w3j graininess fix out!!

Asus should give us a rebate for testing out their bios!

 

I did notice the screen is not as dim on min backlight now

 

Good to hear the W3J BIOS is out, anyone run any 3DMark tests yet?

 

It definitely makes the screen look so much better. However, using Mobilemeter, it shows that i am drawing more from the battery than before I did the flash to the new bios even with the same settings on it (from about 17 to 21)

But thanks for the fix

 

Thank you everyone for replying my question.
I downloaded the zip file that Ken attached to the forum.

I did not realize that I have graininess problem until I read the forum and then
checked comcast web site. I strained my eye to find a few blue dots of
lighter blue color.

After upgrading to the new bios, the dots were gone! The screen seem clearer now but then, it could be my imagination.

Many thanks!!

No problem so far.

 

It's not your imagination

Krista

 

Many thanks, I can see the improvement.


I downloaded the .zip, double clicked it and now have the .rom files on my desktop. Ran the Winflash. Upon re-boot was offerred 3 options:
1- ESC bios (?)
2- F2 to run set-up
3- F1 to load default setting (All this is from memory, hope I'm telling this right)

Question:
I went for #3 F1 "load default settings" was that the correct choice? -Everything seems fine.
and
Can I delete the files (.zip & .rom) on my desktop now that my Bios has been updated? (or should I file the .Rom somewhere?)

Again many thanks

 

Just flashed my bios, noticed immediate improvment. running stock w3j.

 

I just flashed. After rebooting, there was a message in the initial boot screen that the CMOS checksum was bad. Everything still seems to run fine.

The screen does look a little better, however, in paint, I can still see some graininess when I'm not looking right at the screen.

 

So.... what next? The final version of the BIOS update?

 

We're waiting on ASUS for that. The final bios might actually just be the beta, unless they found some bugs. I would download it anyways to be safe. However, as far as I know it hasnt come out yet and I hope someone will let us know when it does.

 

There's definitely graininess on my screen too (shows on white and other light colors, looks like static noise), and i'm on a V1J.

I couldn't find any indication so i'll ask - is there a fixed bios beta for this model too, or just W3J + couple of others at this time?

The latest bios number is 301, which this came loaded with...

 

i never noticed any graininess on my w3j before so i didnt really notice anything when i installed the bios cept my screen seems really dusty now so it musta had an effect. somehow my startup was quite a bit faster also.

 

i have a problem.

after installing the new bios, when i use FN+any function button (e.g. raise/lower sound volume, brightness), the meter is stuck.

Basically if i increase the brightness, i can see the tick thing going up, but once i depress the button it doesnt go away. It's always stuck there.

anyone know how to get rid of it? it usually fades away, but in this case it's not fading away (you can see it in the image below)

I also notice this happening when I raise the brightness to FULL then bring it back down slowly. As i'm raising the brightness, the thing would fade away. But once i get to max and bring the brightness down, the thing wont fade away. Is this a bug with the BIOS? or with the application? if the application how do i fix?

 

Similar issues here, though it doesn't get stuck as often as yours.

I think it's probably not a bug in the bios but in an asus application. Install the latest versions of all asus apps from their site (if you haven't already) and perhaps try disabling things one by one from starting up, and see which application handles the meter. If you find it, consider disabling it. And PM me with your findings Cheers

Edi

 

vkyosho, I had the same problem prior to the BIOS upgrade. Strangely enough I've not experience it since the upgrade. Reboot always worked for me, but if there is an easier way I'd like to hear it.

I posted an issue I'm experiencing possibly due to the BIOS upgrade on the NBF forum. Someone called it a bad scan, but now when I'm watching a DVD the bad scan will create a single horizontal line distorting the image on the screen and fade away after a few seconds. Not sure if its due to the upgrade because prior to the upgrade I was using the ASUSDVD and after the upgrade I was using a purchased Intervideo WinDVD 7.0.

 

Yesterday night after i posted the above, i rebooted and the problem stopped happening. Right now im trying my best to not touch any of the FN keys

 

the "stuck" meter issue happened to me once before the installation of the bios. its definitely an app issue, try contacting asus about it. i have yet to watch any movies on this computer so I cant comment on the scan lines issue, but I would also suggest contacting asus support to find out what they say.

 

if you find that the windows do not dissapear after using the Fn keys, just push Ctrl+Alt+Del, click on taskmanager, choose aplications and you will see an asus utility called ATOSD, just simply click on it and end task, it goes away

I have had this happen every now and again (maybe once or twice a month), I didnt have to reboot, just end the ATOSD task.

 

great job...this fix really works! heh...

just waiting for it to allow vista to install...=(

 

I was wondering if anyone has found out if there is any performance difference in the GPU between BIOS 207 and this new 209A. In the other forum Ken commented that the Z96J had VGA BIOS A050504.008 before the graininess fix and A050504.009 after. The W3J has an even older A05404.004 VGA BIOS so if this latest update goes directly to A050504.009 that's 5 versions later so maybe there are other GPU benefits other than the graininess fix.

Also is it confirmed that the new BIOS slightly increases the minimum brightness leading to a small drop in battery life? Maybe it's not significant or people prefer the extra brightness but otherwise that's certainly a fix suggestion for ASUS before the final release.

 

This cant be adopt for other models ? I have F3JA and no update ofr it

 

As I told you before, no, sorry......

 

Works for me, display is clear now.

 

I have one of the initial W3js - Anyone else that has one find this BIOS update to have a positive impact?

I can't say for sure that I'm having graininess issues - not very pronounced if so.

 

From what i have read so far, all W3Js without this bios will have this issue, it's not the most perceptable dislpay problem, but if your in any doubt. Try opening MS Paint and draw a large block of Grey or Dull Blue, you should see speckles of a lighter tone throughout. What i can say is, i have an original spec W3J also and i've applied the Bios with no negative effects and i can certainly see an improvement in the richness of the colour / clarity of picture. Hope that re-assures you, my recommendation would be to apply this Bios whether you can see the graininess or not, as i'm certain you'll notice an improvement.

 

It does Brigand - thx.

I'm at work (on work laptop) so I can't test right now, but I do recall seeing that in some instances.

I have a few other nagging issues that i have to nip in the butt (low volume playback with DVDs, clearing out the excess tasks/programs running in the background) and I'll apply this as part of that process.

 

Welcome

 

I got my W3J from Justin in the first shipment, the screen had a slight grainyness on flat colours, it was the first thing I noticed it, but to be honest it was so slight that when I showed friends, they coudln't even see it! and viewing images and movies it was not noticable, so I was not bothered, but after this bios, OMG I just sat there looking at the screen, it is truly fantastic, once you flash the bios check out this site, images are amazing!

http://www.digitalblasphemy.com/

 

^ Alright...you got me fired up for it now NZ...is it a relatively painless? I probably won't be able to get myself out of the woods if I mess up.

 

It's pretty painless. Check the instructions in the first post of this thread.

 

Talk about child's play - done with not a bump or bruise.

I did get the "bad checksum" thing on the boot page, whatever that implies.

Thanks battlemage (and everyone)- and the FAQ helped. It actually seems to have changed some of the colors slightly - strange (in a good way).

 

once you have flashed the bios, you might want to use one of these backgrounds, I have resized them to fit the W3J

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=1611597#post1611597

They look great.

 

Wow, just flashed BIOS and it looks great now. I didn't even see a problem until you all pointed out what colors to look at and even then it was minor, but the fix is very noticeable. Thanks to everyone responsible for that update!

 

Hey guys.

I am the first to admit I am by no means much of a computer brain, but I saved the BIOS update to my memory stick from another machine, dumped it on to my desktop and used the ASUS utility to flash it from there. All done in about 30 seconds! Rebooted and it would seem, like most people got the bad checksum, hit F1 (hope that was right), and away I went. The screen definitely seems much sharper, whereas before it looked slightly pixellated or grainy. Thanks guys.

 

I'm about to get my W3 (waiting for dealer to bring it back to asus to install English XP pro for me as its all in chinese here in taiwan), is the bad checksum on reboot there everytime you boot, or just first time after updating the bios? otherwise this bios update sounds awsome.

 

The bad checksum on reboot should be only first time after updating the BIOS.

 

i haven't noticed it since the first time...

 

yep, first time only

 

i just ordered a W3J with merom. Do you think there will be a need to update my BIOS? I would think that the BIOS should be up to date to support the Core 2 Duo right?

 

There will be no need to update your Bios, if the W3J you purchased had a merom chip but not the bios to support it.... It would not work.
I dont think any reseller would sell you a laoptop that was not working straight out of the box.

The only thing to look out for is if your screen has any greanyness, if so it is a super easy process to upgrade the bios.

 

Awesome! Now if we can just get a Vista compatable BIOS...

Some pics, please ignore the moire effects from the camera...

 

Cool, how do you check the BIOs version installed? Once I get my W3J in i'll let you guys know what version it is so we can see if it's newer or not. I'll take the plunge and try a Vista RC2 install too. =/

 

It should give some numbers in the process of startup. If not, CPU-Z can tell you.

~ Brett

 

Unless the BIOS on it is different then the one people are trying out on this thread, Vista RC2 won't work. I already tried.

 

yeah that's what I meant, if the BIOs are different

 

If it is different and Vista does work, I'll be hounding you for a copy of the BIOS.

 

that'd be no problem, but is there a way to extract the bios?

 

Hrmm yea far as I know most BIOS flashing utils let you save a copy of the current BIOS before it flashes the new BIOS.

 

the official bios should be available soon on the ASUS website anyways...