ASUS G73SW Owners' Lounge

SB is flawed and being recalled! GentechPC confirmed it affects both Mobile/Desktop chips. 73SW owners Better start the RMA process or cancel current orders before it's too late.

 

What's everybody using for a laptop bag / backpack for the G73? I'd like a "normal" laptop bag that's big enough, but haven't seen any great candidates. Don't want a backpack or roller bag.

 

Lol just bought mine yesterday (GentechPC) and it shipped just before I read this. Wonder why they are still shipping if they know...

Ah well doesn't look to bad as the 2 hd sata ports (0,1) will be fine only the dvd port(2) will be degrading .

Shipping it from US to UK so won't be returning it to GentechPC, guse I'll wait till mid summer or so, hopefully it will have all calmed down by then and I'll RMA it to ASUS if there doing a recall.


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Dell XPS M1710, 4gb, 500gb, ATI7900GTXGO, Core Duo 2 2.17 <- Current

ASUS G73SW <- On Order complete with Cougar Point Issue

 

Just checked oficial service center here and they have no information on this, but they said it will be no problem. If asus acknowledges, and they will, they will either replace or repair. I got no worries and IMO you should cancel an order due to this. According to anandtech there is a 5% fail rate but meh...

 

Found the below article this morning:

Intel Sandy Bridge chipset flaw identified as a rogue transistor affecting SATA ports -- Engadget

Just wondering for all the new Asus owners affected what are you doing with your newly received machines?

I got mine yesterday and it is still in the box unopened, my thoughts are send it back and start fresh with something else. For the price we are paying for these things I believe a 100% working machine is required regardless of what the faliure rate may be.

 

The fact that the issue may "impact performance or functionality of storage devices"... brrr. It just means that the defective chipsets may damage your diskdrives (will be SSDs affected too???).
Nasty situation... I like to have something to rely on, not use something and expect it to crash at anytime over the next 1-2 years...

And as I see it, solving the issue means replacing the motherboard. Hopefully Asus will recall and replace the motherboards, but you will probably get a replacement only if you are vocal enough.

 

So is it possible that mine 650gb HDD was clicking because of intel processor error??

 

well, I'm not as tech savvy as I used to be...but does this...

"There is more comforting news, however, in that the pair of 6Gbps SATA ports on the chipset are untroubled by this ailment, so devices and users that never plug into the 3Gbps connections can just carry on as if nothing's ever happened."

...give us any hope? Whats in the SW's?

 

Hmmm... I think that with this latest news on Intel Chipset design error, I'll postpone my G73SW acquisition because...

1. G73SW does not use the 6GB/s SATA
2. G73SW does not use the integrated GPU of the CPU and so, does not use Optimus
3. 3 SATA HDDs can be installed in the G73SW meaning that it can be affected by the Intel chipset design error. (even if the ones testing Sandybridge for a year did not report the problem Intel found)

((

 

I just read:

"If you have a notebook system with only two SATA ports however, the scenario is a little less clear. Notebooks don’t have tons of storage bays and thus they don’t always use all of the ports a chipset offers. If a notebook design only uses ports 0 & 1 off the chipset (the unaffected ports), then the end user would never encounter an issue and the notebook may not even be recalled. In fact, if there are notebook designs currently in the pipeline that only use ports 0 & 1 they may not be delayed by today’s announcement. This is the only source of hope if you’re looking for an unaffected release schedule for your dual-core SNB notebook."

so who knows at this point...

 

But doesn't G73SW use sata 2, 3Gbit ports not the sata 3, 6Gbit ports. Only sata 3 ports 0 and 1 is not effected?

 

from what I have gathered, the disc drive is the only drive affected...now when they use the term "degrade over time" I'd like to know what that means in regards to disc reading? And since the disc drive is used far less then the hard drives...will it be over 3 years where the issue is finally noticed?

 

this is where I found the information...it's pretty detailed...

Intel Discovers Bug in 6-Series Chipset: Our Analysis - AnandTech :: Your Source for Hardware Analysis and News

 

disc drive and hard drive is the same thing

 

my bad for wrong terminology, I guess they call it Optical Disc Drive...

 

I'm waiting for the FUD to settle down before deciding what to do. Anand's info is usually spot-on though, so most likely we'll have to have our early machines RMA'd.

It appears to only affect the 3Gbps SATA ports rather than the 6Gbps ones, so it will affect both HD's and the optical drive.

 

so the whole not affecting ports 0 & 1 is incorrect?

 

doesn't the G73SW's have the Huron River Sandy Bridge chip?

info from: http://www.electronista.com/articles/11/01/31/intel.cougar.point.desktop.chipset.has.sata.bug/

 

Hello everyone,

I am fairly interested in buying this notebook, however I have a question to ask to it's lucky owners before I can proceed.

Has anyone used the HDMI port to plug the notebook to their TV and watch films/series/anime/whatever with it and can report that they had no problem whatsoever with the image display ?

I am asking this because I previously bought another notebook with an ATI Graphic Card and after a while the image on the TV would loose its original colors and turn into a shady pink/green. Now I do know for sure that my TV and HDMI cable aren't at fault and I read somewhere that a simple tweak in the Catalyst drivers could eventually solve the problem, but I had already sent the laptop back. If needed I can upload pictures of the problem I had.

I just want to make sure I won't run into anymore trouble before buying this; I'm fairly confident in Nvidia graphics card as I have now owned an MSI notebook with a 9800 GT in it (MSI GX701) and never had any problem whatsoever with it for both playing and watching stuff on the TV.

Thank you in advance to anyone who will see this message and reply to it.

 

I have read a few articles this morning stating the same thing with regard to the Huron River set I'm just not sure I want to take a chance since I have also read that both desktop and laptop computers will be affected.

 

haha, well, I'll let you know what happens to my computer...after all the research and time into picking a laptop...and AFTER it gets delivered I find out this...should be wonderful...I'm just glad Intel sounds like their gunna stand behind their products and fix the issue

 

One last article:

PC makers "in the dark" over Intel recall | News | PC Pro

Interesting to know the last line reads "Asus had no comment other than to confirm it would issue a statement tomorrow."

The article of course is dated today 2/1/11.

 

yeah...I'm VERY curious as to what Asus has to say, because Acer made a bold statement saying they would fix anything defective for their customers no matter what...would sure put a bad rep on Asus if they say anything less then that...

 

Even if Asus makes just as good a statement as Acer did, the real problem here may be more unique to Asus than anyone else. That is, as bad as everyone knows Asus RMAs can be now, can you imagine how much slower they'll be if they get deluged with people sending systems back for new motherboard replacements all at once? Especially the site in Indiana? Even if Intel delivered a bunch of shiny new boards to their front door, Ivy Bridge might be done by the time some people even get their laptops back. I'd like to think that this may be Asus' chance to step up and show their users how well they can respond to a crisis (admittedly, not one of their own doing) without making it worse. This is when they need to be more attentive to keeping their users informed of repair status or whether or not a new board has arrived. Despite the nightmare of my first JW RMA, I hope the SW owners don't have to endure anything so bad.

 

Continuing from my previous post I finally read the entire thread and will most likely as everyone suggests delay my order, but I would still like to hear from someone who owns (owned before returning it for this affair) this laptop and plugged it to his/her TV through HDMI...

 

I say that it'll affect both HDDs and the optical drive from the fact that they're all 3Gbps as far as I know.

That's a good link, and why I earlier said I'm waiting for the FUD to die down. Depending on which website (all of them reputable) that I've looked at, I've got a different impression. I'll try CPU-Z to see if it identifies the chipset as Huron River or Cougar Point.

I'm assuming that things will be fine (I don't want to go through an RMA process), but don't want a port to crap out on me.

According to Intel (and they don't have any self-interest ), it should only be an issue if you're running the chipset at higher than normal voltage. But I'll wait for more details to feel safe.

Looks like Cougar Point is simply part of the Huron River platform. Lots of info that confirms this, but this is what I see from Intel:

QM67 Express and Intel® HM65 Express Chipsets Formerly Embedded Huron River (Sandy Bridge + Cougar Point)

Maybe not conclusive, but it seems pretty solid.

 

My 73SW after an exchange is sitting here, day 2, brand new and got hold of this news... I have called Asus hotline and they will get back to me today, I'll post what information I have here once I got that. Hope all is well.

No official confirmation if this SB issue affects our 73SW yet?

 

PCNoob78 ouch!

My call did not go so smooth, regarding the Intel recall. But Amazon just took down theirs too. So I am sure its a big problem. My short version of the call went like this....

Me: Have you guys heard of the recall about the Intel Chipset?

Asus Support: No, but if there is a recall by Intel with your Asus product, then you need to contact Intel. We do not support any of the chipsets in your laptop and do not make any of it. The recall is with them and not us. If you need it recalled or repaired, you need to contact them and not Asus. But we have not heard of the problem and is not in our system.

Me: (HEART ATTACK!) That is BS. Are you kidding me? If there is something wrong with my laptop and it is defective, you have to repair it. I need to talk to your manager.

Asus Support: Please hold. I have spoke to the manager and you need to contact Intel.

Me: (PANIC! Return Policy?) I have worked in tech support and this is not how things are done! Let me talk to your manager.

Asus Support: Please hold. We can have you send it in. You are always welcome to send it in for repair if there is a problem with your laptop with-in warranty.

Me: (Sigh, Panics) Do you know what the problem is? Can you give me a call back when you know further about the situation and escalate this to your manager?

Asus Support: You have not told me what the problem is and so we cannot fix it, but I have heard of this problem from another caller.

(never heard of the recall, and now they just will hold the laptop?)

Me: (SIGH!!! Being nice now) I don't expect you to know anything but the problem has been recently announced. Please have someone call me back when you know more. But the problem is a design flaw and something not working correctly with the sata drives. That article was recently posted and some retailers have stopped their orders including sales orders being stopped.

Support: Asus will have someone do a follow up call back within 24-72 hours. Here is your case number blah blah blah. But the other person did not go in detail what the problem is and I will need to more research. But you will hear from someone regarding this issue shortly. Do you have an email address, we will email you.


So Sigh..... I want to cry. ;c(

I will update you guys with what I find next. Doesn't mean I don't like Asus as I have done product testing and loved their products but really the support needs work. I've never had any problems with their products though =/.

HDMI: I have tested the HDMI. Works beautifully on my Sharp 46". No problems with compatibility.

- testing on HDMI as follows: DC Universe Online. Youtube. Media Player.

All sounds and video checked out nicely. Also my Sharp TV allows for color changes as well as the software for the video card on the laptop. So color fading and color problems should not be a big problem. The laptop also has some modes for changing for movie, normal, theater, etc. for color issues. I don't see LCD having too much problems with color other then software issue, like with plasma fading. But the HDMI is sweet.

 

asus did recall their entire sandy bridge line. a dealer wide email went out yesterday. its not a question if, it is a question when it will fail and when it does you do not want to have some asus tech rip appart your laptop and replace the motherboard. Return it for a refund. they wouldnt send a dealer wide email recalling thousands of units for no reason. I am lucky we held back sales for weeks. my guess is this will not be rectified until march or later so dont hope for a quick turn around. end of story

 

Toshiba is recalling laptops
Model Content Page

 

Here is the Asus official statement for the affected sandy bridge Asus models. Proactively responding to the Intel-identified Sandy Bridge chipset design error

 

Thanks for the update Geared2play.com and jeanarchie. If I didn't like Asus so much, I would be really pissed off at what Asus support told me lol. Thanks for the post. Now I wonder when Asus support will call me back and what will they tell me. =cP But its good to know that if I have problems that official statement will be solid.

Again thanks so much.

 

Ok so I got my Asus G73SW-A1 Monday, yes Monday! My question is what are you as an owner doing with your laptop, keeping it and waiting for a recall or just returning it?

My machine is still in the UPS packaging and I have not opened, I have been told to hold on to it and wait for a recall but I really don't like that idea. Any input would be appreciated.

 

Yep I wondering what I'm going to do, Ideal solution for me would be to keep the laptop and use it for a few months until Asus have received updated parts from Intel. Hopefully then they would be able replace/repair quickly and I would then RMA. I need a lappy for work and was hanging on for sandy bridge don't really want a JW or JH replacement... Will talk to the re-call hotline when I receive mine and see if this is a possibility.

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Dell XPS M1710, 4gb, 500gb, ATI7900GTXGO, Core Duo 2 2.17 <- Current

ASUS G73SW <- On Order complete with Cougar Point Issue

 

Thanks andy_moin, I'm still not certain what to do. I have a laptop for now so it's not like I need the Asus but I agree I got this machine for the processor.

Any other input is welcomed, please.

 

I'm just gunna keep it, they said in their statement it won't affect harddrives, I'm gunna keep using it as if nothing happened until they figure out returns, etc...no point on returning something I absolutely need for school when their gunna replace it anyways...

 

And still, You can just use it now. Even if you use it or dont, It will be fixed anyway.

 

I do wanna emphasize however:

"This includes the hassle-free return and/or replacement of all affected ASUS products."

lol, I would love to see how they do this hassle-free!

 

No news from Asus support from my side yet. As to my brand new 73SW, I am going to install essential programs for my work and use it for now, as it was originally meant to do so. I'll continue to bug support for an answer and hopefully they can grant me a refund or exchange for the new 73SW, then I'll transfer my files over to the new set.

Nothing we can do much now, I guess we need to call support in our respective countries and get them working.

 

I'm assuming since specs are the same that we could just have everything on our laptop and make a massive backup disc? So if we get a replacement it won't be so daunting to get everything back on?

 

I did send my laptop back to my dealer today. I wait for Ivy Bridge no more Sandy Bridge computer for me.

 

I will continue to use the laptop without any worries. As long as it purchased through official channels and if indeed the fail rate is higher than what Intel predicted/announced, it should manifest in any way in the 2 years warranty time.

 

for anyone who is willing to wait until it breaks down i caution you NOT to. The chances of your repair being done properly is slim. all large service centers cut corners. return it for a refund while you can. We have recalled all shipped orders to our customers and most took the chance for a refund.

 

and for those of us who will be without a computer at all and need one? isn't much of a choice...

 

That is normal for Asus laptops error not affect:
For motherboards, we’ve confirmed with Intel® that the Cougar Point design error does not affect SATA ports 0 and 1. Additionally, ASUS has been a pioneer in including extra SATA 3Gb/s and SATA 6Gb/s ports beyond Intel® specifications on a wide range of motherboards. These ports are not affected by this design error, offering customers an option for uninterrupted computing.
Proactively responding to the Intel-identified Sandy Bridge chipset design error

So use your laptop and do not care of anything

 

the Toshiba statement is more reassuring than Asus

 

jeanarchie I am leaning that direction but I keep getting stuck with the thought I paid $1800 for something I know is broken.

 

Guys, I think he's got a point. I take back what i said that use it for a while. I realize how RMA service of Asus isn't that good. He's in the business and has a lot of experience with this kind of stuff. Asus is a good company, But sometimes their RMA process is crap. I think it's better to get a refund.

Just return it dude. I realized that geared2play was right. It will just cause stress to you. And atleast you wont go thru the LONG RMA process of Asus. The only thing is you will wait for the new fixed version of the sw's. Its still your choice dude.

 

Contact the dealer from whom you bought it - say you want a full refund, and get their verbal assurance that you will get it. Ask for it in writing as well.

Then arrange a line of credit and buy another, different laptop and get that set up. As soon as you can get the G73SW back to the dealer. Remember this can't be fixed now - they will have to wait for new mobos with a new chipset. I think most dealers will have to issue refunds, since replacements are not available.

I appreciate that some people will find it difficult to buy a new laptop before they get the refund, but at least you should know that the refund will come.

Meanwhile I know that you need a computer up and running - but the problem with this glitch is that Intel are saying that this part will fail, they just can't say when.

So you could find yourself without a computer anyway - you just won't know when.

 

Yeah Asus Support said to return it now and I will get it back in 10 days. HAH! - Also I realized if they tear apart my laptop, 90% of the time the support will be missing screws and not trained like the guys in China are when they put it together. All that said t_T I am taking his advice and returning it. Also I saw pictures of the problem and I can understand why a recall was necessary. I don't think Intel would of issued a recall so nicely if that was and if there wasn't a reason behind it.