w3v and vista

anyone tried and successfully installed vista retail on the w3v. does it need a bios update/hack like the w3j. is the x600 sufficient to run aero smoothly ???

thanks

 

I did install the ultimate version, and it works good. No problem with the x600, aero is looking good, only issues was with NHC (got a bsod). I'm gonna try to use RM Clock.
No need for a bios update, i just used the vista drivers i found here : http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=100357

 

I did install Vista Business and it works fine. No problem with x600 & aero with default MS driver (I tried the newer driver version from ATI site but got instability and BSOD).
One last remaining problem though... My w3v reboots instantly when I unplug AC. Does anyone know how to fix this problem ?

Thanks

 

possibly.... go to your power settings for your gfx card and switch it to optimal on the battery setting and the low battery setting. the conflict is that there is a clash between the newer ATI drivers and the current available asus bios. You will lose battery life, but that will be fixed once an updated bios comes out... your current bios is unable to scale the gfx card, and when it trys it causes the computer to crash

 

Thanks a lot dmak... I changed the ATI Power Settings to maximal performances while on battery and it fixed the problem...

Everything is working fine now... just waiting for Asus to release new BIOS update now.

THANKS !

 

just make sure that you changed the low bat one to optimal as well, otherwise you will get a reboot when your battery hits 25% or whatever you set it to

 

thanks for all the replies,

for those that have installed vista, did you buy a full retail or upgrade version. if an upgrade version, did you do a clean install or just upgraded from within xp.

 

My clean installation of Ultimate was uneventful. Everything works well. I only hope for LCD brightness support within Vista's Power Plans.

 

did you have to update each driver from the site(lan,modem,video,touchpad,etc..)? Should you do it before or after the install? Also, does power4gear and the function keys work after the install?

 

i've installed vista premium and the 4 ati drivers/utilities from the driver thread as well as power4gear but cant get the hotkeys to work.

can someone give a step by step guide for vista and w3v?

 

If you are installing Vista on your W3V, you'll need the following.

• ATK Hotkey Utility for Vista
• ATK0100 ACPI Utility
• ASUS ATKOSD2 Utility
• Intel INF Update Windows XP/Vista 32/64
• Synaptics TouchPad Vista 32/64
• Realtek Audio Vista 32/64
• Power4Gear (I cannot find any difference between normal and eXtreme)
• Ricoh card reader Vista 32-bit

You can download the above from here.

You also want to head over to ATI and Intel's websites and grab display and PRO/Wireless 2915ABG drivers.

For Bluetooth, use Microsoft's Bluetooth Stack.

With the above installed, everything should work perfectly. The only problem I have is that the brightness does not adjust when switching power plans. I heard that this requires a BIOS update, but who knows if we will receive one for the good ol' W3V.

 

This thread should be a sticky. Great info here!

 

Very nice Starchild!

so far my Vista installation has been smooth without any troubles at all...

I have a few questions though:

1. is intel INF very important to have? what can i do with it?

2. Does the realtek vista audio improve sound quality at all?

3. Is vista just fine if I don't use Power4Gear and just use RMClock? I mean, I've used power4gear before but never saw what good it did...

4. sorry if this is a dumb question, but what does ricoh card reader let me do? I usually only put SD Cards into my w3v, will that let me do that?

5. Do ATI catalyst drivers improve video? Because I've just downloaded the windows automatic update for my x600 which said something about WDDM...

6. Who here finds that intel proset wireless is just a resource hog? Or does it actually help you... because all I do is connect to the internet and don't see how proset helps at all... oh and PS: it proset 10.5 doesn't say vista compatible btw on the website at least.

sorry for so many questions, but I really hope it gets us W3V owners talking!!

 

Vista's bundled drivers are probably just fine, but it does not hurt to install these from Intel.

I am unsure as I usually output sound via the SPDIF (it is digital so quality should not be a problem). These drivers do give you the Realtek HD Audio Manager, a plus or a minus depending on opinion. I have removed from the Notification Area myself as Vista's Volume icon works just fine. This might be required for proper function of the F10-F12 volume control, however, but overall, I think it is beneficial to install these drivers.

I am unfamiliar with RMClock, but Power4Gear controls the CPU clock too, no? If so, I don't see why you would need RMClock. Plus, Power4Gear's notifications are so pretty

If your card reader works without this driver, then I do not see why you have to install this. However, if memory serves me correctly, I believe I needed to install these drivers before I could use my card reader.

Definitely install ATI's drivers.

Probably. I only installed the drivers (which are Vista compatible) alone, and not the PROset Wireless Utility. I prefer to use Vista to manage my wireless network connections.

No problem I agree totally. What we W3V owners should be talking about is a BIOS update to allow Vista's Power Plans and Power4Gear to change the brightness automatically when switching plans. I am giving Asus a little more time before I cause a commotion

 

I have one advice. I prefer you to NOT install Catalyst (ATI Software) because it will slow down your computer. I have a V6V which uses the same x600 video card and realize that Windows Vista already installed the video card drivers automatically.

In conclusion, I think Catalyst is only a software to configure the display settings using the video card, but that's about it.

 

I installed the intel INF drivers, the realtek audio drivers...
installing just the drivers for the intel wireless was a good idea and also the ATI catalyst drivers only so I minimize bloat


the ati catalyst drivers actually helped solve my problem when using VLC player fullscreen the video was laggy.. now no more!!

thanks guys

 

I disagree. The Catalyst Control Centre offers way more control over the video card, which is no longer available via the Advanced Settings in Display Settings. Plus, the Notification Area icon and ATI Hotkey can easily be disabled and once disabled, it will not slow down the computer.

 

are you having an issue when closing your lid, does windows automatically sleep... even though you have it set to "Do Nothing"???

I JUST had this start happening... right after I installed the Catalyst driver and INF driver.

I read about some other people having the same problem but not sure how to fix it

 

fixed the above problem by setting my laptop to "Not require a password when waking up from sleep"... weird.

anyways, I hope NHC comes out with a Vista capable update in the future... that was my program of choice :/

in the meantime RMClock will have to do... although I'm tempted to try P4G to see if that works for me.

btw guys I have a big question for you that don't Undervolt

Isn't you fan always on high?? Or at least one below very high?
I can't stand the loud fan....
I even live in a cold place and when not undervolted I get lots of heat.

 

Has anyone been able to figure out how to get the function keys and side buttons to work w/ vista?

 

Refer to my post above.

 

Would it be possible to use the W3J bios on the W3V? Does anyone know?

 

I wouldn't advise it... Nope, not at all.

 

Yay W3V!