Updates from Asus

Lol. You know to keep cars like that going, they require constant maintenance and upkeep, and the wear on the parts requires them to be replaced very often.

Go outside and rev your engine to the red-line for an hour and tell me how it sounds after.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWuGGsgfUnI

He gets paid to do that. T_T

 

A drag strip is a completely different scenario... The point i was trying to get across was that why rev it so much when the car isn't moving anywhere. Where else in your dragstrip your actually going to move it. So if what the guy earlier with the long thread is right, why are people who do not have thermal shutdowns doing a repaste?

 

My best guess is that not everyone is content to risk "good enough" on a machine with questionable quality and just blindly "hope" that nothing goes wrong.

You know, there's another group of people that say "if it doesn't shut down while you're using it don't worry about it"

They're called Mac Fanboys.

Just thought I'd point that out.

[no pun intended]

 

So, ITT The Beast is pretty much saying if you don't like running Furmark on your G73 to force it to crash you're either a coward or a moron. Ok, got it. Brb, gunna go run my car into several brick walls to make sure my bumpers are working...

Go ahead and do what you want with your machine The Beast, but don't try and call the rest of us morons for thinking that Furmark is not how most of us decide to enjoy our laptops.

There are 2 kinds of people in this G73 community: Those who could care less about benchmarks as long as their machines never crash during every day use; and those who could care less about regular use and only care if their machines can survive Furmark. I didn't buy a G73 so I could run Furmark on it for the next 5 years. What did you buy yours for?

Right now I would love for Asus to include in their VBios update something that disables your laptop when Furmark is launched. For some of us, we could care less as long as it fixed all our issues. For others, it would be the beginning of Armageddon.

 

Might as well block SC2 than, becouse it heats up my lappy just 4C shy of how furmark does. Should i stop running SC2 too?

If something like that happens i see people smashing these laptops on the heads of any Asus official personel they can find.

 

If you follow The Beast logic, it is fine as long as you don't hit thermal shutdown

 

i think furmrk etc is good... look at what hellcry said sc =2 almost gets as hot. well what do you think is going to happen with games that come out at xmas, next year, next xmas?!?!

furmark is quickly and effectively telling some people your laptop is abrick.
now i dont think we should run it for 24hours etc.. but if you are bricking, gsoding, overheating in 30mins then how are you going to play sc2 or any other game by next year...

anyways

WE NEED ASUS UP IN HERE!! WHERE IS THIS vBIOS?!?!

 

The vBios would bring my temps down a few degrees... Would be nice to have slightly lower temps.

 

Dont expect it to do anything for your temperatures, unless if youll be underclocking.

 

It will bring down a little because then i can run games at stock clocks.

 

I for one am tired of reading this endless circular debate about benchmarks vs. gaming. Its as bad as the 5.4L vs. 6.2L engine debate on the Ford F-150 Raptor forum.

Regardless, all I really want is a GSOD fix from ASUS. And the ability to run ATI reference drivers without issue. Come on, Gary...

 

So do you guys feel that a realistic fix will be in place soon for the GSOD errors? I rma'd my g73, but while shopping for the last month nothing even comes close to its value. I just cant see myself happy with a machine that wont let you update the video drivers to play new games. I keep eying a sager or the new msi gx660r, but i come back to the g73 every time I think about it.. wishful thinking?

 

I'll second this. My g73 got just as hot playing SC2 as it did running furmark.

 

LOL I use to go to those forums and it was funny reading all the posts about the 2 engines.

Yes SC2 pushes the 5870 to 100% if you are running on all Ultra. The only reason it does not get as hot a furmark is because it does not keep 100% load all the time.

Guys lets try to stay on topic this was not meant to be a discussion about benchmarks. It was meant for a place to keep updated on anything asus was doing to fix problems with SOD problems. More of less where Gary could post with updates.

Thanks

 

To be perfectly fair, SC2 has problems with stressing the GPU, irrespective of whether you're using an Asus or not. A friend of mine saw his brand spanking new 480 GPU (desktop version) burnt out while playing this. There is a new patch out that supposedly addresses this overheating issue by locking the cut scenes to 30 FPS.

 

That has nothing to do with the heat for me as I have had the fix in the variables.txt since launch.

 

And all it showed is that his 480 was faulty to begin with.

You guys just don't get it. Furmark is SOFTWARE. Computers run SOFTWARE. How is any SOFTWARE bad for HARDWARE????!?!?!???!??

You should be able to run anything you want on your machine and it shouldn't be an issue.

If you end up running a game that maxes out the hardware, you will get heat. Just because Furmark does it CONSISTENTLY it is useable to determine if there are flaws. Do you think professional graphics apps don't max out the hardware??? Of course there are packages that do, and they do it FOR WORK!!!

I don't run Furmark 24/7 on my machine, I use my machine, but I need to know if I can COUNT ON MY MACHINE BEING STABLE!!! <- note: THAT is the point here.

Just because something won't crash when you aren't stressing it means nothing. You HAVE to push a system to it's limits to determine stability, and in that regard the right tool for the GPU is Furmark. Others could figure out a game loop that could do the same thing I am sure, but then people would and say, well, that isn't real playing then either.

Fact of the matter is HARDWARE is supposed to be reliable. That is why we pay what we do for it. Hell, the dual GTX480s in my desktop cost $1k. I stressed them to the max for days to make sure they were reliable, otherwise they would have gone back.

Some have an attitude of the gimp consumer that as long as it lasts a little while, it's OK if I have to buy another one. Then there is those of us that have the industrial attitude where we expect what we buy to provide a stable and robust life and if it fails prematurely (as we all know nothing will last forever), we are looking to make sure those responsible for the sub-standard part to rectify the situation. Those same 'industrial types' will stress a product to it's max to verify for themselves it is stable as they have learned to trust nothing.

 

SC2 brings my machine up to 85*, Furmark goes 95*+ and I refuse to let it go higher. Crysis on Ultra is the only thing that comes near Furmark but that only maxes my G73 at 92*. I'm sorry, I don't buy into Furmark = Games.

 

The Software was flawed, Blizzard patched it because it blew up A TON of people's GPU's. Basically, Blizzard allowed SC2 to do what Furmark does: overheat GPU's, and as a result tons of people now have broken GPU's. But HEY!! I bet they're pretty happy that Blizzard helped them test the stability of their hardware!! Right?

I'm pretty sure as much as Blizzard just wanted to tell everyone who's hardware got damaged that it was broken to begin with, they went with a different approach.

 

Again, there wasn't a problem in the software. People had problems because thier HARDWARE was faulty.

Once again, no software can be at fault if the hardware is unreliable.

Basically, your view is that as long as we don't stress anything, that is OK, and if you do, then look for someone else to blame.

The software in SC2 was fine, sure it heated things up, but the hardware should be able to handle it, and if not then it is flawed. There is absoloutly no other viewpoint on that. It is FACT!

And, the reason for Blizzard even putting a patch in is because of the politics of the matter. Consumers will blame Blizzard instead of the video card manufacturer, primarily because of your in-error viewpoint.

 

Then why did Blizzard release a fix? By your logic Plants vs Zombies should be coded to destroy your computer? I think you need to recode a few of your programs because they aren't working properly on your machine.

The only FACT that matters in the SC2 overheating case is all the overheated and damaged hardware. You call software that asks your GPU to draw 2D menus 200+ frames per second reasonable. I call it bad software and don't want it running on my machine.

You obviously have a different viewpoint on what the word "stress" means. I constantly "stress" and work my machine with my activities. But that is only my opinion and doesn't fit into your prism of FACTS.

 

I stayed away from this thread for a few days hoping that when I came back to look we'd see an official fix, still nothing?

Well, actually when I think about it, since the overclocked 705/1100 vBios has kept me operating 100% stable, I'm starting to think what am I going to do when there IS actually an official fix? Ah hell, I know I'll try it as I like to mess around with this stuff!

But seriously, is there anyone still getting GSODs after the 705/1100 clocking trick? If not, what are we hoping to get out of this fix?

 

rschauby just let him be, its up to him if he wants to stress the life out of his stuff. To me, the software is just as important as the hardware. Put a crap vbios into our card and it screws up our hardware performance. But nvm, to each his own. Lets just hope Gary shows up with a present for all of us.

 

You may still get GSODs, but hopefully alot less frequently. Also depends on the game.

 

It's not a crap vBIOS. It's just an outdated vBIOS that needs an update.

 

Your using the vbios from my thread? I knew some would have problems with the downclock. Hows it working out for you? With a new vbios out, i probably will change the clocks once again to 100/300.

 

are u guys getting artifacts when set to 705/1100? My system is more stable but im getting artifacts (which i assume it to be GPU overheating, correct me if im wrong)

 

Update -

1. We are working with AMD on a driver update (10.7 code) that will solve the GSOD problem (non-ASUS drivers) for users with our current vBIOS and BIOS 0209 and up. I hope to have a release date in the next day or so but the driver has not reached qualification status yet. However, it is a rock solid solution at this point.
2. I am still working with R&D on a vBIOS update but at this point we still have random (.03%) GSOD occurring depending on driver set, BIOS, and vBIOS combination utilized. The problem is that using a previous driver set (10.5) with an older BIOS (before 0209) and the new vBIOS could still result in a random GSOD although it is rare. Also, updating the system with an updated vBIOS before updating the BIOS can create random locks. So we are still discussing how to roll this solution out, in the meantime option 1 is the safe route.
3. We are aggressively working on the missing data input issue that has been reported with Synaptics.
4. I will have some additional information on the TIM reports shortly.

 

Thank you for the timely update Gary. I greatly appreciate your level of professionalism in dealing with these issues.

 

Why don't you just release the new vBIOS with a HUGE warning sign, asking users to update to 209 or 211 BIOS BEFORE updating the new vBIOS?
Yes Option 1 maybe the safe route, but as you state it, Option 2 is ready to be released, only thing remaining with it is making it foolproof for noobs who can't read a warning sing stating "update to BIOS 209 or 211 before updating vBIOS" ...:/
It may take weeks for the 10.8 to come out, but there is a working new vBIOS, only problem is with it that it is not foolproof..Jesus -_- It's like showing a bone to a dog and than saying "haha, you can't have it yet!" -_-

Oh whell, eventually you will have to release that new vBIOS too, because the 10.8 driver alone is not a perfect fix. And thanks for the update.

 

Whoaaaa, that really good news from you Gary, it's give us a lot hope about our systems.

1. For me, will be OK it's asus realese an update driver set, even it's not referencial ATI/AMD driver. Just to have the last updates/improvement in our games (don't care about furmark) GSODless.

2. If I'm still in the original vBIOS without GSODs with upcoming 10.8 asus drivers, don't care about to change the vBIOS.

3. This missing data is about the random (sometimes) behavior of the trackpad? It's really good news 'cause my trackpad has some weird missing movement that I can solve partially reducing the sensitivity.

4. What in the world is TIM????

As a final request/wish, can you use the reference number in your asus releases, is confusing to have diferent set number for all the drivers in the wild. (driver number, ccc number, catalyst number, asus number, etc)

 

I wana be a ginea pig. I want the vbios please !

I would prefert the vbios option as AMD are known to fix something and then broke it again in a future rev. Vbios update seem more future proof.

 

I'm pretty sure that ASUS wouldn't be willing to release a vBIOS update if it isn't stable and if it has the potential to brick laptops. If something bricks, they are the ones who have to spend the time fixing it so it isn't in their interest to release an unfinished product if they can wait a few days and release a working one.

 

You are right and statement "could" be applied to the whole G73 series, and if so, we wouldnt be sitting here with our limpering g73s

 

Be sure to give hellcry the new vbios first, he is that .03% of users the poor guy Though if I read all that correctly, using 10.7 or newer + 209 + new vbios results in 100% stability?

And if 10.8 is as stable as stock drivers, you'll make a lot of people happy.

 

don't you read???? He clearly state the new vBIOS is NOT READY 'casue still has GSOD, and it depends on the multiple combinations of drivers, BIOS and the sequence in which the are installed.

Also, the history so far shows asus do not care about to release nice clear instructions, so they prefer to make failures free updates/drivers.

I'm not an asus fanboy and I would like to have and updated system without GSODs, and, so far, with stocks the system is rock solid. So, if they release and update vga driver, will be ok for me. Do not like to imagine what would be the scenario if our computer should be another brand as dell.

 

Seems you don't read neither, he clearly stated that the random GSOD occurs when some1 tries to use the new vBIOS with an old system BIOS.
Here, let me help you:
"the problem is that using a previous driver set (10.5) with an older BIOS (before 0209) and the new vBIOS could still result in a random GSOD although it is rare."

And another one:
"Also, updating the system with an updated vBIOS before updating the BIOS can create random locks"

So technically, we have to wait because some people, for reasons unknown, are still using their G73 with an old system BIOS and those persons can't update to the new vBIOS directly.
Also, they were able to write a notification on the BIOS download page to warn people about using the new Winflash, they can also write one about "update system bios first" too...
A new VGA driver alone is not enough, what if there is a game which runs better on older (10.6) driver and the user wan't to use that? Thing like this happens a lot of times...

 

Chill guys. We will all be happy after sometime.

AAHHH!!! vBIOS!! AAHHH!! 10.8!!!!

 

I guess you are aware that many brave people here (including me) have flashed the G73jh with MSI vbios and gotten a system that is 100% SOD free on every Ati Catalyst driver? This vbios is dated March and version number is 012.020. HDMI, VGA and sleep-mode/hibernation don't work correctly but that is to be expected, using different manufacturer's vbios.

How can this vbios code - dating back to March - make these notebooks absolutely stable but a new stable vbios is so hard to develop? Could you just take a look what settings MSI (or Clevo) use in their vbios to achieve this kind of stability?

 

It's mean: IT'S NOT READY

Agree with about the 10.8 won't be the ultimate solution, but if I can play with no GSOD as now with 10.1, will be fine for me.

 

What does he mean NON-ASUS drivers? people with other installed drivers like 10.7 or 10.7a?

This is the pre-installed ATI driver for me:

Driver Packaging Version 8.683-091217a-092929C

I don't know if it's 10.6 or 10.5 wah! sorry...

 

Don't forget this part:
"the problem is that using a previous driver set (10.5) with an older BIOS (before 0209) and the new vBIOS could still result in a random GSOD although it is rare."

Personally, If I had an old system BIOS, I would update to 209 or 211 for at least the new vBIOS...but who in earth uses 206 and lower and why?

 

Hey dude, doesn't matter how specific is the problem, is still not ready because they MUST prepare a vBIOS failure free. Keep in mind, what will happen in future releases (10.10, 11.1) when the GSODs will be back??

 

Sounds like they want to fix the problem for every case of driver and bios combination.

But, dang can't wait for 10.8 drivers to come out!

 

a vbios v2 update

 

They cannot copy code/setting from others company vBIOS, it's call reverse engineering/espionage. Also, Clevo and MSI can use the same GPU, but the logic board it's different, even if the follow the reference layout. You need only one different capacitor in the logic board the make the system different. That's why even the GPU works with a different vBIOS, components as HDMI results broken because the chips/components are propietary.

 

1) If they have a new vBIOS that works with the current system BIOS, without a problem, why keep waiting the users for days/weeks? Why not just release another updated vBIOS later, when they figure out why didn't it work correctly with the old, obsolete system BIOS? And FYI, even on older system BIOS, it would be better than the current vBIOS.

2) If GSOD comes back in future driver, that would be a big FAIL on ATi's side.

 

I have a bestbuy model manufactured in march and have not had any graphics issues. I have had the Steam/Creative issue that I corrected by installing a newer realtek audio driver though.

Gary Key..... your name sounds awfully familiar.


Wait, didn't you write for anandtech?



Random sidenote: Any chance we can get a toggle in the BIOS to turn off HyperThreading?

 

1. because the cannot risk a RMA or demands 'cause the make the users (already working) laptops a brick. Also, the MUST release and update which work in all different scenarios (BIOS, vBIOS, OS, VGA drivers, others-than VGA drivers, etc). Also, not all people keep theirs system updated as we do. There is people which still in BIOS 204/206 in stock beacuse the system works flawless and in a rock fashion manner.

2. Yes, will be a fail, but in the asus side. Ati release reference drivers or ALL the vga cards in the wild, not only for ours g73.

 

I've got a feeling that any1 who would be willing to update his vBIOS, can update his system BIOS too...whell, if for some reason he doesn't, that would be HIS fault and not Asus's fault.