M50Sv: Review & Owners' Lounge

Any help would be appreciated... I'm at a loss as to what to do. I've had to use headphones to get any sound from my laptop since reinstalling realtek because the speakers won't play sound anymore

 

Maybe the headphone-detection switch is broken and the computer thinks headphones are always plugged in? If so there is some discussion about this problem around the forums.

 

I just ran into a big problem today...

I was playing with my laptop and the backlight decided to give up on me. The screen goes completely black, but I was still able to see the desktop if I shine direct light into it. So I know it's not a defective LCD display.

So I decided to plug the laptop into my external monitor using the HDMI-out it has and it's fine.

Here's what I figured:
-defective or broken backlight on the laptop
-could be a possible voltage problem
-not a video card problem since I was able to plug into my external monitor


Any suggestions, guys? I don't know if it's over the warranty yet for my laptop, but it's been awhile since I got this laptop. Should I purchase a backlight component and replace the broken one?

Any help is appreciated! THANKS!

 

How hard is it to replace the fan on a M50 ? The fan on my M50 is unfortunately dying. I have to generally open the back cover and give it a little spin on the fan before it can start spinning itself. Once the fan has started spinning, it usually won't stop until I shut down my computer. I've also used compressed air to clean the dust but this does not help unfortunately.

I've checked the disassemble guide on the forum http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=260993

Do I need to lift the whole GPU/CPU heatsink up to remove the fan and thus break the warranty sticker ?

Thanks for any input.

 

Are you still under warranty? If so get it fixed by ASUS.
It can be either:
- inverter broke down: cheap solution (get inverter off ASUS eStore and replace it yourself)
- LCD backlight broke down: expensive (typically entire LCD needs to be replaced, and that's in the range of 300+USD)
- cables from/to inverter interrupted (also cheap solution) -- less likely

If you're still under warranty why worry about it, just get it fixed by ASUS.

If you're not under warranty why worry about breaking the sticker?

Either way I would advise replacing the fan ASAP, running with a faulty fan is dangerous.

 

My laptop is out of warranty unfortunately.

Another question, is it possible to run the recovery disc using an external DVD drive ? My built-in DVD unfortunately can't read the recovery disc as well.. sigh.

 

I know this is a HORRIBLE idea, but I was having issues and figured I would be needing a new drive anyway, so I very lightly wiped the DVD drive lens with a lens cloth from my digi camera, I folded it into a triangle and just used the point of a corner so as to not put direct pressure on the lens with my finger.. and Boom, works great again.. but generally a bad Idea as you dont want to stress the wire the lens hangs on, bend something and your screwed. ...BTW, those lens cleaning CD's are crap if you ask me...
also, I'm working in Africa so no warranty places close, and its hella dusty here.

Anybody out there pulled the GPU/CPU heatsink off? (as well as GPU memory) I want to try running mx3 thermal paste instead of thermal tape.. I know tape is supposed to last longer for permanent use, but I have faith in the new MX3 paste lasting at least 3-5 years without drying out, and thats plenty long for me.. also intrested in trying to do this swap without 1mm copper sheet inserts on everything touching the heatsink, seems like if you replace the thermal tape on everything touching the heatsink the gaps should level off and assuming the springs on the screws mounting everything have enough room for tension it would still hold..or is there a mix of tape and paste being used on Northbridge, CPU, etc.?. Thoughts?

 

hey guys can i posibly replace the processor in my laptop? coz mine is just clocked at 1.8ghz.. am thinkin upgrading it to 2.5ghz w/c most of u have. 1.8ghz is actualy the stock procesor here in our country.im from the philippines btw.. processor is really dragging my lappy's performance down..thanks so much.

 

Guys, anyone can help me?
I've been getting BSOD on win 7 32 bit. I suspect it's my "storage controller" driver.. It's the only one on my device manager that has no driver.

Does anyone has the driver?
Thnx..

 

What is the Hardware ID? there are 2 storage controllers...

 

By the sound of it it's the SATA controller, can't you get the driver from Intel?

 

I brought the laptop to my local Asus Headquarter, told them about the problem, and they took it in no questions asked. Thanks for the suggestions!

 

Hi guys, my AC Adapter just died tonight. Is there an aftermarket replacement solution?

Thank you.

 

Just a thought, I removed the GPU/CPU fan setup.. added the info to the Disassembly guide w/Pics
http://forum.notebookreview.com/asus/260993-asus-m50sv-disassemble-guide.html

 

early bulleted tl;dr:

• Multiple strange issues with charging the battery has finally led to the battery not charging at all when lappy is on
• When lappy is off/hibernating, charging status light flickers on and off steadily
• It takes about a whole day to charge only 20% or so b/c of bullet 2.
• Lappy won't work with only the adapter (without battery) like it used to

Hi everyone. I've got a strange problem. I don't post here often (mainly because this laptop has been running smoothly since I got it), but I've been having a terrible issue lately and I thought you guys might have a solution.

I own an ASUS M50 Series M50Sa-AK023C NoteBook [Intel Core 2 Duo T9300(2.50GHz)/15.4" Wide SXGA+/4GB Memory DDR2 667/500GB HDD 5400rpm/DVD Super Multi/ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3650].

I've had this laptop for about 2.5 years now (out of warranty now). No parts replaced except the keyboard.

For the past few weeks I've been having strange issues charging the battery. At first it would only charge when the laptop was shut down, hibernating, or on standby. I gave up on the battery and used the adapter solely.

But, after a week, it refused to even turn on with only the adapter. However, if I plugged in the battery it would charge it (again only when it was not turned on). If I turned on the computer about 45 minutes into the charging, the computer would remain connected to the power source. If I waited too long or not enough, the computer would not recognize the adapter and would run off whatever battery power was available.

When I was able to get the computer to stay connected while turned on, it would work for a few hours and then the adapter would overheat (I think). The green light would turn off and there was a burning smell coming from the adapter and it was hotter than normal. However, after cooling down, it would work again and show a green light.

This last Sunday was the final straw. Now, it won't charge at all when turned on or on standby. If I hibernate or turn it off, the battery charging light flickers at a steady slow pace. It's still charging but it looks like it's connecting and disconnecting over and over again. If I give it a whole 24 hours, I can probably get the battery charged to about 20%, probably less. The AC adapter light is still green but the laptop still won't turn on without the battery.

I'm wondering if this is a BIOS issue, a battery issue, an AC/DC adapter issue, or something with the internal power unit? And if it's the power unit, what are my options now that I'm out of warranty?

 

well, looks like my M50 video card is failing.
I got artifacts in boot up, even got weird horizontal mirror image sometimes.

I can only run this thing with generic VGA drivers, nividia drivers cause my computer to hang, bsod, or just plain reset.

Guess this is why windows occasionally reverted from aero to basics, initially thought my battery was the problem.

M50 you had a good run...

 

My M50 is still rockin'. The only thing that has failed is the battery no longer holds much of a charge. Beyond that, this is still a great laptop.