* Asus N61JQ Owners Lounge *

I would go with starcraft 2, pre-order from Gamestop and start playing right away they send you a beta key.

 

For a good FPS, I would suggest Modern Warfare 2. It runs very beautifully on the machine. And I am also loving Starcraft 2. From my experience, you can play on both ultra and high, though I can't really tell the difference between the two, so I just play high to get some more frames.

 

I have to say I am really at a crossroad now and am not sure what to do. I'm looking to replace my extremely aging (talk about an understatement!) Dell laptop. I've looked a dozen times at several models and this one caught my eye (61JQ-A1). HOWEVER, when I read reviews such as on Amazon.com I am real hesitant. One guy over there appears to be similar to me in technical knowledge (I'm a senior-level tech) and describes in detail the trails he had simply getting it to boot up and make a set of restore DVD's. Then he talks about how he had to kill speaker drivers to connect HDMI. Finally he talks about the "no help calling ASUS support". Unfortunately I don't have the time nor ability to scan now 4000 (exact number of posts in this thread before mine) messages. Am I right in saying that overall very few people have had the BSOD problems described on Amazon.com (by more than just the one guy, BTW) and chances are very high that I'll get a superior-performing machine? I was able to download a good manual from somewhere and that was important-I want a good break-down and "how to" on laptops because they are SO different from one mfg to another. I'm Dell certified and Lenovo trained but we also run HP laptops @ work. I refuse to work on the HP laptops other than basic RAM and hard drive work because they are so ridiculously put together. Replace an LCD? Take the thing almost down to the chassis. Sorry, I'm digressing...

Please nut-shell this for me and bear with me because I really can't read this whole thread. Is it fairly simple to work on these (say I need to replace the LCD or keyboard somewhere down the road after the warranty is out) and as I already asked, is there a HIGH chance I'll get a system that I'm not having to do my own troubleshooting all the time? I sure don't want to uninstall speaker drivers just to make HDMI work!

Has anyone loaded WinXP on this system? Yeah, I know, silly question - I know W7 is superior, I was just wondering. First thing I'll do when whatever machine comes in is pull the drive, make a digital image of it so I have an image file that is exactly how the drive shipped. Pretty much standard practice for me in my position @ work. We don't test apps/operating systems w/o having a return-point.

 

I'm experiencing hang ups and bsods. What to do?

The last bsod that I got last night was this:

A problem has been detected and Windows has been shut down to prevent damage
to your computer.

The problem seems to be caused by the following file: win32k.sys

SYSTEM_SERVICE_EXCEPTION

If this is the first time you've seen this stop error screen,
restart your computer. If this screen appears again, follow
these steps:

Check to make sure any new hardware or software is properly installed.
If this is a new installation, ask your hardware or software manufacturer
for any Windows updates you might need.

If problems continue, disable or remove any newly installed hardware
or software. Disable BIOS memory options such as caching or shadowing.
If you need to use safe mode to remove or disable components, restart
your computer, press F8 to select Advanced Startup Options, and then
select Safe Mode.

Technical Information:

*** STOP: 0x0000003b (0x00000000c0000005, 0xfffff96000114283, 0xfffff88006f29070,
0x0000000000000000)

*** win32k.sys - Address 0xfffff96000114283 base at 0xfffff96000050000 DateStamp
0x4a5bc5e0

There are also a lot of this message on the event viewer: [where x is 0 to 7]
"The speed of processor x in group 0 is being limited by system firmware. The processor has been in this reduced performance state for 71 seconds since the last report."

I also get this message alot:
"LMS Service cannot connect to Intel(R) MEI driver"

On the side note, the temps that I get (gaming: 89C on the hottest core, 90C GPU. CPU stress: 80+C) makes me want to replace my stock thermal compound with an ic diamond but too bad as5 is the only available here. I'm worried that this much heat could cripple the n61 earlier than expected.

 

Andy, some of those reviews on amazon are from people who are afraid of experimenting with their laptop. I believe some people are by the book and won't stray far from the common troubleshooting steps.

I ran into the same problem of no audio through hdmi and after playing around with it, I got the audio to work (it was a Win7 thing). Only time that problem popped up was after I upgraded the audio drivers. Windows was sending audio to two locations (built in speakers and HDMI) and the built in speakers was primary, so that was where the audio went. After I switched it to HDMI output by "disabling" the onboard speaker output, it worked fine and it switches back to onboard speakers after the HDMI was disconnected.

Maybe I'm lucky but the only freeze/lock-up I've encountered was when I tried playing the pre-installed intro movie. I'm pretty sure everyone who tries playing this file for the first time had the same problem. Thankfully it only happens the first time you play the file. Rebooted, tried again, and it worked like it should have. Other than that, mine has been running like a champ since I've got it. I've updated most of the drivers and flashed to the newest official BIOS.

As for working on it, a service manual was generously provided to us by GenTech PCs a few pages back. I haven't cracked mine open yet (no need to as it's still pretty new) but I don't plan on getting any more serious than swapping out HDs, adding RAM, and cleaning out the fan and heatsink.

Hope this helps.

 

scias23, try use memtest86+ and test your ram. If your ram modules pass all tests, then I'd go ahead and do a system restore.

 

Have you tried the new MEI driver? I think this fixed a LMS problem for Risco: http://www.station-drivers.com/telechargement/intel/divers/Intel_AMT-HECI_6.1.0.1042(www.station-drivers.com).exe

Edit to all: this is a newer version than the last one I posted.

 

Free MW2 this weekend started this evening make a steam account gogo!

 

Andy, Welcome to our Lounge. Here is the service manual http://go.notebookreview.com/?id=52...nges/456659-asus-n61jq-owners-lounge-397.html. You would have found this on the first page if you looked. I think if you spend some time on the first page you can answer a lot of your questions and concerns about the N61. I have every review and a vast majority of the problems from this forum listed there. It saddens me as I have spent so many hours updating that page just for someone like you and you didn't even notice it.

 

David, Could you please stop messing around with those silly old arcade games and come out and play? ( With the Backlit keyboard!) :yes:

 

Stop stressing on the temps you silly thermal dork!

 

Dear David,

I am sure you have seen the following thread, where they have successfully modded the backlit keyboard for UL30/80/50Vt. It has the picture for 0V/5V/5V/5V.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/asus/465841-ul30-backlit-keyboard-mod.html

Though, you are right that the backlit keyboard stays lit all the time.

Now, I have got my N61Jq, I will email my serial number to Asus. They have told me that it could be modded for the backlit keyboard. They wanted the serial number for my laptop. Since, I have it now, I will email them with the serial number and ask them about if it can be turned on and off by a key on the keyboard.

Best regards,

KOR!

 

Alright I have downloaded a copy. I read the readme, now I'm confused. What's next to do?

 

My NeoGeo's monitor died last night. I'm pissed. Trying to get the monitor replaced today. I was planning on working on the keyboard this weekend but, after I get this monitor replaced. It should be on Sunday.

 

Thanks for the suggestions guys!

I got Modern Warefare and WOW graphics are awesome now working on StarCraft 2. Using HW Monitor my core temps ranged from 75 to 81 Max, I noticed core 3 is always higher than others, anybody know why?

 

Did you change the contrast to 92 on all R, G and B?

 

Just run setup.exe. I noticed that this version adds a tray app for some hardware security feature, but it can be disabled from starting up through the options.

 

CCC only gives you one contrast control, which I assume is R, G & B. The only control that lets you adjust those separately is gamma (in CCC that is).

 

I'm using 10.4 and it allows contrast correction on all channels, R, G and B. So I can set the contrasts in each of those options. I'm no graphics though and I just this baby yesterday.

 

Really? I downloaded 10.4 right when it was released, so maybe they updated it? Where in the options do you see that? I was looking in "Desktops & Displays." The reason I ask is because Risco said the "Display Properties" settings don't stick when loading some games. If you could control everything from "Desktops & Displays," you could get rid of the blue tint and have the settings stick.

 

I'm looking at the Desktop Properties, choose "Colors" and wala .. here's a pic:

 

There are 3 ways to set contrast in CCC.

1: Desktop Properties > Color > All Channels > Contrast
This will change contrast for all color channels. It is not available if you are using per-color settings like the profile Steve posted.

2: Desktop Properties > Color > Red/Green/Blue > Contrast
Lets you change contrast levels on a per-color basis. Use this if you want to change the contrast levels for just one color.

3: Desktops & Displays > display dropdown menu > Configure... > Color > Contrast
Lets you configure contrast for all color channels without affecting any of the settings from the "Desktop Properties" menu. I tweaked the contrast on my display from here.

[rant]I seriously wish we had these controls in windows. With Win 7 finally getting multiple displays right I was very happy to leave the bloated maze of confusion that is CCC in the dust with my last laptop. Back in the day before I realized my cheap notebook couldn't handle the action of overclocking, RivaTuner used to be the whiz-kid. Sure Riva was a bit confusing at times, but man could he do everything! I remember the days of CCC's infancy, 5 minute load times and constant crashing. I'd swear it had fetal alcohol syndrome. I research, and do my best to keep a small team of functional, powerful software with a slim profile. CCC's grown up to be the dim-witted chubby kid and I'd rather not have him on my team for the software sandlot, he's just not fun to play with.[/rant]

 

Oh yeah! I totally forgot those controls were there. Yeah I set my contrast in the other one: "Desktops & Displays." It's the "Desktop Properties" settings that don't stick in games, so I tried to do as much as possible in the other control panel. I only used "Desktop Properties" to adjust gamma for each color separately.

 

Don't custom ICC profiles allow you to do this in Windows? E.g. what Risco and myself used before messing with CCC. The built-in Win 7 calibration tool lets you adjust gamma (all channels) and RGB levels (whatever that means), but you could use a third party program to generate the ICC profile and import it.

 

Guys who are having issues with the colour settings. I tried numerous ways to get the colour "right". If I use windows calibration wizard, I can invididually set the contrast of each channel. However it has the effect of reducing the brightness of the display to the point of it looking really dull. Not only that but to keep it from unloading in games I needed to run a seperate program called monitor calibration wizard. This was fine, but it meant an extra startup program as well.

I also tried calibrating in desktop properties in CCC. However again this will unload in games, so still needed MCW to load on startup. I hate having too many startup programs and besides it still washed out the colours and made them dull.

I then came across desktop and displays. Now notebooks do not come with a hardware contrast setting. However through this section of CCC I am directly able adjust the contrast of the LCD, and it does not unload in games. The LCD is out the box comes with a way over blown contrast setting, this is what gives it blue tint. I think this is to hide the poor viewing angles as when ya lower the contrast it restricts the viewing angle more. The good thing is lowering the contrast totally removes the blue tint, colours look reasonably correct and I do not need an extra program loading on startup.

 

Can every one share the setting value or display calibrate file please ?

 

Here are my current settings in CCC:

Code:

Desktops & Displays
Hue: 0
Saturation: 110
Brightness: 0
Contrast: 95

Desktop Properties
Color	Gamma	Brightness	Contrast
Red	0.75	0		100
Green	0.7	0		100
Blue	0.55	0		100

If you prefer to use Win 7 color profiles instead, my last ICC profile is attached.

 

I tried the G51Jx and G73Jh backlit KB on N61JQ today it didn't work, the N61JQ MB does have the backlit connector for the KB, the keys itself works fine but the back light just won't turn on.

It could be the BIOS because on G51 and G73Jh the BIOS will detect the backlit KB and it'll flash for 1 second during the post and N61JQ does not.

It wasn't a KB mod, I was just testing to see if the backlit KB will work on N61JQ or not:

 

Yup. That is what we established. That is why I have been trying to hack the BIOS or connect the keyboard to a different source in the unit. It is either that or someone needs to say a huge "pretty please" to ASUS.

If you notice, the keyboard connector is 0/5/5/5, so the power is there. We just have no way of telling it to turn on. ;-)

Oh, welcome to the hacking game. If you don't care about the warranty, send me some PM info and we can sync up on it.

 

Just wondering if anyone is having any luck with MSI afterburner as an overclocking tool? I have it set and it will let me adjust the clocks but they are not actually changing. Don't see it as a hugh problem as the ati gpu clock tool works but was seeing if I could get different results.

 

Ubuntu 10.04 issues:

1. The webcam produces an upside down image.
Possible Solutions (I haven't tried): [kubuntu] [HOW-TO] Upside-down image from UVC webcam - Ubuntu Forums

2. Touchpad doesn't turn off while you type.
Solution that doesn't work: Ubuntu: Automatically Disable TouchPad While Typing ~ Web Upd8
<code>
syndaemon -d
Unable to find a synaptics device.
</code>

3. When an external monitor is connected, the Gamma setting for the laptop's display get's set to "1.00", when I go into the Catalyst Control Center it says it's only set for "0.50" but when I click on the "Default" button the brightness of the screen doesn't change, then when I click on the reset button for Gamma the screen goes back to it's normal brightness/gamma.

Any pointers would be greatly appreciated,
-BassKozz

 

Ken do you know if similar plug exists in N71JQ?

If it exist then can you please test backlit keyboard there?

Under the keyboard of mine there is also an unconnected plug which looks to be the same like the one on N61JQ.
It would be nice if you can test and see if backlit keyboard works.

I could have tested it, but unfortunately in Germany the ASUS replacement keyboards are very expensive. ASUS backlit keyboard costs from www.asusparts.eu about 80 euros.

 

Okay, folks...I bit the bullet and just ordered the A1 model from Vann's. They are one company that offers the 2 year limited warranty/ 1 accidental that Asus offers - for some reason Amazon.com and Best Buy don't. Plus they nicely dropped the price by $20 from their already very reasonable price for the unit AND with zero shipping/taxes, I couldn't go wrong.
Sure hope I get a good unit...I have very little patience for a problematic laptop.

Oh, BTW - has anyone out here used the Laplink PC Mover program going from XP to Win 7? I am really hoping I'm not going to be sorry going from a 32-bit XP system to a 64-bit W7! FIRST thing I'm going to do when I get the Asus is make a digital image of the drive, probably before I even turn it on for the first time. This way if I can always return the drive to exactly how it came in. Hmmm...crazy idea here - maybe I should format the drive and load W7 32-bit. (Just kidding!)

Wish me luck! lol

 

for gpu o'c


download MSI afterburner MSI Afterburner
then to bypass the limits set by the program
1. Go to installed directory of MSI Afterburner, default: C:\Program file\MSI Afterburner
2. Use notepad to edit “MSIAfterburner.cfg”
3. Change the parameter of “EnableUnofficialOverclocking” from “0” to “1”.
you may have to change to admin rights to save the file
Ive done numerous testing and came up with best clocks of
775mhz for core clock
995mhz for memory clock
you can use techPowerUp! :: Download GPUTool Community Technology Preview 1
to test for stability.
when testing for stability you need to let it go for awhile and have no errors

 

Budgey do you have the n61jq also or another model?

 

nah i got a n71jq but pretty much the same i watch both threads

 

It's is not the same because the n71 probably has a 130w adapter rather than the 90w that comes with the n61 which allows for more overclocking headroom.

 

Amazon offers the 2 year warranty ( link); I bought mine from them.

Double check first, but I don't think you need to image the drive first; just don't delete the recovery partition. Also, to be honest, "how it came in" is not all that great : lots of bloat, and probably not the newest drivers.

 

im pretty sure i said pretty much the same. U will still have to test for stability sheesh. im thinkin u will will still get around the same clocks on the GPU. If u dont u dont.

 

Congratulations and good luck with your A1. Give us a review when you get a chance. BTW, all A1's come with a 2 year warranty. It's the X1 that only comes with 1 year.

 

Yeah, I wondered what would have happened if I'd bought the A1 from Best Buy and activated directly with Asus. The fact that B.B. say they only offered a 1 year doesn't change the facts of what Asus offers. I can't help but wonder if B.B says that hoping consumers will buy their extended warranty? Who knows, probably shouldn't accuse anyone of anything that can't be proven.

Rest assured I'll be reporting my results here.

 

Dear Greg,

He might be right about Best Buy, though not sure. However, when I followed the link from your post on the first page to register my ADW, this is what I found:

Maybe, you should post this on the first page.

Best regards,

KOR!

 

Unless I'm mistaken I don't think Best Buy has ever offered the N61JQ-A1 for sale.

 

KOR, Thank's for the suggestion but I think the link is self explanitory and those retailers don't advertise the ADW. I'm hoping you can talk to your contacts at ASUS about updating the bios to enable backlit keyboards to work.

 

Hi Greg,

I just emailed him with my serial number. As soon as I hear from him, I will keep all of us posted.

KOR!

 

I got a BSOD today, can someone point me in the direction to find why it happened? I think someone mentioned before where the OS unloads a log with information or an application. Thanks

 

Try blue screen viewer Blue screen of death (STOP error) information in dump files. it reads your .dmp files and highlights the failing modules .

 

Didn't know it has been tested already.

Most likely it's the BIOS because on G72, G73 and G51 the KB backlight will blink for half a second during post, that tells us the BIOS turn on the KB backlight, looks like hacking is needed in order to turn on theKB backlight.

Sure I can test the backlit KB on N71JQ, however, even the connector exist there is no guarantee it'll work just like N61JQ that the BIOS disable the backlit KB power.

 

Thanks Ken.
This is only to make sure that maybe ASUS has by mistake implemented it into the bios of N71JQ. :laugh:

 

I got three bsods 10 minutes after I started the computer. I switched the wireless on but the os detects the wireless as disconnected. But the indicator light was on.

The three bsods that I got were caused by the wireless. Is there any new driver update for this wireless?