W3j + Dirty Power = Flickering

So, I love this laptop, except for some little quibbles here and there. The only thing I don't like about it is now I have two computers to keep track of.

The second (LCD) monitor I was connecting to the W3J (Radeon 1600) had some flickering problems, you can only really see it on black backgrounds. It's quite obnoxious, so, I began playing with the Refresh Rates etc and all the utilities that came with the Omega Drivers (ATI Tools). This was to no avail.

I remembered that power cords can cause flickering like that if they are intertwined with the VGA video cord. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case. When I removed the AC Adapter, the problem went away. The problem comes back as soon as I plug it back in. I've tried 3 different outlets and each look even worse.

This issue isn't unbearable, just not the design I would expect for the price of this computer. Also very frustrating as I can't wait weeks to get this laptop back, my other PC is not portable. Anyone else see this with the W3J?

 

PLEASE TEST YOUR JACK FOR PROPER WIRING BEFORE DOING THIS!
We have this issue at our office with TV Output... Try removing the ground on the AC Adapter [by using a 3 prong to 2 prong adapter].
There's so much noise in a lot noise transfered to ground in most home/business electrical systems...
See if that works!

The safest test you can do is to unplug all other devices in the house [circuit breaker makes this job a lot easier].
If you leave only your outlet branch on [and disconnect all the other devices on that branch], you can also achieve ground interference separation.

 

Wow c9tech, thanks for the quick reply. Sending non grounded power to the laptop won't be a problem? I'd rather deal with the flickering than have to worry about electrical problems in the future. haha

Is something like this ok?

http://www.electronicpartsforless.c...ed.aspx?sfid=100806&i=51534345&mpid=36&dfid=1

 

That's the one. You can also drop by your local RadioShack [or hardware store] and pick one up.
http://www.radioshack.com/product/i...d+adapter&kw=ground+adapter&parentPage=search

Grounding is there for user protection against faulty equipment shocking you.
I probably should have mentioned to have your jack tested first! [it's late at night, sorry ]
Make sure the smaller prong is "hot" [120V when connected to neutral or ground], and large is "neutral" [0V when connected to ground].
You can also get a AC tester from most hardware stores that will simplify the process and show you if your wiring is done right.
http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDU...BV_EngineID=ccedaddjhkdjjigcgelceffdfgidgjj.0
Make sure you test OK before attempting connecting your notebook AC adapter without ground.
Usually when wiring is done right, your neutral will be grounded by default [larger prong].
If these are flipped, it already can cause trouble.

Some people on the forums have experienced "shocking" from touching screws or other metallic parts of their notebooks, which can most likely be attributed to bad grounding.
Bad wiring or noisy grounding can also cause the problems you're describing.

 

Thanks so much for the great reply! I happen to have a multimeter lying next to me, I didn't even think about that. I'll check the outlet! I'm also sent this same message to Asus, we'll see what they say (probably the same).

 

Not a problem!
Good luck, and most important: BE SAFE!

 

If I were you, I wouldn't use an ungrounded adapter. Or, if you do use it, feel the metal parts of the chassis (I think the W3j has an aluminum or magnesium lid?) and see if there's drain current going through them.

I noticed that my V6J is very sensitive to ungrounded connections. I can feel the current going through the chassis. The laptop works as usual, but I have no doubt that it would have a long-term effect if I used it on a usual basis without grounding.

I suspect most laptops have plastic or carbon fiber finishes, and since those are not electrical conductors, the drain currents cannot be felt, but they're still there. Perhaps I'm a little paranoid, and that level of current cannot harm the components, but I'm not so sure of that

In summary, if you do plug it in an ungrounded socket, make sure the notebook doesn't suffer from it.

 

That's why I gave him all the precautions above... messing with power is no joke.
Here's a diagram to clarify: https://www.yamaha.com/yamahavgn/Images/ProAudio/Ground_Loop_Diagram_Fig6_Main.jpg
I'm not recommending the ground removal as a permanent solution... as mentioned before, make sure everything is wired proper.
If the wiring does not test ok, then that could be the cause of your video issues.
Here's some more info on Ground Noise: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ground_loop_(electricity)
They also mention my "temporary", but possibly dangerous solution.

The safest test you can do is to unplug all other devices in the house [circuit breaker makes this job a lot easier].
If you leave only your outlet branch on [and disconnect all the other devices on that branch], you can also achieve ground interference separation.

 

I have the same problem with my W3J when connected to my 22" LCD. Problem goes away when used on battery. Its not that bad, only seen on dark backgrounds, its more of an annoyance. Any other suggestions?

 

You're probably also suffering from a Ground Loop. You can do the test I posted above [having only the notebook connected to your house's power], or the ground removal [ ONLY RECOMMENDED FOR ADVANCED USERS WHO HAVE TESTED THEIR OUTLETS FOR PROPER WIRING]. The first one is obviously the safest.

 

this might sound really stupid but have you changed your display settings to external moniter/both in control panel.

when connecting my laptop to my television, all I get is flickering black screen until I do ^^^

 

The fact that you have flickering going on when you have not even selected an external monitor as an option in your config, shows that you have a lot of noise going on. Our electrical ground loop interference is so bad that if I don't disconnect the ac adapter before selecting the TV, it will not even recognize the TV [because the video card is confused with the garbage being fed back from the TV - noise that is picked up from the ground].

 

I unplugged the W3J power from the surge protector (LCD plugged in the same) and plugged it straight into the house wall socket. The problem disappeared! No more wavy lines in the background. Thanks for the suggestion!

 

Glad to hear you solved the problem, but now you don't have any surge protection!
Try investing in a better one that doesn't create a noise issue, or even better a power conditioner for your high end devices.

 

Also, you may want to edit your post title. This isn't a problem with the W3J -- the problem is dirty electrical power.

I'm partial to the W3J -- such a dam good notebook at that size. One of Asus's best.

 

I agree, when I saw your post my heart dropped a little =X

 

Thats true, I have an old APC portable notebook surge protector somewhere, Its not very big, so I'll give that a try......I should have been using it long ago considering I move around a lot, and plugging it straight into the wall where ever I'm at.

 

I agree, is there a way to change the thread title to reflect that it was bad power - maybe just PM a moderator?

When I saw the title I read it as 'the second LCD i have had put into my W3J as a replacement for another problem is flickering'