G1S killed by a zealous overclocker?

I was experimenting a bit with overclocking the CPU on my G1S (i can hear the morale-overclocking-police quickly approaching) and everything was going well.

I had a Zalman NC2000 and my CPU panel off. The CPU temps and GPU temps were decent (max 65 CPU, max 86 GPU) and 4400+ 3DMark06.

I was using SetFSB and I pushed the FSB to 225 and the PCI-X to 105 mhz. Everything was going well. No BSOD since I think the limit I got with that CPU was 230 FSB.

Then, I tried to create a batch file to automatically start SetFSB... but when testing the batch file, I got an Error 38 with SetFSB. I tried loading SetFSB without the batch file and got the same error. So I decided to reboot my computer... and this is were something bad happened.

I doesn't seem to post anymore. I can hear the g1s boom sound, the HDD is spinning a few times and that's about it. Nothing appears on the screen. Fans are spinning, DVD-ROM is spinning and it... just... don't... seem... to... POST.

Any suggestions? A hard reset? (which I didn't really find here, except for the reset button, but according to the manual, the reset button is an "emergency shutdown button") Accessing the CMOS battery? Can't find where it's locating...

Now, I KNOW overclocking is WRONG and bad for your health, and I KNOW I've been warned numerous times.

By the way, is the G1S warranty 1 or 2 years?

 

Is overclocking supported by warranty? I don't think so...=/

 

Probably wont work but try this:

Take out the battery pack and AC power

Hold the power button for 30 seconds

Try starting it back up with only AC power.

 

Nope... did'nt work. But thanks for the advice.

Well... it's software overclocking. Overclocking is not done through BIOS. I don't think there is any trace of it. Plus I am having a hard time believing that overclocking did this. Maybe a coincidence. Maybe I pushed the GPU too hard one time (prior to that last overclocking run) and it just crapped on me at that precise moment.

Will probably call Asus tomorrow right after I check this forum on the G1S being replaced by a G1Sn debate.

 

That emergency shutdown button should be on the bottom of your laptop with a symbol like ">.<" this near it. The G2S has a 2 year hardware warranty, I think. This should be the same for the G1S. I have heard of Asus replacing faulty hardware outside of this time limit as well. The warranty issue is a matter of personal feeling. In my opinion, send it back and let them tell you what has happened as well as will be done to fix it. But again, this is totally how you feel about the issue. I am about to call Asus and get my mobo (gpu) replaced because it overheats, but that is a recall issue.

 

I tried the emergency shutdown button and it didn't work.

I am all aware of the nvidia debacl with the 8 series, I might use that against Asus.

There is a sticker underneath the laptop with the words WARRANTY 24M written on it. I wasn't sure about the warranty since I always thought that it was 12 months. (Anyway, I have an extended warranty since I used my Visa card to pay for it). Bought my notebook in Aug 2007, so still under warranty.

Thanks.

 

Not motherboard died?

 

how much ram do you have? Try running with one stick of ram.

 

2 x 2Gb DDR2-5300...

actually, I never thought of checking the RAM... will do that after work late this afternoon.

Thanks.

 

I don't think the motherboard is dead since I can hear the POST sound (The ASUS Boom thing) when I turn on the notebook. But nothing happens on the screen after a few clicks from the HDD.

 

Take out both RAM and try booting up with no RAM. Try a individual sticks after.

See if you hear any beep codes.

 

Do you know if the G1s can boot with no RAM?

Also, I am trying to do a bit a math here, which I don't think I have done prior to pushing the FSB.

FSB was 225mhz which means around 2480mhz in CPU speed. which translates to a speed of 900 mhz... and... uh... my RAM is DDR2-5300...

... i think i might have just killed my RAM... have i?

 

Well, it's not THAT hard to tell if you've been overclocking. There'd be heat signatures and blown capacitors etc. It is possible for Asus to figure that out, especially if it would be too expensive to replace your laptop.

 

like i said... temps were below 90 C GPU and 65-66 C CPU.

During my first runs (no laptop cooler and CPU panel ON), highest temps reached were 74 C CPU and 97 C GPU... far from the temps I have been reading on this forum.

... anyway... i am still suspecting the RAM... I'll check it out this afternoon.

thanks.

 

The T7700 should have a high tolerance than that. I think many have gone up to 2.6+. I did not think of the Ram...I bet that will be the problem. Try using memtest to check each stick and try booting with each stick. A low tech sub $30 approach is to go grab a new 1GB stick from your local electronics store and only boot up with that. Hopefully, that stick is good and it will give you your answer.

 

Yes because when you overclock and kill the computer you always get blown capacitors and blown capacitors only come from overclocking, right?

All Asus really could do is say "Hey, did you overclock this?" to which he says no. If he didn't, then it's on them.

 

Actually, it's a T7500 @ 2.2Ghz. So basically, I overclocked it to 2480 mhz.. and during 3DMark06 and CPUStabTest, the temp reached around 66 C.

I cannot even POST the laptop. All I get is the booming sound, a few ticks from the HDD and a blank screen.

I tried both RAM separately and I got the same result. I tried with NO RAM and I didn't get the BOOM sound.

I will go get some RAM tomorrow (tried borrowing some from work, but all they had was DDR1) and try to boot the laptop. It was part of my plan. The other plan is to open the laptop and reset the CMOS, but if the RAM is not the culprit, I will RMA the laptop... I guess there is no point in opening the laptop and put myself "in more trouble".

Maybe the GPU just died on me. I mean, we are all aware of the series 8x00 problem. I have never stressed the GPU as much as I did in the past 2 weeks while benchmarking it. But the temps never went pass 100 C.

 

... So I went and bought new RAM to see if the RAM had died on me...

... and...

...it wasn't the RAM.

I am tempted to open the laptop and reset the CMOS... but not a good idea to temper with the laptop.

I guess I will have to RMA it on Monday.

Thanks all for your advices. Rep points should be distributed accordingly.

Now, the big debate : G1S or G1Sn...

 

Before you give up, why don't you try connecting an external monitor?

When you turn on the computer, does the hard drive access indicator light turn on for a while as if your computer is booting an OS?

 

Yup, I did connect an external monitor and nothing happens.

And yes, the HDD indicator light turns on and blink a few times, but nothing more happens

I can always let the computer on for a few more minutes, but I really doubt that it would make any difference.

 

I overclocked my asus g2s quite nice never died on me

 

This looks like either some essential piece of hardware (motherboard, GPU) is faulty; or the BIOS or BIOS settings have been corrupted somehow.

BIOS settings should be cleared by that "> o <" button, if you could find it. If that doesn't do the trick, RMA is the best option..

 

Tried that button... didn't work. I was also hoping this button would clear the BIOS, but according to the manual, it just does an "emergency shutdown" of the laptop.

Like I said previously, if it wasn't about the warranty, I would have opened the laptop and reset the CMOS by removing the battery....

 

Hmm... If I remember correctly (it was a long time ago), according to Ken from GenTechPC that button indeed does a CMOS reset. But I can't be sure.

You may still be able to get to the CMOS battery without voiding warranty. Warranty is only void when you remove heatsinks from the CPU or GPU.

Have a look at the G1S disassembly manual on the Info Booth.

 

Thanks, maybe I will.

I found a couple of sites about disassembling the G1S. Looks simpler than my old eMachine m2352. G1S has quite a few screws.

But if you say that the button does reset the CMOS, I guess my problem is definitely hardware as I have pushed that button many times. Unless there is a special procedure to reset the laptop, it didn't anything.

 

Like E.B.E has said, it's likely the motherboard or GPU in this case. I'd say. RMA it, I don't think overclocking would have caused this and even if people people on this forum argue that it did, it would have happened sooner or later on that particular system. I've overclocked my F8Sn's CPU for a couple months now and it doesn't have any problems.

Personally I think your GPU might have died coincidentally during overclocking, it's not a directly related problem though(although maybe heat). You know of the Nvidia defective GPUs right? and that the G1S were among those that were affected.

 

I am fully aware of the defective GPUs.

The more I think of it, the more I think it is a coincidence. I have never stressed my GPU as much as I did in the past 2 weeks. I benchmarked the crap out of it... as before, I only had played non-gpu intensive games (NFS 2 :HP, Rollercoaster Tycoon 3, Manhunt, etc). Just recently I started playing F.E.A.R. and pushing the details to the maximum allowed by the laptop. I have never checked the GPU temps while playing F.E.A.R.. All I know is that the CPU reached 77 C.

I checked the Asus 360 program and I am calling them today.

Should I push Asus to replace my G1S mobo with the G1Sn one?

 

You shouldn't worry though, ASUS will replace your board if it's covered under warranty. And if you think it's your fault, it's not. SetFSB technically shouldn't cause a motherboard failure of this sort, and it's the first time I've heard of something like this happening. It's highly coincidence that your system failed.

As for the G1Sn motherboard, you could ask them, but it's highly doubtful that they would upgrade it. Their warranty only covers and replace any parts that is original to your notebook.

 

Great. Thanks for the advice.

I've been looking around on the forum and it seems like G1s are dropping like flies (although I have been reading this forum for over a year now). I bought mine in July 2007, manufactured date June 2007.

 

Well, that goes with any notebook after a year, it's not just the G1S.

However, I'd recommend not to upgrade just yet as the difference isn't over huge for the price difference. It depends on what you're using it for, however the G1S is still a great notebook solution despite being a year and change old. Keep it as long as you can until a year or so from now when mobile Nehalem is out, it'll be a completely new mobile architecture and chipset that would really ramp up performance compared to previous Santa Rosa or current Montevina platform. Mobile quad core cpus would be a available then.

 

I heard several times that they dont make the G1s mobo anymore, so they just use G1Snmobo's instead (how long will this keep going-i dunno)
So I guess there quite a good change youll get G1Sn...

 

Upgrading is out of the question, although tempting (the G50 looks decent!). I am not finished paying for this one (loan from the Bank of Generous Parents Inc.)

I like it alot... just felt like pushing it a bit...

 

Actually you are right, I think the G1S original motherbard had a high failure rate (which might be your case anelectricmind). Whether or not it's GPU related, only Asus would know, but anyhow I think you'll be happy to get a free upgrade out of this.

 

Hopefully. Looks that the turnaround time for Asus in North America is fairly decent. 4-5 business days according to their standard procedures. I don't know if they can keep the samed turnaround time in Canada. (of course, it always depends if they have the parts in stock.)

 

... for those still following that beautiful drama that is this man and his dead G1s...

... i just called Asus and got an RMA #. They are coming and picking it up tomorrow.

Technical Support (in Canada - but it's an 1-888 number, so I guess it can also be in the US... although I had the option to speak with someone in French... but ended up on a voice mail) who did the RMA was very clear, precise and polite.

We'll see in a few days how it ends.

Thank you for watching... A man and his dead G1s.

 

I'm mainly interested in what board they are going to give you for replacement, be sure to post that once you know!

 

So-Am-I....

Will probably leave a note somewhere asking them to see the possibility to upgrade it to a G1Sn...

From what I've been reading, it would be a huge mistake from Asus to put G1s boards especially if the GPU fried. Maybe the latest revisions of G1s are better... maybe they try to avoid the problems by switching them to G1Sn...

 

They ask you to list the issues you are facing and put it with the laptop. The last time I sent mine back I just had the fan cleaned out, despite the software issues told to the rep and listed.

 

Software issues are never covered under warranty since the cause will always be user error!

 

How about when it is their software on a fresh reinstall of Vista?!!! I ain't asking them to fix a 3rd party app or Vista...

 

My experience with Asus has been superb, they were really fast with their RMAs. Let us know how this ends up! Looks like Asus is ontop of things though!

 

for those in DIRE need of an update... here it goes :

Monday 12h45 EST : Called Asus. Got an RMA number.

Tuesday 12h30 EST : Fedex comes to pick up the notebook. it was with a tear in its eye that i saw it leaving through the door, its little LCD screen waving at me. (not really)

Wednesday 10h38 EST : Delivery Confirmation from Fedex signed by PAM (Hi Pam!)

Wednesday 12h37 EST : RMA Status on (buggy) Asus RMA Status Inquiry page : REPAIR!

I am ... flabbergasted. so fast, or are they just bluffing?

(For those trying to access the RMA Status Inquiry page on Asus website - http://support.asus.com/service/service.aspx?no=446&SLanguage=en-us - First select NORWAY - don't ask me why, i found this solution on the asus support forum - and END-USER. A pop-up will open. Close the Pop-up. Choose Canada (Or USA since it seems that USA is also buggy) and the same pop-up will appear, most certainly blank. Reload the page (F5) and voilà! You are now able to enter your name and RMA Number. Works in Firefox 3, not tested on IE, Mac, Unix, Mobile Phones, scrolls or parchment)

Right now, we are still unsure of its condition whether if the operation was succesful or not (and stupid me, I left my cell phone at home)...

Will keep you posted...

 

They are very fast with their RMAs aren't they? Top notch in North America, over in Europe is a different story however.

 

UPDATE : Monday PM and the laptop is still in the repair queue. Should start to work on it tomorrow according to Teri (sp).

Their repair queue reminds me of the hospital emergencies in Quebec : the waiting is long and excruciating... but hey! it's free! (sort of) what am i to complain?

 

It's fast because there's a repair center in Toronto. If it wasn't there, they wouldn't be very fast, since it would take 5 days alone just to get to California (unless it's sent via air priority). The two times I've dealt with them service was done in a very quick and timely fashion.

Anyway, the "target" is a 5 business day turnaround from when they get it, meaning that they got it Wednesday, so you if it's out the door by then, you should be seeing it on Wednesday/Thursday (counting last week, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Monday, Tuesday, possibly out Wednesday morning if it was finished at the end of the day + 1 day ground to get from Montreal to Toronto).

The G1S to G1Sn thing strikes me as an upgrade of possibly motherboard hardware and/or software because of the GPU:
- if they upgrade the video card, the main board itself would need to have a firmware reflecting the video card since VBIOS is usually incorporated into the laptop firmware flash or you'd fubar your laptop the next time you update it,
- it could be the hardware has to be updated to support the new GPU (electrical or mechanical reasons),
- it could be that the older G1S boards are discontinued and the G1Sn boards are treated as a backward-compatible part (reduction of equivalent PIDs to save money).

However, something tells me that your CPU isn't going to get an upgrade to the "standard" G1Sn level, esp. since they're both Santa Rosa-level motherboards.

(political)Hospitals: Just remember who NOT to vote for today, since this whole crap with the health system going down the toilet was started by a certain party leader when she was minister of that portfolio totally fubared not only our health system but our education system too because she has no forward-thinking or planning skills except for how to save a few bucks and make it look good on her resume... no wonder all our doctors go to Ontario or the states where they make mucho dollars and aren't treated like slaves... (no, I don't work in the health sector)(/political)

 

Far be it for me to start a political debate... but I decided that this time I NEVER asked for this election, so I drew smilies in the small circles on my ballot (that was hard: small circle, big thick led pencil). Plus, In my district, it was pretty much a shoo-in for PQ... (+9000 majority)

Back on topic : in the meantime, my lappy is taking a nappy in the repair queue as of this morning...

 

If they follow Asus USA repair policy, your G1S motherboard will be updated to G1Sn motherboard, along with a different CPU panel because of the larger cooler used in the G1Sn. Make sure every screw is tight afterwords since mine had some loose screws.

 

Thanks for the advice.

I'll be sure to check on those screws when it arrives...

Did you notice a huge difference in performance between your old G1S and your current G1Sn? (I know that technically they change a Santa Rosa 2.2 ghz 4Mb L2 for a Penryn 2.1Ghz 3Mb L2 CPU and a 8600m GT for a 9500m GS...)

 

They use the same CPU from the G1S in the G1Sn motherboard. The only real difference is the GPU and the cooling fan. The cooling fan is more of a turbine type fan so it runs quieter while providing better cooling. The 9500m does run about 10 degrees cooler than the 8600m gt during regular use (non-overclocked).

I haven't had a chance to test the 9500m in gaming since i've been playing more games with the console lately. But I did read somewhere here that the 9500m overclocks better than the 8600gt and can get higher 3dmark scores.

 

So if I understand correctly, I may end up with :

- a new G1Sn mobo.
- the same CPU (T7500)
- a new 9500GS

fine with me! (I think I prefer the T7500 to the T8100..)

But if the new cooling fan is a turbine type, how do you define the old one? t