ASUS U24E Review and Owners Lounge

That conformation concern Crucial M4 CT256M4SSD2 ( CT256M4SSD2 - 256GB, 2.5-inch Solid State Drive , from Crucial.com), but "Guaranteed-compatible with the ASUS U24E" points to different Part Number CT2880172 ( 256GB, 2.5-inch Solid State Drive, upgrades for ASUS U24E Laptop/Notebook, CT2880172 from Crucial.com).

 

You're right... I'm wondering what's different between CTxxxM4SSDx (7mm and 9.5mm) and CT2880xxx references...
Will it really work at SATA III speed (or will it work as SATA II compatible)?
There's only one solution, you have to try

 

Hi guys,
I've just received my Sammy 830 today, and could install it without any problem, and it works just fine!
From what ASUS said about the repair is two things, but same meaning I think:
- changed: SMALL BOARD
- changed: U24E AUDIO_BD./AS

 

Post some storage benchmarks please!

Here are a few common ones:
-AS SSD
-Crystal mark
-hdtune
-Samsung Magician's builtin bench

I can't remember any other ones right now.

Sent from my SPH-M580 using Tapatalk

 

Hi,
I'll do some more; yesterday I just did a simple CrystalDiskMark run, and had for sequential reading/writing 480MB/s and 330MB/s... I'm quite satisfied

 

Hi Guys,
I got U24E i3 version, and upgrade the cpu to i7-2640M @2.8G by myself.
I noticed that at Win7 high performance power mode, the cpu core temperature by CoreTemp is normally at 70 C,
and very quickly goes beyond 90 C when performing complicated tasks.
Instead at Win7 quietOffice power mode, the cpu core temp is normally at 65C.
What about your U24E's cpu core temperature?
I thought mine is too high, considering now is cold winter.

 

Looks like SATAIII (6gbps) speeds alright. Nice! So after all this time it was the audio board?

That seems way too hot for the 2640M. My first thought was the thermal paste, because other than that what could it be? When I had my 2620M it ran super cool and would often operate cool with the fan off during light near-idle loads. Somethings not right here.

 

Here are my benchmarks:
. Using AS SSD:
AS SSD Benchmark 1.6.4237.30508
------------------------------
Name: ATA SAMSUNG SSD 830 SCSI Disk Device
Firmware: 3B1Q
Controller: iaStorA
Offset: 103424 K - OK
Size: 119,24 GB
Date: 21/12/2012 19:46:16
------------------------------
Sequential:
------------------------------
Read: 480,59 MB/s
Write: 326,22 MB/s
------------------------------
4K:
------------------------------
Read: 15,98 MB/s
Write: 42,07 MB/s
------------------------------
4K-64Threads:
------------------------------
Read: 278,85 MB/s
Write: 81,38 MB/s
------------------------------
Access Times:
------------------------------
Read: 0,122 ms
Write: 0,081 ms
------------------------------
Score:
------------------------------
Read: 343
Write: 156
Total: 671
------------------------------

. Using CrystalDiskMark:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
CrystalDiskMark 3.0.2 x64 (C) 2007-2012 hiyohiyo
Crystal Dew World : Crystal Dew World
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
* MB/s = 1,000,000 byte/s [SATA/300 = 300,000,000 byte/s]

Sequential Read : 468.812 MB/s
Sequential Write : 337.651 MB/s
Random Read 512KB : 313.320 MB/s
Random Write 512KB : 209.542 MB/s
Random Read 4KB (QD=1) : 21.428 MB/s [ 5231.5 IOPS]
Random Write 4KB (QD=1) : 47.797 MB/s [ 11669.2 IOPS]
Random Read 4KB (QD=32) : 297.688 MB/s [ 72677.8 IOPS]
Random Write 4KB (QD=32) : 118.579 MB/s [ 28950.0 IOPS]

Test : 1000 MB [C: 21.6% (25.8/119.1 GB)] (x5)
Date : 2012/12/21 19:52:18
OS : Windows 7 Home Premium Edition SP1 [6.1 Build 7601] (x64)

. Using HD Tune:
HD Tune: ATA SAMSUNG SSD 830 Benchmark

Transfer Rate Minimum : 341.2 MB/sec
Transfer Rate Maximum : 370.2 MB/sec
Transfer Rate Average : 350.4 MB/sec
Access Time : 0.1 ms
Burst Rate : 219.0 MB/sec
CPU Usage : -1.0%

 

David, I thought that I made the thermal paste well.
In today's test, in Windows7 entertainment mode, the cpu temp is 63C and fan not often run.
It is OK for me. If it is too hot, I will consider buy an outside fan for cooling the U24E.

 

That seems better, the fan should be able to turn off completely at times with a dual core cpu (quad core less likely). What kind of thermal paste did you use? Maybe it needs time to set in/cure?

Sent from my SPH-M580 using Tapatalk

 

I just called Asus support in the U.S. and they don't have any update on this issue. The rep. told me that I could send the unit for them to check, but he didn't know what exactly they would do with it. I guess I will have to stay with my Samsung 470 until I upgrade my laptop next time... , although it's working totally fine.

 

Hiya Guys has anyone tried the new BIOS for the U24E yet please? Version 209 released on 27th December 2012.

Also had anyone got more detail on the Audio Board/SATAIII issue?

Cheers GPC.

 

Hello,
As Funkdok, i also live in France. After its share of sucess here and on pcinpact forum. I decided to test my chance.
I have sent 2 email to Asus online support to explain my sata 3 6gbs issues: 2 negative answers (no compatibility of U24E with sata 3).
So i have called the Asus hotline and finaly obtained a RMA.
I have just received my repared U24E, installed a Samsung 840 PRO 256gb on it. AND IT WORK PERFECTLY IN SATA 3 SPECIFICATIONS !!!!
So, i can confirm there is a solution known from Asus to our sata 3 issues.


-----------------------------------------------------------------------
CrystalDiskMark 3.0.2 x64 (C) 2007-2013 hiyohiyo
Crystal Dew World : http://crystalmark.info/
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
* MB/s = 1,000,000 byte/s [SATA/300 = 300,000,000 byte/s]

Sequential Read : 502.031 MB/s
Sequential Write : 463.630 MB/s
Random Read 512KB : 422.981 MB/s
Random Write 512KB : 444.829 MB/s
Random Read 4KB (QD=1) : 26.594 MB/s [ 6492.6 IOPS]
Random Write 4KB (QD=1) : 57.685 MB/s [ 14083.2 IOPS]
Random Read 4KB (QD=32) : 241.903 MB/s [ 59058.2 IOPS]
Random Write 4KB (QD=32) : 122.587 MB/s [ 29928.6 IOPS]

Test : 1000 MB [C: 61.3% (55.2/90.0 GB)] (x5)
Date : 2013/01/12 8:25:11
OS : Windows 7 Home Premium Edition SP1 [6.1 Build 7601] (x64)

The reparation information confirm a change of the "SMALL BOARD : U24E AUDIO_BD. AS"

Ptit Fred

 

Thanks for the share Fred, I was about to do it when I saw your answer on pcinpact.com.
The Sammy 840 Pro is a rocket!!!
I can notice your U24E runs under BIOS 209 and a Core i5.

Guys, please notice that we had to be stressing over ASUS support to finally get what we wanted (at least 3 attempts...), so never give up, never surrender guys !!

funkdoc / tomasson

 

So that's two people that are confirmed to be running SATAIII SSDs at SATAIII speeds. Great work you guys. Too bad Asus didn't fix this issue when the U24E first came to market.

 

That's 3 people, including the one who created the thread on forum.pcinpact.com.

 

Does anybody know if the Asus U24e laptop works with SATA 3.0 (6Gb/s) 3rd generation Seagate Momentus XT hybrid hard drives(500GB/platter)? They are now 5400RPM instead of 7200RPM (dumb move) and still 8GB of NAND flash cache but now MLC instead of SLC cache and generally the cache is higher performance than the 2nd gen Momentus XT.

Does it work with this laptop without the weird motherboard fix? If not, grr.

EDIT: Hmm, might just get the Asus u47a. No SATA 3 issues at first glance, and Ivy bridge instead of Sandy bridge. A bit larger chassis though.

 

Jan 2014,
Upgraded BIOS to 209. i3-2350
Planning to migrate to SSD, Crucial M500, 120GB, F/Wver. MU03.
BIOS still cannot detect SSD on AHCI. @$#%^, wasted time on those file transfers and migration preps.

 

Jepps137, can you go into more detail? I have the Facebook Asus North America page's attention

 

I have an ASUS U24E i3-2350M
The current HDD is 500GB.
Was planning to Upgrade to a SSD, Crucial M500 120GB to increase bootup speed, make unit more resistant to hdd failure and lengthen batt usage time.

So I followed the online guides on how to migrate to SSD. Moved all my files to an External drive, Defragged C drive, and started cloning both the backup partition (25GB) and the C drive.
Swapped the HDD to SSD. during bootup, the Blue BIOS screen shows immediately. Switching the drive type to AHCI -> SSD undetected. Switching the drive type to IDE ->SSD detected. On IDE, bootup fails though. Anyway, the main issue here is Why can't the SSD be detected under AHCI.

Current Laptop F/W version is v.209.

There are a lot of post regarding the U24E and SATAIII Non-detection...which I unfortunately found out only after doing the whole migration routine.

 

That sucks. I have known of this problem for a long time and luckily never bought the laptop. The people that operate the Facebook Asus North America page have gotten lots of forum links where people have had this problem.
https://www.facebook.com/asus.n.america


--------
http://www.amazon.com/review/R3VJIR7WO80HS5/ref=cm_srch_res_rtr_alt_2

http://forum.pcinpact.com/topic/163980-conseil-d-achat-de-3-ssd/page-2 (translate it to english via google)

http://www.bios-mods.com/forum/Thread-Asus-U24E-AMI-UEFI-BIOS-unlock-mod

http://rog.asus.com/forum/showthread.php?4381-Intel-HM65-Chipset-SATA-III& (last post)

 

I have the same problem too. Recently I bought a m550 256gb ssd but my u24e cannot detect the ssd. I found a forum from Taiwan those ppl said just change the hdd adapter then the ata3 ssd will be dectected but I never verify it.

 

Hi aa44, can you link to the forum thread you mentioned?

 

http://www.5i01.cn/topicdetail.php?f=233&t=2698913&p=1

Sorry the forum is from China, not Taiwan.

 

I am having the SATA III SSD issue as well, with the Kingston V300 120G.
1. http://plstd.ru/u24e/ offers a modified BIOS. Has anyone tried it? Is it safe?
2. Kingston released a firmware update ( http://www.kingston.com/us/support/technical/downloads?product=sv300s3&filename=V300_525fw_Win) which claims to give "Enhanced overall system compatibility". Could it fix the issue or is this strictly a BIOS issue?
Thanks

 

Hello!
I look many years in laptops to upgrade mine (i5, 1.7GHz), so i find better only this model:
ASUS U24E i7, Core i7 2620M 2700.
But i cant buy it
Somebody know where i can buy old version of laptop?

 

SSD firmware can fix issue if You can set SSD in firmware to SATA-2 mode (like some peoplesome years ago did with Hitachi HDD's for Apple Macbooks via program Hitachi Feature Tool).

 

@plstd what did you modify in the BIOS to enable SATA 6Gbps support?

 

I modified the code of bios (not parameters via CMOS setup menu).

 

I am curious what parts of the BIOS code you changed, it's pretty interesting and awesome if you've really fixed the SATA3 problem and ASUS couldn't..!

 

What parts - is commercial secret, cause I sell modified bios at my site.
I think ASUS didn't updated bios because they haven't such task. May be ASUS fixed SATA3 hardware in service centers by request for some people, who wanted install SATA3 SSD in warranty period
In my case of expired warranty they recommened for me list of old SATA2 HDDs & recommended to visit service center if I need help with HDD replacement.
So, I thought "Мы пойдем другим путем". And did modif.bios in two months of work, when I bricked my U24E sometimes when I got wrong modifications.

 

Too bad you won't share, I wouldn't flash an unknown BIOS mod. You're selling the BIOS too? You can't link to your own site either. Sorry.

 

OK.
Please, delete my posts if they violate rules of this forum (I didn't found delete option).

 

I have got used u24a with some problems and would like to fix it. Does anybody know how to detach touch pad pcb from keyboard case? Is it glued or has some hidden dents?

 

I think it is glued.

 

Thank you. At least I will not be afraid to broke dents.

 

It's not regular glue though, it's basically plastic circles that go through the case and are epoxied or hotglued in. I don't think it's removable without a heat gun.

 

It is true for keyboard, but I don't think it is same for touch pad. New palmrest case has no sign of any circles for touch pad. Searching on ebay shows photos of new touch pads with protecting paper. As I see this paper should protect glued side of pcb.

 

I planned to buy this mini notebook Asus U24E this week. And upgrade memory second slot X 4 GB DDR3 Crucial. And upgrade hard disc Seagate 1TB Gaming Hybrid SSHD SATA 8GB NAND SATA 6Gb/s 2.5-Inch Internal Bare Drive ( STBD100400)
This laptop compatible with Seagate Hybrid Solid State STBD100400?

 

Someone here mentioned a blog about changing the SATA chip on the daughter board to get SSDs to work with this laptop. I found that Chinese blog and did the chip swap. I can confirm it does work. It is a difficult task and I'll explain why.

First off, I'm a repair tech with over 12 years experience, and a focus on laptop repairs. A customer brought me his U24E for an SSD upgrade after failure to get it to be seen in BIOS. He had a Crucial MX300 and it won't work on these as everyone here has mentioned. So after trying every trick with ASUS systems I know, I had to start researching this issue. I often come here for information on laptop issues. The mentioned Chinese blog sent me searching for that fix since BIOS updates and trying a SATA 2 SSD also didn't get me any closer to upgrading this system for my customer. I read what chip he chose as the replacement and found it on eBay and got 2 for about $8. For $17, I bought a daughter board (just in case, I didn't want to leave the system unusable if it failed to fix the issue) and when I got the parts all in, I swapped out the SATA chip and now have Windows 10 installed on the MX300.

The daughter boards connection with the motherboard is under this SATA chip. This type of IC requires hot air to replace. This is part of the challenge with the upgrade. Too much heat and the connector will melt or even fall off the board. Unlike changing a chip on a motherboard, this daughter board is hot enough to remove the chip in just a few seconds of applying heat. That means you will over heat it in under a minute if you have done chip swaps on larger boards and expect it to be more than 15 seconds to be able to lift the chip. I have one chip and one daughter board here and can make a more detailed guide with photos or maybe even a video if anyone is interested in seeing more than what that original blogger posted.

 

Wow, Brian! I wonder why Asus never admitted to the SATA 3 SSD issue and supported their customers..

 

@Brian C Haner great work! It would be very interesting to read more details. That's a really dedicated repair, hats off!

 

Thank @ALLurGroceries. I'll try to get a detailed post up on Sunday or Monday with some pics.

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

 

The cheapest solutions for the U24E sata-3 problem:

https://ru.aliexpress.com/item/Pc-ASUS-U24E-HDD-U24E/32837824900.html

Or just a bit of soldering. The short bottom wire is not needed.

https://i.imgur.com/egz68X3.png