G73SW and G53SW: Latest drivers and everything you need for a fresh install.

Here are the latest (as of November 21, 2011) drivers, useful utilities and useful optional software for the G73SW or G53SW running Windows 7 64-bit, as well as tips on installing them. This is everything you need for your new laptop to function correctly and have all its functionality. Following this list will help prevent problems. I am trying to make this list as future proof as possible, so most links will be specially crafted search queries to the manufacturers' sites. Hopefully they won't break.
This list is based on Chastity's G73 Series Driver and Application Reference (alternative, if that one doesn't work: http://pcaudio.ath.cx/), but updated and tailored specifically for the G73SW.
This list was made because the drivers on the G73SW and G53SW support pages are often not the latest ones, and the ones on the Driver CD are definitely outdated. Plus, there are a lot of confusing, useless utilities included.

Preamble:

Once you get your G73SW/G53SW, I recommend formatting your drives, deleting the useless Asus recovery partition, repartitioning as needed and installing a clean copy of Windows. You can later make a backup of Windows to replace the functionality of the Asus recovery partition.
Guide for optimal partitioning for dual-HDD setups coming soon.
If your laptop came with a licensed version of Windows (there is a license sticker with the serial code underneath the notebook) or you have a license from somewhere else, you can legally download a Windows 7 ISO.
For convenience, it may be a good idea to download all the necessary drivers beforehand.
I also recommend turning Windows Update off until everything is installed, so that it wouldn't start installing Microsoft drivers on its own, and re-enable it afterward.


So here is a list of what is needed (and what's optional) for a G73SW with a clean installation of Windows 7 64bit:

1. Hotfixes

First things first, on the G73SW driver CD there were six recommended Microsoft Hotfixes for Win7 x64. They are uploaded here:
Hotfixes
Install them one by one. After installing them all, reboot. (No need to reboot after each hotfix.)


2. BIOS

The latest bios can be found here: G73SW G53SW
under "BIOS". The latest version is always at the top.
It is very probable that you have already got the latest BIOS installed. You can check your current BIOS version by entering the BIOS screen (turn on laptop and tap Delete until you get there). If you already have the latest BIOS, you do not need to update it.
The easiest way to flash is to place the ROM file on a formatted USB flashdrive (FAT/FAT32) and use the EZ-Flash BIOS utility, accessed by hitting F2 during laptop POST / Startup. This is the safest way.
Alternatively, you could download and use the Windows BIOS Flash Utility (under BIOS-Utilities), but that is more risky.
Keep in mind that if the BIOS flashing process is interrupted, your laptop will become an expensive paperweight. So before flashing make sure:
1) the battery is fully charged
2) the AC adapter is plugged in
3) nothing will disturb/interrupt the process (this is why flashing using the EZ-Flash BIOS utility is safer).

2.1. For those who have a Seagate Momentus XT Hybrid HDD:
Install the latest firmware.


3. Drivers

3.1. Intel INF Update
The latest Intel INF Update utility can be found using this specially crafted search query link:
Mobile Intel 6 Series Chipset - Windows 7, 64bit* - Utilities, Tools and Examples
Please download the regular utility (infinst_autol.exe), not the Zip Format version.
It is recommended to run this utility with the -overall switch. To do this, press WindowsKey+R, browse to the location of infinst_autol.exe, and add -overall (preceeded by a space). Example: "C:\Downloads\infinst_autol.exe" -overall
Reboot after installing.

3.2. Intel Rapid Storage Technology Driver
The latest Intel INF Update utility can be found using this specially crafted search query link:
Mobile Intel 6 Series Chipset - Windows 7, 64bit* - Drivers
Reboot after installing.
An Intel RST icon will appear in your taskbar. You can disable it by running this .reg file: IAstoreIconDisable.reg. This will prevent the utility from launching at startup, but the driver will still work.

3.3. NVidia Graphics Driver (includes 3D Vision driver, if needed)
The latest NVidia graphics driver can be found here:
NVIDIA Driver Downloads
If asked, reboot after installing.

3.4. Touchpad
The latest driver can be found here:
ASUSTeK Computer Inc. -Support- Drivers and Download Touchpad
Choose the latest driver that has Touchpad_ Synaptics in the filename (NOT Touchpad_ Sentelic).
(The Synaptic driver versions start with V15 or later).
As of Nov 21, 2011 the latest was V15.3.17.0.

3.5. Keyboard
First, install the Keyboard Filter Driver.
Latest found here. There may be several files with the same versions. Download the one which has the latest date.

Then install the ATKACPI driver.
Latest found here.

3.6. LAN
The latest Realtek LAN driver can be found here:
Realtek
Download and run the latest "Win7 and WinServer 2008 R2 Auto Installation Program".

3.7. WiFi
For Atheros AR9285 or AR5B95 (default WiFI card in G73SW):
The latest driver can be found here (under Wireless): ASUSTeK Computer Inc. -Support- Drivers and Download WLAN
Choose the Atheros Wireless Lan Driver and Application with the latest date.
Latest driver as of Nov 21, 2011: Atheros WiFi AR5B95/AR9285 v9.2.1.459
Check Chastity's thread for updates, sometimes an even newer version is available there.
Warning: After you install this, Windows Update will automatically offer an older version of Atheros drivers to download. You must uncheck this update and hide it, so that Windows Update doesn't downgrade the driver.

For Intel WiFi cards:
Latest driver can be found in this link: Intel Download Center
Select your WiFi card in the "Select a product name" list.

For Azurewave NB037 (G53SW):
The latest driver can be found in the G53SW driver page under "Wireless".

3.8. Bluetooth
G73SW: The latest driver can be found in your laptop's driver page: G73SW

G53SW: Download the latest "Azurewave BlueTooth Driver" from this link: http://support.asus.com/download.aspx?SLanguage=en&p=3&m=Bluetooth&hashedid=n/a

3.9. Card reader
The latest driver can be found in your laptop's driver page: G73SW G53SW
under "Card Reader".

3.10. USB 3.0
The latest Fresco USB 3.0 driver can be found here:
ASUSTeK Computer Inc. -Support- Drivers and Download USB3.0
Download the latest Fresco USB3.0 Driver.

3.11. Audio
You have two options here.

Option 1: You can use the latest Realtek drivers.
Latest drivers can be found here:
Realtek
Choose "Vista, Windows7 Driver(64bits) Driver only (Executable file)". If the download links don't work, try refreshing the page. New download sites should show up.
If that fails, check Chastity's site or thread.
Reboot after installation.
Type 'Manage audio devices' in the Start menu, open it. Double-click Speakers. Go to the Advanced tab. Select the highest sample rate available (24bit, 192000 Hz).
That's it.

You may want to check out this: http://forum.notebookreview.com/har...ing-high-pitched-tone-squeal.html#post7617517

NOTE: It has been reported that certain versions of Realtek drivers cause the system to wake right after putting it to sleep, thus preventing sleep or hibernation. After you install the Realtek driver from either option and reboot, check to see if sleep and hibernation is working.

Option 2 [CURRENTLY BROKEN, CHECK BACK TOMORROW]: You can use the latest Realtek drivers along with Sound Blaster X-Fi software, which gives you these additional features: EAX Advanced HD 4.0 support, Creative ALchemy (enables EAX effects in games), X-Fi Crystalizer (crisper sound), X-Fi CMSS-3D (3D effects), volume normalization, equalizer, bass boost.
Installation:
1. Make sure you have the latest Realtek drivers installed. (see Option 1)
2. Reboot if you have just installed them.
3. Download and install the latest modded X-Fi software.
Latest as of Nov 21, 2011: X-Fi MB2 modded (2.1)
Check for updates here: Realtek/Soundmax Modds + SB X-fi MB 1.2 (don't download v1.2, that's old)
Don't reboot yet.
4. Download the activator. Extract. Ignore the virus warning, it's false. There should be two files, RUN.BAT and DDL_DTS_Activator.exe. Make sure your anti-virus isn't blocking or deleted the DDL_DTS_Activator.exe file. Right-click on the RUN.BAT file and select Run as Administrator. A black window should briefly pop up and go away.
5. Reboot.
6. Open the Creative Audio Control Panel. At the top of the window, Select device: Sound Blaster X-Fi MB 2. Click Close.
7. Open the Creative Console Launcher. Click the blue note icon to the left of "ENTERTAINMENT MODE". Click 'Select audio device...'. Select Sound Blaster X-Fi MB 2.
8. Use the Creative Console Launcher to configure the settings to your liking.
I use Bass Boost when using the laptop speakers, and sometimes activate the X-Fi Crystalizer when listening to music. All other settings are off.
9. Right-click on the Realtek driver icon in the taskbar and select Audio devices (or type 'Manage audio devices' in the Start menu).
You should see this:

Spoiler

Make sure the Speakers - Sound Blaster X-Fi MB 2 is selected as the default device (Right-click -> Set as Default Device and Set as Default Communication Device).
10. [Optional.] You can disable the Realtek Digital Output if you don't use it to save some power.
11. Double click on Speakers - Sound Blaster X-Fi MB 2. Go to the Advanced tab. Select the sample rate. If you listen to mostly 44.1 kHz audio (like Youtube videos), select 24bit, 41100 Hz, otherwise, choose 24bit, 48000 Hz.
12. Do the same for Speakers – Realtek High Definition audio. In addition, in the Levels tab, make sure the Realtek HD Audio Output is set to max.
13. You can update the software using Creative Auto Update. When you check for updates, it will may show two new applications, Creative WaveStudio and Creative MediaSource Player/Organizer, both pre-selected. You can deselect them if you don't need them.

3.12. Webcam
The webcam has no drivers. It should work anyway with Windows 7. You can use the Asus LifeFrame software with it if you like (detailed below).


4. Utilities

The full list of Asus software can be found here: http://forum.notebookreview.com/asus/380681-asus-utility-bloatware-guide.html
Here are the Asus utilities and software that I found to be useful:

4.1. Wireless Console 3 Recommended. You need this for Fn+F2 to function.
Allows you to switch WiFi and Bluetooth on and off.
Get the latest version here: ASUSTeK Computer Inc. -Support- Drivers and Download Wireless_Console

4.2. Power4Gear Hybrid Recommended. You need this for the Turbo button to function.
Advanced power options and profiles management.
Get the latest version here: ASUSTeK Computer Inc. -Support- Drivers and Download P4GHybrid

4.3. Asus LifeFrame (Optional)
Allows you to record video and take pictures with the webcam.
Get the latest version here: ASUSTeK Computer Inc. -Support- Drivers and Download LifeFrame3

4.4. Asus Web Storage (Optional)
A free service for select Asus notebook and netbook owners that offers 3GB (even though it says 2GB on the site) of web storage (more can be bought if needed). The functionality is similar to Dropbox. Has auto synchronisation and auto backup functionality. Also offers easy sharing of files over the web. The server can be slow sometimes though.
Get the latest version at Online backup, file sync, for pad, PC, Android and iPhone - ASUS WebStorage.


5. Desktop Gadgets (Optional)
Some useful desktop gadgets for your G73SW/G53SW:



5.1. Intel TurboBoost Monitor
Displays your CPU's TurboBoost state. The bar is empty when TurboBoost is inactive, and gets fills up when your CPU reaches its full turbo power.

Pictured here is the v1.0.400.4 version, which comes on the G73SW Driver CD. The one on Intel's site is v2.0, and IMO it is worse (it's huge and always always half-filled with the stock frequency; you can check it out here).
Download v1.0.400.4 (taken from the Driver CD)

5.2. CoreTemp gadget
Shows CPU load on the CPU cores, as well as CPU temperature and RAM usage. Better than other similar gadgets, because others show the load of all 8 virtual threads, and that's rather useless IMO.
Needs to have CoreTemp running in the background.
Pictured is my configuration. The Zoom setting is at 85%.
Home page

5.3. Power4Gear Hybrid gadget
Comes with the Power4Gear Hybrid utility (detailed above). Easy switching between power profiles.

5.4. GPU Observer
Monitors the GPU. Pictured is my configuration. The temperature reading, GPU load, Memory load and Clocks work properly with the G73SW/G53SW (as pictured).
Home page

Feel free to copy and modify this guide for other models.
@Mods - feel free to update this guide as needed.
Thanks to Chastity for her G73 Series Driver and Application Reference. ( mirror)

Enjoy

sarge_

 

Great job, thanks for doing this. Adding the gadgets is a nice touch.

 

really appreciate this

 

- 3.11. Audio <- will it work with 53SW?

 

Yes, it definitely should.

Fixed some corrupted links.

 

Cool, great work mate : )

 

@sarge: Now you can enjoy everyone asking you about driver releases

 

What about the Intel MEI Drivers?

Can someone give me the link to the latest one? Cheers

 

y'know, if you bothered to Google "Intel MEI Driver" the very first hit listed would be:

http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?lang=eng&dwnldid=18532

Folks, can we please try the simple stuff first before posting link requests?

 

Yeah try a search before asking . Sometimes we just get lazy though.

 

Why work when the high priestess provides for free!




END SARCASM, sorry Chastity I couldn't resist.

 

I absolutely did, im not a lazy person.

But those i googled (including the one u posted right there) are for Desktop Boards.

Cant find any for laptops... Talking specifically for the Asus g53sw

 

http://dlsvr.asus.com/pub/ASUS/nb/Drivers/MEI/MEI_Intel_XP32_Vista_Win7_6001179.zip

try these?

 

Thank u~*!

 

You would have found these on my Driver and Application Reference, whose link you can find in the big sticky.

 

Thanks! Very helpful indeed! What is the purpose of the Intel MEI Driver?

 

It's more for a corporate environment to enable remote support and such.

I just use the supplied MS driver, as a placeholder.

 

Can't seem to get the modified audio drivers working properly. I followed them step-by-step verbatim and I get an error saying the device isn't supported.

I looked on the forum that you had linked, and I saw other people had the same problem with some laptops. Has anyone actually gotten this to work with a G53SW?

 

Got my new G73SW-A1 on Wednesday from Amazon. Mine has a March 2011 build date. First couple of days I just used it normally and deleted some of the crapware and combined the second HD in one large 500gb drive.

Still bugged me I was loosing so much space on the C: drive with hidden partitions and games that could not be removed without causing problems. So Saturday afternoon with an OEM version of Win 7 64 bit SP1 sitting here I did the AI restore backup to some DVD-r's and went for a clean install.

I was a little apprehensive starting out with a new laptop that really was working fine out of the box. So I popped the new disc in and went for it. Once I got to the menu I picked custom and setup the drives into two 500gb drives. After setting up Windows and getting booted into it I installed all the Intel drivers and then started down the list from post 1.

Everything went pretty smooth till I got to the Wifi installation. Everything was working fine till I installed the new Atheros drivers and rebooted. Windows with no warning installed the new (older) drivers it found. I just got a new message that the new drivers were installed. When I went to device manager sure enough the old drivers were installed. No problem I thought. I just removed the drivers and would reinstall the new ones but on reboot Windows could not find the network card at all. I tried reinstalling the new drivers again but Windows still could not find the card. Tried this 3 or 4 times and finally went back to device manager and made it manually find the driver and that did the trick. Installed the new drivers again and was able to cancel the Windows update next time it tried to install their new (old) drivers again.

So after that little hiccup everything else went smooth. Used Windows backup to make a backup of the new installation and everything has been working well so far. Just installing everything I want on there and enjoying a clean system with just two normal hard drives and the stuff I want on them.

Thanks for all the information Sarge and Chastity have put out there. The guide on page one really made things easy and helped me catch what was going on when I had a question. Great work guys.

Later,

Jim

 

+1 on your reinstall

 

how do you check the build date of the notebook?

Also how can you check if the wifi drivers are the latest? Mine says ar9285 802.11b/g/n. Many thanks

 

The first digit of your serial number denotes the year of production. The second digit, month.

 

Can anybody tell me if Option 2 under Audio in the first post will work for my G53JW? Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thank you fellows.

 

Since I don't have a G53JW or G53SW, I can't tell. You could always try and see and post the results. If it doesn't work, you could just uninstall it.

 

On the bottom of my G73SW right under the S/N is a number 2011-03. I assumed this was a build date.

Latest version of the drivers is V9.2.0.310 listed on page 1. That is the one I used. The number you are listing doesn't look like a driver number.
You'll have to go into the control panel and then go to device manager and go down to your wifi card and click on properities and then the driver tab and it should show your driver version there.

So far mine has been running great since the fresh install. No issues at all. Glad I did it.

Jim

 

Thanks. But how do you manually search for the driver and what did you do after wards?

I just uninstalled mine and tried installing the new ones but windows can't find it. Help

 

2 days ago I get G73SW-NX2
When I start removing games one after another I lose backlit on keyborad,3 buttons on left top stop working and I lose FN keys.

I want install ssd and clean W7 from dvd but laptop won't boot up from dvd drive

Im sick of this laptop

 

fantomasz ^^^^ The light and buttons can be fixed with ATK package.
Does the DVD work when you are in windows?
Does the option to boot from DVD appear when you start up and hit ESC a few times ?

 

I install ATK but not work.I have to recover to get everything to work again.
dvd drive work because I burn now recovery dvd's (looks like is working)
got option for dvd drive,I chose dvd and hit enter but stilll have message NTLDR is missing.I burn own W7 disc which I use before on other acer laptop

 

Do you mean when you run the installer program with the new drivers Windows is not finding the wifi card?

Did you do thenre driver install and there is no card showing up?

If so go back into the device manager and go to the driver tab and update driver then browse my computer for a new driver. Point it to the directory with the new driver in it and go from there. Sounds like what happened to mine and that is how I got windows to find the card again.

Let us know if you got it fixed.

Jim

 

Don't know if you saw the theard sticky on the bloatware guide but this entry might be the cause of your problems.

Trial Flash Games - In recent Asus notebooks, trial flash games are preloaded on your system. All these games appear to be aimed at children 10 years or younger. Each game offers 60 minutes of play. Uninstall all games is recommended if you do not intend to use them. Some users have reported problems with the windows registry after uninstalling Oberon games. Uninstall is no longer recommended. -ALLurGroceries

I think if you can get your Win 7 disc booted and do a clean install you might be home free. Have you already downloaded all the updated drivers? I downloaded everything and put them on a flash drive the went down the list on page 1 of this thread and installed everything.

Jim

 

yes,I prepare all driver on flash but still can't boot my W7 disc from dvd drive

I just finish burning recovery dvds and I burn only 5 dvd's
got message that it is finish


When I put my W7disc into dvd drive and manually click on setup so W7 install begin
but
I want install that W7 on empty ssd


update:
I boot from dvd drive but I use recovery dvd number 1 and looks like it start but I want clean W7,not from recovery dvd;s
don't have time to do it tonight.must go sleep.

 

Yup that's what happened. But I wasn't given a choice to choose where to install the new drivers so I've no idea which part of the directory they are stored.

I tried selecting the whole of c drive and pressing next but after scanning for a few seconds, this msg will come up,
Windows found driver software for your device bi encountered an error while attempting to install it. The system cannot find the file specified

 

Ok folks I got 3 questions

1-) I have a Windows 7 cd that I use for another computer. However that product is in Turkish. Can i make a clean install with that Windows 7 CD and use the Windows 7 Key i have under my laptop?

2-) DO i really need a clean install to get the maximum performance out of my laptop in gaming? I've been using this laptop for over a month now and I am satisfied. Should i go ahead and do a clean install?

3-) If i want to download a specific driver, lets say the wireless driver, do i have to uninstall the previous one first and install the newer one after a reboot? Because I just installed the latest driver of my wireless card without uninstalling the previous one. Am i oK? or should i go ahead and uninstall than install again? Thank you.

 

When you run the .exe installer it should ask you where to unzip the files. If it does install it in a temp directory and then point windows to that directory and it should find the driver it needs (hopefully ) You can go back and delete the files later.

Jim

 

1) Dunno, try and see.
2) It's recommended, since it removes all the crapware.
3) If it works ok, you're fine.

 

You can always download a Win 7 iso and use it with your key from the laptop.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/win...-7-download-links-just-like-vista-before.html

Jim

 

i just install window from usb
I just use drivers and utility cd that came with laptop

 

First install the ATK and intel chipset drivers. Then reboot and do the graphics drivers. Then do the rest.

 

4. Download and install the latest modded X-Fi software.
Latest as of June 2, 2011: X-Fi 1.9 modded

doesnt work anymore.

 

Will update in a bit.

 

Is this Synaptics driver 15.2.20 from the website Drivers | Synaptics the one I should be using for my G73JH, more updated than the one posted on this thread?

Also for the Atheros 8131 Lan, I'm using AR813x_AR815x_v1.0.2.51_WHQL.rar from Atheros Communications
Most updated LAN driver for my computer correct?

 

With everything running fine since my clean install I missed one thing. No Blu-ray playback. I don't see any reference to it on the driver disc. Did I miss something or what is everyone using.

Thanks,

Jim

 

If you go to the asus support site under downloads, select Apps as the model and scroll down to windvd. Here's the direct link, ready your patience because it's a large file and asus is sloowwww

ASUSTeK Computer Inc. -Support- Drivers and Download WINDVD

 

You don't need a driver for blu-ray playback, you just need an application like PowerDVD.

 

Updated audio section. Still recommending using X-Fi 1.9 instead of the new 2.1, because I ran into a problem with it.
X-Fi 2.1 only allows sample rates of 41100 or 48000 Hz. This wouldn't be much of an issue, if not for one thing. There is a bug in Win7 waveOut sample rate conversion. Whenever a waveOut application (like Flash) plays audio with a different sample rate than the one set in the Audio device settings, noticeable audio artifacting occurs. Microsoft is aware of this problem, and hopefully will release a patch.
Applications that use DirectSound work fine.
X-Fi 2.1 brings EAX 5.0, and works with unmodded drivers from Realtek. So if anyone still wants it, here are the instructions:

Spoiler

1. Make sure you have the latest Realtek drivers installed.
2. Reboot if you have just installed them.
3. Download and install the latest modded X-Fi software.
Latest as of June 21, 2011: X-Fi MB2 modded (2.1)
Check for updates here: Realtek/Soundmax Modds + SB X-fi MB 1.2 (don't download v1.2, that's old)
Don't reboot yet.
4. Download the activator. Extract. Ignore the virus warning, it's false. There should be two files, RUN.BAT and DDL_DTS_Activator.exe. Make sure your anti-virus isn't blocking or deleted the DDL_DTS_Activator.exe file. Right-click on the RUN.BAT file and select Run as Administrator. A black window should briefly pop up and go away.
5. Reboot.
6. Open the Creative Audio Control Panel. At the top of the window, Select device: Sound Blaster X-Fi MB 2. Click Close.
7. Open the Creative Console Launcher. Click the blue note icon to the left of "ENTERTAINMENT MODE". Click 'Select audio device...'. Select Sound Blaster X-Fi MB 2.
8. Use the Creative Console Launcher to configure the settings to your liking.
I use Bass Boost when using the laptop speakers, and sometimes activate the X-Fi Crystalizer when listening to music. All other settings are off.
9. Right-click on the Realtek driver icon in the taskbar and select Audio devices (or type 'Manage audio devices' in the Start menu).
You should see this:

Make sure the Speakers - Sound Blaster X-Fi MB 2 is selected as the default device (Right-click -> Set as Default Device and Set as Default Communication Device).
10. [Optional.] You can disable the Realtek Digital Output if you don't use it to save some power.
11. Double click on Speakers - Sound Blaster X-Fi MB 2. Go to the Advanced tab. Select the sample rate. If you listen to mostly 44.1 kHz audio (like Youtube videos), select 24bit, 41100 Hz, otherwise, choose 24bit, 48000 Hz.
12. Do the same for Speakers – Realtek High Definition audio. In addition, in the Levels tab, make sure the Realtek HD Audio Output is set to max.

This will replace the current instructions once the sampling rate issue is sorted out by Microsoft (hopefully..).

 

On my Driver and App Reference page, you'll find a link for the OEM PowerDVD 9 setup that Asus provides.

 

Here's the standard WINDVD. Click here and get some patience ready (slow download)
ASUSTeK Computer Inc. -Support- Drivers and Download WINDVD

 

One question on the clean installation. If I needed to reinstall everything from the original backup discs made when the unit was new what would I exactly need to do? One thing that may mess that up is I removed the hidden partition and just setup two large hd's when I setup windows with the new install. Can things be restored back to the original state then? Will it allow you to set things up again with the backup discs? (partitions and such)

Thanks,

Jim

 

PowerDVD 9 do not support Blu-Ray playback