Asus G51Jx Owners Lounge

Wow, GTA VC. That brings back memory. But after you play GTA IV, you will never want to touch the old ones again. I've been playing SA for like 5 years, until IV came out, and I was like, OMG, SA sucks ! I play GTA IV with a XBOX 360 controller, so I don't have to map the millions of controls on the keyboard. And driving is much better too!

 

Hi all G51JX owners,
I have some enquiries:

1) Do you guys have problem with the mic? I tried the skype test call and when the test call playback I barely hear my own voice.

2) How many CD do you all receive from Asus? I got only one driver CD and my problem now is I did a fresh installation of Win7 Ultimate and in the end I found out that the bundled Cyberlink software like the Power2Go and PowerDVD are not included in the driver CD. Where can I get the software? (I mean not pirated ones)

3) Please also advise me what is the version and the name of the software bundled with the laptop by Cyberlink, cos I don't remember how many Cyberlink products is being bundled.

Thanks in advance.

 

I don't have problems with the mic. If it's too soft, try adjusting the recording volume by right clicking on the speaker icon and clicking on recording devices.

I received the same disks as you. They don't really bundle anything much

It's Cyberlink PowerDVD

 

Regarding "not hearing your own voice" from the Skype test call, let me suggest that you also adjust your speakers to a higher volume, and that is done best in BIOS first because Asus has the default volume at "4" out of "8" clicks, and I went into BIOS 1st thing when I got my notebook to adjust the sound to "8" with very good results. Do that 1st thing is my recommendation.

Second, go into the Sound Control Panel in Control Panels and make certain that "Loudness Equalization" is checked and working, because if that isn't handled you'll never get any volume out of the speaker system, so that's two adjustments to do to the speakers if you have not done them already.

After that, THEN try your voice out with the Skype call! If you still cannot hear yourself, or barely so, then you need to adjust the Microphone Volume as Mr. 253 has advised, so between all 3 of those adjustments you should have the sound handled with your G51. :yes:

Next we have the eternal PowerDVD issue, which IS an issue with a Clean Install unless Asus has given you the DVD ROM with Power DVD on it, and I guess I am feeling luckier and better than ever, personally, with my G51 because I not only got the Driver DVD and the Recovery OS DVD, I also got a Cyberlink DVD with my G51! Without that item you are pretty much "toast on roast" with CyberLink. :rolleyes2:

I'd suggest calling Asus up and complaining, if you are in North America that is, because I think they might help you out with a DVD for the CyberLink stuff, as that should have been included in your software bundle, at the very least. In my case, I think I got an early production G51, with the utilities, OS, and CyberLink all 3 being in my bundle...in fact I was sort of shocked when opened up my software package when it was brand new and saw all 3 DVD's in there!

The version that is furnished with the CyberLink DVD is PowerDVD v7.3, which is an OEM version, and you cannot score it outside of the manufacturer's domain AFAIK. If that is what you wanted to figure out, now you've got the information...again, I suggest that you call Asus Support if you're in North American Zone and can do that...the Support Telephone number is 1-888-678-3688...hope that helps you out.

 

Same disks??? I got only 1 disk which is the driver disk...So do you received only 1 disk like I do?

As for the mic...I have already tried all setting before. All the method suggested has already been tried before I post here. Even for the boosting is useless...So I guess is a hardware problem....

 

Are you in the USA? Did you call Asus and complain about not getting the PowerDVD disk? Well....?

 

@awbrab, yes, there's only one disk.

 

No, I am in Singapore. Complain to Asus? They actuall asked me to download WinDVD from Asus website!!!

Anyway I gave up on Asus technical support and I got no choice but to use torrent download....

 

Hi, do you have the Mic problem I am facing?
Mine reaktek driver is the latest available for G51JX which is 6.0.1.5983. Asus actually have a later version (I think for other laptop) but after installing it does not support Creative Audigy software.
If you are not having the mic problem, may I know your driver version?
I just want to verify whether is a hardware or software issue.

 

Mine is 6.0.1.6083. I got mine off laptopvideo2go.com

 

I have 6.0.1.6083 to, works fine. Got mine from DriverSanner 2010

 

6.0.1.6083 can work the Sound Blaster Audigy HD?
Are you using Win7 64bits?

Anyway I can't find the driver on the web...how big is the driver size?

 

Amazing post rexrzer727, thanks mate!

 

@ rexrzer727

I refreshed my machine using F9...wow my machine has been reborn .
After that, I use AI recovery burner for backup. Unfortunately my machine restarted automatically after I inserted the 3rd dvd .
I really want to create a recovery disk (for future use) so I tried it again, after that........a BlueScreen appeared

Yesterday I downloaded the 30-day trial version of Acronis True Image Home.
Im planning to use this instead of AI. My question is; After creating the backup file using ATIH, can I still use it to restore my system after the trial day period?

@ awbrab
Asus technical support . Do they know what they're doing?

 

WOW! That's a lot of stuff happening in such a short time, you've really got it going on there in bunches.

Unfortunately you are at the mercy of the software people once you start using their stuff, and they are going to tell you this: "Buy the software, then you can use it all you want!" :yes:

As for after 30 days? No, it's a dead pigeon after that 30-day period...I mean it IS trial software, right? Think about it for a NY Second...

I invested in another brand of PC software a while ago, and I got to know their support people back in Europe through email correspondence, and I have been lucky enough with them that they have sent me the latest and greatest software they make gratis, like FREE! But I did buy the initial software, and after that they are friends with rexrzer...

I think you need to do a couple things to get it all straightened out, and one would be to go ahead and buy the Acronis software, not just for this time, but for all the times you will need imaging software in the future with other PC's as well...I'm not trying to tell you something you probably don't already know, but almost everybody I know who has PCs has some sort of imaging software these days, it's just such a necessity for all kinds of things.

I also have a good partition manager software, and a hard disk manager software, and backup software...etc etc..it seems we need this stuff these days. :rolleyes2:

You also need to download Gary Registry Cleaner and use it, it's free so no hangup there, but I'd use it like IMMEDIATELY on your new system, and get all the Registry errors taken care of because you've got a bunch of them sitting there waiting to get handled...if you don't they will just get worse and then who knows?

I'll bet that Glary fixes at least 300-400 Registry errors! Do that for sure.

See the link in my post about Clean Installs, and use it! GLARY REGISTRY CLEANER!

After you get the basics handled then see how stable the System turns out to be...it may be just as bad as the initial System was for all we know, but try it out and see if it's better than before, that's my suggestion before we go ahead and do a Clean Install...the real answer to the problems!

OTOH if you are going ahead with the Clean Install anyway, I wouldn't worry about the present System, just get prepared for doing the real thing like ASAP. In fact I have no idea why you are going ahead and fooling around with the stock OEM system, because basically it sucks! I've never had any luck with those installs, honestly, or I'd have not written my guide for Clean Installs so others could benefit from it.

What are your plans after you have an Image of your System?

I guess you are saving a copy of the OEM System for posterity? Is that it? Is that why you are doing this stuff now?

Let us know...and good luck whatever you are doing...

 

Fully agree!
I finally found how to hotlink from the 1st page to a specific post. So I did for rexrzer727's great post about clean install. It's now featured under the header 'ASUS BLOATWARE GUIDE / CLEAN INSTALL' on page 1.

Thanks rexrzer727 !

Regards,
janvandongen

 

Thanks. I added the topic in the FAQ.

Regards,
janvandongen

 

nfshp253, thanks, I added your grand Theft Auto IV benchmark youtube link on page 1 in the (new) Benchmark section.

Regards,
janvandongen

 

All:
A. I added a benchmark section. Contributions welcome.

B. Still looking for someone that will do a true before- and after benchmark of a stock installation (straight after unboxing the G51Jx), versus a clean install of a retail copy of Windows 7 64 bit.

And if you really want to contribute; a three step benchmark would makes us all learn big time:
1. Benchmark straight after unboxing a new machine
2. Benchmark after de-installing ASUS pre-installed bloatware. (But leave the ASUS software which enables Turbo mode installed). Reason: most of us de-install most bloatware, so this is probably the real benchmark to beat.
3. Benchmark straight after clean install (including install of ASUS software which enables Turbo mode).

Regards,
janvandongen

 

@ rexrzer727

My main goal is to clean my machine against those unnecessary softwares. And I'm persistent to create a recovery disk just incase luck isnt on my side doing this thing. .

As a preparation for a "clean install", right now Im gathering data to create a bootable usb w/ an ISO file to re-install the OS....cant wait to clean my machine. You're right, a tru-blue plug n play machine is no fun at all. It seems I enjoyed more troubleshooting my machine than using it in my CAD works.

Btw, if things wont work out after the process will system restore (F9) restores my machine back to factory settings? (...I really love hitting that key


@ janvandongen

Why linking NVIDIA Win7 64 bit driver download to
Verde Notebook Release 197 when there's a newer version
Verde Notebook Release 256? Does this means newer version is not stable yet to support our machines? ..just wondering

Thnx.

 

The 257.15 causes BSODs for me. The 197 works better and won't crash for me after quitting GTA IV

 

xilver wrote: "My main goal is to clean my machine against those unnecessary softwares. And I'm persistent to create a recovery disk just incase luck isnt on my side doing this thing. .

As a preparation for a "clean install", right now Im gathering data to create a bootable usb w/ an ISO file to re-install the OS....cant wait to clean my machine. You're right, a tru-blue plug n play machine is no fun at all. It seems I enjoyed more troubleshooting my machine than using it in my CAD works.

Btw, if things wont work out after the process will system restore (F9) restores my machine back to factory settings? (...I really love hitting that key "

Hah-Hah! Now *that* is a funny post...he likes 'troubleshooting my machine more than using it in my CAD works'...good one!

And you still want F9 to magically re-appear the Factory OS after a Clean Install, too! Wow! Cake, ice cream, eat at same time, etc etc...

Sorry grasshopper, the Clean Install is gonna wipe out the factory's F9 "hidden partition" most likely in any case. I know that mine is still there because I never have *used* the OEM HD, but that's about the *only way* to protect the hidden partition, at least in my experience. :yes:

Can that for a moment--the Windows installer will ask if you want one partition, or two partitions, and that leaves open the possibility of saving the "hidden partition" does it not? Oh I dunno, I am too tired tonight to think this out clearly, honestly I am.

Listen AFAIK the hidden partition is gonna be gone with any Clean Install, unless you can *somehow* get the installer to install the new OS *ONLY* on the partition that exists now for the OS, a particularly difficult situation, and certainly something I know not how to do in my present condition. If I had a "dirty machine" in front of me, ie one that hadn't yet been Clean Installed I could tell you the answer to this most definitely, but all I can see right now is having one or two partitions via the installer, so go figure! :confused2:

I've never tried to "save" the hidden partition, because it's "hidden" you know? so I've just paved right over it and installed the OS in a single partition, without regard to saving anything at all. My sole intention in doing a Clean Install has always been to make a perfectly legitimate install without anything resembling the factory install left over, I guess, because I have no doubt that there's no need for that hidden partition post Clean Install! That's it! :wink:

OK, I'm going back to sleep now, where I was a few minutes ago, and hopefully I won't think about this stuff any more tonight. :GEEK:

Good luck with your install, whatever it is you decide to do...

 

Can someone post a Windows Xp Install Guild for my Asus G51JX-X1 with driver links. I`m having so much trouble with it.

 

@ nfshp253:
lol, you have exactly the same games pinned on your taskbar as i do on mine, in the same order.
woot XD

 

You have FSX too? Wow, this is a real coincidence. I don't really like Need for Speed, because it's too shaky, but I'm too lazy to uninstall it!

 

Good Luck with that request! My Lord, Windows XP on a new G51?

Why in the world would you want to retrograde and retrofit the oldest working OS of the Windoze variety onto a brand new, high-tech G51JX of any variety? Please tell us the answer, because I can't conceive of a single reason to do such a thing.

1) I don't know if there are drivers for doing that trick in the 1st place

2) Even if there are drivers, the computer won't recognize any more than 3.25GB of memory (RAM), and there are other restrictions from XP that make this idea questionable, at best

If you would please tell us why you want to do this I'm most curious about it, honest I am...I have an open mind about such things, it's simply that I don't know why anyone would want to do it, and until I do know I'll say "Whoaaa!"

Windows 7 is truly a marvelous new OS for PC's, doesn't have a lot of overhead and garbage that slows down a computer like Vista did, and has a bunch of solid enhancements that almost make it worthy of the title "Equal to Mac OS X"! I wouldn't be so afraid of Win7 if I were you, it's really quite a nice system and there are good reasons to use it...especially the memory deal, where it is unlimited with Win7 vs 3.25GB limit for XP of any type.

I am looking forward to your answer...and welcome to the group here by the way, since I note that this is your 1st post! :smile:

I don't mean to bite your head off or put you on the spot by the way, I am just curious about the reason you want to do such a thing, that is all...

 

I just love Windows XP. It`s been like the best OS I had ever since it came out and a good friend to me ever since it replace Win98. I plan on using Bootit NG a multiboot OS Program and keep it seprate from Windows 7 in a different partition invisible to other OS partitions. I didn`t get use to Windows 7 yet but I will sooner or later......I guess I`m getting old and don`t like change to much.

I found out I had to slipstream the sata drivers to the windows xp sp3 cd using nlite and got past the BSOD when it was trying to detect the hard drive and got it installed. But I`m still working on the other missing components. Any help or links to combatible driver would be very appreciated.
I hope this isn`t a imposible task but i`ll going to keep on trying.
-------------------------------------------------
Asus G51JX-X1

 

I am really pleased tonight because my 9-cell battery arrived from Hong Kong Express Mail/US Priority Mail this morning, and I just got home from work and opened the package up (about 2.5 hours ago actually), removed the old pathetic 6-cell OEM battery, and installed the new 9-cell. And WHAT a difference! Holy Toledo!

And the best part? It's got a 2-year factory warranty from the seller, Best-Shoper! WOWZA! I luv it!!

The new 9-cell Asus Li-Ion Battery, which is an M50-24, with a "Unit ID of G60JXM50-24", has a Design Capacity of 76,890mWh (7270mAh), and an actual 100% Charge Capacity of 75,889mWh (7220mAh)! That makes it better than OEM rating stock, with the 1st charge, so I've got a great big, brand new 7200mAh battery which should give a resounding run time of at least 2 hours even @ 100% Load doing FAHome...which I am going to check out in a few minutes after I set up EmBatPower's gauges to read the new capacity correctly.

Needless to say I have stored the OEM battery, the miserable 6-cell that came with my G51JX-A1 here in the USA, and good riddance to it. I bought my new battery from a gentleman named Mr. Chen on eBay, and I'd be happy to give that URL for anyone here in the USA who wants a similar battery for their G51 because this is a winnah! The eBay seller ID is "Best-Shoper" (without the quotes), so you can find their batteries by simply keying in their ID in the eBay Search field on any page, and BAM! Up will pop the auctions for this fantastic 9-Cell Asus brand battery.

Best-Shoper's eBay auction for the 9-cell battery is here:

Original 7200mAh Battery Asus G50 G50V G50VT G51 G51J - eBay (item 130391150199 end time Jun-12-10 02:47:15 PDT)

Mr. Chen assured me that this new battery will run "3-4 hours or more" at Energy Saver settings with my notebook, and that it's the original battery in Asia for the G51 and G50 series computers, a "very high quality battery with Japanese Cells made here in China for Asus."

I am jazzed about having it, yessir I am, after seeing the miserable performance of the 6-cell battery, in fact it wasn't even able to successfully shut down my G51 at the emergency Hibernation setting, going into negative charge actually...So there is no safety factor built in with the 6-cell battery, none whatsoever!

That's my Big News of the night, and you might think I am being weird or strange by being so excited about this new battery, but then again you didn't see the expression on my face when the 6-cell battery went to 000mWh charge in Windows according to EmBatPower and Everest Ultimate Utility!! WOW! I was pissed about it, honestly I was visibly upset to the maximum!

This is a nice, secure feeling that I have about the new battery, and the old 6-cell battery can just *stay in its shipping box* for all I care, it's of no use for me, honestly it isn't, and I'll never have it in here again.

I look forward to charting the new battery and its run time @ 100% Load, just to see how it goes, and later on during the weekend I'll run it down with Energy Saver settings on just to see how much run time we can get from the 9-cell battery on minimal settings, with no Turbo Boost on, with minimal screen brightness and minimal processor speeds...we shall see!

I am jazzed about this one, the new 9-cell battery though, rest assured I am!

 

@rexrzer727, you've got your 9-cell battery at last! Mine has dropped to 74525MWh after like only 4 or 5 recharges. Damn it. Maybe it's just a glitch in the reporting, at least I hope so! How much did you get the battery for?

Mr Chen is weird, how can it run 3-4 hours more, when the original battery could last like 1 hour. 3 or 4 hours more is like 5 hours! 5 Hours in a G51?

 

OK, OK, I read and see and hear you about this install...sentimentalist are we?

I *used to* feel that way about XP Pro 64-bit, which I have on an Acer 5920-series laptop that I just sold to my wife's brother, who lives in Jakarta, Indonesia of all places! So that *love* died hard, and it took a long, long trip to separate *us* but such is life, just chocked full of changes, you know that?

I have no idea about drivers for this laptop under XP or XP Pro 32/64 though so I don't know any way to help you out there. Did you read the last thread, the original thread about the G51JX-A1, like the whole deal? There might be mention of somebody in the original thread who is running XP of some sort but it's a long, long read, so good luck there! :rolleyes2:

I get it though, I honestly do understand about it being "a friend" because it's such a simple OS to deal with, in all respects! Not all the high-horsepower stuff like Win7 has going for it, all the "like Mac OS X stuff" it's got, you dig?

Good luck on that install, as I think you have a rough way to go...but check the old thread and see what you come up with...who knows, maybe somebody is running XP/XP Pro on this computer, but I don't know of anybody at this point doing it, not 1st hand anyway...

 

I got the battery for $115US, shipped Express Mail (Priority Mail in the USA/Hong Kong Express over there...), and it only took 6 working days to get to me! Go figure! Crazy fast!! You should have seen the way it was wrapped to beat the band, too! Holy Toledo! It was in a static-pruf box, with nice anti-static foam wrapping it up, and that was inside of a 2nd light box, which was inside the 3rd box! Which was the shipping box, and that was wrapped in 3 layers of special sealing tape, the likes of which I've never seen before and I do a bit of shipping! Holy Cripes!! Mr Chen is a shipping battery phreaky guy!! :yes: :yes:

The thing that is KUHL about this battery is the 2 year warranty from Mr. Chen's company, a big, big battery company in China, so I am digging that a bunch and then some... :smile:

2 years is a few charges in my book, and I can't wait to see how it plays out...I think it will be a great battery, you know? I don't know why I am writing that, but I just have a good feeling about this one...so there you go!

This is going to be a wicked couple of days with the new laptop, this G51 you dig? I get my new SATA BluRay Writer/Reader optical drive in the AM tomorrow, in fact I took the day *off* to handle the install, and the Cyberlink PowerDVD Ultra 10 installation to boot+ got a couple new BluRay movies to go with the deal also, the Avatar special edition BluRay set (2 disks), and another movie too, forget which one but a good one! :wink:

Then on Saturday I get a new, wicked-good SSD hard drive to boot! Yup, I had a little trouble with my Agility2 100GB SSD, and sent it back a couple days ago...which the place I bought it from is going to be kind enough to exchange for a new OCZ Vertex2 120GB SSD!!!!!! How about them apples!?

OCZ is having a rebate deal this month, too, so I'll get a small rebate back on the SSD which is nice, cuts a few $$$'s off the price. And I get the extra capacity (20GB) vs. the 100GB SSD I just gave up...which is noice! :wink:

The Vertex2 is EVEN FASTER than the Agility is, believe it or not, plus it gives up 50,000 IOPs of data @ 4K write speed, which is just killah usually on SSD HD's, but this build is a special deal, the Vertex2 120GB they told me at OCZ Forum the past day and a half...I've been online there a bunch about the SSD's and how to "fix them" permanently, so that performance stays the same no matter what...and I'm learnin' about it!

So I have my hands full through Saturday, I guess...:wub:

I will write up something about the BluRay writer/reader installation I think, if I can get it together to do it! I am sooo tired of posting stuff about my G51, you know I just want to enjoy it for myself for awhile 1st. :rolleyes2:

The writer/reader is the Sony Optiarc 5730S model if I can remember the nomenclature of the model correctly, anyway I went with the Sony because I did not want the Matsushieta Panasonic thing in the new machine...just didn't want to go that way if I can avoid it.

I have had enough problems with that brand in Apple machines, and I don't want to start here with this one, so here's hoping that the Sony is bulletproof!

OK, I am done with G51 news for the night, Hah-Hah!

I want to just enjoy the machine the next couple of days, so I won't be posting up much about it until Sunday it looks like...later gents...

 

Hi guys, I'm confused. I run the "view system" of PCMark Vantage to see what's inside of my machine. (I'm not running the benchmark yet).

Based on the data; (or see captured image)
Internal Clock 1.6 GHz
Internal Clock Maximum 1.6 GHz

...I thought Intel Core i7-720QM Processor has 1.6GHz with turbo boost up to 2.8GHz???? Then why I got 1.6GHz max only? :confused2:

Is there another key/process that should be done for the machine to reach its max capability? Or my machine's turbo boost feature was disabled?

If that's the case I have another work to do

Thanks again.

 

PCMark Vantage does not measure the clock speed of TurboBoost.

If you want to see your TurboBoost working just Google for the Intel TurboBoost desktop Gadget and install it.

 

No problem to keep the F9 factory restore option with a clean install.
If you insert a windows 7 disk it gives you the choice to do an upgrade or a clean install. If you chose the latter it renames you old windows directory to windows.old, and - clean - installs windows 7 in a new directory called Windows. (Note that not all files from the old Windows directory will be saved in windows.old, it makes a selection, so back-up any settings that are saved in the Windows directory if important to you. And of course backup all your data on an external disk before doing any reinstall...

You do not need to chose a partition where you want to install Windows 7, because only one partition will show up, as the other system restore partition is.. hidden. Only in case you made several partitions yourself in the past you WILL be presented with several choices of partitions, but whichever you chose you will NOT ruin your hidden partition, as it will remain, well, hidden!

When do you lose your hidden partition?
- If you chose to reformat your drive with a low level format (for a normal harddisk) or special reformatting software (for a Solid State Disk, such as 'Sanitary Erase' for OCZ SSD's). What that does is both reformat and repartition your hard disk, including hidden partitions.
- If you delete a partition with Windows Disk manager or specialist partitioning software. Did you never touch these? Then you did not delete your hidden partition.

In brief: If you do not TRY to delete your hidden partition you will not be able to ruin it with a simple clean install of Windows 7.

Last point:
For SSD's (Solid State Disks) there is an argument for low level formatting the disk before starting, as it potentially makes it faster. Having said that, the latest SSD's have system software that overcome this problem.
For normal harddisks I cannot see any benefit for formatting (low level or normal) your hard disk before doing a clean install. You can simply defrag your harddisk after the Windows clean install.

The 256 driver is in BETA. I (now) mention the BETA's existence on page 1, but indeed it has given BSOD's to people which disappeared when rolling back to the stable 197 driver. So... try the BETA at your own risk, or not..

 

I hope that everybody's weekend is going fine, as I sit here typing on my Ul30Vt-X1 and watch as Acronis True Image does a nice, clean and clear Cloning of my boot HD (Hitachi 500GB 7200RPM 16MB Cache platter HD) to the new OCZ Vertex 2 120GB SSD hard drive that arrived here via FedEx just a few minutes ago. I did a quick maintenance on the boot HD to prep it for Cloning, which is always a good thing to do by the way when doing a Cloning operation, and now the machine is in "Boot Time" while the operation takes place.

It's a painless, very quick migration from one HD to another with a good Cloning software, and I am using the Acronis variety for the 1st time today, so here's to a good job happening in the next 20-25 minutes or so! :wink:

The new OCZ SSD promises to be a real rocket ship, as the nice OCZ professionals in their Forum have assured me that this is their top performing consumer hard drive, ie not one made for Enterprise with SLC cells, so I am looking forward to the experience of the new SSD in a few minutes from right now...I'll simply remove the bottom of my case on the G51JX-A1, carefully remove the Hitachi HD and install the OCZ Vertex 2 SSD HD, and voila! I'll be good to go in about 40-45 minutes from now.

My retailer was very nice about exchanging the new Vertex 2 for the Agility 2 SSD, which just was a problem child as things went on with usage, but these Vertex 2 HD's are supposedly better in all respects: they are faster, have higher IOPs at 4K by a significant margin (50K IOPs @ 4K file size), and the new firmware that will be coming out in June, along with a new tool kit, which is being released with the cooperation of the nice folks at Sandforce, in Taiwan, CN will put the icing on the cake with the new SSD!

I only mention the new firmware and toolkit because up to now there has been no maintenance kit available for Sandforce-controller SSD's, but this month will see a change in that and I think everyone is looking forward to it! Good stuff, from my viewpoint anyway. :yes:

I wanted to post a little bit about the install of my new BluRay optical drive also, which went down last night without a hitch. It was a straightforward plug and play replacement of the OEM DVD+/-RW optical drive with the new Sony BD-5730S writer/reader optical drive. The only caveat to the install was *removing the OEM bracket off the old drive and installing it on the Sony drive* and BAM! Done deal! There are two (2) key location screws in the body of the notebook that must be removed to take out the optical drive, and also to secure the new drive in place once the bracket is replaced on the drive, and that's about it. Simple in, and simple out! :smile:

As for the Sony drive itself, it's a dream! Worked straight out of the box and I watched the newest version of Avatar on my notebook's LCD HD display afterward, in HD of course, and it was just a stunning viewing, simply beautiful and all but 3D in appearance. The new software that I installed for the BluRay playback is called Cyberlink PowerDVD 10 Ultra, which I got from Amazon.com for a nice discount from retail, and it's a great program, too! I can't fault it, does what it says it will do, and it also supports the new 3D media which is just now coming out on BluRay, too! :wub:

I have not tested the BluRay burning of the new optical drive as yet, but will later today and report back then, but it should work without a doubt just as nicely as burning a regular DVD+/-R disc, at least I sure hope so. I did remove the faceplate off the old optical drive, also, with a little "coaxing" anyway I did, and replaced it on the Sony drive, swapped them in fact, so that the notebook looks like it has an optical drive that matches the case...came out purrrfect! The button for 'eject' works 100%, and the light does too (the LED activity light), so it's all good with the Sony BluRay writer/reader optical drive!

I prefer the Sony brand to the Panasonic/Matshshieta Drive because of quality concerns, just a personal preference, and I am sure that the other drive that I posted up about before is fine also, just wanted to make certain that everyone knows that the Optiarc BD-5730S works, looks, and performs 100% in my G51 and I highly recommend it, being virtually just plug and play with the new software installed.

That's about it for now, so I hope that everyone is having a good weekend, and that your G51's are performing great too! I really cannot complain about my notebook, it's just been a STUD for me in all respects, never getting any BSOD's or other problems, even when overclocked on the GPU to 1620/2100 on the high clocks, it's simply been a stellar-performing notebook in all respects. And I've just made it faster, and better with the new optical drive transplant and the new SSD!

I love the G51, it's a winner!!

 

Hello all, I just noticed that after I uninstalled the Intel Management Engine the BSOD stopped its been 3 weeks now and no BSODs for me. Well that's the only thing I did. Playing Dragon Age or Bad Company 2 or even Batman does not give me BSOD.

Though one thing I noticed, even if i set P4G to dim my monitor in 1 min or 2 min , it does not dim it anymore. PReviously when laptop is left idle the lcd screen would dim itself. Now nothing.

What happened?

 

rexrzer727 i suddenly have the need to buy:
1: more ram
2: bluray
3 ocz ssd

weird

 

I must apologize for my raves about the new equipment that I've added to an otherwise *perfect* performing G51JX-A1, and lest you forget I've also upgraded the US-spec battery from 6-cells to the 9-cell 7200mAh/76,890mWh battery which is standard on the Asian-market G51's...so the notebook as equipped now is just about the top of the heap as far as adds and extras.

None of this is necessary, I must emphasize once and for all, it's simply my preference to do these adds and upgrades, and the notebook was performing 100% without them, well, except for the SSD that is...I never even ran the OEM HD once, simply removed it when I got the notebook and put it in "storage" here in my "garage studio", where it will most likely sit unless I have a catastrophic failure (knock on wood that it doesn't EVER happen!) and am forced to use it, that is. :rolleyes2:

Please don't think that I mean anything by posting what happens when you do change out the stock components for better items, it's being posted just to tell other G51 owners that it's easy to do, it does improve performance and enhance the ownership experience somewhat dramatically, and these are options that virtually anyone can do, ie you don't have to take the notebook to a shop or professional and pay professional installation prices, the items are easily installed, even a novice can do this type of thing without any prior experience at it.

I have a history of doing upgrades to *all* my notebooks, as you can see in my signature I've done similar things to my Sony VAIO and my 2nd Asus notebook, the UL30Vt-X1 that is my daily companion for work, so I consider a nice notebook, any new notebook, a candidate for upgrading because I already know what upgrades can do for such an item. :yes:

There is one part of my upgrade this time that is *not* perfect, I must confess, as somehow during the Cloning process with Acronis True Image Home my Alignment got messed up at the 4K level, while 16K on up *is* Aligned correctly, so go figure that one out! I have a Tech Support Case at Acronis at this time about the anomaly happening, in addition to having one at Paragon Software also, as I have tried to remedy the situation by using PAT (Paragon Alignment Tool) on the SSD to get it aligned 100% without any good results, so there you go, sometimes things can go slightly "off" when doing upgrades, and things have to be "worked through" to get them 100% right...so that's where I am with respect to my SSD upgrade today.

Parity and Alignment are two things that are necessary for 100% performance with an SSD, people must not forget these facts, and at times the Cloning process is imperfect, to wit my experience with the Vertex 2 SSD. We don't know if there's a defect in the SSD, or if Acronis True Image Home made a mistake or two during the Cloning process at this time, but we are working on it...we being me and the companies involved with the process. I am in a bit "over my head" right now and am basically just feeding the companies logs and records made during the Cloning process by Acronis and the PAT software both, so I can't comment one way or the other right now about how to fix such a situation. :confused2:

I may end up having to Clean Install the SSD to get things right, and then that encompasses yet another group of variables, because I will have to weigh out the possibility of wiping the SSD clean for starters, and I've never worked with an OCZ in that regard before. If it was an Intel SSD I'd know what to do, but with the OCZ devices there are other things to consider, namely the firmware used and the Sandforce controller and how it works, so I wouldn't want to mess any of that up further by leveling the SSD "my way", ie I'll have to do what is necessary for an OCZ SSD not an Intel SSD.

In addition there is new firmware and an OCZ Toolkit for the Sandforce-equipped SSD's that are from OCZ due out any day now, so that further complicates matters! As you might gather, there are things to consider when doing upgrades that people just don't have to even think about who leave their computers OEM, box stock...just like the situation at hand with my notebook right now.

Now I could just simply leave things alone and not worry about Parity and Alignment with the new SSD and most people would never even notice the difference, but I am not that sort of user/consumer, it turns out! If the process has left a problem I am not one to forget about it, and I will deal with it straight away rather than wait for something else to go haywire because of the Alignment being off, and there is also performance itself to think about as it is slightly "off" because of the 4K alignment issue...not by much, but a small amount of speed and efficiency is lacking with the new SSD in place the way it is now. :wink:

I have to do another Alignment attempt with the PAT tool and gather some statistical data from the program (various files are generated internally in the OS, deep inside of it in fact, when doing such a thing and the nice people at Paragon Tech Support need those files to work through to a conclusion about the problem at hand) at this point because I uninstalled all Paragon software when I did the Cloning operation with Acronis True Image Home, not wanting to have a bad reaction or problem happen because of having two conflicting software programs, so I don't have any records to give the Paragon tech support team right now...that is where I am with that aspect of this problem. :GEEK:

OTOH I have given the necessary files and support reports to the tech support people at Acronis software, and they are actively working on my case right now, so I may have an answer from that side of the case sooner than later, at least I sure hope so. I have an incredible array of software that would have to be reinstalled on the notebook if push comes to shove and I am forced to Clean Install the whole array of programs, something I really do *not* want to get into if I can avoid it. I have some 48.9GB of software installed presently, with support files for some of my imaging work and photo work, along with some proprietary company business that requires a key code and password entries from my IT department at work, so these are things that I would just as soon not get into all over again, hence my reluctance to just say "scew it, I'll fix it myself"!

That's the whole unexpurgated situation I am dealing with presently, so there's a small hill to climb but I have some good help so I am looking forward to a simple resolve of the problem rather than a Clean Install from scratch. This is the sort of thing that can happen out of the blue with upgrades, and I am the 1st one admit that it *can happen* even with the best of care and techniques at one's disposal, so I caution people about doing such an upgrade in this respect. OTOH when things are right it's all worth it and the enjoyment and advantages of having upgrades like I have done is huge, so YMMV with any sort of upgrade to the components of your notebook, and care is as care does...and sometimes just a little bad thing can turn into quite a big deal as it has with my SSD Cloning operation. :smile:

I'll report more on this as things resolve, and the results are in, and finally when it's all 100% on the $$$ I'll post some performance data for the new SSD and give you all an indication of just how fast, really fast IS!

 

rexrzer727:

I want to replace my HDD with an SSD for my G51JX-A1 but I have 2 choices:

1. Intel X25-M Mainstream 2.5" 80GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

2. Kingston SSDNow V Series 2.5" 128GB SATA II Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

OCZ is out of question for me, because my budget is only under 300$, and these 2 cost about 230-260$.

Between these two, which one do you think is better? I'm also not sure the Kingston one is MLC or SLC.

 

Your quest is a good one, and virtually any SSD has better, faster read characteristics than virtually any platter/mechanical HD, so the only penalty we really pay for swapping for an SSD is in available contiguous space, ie the extra capacity over and above that which is necessary for the operating system (OS). If you have an external mechanical HD to use for backup/extra files, photos, media, games etc, either USB or the faster eSATA standard, you're home free though, so there is redemption for SSD users.

I suggest simply removing the OEM platter HD and placing that HD inside of a good external case made specifically for backup, one with eSATA preferably, and you can then kill two birds with one stone, that is upgrade to the SSD and use the OEM drive for a good purpose, solving the storage problem outright.

You pose an interesting question, and I have had occasion to test both of those SSD's you are choosing for your internal HD replacement. I found the Intel X25-M to be a fast reader, and a miserably slow writer in almost all file sizes, but especially *slow* in the critically important small file sizes 32Kb and smaller, right down to 4K files...in fact the performance was downright unnaceptable at the small file writes...down to 10-15MB/sec and worse to be specific, very disturbing for the premium $$ price Intel wants for that 80GB SSD.

The Kingston was better, albeit marginally so, but enough to make a difference in the small files <32Kb and smaller, and depending on the "kit" you are purchasing, it is, to me, a better choice for two reasons: it's physically 50% larger than the Intel X25-M is, so you benefit from sheer size; its write performance across the spectrum is significantly higher than the Intel X25-M's performance in writes is, again at the small files sizes is particularly and most importantly, better.

Contrary to many opinions and options available I'd choose the Kingston 128GB SSD and take home the savings vs the OCZ Vertex 2 or Agility 2 SSD's and smile about it! I hesitate to recommend the Kingston normally when there are other choices in or about that price and performance range, but in the case of your question specifically I have no problems recommending it over the Intel X25-M.

The Intel is very popular, don't get me wrong, and it does have benefits in terms of advanced firmware being available for it, and the Intel v1.3 SSD Toolkit which can help it maintain performance over time, but still, when the thing won't write at higher than 60MB/sec at best, and in the small file sizes less than 10-15MB/sec, its benefits are at best marginal to poor.

Have you looked at the option of the OCZ Agility 60GB SSD, by chance? If you're in the USA those can be on sale at various vendors. It tends to be in the middle of the spectrum with performance, which is better than the Kingston but less than the premium Sandforce-controller-equipped SSD's, the Vertex 2 and Agility 2. Let's take a look at today's prices:

Amazon.com: OCZ Technology 60 GB Agility Series SATA II 2.5 Inch Solid State Drive (SSD)…

I found it today at Amazon.com for $170 shipped, so if you could live with a slightly smaller size for the boot HD and concentrate on keeping most everything other than the OS and your programs on the SSD this is a way to save even more $$$ and come up smiling with performance that exceeds the Kingston and the Intel by a large margin.

Read those specs for the Agility and see what you think!

Hope this helps you decide which way to go, and most of all you are on the right track by thinking outside the box and going with an SSD, albeit smaller for the OS and programs, vs sticking with any mechanical HD. The benefits are just huge in terms of performance, as you could imagine...now it's time to try one out and see what you think about it...you'll be pleasantly surprised!

 

rexrzer727:

Thanks so much for the info.

 

I fully support rexrzer in this. I've had an (OCZ) SSD for a while, and the improvement is massive!!
I'm currently coping with the standard G51Jx hard drive, (as the OCZ ones gets replaced), and I forgot how irritating it is that Windows sometimes stalls for a second here and there. It simply NEVER happens with an SSD...

Regards,
janvandongen

 

Hey guys, i need help. Laptop screen I sometimes see a vertical line spanning the screen, it's a thin yellow line. I cant really reproduce it or anything as it appears randomly in Windows 7. I'm not sure what to do.

 

Hey guys, i need help. Laptop screen I sometimes see a vertical line spanning the screen, it's a thin yellow line. I cant really reproduce it or anything as it appears randomly in Windows 7. I'm not sure what to do.

It's like the picture in this link:
http://www.sevenforums.com/attachme...tical-yellow-line-down-screen-yellow-line.png

 

Did you drop your laptop or something because that's what happened to my friend's laptop when he dropped it. Or it might be a faulty graphics card. Go call up ASUS, they should be able to identify the problem better!

 

DO they have a customer service line her in Singapore? Or should I just bring it to the service center?

And no, I didnt drop my laptop..its just sits stationary on top of a laptop cooler

 

There are a couple possible things going on with that fault, and it's serious, so please by all means take your Asus G51 into the service center there in Singapore and *show them* the problem graphically because it's either:

1) graphics card is defective

2) bad connection between the graphics card/logic board and the LCD display

3) bad cable for the display, ie the ribbon cable between the motherboard and the LCD

4) defective display itself

It's only going to get worse, so it's imperative that you get this handled under warranty while the symptoms are just that, symptoms...if it gets worse you may lose the display 100% and the notebook will be useless at that point. This way you can nip the problem in the bud, so to speak, and get Asus in gear to repair/replace the notebook...and they may just do that, ie replace it, so don't be surprised if they do.

Good luck, and get it handled!

 

Anyone have issues with no VGA out??
sucked had to give a presentation today and had to use someone else's computer.. no VGA out. Fully set up in win7 and fn+F8 set to lcd & crt...still no output. Nvidia issue?

 

Hi, i'm new in this forum and also a new proud owner of a G51jx.
I would like some help on what programs are better to OC the video. I have to say that my Nvidia panel is lacking the Performance tab.

Thanks!

 

Welcome to the circus, here my man, and yes I do, I righteously do have an answer for you, and here it is:

1) Go to the EVGA.com Forums and join there, pick any name, any coding you're familiar with, and if you don't own an EVGA product it's aok fine! Just join anyway, confirm your membership online via email, then go to Downloads and Support at EVGA.com

2) armed with your new moniker from the Forums, you are now an officially sanctioned EVGA.com downloader! You can download the best little service utility for overclocking and "adjusting" any nVidia video card on planet earth, and that is called EVGA Precision!

3) Find the latest version of EVGA Precision, download and install it, and open her up and for the 1st couple of days use leave the on-board prompts and suggestions "On", so you can learn how to use the utility really, really quick-like and efficiently!

4) Enjoy overclocking and "adjusting" your nVidia GTS-360Mobile video card with its many facets, namely Core Clock, Shader Clock, and Memory Clock!

Got that all down pat now? Well there you go, and I told you that I'd have an answer for you, and it's the best little answer you could ever get online because the EVGA Precision utility is legendary for accuracy, speed, and ease of use, so....ENJOY!

Just so you'll have a handle on what settings to use here's your 1st overclocking setting for the GTS-360M video card: 600/1600/2100Mhz ! ! !

Try it, and use the newer of the nVidia video card drivers for doing that sort of thing, ie v197.16 or newer is best for the job at hand...