G74SX-A1 Keyboard Issues (Key Engagement)

Flashed the Bios 202. It does nothing to address the keyboard mis-registration. The G74Sx keyboardhere stillconstantly misses keystrokes.

Maybe a new keyboard might solve the problem? It's obviously a hardware issue.

 

How come it worked fine in the previous post?

I wonder if it's just a bad batch of keyboards.

Luke, where did you get your G74? Amazon?

 

This was an $1800 base price G74Sx-A1 bought at a local higher-end and reputable computer store. They are helpful, the manager said he'd consider an exchane as I'm still in the 30 day purchase window. I like everything about this laptop except the keyboard that constantly misses keystrokes and has lag issues on certain keys like delete. This laptop has been given the benefit of the doubt but the non-effect of the bios 202 upgrade infers a hardware issue, something physically off with the keyboard. Maybe it has a break-in period of a few tens of thousands of keystrokes like a deisel engine until it types smoothly?

The support responses from ASUS tech help on the keyboard issue have been woeful. The best one was "send the brand new computer in to us for about 14 days and we'll see what we can do" pretty much. There is no recognition that their product might have a keyboard issue. We all make mistakes and I've done what I can the past 3 weeks to see this keyboard work properly to no avail. I'd stick with thm if they could assure me they are looking for a real solution to the keyboard issue. I may have to exchange this for another brand as I type reports for a living. I can't be constantly editing what I type. Gaming or no gaming, a notebook should type properly.

 

No, it won't smooth out over time...

If you still want an Asus, my suggestion is to try using / buying G74SX-XT1, which I myself bought on Tigerdirect.

 

Luke, I purchased my G74SX-A1 from Amazon and I think you and I have the same issue. I've yet to attempt to update my BIOS I've been hunting for a flash drive to format into FAT.

It certainly does not feel like a software issue. Just the way the keyboard feels as being stiff all the while pushing down some keys (up and down arrow keys in my case) just plain doesn't register until I put some extra push into it.

I don't really mind the issue so much since I use a Logitech gaming keyboard, I don't remember what model, but it I can understand it being very irksome for any touch typer. This keyboard, I will admit, is probably every hunter and pecker's dream though.

 

I'm gonna have to go ahead and eat my words here. I just flashed to 202 and oddly enough it worked amazingly. Just for an example, with 201, I was lucky to get around 77-80 WPM with anywhere from 8-10 errors.

With 202, I'm more or less back to my usual typing speed of 98-100 WPM with an error of 2-3 words. Usually I make no errors, but the chiclet layout is a different feel which I attribute to getting used to, not to mention the keys feel a little wider spread apart than a traditional keyboard.

I sincerely regret that you still have issues even after flashing to 202 and yours might indeed very well be a legitimate hardware issue. Kinda like the old SNES controllers back in the day, after use that little black magnet looking thing would stop responding well when it touches the circuit board? Who knows.

 

Anyone flashing to 202 and still having issues, please uninstall both the KB Filter and the ATK package, reboot, and then check if it is ok. If so, then install the KB Filter, reboot, check again, and if still OK, install ATK package.

The BIOS changes some hw settings, and the OS/drivers may need to be reset to recognize the new settings. The drivers can force the OS to use the old settings, and therefore, keeping the issue present.

 

Chastity, the issue really feels to me like unreliable scissor-switch contacts or travel. Are you claiming that the new BIOS changes a hardware setting so the contact tolerance (resistance or something?) is lower in the squishy dome thing in the middle of the scissor switches?

 

Hey Chasity,

A friend of mine wonder how to uninstall KB filter? He can just uninstall ATK Package.
And I don't know how to answer
Please, could you tell how to do ?
Thanks alot.
@+

 

For what it's worth, I've got my G74SX-A1 set up now, clean install, just the ATK drivers, and zero issues I've noticed with the keyboard.

In fact the keyboard is by far one of the best I've ever used on a notebook.

 

My observations after using A1 for 4 days:

I flashed BIOS to 202, did clean OS install, no KB filter, just ATK drivers. I'm still having problems with A1 keyboard. I just noticed that keys "R", "Y" and "P" require extra efforts to register. If key "P" is pressed somewhere other than the center of the button, it fails to register. Keys "R" and "Y" fail only when you press the upper part of the button. It happens even when I boot in Linux. That's where I noticed that first, because commands were not executed due to missed symbols. I guess it's time to return it, since it has nothing to do with software. It's just bad hardware.

 

Probably just needs a kb replacement. Your choice if yu want to RMA it. I'd go through a local ASP so they can order the part, and swap it when it comes in, and you can use your machine while you wait.

 

Well when I did the bios update it worked for mine... Every once in awhile it will miss a key but I haven't missed one yet typing this message. Before the update I would have had to edit 20 mistakes with just this amount of text.

 

Why on Earth is it so bad for some people? I've honestly not noticed a single issue with mine, before or after the BIOS update...I stuck the ATK drivers on mine, which were the only keyboard related drivers, right?

Well, whatever it is, I'm sure glad mine's been okay so far! *knock on wood*

 

The keyboard issues did seem to be intermittent, but it also depends on the user. More often than not, the fastest typists seemed to experience the most problems. The keyboard would have a hard time registering the keystrokes that fast, which would cause it to drop letters. The firmware usually fixed this but, as I am sure you have read, it hasn't always been the solution. Hopefully you continue to experience no problems!

 

I too have the problem. The majority of the keys works ok, but the spacebar is really annoying. It doesn't look like I have a bad keyboard, it really feels like the design has mechanical flaws.

I have BIOS 203 and ATK Package 1.0.0.00014 installed.

 

You could RMA the unit for the keyboard if you feel it's faulty.

 

Chastity,
I have a 4-week old G74sx, bought at a major electronics & photography equipment retailer, with so many keyboard and pad issues that I don't know where to start. I've flashed to 203, updated pad and KB Filter drivers. So I'm now at th point of returning the unit and trying another brand. My first and maybe last Asus. Examples: While typing, cursor jumps offscreen, pad won't double-tap (even when interface says enabled), missing strokes (had to type the "k" in stroke 3 times, pad that is sluggish in movement but way too sensitive when getting even near the pad. So should I try something else or just give up?

 

Those are my problems as well, although I am on the default BIOS. A question about upgrading the BIOS, when I do it will my unit be wiped clean? I just got my G74SX-DH72 model less than a week ago and the highlighted issues above are the ONLY problems I have with the computer. Well, those and it looks like I cant do four-stroke functions (ie: ctrl+alt+shift+touchpad left click).

 

The Sentelic drivers have a delay feature that turns off the TP when the keyboard is in use. The default setting is too long IMO, and I've reduced it down to 1.0-1.5 seconds.

You can also adjust the Sensitivity levels.

Case: 1609967

 

Just posting my experiences here. I was having major keyboard issues with the lack of key registration and whatnot. After flashing to the 203 BIOS, it was like getting a new fully functional keyboard replacement. Now I can type virtually flawlessly and am happy as a clam.

Sorry for the others, but definitely happy that mine is working great now!

 

To those of you who have experienced missed keystrokes and noticed that you have to press a key again or harder than usual to get it to register I have observed the same thing on my G74SX-DH73-3D.

This is not a BIOS or software issue. I have done some experimenting and found that this problem is indeed a mechanical one. The issue here is the mechanical design of this keyboard lends itself to this type of problem. If you place your finger lightly on a key and move it from side to side you will notice that the key surface will rock back and forth and will not stay level with the surface plane of the keyboard. This can cause a situation where if you hit a key off center near the edge it may stop before the key registers.

In my case I noticed this on the '5' key on the numpad. If I place my finger on the edge of this key and press down until I feel the key click, but no harder, it will never register because the side of the key has hit the bottom of the stroke but the center of the key has not. If I then rock my finger to the center it will register.

This IMHO is a very bad mechanical design that leads to missed keystrokes. In this design the keys do not have that much travel in the first place so any rocking of the keys will cause missed keystrokes when the edge of the key hits first. I think ASUS should fix this problem and replace these marginal keyboards.

 

I never noticed missed keys or anything-in fact this is one of if not the best notebook keyboards I've used...

BUT, I had my keyboard quit working right after I cleaned it with like lysol wipe thing. I've done that with countless keyboards without issue, so...I don't know.

I'm not using my G74 as a 24/7 Folding @ Home machine, at which it's doing a REMARKABLY good job! I'm a week in, and it's maybe as much as trippled or more my points per day, and it barely feels warm, even sitting on a cardboard box LOL

The cooling's amazing if nothing else. I mean I was impressed when I could game on it and it seemed like no big deal, but now I'm running the CPUs and GPU at 100% for over a week, and it STILL seems like no big deal to it...

 

I have the Best Buy model and have the exact same issues with the keyboard. It takes incredible accuracy to hit each key dead center at full pressure while looking at the screen. I spoke with customer support today and they asked me to either take it back to Best Buy for warranty or send in to them repair/replace. Unsure of what the issue is but they sure had no desire to discuss how many other people were having the same issue after I told them I "Googled" it and saw pages of results. I have always been a Asus fan hope this gets remedied. I hate pulling out a cheap Dell USB keyboard to type. FYI: I missed about thirty to forty keystrokes while typing this using the built in keyboard!

 

Well FYI it's not a universal problem, as my keyboard was the best I"ve used on a notebook, until I apparently damaged it with a cleaning cloth...I'm not really sure THAT should have damaged it, but I differently don't have that issue.

 

Yeah but it may depends on how fast you type right ? I mean , every people said around me says " hey i'm typing fast on my keyboard blabla " , but i actually type faster than i speak , and i can right down an entire conversation from two people talkin without any problems.

I'm not saying people here are slow or something, but i say people may have a different definition of what's fast typing.

That's why i carry my heavy blackwidow when i need to type , and i ALWAYS have my nostromo around to avoid that keyboard for gaming xD

 

I'm at least 65 words per minute...I know there's way faster, but I don't know how fast it is people are having problems with.

 

Just took an online typing test and typed 47 WPM..so I am not by any means blazing fast. If i remember correctly that is around the average typing speed for a professional environment. I agree with 300MPH post saying it is the rocking of the key itself. For example, the "s" key is the worst on the keyboard and must be pressed down fully and in the center of the key or it doesn't register. I can even hold it down and it not register if it isn't dead center. This can be duplicated over and over again, on multiple keys. I am going to take it to back to Best Buy and view the floor model to see if it is better. If so hopefully it can be repaired as I have the protection plan from Best Buy as well as the factory warranty. I'll post my findings if anyone is interested in the direct comparison.

 

Yeah, that's not like mine is. I didn't have any keys that were any different from any others, and in fact really liked the keyboard.

 

Oh ok 65 WPM is actually good, so you just may be lucky to have a great keyboard xD

 

It is weird though that I'm having to buy a new notebook because of my G74's keyboard....but apparently NOT because of this issue LOL

 

I willbe returning my ASUS G74SX-NH71 for the 2ndtimetoNewegg. As you can see, the keyboard is stilljacked up. The space bar failsto work at times along with certain letters. Has anyone found a definitive fix for this?I am hoping my 2nd replacement doesnt have these issues with the keyboard. Thanks.

 

I have this problem on my NH71 as well, of all keys it could be on the W key. Updating the ATK package and the bios to 203 as well as positioning my finger higher center on the W key pretty much fixed the problem though. The keys do have to be pressed harder than I normally press though but it's not a huge deal. It's definitely something I could live with, and all said and done, this is a fantastic notebook and a definite improvement in fit, finish, and cooling on the G73JH.

 

I was able to fix the backspace sticking on the ASUS G74s by removing the backspace key (just pop it off) and replacing the plastic piece on the side that sticks. You can order replacements, or in my case I exchanged the pieces for those under the caps lock key, since they are the same size and I use that key less frequently if it gets stuck it's not horrible.