Asus G53SW Owners' Lounge

Yeah the count is up to 7 now for either DOAs or dead within the first week. my second one is coming tomorrow. I'll let you guys know how it runs.

 

I ordered/got my laptop around your timeframe and it doesn't have any problem....yet (touchwood!!) I think we are on the same batch of products..

 

Okay finally I got this little beast, the SW-A1 series. What are the "unwanted" programs that I should remove? It seems we're given many bloatware programs

 

be careful when you remove the oberon games. they might mess up some files. check the last couple pages of this thread for more info

http://forum.notebookreview.com/asus/380681-asus-utility-bloatware-guide.html

 

hey I just got my second and it's working fine. I am gonna sound really stupid, but this is my first computer that I have ever bought new (not used), what am I supposed to do with the utility drivers cd?

 

Ha, this is my first brand new computer as well. The drivers cd is to install drivers and programs needed for certain functions of the computer. All drivers come pre-install at factory so the cd is used if you remove this drivers manually or do a clean install of windows. If you do remove them or do a clean install then you could use the cd to reinstall the drivers or you could also go to the asus driver site and download them from there.

 

If you do a clean installation, just install the LAN/WLAN drivers first, then go to ASUS's site and compare driver versions - most drivers on the CD should be the latest at this moment but some are not (e.g. video card)

 

So, I finally bought myself a G53SW that I can use for gaming. Compared to most users here it's a bit of a budget version of the G53 series, but my own budget was limited to 1000 euro.

For 950 euro I bought a G53SW with the following specs:

i5-2410M
15,6" HD @ 1366x768
4GB ram
GTX460m 1,5GB
640GB hdd 7200rpm
Windows 7 64bit Home Premium

I should receive the laptop tomorrow and will definitely post some impressions in this thread. Hopefully this rig will allow me to play games like The Witcher 2, Diablo 3 and Skyrim on medium settings (at least the crappy resolution is an advantage when it comes to game performance )

 

I just got my g53sw-xn1 delivered to my house, but I am at work so I will open it when I get home. However, I have a few questions for current owners.

1) What is the general opinion on the included wireless card? I've read some complaints in this thread of the card not being stable. Is this an ongoing issue, and should I consider getting a new one?

2) Is the 180 watt power supply necessary? I found a Toronto-based seller for the Targus 180 Watt supply. For those Canadians here, would you recommend buying from them? It looks a bit sketchy to be honest. (Link: P-APA05US: Targus 180W AC Power Notebook Adapter)

I've read all the posts in this thread, and I really appreciate all the help you've given me so far. I can't wait to open the box when I get home tonight!

 

Anyone please help me

I recently bought G53SW-A1, never update anything just setting from the start. In the next days, this laptop is having some problems. 3 buttons on the upper left seems doesn't work (only lights on/off works WITHOUT indicators on the screen, just the light goes on or off without notice -> usually if you turn on or of the lights, you will have a notice in your screen about lights on/off right?) And the 2 other buttons doesn't work!

The next is, I think some Fn + hot keys doesn't work too!
Only Fn+F1/F5/F6/F7/F8 seems working, others are not! I can't turn on the backlight keyboard while the lights indicator IS on, I can't turn on bluetooth/wireless, can's turn volume up or down, can't use lifeframe, etc.

I only uninstall some bloatware programs: only Asus Live Update and game park console. Never update anything (but it seems the windows updated itself, I don't know because there were no notice at all).

Anyone please help me. Thank you!

 

ASUSTeK Computer Inc. -Support- Drivers and Download G53SW

if That link don't work, then goto asus support site, and pick your model, OS etc.

Then select ATK and download those drivers
when you open the program, it will ask you if you wish to repair or uninstall, choose uninstall, then if it says certain functions are in use, continue anyway, and when you start up you Restart your computer, all the ATK functions will be uninstalled. Click the same program, and select install . Restart your computer and you should be good to go! (be patient as your laptop is booting up, the keys WILL eventually turn on)

To rehash...
Download Driver
Open driver Program
Uninstall (Select Continue anyway...or something along those lines..theres 3 options ...choose the one that isn't EXIT or Try Again XD)
Restart Computer
Open The driver you downloaded
install
Restart
Good to go

 

Re-install ATK.

ASUSTeK Computer Inc. -Support- Drivers and Download G53SW

Some people have this issue even if they don't tamper with it. I blame it on bad registry entry on the factory image.

 

Sorry putting my recent post up front.. because it was the last post, and I know its going to be over looked...

Hello Fellas! First Post! I was lurking for awhile and just had to post now lol. Couple Questions...
With the AI Recovery .. when you burn the 5-6 Discs, is this making a copy of the current state of your computer or is it making just an OS operating system backup so you can do a clean install if desired?
Also as I've noticed with some posts, my drivers are fine...all my function keys work now except... one..that one next to the controls the power usage ..(It goes All Lights on/off button - Power Supply Usage button - then???) its that one were it changes the screen colors.
Also anyone else get major FPS drops when the comp is low on power? I know this beast will usually be plugged in, but kinda a bummer, ah well.
Aside from the annoying driver issues..I'm loving this computer

 

Oh GREAT! You guys rocks! I didn't even think about it, just install and repair from Asus driver and utility CD. Thanks a lot!

Anyway, do you guys know how to optimize the VGA?

 

You're recreating recovery discs. Using these discs will return your computer back to the way it was when you pulled it out of the box, software-wise.

You may need to re-install Power4Gear as well.

Every notebook will do that when on running on battery, especially the gaming ones. No laptop battery out there can supply sufficient power to a quad core processor and/or a high end video card running at full blast. In order to keep the battery life reasonable and not wearing the battery down prematurely, companies will 'throttle' those components. The G53/G73 can draw up to 120-140 watts on full load, that would kill your battery within minutes if the laptop doesn't crash or shut off from insufficient power supplied. See M14x threads on what happens if this limitation is removed or not implemented properly.

 

Quick question as I'm picking up my G53SW (with i5 2410m):

Is the problem with regards to the overheating of the laptop charger still a big issue? Or is that less of an issue with the sandy bridge procs, as they tend to be less power hungry?

I'm asking because I live in Europe and it's not really easy to buy a different (180w) charger. And I hate throttling when I'm playing games

 

After a couple of ''tweaks'', that laptop is really fast now!!! I was not happy at first. It was feeling ''bloated'', unresponsive and slow with factory installation. So I decided to ''tweak it''.

So I took apart my G53SW, to put 8Gb more of SODIMM to get 12Gb... and had a nice surprise... no second HDD caddy. Thank you so much Asus. So I had to ''improvise'' with some window weather seal under and over the SSD. LOL! It's really easy to open the G53SW.





And it's working perfectly.

And then I did a clean format of the Seagate Momentus drive, and did a clean Win 7 64 install on the Crucial C300 with my Windows key under my G53SW.

And I downloaded the latest drivers for:
-Intel chipset INF
-Intel RST
-Intel MEI
-LAN
-USB3
-Nvidia beta 275.27 (with modded .inf). GTX 460M overclock to 850/1700/1500 with MSI Afterburner.
-Crucial C300 LPM registry tweak to avoid those nasty ''freezing''

And installed only the things I needed from the Asus CD:

-Touchpad
-Audio
-Multi-card reader
-Wireless LAN
-ATK
-Keyboard filter
-Intel Turbo Boost
-PowerGear Hybrid
-Asus Fastboot
Sonic DVD suite
-Creative

No more bloatware.

And now I'm booting in 10 seconds! Everything is opening instantly without delay. And all my games are running fine. Even Photsohop CS5 is working good with 12Gb of RAM.

I'm really happy now. It's like a totally new laptop. 95$ for 8Gb RAM, 110$ for the Crucial C300. Wow! What a difference does it make!

 

Just bought the asus G53sw and love it. just a quick question though, how do i boot into expressgate? thanks!

 

Could you elaborate a bit on this:

"Crucial C300 LPM registry tweak"

I'm going to re-install my G53SW immediately when I receive it tonight, so I'd be grateful if you could tell me what this means

 

nevermind found the button. seems to be something wrong with the default windows installation though. the expressgate is also suppose to be a turbo boost button in windows? but if i press it, it cycles through power4gear power setups. is this normal, or is it suppose to activate a turbo boost mode?

 

Okay everything seems working after reinstall ATK from Asus site. But there's only Fn+F2 (which mean bluetooth/wireless console) still doesn't work! Should I reinstall driver for bluetooth?

 

Hi! Could anyone that has this computer tell me if it would fit in a standar samsonite backpack for laptop? I tried a 16,4 sony vaio and fited excellent, this baby could be carried on this?

Another question, i that much of a diference in performance between the G53JW and the G53SW?? Cause the g53jw is 100 less and it comes with a backpack and a mouse... What do you think??

 

the difference between the g53jw and sw is the cpu.. sw has a much better cpu.. and sw support for sata 3 ssd.. i have heard that the messenger bags.. are good.. amazon it http://www.amazon.com/Timbuk2-Comma...2Z2O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1305657291&sr=8-1

 

I just got home from Europe and opened up my Asus G53SW-XN1 and it rocks! I am about to install a 4GB kingston stick to make it an even 8GB and reformat the HD so the bloatware is gone!

 

Thanks for the bag, i will take a better look.
So, the cpu is more powerfull, but is more powerfull to me to know that it is more powerfull?? I'm developing and gaming, most powerfull task i will do... The price is going like 200 more juat for buying a backpack and a mouse... It is worth the change? Will be more future proof?

And someone did ever play crysis 2? Could play at higest settings in any resolution?

Thanks!

 

you will have to make a choice but the cpu will be double the speed of the jw one.. really a much better cpu.. much stronger.... (i will personally recommend sw) for more demanding tasks..

 

I am considering buying this machine, and was worried about the DOA units on Newegg. I think I may just have to risk it because this thing is such a beast! Wish me luck!

 

Wow, now there are two Kaworus in the thread - how confusing! What an odd coincidence, I wish I wasn't the one with the silly numbers after my name, he beat me to the registration just barely, too.... ;_;

Anyway, uh, my older brother surprised me with a birthday present yesterday - see my sig for details :O Sorry about this slightly off-topic tangent, but I was legitimately surprised! I mentioned that I kinda wanted one as a netbook, but I expected him to get me the cheaper HP dm1z instead... not that I'm complaining!

Honestly though, if I were spending the money I probably would have just bought a dope SSD for my Asus and some additional memory. I can still get that, though. Ahhh, so much wonderful laptop fun to be had... it's like collecting and tunnig up cars, with the performance rates and all the hardware components. Except laptops are marginally cheaper and for geeks! Can't believe it took me so long to get into this stuff, I've been missing out by just getting boring Macbooks that are a serous hassle to do anything with yourself hardware-wise. Never going back to Mac again ever, even though they do make nice products...

 

If my G53SW arrives DOA, I will be very sad.

^Also, nice! Let us know how you like your new toy

 

Hi, I was just wondering if any one has this issue.

If I shut my notebook down and close the screen, when I go to open it up and turn it on the power button doesn't respond for like 10 to 15 seconds. I was wondering if this is a safety precaution designed in the laptop or if there is something wrong with it.

Thanks.

 

I was getting random 30 seconds ''freezing'' at start-up on Windows desktop, even with firmware 0007.

So I did that tweak here, and it totally solved my ''freezing'' problem:

Solution: C300 Disk Freeze-ups in Windows 7 solved... - Crucial Community

 

any sata 3 ssd advice? one that will work right out of the box with asus g sw? thanks

 

Someone mentioned this in this thread a time ago. I believe it was a problem with the laptop and he had to return it. Personally, if I shut it down and close the screen then open it up and press the power button it responds/turns on immediately. I would contact Asus and see if they can help you out.

 

Could you confirm if the G73 keyboard is the same as the G53?

I need buy a keyboard for my G53sw Spanish. Thanks

 

I'm now using 12Gb of RAM on my G53SW, and I'm using mixed-up brands since I had a spare Kinsgton stick: factory 4Gb + Kingston 4Gb + G.Skill 4Gb, and after hours of Prime95 in every mode, I can't make that laptop crash.

Working fine.

And I can't believe how fast that laptop is booting with the Crucial C300. Like 10 seconds and I have responsive programs in Win 7!

It's ALOT faster than my monster desktop build: i7 2600K at 5.1 24/7, 16Gb of RAM, Intel X25M 160Gb x2 in RAID, Quad-Fire AMD 6990+6970+6970, etc.

With the GTX 460M overclock to 850/1700/1500, I can play all my games at 1980X1080. Impressive little laptop.

 

Is anyone here can help me about this problem? Thanks.

 

Yes they use the same keyboard, even the G51 keyboard is the same except for the texture and color.

Try reinstalling wireless console.

 

Already done that, but the Fn+F2 still doesn't work, while the bluetooth is working. Any idea?

 

If you toggle it by clicking on the wireless console tray icon and then clicking the icon for toggling wireless, etc. does that work?

If you can get it to toggle through the menus, try completely removing the atk package, reboot, and reinstall it.

 

Hi, I'm looking to buy the G53sw tomorrow, but before I do, i need some advice. I'm looking to get this modification to the G53: "15.6" FHD 16:9 "Matte Type" Super Clear Ultra Bright LED Anti-Glare Screen w/ 95% NTSC Color Gamut (1920x1080)", but I don't know how this screen and the stock screen compare. Is the this upgrade worth the $220?

 

the stock screen on these machines are great anyone who says otherwise is EXTREMELY picky. makes any "upgrade" pointless

 

Well, if you REALLY don't like glossy screens and they're a dealbreaker, then I can see how it would be worth it to upgrade to a matte. I prefer glossy, honestly. But yeah, the screen on the G53SW is freaking gorgeous as far as I'm concerned. Easily the nicest notebook screen I've ever had the pleasure of looking at.

I've already gotten so spoiled over it, though. I went onto my old Macbook Pro from 2008 to get some files, and it was so shocking how dim, drab, and ugly the screen was. Once you start using a glossy, 1080p hi-def screen with nice, bright backlighting it is just *impossible* to go back

 

The stock display has a contrast ratio of like 200:1 for starters..

 

Awesome, that will save me an extra $200 for my wallet. Thanks for the replies!

 

This worked like a champ for me as well. I had the throttling problem while raiding in World of Warcraft tonight.

Other than this little issue this laptop is the best I've owned!

*EDIT* This was supposed to be a reply to TailGunners' note about using ThrottleStop.

 

anyone know if the model G53SW-XR1 includes caddy for 2nd HD?
Thanks

 

Yes, I confirmed it from Gentechpc as I am planning to buy this exact model

 

For those interested.

The G53s are always throttling on heavy load, like Furmark+Prime95 working at the same time, or demanding games like GTA IV.

Running ThrottleStop is working to stop that annoying throttling, and temps stay in check, no problems (CPU and GPU).

I just start ThrottleStop ON before playing demanding games. Working like a charm.

I did monitor my system with ThrottleStop ON and OFF, and there is no throttling when it's ON, and throttling when OFF.

Also. My GTX 460M is working fine at 850/1700/1500. Temps are staying under 85 degrees. So don't be afraid to OC that GPU!

 

What tool are you using to overclock the GPU?

 

MSI Afterburner.