Asus UL30VT FAQ / Official Owners Lounge redux

bios update fixed my graphics switching problems

 

Hi,

I recently reinstalled windows 7 on my UL30vt. After this, whenever i start the computer, i have to press F2 to enter BIOS and then exit it again in order for the computer to boot into windows. If I don't do this it says something along the lines of "Could not boot, control that the correct booting device is selected".

I installed windows via USB and doing this changed 'boot priority' in the BIOS to USB as first priority, perhaps it has something to do with this? I have, of course, changed back so that the harddrive is first boot priority now.. I really is strange, i don't have to do anything but enter BIOS and then exit it again...

I am very thankful for any help as this is getting to be quite annoying!

Regards,

John

 

Remove all USB devices from the laptop when you boot. Many computers will say they can't find anything to boot from if a flash drive is plugged in when booting. I can't test it right now, but I'm pretty sure this laptop is the same way.

 

Quick question: The Fn+arrow keys I thought were meant as media keys, but fn+down (play/pause) opens windows media center, and it doesn't work with songbird or winamp. While doing research I read that it only works with windows media player, is this true?

 

Very strange. Try choosing the option in the BIOS to reset to defaults. That usually fixes BIOS irregularities.

 

Yeah, I've tried resetting to default settings but unfortunately it doesn't help. Neither does removing all USB devices when booting.

Thanks for the help anyway!

 

Is it possible to get the Intel driver to work under LInux? I'm using Fedora 14 and the Nouveau drivers are sub-par.

 

@Johnsven
You may want to try updating your BIOS. You could have gotten a bad flash from the factory.

@Akaly
I'm not familiar with Linux, but I think this one would work for just the Intel IGP in this laptop.
Intel Linux Graphics: 2010Q4

Any Intel Graphics Driver would work with this laptop as long as it supports the Core 2 line of graphics. You don't need special drivers unless you want to use the Nvidia GPU.

 

I was under the impression that linux automatically forces the nvidia GPU. At least with ubuntu I am not able to even recognize the intel graphics chip. Which as you can imagine is terrible for battery life. (I get about 4 hours as opposed to 6-7 hours on max battery saving in Win7).

 

Hey guys, I posted a couple months back about random restarts on my Asus UL30VT-X1. Unfortunately I'm back looking for more ideas.

I thought I had solved the problem shortly after posting. I did in-depth analysis of my HD and found that it was rapidly failing. I replaced the HD, re-installed my OS with the recovery disks that came included with my laptop, and breathed a sigh of relief when I didn't experience any more random restarts.

But it only lasted a couple weeks. The random restarts have mysteriously resumed. My attempts to force a memory dump or error log to be written all fail. Even if I unclick the "restart automatically" tab, it STILL restarts automatically. In fact, 95% of the time there isn't even a BSOD associated with the restart. One minute I am powered on, the next second I see the ASUS startup/BIOS screen. The restarts can occur as frequently as every 15 minutes or as infrequently as every few days.

I have checked my computer temperatures and they all appear to be normal. I have Turbo mode turned off.

To answer @davmat787 from a couple months back, the restarts appear to happen totally randomly. They can occur even if my laptop is powered on and completely idling. But so far, it has NOT occurred if I power up in Safe-Mode, but it might be a coincidence since there isn't a reliable way to predict when it will restart.

At one point, after shutting off my laptop Windows informed me to "Please wait while your system is configured". Strangely, it did not explain to me what was being configured, and did not install any updates. But after this happened, my laptop randomly restarted 6 times in a row in a span of 20 minutes. This so far has been the only break in the pattern, and the only hint as to what could be happening.

The only information I can get from the system is from Event Viewer, underneath Administrative Tools in the Control Panel. log states gives the random restart an Event ID #41, Task Category (63). Searching online only reveals that Microsoft associates this error with hardware issues.

I've already sent the laptop to Asus's servicing center once, and they didn't appear to do anything to fix the problem. In fact, they didn't even contact me explaining what was wrong.

I'm desperate for any ideas on how to troubleshoot this. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

2 possibilities that I can think of right now:

1) Power could be fluctuating too much. If the laptop suddenly stops receiving enough power, it will turn itself off. Does this happen both plugged in and on battery?

2) Is your new hard drive going bad? You said you tested the old one, but not this new one. If this hard drive is going bad also, there is a high chance that the 5V connection is bad. I have seen this problem before in a desktop at the computer repair shop I used to work at. We went through 3 hard drives before realizing that the 5V that goes to the hard drive was bad, so we replaced the power supply. We never had another hard drive go bad in that system after that.

 

Sounds like a driver is bugchecking. Try this to get more info when it happens, it will not reboot automatically:

1) Right click on computer
2) Properties
3) Advanced System Settings on left side
4) On the Advanced tab, click settings under Startup/Recovery
5) Under system failure, make sure system log is checked, and automatic restart is UNCHECKED.

 

I usually hangout in the N73JQ forum but just wanted to give a heads up for those that might not know ASUS has a $200 mail in rebate for your guys particular notebook until the end of the month.

http://pdf.superwarehouse.com/rebates/Asus_NBMIR_Feb11.pdf

 

I've reinstalled Windows 7, but I still can't the profile switching to work.

I'm using the latest p4Ghybrid drivers (1.43), I've tried 1.24 and 1.25. I get the same thing.

Pressing the graphix boost button does not switch the profile at all. I've also tried the FN+spacebar. Same thing

When I try to change p4G profiles in advance settings. Under GPU settings, the only option I have is to change if discreet GPU off after X minutes. Is there suppose to be something else? According to a previous, someone said theres a options that lets you change to the discreet hybrid graphics card, but I don't have that.

I've also upgraded to the latest Bios 111

 

Did you download the Nvidia graphics driver for the UL30VT from Asus' support website? I'm pretty sure you have to use that driver, not one from Nvidia's website.

 

Does anybody know how to check how long the battery really lasts and how to calibrate it or make it show how much battery is really left? it keeps showing me different time left - like 1 hr left, 3 hours left. also, what can i do to get the most amount of battery?

Also, how would I lock the taskbar? Each time I turn on the laptop, I have to clear the 'Auto-hide taskbar'?

Thanks.

 

You can use BatteryMon to monitor your battery life. The built-in battery meter in windows isn't very accurate.

To calibrate your battery:
a) Charge the battery to full.
b) Unplug the computer and reboot it.
c) Turn off all the battery alarms (Low Battery and Critical Battery). Let the battery drain completely, until the computer shuts down by itself.
d) Start Windows and recharge the battery to full. Reboot one more time.

To lock the taskbar, right click on the task bar and select "lock the taskbar"

 

This worked perfectly! Had to reinstall windows 7 again though, but it's working now.

I started with the modded drivers, that's what messed everything up.

 

@cmasupra

Thanks for the ideas. Fortunately, the current HD does not appear to be failing so far. S.M.A.R.T. scans state it to be in 100% perfect health so far.

As for power profile, it has restarted regardless of being plugged in or not. I do have an alternate battery and I am considering using it to see if that makes some difference, but it seems doubtful.

@davmat787

I have those settings checked just as you described and it STILL restarts automatically. I have assumed that this has something to do with the nature of the problem. If you know any other ways to force the computer to write a log, let me know.


Anyone know of any indepth diagnostic apps for crashes perhaps?

 

Has anyone had any issues with replacing the 4gb of ram to 8gb of ram at 1066?
For some reason after I have installed the 8gbs Firefox crashes every 5 minutes, and when trying to playing WoW or even SC2 it suddenly crashes, and asks to restart. Any suggestions?

 

@supratuner
I take it we have the same favorite car? Toyota Supra. Anyways, you can try both of the tests below in either order. They'll tell us if the new RAM is bad, which I would assume it is.

1) Try running it with just 1 stick of RAM at a time. If there is 1 stick that shows issues, that is your bad stick of RAM.

2) Download the memtest86+ ISO from here, burn it to a CD, and boot from it. Let it run a few times. If there are errors, then your RAM is bad. You can also do this for each individual stick when you're doing number 1 above.

 

So, after DL the file, I removed one stick, and was going to reboot using the program. But before I could I ended up booting up and just going through windows to see if the one stick was just enough. After maybe 5min the screen goes black, and nothing responds, num-lock and caps lock light go on and off, but nothing else happens. Is this still a ram issue?
And yes, I had a 96 TT then had to sell it a few years ago due to money issues.
But I wish i didnt

 

Also try it with your other stick, and the stick(s) that came with the laptop. The reason I say to try your old sticks again is that something may have coincidentally shown up at the same time you upgraded your RAM.

If you have bad RAM, you might get a complete shutdown, you might blue screen. Anything could happen, depending on what was stored in the bad RAM.

Audi is good, too. I have a VW Jetta and plan to get an Audi R8 when I can afford one. I wish Toyota would make a new Supra with the same looks as the '97 Supra.

 

I had the same problems. Try this: Close all windows and programs, and then try to switch using the button. Also try switching using the tray app as well, it will even tell you which programs need to be closed in order to switch. In my case, Chrome must be closed prior to switching GPU's, whether automatically, graphics button, or tray app.

The auto hide bug I could not work around, and eventually I stopped trying to make it work, which is a shame.

Hope this helps.

 

Has anyone gotten an invalid Windows 7 Home premium key?

I did a clean install the other day and when I tried to active it, it said it was invalid.

This is purchased from JR.com

I didn't use the recover disc, I have the retail ultimate cd and I just used that to install premium.

My computers does say Windows 7 Home Premium. What's the deal?

 

You can't use an OEM license with a Retail disc.

You can try calling Microsoft and telling them that you are just reinstalling Windows on your laptop. They should activate it for you.

You can use this article if you want to reinstall using a different disc. I think that disc is OEM, but I'm not sure as I've never reinstalled.

 

Damn! Didn't know that. I guess I'll give MS a call and if they can't activate for me, I'll just use a loader for now, don't have the time or patience to reinstall everything again.

 

I got the same thing after a clean install, just call the automated number. It only takes a minute, and you don't give out any personal or machine info. Simply enter the PID, and it should be good from then on.

 

Hey y'all
Is there any way to monitor the heat the CPU & GPU is giving off?

 

Yea, I use the CPUID Hardware Monitor! It seems pretty acurate, Plus it shows battery info too!

http://www.cpuid.com/downloads/hwmonitor-pro/1.11-setup-en.exe

Cheers,
CC

 

^ Thanks for the link/program, but it doesn't seem to monitor GPU temp?

 

Weird. I have the Hardware monitor 1.16 version on my laptop, and it shows GPU temps??

Seems like the 1.17 is missing it, and the pro version shows it on the screenshots, but not on the downloaded version......Sorry???

OK,

Goto this link:
http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/hwmonitor-pro/versions-history.html
Scroll down to the October release for version 1.10

I just tried it, and it works. Seems like the newest version might still have a few kinks in it!

Or the non pro version the 1.16 that I have installed is here:
http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/hwmonitor/versions-history.html

 

Do you have the install file for 1.16? I can't find it on the internets.

 

Well, after trying a few different things I think my laptop may have another issue. After trying to check the ram, the monitor just goes black, with sound and num/caps locks still being able to be turned on and off I dont think it crashes. But I contacted Asustek anyway just to be safe, and basically all i got from them was that the model I have doesnt support 8gb of ram.
(basically no help what so ever)
Anyone else having issues where maybe a min after startup the screen goes to black like its changing graphics cards, but stays black there after, with no button combos to revive it. (the other way i know it doesnt crash is that i can still access the notebook from my desktop pc)
So questions are as follows.
1.) Does the UL30vt-x1k support 8gb?
(ive seen only 4gb on specs...but i have heard of people doing it here)

2.) Anyone else have the monitor issue that I have described?

3.) Any solution to the two questions above?

CMASupra: What I ment to say was that I owned a 96' Supra Twin-Turbo and I miss her so...

 

Yea, it's here, scroll down to the May 2010 date:

CPUID - System & hardware benchmark, monitoring, reporting

I don't have the solution to your questions, however I have the UL30VT-A1 And have 8GB of G-Skill RAM, and have no issues at all. For what it's worth....

 

One thing to consider is your RAM may simply be incompatible with the motherboard in the UL30VT-X1(K). In desktops, it is possible two have 2 sets of RAM with the same clocks, timings, etc, but have 1 of the sets not be compatible with a certain motherboard. You may be running into this issue with your laptop.

 

Thank you! The GPU temps are popping up now!

I wonder what the max temps should be....

 

I went with G.Skill RAM as well for my ul30vt-a1 memory upgrade, and have had zero problems with it. I put a link to the exact modules I purchased from newegg a few pages back in this thread, let me know if you can't find it.

 

Thank you! The GPU temps are popping up now!

I wonder what the max temps should be....

my GPU is hitting 99C max! that can't be good

 

I'm not sure what the safe limit is, but your temps are pretty high if you are just doing regular tasks....... I would expect to see temps that high if your gaming.

My laptop has been on for a few hours and my minimum temp was 47, and max was 58c. Currently it is 50c and that is on the G210M card.

I vaguely remember reading in one of the forums here that listed temps for this NB, which thread I couldn't tell you?. I think I also remember people with temp problems, but that may have been cpu vs. gpu?

Perhaps someone else can help with this, I just wanted to give you my temps as a comparison.

 

Desktop Nvidia GPUs are rated up to 110C, but the VRAM and voltage regulators and all the other parts are not rated that high. I would say anything over 90C is too much, and you should only reach 90C while playing a graphics-intensive game.

 

Sorry, I should've clarified. This is while gaming (L4D2). I get occassional video driver crashes while gaming (game freezes, drops to desktop) and when watching hi-def video. I thought it was just a the lack of video driver updates from asus or the bios, but now I'm starting to suspect heat.

I forgot to turn my cooling pad on, I'll see what the max temps reach with that on.

 

How are you testing the ram?

Suggestions:

1 - Go into BIOS and reset it to factory defaults
2 - If problems persist, try reversing the installed memory, swap the slots
3 - Try windows memory tester if you can, as well
4 - Try mismatching the memory, one old stick and one new stick. Isolate bad stick. If same behaviour with both, then maybe bad ram but more likely incompatible ram.

My UL30VT-A1 is now running 2x4gb corsair 1333mhz dimms running at 1066mhz but I did have strange problems with what turned out to be a faulty stick.

Failing all my above suggestions, maybe return the memory and grab some Corsair CMSO4GX3M1A1333C9 which does in fact work.

 

I was just playing H.A.W.X for about an hour, and my temps never went past 76C and no cooling pad, on a desk top with room air. Again, just a reference.

 

Ive actually had to update the bios to 211 and had to do a system restore, due to some strange things happening as far as the screen going straight to black. With no real way to get it back up (even using fn keys)
The computer is accessible if i try to remote log into it, but the screen only comes back every once in a while. I believe the system restore, and the power 4 gear 1.24 version installed might have solved my screen problem. But on another note, the ram that you are using is rated at 1333 but the notebook underclocks it back to 1066. is that the best solution to the ram or is buying 1066 and letting the 1333 turbo program continue its work?

And is there anyone that has upgraded their ul30 to Win 7 Professional?

Thanks for all the help guys.

 

Hi,

One little question about UL30VT-A1.
Is it possible to set up battery charging level like charging starts when it drops to 80% not 9x% like a basic?

 

Hey guys so I just did a clean install of windows 7 and I liked the turbo33 gadget, when try to install it it keeps saying "This computer does not meet system requirements" anyone have any idea how to get my turbo33 gadget back?

Also my webcam is flipped so I'm upside down on LifeFrame and skype, I didn't see any settings to change it, any ideas?

UL30VT

 

Thanks for that.

My GPU is reaching 90C w/ a cooling pad on SC2, L4D2 & The Witcher:CE.

Wonder if I should send it in.

Anybody else have gaming temps?

edit: I don't have the latest BIOS update. Would that affect fan speeds or thermal efficiency?

 

I hate to ask a stupid question, but is this for real?

NVM, I just checked my receipt and it says order date was 1/27 and invoice date was 1/31. I guess I don't qualify for the rebate.

 

I just thought I would input a quick post. I bought my UL30VT back in November, and for all purposes it has been great. Back then, I saw people posting that their Power4gear was causing issues etc...at the time, mine came loaded with P4G 1.129, and I never had any issues what so ever. If I unplugged it, it would automatically switch to the Intel graphics etc. And if I manually pressed the switch it would also switch between graphics every-time.

Well over the last two weeks, it no longer would switch. Via graphics button or Unplugging it? From past reading, I noted that the suggestion thus far was to use the tried and true 1.124, or 1.125. I initially tried downloading the 1.131 from Asus, and it failed every time, so I went with the 1.124 from Asus site. After Installing it (I did uninstall the 1.1.29 first) and same thing, would not switch????

So after a quick search on line, I found a Power4Gear vs. 1.1.37 meant for another Asus PC, and so far seems to work. I can switch the graphics manually, and the turbo icon is back (disappeared with 1.1.24)

I will give a follow up in about a week to clarify if this worked, but thought it was interesting none the less!!