G74SX-A1 Keyboard Issues (Key Engagement)

New ASUS G74SX-A1, 12 GB, Win 7 64-bit, Delivered with Drivers Only (no BW).

This is actually an excellent laptop. Everything on this laptop has been great in my opinion EXCEPT for the keyboard, which is a major disappointment.

Not sure if it's just a bad board or a problem with this laptop series in general, so I wanted to get some feedback. In normal typing, you rarely hit a key straight down or use full pressure these days. However, I learned to type on a manual typewriter back in the day. This keyboard makes the manual typewriter look like a gem - it's that bad.

Many keys don't register properly. I can replicate the issue perfectly. As an example, the M key feels like it engages, but doesn't register with the OS unless you hit (read that as press, not actually hit) it straight down and hard. The PGDN key can be fully pressed straight down and not register (and you clearly feel the key engage and the "bump"), then you can press just a little harder and finally get it to register. Down Arrow has same problem. Oddly, many keys can be fully "physically" engaged and you ease off just a hair (never enough to feel it disengage) and the key stops registering.

It's almost as if the mechanical and electrical structures in the keyboard don't match up such that when the key engages it isn't actually making electrical contact. Happens with at least 30% of the keys that I know for sure, but I see no pattern in the design and the keys I've found.

Just started a ticket with ASUS. Of course we're walking through what I've already done (ATK drivers, Factory Image restore, etc.). They are trying and the support people are responsive and nice, but we aren't getting anywhere yet. So, while I am working with them, I wanted to see if anyone here had any thoughts.

I love this laptop, so it would be a shame to have to return it and get something different. I hope I don't have to go that route.

Thanks for the feedback.

UPDATE: Sorry, forgot to mention that I tried out a G74SX-BBK7 (or something like that, slightly different model in the series) at Best Buy and had no issues at all. The keyboard looked and felt identical, but typed beautifully.

 

If you have any browsers open while you are typing, try disabling hardware acceleration.

 

I'm seeing this as well. It's rather annoying.

 

I've been using my G74SX-A1 for almost a week now and I have EXACTLY the same issue with the keyboard. I have to "slam" the keys when typing to avoid random keystrokes from being missed by the system, and even then several characters are missed in any given long sentence. I've tried playing with all the keyboard control panel settings and nothing seems to help.

I also have an additional problem of the backspace key regularly getting stuck in the down position (after which I have to physically pry it up or bang on it hard).

I'm in the unique position of also having a G73SW (Best Buy model) which I previously used daily for months. The keyboard on the G73 has none of these issues and feels quite different (in a very good way) from the G74 keyboard. ASUS took a major step backward in keyboard quality with the G74.

These issues seem to me to be mechanical in nature and I fully expect that the only resolution will be a keyboard swap-out (or a machine swap out, which will really suck since I also can't afford to loose my machine for even a day).

 

This is interesting. I spent fifteen minutes at Best Buy just typing to see how the keyboard worked (I'm a total keyboard snob). I didn't have it miss a key once while typing (I was typing in notepad, seeing how the keyboard felt and if it ever missed any typing). I actually thought the key action and keyboard performance was remarkably similar to my MacBook Pro (i.e., high praise).

Obviously that was the Best Buy model and not the SX-A1. But would they really use a different keyboard for the Best Buy model?

 

I returned the first g74sx-a1 I received because it had a few keys that would only register ever other key press. The new laptop I received has no issues.

 

Looks like Asus is getting a reputation for having more than one manufacturer for the same part... one with a defective batch, one good. Looks like shoddy sub-contractors @ Asus messing up half the G74SX-A1s, plus little to no quality control at Asus's factories...

 

Mitlov, the model at Best Buy is the G74SX-BBK7 - I actually tried it a Best Buy myself and the keyboard is only slightly different, but seemed to perform flawlessly on the BBK7. Might be a different batch or slightly different model of keyboard between the BBK7 and the A1.

DrinkJetFuel, thanks for that heads up. Gives me hope that I can get this resolved because I love everything else about this laptop.

ASUS support asked me to RMA it so they can take a look at the keyboard. I'm doing that now. I'll let you know how it turns out, but I'm hoping I have the same result as DrinkJetFuel.

Thanks everyone for the comments.

 

The keyboard on my G74SX-A1 also has the same issue you're talking about it. It looks really nice and solid but it's just ridiculous how hard you have to push these buttons to get them to register correctly. Sometimes I push the button dead on and it doesn't do a thing.

On desktop keyboards and on my old laptop I typed at roughly 100 WPM with a 98% accuracy.

On this laptop, I type less than 90 WPM with a 92% accuracy.

This isn't a problem with me nor me being used to other keyboards. This is a problem of ASUS making bad keyboards for everyday typing.

 

Damn. A bad keyboard is a deal-breaker for me, and it seems like those are pretty common outside of the Best Buy model (for some reason).

 

I updated on my Driver page a link for ATK 1.0.00010 (and 0009 too) which they buried on their support site in their labyrinth.

I have a G74 here with wonky keyboard, and the 1.0.00010 pack seems to have fixed it. At least my typing is more accurate.

http://www.asusrog.com/forums/showthread.php?1150-G73-Series-Driver-and-Application-Reference

PS - OP or Mod, can you add SOLVED to the title?

 

Yep, just updated and it seems to be working great so far. Thanks!

 

On the subject of keyboards, any word on transplanting the G74 top panel to a G73? Gonna go with not likely, but still interested for the better keyboard layout.

 

I don't think it'll work, as the G74 is thicker and port placements changed.

 

Figured as much. A year later and I still sometimes have trouble finding my arrow keys.

 

Great news, Chastity! Thanks for getting to the bottom of this one +1 rep for you.

 

I installed the ATK 1.0.00010 yet even after installing it keys like the v and pgdn do not fully register unless pressed more than required for others, and it still feels a bit off. Avast warned me of some program trying to stop it yet I don't know if this might of been the ATK update trying to stop AVAST to register. Is the ATK pack really supposed to help with the pressure you must apply for a key to properly register?

 

You may have other issues, mon ami. If you have apps trying to close Avast, then you may have some unwanted applications running in the background, like say a trojan. You may want to whip out some apps like Malwarebytes and do some intensive scanning. You could have a keylogger which may be screwing things up with the kb.

When the Windows Installer system is active, Avast should coexist with that normally, if it's a proper Win 7 compliant Antivirus.

 

I just installed the ATK 1.0.00010 upgrade and it certainly improves the keyboard's response (I've not has a missed keystroke yet). I'll be doing LOTS of typing tomorrow so I'll have a better idea then as to if the issue is totally solved.

I had seen the upgraded ATK driver on ASUS' G73SW support site a few days ago but I was not sure if could load it on the G74 (ASUS has not posted this upgraded ATK driver on the G74SX support site ...).

Are there other upgraded drives for the G73 that should also be installed on the G74? If so, could someone provide a list of them?

I still have one remaining major issue with my keyboard, that being the fact that my backspace key regularly gets stuck in the depressed position and the only way to get it unstuck is to pry it up or flick it really hard. As I purchased the machine from XoticPC I'll be contacting them in the coming week to discuss either getting a replacement keyboard or a replacement machine. Does anyone know how difficult it is to swap out the keyboard?

 

Reading reviews on the Best Buy site, it appears that at least some users are complaining of the same problem here (too much force needed to prevent missed keystrokes). So I guess some, but not all, of the BB models have the same problem (the one I looked at at Best Buy did not).

Best Buy - Asus Laptop / Intel® Core? i7 Processor / 17.3" Display / 8GB Memory customer reviews - product reviews - read top consumer ratings

 

I hope it works out for you. I also had two stuck pixels with the unit I sent back. Fortunately Amazon had some in stock, I was able to swap them painlessly.

 

Anyone else having issues? For those who swapped it out, did you get your new machine yet, and does it have the same problem? Do we know for sure whether a driver update could solve it?

I'm stoked to get a G74SX-BBN7--it's a lot of machine for $1199--but these keyboard concerns have made me just a little wary. I type a lot.

 

The G74SX I have here was really wonky with the keyboard. And I mean it got bad. Slow response times, missed keys, the whole 9 yards. It's been perfect since the ATK update.

 

I have the same problem with the A key, every other key responds to light keystrokes but the A key needs to be pressed in all the way down in order to respond. It gets somewhat annoying when using the "wasd" controls in games.

 

I just installed the new ATK package on the G74SX-BBN7 and that seems to have fixed the skipped keystrokes. I type pretty fast and light so this is definitely a godsend.

 

Wish it would have fixed mine for the G74SX - BBK7

Heh... ever try writing PHP code with letters that skip and miss all the time? lol

 

I just want to add that the new ATK version 10 breaks the keyboard on the G73-JW........it made it hit the ctrl button at random times, and "hold it down" really annoying in games, as ctrl makes you crouch/look around.

I fixed this by reverting to the 08 drivers

 

FYI: I'm testing a beta BIOS atm, but I'm not authorized for a public release yet. I'll check for an update on that status later today.

 

Beta Bios for the G73sw or G74sx???

 

This is a G74SX thread

 

go go Chastity feed us with the new BIOS update ). we are starving already .

 

God please tell me it fixes this keyboard before I lose my mind lol.

 

Called ASUS... but was a waste of time. Wasn't the guy on the phones' fault... just was a waste of time. "Wait for a bios update"

 

I found the ATK driver update and every time i click on it to install it says another version of this product is already installed.. My keyboard will write but i have to press down the buttons hard or else it will miss keys. I bought this laptop a few days ago and I cannot find the ATK software on add or remove programs to uninstall it. Any suggestions?

 

You need to uninstall the old ATK first.

also, expect new BIOS sometime next week.

 

Thank you Chastity, uninstalle and installed the new update it worksalot better but as youcan see the keyboard is stillmessed up. Myspace buttondoesnt seeemto work unless Mash it down and that is quite annoying. Can they really fix this with another software update? Also what is the BIOS and the new what are you hoping it does?

 

This is pathetic. Asus is just hauling reasons at me for why I won't be a returning customer in 2012.

 

Does anyone know if the G74SX-XR1 has the same issue?

 

I bought a G74Sx-BBK7 version at Best Buy last week. I have been having the missing key stroke problem as well. Right now it missed every 10-15th stroke on average. Really a deal breaker, which is sad since I LOVE this computer otherwise.

I tried the update to the new ATK file, but this didn't resolve my problem.

I called ASUS support, which I was told to do a system restore to first iteration on this brand new 3 day old computer. He assured me that would definitely fix the problem. Didn't seem logical to me, but did it anyway. Nope. Didn't fix the problem, still missing significant number of random key strokes.

Taking it back to Best Buy tomorrow, right now I'm not sure whether or not I should just swap it out for another one and hope it goes well or start looking for another gaming laptop.

 

Return and it and get an MSI. MSI offers 3 year US warranty with 1 year accidental. Their GTX 560M will be guaranteed to not be gimped with proper MXM that may be able to upgrade later. They use Steel keyboard with full multi-color backlit support. And it comes with all the ports the G74 SHOULD HAVE. And it also has easy access back panel so you can do maintenance work on your laptop without going insane trying to take apart like the G74.

In other words, the MSI is what the Asus should be. Asus sucks for 2011.

 

New upcoming BIOS will address the Keyboard lag issues + remap of numpad keys. Should be this week. Just a little more patience.

 

Very same problem encountered here. Newly purchased G74Sx-1A and the keyboard is constantly missing keystrokes. This non-registration of keystrokes in an $1800 dollar notebook really is unacceptable and people considering buying this computer who need to type for their work or school projects should perhaps rethink their purchasing of a G74Sx notebook. It is a dealbreaker, that's how bad typing on this notebook is.

Symptoms-keystrokes not rgistring rsulting in constant typographic errors

worst key offenders: -spacebar, delete, "E" keys, constantly dropped.

but many more keys, perhaps all, sometimes fail to register resulting in multiple constant typographic errors that subsequently require editing and a wasting of your time.

I tried turning off the touchpad in the BIOS, doesn't work, keystrokes still missed.

They dropped the ball on G74Sx keyboard. I'm thinking of returning and asking for a full refund if a solution isn't forthcoming in the next week on their website as a BIOS upgrade or other real fix.

 

I agree it's pretty sad that it was sent out that way. It's mind blowing that none of the designers or Asus product testers raised a flag about it before this thing was released.. embarrassing really. You'd think a typing test would be one of those things on the checkoff list

 

not every unit has the issue, that's why. Upcoming BIOS fixes it.

 

Be nice if they released it like now... since I am almost ready to throw it through a wall.

 

I've already posted the 202 BIOS.

 

Ahh yeah after I wrote that I saw the bios in the downloads area on the Asus site... didn't see it before. It finally seems to be working right thank god.

I do some coding and was about ready to toss it in my driveway lol...

Thanks Chastity

 

Well, I have updated all the programs and downloaded and installed the 2.02 bios, and I'm happy to report that the spacebar still has major lag and works about 95% vs. the previous 10% of the of the time. My intent was the type this whole post and show how many times it just didnt register the keypress... but it only failed one time up at the top "allthe" which is far better than the 95% of the time it DIDN'T work before the 2.02 BIOS. But still, $1500 for a computer should net you a keyboard of all things that works 100% as it should.

That's ridiculous that fails at all EVER.

 

WellIspoketosoon,this is about,what I'm getting with the keyboardmost of the time.worstkeyboard ever.

 

Wow, some posters are about to toss out their notebooks with faulty keyboards and 10 minutes later they notebook has been fully fixed by the latest Bios upgrade? That's what's called speed downloading and flashing!

My suspicion is that this is a hardware issue, i.e. a physically faulty keyboard. Should ASUS do a global recall and repair to show its customers it's for real? Any other Bios 202 experiences? I've read elsewhere it's not worked after properly flashed...