S96J Graininess Issue Thread

I am unhappy because my product does not work as expected. If I have the same problem when I get the laptop back I will just get a refund from my retailer through the company and get another one with a different gfx card. I just think it is a pity I was not aware of this strange problem before I bought the laptop, and I tried to be very thorough in my research before purchasing it. It seems obvious that this error does not apply to all computer specimen, how ever that may be possible. I am actually quite surprised that you try to ridicule me and everyone else who are unhappy about this and I do not see your point in doing so.

Other than that, I do agree that the screen is great, APART from the graininess, but it has already been concluded that it is not the screen that is the root to that problem.

FlipTwisteR: Since the graininess is because of static pixel "errors" (hightened / lowered light values in different pixels. However, since it's not really the screen that is the problem it might be wrong to call them errors. ) it does not matter which DVD software one uses.

I thought it already had been made clear for everyone that this graininess is static, it does not move or change no matter what one does to manipulate the screen, be it watching DVDs, playing games, moving windows around, and so on.

 

I was responding to your statement "On a sidenote, watching movies on a screen with this graininess problem is complete horror. If someone thought it looked bad in games / photoshop, throw in a DVD and play that." As I said I can see graininess when I get very close to screen with solid colors but I can not detect it with photos or video. I agree with you that it is static but I can not detect it while watching DVD. On my S96j DVDs are anything but a complete horor, they look fantastic. I guess some notebooks could be worse than others though. Again, what DVD software are you using?

As I stated in my other post I do think that resellers should get involved and try to resolve this with Asus and ATI. If something does not work whether it is software or hardware related it needs to be resolved. Just because this appears to be a problem related to ATI's driver does not excuse Asus and their resellers from resolving the problem. They should be putting pressure on ATI to resolve this. Customers expect to buy notebooks without these problems.

 

Flip i have absolutely zero doubt that all these notebooks look identical. Every single s96j looks identical. Not a doubt. Everyone would agree the screen looks fantastic. If i had to guess i would say a few of the posters here are the same people using new identities.

 

And as I stated earlier, I own an Acer Aspire 5672 with the x1600, I am sorry for not clarifying that again. I know this is a thread about the S96J, but I just wanted to tune in since I have the same problem, as it would seem anyway.

Geared2play.com, I do not want to get personal, but to me it seems like you try to downplay this problem in order to sell more laptops from your website, if that is what you do. As a reseller, if you are one, you do seem a bit biased. There, now that is said.

 

I agree.

No, you can't "see" the pixels while watching a DVD from a few feet away, but it muddies up the picture a lot.

 

Eddie,

You are a jerk. I would never buy from you, because of your comments in this thread. Also, I had 3 S96J's which all had this problem to VARYING degrees. So . . . every S96J is NOT identical.

Also, I returned my S96J and got the Compal HEL80. There is no graininess on the HEL80 and I am very happy with it's screen.

 

I didn't spend a ton of time on the 5672, but I think the S96J is better. I noticed some graininess too, with the 5672. I think it was even more noticeable. Our screen is better, except for the speckling.

Krista

 

That's bologna! I have _one_ login ID here.

On the one hand you admit there's graininess, because you tested the LCD and it disappeared when connected to another system... on the other hand, you say there's nothing Wrong with that graininess. That just doesn't compute.

It seems to me that you either cannot admit that you might be wrong, or that you are trying to protect your profit margin. Either, IMO, is unacceptable when you're supposed to be protecting your customers and supporting their concerns.

If you don't see a problem, fine. Go away. Don't try to denegrate those who do.

There's no product line in the world where every single unit is identical.

Krista

 

I built mine myself and only the bare bones are the problem, so I doubt I could get the HEL80, unless I could just buy the bare bones for that and put in the processor, etc. from my S96J

Krista

 

Just how close are you guys looking at the screen? Unless you wanna end up wearing thick glass's like me i think you guys should lean back a little bit. The screen is only a problem if you make it a problem. It only bothered me for the first day or so. Im sure one day someone will figure it out and find a fix for it than we can all appreciate the Z/S97J even more.

 

I actually did the same Krista. I used the CPU, RAM, HD, WiFi, and DVD Drive from my S96J in the HEL80. They didn't include the brackets for the DVD Drive, but it is pretty stable without it. They did make me return the S96J and gave me a refund, but that worked out, because I waited until the HEL80 came to send back my S96J. So, I didn't have to be without my baby for a week. It also meant I could compare the two and decide which I wanted to keep.

Also, I too only have one login here.

 

I can see if from all the way across a room, approximately 20 feet.

 

The HEL80 has the 7600Go. This problem is exclusive to the X1600.

 

Dude, it's about 20% of the pixels just plain shaded incorrectly. You can't miss it from any distance. Obviously, at a few feet away you can't identify the individual pixels, but, as I said, things look muddy and grainy from any distance.

 

You are indeed correct. I guess I just wanted to say that you don't have to live with it.

 

Up yours buddie. Suck a big fat one! Cheers

 

LOL . . . nice.
You continue to prove my point.

 

Wow, talk about a way to lose the power market for laptops...

Anyway... I've put a ticket in with ATI in their customer support section on their website. I'll keep you updated on the progress.

Krista

 

the point is that your a picky dik who dont know rite from left. You got 3 notebooks with idetical screens. You think they had varying degrees of whatever you dont like. You are a dik. and i feel very bad for the vendor that had to deal with you. I cant belive for a second that any single vendor would actualy allow it 3 returns for the same notebook.

 

I had to RMA the Uniwill in my sig 5 times in a row. That vendor really pissed me off because they didn't fix the problem, even when I told them repeatedly what the cause was, and how to fix it. Of course, no one listened to the customer. No one ever listens to the customer. Except for Eddie. He listens. And I give him credit for it. I don't blame him for getting pissed off every once in a while when people start arguing with him over crap. This isn't his job. His job is to build reliable computers for his customers, and take care of his customers. Which he does perfectly well by the way. Give him a little credit atleast for the amount of time he has put into this issue trying to find a cause. So now we know its the X1600, and we can all bug ATI about it, not Asus vendors.

By the way, thanks, Krista. Let me know how they respond. Including if they don't respond- I'll help you bug ATI until we get a response from them. It doesn't help that ATI was just purchased by AMD.

 

Eddie,

You are still here? You are persistant, I will give you that. Actually, I returned it twice for issues other than the screen. The first one I got had a problem where it would keep the time while it was off. The second one had a damaged RAM slot. I decided 3 three strikes and you're out.

 

Ye i am still here. Been here for a few years now. Helped make this forum what it is today.

 

Wow. I meant you are still posting in this thread.

 

Apparently so.

 

Are you Al Gore?

 

No, stupid, Eddie didn't invent the internet. Nor has he claimed to. He just made it better. Kind of like Bill Gates. He didn't invent the computer, he just made it better. Or as some would consider, worse.

I just heard from someone that using an older version of Omega drivers resolved the graininess issue, will be investigating that myself when I get a chance.

 

I don't care how busy you are, that paragraph is an abomination of the english language.

Though I did lol at your previous post, the up yours one.

 

Eh, so what? I don't care if he makes typos. I care that he puts together computers without botching them like the majority of resellers and manufacturers out there. And it's not like this would be a problem trying to get support- Eddie is a great guy, and he is very understanding. It takes a lot of piss him off like you guys have. Do you notice he is the only vendor still posting on this issue?

Oh, and I did enjoy the "up yours" post as well. =)

 

An older version? Hmm. I wonder what all the newer driver versions have incorporated that could cause this. The older version supports the X1600 (256) or does it think it's something else?

I'll hunt for an older version too.

Krista

 

OK. I don't have time to do anything like this right now. Waiting for the person to get back to me. He claimed that updating his drivers from an older version of Omega's to ATI Cat 6.7 made the issue start. He said it wasn't there before he installed Cat 6.7. This was on a W3J though.

 

This was ATI's response:

Greetings!

ATI does not provide direct technical support for laptops/notebooks at this current time (telephone or email). If you require direct technical support please contact the system manufacturer of your laptop/notebook.

---
I've replied telling them that it's an X1600 issue, as obviously they didn't even read the original ticket, across multiple notebook platforms. We'll see if I get another response.

Krista

 

OK, thanks for the update. I think now is not a good time, because AMD is in the process of taking over ATI.

 

Well to them. Maybe someone should contact the guy who makes the Omega drivers, and see if he can figure out the problem and fix it in his next release. Hmm... I'm sure he'd like to be a step ahead of ATI

Krista

 

Great idea. Good luck to him finding a solution though.

 

The Up Yours comment was directed at drunktank the guy who without a doubt goes streaking on the regular. No offense to anyone else xept anyone who wants to call me names. Please visit our website and make an appointment to call me names in person @ 4422 ave n where i spend the majority of the workweek. I will be glad to lend a helping ear then kick your dumb a$$ out the door

 

NICE! I think you should be more specific than 4422 ave n though. Not everyone knows where G2P is located. =)

 

I've emailed the guy who does the Omega drivers. We'll see if he has any ideas.

Krista

 

What is wrong with you? I will have to say I have never been called drunktank. (I don't even drink.) Good one, though! Very creative! I must say though that I don't go streaking regularly. I need a very special occation for that.

I would take back the jerk comment, but . . . you really are mean. I am sorry to have hurt your feelings. I call most of my friends jerks when they are being jerks, but I forget sometimes that it may offend other people.

 

My mistake my very horrible grainy z96j made space between the d and u appear like an r. I belive that is a cause for concern folks. This horrible screen makes letters appear where they are not really there. Ha ha i am having fun now. Now that my work day is over time to go streaking. Drunktank i know you when i see a hairy naked fat guy running up the street but naked

 

Uhh . . . you keep watchin' and hopin'.

 

I've been lurking here for a long while (years actually) and finally decided to register to post my $.02.

I was really excited about the S96J when the specs first came out and it looked like the laptop I was waiting for. I currently own an Asus M6bne which I absolutely love and have been using for the last two years. After seeing the graininess issues popping up I decided to wait to see it in person before laying down my money. Finally last week was able to see one in person and there is most definitely an issue with these laptops. I compared it side by side with my older Asus and it was like night and day. It only shows up with certain colors but there is a definite graininess there. I'm going to hold off and wait for something else to come along before dropping the cash on one of these.

On a side note I'm kind of not surprised that the geared2play guy is defending this quite viciously considering it's a product sold by geared2play so I'm a bit skeptical about your defense of the notebook in question. I have seen the problem and you would have to be blind not to, but don't take my opinion, see it for yourself and judge if it bothers you.

 

He's color blind and can't see the issue as easily as we can.

Don't you admit though, that it is a VERY nice screen, graininess aside? Sure, I wouldn't be opposed if someone came up with a "fix", but I can live with it the way it is.

 

The screen isn't bad besides the graniness but a few things bothered me about the laptop. I absolutely hated the trackpad and buttons (really loud and cheap feeling). I also would probably go for a higher resolution than 1280x800 but that's just a personal preference (my current laptop is 1280x800 and sometimes i find that lacking). The overall feel of the laptop seems cheaper to me than my older Asus and lower build quality.

 

You should be surprised that there are about 3 people that dont think the screen anything but great. Thats a few people versus about 6000 z96j's and s96j's. Also a few thousand w3j which has the same exact effect and ati x1600. MANY of these customers hear about the product on the forums. a few vs about 10000. I think that was the obvious. if you cant see it then too bad. Like i keep saying the grain does not make the primary use any worse or better.

 

But it is cheaper. About 300$ cheaper then last years top models z70

 

Aye. I second Eddie. And it is definately of equal or greater build quality than a vast majority of the notebook population.

 

Give it time. We represent the avant garde of notebook users. You're being very short-sighted in not addressing this.

 

Some one do me a favor cause I'm out of town till tomorrow night. Boot into safe mode + network and see if you still have the problem.

 

I'm not going to because it's not worth it. The issue exists under countless drivers(I've tried four), it exists without drivers, it exists in BIOS, it exists with a live cd, and it exists in Linux. So go figure.

I Declare that there are only 3 possibile solutions:
Video BIOS update.
System BIOS update.
Driver update that encorporates a "workaround" for the issue.

It is also possible that there is no solution, but I think there's a pretty good chance that it could be fixed with a better BIOS.

 

haha, Eddie is a riot. + rep for you man, except you have it disabled.