W3J: Out of the box changes

I thought I'd start a thread where all you more experienced ASUS notebook users can post recommendations on what to do to the W3J right out of the box. As much detail would be appreciated (e.g., if you say OC the GPU, please include a description of the utility you used, where to get it, how to OC with it, etc). Driver downloads, hardware changes, accessories, reinstalls, whatever. Some of this info is scattered all over the forum, but I figured it'd be good to have one place for it.

In the same vein, if anyone notices a problem with their W3J, that can go here, too (esp. if you know how to fix it!).

 

My recommendations :
1.change HDD (if you have 4200 rpm)
2.OC (if you want increase framerate in games or just to get high score in benches)
What we need :
- ATI TOOL http://www.techpowerup.com/atitool/
- Omega Modded Drivers - http://www.omegadrivers.net/
- benchmarks like 3dm05&06 (to check the results) - www.futuremark.com
- 1-2 hours
First, uninstall the stock drivers -> reboot ->install new catalyst -> reboot -> install ATI Tool and benchmarks.
In Ati tool set 460/460 (stock are 450/450) ->run benchmark, if it passed then you can go to higher settings. 470/470 and again benchmarks.And so on. If 3dmark will froze your system, decrease the value by 5 for core/mem. From my experience I can tell that W3 X1600 should reach 520/520 (I'm a little afraid to go higher ) This settings of course without artifacts.

3. buy laptop cosmetics - W3 is gettin dirt faster than you think
4. wear with proud

 

Good recommendations! I would do the exact same thing. Perhaps reformat it If it came with junk on it, and install my own Windows Xp Pro. By the way mastha212 what score have you managed to pull on 3Dmark05? That is with the 520/520mhz OC.

 

My score was on 510/510 and it was 4722.

 

Thats very good. Almost as good as my desktops score... 4987 on my Geforce 6800 O'ed. Have you not tried 520/520? And do you have a T2300 or T2400 (1.66 or 1.83)

 

Yes, thanks Mastha. I'm sure plenty of us perked up our ears (or eyes, I guess, technically) when you reported that earlier. Plenty of people will be interested in OCing their x1600s.

I know others were also interested in underclocking and/or undervolting the CPU. Anyone want to comment on that one like Mastha did for OCing the GPU?

 

Do you think reformatting from FAT32 is worth it? What are the real benefits?

 

^ Thats what I want to know. In my experience (if I remember right) you can't transfer huge files using FAT 32 (four gigs I think) so maybe that is one reason.

 

Formatting to NTFS is definately an improvement, ntfs offers some features such as easier handling of larger file sizes. I also believe its more secure (dont quote me on that). Actually here's a quick link from google -->

http://www.ntfs.com/ntfs_vs_fat.htm

ntfs >> fat32

 

@ jasonck08 : I have T2400, once I tried 520/520 (well it was 519,519) and 06 passed, but I don't want go to far so I will stay on 510/510 as max I can get. But if someone has cooling pad - please fell free to burn your GPU Summer is going on our side of the globe so I guess I have to wait to winter (last winter it was -25 - temperature like in paradise...for overclockers!!)

 

I have 1.035V @ 11x and 0.950V @ 6x and have a stabile system.

 

Bupp, I'm sure that'd be really cool if I knew what that meant. Could you post what that means along with how you did that? I'm sure there are people out there who are almost as clueless as me when it comes to undervolting CPUs.

 

Maybe it's because of this thread (good idea BTW) or maybe it's because of the time line involved in this purchase, but...

I'm starting to realize that I'm going to be super paranoid/careful...etc. when I first get the computer and open it up for the first time - boot it up - start to use it. It is not really like me, but I'm already stressing out over the best things to do.

 

Won't reformatting (whether to NTFS or not) wipe out the alleged Linux partition that holds the software for the no-boot CD playing feature?

 

I kind of see where you're coming from but I more or less look at it like this. The w3 isn't just another laptop just like (to use another overplayed car analogy) a porsche isn't just another car. We have a high performance machine on our hands. Are we going to fill it with anything less than premium? Hell no! I'm gonna do everything I can to tap every bit of this things power.

 

I don't disagree - I'm just a little...what's the word..."gun shy" I guess.

After a week or two though I'm sure the newness will wear away and I'll be droppin' it like it's hot.

 

Heya guys, I seem to be having trouble with the ATITool, everytime i try to find my max core and max mem the screen goes dark and i can't really do much, is this normal?

 

Great article on how to undervolt the cpu/gpu here for beginners
http://www.thegamebooks.com/undervolting-intel-pentium-m---how-to-keep-your-gaming-cool-t78.html

See also the site for Notebook Hardware Control here
http://www.pbus-167.com/chc.htm

 

is overclocking harmful to the laptop? and is constant overclocking and underclocking also bad? constant meaning every 3 days or so. and overclocking i dont meant to overdo it, but just at like 510/510. also whats a good overclock and undervolt combination. thx

 

In response to those of you asking about FAT32 --> NTFS and the recovery/instant on CD feature partition...

I used the tool included with the W3J to convert the formatting to NTFS, and then used Paragon Partition Manager to successfully move the partitions around such that C: = 20 GB, D: = rest (don't remember exact *, I think it was ~70 but I'll check later). I'm just about ready for bed, but I'll check the CD feature tomorrow and let you all know that its OK, but from what I can tell from Paragon, the recovery "*" partition wasn't touched at all.

 

You can convert FAT to NTFS within XP

Also, deleting the extended FAT32 partition and then extending the main partition with a partitioning program should work. As always, make sure you have a backup.

I wish I could decide which laptop I want

 

Reformatting is an action that is performed within the partition, so other partitions won't be affected.

You can convert an existing FAT partition to NTFS using the CONVERT command from the command line without affecting the contents of the partition (search windows help for it), though you will need a utility like PartitionMagic to re-size partitions without destroying data.

 

Do you have the full version? When I tried with the demo it said, "sorry cheap ass, you haven't paid for our software and we aren't going to help you" or something to that effect .

 

as soon as i get it out of the box, im going to put in 2gb of 667 ram, and a hitachi travelstar 100gb 7200rpm, then half-life 2!

 

how long does it usually take to find the core mem and such with ATITOOL?

 

If you go to the ati tool wiki, it says 1hr to find max gpu clock speed and an hour to find max memory speed.

 

oh wow, thanks for thr reply, didn't realize it took so long! thanks!

 

is there a recovery cd included for the special cd playing partition thing?

 

The first item I would recommend is using either Norton Ghost (2003 version, not the newer ones) or Acronis True Image, to make a complete image of the hard drive before you let it boot into windows for the first time. Keep this image off to the side in case you mess anything up. That and it only takes about 5 or so minutes to completly restore an entire drive image instead of the hours that are usually involved with those darn restore cd's.

After you make it perfect you should make another image.

Anyone started over and installed XP Pro from the start yet?

 

Old thread, but this is what I did to my W3J two days after getting it:

1. Reformated the HD into 2 NTFS partitions: 12GB (Windows + Programs), 80GB (Data + Games).

2. Installed my copy of Windows XP SP2 (pre updated till August 2006) with my own key.

3. Installed all the drivers and utilities from the Asus CD except for the VGA drivers.

4. Downloaded and installed latest Omega drivers for the X1600.

5. Configured my laptop to my liking and installed the usual programs (Office, Firefox, Winamp, Deamon tools, codecs, etc..)

6. Made an image using Norton Ghost 9.0 that I stored on the 80GB partition (So that next time I want to restore my laptop it takes me 5 minutes instead of hours).

Everything is running real smooth now without any hiccups. Pretty basic steps but I hope it will be of help to some people

 

Was I dreaming when I heard there was a new BIOS out?

Mastha - if you're still around and see this, how have things gone - realitivly without a hiccup?

 

How about the Asus site you idiot:

http://support.asus.com/download/download.aspx?SLanguage=en-us

 

lol I've got the same problem. dag-nabbit! I was hoping it'd at least let me use it once...but it just likes to tease you...

 

Just wondering, if you want to put in an extra stick of ram, do you have to take off the keyboard too?

 

My W3jp should be with me soon and I would like to know more about doing those images? Can someone point me to a good guide??
Can I make image onto a dvd disc or does it have to be one of the partitions??
Help is appreciated Thx!

 

Read the other thread about OCing x1600s. The find max options doesn't work on W3J, it is mentioned there several times.

 

thats fuuny