G73SW Screen flickering / shimmering

I've read all the threads on the G73SW screen flickering issue when performing low-demand tasks (surfing internet for example). I just bought a G73SW and I am seeing very annoying flickering when anything grey or semi-dark is displayed on the screen (for example, the borders of some internet forums, or the grey background in the Adobe Lightroom application). It reminds me of old crt monitors set to 60hz refresh rate - the flicker seems to be even worse when you aren't looking directly at it (so it is very distracting when trying to read text on the above mentioned forums, and the left and right borders appear to be shimmering/flickering).

I have tried everything previously documented to fix the issue, and I have not been able to fix it. Tried reinstalling windows a few times, tried just about every nvidia and Asus video drivers, including old beta drivers, new drivers - nothing works. It seems to improve a bit using the older drivers (pre-266.xx), but it is still easily visible and annoying.

Does anyone have any ideas to try before I return the computer for refund? This is the only issue I am having with this otherwise awesome computer, but it is a deal-breaker as it is giving me headaches, literally.

 

I'm going to guess you have the CMO panel, I too have had this problem, but only if it is set on 3rd brightness and lower. If it is full brightness I see absolutely no flicker on grays/dark colors. It is an odd thing, and I'm guessing the problem is the panel itself.

Downside is, the only other non-3d/1080p panel Asus uses is the hannstar, and that has HORRID backlight bleed, so I can live with being forced to keep the brightness at 100%. See if that works for you, I know you may still return it even if that works. But other than switching the panel out, I can't see this problem being software only problem.

 

Thanks for the reply. The panel in my notebook is indeed the CMO (CMO1726). You are right - on my unit the issue is improved when I turn up the brightness, but I can still see it enough that it bothers me (I am probably looking for it at this point), and on max brightness I find the display way too bright. I am more comfortable with it at the 2nd or 3rd from bottom setting, but the flickering is worse.

 

Ah, for me, I'm always in decent lit places, so max brightness is pretty much what I am always on if I'm plugged in. So I'm good on that front, sounds like your flicker is worse than mine though. On 3rd highest, I have to really look for it, but still there, once I hit 2nd highest, its gone, completely. I was even able to get it/prove it from my crappy phone which I will edit in here in a sec.

(Flicker)



(No Flicker/max bright)


EDIT: Notice the lines in the flicker pic, where as it looks smooth in the second. I figure this is a good way to show my eyes just aren't noticing the flicker. However, if you still notice it on max bright, then no doubt, I'd either return it, or look into buying the lg matte 1080 lcd.

 

Hi,im having exactly the same issue as dkillone. Its really visible on black surfaces, and asusrog web site really annoys me. If i go brighter like top2,3 it is gone.Is this just random(God i wish not) or all g73sw are defective?

Thanks

 

Hey there. I wonder if any of you are still having issues.

I just got this laptop and it has this issue. I sent it to ASUS twice now, both times it got sent back unfixed. The first time they reloaded my OS twice and ran a furmark tets for 50 hours. The second time they replaced my LCD panel.

The flickering does NOT happen when I have the laptop connected to an external monitor.

I'm starting to think it's a screen connector issue.

 

Chastity has reported a fix for this issue on G74SX systems, but has not elaborated further on it. It's undoubtably a hardware fix, since an RMA is required. See Asus G74 screen flicker (dark backgrounds and low brightness) - Page 12

 

Wow, thank you for the redirect! Too bad I can't message her right now because ASUS has everything with my serial number on it (I sent the laptop in for a third time), so I can't even send messages.