M50Sv: Review & Owners' Lounge

Ah, brilliant! - I had my mouse plugged into the 2nd closest USB port, and when I moved it to the lone USB port on the rear-most side of the optical drive, the whine stopped.

However, as good of a temporary fix as this is, it means that 2 of my USB ports are out-of-commission while my speakers are plugged in... Is there a permanent fix for this yet or will I have to wait for the new BIOS?

Thanks

 

There's also another USB on the left side of the notebook. It's the ESATA/USB combo port.

 

It seems to be an electrical design issue. From a user standpoint this sucks. It is possible that some shielding might fix the problem, but as a consumer that is not willing to break a warranty seal, we will just have to complain till they buy us USB hubs, or recall the affected models.

 

I just purchased this laptop, and I initially thought that perhaps the keys were just a bit sticky, or the springs were a bit tougher than I was used to. However, after doing some searching on the net, it appears that other people are having the same issues.

Just typing the above paragraph, there were three keys that were missed, and I had to backspace to correct. Including the "c" in correct, ironically.

Other laptops have apparently had issues that required a BIOS flash, but since there are no new BIOS updates for this laptop, I'm assuming that the solution has not been identified yet. This is a very aggravating issue, since I usually type quite fast, and correcting missed keys requires a lot of backspacing.

Help!!!

I've read everything here : http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=250533 and I've adjusted the touchpad settings as suggested on a different site. Nothing has helped so far.

Ideas? I'm running Vista, but other people have reported the problem on XP as well as Ubuntu.

 

When I called, they said the issue with the speakers hissing or whatnot was being addressed in a Bios not yet available to the public, but it is waiting approval to be released. It affects both M50 and M51 models, apparently.

This of course could just be something they tell everyone when in fact nothing is being done, but we shall see.

 

Actually, I've experienced a similar situation.
I found out that the high pitching noise coming from the audio out will only be heard when using external speakers and at MAX volume while using any of the 2 closest USB ports. It's not noticeable at all unless I put my ears near the speakers. I've also noticed that as long as your mouse is moving, the high pitch sound goes away. The moment the mouse is idle, the sound comes back.
As for earphones, the high pitch noise is more noticeable than the external speakers, BUT, it depends on the type of earphones you're using. I've tried it with the B&O A8 earphones and the Shure SE530 earphones, both produces the high pitch sound. I have these cheap Sony earphones which work perfectly fine and no high pitching sounds occur.

I have already addressed the issue HERE. Let us know if it works out for you.

 

Yes, I've attempted that, but it didn't solve the issue. I believe that it helped somewhat, but it still misses characters. I'm not sure what the cause is, but I've opened a ticket with Asus, and I'm just waiting for them to reply.

The above paragraph mised two letters, and again here with the s in missed.

 

Alright... I did more poking around on the web and found 2 possible solutions (I haven't tested them and probably won't since I'm using XP and won't have time to reinstall Vista).

1. Disable searchindexer
2. Disable IE7 Protected mode

 

I'm thinking I may just throw XP on the thing. Does the recovery disk that comes with the laptop contain an image of Vista if I find XP doesn't fix anything? If the service techs want to take a look at it, I doubt they'll help if I've dumped the OS.

 

I dumped my OS as soon as I got it and put XP on it, and I still had the problem you are referring to about the keyboard, though I never has the notebook long enough to try and fix it(that or I thought it was just me bad at typing and missing keys I coulda swore I hit).

I sent the notebook in to get checked for a buzzing noise unrelated to the speakers.

I don't really think Asus cares whether or not you keep vista loaded up on it after you buy the thing.. just pop in the restore disc if you are that worried (I didn't even restore to vista when I sent mine in). You can buy the m50sv with XP as an option from some places, so I don't think it's a biggie.

 

I'm just going through setting up a dual boot vista/xp setup to see if I can replicate and / or decide which I like better. I'll let you know if it fixes the keyboard issues.

 

I have a few questions regarding Asus utilities. I'm recieving my M50Sv tomorrow and plan on installing Windows XP on it.

Life Frame - What does this program do?

Virtual Camera - What does this program do?

Splendid - Is this even worth having installed? I'm leaning towards no...

Power4 Gear - If I want to utilize Windows XP power management features can I just skip this program and not install it?

Wireless Console Utility - Since I don't make much use of wireless and will never make use of Bluetooth can I just skip this program and not install it?

I'm just concerned if not installing Power4 Gear or the Wireless Console will cause issues in the device manager such as unrecognized items or stability issues.

Thanks

 

Life Frame - an image edit and capture program associated with your webcam. You can probably do without it

Virtual Camera - http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=3389740
You can skip this if you want. I don't use it on my m50

Splendid - Supposedly makes images and videos look better by adjusting the contrast/brightness. You can skip this.

Power4 Gear -You could skip this if you want, but try it out first. I find it quite useful.

Wireless Console Utility - yes, you can skip this if you don't need it. I didn't install it on mine.

 

hey, why can't i tune my graphic card using rivatuner?
whenever i "Enable driver-level hardware overclocking".. --> that's what we should click first to change the clock right?
it always giving me a 'reboot is recommended' notice...
i have clicked 'detect now' option but nothing happens.
i reboot, but when i got back into windows, the same thing happen all over again.
if i click cancel... well duh.. hahaha

 

What is the AV/S Video in for?

What is the esata port for?

There is not S-video out right?

 

download the latest modded drivers from laptopvideo2go for overclocking, if your using stock asus drivers i dont think it will work

 

AV/S video in? Huh?

eSata? It's like USB2.0, only faster and better in every way.

S-Video? Since there's no opening for it, and there's no line item in the spec listing, I'll say no. HDMI and VGA are better choices, IMO, especially HDMI.

 

Can anyone tell me if the keyboard pops out nice and easily on this model?

I get an annoying amount of stuff under the keys, and its so much easier to get the keyboard out than it is to tap the back of the laptop, or try and remove the keys (already ruined one keyboard doing that)

 

I know Bunsie must be feeling the same way I do right now. Anticipation of recieving a $1300 extension of you life is incredible. What makes it worse is that like most other shipments I have recieved from FedEx, the tracking info isn't updated till it is sitting in my house. I have a date it departed both ExcaliberPC and a date it departed California, but nothing in regards to anyone recieving it, and It was estimated delivery of today. Here is the information I have:
May 23, 2008 9:39 AM Departed FedEx location SACRAMENTO, CA
2:00 AM Arrived at FedEx location SACRAMENTO, CA
May 22, 2008 8:51 PM Left origin SAN JOSE, CA
6:47 PM Arrived at FedEx location SAN JOSE, CA
5:22 PM Picked up SAN JOSE, CA
May 21, 2008 4:23 PM Package data transmitted to FedEx Newark, CA

 

Okay, so loading XP didn't fix anything. Still missing keys. I got a response from Asus support telling me to request an RMA service. Not even an attempt to troubleshoot, just send it back. Which is odd. So I'm REALLY hoping the next one they give me works better. The frustrating thing is that I've got the thing completely configured the way I like it now, I just can't type on it!

Oh well.

 

What happens if you use an external usb keyboard? After all the troubleshooting, my next best guess would be a faulty keyboard. It'll probably be best to send it in for RMA and have them do some hardware diagnostics.

 

Here's another interesting observation regarding my desktop speaker whine when the nearby USBs are used - it only occurs with my mouse USB! - As I said earlier, moving my mouse to one of the farther away USB ports causes the whine to stop, but inserting my USB memory stick into one of the close USB ports does not cause any whining at all! (even if I put the drive into use) - Very strange!

 

Not as bad as FedEx coming to your house and no one being there so you don't get it

 

Sounds like typical CPU throttling to me. What kind of whine is it?

 

this is what i got, i ordered mine last wednesday. supposed to be here tomorrow

May 27, 2008 10:40 PM
Departed FedEx location
GROVE CITY, OH
10:08 PM Arrived at FedEx location
GROVE CITY, OH


May 23, 2008 6:27 AM
Departed FedEx location
SACRAMENTO, CA
2:32 AM
Arrived at FedEx location
SACRAMENTO, CA

May 22, 2008 9:45 PM
Left origin
SAN JOSE, CA
6:43 PM
Arrived at FedEx location
SAN JOSE, CA

5:22 PM
Picked up
SAN JOSE, CA

 

I ordered mine from ExcaliberPC on the 20th and it shipped the same day

latest update

May 28, 2008 1:55 PM

Delivery exception

WINSTON-SALEM, NC

Customer not available or business closed

6:41 AM

On FedEx vehicle for delivery

WINSTON-SALEM, NC


Great service from ExcaliberPC so far, but I want my computer so badly

 

Guys, i successfully put windows xp on my m50sv-a1 but now i'm having problem watchin dvds. says that its missin a dvd decoder. is it because i may have missed certain drivers that i did not download? I can install and play games using the dvd drive but i can't seem to watch dvds with it. anyone got ideas?>

 

What media player are you using? This happens to me too when I use Windows Media Player (which totally crap). Try Nero Show Time or GOM player

 

You are comfortable swap the keyboard yourself you can just ask them ship you a new keyboard, they don't even ask you to send the old keyboard back, at least you'll have a new keyboard to try.

 

No I think this is different - I do have CPU whine, but this other whine only occurred when I plugged my desktop speakers into the audio port with a mouse in the nearby USB port. If I moved the mouse, the whine stopped, but also did not start up again if a USB drive was placed in the same port! Mystery indeed.

 

Just got my M50sv-B1 today, excellent machine. Now i just have to tweak it a little bit.

 

I am using the Windows Media Player but i'm downloading GOM player as i speak and hopefully it'll work. thanks

 

Can you look up the Blu-ray drive in Device manager and let me know the manufacturer and model #. Thanks.

 

If I'd had the laptop for more than a week, I may have contemplated doing this. As it stands though, I'm just going to take it back tonight and swap it for a new one. I'm not going to mess around with it, even though I'm sure I could do it. Just not worth my time.

I'm pretty sure it's either a BIOS issue, or a hardware issue though, because it causes me grief in XP and Vista.

 

Just got a call from the house. Looks like my laptop just arrived. Loading WoW as soon as I get home.

 

I just got mine

Its awesome so far, but I need to remove some bloatware, how hard is a reinstall of vista and are how exactly do you add the drivers yourself?

 

You can load the restore disc and let it do it's thing, and then when it asks for the driver CD, power down and the restart it and load the driver from the cd manually. then you will have a fresh Vista to start with.

 

I just got my ASUS M50 Series M50Sv-A1. quick question.

How do you turn on the fingerprint login feature?

So far I really like this laptop. It's really nice for the price

 

There should be a link for it at the login screen. it's a bit confusing but not hard to figure out eventually.

The button on the touchpad that switched to the media mode/normal touchpad stopped working. DO you guys have any idea why this could happen?

 

That's the problem there isn't. How does it appear? where? At login screen, or after.

 

I appeared for me when I logged in

 

So, I just did a clean install


is there a list of which drivers do what?

specifically which ones are the hotkeys and fingerprint reader.

silly me there is a nice readme on the driver CD

 

this infrared driver
http://croftophile.free.fr/pilotes/X86-en-8363292.zip
removed last yellow sign in XP device manager on my m50sv

 

Is there any way to change what the laptop does when you close the lid?

 

yes in the windows power settings somewhere if your using vista, it says change what certain buttons do.

 

yep, right click on desktop, and go to personalize. click screen Saver at the bottom click on change power settings. Then to the left is the option to change what happens when you close the lid.

 

No Problem, it's a Mat$h!ta BD-CMB UJ-120 (i had to change the letters 'coz of the censors lol.

 

hey, got got another little problem here..
why can't i instal certain games.. my Flatout 2 installer could not be executed..
is it because of vista compatibility?

 

There is nothing about this laptop I would say is bad.
- Battery life is fine...it's not marketed saying it's got huge battery life.
- SD card is actually good that it's tucked in there good. card doesn't stick out, and will never get bumped by accident.
- Audio jacks are good too. front on the side...what could be better? in the front they are in the way of your workspace...in the back they are a pain to put in and out.

I work on my laptop 7 hours a day, and the only PITA is that all my old programs I used from windows 2000 dont' work on Vista. I ordred an xp cd and am trying to hold out...

 

Search for my post in the forums (I dont' think it was this thread) on the download link from asus...

I had to reinstall mine.

I had same problem as you.

works fine now.