* Asus N61JQ Owners Lounge *

is the eSATA port also a USB port? Hardly a deal breaker if it isn't but having 4 USB ports would be nice.

 

Thanks Donald.

What are you thoughts on the X2? I understand it has an inferior GPU, but since I don't expect to be doing REAL heavy gaming on it, I don't know how critical that is to me. On the other hand, I plan on using it mostly in my house while plugged in, so the switchable GPU may not be a huge advantage for me.

 

I think that should make the decision much easier. The N61 is decent for heat. Heavy gaming doesn't make it very warm to touch. Stay away from the fan though. Good cooling means it blows really hot.

The i5 is not as good as the i7 but, it should allow for switchable graphics. This means that you should be able to get better battery life. Also, the X2 comes with a Nvidia GT325 (I think). The ATI HD5730 is amuch better graphics option but, the GT325 should give you better battery life.

I think it all comes down to needing more then 2.5-3 hours of battery life. If you do, go for the X2. You are compromising much of the power of the X1/A1 but, you should get better battery life. You will probably save about $100 too. If power is what you are after (and the biggest draw of the 61JQ-X1/A1), then it is so much worth the extra money and loss in battery life. IMHO

 

No. You're not plugging in a USB device to that port. It is eSATA only.

 

darn. guess I'll have to do with 3 USB ports. Guess the USB 3.0 makes up for it.

 

For those linux users out there that have had to deal with the unsupported hardware watermark because of the ati 5730 graphics card, I finally got rid of it by following information posted on Phoronix. Too bad ati doesn't include an option to not show the watermark by default, or actually support linux like they should.


Anyways just run the file that I attached as a script under root permissions and that ugly watermark should be gone when you restart.


Here's the script that removed it for me if you don't want to download the file.

Code:

#!/bin/sh
DRIVER=/usr/lib/xorg/modules/drivers/fglrx_drv.so
for x in $(objdump -d $DRIVER|awk '/call/&&/EnableLogo/{print "\\x"$2"\\x"$3"\\x"$4"\\x"$5"\\x"$6
}'); do
 echo found $x
 sed -i "s/$x/\x90\x90\x90\x90\x90/g" $DRIVER
done

 

I'm keeping mine on the screen. It is a constant reminder to look for the ATI drivers. Drives me nuts that the performance without them sucks so bad.

 

Best Buy is lame. I went to take a look at the G60JX and although they had one in stock, they only had the G60VX on display because the JX is too new. As such, the only way I could look at the JX was buy it and return it within 30 days (although I would have to pay the 15% restocking fee if I returned it). I spoke to the store manager and he didn't know when they would put it on display, and wasn't helpful otherwise.

 

No Battery upgrades offered from ASUS yet. I wouldn't chance using another battery until ASUS offers one.

 

Dude don't be sorry. Hell yeah I want that backlit keyboard so bad I can taste it!
Do we have anyone who is proficient at this type of thing that can please chime in on this?

 

Hey thanks! I will try it it when I get home

 

Haha ok. Oh btw my asus comes with 3 partitions and it's really irratating. The c (os) drive is only 100gb+ and d (data) drive is 400gb+. When installing stuff by default it's installed into c drive and the space for c drive is so little! I deleted d drive tru manage my computer>storage methd and tried to extend the c drive with the avialible space from the deleted d drive but it can't! The option to extend the space is grey (right click on the c drive)

 

I had the same problem. I think to solve it I had to delete the drive D for a second time. I think the first time I had just shrunk the D drive. If you bring up the drives and there is anything to the right of the C drive then you cannot extend it. That is why the extend option is grey.

 

Maybe there is some hope for a backlit keyboard after all!
Check out this conversation I had with LordDavon(David).

[Greg]
David, Did you see this link on post #1946 showing someone installing a backlit keyboard in a UL30?

[David]
I believe that someone tried modding their N61 with a backlit keyboard and although everything connected, they were never able to get it to power. They, as most do, believe that a BIOS update is needed to get it to work and that the current BIOS doesn't support the connectors to power the keyboard. Hopefully, they will download a BIOS update that will power it and we can all start modding.

I will mod mine once it works.

[Greg]
I remember that one but it looks like this guy is hooking it up in a more unconventual way. Maybe this way would work on ours. Did you look through his link to see how he hooked it up?
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=465841&highlight=backlit[/QUOTE]

[David]
I really didn't look at it too hard. I just reviewed it again much closer.
There is no doubt in my mind that it would work. They are taking the backlit keyboard's power and ground and using them on other connections. There is a slight risk doing it that way and the backlight would be "always on". Also, if you do damage the N61 doing the mod, your warranty would be void.

I haven't opened the bottom of the N61 yet but, plan to do so soon. When I do, I will see which power connectors we have access to. Maybe there will be a way to do the mod without affecting the warranty.

Maybe I will poke around in it tomorrow. I will snap some pictures so we can all bang our heads together and see what we can come up with.

I will also check and see if I can afford to get the keyboard to do the mod.

David

 

So now I just manually select d drive to install whatever I want to.

Btw did you perform a clean install or whatever they call it(reinstall windows to clear bloatware) when you jus got your lappy? I think I screwed up my baby. And I'm interested in do that. Any idea how to or any useful sites to teach me? Any tips would be greatly appreciated

 

Since Greg and I have been talking in private, I thought I would let everyone know what we were talking about:

Yes, it will work. They are taking the keyboard and just rerouting the power. It will be an "always on" power source, so we should find a better one. I am thinking USB so we can control it via software.

Anyway, I am willing to mod mine. It will void the warranty unless we find a way to mod it without making any perm. changes to the laptop. It isn't too difficult to do yet we need to do it right. I am going to take some pictures of things that are accessable without cracking open the case and I hope I can get to the USB ports. If I can, I am sure I can write a little C# app that can toggle the USB port that it is attached to. If someone can think of something else that toggles then, of course, that is preferred.

If anyone else wants to mod theirs, lets collaborate and do these mods together. Greg, come on buddy! heh I know there is someone that already tried connecting a keyboard they got and XoticPC and Powernotebooks may be able to help (enter disclaimers here). ;-)

EDIT: Looks like Greg posted our conversation above.

 

The D: partition is created in an Extended Partition Shows as yellow or orange, I think). You need to delete the D: partition and then the Extended Partition to resize the C: drive.

David

 

Hey hi Lorddavon! Yea I did just that. Deleted the d drive and it appears as free space in green beside the c drive. When i right clicked the c drive to extend it using he free space I can't cause the option is grey and I can't click to select that option

 

David, It was Michellelane71 who tried the keyboard. I sent her a PM but I don't know if she is still hanging out in lounges as her last post was 3/2 and she was selling her laptops because of a job loss.

 

Delete the free space in green to the right of the C drive. You can't extend the C drive if there is anything to the right of it. Once you delete that green free space you will be able to select extend on the C drive.

 

See what you can find out. If you can't figure it out by tomorrow night, I can use LogmeInRescue (professional support tool) to log into your system and see if I can delete it for you.

 

Hmm.. Maybe she will sell you or me the keyboard she got for it. PM me when you make contact.

 

ok will try it out when I get home. Thanks loads loads!!!!

 

He is correct. I think it needs to read something like "Unpartitioned Space" in order for the resizing.

 

Wow that's cool! Haha. Oh ya the reformating thingy when ppl gets their new laptop and to clear bloatware... Clean install or something. How can I do it? I'm not used to activating windows tru partition. Used to using window cd haha

 

I have no intrest in reinstalling a clean windows. This new laptop is working great without one problem. When something is working good I do not mess with it. No clean install, driver updates, Bios, nothing. There is nothing wrong with the bloatware. It does not take up to much space and you might end up needing some parts of it. But for me I would just uninstall any bloaware that is really bothering you instead of a clean install. And for another opinion on the bloatware here is a post by Donald at PowerNotebooks. http://forum.notebookreview.com/showpost.php?p=5843382&postcount=207
What have you done with your laptop so far?

 

There really isn't much need to reinstall. Just removing certain applications and resizing C: to use the rest of the drive worked perfectly for me. It is a pretty powerful laptop so it doesn't take that long to clean up.

 

Greg,

Did you ever get Microsoft Security Essentials working on the ASUS? I am still using Trend Micro because I remember that you were getting lockups.

Ok, off to bed for me. I will check in again tomorrow.

 

I didn't try either one and I have never had a lockup on this laptop. My internet provider is Comcast. And with all the money they steal from you they provide you with a free Security suite. This year it is Norton Security suite. I know (NOT NORTON!) but they seem to have cleaned up there act and the price is right(Free).

 

I have a hunch that the hardware device information for the keyboard is stored in the computer ACPI tables. Getting the keyboard to work might be accomplished by hacking the DSDT in the BIOS. Have to disassemble a g51 bios and poke around to see what it says about the keyboard. Without the hardware and code in front of me it's all conjecture though.

I'd have to agree that Norton has improved recently, even still I doubt I'll ever go back. I've been using Avira for a while now, it's well regarded, has great detection ratings and comes in a full featured free version that generates the occasional popup window asking you to buy. Even with the nag screen I like it better than the other antivirus programs I tried out.

 

That was me. It's working without issue since I installed the AHCI driver "Intel Matrix Storage". I haven't had a lockup since I installed that driver.

 

I don't know. But there is this pop up window telling me the driver I install is not compatible with the system and is causing it to not work and windows have stop this program. This pop up occurs everytime when I boot into windows. Not big issue but it's irratating. I can't find out what it is and where to is to uninstall it

 

i got a new dlink router, dual band wireless n etc some good stuff but i cant seem to connect to the N, my other laptops/computers can except this one.

anyone know if i need to update my wireless card? on asus site only ones available were ALL intel, but i have something called a "Atheros AR9285 Wireless Network Adapter".

 

Hey guys,

Really interested in the N61 - a great mobile gaming solution at a good price.

Has anyone tried playing NBA 2K10 or Flight Simulator X on this machine?

 

I had numerous discussions with her about the keyboard. The connection for the power strip was not compatible. Although the ribbon would fit it would fall out as the strip was apparently thinner. I suggested adding a piece of tape to increase the thickness of the power strip which did lock it in place but the keyboard still didn't light up. I asked her if she could check to see if voltage was present at the motherboard but she said the contacts were too small to check with her probe. I was thinking that the pin order might be different but wasn't able to verify without being able to probe the connector so we couldn't determine if it was a bios issue or a compatibility issue with the keyboard. She no longer has the laptop and the strip on the keyboard was torn during her testing. I am not sure if she returned it or not. I was very interested in her getting it to work as I also own this laptop also. I am very happy with this laptop and haven't had any issues with it except some times during game play my Logitech cordless mouse will hesitate briefly messing up my shot when I play Tiger Woods Online. The game plays very well I get like 50-60 fps so I think maybe it is related to a momentary io lockup but not sure what is causing it. Usb 3.0 works well. I took the drive out and put it in a 3.0 enclosure and put a small 64 GB SSD drive inside which has improved performance some although it wasn't a night and day difference. I didn't really bench it to see how much difference it made. I did have to turn off AHCI in bios for the SSD to work. I was also able to overclock the video card with afterburner. The temps were still good and fps went up a little. It was a cheap boost without any stability issues. I could only get 100 more on core and would have to check the mem clock as I don't remember what I was able to get it to as I am not on the laptop at the moment. All in all I am very pleased with it. The only things I wish were different was being able to have both drives inside, more battery life and most of all a lighted keyboard.

 

The Atheros wireless card cannot connect to 5 GHZ networks. Try switching the network to a 2.4 GHZ one for it to work. Don't worry. You don't lose any quality or speed in your connection, unless there are many cordless phones and microwaves in your house.

 

I actually tried NBA 2K10 last night, all settings on high with 4x aa gave 26-30fps. Very playable. 8x aa returned 15-22fps and was not so playable

 

You know what really pisses me off? The backlit keyboard is listed at $20 on the asus parts website and assuming the regular keyboard costs $10 it would've been a $10 price difference. Why didn't asus include it and charge an extra $10??? Heck, I would've paid an extra $50 for this feature.

backlit keyboard

 

They probably want enough product differentiation in their lineup. Especially since they have so many different laptop models. I mean, the n61's already have so much going for it, why give it a lighted keyboard? You'd take away sales from the gaming laptops they have. Why give it a 9 cell battery? You'd take away sales from the ultra mobile lineup. (I'm hoping this one isn't true though, I want a 9 cell battery and this laptop looks like it can take one)

 

how many here experience peeling of the cover of the laptop?

 

If you mean the front lip of the lower half of the laptop, then yes mine is peeling, but then again, it just stops at the lip and isn't causing much of a problem. Not to mention, I don't exactly baby it either, it spends it's fair share of time in my backpack.

 

I have a question about the 1 year accidental warranty. I just printed off the things I need to mail it in but I seem to remember some people saying that it was the wrong address and a lot of people were getting their warranty information returned in the mail. Does anyone have that correct address. I don't have time to search through 200 pages.

 

Why does it say this wireless card can connect on the 5 Ghz band in the manual then ?

 

I believe it's due to the drivers that ASUS is providing. When I looked at the model number on the wireless card it came up with a model number that can do 5 Ghz. When I installed it in Windows with the ASUS and default Windows drivers it is displayed in device manager as a model that cannot. Most people that need 5 Ghz have just opted to buy one of the Intel wifi cards 5100/5300, 6200/6300.

 

When I bought mine, I had GentechPC install an Intel 5100 to make sure I had the 5ghz option. The 2.4Ghz still has the better range, but I wanted the 5ghz for flexibility's sake...

 

Attention : ADW DepartmentM
ASUS Notebook Accidental Damage Warranty Program
Case Number: 1002001666
ASUS Computer International
800 Corporate Way
Fremont CA 94539
United States

 

Can we get this added to the first post?

 

I wouldn't. There is a web site to go to in order to get your own case number. ;-) It would be a good idea to get the site setup on the front page though.

 

I'll settle for that.

 

We are going to reroute the power and ground for the keyboard to another 5V connection. I would like to see if there is a way to tie to a USB port. There has to be a way to disable the USB ports power from a C# app. If not, there has to be another way to toggle the power on and off or another power source with a toggle.

I am not sure if the laptop has some type of light sensor somewhere. If it does, that would be the best.