The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    M50Vm-B1: awesome, but flickering screen

    Discussion in 'Asus' started by 727stretch, Aug 18, 2008.

  1. 727stretch

    727stretch Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    22
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    I just got my M50Vm-B1 from newegg on Friday. First impressions are extremely positive - solid build, tons of useful utilities, fast, and a great price. I ended up re-formatting the HDD due to all the bloatware though. Now that I've been digging in and using it for a while, the only issue I have is that the screen flickers all the time. It is not flickering terribly, but if you work on the laptop for a few minutes you notice it. I am wondering if the ambient light sensor that controls the brightness is the problem. Does anyone know what the driver is that controls that feature? Or any other suggestions on the flickering problem?

    Thx!
    727
     
    727stretch, Aug 18, 2008
    #1
  2. ViciousXUSMC

    ViciousXUSMC Master Viking NBR Reviewer

    Reputations:
    11,461
    Messages:
    16,824
    Likes Received:
    76
    Trophy Points:
    466
    The ambient sensor is a good bet, you should turn it off to see if its fixed. If not I would sent it back right away as it may be a sign of premature hardware failure.

    Gentech PC has posted a way to turn it off in one of his many threads. Id just google it and you should find it.
     
    ViciousXUSMC, Aug 18, 2008
    #2
  3. ClearSkies

    ClearSkies Well no, I'm still here..

    Reputations:
    1,059
    Messages:
    2,633
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    Newegg's return policy for notebooks is that *they* have to deem it to be defective, within 30 days of purchase, in order for replacement to be issued - otherwise you'll be paying for shipping both to NewEgg and back to you.

    Is this a rapid on/off flicker of the LCD, or just a slow up/down brightness thing? This kind of symptom is usually connected to either a wiring or inverter board problem. You'd be better off calling Asus for RMA. Their US turnaround is less than a week from pickup to return delivery at your door,and they pay overnight shipping both ways.
     
    ClearSkies, Aug 18, 2008
    #3
  4. osomphane

    osomphane Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    81
    Messages:
    426
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    fn + a to turn off the light sensor
     
    osomphane, Aug 18, 2008
    #4
  5. red616

    red616 Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    84
    Messages:
    216
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30

    That's nice being so positive & all.

    To bad it broke the 2nd day.
     
    red616, Aug 18, 2008
    #5
  6. E.B.E.

    E.B.E. NBR Procrastinator

    Reputations:
    1,572
    Messages:
    8,632
    Likes Received:
    4
    Trophy Points:
    206
    Try the Fn+A "fix" first. And then make sure that it's not bad power profiles (e.g., if you sit in the BIOS, does it flicker or not?)

    If it's not a software problem, but it's either cabling, inverters, or backlight, I agree the best thing is to just send it / RMA. There's not much point in trying to DYI with such a new computer.
     
    E.B.E., Aug 18, 2008
    #6
  7. 727stretch

    727stretch Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    22
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Sorry for the delayed response - was visiting fam in the boonies this weekend. Anyhow, Fn+A fixed it... Must have been room lighting and/or the ambient sensor going bezerk. (Glad I installed the hotkey utility; almost didn't!) Screen looks much brighter and vivid now anyhow. Thanks for all the responses! Very happy with this here M50 now! Get one!!!
    -727
     
    727stretch, Aug 18, 2008
    #7
  8. 727stretch

    727stretch Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    22
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    And not to write a book, but even with the Ambient sensor ON, it ain't flickering here. It must have been something about the lighting at my dad's house. ? Weird, but good I guess...
     
    727stretch, Aug 18, 2008
    #8
  9. E.B.E.

    E.B.E. NBR Procrastinator

    Reputations:
    1,572
    Messages:
    8,632
    Likes Received:
    4
    Trophy Points:
    206
    Yeah, that sensor is just marketing. It does more damage than it helps, in most cases, judging by what I see.
     
    E.B.E., Aug 19, 2008
    #9