G51J-A1 Owners Lounge

Here's the one I was really looking for... (drilled out the bottom panel):
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=389359

Edit: QFT:

 

Thanks for the reply on the eSATA, I thought so - but BTOTech stated in his video review of the Jx that it has that port and when I said it didn't he said the J did so I must be doing it wrong.

When does the horizontal bar light up? The two verticals and the main ROG logo have always been lit for me - but the horizontal bar never has. Could it be a design difference from the J to Jx or do I have a busted LED I wonder...

Glad the fake vent is gone in the JX, they have some actual holes near there in its place - hopefully that'll be better for cooling and involves no voiding of the warranty.

Thanks,

Peter

 

The horizontal one isn't as bright as the landing strips on the side... It's always lit for me, unless I unplug it. But I disconnected my lights anyway, so it's always off now.

 

The horizontal one isn't on at all. One of the reasons I was asking if there was a new version of the Direct Console... I don't know how to turn it on / off.

 

This is what it should look like. From Ryzeki's review:



There are some ribbon connectors on the ' gaming board' which controls the lights. Maybe one of them is loose or who knows what. Or maybe certain ones don't have that light, I dunno. Mine does.

 

The horizontal is completely off on my G51Jx as well, especially after seeing the pic - there is no light at all in my horizontal bar, ever. All 3 other lights are clearly on. I had been about to take a pic of mine, but it's identical outside of the horizontal light being off.

Just got my G51Jx 2 weeks ago.

What model and when did you get yours Dash? Update: Saw you have the G51Jx that you reported a BSOD on first boot. Might be the G51Jx doesn't have that center light then - at least from our early batch...

Peter

Moved the discussion on the Horizontal Bar light not working to the G51Jx thread since it seems to be an issue with the G51Jx that the lights are not lighting up. Feel free to add if your J horizontal bar isn't working either tho. - Thanks.

 

Thanks for the link ALLurGroceries, I always have a cooler that my laptop stays on when in use. I have another notebook that is used for portability.

 

It looks like the moved discussion got buried.

Does anyone else have a G51Jx-A1 and confirm/deny that the horizontal light bar is on/off?

 

Ya I thought about bringing it up again, but I wanted to figure out this whole CPU Throttling 90W BIOS Soft Limit vs. 120W Adapter Power Limit thing first.

Well, all I can say is my horizontal light is still not going on...

Also I posted in reply to BTOTech when he said in his video review that all the lights were controllable and that the horizontal light lit up on the Jx. He confirmed that there is no app currently and that the horizontal light doesn't light up on his test model(and that the eSata port is also not USB). He actually told me to stop posting there since I had him "3 for none" .

So that means there for 3 Jx's we've tested for this, all 3 have not had working horizontal lights.

Peter

 

Threw this "Guide" up on the Asus Forum....didn't seem to be much interest, thought it maybe better suited here

Well, my OCZ Vertex 120GB arrived today, here is a step by step:
1. Remove bottom cover ensuring to note where each screw came from.
2. G51J A1 - HD w OS is on the furthest Drive to the right (when viewing upside down and cover removed).
3. Remove this Drive and label it "W7 OS" - 4 Screw holding Drive within Case - then 4 screws holding HD within the HD mount
4. Remove middle HD - same number of screws - label it "Spare HD Data" (Temporarily removing the 2nd HDD ensures no "confusion" by the Recovery Disc OS Installer when installing W7 onto your new Vertex Drive.
5. Prior to Installing Vertex Drive, hook it up to another PC to ensure it is Flashed to the latest FW - as of Feb 19 2010 - FW version 1.5
6. Install and fastene Vertex into HD Rack with 4 screws and install in to Notebook - fasten in place with 4 screws.
7. Press Esc Key upon Boot and select Optical Drive to Boot from (Confirm that the only other Drive as an option is new OCZ SSD)
8. Install Recovery Disc into Optical Drive Bay
9. Continue Boot Process from Asus Recovery Disc
10. Select Recover to Entire HD in 2 Partitions (yes I want a Partition) - if you do not want a Partition select "Recover to Entire HD"
11. So far, 71% complete...will update this Post as I progress. (Completed 100% about 10 minutes on an SSD)
12. Completed, prompted to insert Utilities / Drivers Disc
13 Surprise here..Utilities Drivers Disc "Auto" opened a DOS Command Window and apperas to have run a Driver installation Script (didn't install Bloatware, just essential Drivers - took about 5 minutes)
14. After initial set-up of W7 - insert Driver / Utilities Disc and install wanted Utilities.
15. Install Anti-Virus Software - I prefer to use Free version of AVG (has worked flawelessly for me on several Desktop Builds)
16. Run Windows7 Updates
17. Power down your Notebook and Install your 2nd additional 320GB Seagate HD
18. Power back up and go to "My Computer / Manage / Disc Management and ensure your additional HD has been detected (you may want to "start clean" and format it at this point).
19. Install Maintenance Utilities - CCleaner, Driver Sweeper and HD Defraggler (for 2nd HD only - Do Not Defrag SSD)
20. Remove old nVidia Driver, run Driver Sweeper and install nVidia Driver 195.62 (this version has performed excellent for myself)

Thats it....the entire process went smooth, no hiccups.

* If you have a Desktop Rig kicking around, install the removed Seagate 320GB 2.5" Drive, into a 2.5" to 3.5" converter Bracket, hook up the SATA and Power connectors and you'll have another spare 320GB Drive for your Desktop. I secured my spare 320GB Seagate right beside my Intel 80GB SSD in my Desktop

A Note: I was never prompted to "Re-Activate my Asus Windows 7 OS"

The only "surprise" was the Drivers / Utilities DOS Installer Script, as said, did not install any Bloatware - be patient here as it takes a bit of time and you'll be prompted to ReBoot your Notebook a couple of times. Don't "Freak Out" over the DOS Window, leave it alone and let it do its thing!

Welcome to the wonderful world of "Blazing Fast SSD's"

Cheers

 

hey guys,

I am thinking about buying the G51JX-X1 off newegg. How does it compare to the A1? I know it has 2 gigs less ram, but its also $200 cheaper... Does anyone have any 3dmark06 or wprime scores on the X-1?

Any real reason why I should go for the A1 instead of the X1? I'll be using the laptop for web design and gaming (i want to run starcraft2 very well, as well as FPS games coming out this year)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220700&cm_re=asus-_-34-220-700-_-Product

Thanks!

 

Just FYI LiTh07, you just posted asking about the G51Jx in the G51J thread . Seems like the same warranty as the A1 - NewEgg has some wrong specs though, it can support 16GB of RAM. The X1 and A1 are identical outside of the different RAM and lack of the backpack and mouse that the G51Jx-A1 comes with. See my sig for my review of the G51Jx-A1 - it has everything you need I think .

Peter

P.S. I also use my G51Jx primarily for web design and gaming . As well, you can check out the primary G51Jx thread on these forums here: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=446366

 

nice, thanks peter!

 

Hey guys,
I'm looking into a gaming solution that won't completely destroy my savings and I like the specs of the G51J a lot considering it has a better GPU than the G51JX and I found one at a very interesting price. I was wondering if the throttle problems many people were reporting with the G51J are still present or if a fix has been issued for it? I looked trough the discussion thread about it but I can't seem to find a clear answer.

Thanks.

 

it still throttles.

 

Added a couple of links to thalanix's threads to the main post.

 

has anyone figured out how to turn off or dim (like in battery mode) the lights on the back of the lid?

 

not possible via software. you'll have to physically open the lid and unplug them.

 

Got muh 9 cell in today, preliminary results gives it about 2:15 vs 1:30 in powersave mode (Linux 2.6.34-rc1). The part # is 90R-NED1B2000Y. I got it from Provantage: http://www.provantage.com/asus-90r-ned1b2000y~7ASUL0PV.htm

 

Just incase anyone sees that and misses the important update, quoted from the newly renamed: [Fixed/Workaround] Asus G51J(x) CPU throttling investigation:

 

any new in the bios A08 ?

 

It makes my screen flash pink right before the welcome screen whenever I restart my computer.

 

A08 is working great for me thus far.

 

my gpu used to be no more than 60 C when idle but now i have recently noticed it is idling around 70-75 C (and the fans are getting noisy every few minutes). Anyone know what the cause could be?

 

hi, i am no expert, but i have success modding the G51j-a1, and have trial and error many times in the process, both before and after mod to get better temp and i am glad to have made some success.

Now the "HOLEY MOD" temp............................

After mod 600/950/1375 (197.16version) (ambient 26 deg):
Idle 45deg
Internet +Youtube 52deg
MW2 max 83deg, 2nd stage fans kicked in, stable 76deg , all max setting, 1920x1080
Grid max 83deg,2nd stage fans kicked in, stable 74deg , all max setting,1920 x 1080
HDD:39deg and 43 deg
CPU max 67deg


checklist:
1.update driver to 186.82, 197.16 or 197.25 , see which give you better temp
2. lift the notebook up, prop back the back with a book or something
3. open up the backplate and clear the dust
4. check that the gpu is downclocking correctly using rivatuner or ntune. it should idle at 120/200/400++ clocks
5. if you not going to mod the backplate, remove the stock wire mesh on the GPU and CPU vent for more air. You can see the mesh without opening up the backplate
6. DO the 'Holey' mod and drill for LOW temp, satisfaction Guaranteed
7. if you DO NOT want to do the "HOLEY" mod BUT want super low temp, very easy. JUST remove the cover and VIOLA! (no sarcasm here)

there are other variables in the equation of gtx 260m high temp.
1. room / ambient temp
2. placement of cooler ( i can get 1-2 deg diff by changing the position of the same cooler)
3. surface on which laptop is placed, ie a metal surface is cool

hope this helps. cheers

 

NIce, I was gonna do that same thing but CBF since I plan on flogging this off as I don't see it reliably lasting as long as I want it to, temps are just too damn high.

I did remove the foil on the inside of the bottom plastic cover ("CPU Door Assembly") ... dropped temps all round by 2-3C immediately. My guess is they didn't want the bottom heating up too much but I use a cooler underneath anyway so meh. No difference to my lap.

 

Pics of chests eh? You can't hide the truth!

Man, I can't even break 11K on win7. Maybe because I am not overclocking aggresively haha.

I am considering modding this machine and overclocking, or simply selling it and getting a stronger one.... The later being less fun!

 

BTW one last run of 3dm06 before I updated to latest nvidia drivers:

12,010 3dm06
Win 7 HP x64
CPU Ex turbo
GPU @ 583MHz Core / 1450MHz Shader / 1026MHz Memory (nevermind what Rivatuner shows, always has been wrong by a factor of 1.08)

...and the 'cheat':
FW 185.85 Dox optimised

I reckon if I turn off the Aero crap and OC to the absolute max, I'd be able to get 12k with proper drivers, but meh. I don't care that much about benching and e peen.



edit: roflmaotime, that folder on the desktop isn't what you may think it is...

 

Hello everyone.

I bought an asus g51j 4 days ago, and thought it would be good to chat a bit with you all here in the lounge.

First of all, I am very happy with the machine performance overall, the only negative being the overheating. I expect to reduce the possible damages on the long run of the 63c (idle) to 92c (high load) gpu temperatures with a good cooler,maybe I'll buy the zelman 2000.

Other than my first overall impressions, two things:

1- are dox's optimised 185.85 drivers still the best for gaming? what about the latest nvidia drivers performance (appeared on the end of the last month, I think), what can you tell me about them?
2- I read all of the posts on this topic, and some people were talking about fancystart: I used it, its "nice" (lol), and for it to work I had to start the fancystart daemon (on start/all programs/startup) before shutting down the laptop. but I have a question about it: how to restore the original ROG logo and sound?

Cheers

 

Actually bunged all this in a new thread.

It involves overclocking and the pic below, that's all I'll say

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=477553


---

185.85dox are about 4-5% higher in 3dmark06 - I've not exhaustively tested anything else, I got sick of them not clocking down from stock clocks at desktop idle, meaning idle GPU was 73C or so. Now on 197.16 it goes all the way down to 200/400/120, 63C. Not tried 3dmark06 yet, too busy fiddling elsewhere and when I get sick of that I've got proper work to do. Note my priorities

 

Mine came with the 195.62 drivers, and gpu idle clocks are 200/400/120 too (60c-64c). Anyone knows if the new 197.16 drivers are any better in gaming performance?

Oh, and another thing for the record, if anyone is thinking about the 3dvision technology and the new led screen on G51J 3d: mine is the 3d version, and even though it is "cool" to play some games in stereoscopic vision, it's not that cool. I mean, it's not about the led screen (the 1366x768 resolution is not that bad - of course I would prefer if it was better, but the led screen colours are absolutely amazing anyways), its the 3d technology itself: I think its cool to say to your friends "hey, I have the ONLY laptop in the whole world that comes with 3d vision", but the technology itself just isnt that special. I mean, since it came with it, I was trying to get some fun out of it, but on the last two days I find myself without even the small ammount of patience necessary to plug in the 3d paraphernalia when about to play a game...

 

Hey, I know this has probably been asked before, but does anyone know how to disable that 'Republic of Gamers' screen when you boot up, and the explosion sound that accompanies it?

Thanks a lot!

 

The explosion sound can be eliminated by disabling it in BIOS. As for the screen during POST hmmm, you can probably customize it via FancyStart.

 

This seems like a nice thread on the original machine with the 260M video card, but what about the newest machine, the G51JX-A1 with the new nVidia 360M card, 6GB RAM, etc?

Is THIS the thread where I can find out things about that model, because I haven't done more than read about 15 pages here, and didn't find a mention of the G51JX-A1 yet.

I just ordered it from B&H Photo Video & Pro Audio, sent back my N71JQ-A1 because it pretty much sucked at a LOT of things, even with all my upgrades.

I won't get the G51JX-A1 for about 10 days so I've got plenty of time to prepare for having it...

Any direction pointing would be appreciated, because I don't want to waste everybody's time here since it seems you guys are all about the *older model* right?

Gracias, and may God Bless!

EDIT: Thanks, I found the right thread...for the JX-A1 !

Thanks but don't need any help here, enjoy your laptops!

 

I'm a G51jx-x1 owner (3 days) and want to make sure that everyone is aware that, at least for my series, the BSOD issue that has been plaguing these machines for 5 months IS NOT FIXED with the latest bios update. The same error (124 - PCI-E) appears to happen when the GPU heats up under default settings.

I would avoid this defective series (G51/G60) altogether.

 

Sorry to hear bout the JX.

The G51J has been running flawlessly for me for months now, after the 208 BIOS. Not a single 124 BSOD. I'd not give up hope, because it took ASUS a while to fix the G51J, too.

 

Theres a bios option i ticked close to the option for the explosion sound that turned by POST screen into a generic black screen with white letters. Much preferred .

 

does anyone know where can I sell my G51J with i7-920x and 8GB of ram?

 

You could post it in the NBR marketplace, but make absolutely certain to read the Rules and Regulations and the Buy/Sell/Trade Form. Good luck.

 

thanks man for pointing that out : )

 

i have to say mine is doing well too, bought it as soon as they were offered. i think the newest powr4gear fixed my issues. I still would like to bring the temps down, I guess I would have to wait until asus/nvidia make a better card.

 

Hi all,
I've been reading on here about temps with this machine, and I've been using mine now for about 8 months. I basically just use AutoCAD, Outlook and Explorer. My GPU temps max out around 71 Celsius, the CPUs around 67 Celsius, and the HDDs around 45 Celsius.

Is it worth doing anything regarding drivers and/or a cooler to bring these temps down at all, or should I not bother worrying about them?

Thanks in advance.

 

Just keep your laptop clean and use compressed air to keep dust out. Your temps are fine for non gaming usage and are around my own temps.

A cooler might help a bit, but in my cause the heat is due to ambient temperature being over 100F.

 

hey guys,
i recently got one of these laptops and i'm currently having trouble setting the hotkeys/function key combinations.

what i'm trying to do is setup some hotkeys to work with the foobar audio player, namely the direction keys + function button.

however, every time i press function + the down key (marked as play/pause) windows media player keeps starting up. before it was the media centre, but i managed to disable that.

so is there a workaround or a fix for this?
also is there a list of what all the shortcuts/hotkeys/function buttons do and a tool for editing these combinations?

 

Something strange has been happening for a while now.

Laptop off, AC brick plugged in at wall, when I plug AC jack into laptop, laptop immediately turns itself on.

Happens quite regularly but only in the situation outlined (i.e. never if AC cord is plugged into the laptop and THEN the wall switched on)

Anyone able to reproduce/have any ideas?

 

the one annoyance i am having is it shuts down when the lid is closed even tho I have the settings set to do nothing, it doesnt do it immediately but anywhere from a few minutes to an hour it shuts down, it isnt hibernating it does a complete shut down. then other times i can leave it overnight and it is still on in the morning.

 

It's designed to shut down when it reaches a certain temperature while the lid is closed. It's in order to keep the machine from overheating and damaging itself. As far as I know, there's nothing you can do to change that setting.

 

I love this computer, as it has great performance, even though it does get hot. I had it on the High Performance power setting while in bed, and I woke up with burns on my arm that raised blisters. Really. I think the air exhaust on the left side fell against my arm. That being said, there is not another computer that I would rather have.

What I now do is use the Power Options in Contol Panel (Power4Gear), and I set it on Power Saver if I am just doing web surfing, emails, stuff like that (which I do in bed). I also use the new Zalman 3000 cooler.

When I want top performance, I use the High Performance setting. In High Performance, I have run at 158 degrees with no over-heating problems that affect performance or that cause crashing. The computer is made to take high heat, and it has an excellent exhaust system. I monitor the heat with CPUID, just to get a feel for temperature and performance. On Power Saver, I usually run 128 degrees, and 158 degrees on High Performance. If it gets hot, I check Task Manager to see if I have any program that is 'hung.'

I wouldn't worry about the heat, unless you run High Performance in bed and fall asleep.

 

You sound like you need to update Power4Gear. The settings-not-saving issue was fixed with the updated version.

Sounds nothing like heat-related throttling. It would be very noticeable (i.e. very hot to the touch) if that were the case.

 

Your GPU is not working at 100% speed if it tops out at 71C. Either you have some stuffed up Powermizer setting that means your GPU is stuck at lower speeds or the games you're playing are either old or otherwise not very taxing on your GPU (e.g. you're only using low gfx quality settings).

The GTX260M in the G51J should be over 85C after an extended period of a game that's using the GPU to its full potential. Mine hits 95C occasionally in an elevated ambient temp and a few hours straight of a gfx-intensive game (eg. Crysis) if it's not on a cooler, that's OCed to slightly above stock 260M speeds, but even at stock its over 90C.