Asus G53JW (A1 & 3DE) Owners' Lounge

Official brackets won't be distributed for a few more weeks. I've heard that the G73 bracket can be modified slightly to work, but it isn't a perfect fit. I'd wait until the official ones are released and use that.

The SSD should be easy to get up and running, the only complications I've heard of are with people replacing their primary drives with a SSD. I've got an intel SSD in my system at the moment and it is super snappy, it scores 7.7 on the windows experience index.

 

Anyone have a finalized number for the battery life (on various levels, but most importantly on lowest brightness with wireless OFF and moderate activity such as notetaking during lecture)?

 

Got a user review in my sig if anyone wants to read it that's considering the G53JW purchase.

@Dookie

That would be 2h15 with wifi off and 2h05 with wifi on and two tabs.

 

The ASUS G53JW-A1 does not come with a bracket to mount the 2nd HDD. You would have to get that from an ASUS dealer that is authorized to do upgrades.

The ASUS G73JW-A1 brackets are virtually impossible to modify to mount correctly, and are sadly equally unavailable.

The brackets issue is a trade secret, but I can tell you that we use nothing but G53JW brackets…we do NOT modify brackets from other models.

If you are going to install your Windows OS only on your SSD you will want to remove the 750GB 7,200RPM drive, install the OS, then reinstall the 750GB 7,200RPM in the remaining bay.

 

Some resellers claim it will work with the G73 brackets
If we get ours with it, will that void our warranty
cos they are not with original G53 brackets ?

Thanks

 

Thanks for the updates. I will probably just use the cardboard temporary solution until they come up with something more official. That or I'll just use the SSD for the time being as the primary drive. Thanks for the help.

 

Well my G53JW is on the way. Should get it tomorrow.

I hope to be able to put in a SSD in sometime soon for the boot drive and leaving the other one as is for storage.

Couple questions:

1. Can I put the new drive in the open bay and switch to it as the boot drive in the bios or does the boot drive always have to be in the same spot meaning I'd have to swap? I'm pretty sure that works but just double checking as I haven't seen the bios.

2. the "cardboard" solution for securing the second drive, is it just a piece of card board in between the bottom panel and the drive? I assume the goal is to just give it a tight fit so the drive doesn't move and tug on the connectors. Seems kinda ghetto but if it works it works.

 

Hey Bendok,

My computer is coming today. I'm going to do exactly what you're considering. I think I'm just going to put the SSD into the second bay and line it with cardboard so it's stationary. I saw pictures in a link in this thread or another, I forget. It should be fine as a temporary solution, especially since SSD drives are cool and quiet.

I also assume if you simply reinstall windows you should be able to repartition your drives and decide which drive windows should install to, automatically changing the boot drive instead of manually doing it via the BIOS.

If I get some time tonight I'll try to get an update with any complications I have.

 

Oh man based on what Donald said, we need to open it up, remove the 750 drive, put in the ssd, close it up, install windows, "open it up again" and install the 750 drive.

 

If you don't do it that way you risk installing the OS on the 750GB 7,200RPM drive.

 

Can you elaborate on this?

I'm struggling. It didn't come with a Windows 7 DVD so I don't have anything to run the boot from. I'm going to download the iso and load it via a flash drive later tonight.

I put the SSD drive in the backup slot, but when I load the computer, it doesn't register the drive. I used the cardboard method for keeping it in place, and it seems to work pretty well.

Do I really have to switch the drive locations around before I reinstall windows in order for the computer to register the drive? Or can I just do a fresh install with both drives in there and choose which I want to install to?

Thanks,

-Tray

 

If you don't want to follow my recommendations I would recommend you call your vendor for tech support.

 

@Tray
Lol did you not read any of the posts? The recovery disk for windows is burnable through the laptop

 

First check that the ssd is in fact appearing at least on the bios.
Second, change the boot priority/order inside the bios, put the usb as no 1 and hdd as no 2. Then check that the ssd is higher on the booting order of the drives.
If you can't probably will have to take the 750gb out and place the ssd there at least to try to install.

 

JustTray,

During Windows setup when you get to this screen do you see both drives listed? If you do, it will be obvious to tell apart the SSD and normal drive.

But if you only see the one drive or even no drives at all, the G53 may have the issue that is explained here which is where Donald's suggestion of only having the SSD plugged in at first comes in. It also suggests a program in there that may or may not show the drive if windows setup does not to allow you to make a partition.

Good luck

 

Hey guys,

First, thank you all for your replies. I had to catch a flight (I'm on it now, wireless on planes FTW) but yes I have read every message in this thread and many others over and over. I'm a little stupid with respect to modifying hardware in computers, so please don't think I'm ignoring your suggestions. I am probably just confused.

It seems like this should be a lot easier than I'm making it based on these replies. I'm really on step 1 - creating/finding a boot disk for windows 7 home premium (I have an upgrade copy on my old PC and the new Asus came with a version installed).

I haven't gone into the Bios to see if the SSD is showing up, I just looked on the front end through windows when it started up (I'm now assuming it won't show until after a reconfig of the partition).

With respect to the boot disk. I was under the impression that I couldn't create one using an installed version, only a backup. I will google this, but if anyone has a link handy I'd love steps. (To a flash drive if possible)

After that I get a little confused. I read that there are switches to change which hard drive is the primary in some computers, but that is likely outdated technology and I figure it shouldn't matter which hard drive is in which slot as long as I'm reinstalling windows on the new one. Is this incorrect? During install I would just partition the drives and choose the SSD as the install location. Hopefully that uninstalls the OS from the other drive. If not, then I'll just reformat it after.

The only other thing would be possibly changing the Bios boot order so that the SSD is the drive to boot from, but this is something I would expect the install of windows 7 to do. If it doesn't, I believe it's pretty easy to change from the Bios, though I haven't tried from the Asus yet.

Any clarification or corrections of the previous steps would be appreciated.

Thank you,

-Tray

All of a sudden I'm wondering if the Asus recovery disk actually has windows 7 on it as well... I didn't even think to check it out. I just assumed it was only the bloatware and drivers

 

lol everyone who owns it is probably too busy with it

 

Got it all setup.

I loaded the ISO to a flash drive, put in only the SSD and installed Windows to it. Then I added the old 750 GB HD to the second port and it showed up. I reformatted it and removed the partition, deleting everything except the hidden partition. Then I created a new partition for it.

Now I'm reinstalling the recovery drivers and I should have a clean install on my double hard drive w/ SSD setup.

Thanks,

-Tray

I have literally only one complaint. is up with the power placement? It causes the plug to be right where I have the top of my mousepad. I'm guessing they want you to pay for an adaptor that curves?

 

Hey folks,
I see a lot of familiar faces here! Glad to join the club!
I actually have a problem, and I wonder if it is just because I'm not used to Windows 7. The first day I had my laptop, the function keys worked fine--I think I could control the brightness of my keyboard, but maybe I dreamed that--and I could control the volume fine.
But now I can't do any of that. ): My computer ran some updates, and I think it started then. Is it possible I turned off a setting or something? The only fn+f# buttons that work now would be anything pertaining to the monitor's brightness. It isn't something frustrating, but it is a little annoying. Any suggestions?

Other than that, I am quite happy with the machine. It's beautiful, performs beyond my expectations, and isn't that heavy.

 

Also beyond my expectations =D

I've only run into minor issues such as desktop freezes, but after reformating it's barely happening.

My FN keys all work, so it may be just you

When I upgrade in a few years, they better still be making the same vent design on future models because not having my legs burnt for the first time in my life (gone through dozen~ or so laptops) is a huge factor when I make a purchase.

---

As for the plug comment, I think it's placed perfectly. We can't really have the plug in the back b/c the vents would have 76C of heat burning it and overtime, the plug would get ruined, no? Also, since 13% of the population is left handed, it only makes sense to have it on the right side, imo

 

It's probably the updates, i remember a lot of ppl had trouble with keyboard lights when they updated the G73jh

 

@AnimataurKo Try reinstalling all of your atk drivers, but in specific the atk hotkey driver.

 

I think I found the solution:
If it stops working, go into program files (x86)>asus>atk hotkey and double click hcontrol.

 

I've only had a couple of hours to spend tweaking the system; work and social activities have kept me very busy this week. Hopefully over the weekend I'll get some more time for a hands on report and can perhaps post a mini-review.

I have to disagree with AnimataurKo though, I think the system is quite heavy and large. I wouldn't want to carry it around in a backpack if I had the choice, and the power brick is colossal. I'm fairly picky about portability though, the envy 15 is probably the largest system I'd consider when commuting to work and back.

 

Same thing for me as well, only fn+(f5 f6 f7) would work, after updating. (I thought maybe one of the Asus stuff I uninstalled affected it) so I went to E-Driver program that i still had and installed atk again and now it works fine.

On furmark, I got up to 88C (barely touched 89) after 10 minutes

As far as Google chrome that was installed, was it working?
Nothing would happen when i click on it and nothing would happen when i click uninstall on the list of installed programs. So I had to download a new copy to install




Can you guys get RIVATUNER hardware monitor to work?

 

After many long nights of deliberating, I've decided to purchase the G73JW-A1, from NCIX.com. I decided to splurge on the bigger screen, and I want the backpack, extra RAM and hard drive space that comes with the A1 as opposed to the XR1. And from what I've read, NCIX seems like a good Canadian online computer retailer.

Guess I'll head on over to the G73JW Owner's Lounge! Thanks for all the tips! Wish me luck!

 

Google Chrome did the same thing to me. You gotta right click it and select to open a new window. THAT didn't work at first, so I had to reinstall... once I reinstalled, it worked fine.

 

I love my computer.
Played batman in full settings. 60FPS mostly

 

If most ppl are right handed, they should've put the plug on the LEFT side then, so it doesn't get in our way when we plug in a mouse, right??? LOL

Anyways, waiting still... Hopefully I'll be ready to maek the purchase come Black Friday (*wink at resellers*)

 

I feel the same way I hate the powercord being on the same side with my mouse.

 

My G53 arrived yesterday. Everything is working beautifully except after I did a few windows updates my keyboard doesn't light up anymore. I tried reinstalling the atk but that didn't seem to do anything. Does anyone have any advice?

I just figured it out. It turns out that my keyboard brightness was just turned all the way down.

 

Hi, has anyone here encountered the issue that sometimes the battery stop charging whenever it reaches 98% or 99% ? Is this considered normal?

My gpu temp went up to 91 C after 10min run in furmark

Google chrome working fine without any issue. I've installed Rivatunner 2.24, the programme launched successfully but I haven't play with it yet cause not familiar with it

 

LOL Well, I've never had issues with the plug being in the way of my mouse/pad. I figured they put the plug there since it easier to plug as a right hander (it requires some effort to squeeze in).

Ursinus:
My battery is @ 98%. Guess it's normal? I'm not sure

 

My battery will sometimes charge up to only 95%
I think it's just the overcharge protection circuit


Have you guys tried to install 260.99 yet?
I received the incompatible message
do we have to download some specific mobile firmware?

 

I tried installing 260.99 last night and I got an incompatible message and then I realized that I was trying to install the version for the 460 and that I needed to download the version for the 460m instead. It's installed and working beautifully. Bioshock 2 looks amazing with all the settings maxed out and it's running really smooth.

 

Ya I have it and it's working fine. I used a link Ken provided:

Edit: Found the post
http://us.download.nvidia.com/Windo...ok_winvista_win7_64bit_international_whql.exe

 

Hey guys,
I noticed a defect in my machine I am so saaaaad. I don't mind living with it, but I'm worried it will get worse over time.
I don't have time to upload pictures right now, but I wanted to know if the lid of the machines other owners own has any problems. In my case, the left side near the hinge sinks lower than the right side, and I worry it might lead to a problem in the future with opening it. Another problem I ran into was the top portion of the lid popping out of place, especially in the corners. I popped them back into place, though, but I don't know when it happened, since the machine has only been on my desk since the end of the first day I had it.
Aside from some strange chassis problems, though, (and a hibernation problem, but I'll figure that out!) the machine is still better than any I have ever owned. I'm not complaining, I'm merely troubleshooting!

 

When you have time, please upload some pics =D

 

Hi

Does the Asus G53 come with THIS Bag ?
or its what this site offers ?

 

That was like one of the old bags

 

Oh looks nice tho

 

Hey Everyone,

I just received my new G73JW-XT1 a few days ago, and everything is working fantastic. However, I'd like to watch blu-ray movies on it, but, being a previous mac user, I really don't know where to start. Any help would be appreciated, thanks.

 

Put the Blu-ray disk into the drive and close it. It will self start.

 

Thank you so much!

 

I tried that, but I get an error saying "Windowss Media Player cannot play the DVD. The disc was created in a manner that the Player does not Support."

Sorry, for posting this in the wrong thread, BTW.

 

Windows Media Player will not play Blu-ray disks.

Didn't your vendor provide the Blu-ray software?

If not, go to ASUSTeK Computer Inc.-Support- and select Notebook in the first drop down, Apps in the second, and ASUSDVD in the third.

It is a large download but it will get your Blu-ray drive going

ENJOY!

 

Alright, thank you!

 

I installed 260.99 and ran 3dMark06
I got 12664 (12131 with previous 260.39)

EDIT*
260.99 OC 800/1600/1400
3dmark06 13551
max temp for both gpu and cpu 76C

 

What's your room temperature?

Also, how do those numbers translate to real-world gaming performance? Will I need to OC in order to play certain games, and which games would those be?

Thanks!

 

I think the only games the G53 cannot handle on high/ultra are:
Crysis
Metro 2033

...when I was doing my mega-laptop-research.