Questions about the G1's green lights

I've heard that you can disable the G1's green lights via a Windows application ("Direct Flash" I believe?).

Is this the only way you can disable the lights, or can they be disabled via the BIOS (or some other means)? I ask because I'd like to know if the lights can be disabled at all when the machine is powered on but Windows isn't running.

If you run Linux or an alternative OS on this machine, will the lights be on all the time (assuming there is no working Linux device driver for manipulating them)?

 

The lights on the side of LCD won't flash unless you are running programs that use DirecX9, it can only be disable it from DirecFlash:





But the green light near touchpad stays on all the time as soon as you turn on the power and can't be turn off.

 

Interesting. Is there a certain device driver that controls this behavior?

I was looking at the G1 for its bang-for-buck value, but I'm not sure I could handle the flashing green lights. Just too superfluous for me.

 

I'm not sure I understand what you're asking here. GenTechPC's post shows how to disable the flashing green lights.

 

I'm simply asking if a device driver controls the behavior of the lights. Something makes those lights flash while a DirectX 9 application is running, and "this "DirectFlash" seems like it's just a frontend utility.

 

You don't see the flashing lights when facing the PC so they wouldn't annoy the user

 

It's a windows program that controls them so they should not be on at all when running Linux - the touchpad eye and status LEDs will be on although they don't flash and are not irritating at all.

I bought it for the same reason you are considering it and I'm not regretting it at all.

 

1. Go to www.staples.com and order a black Sharpie
2. Use Sharpie to blot out green lights

Problem solved!

I am kidding of course. If you actually take a Sharpie to your laptop I'd probably get very distressed.

 

There are 2 ways to disable the flashing lights:
-Turn off Asus Direct Flash in DirectConsole program
-Uninstall Direct Console in Add/Remobe Programs

 

If you dont like the Green Light, Y buy G1? That I dont understand at all, there r other gaming notebook without the Green Light. For me, I loved G1 but not the Green stuff, so I turned toward V1Jp.

 

Update:
the green light near touchpad can be disable too, just go to Add/Remobe Programs and uninstall ALPS touchpad driver, the green light turns off. The touchpad still works even without the driver.

 

Stats on the V1Jp are not as good. That's the problem everyone has: love the stats, hate the decor/pimpage/gaudiness/etc.

 

The synthetic benchmarks may be lower with the V1Jp, but it is still a very capable machine. Real-life performance is what really counts. The V1Jp is not designed for those who will live and die on a few extra 3DMarks.

The G1p really doesn't appeal to some buyers because of its "youthful" appearance. It's not exactly something you'd like to break out in front of your colleagues or a client at a meeting. Well, maybe if you're an intern...

 

Well, personally, the reason I'm not going for the V1Jp is the ATI GPU, not the stats. Oh, and I've also been cursed to wait forever for the next technology. (I swear I'll break out of this rut someday...)

But, I asked that exact question on another thread ("Would you feel okay taking your G1 to a board meeting/boss' office?"), and a number of people replied not only that they'd feel fine, but that they have, and did not receive any adverse reaction. Of course, their audience might've just been biting their tongues...

 

Very interesting, yes, If you look at booth review of the V1JP and G1, you will see that their performance is pretty well matched. I understand you want Nvidia graphics, no doubt more would have prefered that too.

As for styling the V1JP is more business oriented, but many don't mind testing the waters of the G1. The G1 is geared to gamers, yet they are crossing waters and using it as a business notebook. This is overshadowing the V1JP, and there's nothing wrong with that, since many users are looking for the perfect blend of performance and sleek designs.

One big aspect the V1JP has over the G1 is its features that it offers, if you need them or plan to use them in the future, then the V1JP is the one for you, but if you don't, why bother spending $200 more for the V1JP. Then your left with the styling issue of the G1, and as previously stated, people are crossing the water here and using it as a business notebook.

 

(Alright, maybe this is obvious to you guys, but I've always been a software guy...)

What benefit does Asus get by forcing CPU/GPU combinations? Why does Dell allow a ton of customizations and Asus has a bunch of pre-configured models? Does it just keep operating costs down?

 

This discussion is going way off-topic, but...

I'd say it allows them to have control over the quality of their products. They get to choose the components and oversee the assembly and testing of the notebooks that carry their name. I suspect that's one of the main reasons why Ensembles have an Asus warranty and Built-on Asus models don't.

They don't want to be held responsible for a reseller that doesn't assemble a notebook properly or uses sub-standard components. That's why the resellers have to provide the warranty for the Asus whitebooks.

When you buy a Dell or HP, the warranty is provided by Dell or HP--not the ODM who manufactured the chassis for them. Same thing.

And it is simpler and easier to produce the same configuration of a notebook than to custom configure each system. Excess inventory expenses can be minimized that way.

Just my $.02

 

is the v1 really supposed to be more expensive? i thought that it's the other way round? well at least when i was asking for a quotation here in HK the v1 is around US$150 cheaper... could it be another version of the v1?

and also (please excuse my supa n00b powa ) wot do u mean by v1 having more features over g1? cuz as far as i can understand v1 offers less RAM and hard disk, an arguably 'worse' graphics card, and PROBABLY shorter battery life? do u just mean that cuz it has a docking station it's got better features? if so, how does that override the previous 'shortcomings'?

 

In other countries prices and specs CAN vary. Here in North America, the V1JP (Core 2 Duo + X1700) is $200 more, than the G1 which better specs.

The build quality, use of materials like Carbon Fiber and magnesium allow, increases the cost, also having features like the fingerprint reader, spill proof keyboard, and optional docking station and multi-bay.

No doubt the G1 has the best value for what it offers, but the V1JP offers great performance, very close to the G1, plus the fuctionality, multi-bay and docking station.

You will need to consider whether you want more features over more specs and performance...mosrt people would pick the G1 over the V1JP, but many will have some small gripes about the design, since the V1JP design is geared to the business user and looks very nice, sleek and appealing. While the G1 is geared for the gamer, and the styling doesn't appeal the business user. But this does not hold people back from using the G1 in a business atmoshpere.

 

One of those people was me and I am happily doing it still - infact I got my laptop out in front of my technical director today who normally ridicules any purchase I make and he was blown away by it. He's almost a Sony fanboy and thought the Asus was very quick and very well built for the money. He was even more impressed that it had a 2 year warranty included in the price.

 

awesome thanks for the great reply

sorry 1 more quick q: wot's the difference between v1j and v1jp?

thanks again!

 

Yes, G1 got more RAM & HD. But I choose V1Jp coz for office use. If I bring G1 to work, my boss will definitely eyeing in me for a long period of time asking himself y an old fart like me will use such a notebook with all the green stuff lol.....

Also, V1Jp come with XP Pro SP2 with I need most, not MCE.