G75VW and 5GHz Wireless

Hi,

My G75VW is unable to find the 5GHz wireless band of my Cisco router, only the 2.4GHz show up. I've set different SSIDs to them, and tried different channels for the 5GHz.

The reason I want to use the 5GHz is that I get much faster speeds (around 9-10 MB/s with WPA2, whereas I get 4-5 MB/s with 2.4GHz WPA2).

My router is working fine, because I can connect to both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands through my mobile phone and my older Alienware laptop.

ASUS has two different sets of drivers for my laptop (disregarding the WiMAX drivers), and I've tried both.

Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

Edit: spec sheet says the network card is an integrated 802.11 b/g/n. More specifically it is an Atheros AR9485WB-EG. I have a feeling it does not support 5GHz, which is ridiculous considering this is Asus' top laptop. If so, is the network card relatively easy to replace?

 

Yes, the card is relatively easy to replace and the stock one doesn't support 5GHz. While some of us use it, most people don't even know it exists so from that perspective, there isn't a reason to include a 5GHz adapter, it's the same fo Dell, it's there, but as an extra.

 

On the Asus G75, the wifi adapter is not easy to access as it was in the G74 and G73.

 

Well, that sucks, it's a breeze to do on the G73 and G74.

 

Is there a service manual for the G75?

 

Well this is good to know so ill have to upgrade the wifi to use my 5ghz if i get a G75 thanks

 

Yeah, I also need to do this. But a manual would be nice. I hate it to search for hidden screws

 

Unfortunately the Qualcomm Atheros AR9485 only supports the 2.4Ghz radio

I would recommend purchasing a Wireless USB Adapter from the following:

Linksys AE3000
ASUS USB-N53

 

Agreed. It is unfortunate that Asus has made this decision, considering some improvements in other areas, this was sort of a let down.

As far as service manuals for this laptop, I can check with them but Asus really does not like having end users opening up their machines any further than what the easy access panels allow to my knowledge.

 

Would be great if you could. I've googled around and checked Asus' website, but can't find any.

 

You won't find it either, pretty much all manuals we got in the past were courtesy of resellers.

 

Anyone knows how to open the keyboard so that I can swap the Atheros AR9485 Wireless Network Adapter for an intel one?

 

I just finished upgrading my G75vw's stock Athero wifi/bluetooth chip to an Intel 6230 wifi/bluetooth combo. Works perfectly. However, I had intended to upgrade it to the 6300 with 3 antennas, but failed. I will explain my failure later. For now, I shall detail how to get 6230 installed:

You will need: intel 6230 wifi card from Amazon or elsewhere; small philips with long necks (magnetic tip recommended); stack of useless credit/membership cards, or those plastic tipped tools used to pry open iphones and such; a decent sized towel; 2-3 hours; and lots of patience.

I was assisted by this tear down help guide: ASUS G75VW Disassembly Manual - Computer Upgrade King
Since the above guide has pretty good pictures and descriptions, I will just supplement whatever it is missing:

1. Very important: go into control panel - remove program and uninstall both the bluetooth and Asus wireless driver (called Asus Driver something). I did not and it caused me lots of issues.

2. Shut down the laptop; remove the battery and all cables; and lay the laptop face down on a towel atop a flat table.

3. Go to the link above and unscrew all the highlighted screws in step 1 & 2. Make sure to place the different sized screws separately on the towel and label them if needed. Kudos to Asus for label the screw sizes on the corresponding holes.

4. Remove the optical drive and then take out the 3x "B" smaller screws beneath.


5. Remove the 3x "B" screws off the battery compartment. Make sure the 2x "A" screws were removed in prior steps. If not, do so.


6. Proceed to step 5 - 8 of the tear down link above. Take note that in step 7, 2x screws are for monitor hinge and the other is for the keyboard on each side. Remove the 2x hinge screws first so that you can lay the monitor flat. Then proceed to remove the 1x screw on each side holding the keyboard. Personally, I did not remove the hinge screws, I just removed the keyboard screws. It also enabled me to open the case, but not recommended unless you want to risk it. I will explain why later.


7. Now the fun part of pry open the casing. Unlike other laptops I have worked with, the top of the laptop is one piece. So starting from the corners, use thinner credit cards first and then thicker ones later to enlarge the gap and force the plastic clips to give so that you can use both your hands to pry them open. Use slow and steady force when prying with your hands. Probe for easy section and enlarge as you go on. Eventually, the whole top will loosen and you will be able to tilt the front top to about 40 to 45 degrees as seen in step 9 of the link above.

 

8. Flip the locking clips open and then remove each wire tape. Make sure to remove them all before lift the top off. I think there are 5 tapes total.


9. Here, it is self explanatory. Just swap the wifi card with the intel one.


10. The reason you should remove the monitor hinge is that on the left upper corner, there is springy metal contact thingy. If you are not careful when removing or installing, you may break it. I broke it while putting the cover back on and I had to solder it back on. I am so embarrassed with my shoddy work that I refuse to take picture of it after I fixed it.

 

it is possible to remove fans without removing screen?

 

I assume you meant the mesh screen covering the fan housing. It is a part of the fan housing and is glued down. I think the fan and the housing are one piece. So the answer is no.

 

no,i mean whole fan
nevermind,I already did and its better to remove screen
dissasembly is easy

 

Anyone repasted the g75? Temps?

 

I remove that plastic mesh sticker from both fans and my temp go down by 2C

 

So what wifi cards are compatible with the G75 ? Also how come you didn't get the 3x3 6300 version ? I'm looking to purchase an upgrade as the current wifi card only does 2.4ghz with max 150mbps. Will any intel card work ?

 

Did you read my posts prior?

 

i did

you kept saying 'you would explain later' for reasons why you couldnt do certain things but i never saw the explanation =(

maybe i'm just missing it lol

 

I see. I thought I posted my failed attempt at getting intel 6300 to work, with pictures too. But I can not seem to find it. I removed the monitor panel and installed the 3rd antenna between the LCD panel and the metal shielding. However, for some strange reason, the 6300 card would not be recognized by the system. I tried to resolve it on the software side, but was not successful. I suspect it may be the placement of the antenna. Perhaps it should go between the metal shielding and the outer casing instead. I have not had the time to try it again. If you do so, avoid my mistake and let us know how it worked out for you.

 

Hi guys,

I installed the 6230 card. But only got the bluetooth to work. For some reason reason it did not install the wireless driver. I got the driver from Intel website. What am I missing?

Nevermind. Fixed.

 

thanks for this. i just got my g75 today and this was the first thing i was going to do as the swap in my g73 was cake. ummmmm, i will be waiting on this. i am not tearing my brand new g75 down just to have bluetooth. wifi dongle hear i come.

 

I was just about to install my Intel 6300 when I came across this thread. I read the other thread from GimpsUnlimited and his failed attempt. I'm just wondering if anyone was actually able to get a 6300 with antenna installed? If not, I don't want to waste my time.

All I know is that the stock WIFI is crap compared to my Dell with the 6250.

 

Hmm, I've seen people saying that its typically harder to access to the wifi adapter for this model as compared to older models.

 

what the spingy metal contact thingy do? where i can buy it?

 

hi,
I found a great video on youtube. This manual for disassembly of G75VW is absolutely awesome.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9KHrJKInmA

And here's a German description for the installation of the mini pci card. with Pictures.
Hardwareoverclock.com | Test: ASUS G75VW-T1124V Notebook mit SSD - Atheros W-Lan Chip tauschen

These two instructions were sufficient to change the wifi mini pci carte.

all runs smoothly on Windows 8 :

vg Lars

 

so just curious what is the purpose of the metal "contact" spring thing anyway

 

They are stands to ensure that pieces sit the right distance apart.