Updates from Asus

argh, I hoped this new news will calm me down, but all it did is made me even more angry

 

From Terry Makedon (CatalystMaker) on Twitter :
"Hey thanks for the nice words. Cat 10.8 is scheduled for mid next week
about 1 hour ago via TwInbox in reply to erolsipar "

 

Well, since Gary opened Pandora's box, I guess I can open my mouth too...

1) Reason the MSI/Clevo vBIOS lose HDMI/VGA functionality is because you would need a system BIOS to match the vBIOS to connect those functions. So, Hellcry, you would need to make a modded BIOS for the MSI vBIOS to get the output support of the Asus.

2) I'm waiting on clarification whether AMD plans to include the Asus vBIOS patch in their future driver releases, rather than just 10.8

3) Engineering is trying to figure out a way to get the vBIOS & BIOS update out in a way that even a noob can get done right. Note, once you upgrade to this, drivers older than 10.5 will be GSOD prone. I've proposed that this shouldn't be a concern. BTW, if some oddball game runs better on an older driver, well, too bad, this is progress! It's kind of the same saying newer games run bad on older drivers should be acceptable.

4) If anyone hasn't guessed, I'm on the beta tester team. This also means I'm under NDA so if I can't answer a question, please understand. I'll try to get some others some help when I'm permitted.

 

The only issue I see here is if Asus decides that they would rather deal with the GSOD problem via an Asus driver release. That would mean that we cannot reap the benefits of newer drivers.

Gary did mention they are also working on the vBios issue. Concern there is that if they find that they cannot make it 100% idiot-proof they will either not release it at all (see my comment about Asus-only drivers) or they will require a service-center install only (which would be HORRIBLE as I don't trust techs as far as I can throw them, as I don't want my laptop abused or parts swapped out that don't need to be).

Ideally as long as we get a vBios that fixes the system to allow you to be able to use reference drivers (like MSI and Clevo do) we are in the "best case scenario" possible.

I am just as interested in getting the keyboard "missed characters typed" issue fixed. With both of those items fixed I would consider this laptop to be all I ever expected it to be, a solid, excellent performing, monster of a laptop.

 

I'm keeping my fingers crossed the new vBIOS gets mysteriously leaked...

 

You would need a vbios and bios leak

 

Then make that a DOUBLE leak!

 

I'm so jealous! Why don't I ever get asked to be a beta tester? I'm cool. :cry:

 

Me too, im cool. My parents even say so!!

 

I still have to use rounded-tip scissors so count me out of the BETA testing pool...

 

lower than 10.5 may gsod with the newer vbios.Can you clarify is Asus stock Ati driver will also be prone to gsod? (its not that I want to run the asus version anyway...)

 

Is there any change in the energy savings and heat production at idle or near idle with this new video BIOS or does the video BIOS use the same useless settings as before?

 

Erase this.

 

OK, I know I CAN NOT ask about vBIOS, BIOS or anything about the soft/hardware upcoming upgrade because of the NDA... but you are allow to answer the following question:

How in the world a mortal person can become a beta tester?????

 

So, asus needs to release a tool which make triple update at the same time; BIOS, vBIOS and also Catalyst 10.5 and up???

It's MUST BE noob proof !!!!!

 

i feel much better now compared to last week when i started reading about the GSOD's etc... if the driver release is comming out next week , it will be perfect as i won't get my G73 not earlier till next week... however , i hope Asus doesn't stop with 10.8 driver release to solve the problem.. the vBIOS needs to be released ASAP...

 

I spent a lot of time assisting people on the BYOC floor but the guys in the booth had my phone number. We gave away 2500 T-Shirts but most of them were on Thursday and Friday, sorry about that but we will bring more next year.

 

Ö_O There are ROG T-shirts ?!?!?! I WANT ONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

ROG shirt or vBios?!...Both?

 

...*sigh* fiiine....I'll take the vBios instead
*writes ROG on a t-shirt with crayons*

 

Gary, can you give an ETA on Catalyst 10.8 and the new vBIOS? You probably have a timetable for these...cmon, throw us a bone

 

Cat 10.8 is schedule for mid next week. News came from CatalystMaker on twitter.

 

Ah Twitter, I never use the stuff, neither Facebook

 

You're missing out then....

Ok; not really

 

But it is for reference drivers, not for asus drivers.

 

I hope they finish this by next week when 10.8 is coming out.

 

Another quote from Gary:
"We are working with AMD on a driver update (10.8 code) that will solve the GSOD problem ( non-ASUS drivers)"

 

Seriously? WOOOOOT

 

1) The reason is that each manufacturer uses different hardware for the HDMI and VGA - that is not on the VGA board but on the Motherboard and the vBios is made with that specific hardware in mind - thats what i was told. Never heard that the vBios would have to somehow match the system BIOS. I just know the vBios tells the GPU how to utilise those HDMI and VGA ports and obviously Clevo and MSI use different hardware there. Why not make the vBIOS match the system BIOS or is that somehow impossible? I do not know how these things are coded so i have no idea what can actually be done here... In either case we cant do it ourselves and have to get it from Asus...

2/3) Does this mean we will again be limited to 10.8 drivers with this vBios? Why cant they make one like the Clevo/MSI that has worked with every driver so far without a problem - those vBios work on the older and newer drivers alike so why is this a problem here?

4) I want to test the thing too ! Heck ill sign 10 NDA forms just to see what theyve come up with and throw everything ive got at this new vBios. Any chance i can get invited ?

And DRevan;
Another quote from Gary:
"We are working with AMD on a driver update (10.8 code) that will solve the GSOD problem (non-ASUS drivers)"

Im getting confused now; are we getting a vBios to be able to use reference drivers or are we getting a modified driver package?

And an update from Gary_Key who i asked about some of my previous speculations:

Good Day,
I have asked engineering about this. Samsung, Micron, Hynix, and PSC are all qualified on this platform by AMD.

Quote:
Originally Posted by HellCry
Hello,
i am wondering if the rumors about your GPUs coming with Samsung and Hynix vRAM are true or is it infact just Samsung?

Now i am not sure if this means that Asus actually uses all these different vRam modules and im waiting for another reply to confirm this, but as you can see its pretty possible its not just Samsung.

 

HellCry, they have a new working vBIOS that fixes GSOD. The reason why they did not release it yet, because it only works with system BIOS 209 and 211 correctly and they need to make it compatible with older BIOS too for people who still use BIOS 206 and earlier ...

 

is there any way to check bios while in windows?

Also has a update been released that permanently fixes this gsod problem?

10.8 Will fix this no?

 

No, driver update will not fix permanently the GSOD issue, only temporary. The new vBIOS they made will fix it permanently. If it's true.

 

where can i get this new vbios? and what version / name?

 

It hasn't been released yet. That's what everyone is waiting for.

 

Just make a note in big bold letters "BIOS 209 or later reqiured!"...

So there wont be any moded 10.8 driver package right? Its just the vBios were talking about? Or are you trying to say that vBios will only work with the 10.8 drivers? Just making sure im not missing anything.

 

You still need to wait until they find out why is it ok with current system BIOS releases and why isn't it working correctly with old, obsolete system BIOS. Maybe a day, maybe a month.

 

They are comming up with both new vBIOS and new Catalyst. Catalyst works for every1, vBIOS (currently) is not working properly with old BIOS. It is WAY better then the current vBIOS on old BIOS too, but on old BIOS it can still give very rarely GSOD and lock ups. They have to make it foolproof before they release it, so no1 could brick his laptop with it and complain.

You can check Garry's post here. Since he made it this topic is a nuthouse

 

oh kk thx, but do u know what version it will be so i can keep checking on ASUS driver's website?

Also do you know if 10.8 ATI will solve anything ? Or should i only depend on this vbios future release by ASUS

 

Catalyst 10.8 is stable as the stock ASUS drivers. At least thats what Garry sad.

 

ah, lol, some ppl are telling me the upcoming vbios will fix it permanently, and your saying 10.8 i stable as rock, im so confused!!! What am i waiting for exactly loolz..... one of the 2 im guessin

 

Ah thanks, that really saved me some time.

So there will be a moded 10.8 (or at least made with g73jh users in mind also), as well as a new vBios if i understand now?...
I sure hope the vBios will be a permanent solution though... Dont want to hit the same problem when newer drivers come out and i need em to run something...
If Gary also manages to fix the keyboard/touchpad conflict than hes really "the man" at Asus, since hed have done what Asus failed to do themselves for over 4 years.

 

oh ya lol i hope the new vbios doesnt screw the backlit keyboard or backlit screen

 

I want to clear a couple of things up:

1) As I know it, the vBIOS update will make the old 10.1 and stock drivers from Asus have potential GSOD issues. However, initial tests show a 0.03% of GSOD when using older drivers and BIOS. Personally, that's better than what I get now!

2) The driver release of 10.8 with code patches for our hardware is the quickest fix they can muster out, so that they can focus on a more permanent fix ala vBIOS and BIOS. I'm sure ATI will keep the code in place until Asus can roll out a certified fix that meets Engineering & Service level of happiness.

3) It's the users like sean and such who have gotten so nervous about the issues that they're thinking of either returning their G73's or selling them that prompted me to "come out" to let you guys know that at least someone whom you all trust (I hope) is actually working on getting this thing done in a proper and timely manner. (In so far as me PMing Gary to death will accomplish)

And before you ask about "how did I get in", I got an email from Gary thanking me for all the support I've given (with the help of my fellow peers) and asked if I was interested in helping out. I assume I will need others as a release candidate comes forth to get more feedback on its success rate, but I would need Gary's OK first. NDAs are a biotch.

 

Flashing the Bios made people loose keyboard lights... But only becouse of some corruption winflash caused...
Flashing the vBios should have no effect on anything but the GPU (a bad flash causing it to stop functioning, which means no more picture).
How do you think something could affect the screen lightning?

 

Well if Gary decides to let more people test it i have no problems flashing and testing it.
(I have a new GPU and keyboard on the way so even if i turn this one to crisp i dont really care )

 

Yess let hellcry test it for all of us!!

 

I didn't know ASUS can send out parts to users, instead demanding the laptop to be taken in to their service

 

whatever the case , i'm happy that Asus has worked out a fix and since its comming mid next week when i'd get my G73 if i ordered, its perfect for me.. now only for the money for it ...

 

After he killed 3 reps, they decided to yield.

 

So you weren't an ASUS undercover agent till recently? ;D