A8Js - Owner's Lounge

If you are willing to wait I'll let you know if the Asus F8SN gf9500 works. I ordered the card and I'm waiting for the delivery.It costed me with delivery 110€ in asusparts.eu

 

Thanks for the info, I'll hold off a few days. looks like it will be a cheaper and possibly faster part to source than the 7700 Go's. I have yet to find any other mirrored config MXM-II boards.

 

that's cause these are Asus specials. They aren't even proper mxm-boards. They merely look it.

 

Dually noted, Anon.

Did a little laptop shopping tonite. I have deduced this is a terrible time to be shopping for a PC in general. I'm also torn between buying a netbook for the time being and building a kickass rig for my home entertainment center, or just going all in an a Clevo DC901. For what a new 7700 chip will end up running me, I could actually buy a new netbook and move my XP Pro license over. Already have an external cage for my HDD.

What an awesome ordeal.

*EDIT*

http://www.laptopvideo2go.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=22848

Possibly another flipped-MXM board.

 

Yes But Asus A8JS and F8SN socket is exactly the same. I think it's a MXM-II mirror image, in both.
I'm still waiting for the card from asusparts.eu

 

Hope it works, Asus support dug up their last 7700 Go chip for the A8's and I got it.

 

That would suck if my 7700 ever dies. *knocks wood*

Last October, I sent my A8Js in to Asus to get the loose hinge and separating LCD top fixed. My warranty ended last December and now it's happening again! Only worse this time!

 

It doesn't. When BIOS loads(little asus sound) pc speaker beeps like if there's no card. But the card fits perfectly.

 

Has anyone tried installing Windows7 on one of these? When I try, it gets to the "Press any key to boot from CD/DVD" and then freezes. BIOS issue maybe? The hardware specs are plenty good, so it must be something else.

 

Has anyone here tried to put a SSD hard drive in A8JS?

 

The system bios and the video bios are flashed to the same chip on the A8Js. It might work if you could flash the GF9500 video bios into the proper address on the flash chip (extract the entire bios, replace the video part with the 9500 bios, and then flash it back). The problem is, of course, that you would only get one try, because once the bios is flashed incorrectly, neither card will work. Getting it right on the first try would be all but impossible.

 

I tried updating the bios from the original (2.06) to the latest listed by ASUS- 2.13 and when it goes to flash either in the flash utility in the bios or using winflash, it says that the bios is not the same type as what the laptop is using and it won't let it flash. Any idea what is going on?

 

I've been using windows 7 (32 bit) on mine for about 5 months (beta->RC a couple weeks ago), its been working fine except for a bios issue

when I initially installed, everything worked more or less fine through the installation process, but after the installation completed, the screen resolution was stuck on 1280 x 720 (wrong aspect ratio). This appeared to be a bios problem which was solved by updating the bios, strangely enough, the US website did not have the latest bios, which was available from the Chinese support site (I think the US site has it now).

For me, everything works fine off a clean install, currently partitioned 60/44/8 (120 gigs = 112 ish of actual space) into system/data/ubuntu, so just flash the bios and try installing

one issue is that the overall heat generation/fan usage/graphics card heat appear to be higher now than before

 

Does our laptop support SSD hard drive? I'm seriously looking forward to upgrading my SATA HDD with SATA SSD.

 

I considered it, but opted for a Fujitsu 500gb/5400rpm @ $90. 1st gen SSD reviews were mixed. For what it's worth, the Fujitsu is silent, unless you put your ear under the laptop and concentrate. Notebook Hardware Control says the heat is 42c matching the original Hitachi. Heat is not noticeable to the palm, slightly warm under the case. No issue with dual boot to XP or Ubuntu.

 

I had the vertical stripes issue at startup with the VGA board. I was about to send it for repair, but then I thought I didn't have anything to lose so I tried the "oven trick". I put the 7700 wrapped in tinfoil in a fan assisted oven for 4 minutes at 200 degrees (Celsius), put it back in and it now works. I restarted the laptop several times and left it on for a few hours both in Win and Linux, it still works. Waiting now for some arctic silver to finish the job.
Very happy it worked (for now), most of all I was afraid to stink the oven with toxic fumes...

 

I've heard of this trick for fixing Xbox 360 motherboards with messed up video chips but never for a notebook video card!

 

Does anyone know of a way to get our laptop to support 4GB of ram, or AHCI?

 

No way of having 4GB recognized, many have tried. 3GB work fine though.

 

I am guessing vertical green bars at boot up and BSOD before windows loads is indication of my 7700go going kaput?

Can some one tell me what are my options? I love my laptop

 

Wow i'm freaking amazed this also worked for me! Thanks Sztraik

 

I can't get the bios to update using the winflash utility or the bios option. The file ASUS has on their site for the bios is A8JsvAS.213 and the update utilities don't recognize it and give me this message "both platform do not match". I don't quite know what to do... Any ideas or does anyone have the correct bios or a link? I'm still running the 206 bios but I want to load windows 7 on it. My laptop is an older one with the 7600 video card and PATA hard drive but I think the bios are the same.
Update- when I use the winflash utility it shows the current bios as A8JAS.206 and the one I'm trying to flash as A8JsvAS.213... This must be the platform mismatch the utility sees. I have no idea what to do

 

my hinges finally gave out today, basically rendering my screen useless...a couple questions:

if i removed the screen, would i still be able to use the base by hooking it up to an external monitor?
if so, any advice and tips on how to do it? ive never opened up a notebook before...

thanks in advance!

 

You would still be able to use the base by removing the screen; however, it might make more sense to buy new hinges from their store if you're set on repairing it.

I've done it, it's tricky though. Watched other techs do it several times before I tried it myself. Do you have the service manual?

 

Think you have a different model there. Not the A8JS.

 

removing the screen or replacing the hinges is tricky? im leaning towards removing the screen since i am getting a new notebook in a couple weeks...

 

Just remove the screen then. Shouldn't be too hard, do a search for the service manual/disassembly guide to see for yourself.

 

thanks man

 

I don't know the extent of the damage, but the hinges are typically cheap components (they can be bought from the ASUS eStore). So why give up the screen for a few tens of dollars (at most?)

This is assuming the damage is not actually in the body of the notebook, which would mean more extensive repairs. Even so structural components like top/bottom case etc. are usually cheap on ASUS eStore, it's the electronics that is expensive.

Disassembly manual: http://www.mediafire.com/?9utgx3g2gvy

[Also please don't double post, I will remove your post on the A8Jm lounge.]

 

Anyone here try replacing their A8Js's screen with an LED backlit one? I've seen a number of 14.1" 1400 x 900 LED backlit screens listed on several sites.

 

Awesome idea, never heard or seen it done though.

 

Called ScreenTek and the rep said it's not doable. The laptop was designed for CCFL and requires an inverter whereas LED does not have that requirement.

So much for that idea.

 

Hello, Two questions:
-Anyone knows a manual how to completely open up the A8js? I need to find the BIOs
- Anyone knows if this Bios is socketed or soldered into the Motherboard?

Thanks

 

A manual was linked from the previous page:
http://www.mediafire.com/?9utgx3g2gvy

not sure it's for your exact submodel but it should be close.

Have no idea about the BIOS. Why do you need to know?

 

My Graphics card fried. I bought one from the F8n (gf9x000) that has the same socket(and less 100€ but the bios doesn't allow it. So I want to install coreboot to replace asus bios. So I need to use an external flasher. Unless...Is there is any way to modify asus bios to accommodate the new video card?

 

I don't fully understand the details of your proposed solution, but ASUS BIOSes CAN be reflashed, and you CAN edit the binary files prior to that. I wouldn't venture to do that myself, but if your knowledge is sufficient to allow a hardware flash, you might be able to handle this as well.

 

Speaking of frying... I have noticed that after installing Win7 x64 on my A8Js, occasionally it seems as though the fans fail to turn on or speed up. (The system shuts down automatically, and then I notice that the laptop is quite hot)
I installed SpeedFan to check on the temperatures, and the CPU and graphics seem to be idling at around 50 deg C, running up to 60 at times on low-intensity tasks. I have been working with Adobe Premiere Elements recently, and when rendering some clips it can run up to the 70s.

Has anybody else had heat / fan issues using Win7 x64 on the A8Js?

 

That I can't do. Change the binaries. But if you can give me some tips or someone who can help me..I can learn. (I would prefer to put the specs of the F8SN BIos for the graphics card into the A8JS Bios than use coreboot).
For coreboot I need to externally flash it, since it will not work out of the box, several tries are needed.

 

well someone made me a moddes BIOS with the f8sn part for the graphics...and It worked
For a few hours, until I did the stupid thing of removing the graphics card with the power cable on..I short circuited the board..and boom dead....Anyone has a motherboard from the a8js to sell me cheap?

 

I installed Win 7 x64 last Friday on my A8Js and noticed it did run a little hotter. My GPU is idling at ~50C and goes up to ~78C when gaming. That's about 10C hotter than whatever the old drivers I used on Win XP 32.

I figured it was the 196.75 Nvidia drivers I used since they've been pulled because of heat issues. I just notice that 196.86 is now available but haven't had a chance to try it; I'm hoping someone can confirm this new one doesn't have the same messed up fan control.

 

Hi guys,
Looks like I'm really behind on this.
I also have (serious) overheating issue on Win7 (both x64 and x86)

- I noticed overheating issue with x64 + 179.67 (default driver from windows update) and tried to update with 179.48 as suggested from nVidia drivers download. It didn't change anything.

- Opened up and clean my GPU and fan.. nothing changed
- Thinking it might be a BIOS issue; Updated my BIOS to 213 from ASUS support site... doesn't help at all.
- I tried with x86 version of Win7, it still can shoot up to 95 something (probably can go up to 99 and shutdown as well)
- I tried downgraded the driver to 98.02 (as suggested from asus support download site) and still can hit 90 range, but seems slower (and I noticed lower fps on my game, from 60+c range to 90+c)

Info: It seems that "stable condition" (when I use it for browsing, and nothing else), my CPU run at 52-55c and GPU at 63c. When awaken from sleep, CPU will be on 40c and GPU at 59c

Purehazard: how do you get 196.75 working on our GPU? I think GeForce Go 7700 is no longer listed on 18x.xx driver version or higher.

Would those who still in XP and have no overheating issue mind telling me what is your driver version?

More info:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=465647

 

I used drivers and modified INF files I got from LaptopVideo2Go. The INF I downloaded didn't have the Go7700 listed but for some reason I can see it when I load it up on my browser from the site and see it. Had to copy and paste it into the INF file I downloaded but it worked.

It does seem to me that Windows 7 make the A8Js run hot. Looks like Windows is just running everything full tilt. Can't figure out how to fix it. :|

 

Maybe disable the Aero interface (it's still called that in Windows 7, right?) will help.

If cleaning the dust and changing drivers does not help, maybe you could also try changing the thermal paste (I assume the notebook is out of warranty anyway, so you don't have to worry about breaking warranty-void stickers). Also verify the heatsink is in good condition.

 

I was thinking about that yesterday and ran GPU-Z + HWMonitor to test. With Aero on, the GPU will idle at 100/135 but will jump to the full 450/400 doing basic tasks, though not immediately. Turning off Aero doesn't change things.

Nvidia admitted to fan issues and have since released a new set of drivers (196.75) to fix that. Haven't had time to install them yet, maybe next week.

I've already dismantled the cooling unit, cleaned it and applied Arctic Silver MX-2 not too long ago. It's likely a software issue right now. Whether it's a Windows driver or Nvidia driver is what we're not sure of.

 

Hi everybody

I have a problem with my A8Js which was already mentioned here several times, but with no exact answer. Internal screen on notebook starts completely white and after few seconds colored lines start to appear. So basicly I cannot do nothing with my pc. When I connect it to external screen, I can see windows loading(although with vertical blue dashed lines). But as soon as windows should show a login dialog, it goes black. When I log in, I can hear windows startup sound, so system seems to work fine. After few more tries I found out that I can start windows safe mode, but still with dashed lines.
Does someone knows what causes this, and possibly also how to solve it?

 

Hi. It's the nvidia card that got fried.
You have two choices.
1-Get a pricy nvidia 7700 and replace the one you fried.
2-Get a 9700 from another asus that has the same socket(I don't remember the model but I can check it), apply a modded bios and have a 9700 gforce . I did this one. With one limitation. I couldn't have the tft working and got it working with the external socket. However, I didn't finish the modding. I made a mistake and removed stuff with the computer running which fried the motherboard. I wanted to buy a new motherboard but I don't know where I can find a used one.
If you want to do the 2nd choice contact me. I'll try to help you out.

 

To: forevertheuni
I would like to fix it, as I think that this pc could be used for few more years.
New 7700Go can be acquired for about 180€ in my area. But I would also like to know more about the other solution, can you please email me?([email protected])

 

Now I'm curious. Got more info on that mod?

 

Hey, i just got the same problem, how did you solve it? Did you buy a new 7700?

I can't find a compatible VGA...

 

To: Xavi
I found one repair shop where they fix such problems. There is some problem with those chips and repair guy told me that they had to change several contacts. It took them about a week, and costed 80€, and the problem is solved. I even got a 3 months guarantee for repair