ASUS U Series Bamboo Collection Owners Thread (U33JC/U43JC/U53JC)

ASUS Utility and Bloatware Guide

 

Excellent, thanks a lot!

 

I had been waiting to order a U53JC-C1. Noticed that many places increased their pricing today on these units. It was still $849.88 at J&R Music and Computer World, so I went ahead and ordered from them. Just a heads up in case others are in the same boat.... I'm sure that when I get it I will be back with questions and comments.

 

Hello everybody I received my u53jc-c1 a little over a week ago and I am just getting it broken in. After repairing my atk and using it for school work of course I have installed Call of duty black ops, it runs fine but seems to have a little input lag when I play I have added it to the nvidia control panel but I think it is going to need some tweaking so I am calling ya'll out. If you would please point me twords tips/tricks to help get my computer online efficiently. Getting a little desperate after crawling the web coming up empty :/ is anybody out there gaming on their bamboo?

 

What is this "apk" you had to repair?

 

The Atk for the hot keys before when I would hit my fn key and then the volume or w/e nothing would happen the only one that would work was the f7 which kills the screen, so I just had to repair it withhh...
http://dlcdnet.asus.com/pub/ASUS/nb/Drivers/ATKPackage_WIN7_32_64_100003.zip
and boomskies ready to go! But anybody out there gaming on these yet?

Btw I meant aTk my mistake!

 

I just noticed my webcam is vertically upside down !

I tried to find something to fix it but I guess I removed a program I shouldn't have to when I just got the computer...

Any idea how to fix it? I saw some soft that might help but I don't really trust them.

 

What program was it your looking for

 

About the hotkeys, I had the same pb but I just did a "repair" of the ATK Package in the programs and features. It works fine now.

But I still have my pb with my webcam which is flipped vertically.

 

Impressive results. I don't have any external USB 3.0 drives yet, but I noticed in the BIOS of my new U43JC that my USB 3.0 port was set to EHCI mode instead of XHCI. I'm not sure if that means it would only function at USB 2.0 speeds or not.

 

Just received my u53jc-c1 yesterday evening. Spent the evening making restore disks (one hour and 45 minutes!) and performing Windows updates (Service Pack 1 is a PIA). I do have one question so far....... How do I force a program to use the dedicated graphics vs. the integrated graphics? (not much of a manual with this unit).

Thanks,

 

It's rather good looking, no? I haven't changed my wallpaper yet.

ASUS.jpg

 

In the control panel, go to 'Nvidia Control Panel'. There, you can change anything in 'Program settings'.

If you play Minecraft or some other games that use Java, you have to select javaw.exe and make it run this nvidia...
;-)



I still can't use my headset, how do you do? I have a window that pops up and no options on it.

 

I'm having the same problem with the webcam. It was ridiculously slow at first so I updated the driver. I used it for the first time today and although the picture quality is a lot better and I'm not getting all that blur....the image is now upside down.

I see others have had this problem as well, but no one has really posted how/if they fixed it. Please help.

 

I have the exact same problem and have not been able to fix it. This site has all the drivers: I currently have the slow, but right-side-up .206 driver, the .208 one inverted the image.

ftp://ftp.asus.com.tw/pub/ASUS/nb/Drivers/CMOS_Camera_Azurewave/

 

Has anyone had problems with the touchpad on the U43JC? I've had mine less than two weeks and the touchpad is no longer detected. It doesn't even show up in the Device Manager. I booted from a Ubuntu (Linux) live CD and it isn't working with that either. I'm debating whether to open it up to hopefully find a loose connection that I can reconnect or just send it in to ASUS since it's so new. Any advice? How easy is it to open up to get to where the touchpad is connected to the MB?

 

Have you checked your BIOS to see if it was accidentally disabled?

Checking to see if the touchpad cable is connected properly is relatively easy. Flip your laptop upside down, remove the ram cover and you should see the ribbon cables that connect the keyboard and touchpad to the motherboard.

 

Yes, I just double checked the BIOS and the Internal Pointing Device is enabled.

I'm not seeing any connectors after removing the ram cover and memory. Here's a photo:

From U43JC

Also, it seems to take a long time for Windows Update to run as well as any other software installs or removals. I think I'm going to do a clean Windows install once I get this touchpad issue resolved.

 

In that case, then the cables are underneath the keyboard.

 

Yes, with the help of Soobaerodude's post with pictures of the disassembly, I was able to get it apart and reconnect it. There sure are a lot of screws to remove.

 

Hi guys ,

I have U43F !

< :$

I tried to use the Multi-Finger features , and I couldn't get the Scrolling and The drag & drop to work !

any ideas ?

Thanks .

 

Big Thanks!

 

I have a question:

What if I want to format my HD and install a fresh copy of Windows Seven? Will it be a problem (lack of specific drivers that need to be install only with asus program or something) ?
Is my Bamboo going to be recognized by this new copy?

 

No--there won't be any problems as there are no drivers that must be installed using an Asus custom app.
Yes--your Bamboo will be fully recognized by Win7.

All the drivers, and all the Asus-specific apps, can be downloaded from Asus's website. Make sure to get all the drivers specific for your model before doing the fresh install.

LEGAL Windows 7 Download Links (Just like Vista before!!!)
and
ASUS Utility and Bloatware Guide

provide all the info needed to get the job done w/o trouble.

 

I have two problems with an U53JC:

1. When running from the AC adapter, it goes back and forth between charging and non-charging, and it does that once a second. Battery-AC-Battery-AC-Battery. The screen is flashing at every switch, which means the screen is flickering continuously.

2. I cannot flash a new BIOS, because it says that the BIOS model number is U53JC while the one in the machine is U53Jc. Is there a way to force a BIOS flash with this typo?

 

Thank you very much, you're a genius !!


p.s.
By the way, I just to be sure ; are all the drivers on this page? (I have the U53JC-C1)
http://support.asus.com/Download.aspx?SLanguage=en&m=U53JC&p=3&s=266
Do I need to install each of them? Although I know the majority of them, some might be useless to install...

 

Can someone tell me what is the rating of the original PSU for the U53JC model? And what is the model number? The one I'm trying to use is quite small and has 3.8 A rating, which I'm not sure is enough for the U53JC.

 

Just made a wallpaper for kicks let me know what you think! Tried to make something that accents the wood a little more. Hope you like it!



let me know if you want it!

 

^

Awesome & Simple !

really great work man !

May I have it please ?

Thanks .

 

Just let me know where to send it!

 

I ain't no genius -- this info is already posted earlier in this thread. I'm just playing it forward, like others are.

That's Asus' official page, so that's ok.

All the driver categories should be install but--to ensure you get the right ones--you have to compare your currently installed ones vs. the ones on the page. For example some touchpads use Synaptics, others Elan.

Also, if there are newer drivers, it's a good idea to also download the older one on your laptop, just in case there's a problem.

The Utilities category, you install what you want. The Bloatware guide will tell ya which are truly necessary.

 

[email protected]

 

Sent!
If anybody else wants it send me a pm or let me know!

 

I'm seeing poor disk performance on my U43JC and am wondering if anyone can give me any tips on how to improve it. Here are the results I'm getting:

All tests done while plugged to the AC adapter and nothing else running.

For the hard drive:



For an SSD connected to USB 3.0 port:



And for the same SSD connected to my desktop via same USB 3.0-SATA adapter:

 

Hi all,

I purchased a U53JC last month and so far it's been great. However tonight, I discovered my function keys weren't working very well.

I did some light googling and stumbled upon this thread, which a user recommended (around pg. 180 or so) to remove & reinstall the ATK ACPI drivers.

I downloaded the ATK Updated for function keys from the ASUS support site ( ASUSTeK Computer Inc. -Support- Drivers and Download U53JC) and when I went to repair it...it asked me to insert "the disk."

My question is...what disk? I'm hesitant to "remove" the ATK package all together, as I'm unsure of how I would get it back.

Any help for a noob would be much appreciated.
-D

 

I have the U53JC also. When I did the ATK repair all went smoothly and now everything works perfectly...... I was never asked for a disk?? Are you sure you downloaded the right file for your computer? Version V1.0.0003 is what I downloaded.

 

Hey thanks for your help. Pretty simple when someone points me to the settings. RE: Headset..... No problems with mine, as soon as I plug it in it is recognized and works. Maybe a driver issue?

 

there you go dirtyD get that download and you dont need a disk it is what I used earlier

 

Hey guys, I just got my u43jc-b1 today! I installed google chrome but it won't open. Did any of you guys have the same problem? Please help

Also I was wondering which programs I should be uninstalling? I've looked in this entire thread and I haven't seen anyone compile a list of what they took out for a clean install...

 

uninstall chrome and reinstall it as admin... then, you also are going to need to go into your antivirus software and add it to your list of friendly programs I had the same problem but that fixed it

 

Anyone figure out a fix for the upside down webcam yet....ASUS tech support was no help. They just told me to install the new driver which caused the problem in the first place. And didn't even send me a direct link to the right driver....just a generic link to the ASUS download page.

 

same pb here...

Yeah, it's done.

I just installed the new driver on this page
ASUSTeK Computer Inc. -Support- Drivers and Download U53JC

My computer is a U53JC and I selected my OS (64 bits). Then, I went to 'camera' and installed the first one.

I don't know if it's the right one for you but it worked fine for me.

Good luck!

I still have a small pb: when I plug my headphones, the sound stops.
?!?

How can it be so complicated? Usually, I just plug and that's it but on this computer, I get a pop up that asks me if it's a headphones... yes, of course!

What can I do, any idea?

 

I have the U53JC-C1. While taking off some of the "bloatware", I somehow uninstalled the "Power 4 Gear Hybrid" program. I have downloaded the program from the ASUS site and reinstalled it. Now it is on my computer and I can use it, but the desktop gadget for it is nowhere to be found. I have removed and reinstalled 3 times but cannot get the desktop gadget back. It does not show up under "desktop gadgets" in control panel. Has anyone experienced this or have any ideas on why this is happening. Also, I have been unable to find any documentation on exactly what "Power 4 Gear Hybrid" is or how best to use it??? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

Just got my U43JC-B1 last evening... absolutely love the look and feel.

Sorry if this has been discussed before but how does everyone maintain the bamboo casing on the laptop? Do you use anything particular to keep it clean?

 

Has anyone installed the 213 bios firmware on the u33jc? I just bought the laptop and I'm currently on the 211. Everything seems fine but I cant find the information about the change from 212 to 213 so I'm kind of curious..

 

What updated Sandy Bridge ASUS notebook is the closest to the U33JC in size/weight? thank you

 

Bought the U43F from Best Buy last night.
It's the i5 480m, 640Gb, 6Gb DDR3 version... unfortunately, I fell in love with the look and impulse bought it before doing any research. It sounds like there are dozens of variations of this notebook and mine only has the integrated Intel graphics (I can't find reviews or a mention of this particular setup anywhere).

Loaded up Dragon Age 2 and a couple Half-Life Source engine games from Steam which it seems to run pretty well, but i am afraid I will regret not having a dedicated card sooner or later...
Can I add one of the Geforce cards that come in the other versions and where would I purchase them?

 

Two questions:
1. Is this laptop upgradeable to 8 gb ram?
2. What's the average battery life? I've seen 4 hours to 10 hours lol.
3. How's this laptop compared to the Toshiba Portege r835-p56x?

 

Yes. The one I purchased at Best Buy came with 6Gb (haven't cracked it open yet to see how that works though as I doubt there are 3 ram slots).

Closer to 4 than 10 in my (limited) experience. Use so far has been mostly browsing, updating, and streaming video. Probably not going to see spectacular battery life while gaming (which I was pleasantly surprised, it does fairly well) once everything is kicking.

No idea (I bet the Bamboo is better looking though ).

 

Hi all. Ordered the u33jc from B&H and i love it, however i wasnt aware the synaptics touchpad didnt support multi touch - specially two finger scrolling. I thought all synaptics drivers had this enabled by default. Anyone know a way to enable it?