : Houston, We have Tranquility!

So I would heartilly suggest people try this package. If it works for you, let us know! Then we can point Asus support to this page and maybe get the monolith to move.

 

Hi Chastity, could you link to the drivers?

I'd happily try them on my stock system

I'll run Furmark and FFXIV benchmark.

 

Driver links in original post of this thread.

 

Awesome, thanks for the heads up Chastity. I'll try it myself and report back later- I imagine the more people who post their results, the better?

Quick question though (probably a dumb one too...) is it possible to change my normal/idle clock speeds on the v3 bios, or do I need to revert back to the stock bios? I know I can change the overclock settings in the Overdrive section of the catalyst control panel, but don't see a section for idle settings.

Edit;; Nevermind. I'm assuming the idle speeds aren't different enough from the stock settings to make much of a difference either way. Right? And should I set my Overdrive settings to the same clock speeds, or keep them as they are (800/1100)?

 

Thank, i'll post back in about 6 hours when I'm at home.

Damn work....