Asus G51Jx Owners Lounge

Welcome to the ASUS G51Jx Owners Lounge.

This first page of the thread will be regularly updated. Your contributions and postings in the thread are welcome!

___________________________________________________________





___________________________________________________________


___________________________________________________________

SPECIFICATIONS:
CPU: Intel® Core™ i7 Processor 720QM (1.6GHz, 45W) with Turbo boost and 6M L3 Cache
OS: Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit
Chipset: Mobile Intel® HM55 Express Chipset +ICH10
Memory: 6GB DDR3/1066MHz System Memory - 4 Memory Slots (12GB maximum)
Display: 15.6" Full HD (1920x1080) LED backlit Color-Shine (Glare-type)
Video card: NVIDIA GeForce GTS 360M with 1GB GDDR5 VRAM
Hard Drive: 500GB 7200rpm
Optical Drive: Combo Dual Layer SuperMulti DVDRW/CDRW (Blu-Ray optional)
Card Reader: 8 in 1 card reader, SD, MMC, MS, MS Pro, xD, Smart Media, mini SD w/ adapter, MS-Duo
Camera: Built-in web camera 2.0MP
Audio: Integrated Intel High Definition Audio chip
WIFI: Integrated 802.11n
Bluetooth: Built-in V2.1+EDR
I/O: 1x Express card, Line-in, Mic-in, Headphone-out, S/PDIF, VGA port/Mini D-sub 15-pin, 4x USB 2.0, IEEE 1394, RJ45 LAN, HDMI, WLAN On/Off Switch, E-SATA
Keyboard: Backlit Chiclet
Battery: 6 cells 4800 mAh (9 cell optional)
Dimension & Weight: 14.6"x10.3"x1.6" (WxDxH), 7.26lbs, (37.5x26.5x4.06 cm (WxDxH), 3.30 kg)
Warranty: Global 2 Yr Warranty + 1 Yr ADP + 30 Day ZBD (3 year optional)

___________________________________________________________

FAQ

A good place to start is this thread:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/asu...w-gts-360m-gddr5-now-available-pre-sales.html

I'll gradually summarize the most important points under this FAQ section, with your help and support!

Is there a repair & dis-assembly guide?
Not specifically for the G51Jx. (If you know one please post). User Thalanix suggests that the G50 guide is similar: http://forum.notebookreview.com/asus/318551-asus-g50-notebook-disassembly-guide.html. Note that in comparison the G51Jx lacks the fan grill on the bottom, has a hard-disk replaced with RAM, and one of the lights on the case missing a cable.

There seems to be a second Hard-disk bay. Can I use it?
No. The bay was originally intended for an extra HD, but is occupied by installed memory. More importantly, ASUS has removed the connector, so there is no way to hook it up to the motherboard.

How long is battery life?
Most users seem to agree that the standard 6 cell battery is too light for this power hungry notebook. If you can, purchase the 9 cell variation.

Perhaps on Energy Saver and not using Turbo Boost that battery might be giving up 3-hours or better run time, just decrease the screen brightness to 40% or so, and don't do anything graphics intensive and that should be the result. (Thanks user rexrzer727).

9 cells is the largest available for the J51-series at this time.

My battery doesn't fully charge, what to do?
Some G51J's do not fully charge the battery, and Windows reports "xx% available (plugged in, not charging)" (xx being anything under 100%). What may help is to take all power from the notebook, (no power cord and no battery), and press the power on/off button for 10 or more seconds. All capacitors discharge and typically your battery will charge again to 100%.

Did anyone find a way to mess with vbios on the 360M GTS?
Note: Advanced level only, implement at own risk! This guide is for the G51J-A1, which is close but not the same as G51Jx. BIOS dis-assembly guide

Is there an easy way to determine if I got the 1333MHz Kingston RAM modules?
Indeed some variations of the G51Jx are shipped with 1333MHz memory although the specs state 1066MHz. Software you can use to determine what's in your notebook; Speccy, Hwinfo, CPU-Z, etc. They will report 1333MHz memory as either PC3-10600, PC3-10700 or PC3-10666. This depends on the rounding being used. Background reading: DDR3-1333-speed-latency-shootout

Can I do upgrades without voiding the warranty?
You can upgrade the Hard drive, memory, optical drive and wireless card without voiding the warranty.

Will it void the warranty if I apply thermal paste to the CPU or GPU?
Yes, it will void your warranty.

Is the G51Jx suitable for gaming?
Absolutely yes! Most reviews so far report excellent performance on high game settings when plugged in. Gaming with high settings on battery dramatically shortens battery life.

What is the performance of the graphics card, comparative?
Check this page: Notebookcheck GeForce GTS 360M

My screen refresh rate is locked to 60Hz, is there a way to set higher rates?
No, this rate is fixed.

Is it useful upgrading the stock WiFi card?
The stock WiFi card is the Atheros 5985/9285, which is a card for the average user without reported drops.
It can be replaced easily (by an advanced user) by other cards to get a better range if that is an issue for you, (such as at University campuses). The G51Jx has three antennas built in of which currently only 2 are used. For example the Intel N6300 Ultimate card is specifically designed to work with 3 antennas.

Does the G51Jx run hot?
Yes it does, although not over anything you might expect from such a high-end gaming rig. Some users have noticed that the place you rest your left hand runs hot, which is where the hard disk is. This should not be a concern if the hard-disk runs around 50-55 degrees or so.

Are the speakers ok, I listen to a lot of music?
The speakers sound good, about average for a gaming notebook.

The built-in web-cam is too slow / laggy, what can I do?
Make sure you switch from the "Virtual Camera" to the "USB 2.x" camera. For some reason the machine defaults to the virtual one which is only useful for conference call chats (multiple people all on screen). If you are not in a conference it is more laggy than necessary, and switching to the real camera works great.

How is the G51Jx related to model G60Jx?
G51Jx and G60Jx are very similar. They share the same graphics card (GTS 360M), but the G601Jx has a slower CPU (core i5 2.26 MHz), and only 4GB memory. The G60Jx seems to be primarily sold in USA (Bestbuy) and Australia.

How do I install MAC OS/X on the G51Jx?
User nfshp253 writes: You can follow this guide meant for the G60Jx, which is almost identical to the G51Jx. Identify your laptop as a MacBookPro6,2 and tell the system that it's OS/X 10.6.2 even if you install OS/X 10.6.3. You then have to install the MBP Update 1.3 which will include native support for the GTS360M video card, just by entering the boot command GraphicsEnabler="Yes". Of course that will only work if you are using a Chameleon bootloader. If you want to dual-boot get the Snow Leopard DVD which is modded to support MBR partition tables (it would normally supported only GUID tables). You can then dual-boot by installing Chameleon and then adding a boot entry in Windows using EasyBCD, at least that's what I did.
What does NOT work: The wireless card (Intel 1000) doesn't work.
What works: The GTS 360M with full QE/CI support, Audio (without the initial crackling problem), Bluetooth, webcam, Blu-ray drive, RAM, Processor (and speed-stepping seems to work). HDMI video out (I did not try but heard from a G60Jx user that it works).

I just did a clean install. Which camera driver do I use?
Our camera is the Chicony 2.0.2.0 UVC USB Webcam (Sonix260). Use the Chicony camera drivers, ours is the 2.0MP driver, not the other one. After correct installation the driver is listed in Device Manager as this:
Driver Provider: Sonix
Driver Date: 6/5/2009
Driver Version: 61.5.200.270
You can find this driver on the 'Drivers and Utility DVD ROM' which all users get, or on the ASUS driver website (link provided in below paragraph).
(Thanks user Rexrzr727).

Obsessed about controlling if your camera is on?
Read this excellent topic. A wee bit techie, but don't we love it...
(Thanks user Gps3dx)



___________________________________________________________

UPDATES: BIOS, VIDEO, OTHER

BIOS
Latest stable ASUS BIOS is version 207.

Note on BIOS version 207:
One user experienced failure of Bluetooth after upgrading from BIOS v206 to v207. ASUS tech support repaired his bluetooth allegedly by loading defaults in BIOS. So in case you experience bluetooth failure after upgrade to v207, try loading BIOS defaults and restart. If you still experience bluetooth failure please let us know about this in the thread, so we can warn others.

General note on installing BIOS:
1) Go into BIOS and load BIOS defaults, save & exit BIOS, restart, let the drivers load, then restart again, and enter BIOS once again.
2) Flash BIOS using the 'EZ Flash BIOS update', NOT 'software flash' BIOS. (There is some evidence amongst users that 'software flash' is les reliable).
3) Power down the notebook after the BIOS flash, and wait 5 minutes.
4) Power up the notebook, immediately go back into BIOS and load BIOS defaults again. (This enables all peripheral devices and features, including Bluetooth, the WiFi card and drivers for both, etc).
5) Save & exit BIOS, restart.

Generic BIOS update guide for ASUS notebooks: http://forum.notebookreview.com/asus/174395-bios-update-guide-asus-notebooks.html

VIDEO
The latest stable version of the NVIDIA Win7 64 bit drivers for G51Jx is version version 260.99. Download here:
http://www.nvidia.com/object/notebook-win7-winvista-64bit-260.99-whql-driver.html

There are newer drivers, but stability is still an issue. If you feel lucky, download here and post your experiences in this thread.
(Select GeForce GTS 360M).

Updating from previous versions to NVIDIA 260.99 is know to have solved instability issues including BSOD's.

G51Jx UPDATES
- Support page (downloads): http://support.asus.com/Download.aspx?SLanguage=en&m=G51Jx&p=3&s=191

- FAQ page (known issues): http://support.asus.com/knowledge.aspx?SLanguage=en&p=3&s=191&m=G51Jx&os=&hashedid=bplbQOy6w8myYSq5

___________________________________________________________

GPU OVERCLOCKING

Overclocking the GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) within reason is fine, but when overdone major instability issues including BSOD's have been reported. (See rules of thumb under point C below)
A. User Thalanix reports the following:
If any G51Jx owners are hitting a clock wall without artifacting, I suggest trying some of the newer 197 drivers. With 197.59 I've been able to go up to 630MHz on the core up from a previous max of 585 (gtx260m). The quadro's don't bench as well as the older 195.15 or 196.75, but they are either a lot more lax in overclocks or the others are that much more strict.

Vantage GPU scores using NVIDIA defaults:
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q.../19759-600.jpg - 5350
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q.../19759-610.jpg - 5378
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q.../19759-620.jpg - 5422
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q.../19759-630.jpg - 5408
(note the 630 score dropped; reran and it crashed near the end of test 2)

Games that would crash at 585 (ME2), are now also stable at 620. I've never thought a driver can affect an oc this much, but i guess i was wrong.
LaptopVideo2Go Forums -> 19x Series GeForce Driver Releases

B. User nfshp253 adds:
You can try this: v197.59 Windows 7/Vista 64bit | NVIDIA Quadro - LaptopVideo2Go Forums
And remember to put the extra .inf in the extracted folder (location where the NVIDIA extractor extracts the installation files).

C. User REXRZER727 made an excellent overclocking guide:
Check the guide out

If you are a VERY confident overclocker, you may additionally consider to read the following explanation about EVGA Precision. Use with care:
The EVGA Precision program allows you to fine tune your GeForce graphics card for the maximum performance possible, with Core/Shader/Memory clock tuning, real time monitoring support including in-game, Logitech Keyboard LCD Display support.

Find the latest version of EVGA Precision on http://www.evga.com/support/drivers/, register, download and install it, open her up, and for the 1st couple of days leave the on-board prompts and suggestions "On", so you can learn how to use the utility.

EVGA Precision is the best of the video card utilities, has many variables, and you can "test" a setting before actually applying it with one of its features. There's an information guide with all kinds of tips and practical applications, plus there's a screen capture setting, multiple profiles to help you keep track of things, and monitoring itself is multiplier variable also. Try EVGA Precision and you won't go back to NVIDIA tools for any reason we can think of.

Tip: When experimenting with settings, link Core and Shader adjustments to keep them safe.
___________________________________________________________

CPU OVERCLOCKING

User rexrzer727 gives his views of overclocking the CPU (Core Processing Unit): [post]6371600[/post]

___________________________________________________________

CLEAN INSTALL GUIDE

Here is a good clean install guide from user rexrzer727, in case you want to remove the stock installation of Windows 7 and start fresh: [post]6300519[/post]. And here is an update: [post]6613910[/post]. I suggest your read both before doing your clean install.

As an alternative for doing a clean install, you can read below bloatware guide to remove unnecessary software.

Some users suggest that a clean install of a retail copy of Windows 7 64 bit has made their G51Jx faster, compared to the stock ASUS install of Windows 7 64 bit. This has not been substantiated yet with before- and after benchmark tests. Anyone?

___________________________________________________________

ASUS BLOATWARE GUIDE

A good guide to manage/remove the pre-installed software and utilities on new ASUS notebooks: http://forum.notebookreview.com/asus/380681-asus-utility-bloatware-guide.html

___________________________________________________________

COMPONENT UPGRADE OPTIONS

Factory choices (before you buy):
The following optional upgrades are available for your G51Jx:
- Processor:
1) Intel Core i7 Processor 620M/720QM Processor : 2.66 GHz - 1.6 GHz, with turbo up to 3.33/2.8 GHz;
2) Intel Core i5 Processor 540M/520M/430M : 2.53 GHz - 2.26 GHz, with turbo up to 3.06/2.93/2.53 GHz
- Hard drive:
1) 640GB (5400rpm)
2) 500GB (5400rpm or 7200rpm)
3) 320GB (5400rpm or7200rpm)
- Optical drive:
1) DVD Super Multi
2)Blu-Ray DVD Combo
- Memory:
1) DDR3 1066/1333 MHz up to 12GB (for Intel Core i7 platform)
2) DDR3 1066 MHz up to 4GB (for Intel Core i5 platform)
- Battery:
1) 6 cells: 4800 mAh
2) 9 cells: 7200 mAh

Manual upgrades (after you buy):
- SSD (solid State Disk). Probably the biggest speed improvement you can give your G51Jx. Any 2.5 inch SSD will fit your system. Exemples: OCZ, Intel, etc.
- Wi-Fi card (see FAQ).
- Blu-Ray optical drive
- Battery:
1) 6 cells: 4800 mAh
2) 9 cells: 7200 mAh
- Processor:
You can upgrade your processor, although the investment is probably not worth the speed gain, and you will void your warranty. (Buy a Sold State Disk instead)!
___________________________________________________________

BENCHMARKS

ASUS G51Jx - Grand Theft Auto IV Benchmark
___________________________________________________________

REVIEWS

1) Notebookcheck:
http://www.notebookcheck.net/Asus-G51Jx-X1.30400.0.html

2) Techtree , detailed review:
Asus G51JX 3D Gaming Notebook

3) Amazon product page, with many different user reviews:
http://www.amazon.com/Republic-Gamers-G51JX-A1-15-6-Inch-Gaming/dp/B0034NGZWM
___________________________________________________________

Disclaimer:
I will not be held responsible for the above information being accurate in any way, shape or form. (If you can find me anyway, grin).
___________________________________________________________

 

Wow...great job! Thank you so much for all the time and effort you put into this...REPS to you

 

Nice, been waiting for this owners lounge for too long.

 

Yawp. Same here been waiting for this also. Ill post my benchmarks and whatever else when i get home from seaworld with kids.

 

Yep, me too, so I thought; let's just get going. Thanks for the kudos.

Benchmarks very welcome! Especially rules of thumb that are brief and understandable. (Even advanced topics can be made easy, ).

 

Well guys and gals, let's get this thing off the ground with a great big Whoosh!

I've been investigating the possibility of replacing the USA-version's OEM TSST Corp (Toshiba Samsung Storage Alliance) DVD+/-RW optical drive with a BluRay Writer/Reader optical drive, and I've found these two compatibles on eBay and Amazon.com, which are 100% guaranteed to fit the G51-series laptop in terms of both the fit itself, and the fittings also, which are SATA true and true.

I removed my optical drive this evening to confirm what I already surmised, and I can confirm that the optical drive's connector is a simple female SATA Port for both data and power, and the optical drive simply backs up to the male port in the chassis/motherboard's edge/corner, and WHAM! Connectivity!

Both of the Reader/Writer drives that I am detailing here tonight have 12.7mm of height and a slim chassis, which is identical to the TSST optical drive's arrangement, save for one tiny detail: there's a "flange or skirt" that wraps around the outside corner and side of the optical drive that *must be removed off of the original optical drive* and installed on the new drive, and then, and only then is it secured in the chassis...there are two chassis screws that fix the optical drive in place, and that is a necessity to do!

That's an easy thing to do, just four (4) little mini-screws to attend to there and BAM! We're in business with a new BluRay Reader/Writer optical drive that will write at up to 6X BR-D discs, and is good to go with everything from regular DVD discs (DVD-R or DVD+R discs, or Dual Layer DVD+R discs) to the DVD RAM discs @ 5X, both reading and writing at that 5X benchmark, which is something that I use for archiving photos, so that was good to figure out, too!

Without further ado here are the two optical drives that both Write and Read BluRay media:

Slim Laptop Panasonic Blu-ray Burner DVDRW Drive UJ-240 - eBay (item 310218340439 end time Jun-04-10 20:01:12 PDT)

That one's at eBay while this drive is at Amazon.com

Amazon.com: Sony BD-5730S 6x BD 12.7mm Tray SATA Blu-ray Writer: Electronics

The eBay optical drive is a Panasonic/Matsua drive, and it retails at BuyItNow! for $205 plus any eBay fees and handling, while the Sony drive is an Optiarc Drive, the 5730S model, and it's got the same SATA hook-up that we are looking for, and it costs about $20 more @ $226 shipped from Amazon.com.

Your pick, but I like the Sony more than the Matsua/Panasonic drive, as those are Apple Computer brand drives also (Macs don't use BluRay, but they do use the Panasonic/Matsua brand "Superdrives" which can be good, or bad...just depends on the luck of the draw!), ie the brand anyway, and I've had some experiences with them as a technician, so I know the brand well and prefer the Sony quality-wise for $20 difference...that's just my take, maybe others prefer the 'Sonic brand over Sony!

To be honest about BluRay being easy to install is one thing, but is our G51JX-A1 a "native BluRay" type of notebook? Does it have the built-in capability to run BluRay media? Well the answer is "YES!" In fact it's "Hell Yes!" I used the CyberLink program "BluRay BD Advisor" to source out the hardware and software possibilities of our friendly little G51 computers and they are good to go for BluRay, ie there's no hangup hardware-wise or software-wise, and things will go smoothly with the install of any BluRay drive that fits the computer physically!

You must install a BluRay-savvy software program to be able to play BluRay though, and that's where CyberLink comes into the picture with their popular CyberLink "High-Def Suite" which can include PowerDVD Player, depending on what exactly it is that you purchase from the company. I know that PowerDVD Ultra 3D is the popular choice these days for BluRay players in non-OEM form, and it can do virtually anything you want with BluRay discs, including the new 3D BluRay discs, it can play them perfectly fine, and that is what you want with any software...you want it to be able to do it all!

That program retails for about $100 or so, without a coupon or special deal, so keep that in mind when you are thinking about installing a BluRay drive of some sort, because you have to Pay the Piper when it comes to the player, Windows does NOT have a built-in BluRay player! Have to go 3rd party there...

That's about a wrap up on this subject, and I hope that it's complete and simple enough for those of you who are interested in the BluRay solution for your G51, if you don't have such a deal installed already. I have done my homework and thought I'd share it with the group tonight!

Any questions? Please ask, and I'll try to provide an answer if I know it, or can figure out where to source the answer...

 

Thanks a lot for this! I'm loving my G51JX! Now with no BSOS's no Throttling no nonsense Asus software and an overclocked gpu and cpu! =)

Edit: One thing im not so impressed about is how much heat it produces! Without overclocking anything the GPU is 80oC idle...Now im no wizz at this but that kinda seems pretty high...?

 

How much did you overclock your GPU? Mine is 600/1600/2000, and it make my GPU idle at 80 . I received my G51JX-A1 from XOTICPC this afternoon, and one thing I don't like is ASUS stuff too much bloatware in this machine, and I had to do a clean Win 7 install. Otherwise, my G51JX-A1 is great, haven't have any BSODs, GSODs, unlike the G73, fast, and no hiccups in BFBC2 or any game I threw at it. This is a great investment for me, if I went with the G73, probably all I get with that machine is BSODs, GSODs, or even PSODs.

Edit: Did any of you guy receive a razer abyssus instead of razer copperhead? I think the abyssus is a great mouse.

 

My overclock settings are 610/1980/1530.

As I said im no wizz at gpu's but I think i might underclock it when im just web surfing ect. Anyone know any good underclock settings for the gts360m?

Edit: Ive underclocked it to 500/1250/800 for general laptop use =)

Edit2: But I guess my temperatures don't matter that much considering I'll play crysis for an hour and the gpu will reach 85oC but never over.

Anyway, with the new underclocked settings my Idle temp is ~72oC

 

after some time temperature going down so now i have 75C in full load on standart clocks
85 with overclock
also u can easily overclock your CPU with setfsb
and new 257.15 beta verde drivers working really good

 

Thanks for starting this thread. Has anyone tried replacing the thermal paste?

 

Oh, I got a Razer Abyssus.

 

I keep getting Bsod? BIOS is 206 off the box. it says something minidump? this is the 2nd time already and i just got the laptop yesterday. seems like there is no problem whatso ever, out of the blue this blue screen would pop outa nowhere and it would restart and it would say " windows has recovered from blah blah shutdown " Safe mode or start windows normally crap " anyone got any ideas why is this happening?

 

I added a COMPONENT UPGRADE OPTIONS section.
Feel free to contribute if I missed something.

Will add a Blu-Ray FAQ summary of rexrzer727's great post. Not sure how to link to a specific post, that would be easiest. Anyone can help me?

 

Have you installed all available updates, (see links on first page)?

Some people had the same problem. Doing a clean install of Windows 7 64 bit seemed to help, if you find the courage to start this job... It also seems to make the G51Jx faster compared to the stock ASUS Windows 7 install, but that needs to be proven with a before- and after benchmark by someone before the claim can be a firm stake in the ground.

If you happen to choose a clean install please do us a favor and do a benchmark between the BDOS's, and make one after. (No pressure though).

 

I've only gotten BSODs before the 206 BIOS. If I get a BSOD now, it means the system is shutting down due to overheating. But I wonder when ASUS will release a new BIOS.

 

@janvandongen, you can add my game benchmarks on the laptop too. Look for the Youtube username: minxinglee

 

I think the LG CT21N is much cheaper, and since it was factory installed on some Asian models, it should be 100% compatible. Maybe you can consider that. Anyway, I use Cyberlink to watch Blu-Ray movies, although I have only done so once. Blu-rays are expensive, considering that you can (warez....)

 

Sorry for the multiple posts, if you haven't noticed, NVIDIA has released a new BETA driver for the GTS 360M. It's the 257.15 drivers, called Verde. Grab it off NVIDIA.com!

 

I think I'll wait untill some good reports come back from nvidia's new beta driver. So please if anyone has it tell us whats it like?

 

Hello everybody, fellow G51JX-A1 owners specifically...I am giving this post a bit of a prelude so that you'll know what to expect. I have been asked to make a Clean Install Guide by our thread originator janvanongen (Sp?), and it's so extensive that I am not submitting it to him first but rather chose to post it first here so you can have at it in its unexpurgated format (unedited).

This is *my recommended method* for doing a Clean Install, while others may have their own methods, so it doesn't matter about that really. If you have a method that you think is better use it and if you don't here you go, I've got one for you!

I hope this saves somebody's G51JX-A1, that's all I know, and it's the only reason I took the time to write this all out in MS Word then pasted it up here for posterity, and the owners of this great computer.

A Clean Install -- Asus G51JX-A1 "Republic of Gamers" Notebook - Core i7 720QM CPU *ONLY*!

This install guide is written to give owners of this great computer a way to go with respect to the problematical and often times trouble-prone OEM Asus factory OS install.

It has been written that the factory install of software and drivers/utilities is imperfect at best, and we can trace this back to the method that Asus installs the software. The technicians at the Asus factory have one thing in mind when it comes to getting a computer out the door, and that is time itself, and how to save it. They do not care if this causes problems, and it does, as factory techs only care about speed and getting the OS and utilities installed in the units and out the door. Programs and drivers are installed pell-mell in one big group, no restarts are made except when the machine demands it. This method is not preferred, the System Registry and related aspects of the OS gets corrupted and problems begin straight away, and the longer the computer is used the worse it gets. This is why a Clean Install is best...because this kind of problem is not fixed by removing bloatware, games, and utilities that are not necessary, it's best to just start new and fresh, with everything installed logically, grouped correctly, a Clean Install.

First you'll need to gather and select all the utilities and drivers that are necessary to run the computer, and eliminate those that are not wanted, then place them into/onto media that is easy to use when it's time to install them. I suggest a USB Flash Drive, or alternatively a DVD ROM, either is good to go. I have made a list for the G51JX-A1 and it includes all necessary drivers and software that is unique to this notebook, nothing else.

Second, you need to source the OS, and the easiest way to do this is to use the original Asus installer DVD ROM if you have it, otherwise obtain it from the various sources on the 'Net such as Digital River, Microsoft, etc. If you are going to use the latter method the easiest way to store the media is on a USB Flash Drive, or DVD ROM. Either method needs one key ingredient: it must be *bootable*, ie it doesn't work to simply copy the OS onto media because that won't start up the computer. With DVD ROMs there is a setting when you use burning software that makes the disc bootable, and with USB Flash Drives there's a way to make them bootable also, so follow the various guides for that and we're ready to start.

Here's the list of drivers and Asus software that is recommended for the G51JX-A1:

A1 Recovery
Atheros LAN Driver
ATK Driver-2
ATK FGNFEX Driver
ATK HotKey
ATK Media
ATK 0-SD2
Audio Driver-RealTek HD Audio
BlueTooth Drivers - Broadcom
Card Reader
Chicony Camera 7129
Chicony Camera 7246
Control Deck (optional)
Fancy Start (optional)
Fastboot (preferred)
G51 Manual (PDF)
G60JXAS206 BIOS Update (recommended)
Intel Chipset Driver
IRST Driver (Intel Rapid Storage)
Keyboard Filter Driver
LifeFrame (recommended)
Intel MEI
NB Probe (optional)
Net4Switch(recommended)
Power4Gear Hybrid v1.25
Smart LogOn (optional)
Splendid Utility (optional)
Suyin Camera
Synaptics Touchpad Driver
Virtual Camera (recommended)
Wireless Console (recommended)
Wireless LAN (Atheros WiFi)Driver

Note that there are recommended, optional, and mandatory drivers (no notes)!
Also note that I have left out the nVidia drivers, as I leave that up to the user, since there are many to choose from. Suffice to say you need something for the nVidia 360M! Make your choice from the many available drivers and include that in this list.

Once you have gathered all those necessary, optional and recommended drivers put them into the media of your choice, and let's go! Time to get this together and install!

Installation Procedures

If you are using the factory HD there's no issue to discuss, it's simply restart the computer with the Installer DVD ROM in the optical drive, or the USB Flash Drive in a USB port, make the necessary adjustments in BIOS to start up the computer from the media of choice, and start the process of installing the OS. If you are replacing the HD with an SSD there's no worry either, as the installer is "SSD Savvy" and will Align the SSD correctly automatically via Disk Management utility-which the installer has natively.

However there is a small thing to discuss, and that is Partitioning. Do you want 2 partitions of the 500GB factory HD, or do you want a single partition and don't care about having two? The installer will *ask* you if you want to "Recover the OS to a single partition, or two partitions?" It matters not to me, personally, about your choice, just be aware that there will *be* a choice to make, ie don't get confused about it, just make a choice and let's get on with it. With an SSD most choose a single partition no matter the size, so that's a no brainer (2 partitions in an SSD is a mistake, and hopefully nobody choose that option), so here we go...you've made your choice and we are now installing the OS on the computer.

The Asus installer takes about 20 minutes or so to install the base Windows 7 OS so be aware of that time frame. I never like to "go away" from the computer during an installation, I prefer to monitor the situation because you just never know about Windows! CAUTION: BE SURE AND DISCONNECT any peripheral devices before the install begins! Do NOT have any USB, eSATA or Flash Drives connected to the machine other than the media you are going to use! Sorry about that, I neglected to mention this before, suffice to say this is mandatory! If you don't do this there will be Hell to pay...the installer will probably not know where to place everything correctly and you'll end up with the Page File or the System File on the second media, which you do not want to happen, so please remember this important fact: no media connected!

When the Windows installer finishes installing the OS there will be a "countdown"
of time remaining, so when it says "95% completed" be aware that it's literally only a couple seconds away from being done thus be forewarned that it's time for action! When the installer is done, it will ask for the "Drivers and Utility CD ROM" (direct quote), and this is when we have to be crafty. This will *not* happen for those using a stand-alone Windows installer, but those using the Asus Installer DVD ROM it's the case...when asked do NOT do what the installer asks! DO NOT START INSTALLING DRIVERS AND SOFTWARE!! Remove the Asus Installer DVD ROM/USB Flash Drive with the Windows Installer on it, and then...

CUT THE POWER and HARD QUIT THE COMPUTER! Pull out the power cable to the PSU, if necessary remove the battery if it doesn't shut down, and/or simply hold down the Power On Button until the computer QUITS! What we want to do is stop the "cycle" of the Asus installer, which will happen when you cut the power to the computer, and ONLY will happen if you do that so don't try to be 'cute' and avoid this, it is necessary. Once the computer is shut down 100%, let it 'rest' for a minute or two, then Restart the computer... Like magic it won't ask for the "Driver and Utility CD ROM" again, and even if it does for some reason don't insert it, and/or don't continue. If it asks for the CD ROM again CUT THE POWER! We want the Restart to cause the computer to start the Windows update sequence, optimally, in any case it should be OK to begin installing the drivers and utilities...our next step.

Don't let Windows Update commence just yet, as next we are going to install the drivers and utilities, group by group, in some cases one by one, until we are finished and then, and only then are we going to get started with the Windows Updates! It is recommended to install the nVidia drivers 1st, which will ask for a Restart, so go ahead and install the drivers and Restart.

Once the nVidia drivers are installed you'll have a nice desktop @ 1920x1080 pixels so that is our goal at 1st...next let's install the RealTek HD Audio drivers, as the nVidia HDMI audio drivers should have already been installed with the VGA driver package, so let's complete the sound install 2nd, then Restart again. Now you'll have sound, and that's important and that's why we install it 2nd.

It's time to be logical and use your head as far as spacing out the driver installs and Restart when necessary, as often as necessary, because this is what makes us different from the factory installers...we ARE going to Restart a lot! This makes the Registry and associated files coherent and the computer will work correctly if we do this...if you don't take the time to install in "logical groups" you are not doing the job right, so the rest is up to the user/owner of this fine computer...let me give an example, and then I'm done with my explanations. Once the drivers have been installed install the Asus utilities that are chosen, ie Fastboot, Control Deck, etc, and Restart again when they are completed.

Drivers in groups:

PowerGear4Hybrid plus Intel ChipSet Driver, IRST Driver, MEI Intel Driver, then Restart. IMPORTANT! Install those 4 components to gain Turbo Boost Function in P4G!!

Bluetooth Drivers is one important group and a large file, so I recommend a Restart after those are installed.

ATK Drivers plus the Keyboard Filter Driver then Restart.

Atheros LAN and Atheros WLAN then Restart.

Etc etc! Just be logical, group the drivers accordingly, Restart, and you'll have a perfect install...things can't be better if you do it that way! Once you are done with the drivers and utilities your job is basically done but for one key thing, and it's a recommendation more than anything, optional of course, but highly recommended.

Use a Registry Cleaner a couple times during all that installing and Restarting to make the Windows Registry coherent and without tears, corruption, and errors. This sort of an install (any install for that matter) generate a TON OF REGISTRY ERRORS! Only a cleaner/fixer will make all that go away, so use one of these a couple times during the install process, and finally when you are finished use it again one final time...you will find that hundreds and hundreds of errors are fixed, and this makes for a perfect install!

I use Glary Registry Cleaner, and Registry Mechanic by PC Tools, which you can find at these links:

Free Download Registry Mechanic ? Fix Windows® 7, Vista® and XP Errors and Crashes

Registry Repair - The Best Free Registry Cleaner

After that we are finished, like in WHEW! Didn't think there was all this involved with getting it right, did you? That's what it takes to be different from the factory installers, and I guarantee satisfaction after an install like this. Your computer will be faster than before, no lag time in keystrokes in typing, no BSODs, it will simply work like a well-built watch or clock, just humming along and working fantastic.

The very last thing I recommend is that you update the BIOS to v206 but that is optional, again highly recommended, as I am running it and my computer works purrfect with the BIOS update, a custom Clean Install like above, and add to that a fast SSD! Could not be better!

Good luck, and let's say you just killed the monster, and all is well!

rexrzer727 - May 29, 2010

 

I recommend CCleaner you can clear out nonsense and temporary files easily. It fixed registry errors too. And thanks to rexrzer727, for making such a wonderful guide. However, I think you should put it in the first page so that any noobs that have just bought this laptop will not keep spamming posts about reinstalling or stuff because it's on the first page.

 

I use CCleaner and it's really good. I recommend it as well.

 

Thanks Mr.253 for the compliments, and the placement is probably deserved, couldn't agree more, but that's up to our 1st page Editor. It's just so long for Pg No.1 though, you know? That's why I stuck it here for now, as it's big enough to be "stuck here" while the Editor decides what to do with it...

Maybe a link to this post would be sufficient... A hard, embedded link with a few words quoted from the Guide to hook people's attention to it...but again that is my thinking, editor though I am... I'm not Editor for this thread...

I was thinking to simply post it in its own thread...that thought occurred to me, and that way it would never be buried. It is a good thing to stop posts from ever occurring too, so that thought of yours is very relevant to the Guide.

There are so many people who are totally *lost in space* about how to go about such a thing as Clean Installing the necessary drivers and utilities for this computer, or any other for that matter, that it actually would be a nice Guide for any Asus computer...ie just plug in the drivers for your particular computer and it applies there too.

All I know is it works! I've done so many Clean Installs in my lifetime, when I think about it for a NY Second or two, that I really do have the science of doing it down pat. I don't even think twice about doing this for any new computer I have, or for that matter for friends and family computers also, as I'm sort of the "house IT person" here and in my family at large.

The factory installation on any computer, and I include the Mac OS in that statement, leaves a *lot* to be desired unfortunately. The people who make the computers have no business doing such a bad job of it, but they consistently do just that, so I have no respect for them at all...it creates such a major headache unless you *do* Clean Install the OS and drivers it's just not funny.

When my wife's MacBook Pro recently arrived, well actually it was last October (time just flashes by these days), the 1st thing I did was take it out of its fancy packing box (you should see how a MBPro is packaged), *flatten the HD* (format it 100% with Disk Utility on the Installer DVD ROM for Snow Leopard), and Clean Install Snow Leopard, before I wrapped it back up in the box and got it gift wrapped for her birthday present. I also changed out the HD from a get this, Fujitsu 250GB 7200RPM HD, to a 500GB Hitachi 7200RPM 2.5" HD (retail boxed HD from Amazon.com), as I had never even heard of a Fujitsu 7200RPM HD before I saw that in System Profiler for that computer! So go figure that scene out!!

The point is that even Apple screws up their computers a LOT before we get them, and I always format and Clean Install the Mac OS on a new Mac also, they aren't immune from such treatment...

Generally computers just run so much better too, once a Clean Install is done, it's simply amazing to note the differences. With our Asus G51's there is so much critical drivers and control panel interaction that it's unreal that the computers even function at all, the way that everything is just "thrown together" at the Asus factory. For example the interaction between P4G and the Energy Saver system, the standard Windows Mobile Settings, and all of the hardware that makes these tick is pretty intense, and certainly the Registry entries for all those CP's and drivers is screwed up from the factory installs...I am convinced that that area is one that causes BSODs.

I don't want to get any more into this than I have already, but I simply wanted to post that sequence to follow so that people who own the G51's will benefit most of all--that's what my post is all about. People who buy these computers are special people! They deserve special treatment in my mind anyway, and I just hope that makes a difference for somebody's benefit, and they can get squared away 100% with a Clean Install on their spiffy new G51JX-A1...that's all I intended to happen and I hope that it's the case.

The G51-series, both the previous model and this new model, are just very interesting notebooks, so different they are from the competition from Sony and HP especially, and it's obvious that KUHL people are buying them. So if there was any issue with their computers not being "right as rain" because of the factory OS and drivers install this will make it "right as rain" for them, that much I am certain about!

 

To be honest, I didn't see much difference even after reinstalling. Maybe it's because the first thing I did when I got the laptop was to uninstall unnecessary stuff and disable services. Just curious, how much is your RAM usage at bootup? Mine is at 17% but my laptop has 8GB Ram. I've also just installed the Verde drivers, but I haven't got time to run a benchmark on it. I'll try to get it done when I get home today.

 

I'm not too sure if I'm meant to be following some kinda ratio or whatnot but I've underclocked my gpu to 450/1000/550 which gives me a idle temperature of 68oC

 

The difference is *under the hood* for the most part, and remember you got a good machine too from your early posts about it anyway...you never had the BSOD issues others had-- there are good installs and there are bad installs at the factory level and you apparently got a 'good factory install' if there is such a thing.

RAM at boot up, usage therein? Well that's a good one to compare because I also have 8GB RAM and the usage is about the same...between 15-20% at boot up, that is the sequence of events when the computer starts up. Even now I have Adobe Photoshop open, Chrome browser open with 11 windows open, a couple utilities open, EVGA Precision open, and Folding@Home open also and usage is just 27%, so this is far from a RAM hog!

I know that the Windows 7 OS itself is a vast improvement over Vista, this is certain, so that helps usage out a bunch by itself. What is this about new drivers, you found some new ones for the GTS-360M? Where are they? I haven't read anything here the whole day, nor at nVidia's site, and maybe I'll take a walk over there if that's where they are...

By all means post a benchmark if you can.

I haven't updated my video drivers since new, so maybe I should look into that if there is a new driver out.

 

I think Windows 7 dynamically uses the RAM. And Google Chrome is a real resource hog. Anyway, the benchmark is done, and the results aren't promising. I don't know why the CPU score is so low, Extreme Turbo is on and Throttling is disabled. I used to get 27000 2 months ago.

 

Oh crap, I've got a BAD_POOL_CALLER BSOD after quitting GTA IV. Don't know why, but I got that a few months ago and never got it after updating to 206 BIOS. Now the problem comes back and I suspect it's the graphics driver since I've just updated it.

 

Yep, after I updated my stock driver to nvidias 196. I started getting bsod "mini dumps" the beta drivers work a lot better 237 something. But if i do get some more mem dumps bsod I'm just gonna get a MacBook. Bsod irritates the heck out of me.

 

How do you change the webcam from Virtual Camera to USB 2.x? Also, I try the 257.15 driver, and it improve my FPS in BFBC2.

 

If you are using Skype or something similar, go to something like Video settings and then select the webcam.

 

went to bestbuy today and saw the price cut to 800$ now pretty good price for a beastly machine im in san diego tho. the stock drivers are pretty good. I got no problems with it. I actually got 10404 on 3dmark06 default 1280x720 pretty impressive. The new batch comes with bios 206 also and less bloatwares just asus utilitys and microsoft works and trend micro. When i started it up there was nothing on the screen but recycle bin, microsoft works and boingo installer. Clean looking.

 

Which laptop are you talking about? G60JX or the G51JX?

 

G60jx and g51jx is the same. Same gpu GTS 360M diff CPU I got an i5 2.26 1366x720 Rez.

 

I think 1366x768 on a 15.6" just sucks. You can get that res on a EEEPC! The Full HD screen on mine is just super!

 

Just for Fun, I've redone the benchmark at 630/2085/1610, a clock speed I have never dared to use for gaming, only for benchmarking, since 3DMark Vantage never brings the GPU to the heat levels like when gaming. Max is only 90!



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

 

Wait, that's weird, a higher clocked GPU=Higher CPU score?? Is that PhysX working?

 

@nfsh253 : please resize your photos , which driver are you using to achieve that very high overclocked

 

257.15. Anyway, a even higher run: 630/2100/1625. I don't think I should go any higher. BTW, it's weird that the temperatures go down as I clock higher!



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

 

This lounge is great!
This will save my time finding a thread related to G51Jx ...particularly its problems.

Hi to all. I can't create a recovery disk in my machine using AI recovery burner, I encountered BlueScreen problem during the process. I upgraded my BIOS version from 204 to 206 version but still getting the same problem. I already informed ASUS last 5/27 about this but until now no solutions were made.

I'm planning to have a "clean install" with this machine but before I do that I'd like to know and resolve this problem first.

Thanks.

 

Mr. 253, could I ask an innocent question?

What are you trying to accomplish with that heavy overclocking and doing a Vantage score, over and over? I mean what is the point, other than just being bored? It's pretty certain that unless we can figure out a way to overclock *both* the GPU and CPU where the temps stay reasonable, that there isn't going to be much variation in your score, right?

The most you are going to see if I am not mistaken is somewhere in the 6400-6600 points range with that particular benchmark, and that is pretty darn good for a laptop isn't it? I don't think you'll ever hit 7000 points, in fact it's all but certain that this is the case, correct? So I just don't get it frankly, about all the constant benchmarking, and it's not just with you it's with everybody's nice, fresh and new G51 with the Core i7 CPU.

I'd much rather see you having a great time and getting lots of personal satisfaction with playing GTA IV for example, and *not* getting BSOD's at the end of the game, which is really awful, and painful of course...and was that
part of the reason for testing the GPU in Vantage, ie trying to see if you get a BSOD when doing benchmarks? That I could see, but only if you are using similar GPU overclocking, not some artificial numbers that only apply to the benching...that is the part that doesn't make sense to me.

I have done those benchmarks exactly 5 times, and that was enough for me because I could see no sense in doing it further, ie it is just burning up the system and causing unnecessary stress on the CPU and GPU. I don't think that it benefits my computer, my knowledge, or the community's ability to overclock their CPU or GPU to any great degree, so I don't do it anymore.

That is simply my outlook, so I am trying to figure out why you do so much of it, that is all... Tell me the reason, and I'll have a better understanding of the whole deal and why you're doing so much of it.

 

If you're going to do a Clean Install there's no reason to make a backup of the computer is there? If it's going to be all new and fresh, what's the point?

I think that you are getting the BSOD because the base install is corrupted, and if you want that System to work right before you do a Clean Install I suggest that you do a Recovery of the System using the F9 key and simply overwrite what you have now with a fresh System.

Did Asus Tech Support suggest to you that you might solve the problem by doing a Recovery operation? They should have...! That is a pretty simplistic way of looking at such a problem but I can't see anything else that will solve the issue frankly. It will take all of an hour or so to do, it's very quick working, believe me it is, I've done it before with other Asus computers just for the funz of it and it's quickly done.

That is how I'd tackle such an issue, if I were having it and wanted an image of the base System for some reason, the factory installed system, you know? But I don't see any reason to keep such a thing because they are always frucked up and don't work right anyway!

I say either forget it and do a Clean Install and get rid of such problems 100%, or simply do a Recovery operation of the System and banish the old, corrupted System for a new, fresh factory-type System, make the backup of it, and be done with it and move on with a nice, fresh Clean Install.

That's my take on it...

 

@rexrzer727, I was trying to find out if the overclock was causing the BSODs. After updating the drivers to 257.15, it seems like GTA IV can't run well. It either cannot exit without giving a BSOD or it freezes mid-game. I also just wanted to have fun and try higher clocks to see if artifacts would appear. It seems like it's stable at 630/2100/1685, just that the temps are too high!

 

I played GTA4 max settings without any problem no freezed no BSOD , got 20-24 fps outdoor non-OC 197.16 driver

 

@ rexrzer727 - thanks for the tip. Im impressed for a quick response.

ASUS did not inform me about recovery operation, they just asked me if I added a RAM in my machine. Just excuse my ignorance on this field Im not a tech-savvy . At first I was dissapointed thought that this is a "plug-n-play" machine. But with a forum like this I'm starting to adapt your world

Thanks again

 

I see, so you attribute the problem you're having with GTA IV to the new drivers, well that sucks, does it not? I am sorry about that! Things like that are why I stick to the older, more proven drivers for my G51, and also my desktops too, same thing, as I am *not* one to go out and try the new drivers from nVidia out of the blue when things are going great with the older setup...I tend to let other people be the guinea pigs for such things, and I'm usually spot on with that tactic too, because people have the darndest problems with new drivers in all the various gear that is out there for computing. :rolleyes2:

I am still at a really old driver for my twin EVGA GTX 285's in SLI for my main PC desktop, and the same for my 2nd PC desktop with a single BFG GTX 285 which is overclocked much higher than my EVGA twins...all three of those video cards work perfect with a much older driver than is current, and I won't change them for anything! :yes:

As to the G51 and its GTS-360Mobile GPU I think my notebook is very, very happy with the 197.16 driver, yes that is the one I installed when it was new with the Clean Install, and I'm not changing it for anything just yet. There would have to be a clear and clean advantage, and just like you found out there is none with this new driver called "Verde" as I recall..."green"...!

I'll say it's green! It's a loser apparently!

Thanks for the explanation, it's good to understand why you were doing that because that's a lot of extra stress on the computer to be testing a lot, so I'm glad you had a good reason for the session like that.

 

I'll roll back to the old drivers, I guess. 257.15 is just giving problems. Argh!

 

That is good, that is good...grasshopper is learning!

If they were absolutely true-blue "plug and play" machines we wouldn't have any need for this Forum, and I wouldn't get to solve tech questions for people who need simple, basic help...and that would be no fun for me...Hah-Hah! :laugh:

If you have a G51 it doesn't take much to get it right though...just follow my Clean Install guide, do that right, and move on with a great performing computer, a notebook that will do things right as rain...I practically guarantee that the CI will take care of most BS problems that occur because of corruption of this or that in the OS, I mean that's what it does! :smile:

Unless you have a problem with a component itself, hardware you know, this thing is easy to remedy, and it Rocks once you have things right. :yes: I could not be happier with my G51 since I Clean Installed it within 4 hours of it getting to my door, when it was brand new, and I told everybody here I would do it too! The OEM HD is still sitting in my "garage studio" in storage, safe and sound, just in case I have some kind of an emergency with the SSD and need a HD to go, but so far so good with the SSD so the OEM HD sits.

That HD will probably never be used, it's such a pitiful thing in reality, a Seagate 7200RPM that is probably flawed somehow, as that company sells the BS and crapola HD's to OEM manufacturers all day long, and I have no respect for them at all actually. I don't miss it, I'll tell you that much.

As to your situation I would say that you could quickly do that Recovery operation and get the new image written to the HD, do your backup with A1, then get on with updating the BIOS first, *then* do the Clean Install, and you should be good to go, honestly you should. :GEEK:

Take it one, small step at a time when you are learning basic tech, and it will go well for you...that is my *other advice* for you tonight. Good luck, and welcome here by the way, as nobody tend to welcome new members often so I'll be the official greeter ok?

 

Yes, you should do that definitely, and be done with the new driver with bad habits, if it screws up GTA IV for you....that is such a KUHL game!

I am still playing GTA Vice City, believe it or not, that's how old I go back to GTA stuff! Yup, I have that one and the whole old format bunch... all of them made with the older graphics and action engines. I would like to get the new version soon though, and may do it this week in fact! I got a bonus at work this month so I have some extra cash and that's a good thing to get.

I need to break out a controller for the laptop though, as I hate playing with just the arrows and the letters and numbers, and I have a great little portable controller by Logitech, ie it should work really well with the G51. :wink:

In fact I am going out to the garage right about now and try out the controller with the older GTA games, get it programmed etc...sounds like fun, yah? :yes: