GSOD was fixed... ASUS broke it again?

First of all, I had fixed my GSOD earlier by following the steps in this thread:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/asus-gaming-notebook-forum/515309-how-fix-your-gsod-blues.html

I've put down at least 20 hours of gaming (Resident Evil 5, NFS:Shift, CS:Source, etc) and never so much as a hiccup. However, I had a bright pixel and RMA'd the rig to ASUS.

Today it came back with a replaced screen. The first thing I did was boot it up and throw on Need for Speed. The 3-2-1 go doesn't even finish before I'm staring at grey vertical lines.

I don't know where to start, since I feel like I've already gone through all the GSOD threads. I'm still using the v211 BIOS, I checked.

To my knowledge, I'm using the v93 vBIOS from before, but I don't know how to double check this.

What should I do now?

 

You should double-check this!

The Catalyst Control Center information page (hardware tab) should show the video BIOS version number...what do you see there?

 

They probably flashed with an older beta vbios. Reflash v93.
When I got my laptop back from RMA, I GSOD'd in a game even though I was told the firmware was current. Re-flashed it myself and it works perfect.

 

they could have changed the GPU as well, who knows.

 

My vBIOS is version 012.020.000.032 according to the Catalyst Control Center.

Hard to know if this equates to v93 or not. Can someone with v93 tell me if this is what they have too?

 

You need to increase the size of the column, part of the version string is cut off. Or use GPU-Z to get it.

 

Good Evening!!!
I checked the ATI Catalyst and came up with the same vBIOS version - So I went with the GPU-Z and vBIOS version is 012.020.000.038352 - I am pretty sure I updated to the "Chastity Custom vBIOS" ..

In Peace and Agape!!!
Trav...

 

So Catalyst Control Center says my vBIOS is:
012.020.000.032

In my actual BIOS that I booted into, it shows my vBIOS as:
012.020.000.032.0377.G730

Still, I'm not sure if this is the v93 vBIOS I want or not, but I'm going to try reflashing with v93 and see what happens...

 

Looks like ASUS did a re-flash while they had it! During the flashing process, I noticed the lines:

Code:

Old BIOS Version: 012.020.000.032.037764
New BIOS Version: 012.020.000.032.038352

Second time I've flashed this particular vBIOS now.

 

I am curious to see what happens here. They downgraded my vBIOS also. I cannot figure out why, unless they are using everyone at this forum as a guinea pig. So far I haven't had any issues, but I've been tempted to upgrade because I cannot use Catalyst 10.8 with the old vBIOS.

 

I've got my G73 sitting on a Final Fantasy 14 session right now. So far so good, system seems stable.

All my troubles, it seemed, we due to ASUS reflashing my vBIOS. Glad it was a simple fix!

 

Keep us posted. I would like to know how a few more sessions go.

Thanks

 

If the vBIOS they flashed is not 012.020.000.032.038352, then someone over there is epic failing. Just reflash to this version (v93) and all will be well.

 

Haha. Yes, it does seem strange that they reflashed my vBIOS. Perhaps it is policy to reflash the vBIOS when dealing with LCD issues? (I didn't think vBIOS could cause a stuck pixel, but hey!)

I count myself as lucky that a simple reflash fixed this. I would hate to be one of the people stuck with unstable gaming or spend months bouncing the thing through RMA's.

Since the reflash the laptop hasn't had a problem (not that I've done much stress testing). I'm convinced though that things are back to normal, but I'll be sure to post again should that not be the case.

 

They flashed me with Video BIOS Video BIOS Version: 012.020.000.032.037764

I've been afraid to update to the new vBIOS because I am not having issues, but I think I am going to repaste today and I am tempted to do vBIOS also, but only one at a time to be sure I can isolate problems.

 

There is nothing to isolate: your GSODs are being caused by the .037764 vBIOS. Update it, or suffer, your choice.

 

But that is thing, since I got the laptop back from RMA, I have not had any GSOD, even on these old bios. By isolate, I meant I did not want to repaste and flash the bios in the same day. Then if I had an issue, I wouldn't know which was the cause. Since my repaste has gone well, I'll probably flash tonight.

UPDATE:

Ok, I'm now at .032.038352

 

A couple days ago, while playing a game, I got a blue screen of death which mentioned my video driver. I'm using Catalyst 10.8 currently and I never reinstalled when I got my laptop back. Also, my Win7 Action Center is showing a message "Address a problem with ATI Graphics driver"

System seems to be working pretty decent, but not perfect anymore.

 

Where did you send your g7 too hen you did the RMA joncom?

 

BIOS Version 012.017.000.004

This is what i saw on mine. What version is this? :/

 

That's the old stock version.

 

I sent it off from within Canada. I believe it went to Ontario.

That's definately an older vBIOS. My guess is it's giving you some trouble?

 

Are Bios same for G53 & G73 laptops ?
or they will have different bios ?

 

I imagine they'd have to be different, though probably very similar save for how the fans work.

 

thank you

 

So I'm using the v93 vBIOS and 211 BIOS as I've said earlier...

I'm not getting any GSOD problems, but I've had my second blue screen of death now.

There are noticible GUI glitches in windows before an actual crash takes place.

When my computer crashes, I see the mention of an ati driver. Is there a particular place where I can see the error message (in a log)?

I'm running the 10.8 ATI drivers. Would it be advisable to upgrade? And to what (what is available for mobility drivers from ATI?

Thanks