Asus G53SW Owners' Lounge

Guess I'll still be using the ABR then. Got no patience with automated thingies, plus I'm from the Philippines--might get charged a hella expensive overseas call or something. :O

And can anyone confirm regarding Ramun Flame's inquiry? I was under the impression too that I had to:
Install SSD in HDD bay then put HDD in free bay> Update firmware > Install Windows

Will installing the SSD in the free bay, then just changing boot sequence do the trick?

 

I went through the trouble of swapping the hdd into the free bay and the ssd into the original hdd bay, and the bios STILL saw the hdd as the primary drive. Just drop the ssd into the empty bay, select it in the bios and you're done.

 

wow thats weird, I have done fresh windows install quite often on various machine and I never have to do that :|

 

Anyone having issues with their usb, and bluetooth drivers seem to have a delayed driver startup? I updated all my drivers, but it doesn't seem to have fixed the issue. It happened once before, then the same after a fresh windows install. (I did update my drivers to the latest ones, according to driver genius. Any ideas? Thanks.

 

Hi everyone. Recently I just bought a G53SW-XN1 (NewEgg). I've read the whole thread (yeah all the 141 pages...) and there's some interesting stuff here.
I been actually thinking about buying this computer a long while now, I even came across this thread when it had just started (I even made a few posts here with another account, forgot the username and pass ), but I didn't pull the trigger because of my financial situation. However, it recently was my birthday and my aunt decided to give me an awesome present so I bought the G53SW from newegg.com - I was going to buy from newegg.ca (I live in Canada) but the price in the US site came down $300 ($350 as of now) so I decided to just get it shipped to Canada.
Anyway, I'm just glad to join the club and I really hope I don't get a faulty unit because it'd be a real hassle to RMA it...

Also, I was looking to get some advice. I've looking into buying an SSD, I did my research and I think I'm buying ADATA S510 120GB SATA III.
I was just wondering what kinds of SSDs did you guys buy, and how are they doing (It would be awesome if you have the S510 and care to elaborate).
And feel free to make any SSD suggestion, just FYI: I'm looking for something in the 110-130 GB range and what I look for in the SSD I'm buying is: price, reliability & speed, in that order.

One last thing: While reading through this thread I found two things:
1. There's a lot of very useful information here that can be helpfuul to anyone buying this computer
2. There are A LOT more pages than tidbits of useful info
It would be awesome if we could put together a "Resources and Guides for G53SW owners" (or whatever). Maybe we can get the OP to add it to the first post.
I'm willing to start it out, but I'll need some help.

Stuff I think should be included:

• Specs
• Where to buy
• Reviews
• Disassembly guide
• Useful accesories (90 Degree converter, 180W PSU, Bags, etc)
• Some info about SSDs
• Some other useful stuff

 

Sh*t, I posted twice and I don't know how to erase this one, sorry...

 

Is this reliable? Are the drivers listed up-to-date? I saw Chastity's thread and got overwhelmed by the sheer number of links in the 1st post. Was supposed to use Driver Genius but since the free one would still have me hunt the drivers down (hence more potential for error) I'd like to give this link a try--after some confirmation ofcourse.

Edit: Nevermind. Seems the link ain't working. I'll keep it there though, someone might chance on it when it's working.

 

I keep getting the blue screen of death. Bit it has only occurred after hibernating my laptop. When I turn it back on, I see the bsod. Any thoughts?

 

Is this with factory settings, or after a clean install? Also, does this happen when resuming from sleep mode?

If after a clean install, your windows may not have installed correctly.

 

after a clean install. IT does not happen every time I wake the computer up. And it has happened so far only when waking from hibernate mode. Have not put it to sleep yet since the fresh install. Thanks in advance for your help

 

Well, all I can say is you may have had an error while installing windows/the disk you used may be faulty. Only thing I can suggest is burning another disk, and doing another clean install.

Edit: Also, you can always go back to factory settings by pressing f9 during the logo screen.

 

What the guy above me said or maybe you have a faulty unit, worst case scenario, you'll have to RMA.

In other news, my G53 just arrived! Haven't turned it on yet, I'm just charging the battery. First thoughts:

• I knew it was big, but not THIS big. When compared back to back with my other computer (15.something") it looks just as big, except for back part which stands out, but on its own it just looks WAY bigger, and it's fat. It's also a little bit heavy (not too much though, as some people in this thread have stated), most of the weight is on the back too.
• The position of the power cord looks really annoying, I guess this could be partly solved by the 90-degree converter.
• Other than that, I can't wait to turn this beast on! I really hope I didn't get a faulty unit...

 

@eclips3: hehe showed the 53sw to a few people who *thought* they had to have a 17" machine and display, and disabused them of the notion. technically if the bevel for the display were smaller a 17" panel would fit in the lid space

and just imagine the g73 is *slightly* fatter and heavier, but only slightly.

anywho congrats on the acquisition. been my past experience with asus rigs, that one of three things is true. it arrives with a fault. it arrives and a fault appears in 60 days. it works flawlessly and something goes awry right around the time the warranty has been dead a year.

-------------------------------------------------
@joejoe1:
in other news if you got your machine stock and it's spitting out bsods with irql less than or equal type, and referencing some type of scsi.dll apparently, try the restore partition. if the factory restore doesn't make it go away, its usually a pretty good sign somethings borked in the hardware.
after all either the factory settings aren't working = bad, or the disk contaning the factory settings isn't working = bad.
odds on a bad restore partition image compared to the above tends towards slim to none.

that said the restore partition is the bloaty install, so try it. if it solves the issue hurrah, we can work from there and figure the original install went wrong somehow. if restore partition deal doesn't make it go away however..

but since it's happening on hibernate, and in my search for what might have been causing my issues i recall seeing comments about issues with hibernate/sleep, i'll see if i can find anything relevant- but i think they were all issues with those modes using linux on this model.

might be worth looking up how to clear your hibernation file in case that alone is messed up somehow. if the hibernation file on disk is corrupted it can cause that sort of issue too. hm.

 

I was so happy, till I turned it on and noticed a bunch of red lines in the top right corner, I started a thread asking for help, but the problem hasn't been fixed yet. Someone earlier on this thread had the same problem but there was no solution found, I guess he/she had to RMA, which is what I'll end up doing

 

I had the exact same problem and had to rma it. It took them 1 whole month to replace the LCD, even then i got it back with 1 Bright pixel. I guess the service in UK is terrible.

 

Yeah on the info booth it says that ASUS service in the UK is absolutely awful. But I guess that if you got it fixed there I'll have relatively no problem getting it fixed in Canada.

On a brighter note:
I've put together some very useful resources for all of the G53SW owners, I started this some days ago but I've been caught up with the whole RMA thing. I still want to include a more comprehensive list of useful links as well as a FAQ section and an SSD section (it would be awesome if the guys who bought SSD's could help me out with this one by commenting on how your SSD works with the G53) Also, I'll PM the OP so he can put it on the first post. Anyway here it is:


Basic Specs (According to the ASUS website):

• CPU: i7-2630QM/i5-2410M/i3-2310M
• Chipset: Intel HM65
• GPU: NVIDIA GTX 460M
• Display: 15.6" 16:9 LED backlit; HD(1366X768)/3D HD(1366X768)/FHD(1920X1080)

Places to buy:

• NewEgg
• Amazon
• XoticPC
• TigerDirect
• BTOtech
• GenTech PC

Reviews:

• Cosmetic Review by Butr0sButr0s
• Video review by BTOtech
• Video review by LeonAffiliated

Disassembly Guide:

• Disassembly guide by BTOtech
• 2nd HDD install by XoticPC

Useful Links *Must look at!*:

• The ASUS Info Booth
• Asus Utility and Bloatware Guide
• CPU Throttling
• Latest drivers and everything you need for a fresh install
• BIOS update guide for ASUS notebooks

 

don't forget to add btotech and gentechpc to the places to buy. the three dissassembly guides to the g53 series are from xotic, bto, and gentech respectively gotta give the community supportive places equal credit hehe.

as to the bios update guide so far no bios release other than stock/initial for the g53sw - version 203. some of us keep hoping for one that does the same things as the bios updates for the g73 or n73, namely adding aes-ni support(processor encryption instructionset disabled in bios), a lessening of the not too frequent keyboard input lag( mine likes to mix order on the key sequence " the " and spit it out as "t he" which i can say concretely isn't me mistyping it), and making the fans come on at higher speed at a smarter point- gpu at 85C instead of 95C, cpu at 80C instead of 85C( cpu heat throttles at 90C and above and system forces shutdown for heat at cpu=100C. gpu is slightly higher with a shutdown at 116C afaik, but thats an insane temperature, should never be allowed to get to 95C or above- thats over 200degrees F!!).

also you have a kind of big typo.
its a GTX 460M not a 560. 560 is slightly heftier chip, but generally underperforms at high resolution comparatively thanks to asus chosing to pare down the bus bitrate from 192 to 128bit. some threads on that comparison and thats why we generally see the g53SW as better than the g53SX currently.


other noteworthy items are topics on the display panels used, with the auo V5 panel being common for the FHD display, but being considered a lower grade than the v1( if i recall correctly anyways).

power button/touchpad issues are typically caused by the glue from the yellow tape on the underside of the touchpad.

-lots of other tidbits-

hehe good luck on getting the lines fixed quickly and properly, and keep up the good work

 

I'll add those places. And I only gave the link to two dissasembly guides, not three

Lol my bad. Will correct that.

I'll be adding those whenever I get a chance

 

heh it's a big forum. and not a bad idea to actually put together some information of note for the model instead of playing whack-a-mole with google or the forum search

i know you only listed the two guides, but afaik, those three companies are the only ones that have posted dissassembly videosfor the g53, albeit all of them were from the g53jh/jw series(ie the first gen core processor based renditions of this series. personally kind of amazed asus is sticking with the chassis design for so many revisions, usually they change everything to be one off, even the batteries so no cross swapping can be done of any parts. must be a solid and workable chassis layout for them i guess).

all the videos scream premature failure bait to me, never ought to be laying ones hand on the board, the oil does bad things over time( okay i can understand it's a demonstration probably on dead units, but there's a reason high performance ram tends to have a high failure rate- handling>oil transfer. at least a cpu gets edge handled only thanks to the pins, and most gpu's have heatsinks/shrouds to hold onto before edge handling to seat the card. ram not so much given the chips themselves layer one or both sides of the board with no protection.).

anywho-
the xoticpc video's 23 minutes long but doesn't go as far into the display hinges and fan assemblies as the bto video of shorter duration ( ASUS G53JW 2nd Hard Drive Install by XOTIC PC - YouTube for the xotic version).

 

Yeah that's what I thought

I have that one already

 

Hi guys, anybody heard of any rumors of Asus updating the g53 and making it the g54, like they did with the g74. I think the g74's keyboard is practically perfect, but the g74 is a little more than I can afford. Thanks!

 

have you seen g74sx-rh71? it is 1350ish
Google

 

nope nothing so far, not even rumor, afraid you will have to wait at least until next year. The G53SX came out at the same time as the G74 though

 

G53SX is the 15-inch counterpart to the G74SX. The only difference in specs is the screen size. Even though the G53SX should be better than the G53SW (since it's the newer model), the G53SW is superior.
So basically: G74SX>G53SW/G73SW>G53SX

I don't think ASUS is making any new computers until Ivy Bridge or new GPUs from NVIDIA come out.

PS: I'll be adding this to my G53SW info for future reference

 

Anyone have throttling issues with the new GPU drivers? Throttle Stop doesn't work neither .

Edit: Never mind, left something ticked that wasn't supposed to be in throttle stop.
"BD PROCHOT".

 

I had the same issue! Have you added more ram?

 

Anyone else have their g53sw go into sleep mode randomly sometimes? Trying to see if there is a solution to this

 

yes it happened to me one time and then, absurdly, it waked up from stan-by alone!!! I thought I'm crazy...so have you encountered the same issue?

 

Thanks to everyone for the replies. I did searchfor that one file and it turns out could have been a program i installed. The program is still on my cpu but if it acts up again I nkow that I will have to uninstall the program and atleast I have leads.

I have not opened the laptop yet, but memory is the first component I will add. Plan to upgrade to 16gb. i'll wait for the 30 day return policy to run out in case it needs to go back.

 

Why would you ever need so much RAM? You should save that money and buy an SSD instead.

 

You have a point. My resoning is ram is cheap now. So I'll take advantage of the fact. and I think it can only help if I want to resell in the future.

 

I upgraded 14GB, I didn't want to pull my laptop fully apart to get to that final 2GB module. So I have to agree with you on that. On another note: I had an SSD in mine but pulled it out as something is not right. I have a delayed start in my usb and bluetooth drivers, even after re-installing windows 3 times. It would disappear at stock windows install, then reappear at random moments. (after installing all drivers of course.) But it seems to be random. Like it didn't happen to me for the past 3 days, then this morning, poof! Delay! It kind of renders having an ssd useless to me, due to the fact that I can't use my external mouse (bluetooth or usb) until it's ready. I'll take capacity over speed if that happens. I'd rather wait the extra 30 seconds or so and have 500GB over having only 128GB and still have a waiting period. Don't get me wrong I love my SSD, but can't keep re-installing windows to it every other day while trying to figure out the issue. (great way to fry an ssd also since i'd be writing over 30GB's every other day to it.) I still have the usb and bluetooth issue (even uninstalled drivers and everything and re-install and nothing.) I'll keep the hdd and such for now. Oh, and I have a use for my ram actually. I run minecraft servers and have minecraft using 4GB ram (due to hd texture packs). So after running just one server and minecraft I would eat the 6GB for a snack. It's nice to have that buffer of 14GB. Oh, if anyone has any other ideas for my issue, please help. It's driving me crazy. My friend who is a computer geek too believes it's software/ drivers, since stock windows works fine.

Edit: my issue seems to only happen when turning the laptop on or coming from stand-by. I'm gonna try hibernate to see if that will help on startup during the day. (didn't want to try that with the ssd since that could eat it up quickly. Unless someone has been doing that with their ssd and can tell me for sure it won't harm it.)

 

Actually looks like we may have different issues, mine goes into hibernation I think. Hopefully, setting hibernation from 5 hours to never will help.

 

Well, I hibernate all the time, so I did a lot of reaserch about hibernation on SSD's, and it seems like the only reason people don't do it, is since it needs a file as big as your ram to be stored on your SSD. Lot's of people disable it to get extra space, but it's not harmful. Actually, I'd be more worried about using your SSD as a server, since that used lot's of writes.

 

Hi Geared2play thanks for the info I'll look at it!b

 

Hi Eclips3, thanks for the info! I'll take another look at the g53sw. Thanks again!

 

Has anyone noticed that newegg deactivated g53sw-xn1? What does that mean? I believe they're not gonna make this model anymore

 

I bought a g53sw-xn1 from someone on ebay and that person bought it from newegg about a month or 2 ago.

Is there something wrong with the xn1 to cause it?

Also--- I really didnt want to sift through 144 pages of this thread ._. so are there any problems with the g53sw? I read somewhere about a mouse ribbon issue or something?

also as to what is the difference between the extensions xn1, a1, etc

 

Will I used the server software on my standard data drive, so unless it still writes some files I don't know of to the ssd all that is on my standard drive.And I tried the Hibernate and still didn't solve the issue either.

I've narrowed it down to driver/software as when I re-install windows I don't have this issue. Now it's just narrowing what driver/software is causing the issue.

 

The difference between XN1 and A1 is that the A1 models come with a backpack and a mouse included with the package while XN1 models don't. Other than that both are the same things.

Yes there happens to be a problem with G53SWs but the fix is also very simple. Read this thread to get an idea about the problem and the solution.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/asu...ch-issue-asus-g53sw-xn1-when-closing-lid.html

 

Has anyone found a universal charger or a right-angle adapter for the charger that works well? Since the AC adapter is straight and plugs in near the middle of the right side, it's very prone to breaking the AC port on the laptop.

 

Don't know about a universal charger but the right angle adapter for the charger that comes with ASUS G53SW is available. Its called Right Angle/90 Degree Converter LC53. Follow the link:

http://www.amazon.com/Right-Angle-Degree-Converter-Connector/dp/B004L74PGI/ref=pd_cp_pc_3

 

Is that the only problem o_o and from the thread it seems like its really annoying if you get it and carrying that magnet around can seem tedious (maybe its just me)

Are there any other problems? I mean Im really psyched about my g53sw coming in (getting to my door this thursday!)

Any idea on how frequent the problems occur between users? Worth keeping in the long run?

 

specific to the g53sw series as opposed to a more general part issue, thats the big one. gtx460/560 fermi chips from nvidia have a twitchy track record as a look through google demonstrates clearly. call 1 in 3 of the gpu chips prone to arriving or developing a defect of SOME sort. no ati option on the sw series so that specific issue is avoided from the jw(jh? can't recall which was the first gen i7 with ati 5870 gpu vs gen 1 i7 with the nvidia460m same as the sw).

was an issue with the chipset and a recall but those are all out of circulation so no worries there unless buying second hand.

the power button issue can have a couple causes with the "magnetic" ( more properly called a hall-effect sensor) issue being down to mainly one of two cases. 1- newegg handling or 2-the glue from the yellow tape on the underside of the touchpad with a distant 3-defective sensor.

in the realm of not a problem but an irritation/dissappointment, while the jh/jw/sx and 73sw have bios updates to change fan speed to temperature ratio so they ramp up at lower temps, slightly improve a consistent asus notebook issue with ocassionally missing keystrokes, or adds features, the 53sw still only has the same original bios.

also theres a quirk regarding cpu throttling when both the cpu and gpu are worked hard at the same time which requires a third party software app( though a free application at least) to stop occuring.

and of course the aes-ni cryptographic acceleration instructionset the core i7-2630m and above support isn't enabled in bios.


expanding to cover the g53 series the hdd bays are a pain to get to requiring partial system dissassembly, the power connector is placed poorly and prone to having the center tap pin that actually makes one of the two required electrical connections to charge or run is easy to break off, but alternate power adapters or angle adapters may be used to work around this.

stock thermal material tends to settle over the first four months of use so initial temps may be unnacceptably high a short few months time after arrival. and access to repaste requires fully dissassembling the machine and technically voids warranty. another hope it was a non twitchy gpu issue( as the paste dries and temps rise a latent problem may appear with the slight increase in stable temps, and many first gen fermi gpu's, desktop or otherwise are overly sensitive/ slightly defective. just look at the multiple threads on the gpu revision on nvidias forum, each hundreds of pages long across manufacturers of desktop cards with the chip. )

generally its an asus notebook. it'll either arrive with an rma worthy defect immediately being a pain, develop one in the first two months, or run nice until the warranty ends then choose to die.

 

First of all DO NOT WORRY. The problem may never appear for you, and if it does I hope not, just apply the solution which is pretty simple and straight forward. For me the problem is gone and the solution is holding on well. There is only a speculation that the problem may reappear but it is equally likely it may not. So not a big deal. A considerable time has past and mine is working perfectly which means the solution is holding well on its own. So as long as the solution is doing well I don't need to worry.

Secondly a small, tiny magnet should not bother you much. This problem may only occur when the lid is closed. So if you are moving I suppose you would use a case such as a backpack and keeping a small magnet in it is not a big deal I think. Besides for G53SW you'll need to have a large size backpack and you'll find plenty of space to put your magnet in. Mind you the ASUS G53SW doesn't fit into ordinary 15.6" cases and backpacks. Furthermore you need to apply this magnet solution just once. I haven't come across any issue as so far and it should be good for a couple of months may be year and beyond.

I haven't come across any other issue so far with the default configuration. Maybe there are known problems with up-gradation like adding SSD etc. but I have no idea at this point. As far as the problem I faced, it is the most critical problem that many others have faced and I deem it to be the most important one. The laptop is no good if you can't get it to turn on.

Good Luck with your ASUS G3SW. Hope you enjoy it to the full.

 

Very nice summary.

 

Just wanted to say thanks for all the posts on this forum about the laptop, it helped me decide if I wanted it or not. Even with all the potential bad things that can or will happen to the laptop, I still bought it. I couldn't pass up a deal on a open box model of the Asus G53SW-XN1 from Newegg for $580. I got it last week in the mail and not a scratch on it. No problems with the laptop so far, and I just ordered a 8GB (2X4GB) memory kit by G-Skill for the computer as the stuff in it now seems a bit slow.

 

i know for a fact two chargers have been mentioned in this thread, but for the life of me today i can't seem to spot them with the search tool for you. sigh, getting old -.- .

 

I have been using this power adapter for about a week so far:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004NVZ5E8

It has a right angle plug and I've not any issues so far. I use it a lot for traveling around to my classes, and leave my stock one in my dorm room. I bought 2 of the right angle adapters thinking I'd need one for my new power adapter and didn't need the right angle adapter. (Keeping the second one for a backup.) Either/or will work, I just needed a "travel" adapter for my laptop.

Edit: Actually the one I linked you is a little slimmer then the stock one, but a tad bit longer, not much, but it still is. Overall though I think it is smaller then stock, but it could just be me.

 

My model is an open box model >_____> but I paid much more for that (damn ebay T_T) but so far they are out of stock and arent restocking (from what I heard?) so maybe there WAS a defect with them?

I checked with Asus, my laptop was manufactored on April 2011, any known problems from that date?

oh well thanks guys for the input. Its coming in tomorrow.

@steelblueskies

Youre summary scared me. I was about to make a craigslist ad to just sell it and avoid any stress >_<; still debating on that x_x