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    V6V/V6Va/V6J/VX1 Owners' Lounge(Best EoL notebook ever)

    Discussion in 'ASUS Reviews and Owners' Lounges' started by Matisse, May 26, 2007.

  1. CalebSchmerge

    CalebSchmerge Woof NBR Reviewer

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    Can of air. Gets it out just fine.

    I got my V6j back from Asus today. The service was better than I could ask for. They gave my a free Vista compatible DVD program (which I wanted, even though I didn't ask for it), and did everything I asked. They replaced the serial number sticker, gave me a new CD driver (haven't tested if this one is better yet), and replaced the motherboard. As of now, the battery has 0% wear, and far more than double the battery life. I am running it down right now to check what happens. If its fixed, after 0% battery life, it will still have 0% wear. Other wise, it will have 5% wear or so. We will see, but I am so far very pleased, and glad to have my own computer back.
     
  2. coriolis

    coriolis Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Good to hear! Hope it runs great for you now Caleb!
     
  3. CalebSchmerge

    CalebSchmerge Woof NBR Reviewer

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    Well, I just finished the first full discharge, so I am about to find out what happens. I also just had to re validate Windows, what a pain in the butt (because of the new motherboard).
     
  4. CalebSchmerge

    CalebSchmerge Woof NBR Reviewer

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    Well, after my first discharge (to 7% ;) my battery says it has 3% wear. I will see what it says in the morning, after it has fully charged and been restarted again. But, so far I am not hopeful.
     
  5. E.B.E.

    E.B.E. NBR Procrastinator

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    Yep, sounds like the good ol' wear problem.

    Sorry about that :(
     
  6. CalebSchmerge

    CalebSchmerge Woof NBR Reviewer

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    I can't really believe this, but my battery wear is back to 1% after a second discharge. I am running the battery down again, but it seems that it might be fixed.

    On a side note though, Vista is running like crap now. I don't know what happened, but the internet especially is terrible. I know its just this computer, I have tried others on my connection. I hope I can fix it.
     
  7. rahasyavadi

    rahasyavadi Notebook Consultant

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    I am at a stage where I need to know more about my battery situation. How do I read battery wear?
     
  8. coriolis

    coriolis Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Check NHC or run Everest, it should tell you the %.
     
  9. rahasyavadi

    rahasyavadi Notebook Consultant

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    OK, what are NHC and Everest?
     
  10. ejl

    ejl fudge

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    they are programs....nhc stands for notebook hardware control. google it.
     
  11. coriolis

    coriolis Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Once you get NHC, just go to the battery panel.
     
  12. rahasyavadi

    rahasyavadi Notebook Consultant

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    OK, NHC says the battery I have been using since late September has 6% wear. Is that amount good?
     
  13. coriolis

    coriolis Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    That's decent, 6% for 10 months isn't bad.
     
  14. rahasyavadi

    rahasyavadi Notebook Consultant

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    Hah! Although my bad battery shows 2% wear, it shows its capacity, instead of 60-something-thousand like the other battery, as ". . ."!!!
     
  15. E.B.E.

    E.B.E. NBR Procrastinator

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    Yes, I suspect those bad V6V batteries are very screwy in their firmware. That's why the capacity isn't read properly.

    For a non-intrusive, lightweight solution for reading temps and battery status, also with nice graphs, if you're using WinXP, I recommend Mobile Meter.

    Edit: here is a link to the program it's been discontinued by its developer and it's not so easy to find.
    http://www.cs.rit.edu/~rjy2985/mobmeter.html

    It's just an EXE, add it to the startup if you want to start it with Windows.
     
  16. AlexOnFyre

    AlexOnFyre Needs to get back to work NBR Reviewer

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    Has anyone said anything about how pretty the V6 series was lately? Because it is true.
     
  17. E.B.E.

    E.B.E. NBR Procrastinator

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    Well, I don't think anybody did, but here it is.

    The V6 series is the most beautiful notebook series ever designed.

    And I mean it, too.

    Satisfied? :p
     
  18. CalebSchmerge

    CalebSchmerge Woof NBR Reviewer

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    I second the motion!

    I agree. I missed having my V6. It works well, it is built well, and it looks incredible.

    Side note, has anyone found a way to get MobileMeter working in Vista, I really hate NHC and I want to find my battery wear.
     
  19. E.B.E.

    E.B.E. NBR Procrastinator

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    Other than running it in compatibility mode, I have no other ideas.

    Another option is RMClock with No Management (I think it works in Vista).
    Less bloated than NHC.
     
  20. CalebSchmerge

    CalebSchmerge Woof NBR Reviewer

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    I will have to look into that. I just hate having to deal with NHC, I don't want all of its features, just a way to check battery wear. Maybe I will have to write a program for that.
     
  21. Redline

    Redline Notebook Prophet NBR Reviewer

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    If that includes the VX1, I'm with you there.

    But I beg to differ with the "Best EoL notebook ever" in the thread title; I like the W3 a bit better, because of widescreen and better graphics. Its all personal opinions though, so no offense to any one.
     
  22. E.B.E.

    E.B.E. NBR Procrastinator

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    I like the W3J as well. Although it has a GPU, in my opinion it doesn't look quite as nice as the V6. But it has a smaller screen, which is a + for portability. If there will be a reasonable successor by the time I will want a next notebook, I'll definitely buy it.

    (The V2 has too many issues to be a good successor)
     
  23. la_boy

    la_boy Notebook Guru

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    I upgraded by V6J to Vista Ultimate but now my dvd drive doesn't work. Any one a fix for this? Also the Microsoft Calendar program shows an error on start up...

    Any suggestions on these 2 problems?

    Thanks!
     
  24. CalebSchmerge

    CalebSchmerge Woof NBR Reviewer

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    What exactly about the DVD drive doesn't work?
     
  25. E.B.E.

    E.B.E. NBR Procrastinator

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    I saw many DVD problems (not reading properly, not being detected) reported with the G1S and Vista. Generally the solution is to disable UAC (user access control).

    What error does the Calendar show on startup? It's difficult to give a solution to your problem if you only describe it in such a vague fashion "it gives an error".
     
  26. la_boy

    la_boy Notebook Guru

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    When I check on the drive from the device manager it displays this message:

    Windows cannot load the device driver for this hardware. The driver may be corrupted or missing. (Code 39)

    I have tried everything...uninstalling and having vista detect it...same problem.

    When I click on My Computer the drive doesn't show up at all. Will not play...not working.

    Thoughts?
     
  27. E.B.E.

    E.B.E. NBR Procrastinator

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    Did you try disabling UAC as per my previous post?
     
  28. la_boy

    la_boy Notebook Guru

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    Yes, I tried that and still no dvd drive.
     
  29. CalebSchmerge

    CalebSchmerge Woof NBR Reviewer

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    Which model DVD drive is it? Mine is fine on the default Microsoft driver.
     
  30. E.B.E.

    E.B.E. NBR Procrastinator

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    Unrelated to the above: I opened my V6J yesterday to clean up the dust. It was a breeze. 6 screws and the bottom access panel comes off, 3 screws and the fan comes off, offering access to the fan slot and blades for easy cleaning.

    Also, the CPU and both RAM slots are there as well, so upgrading RAM and CPU (to Merom Core 2 Duo) is very easy. Of course, we should wait with the CPU until our warranty expires. :)

    Probably many of you already knew this, but for those who don't maybe it's helpful. Cleaning fan, upgrading RAM and CPU is easy on the V6J.
     
  31. la_boy

    la_boy Notebook Guru

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    Yes, I did that when I upgraded my ram to 2 gigs. Tons of dust!

    Any way, the drive is Mat****a dvd-ram uj-832s ata

    Would love to be able to use it!

    Thanks for the help!
     
  32. CalebSchmerge

    CalebSchmerge Woof NBR Reviewer

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    That is the same drive I have, and stock Vista did fine. You can't do anything with it?
     
  33. la_boy

    la_boy Notebook Guru

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    Nope...so much for Vista Ultimate being so great...
     
  34. CalebSchmerge

    CalebSchmerge Woof NBR Reviewer

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    Have you installed all of the different Asus drivers? Maybe there is a catch due to the lack of one of them.
     
  35. E.B.E.

    E.B.E. NBR Procrastinator

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    Hi Caleb, how's your battery going? Did replacing the charging circuitry do the trick? Mine has already around 10% wear from two discharges that I had to let get down to 30%...

    Actually I can no longer get lower than 40%, as soon as I do my batt gauge jumps down directly to 3-4% and when I recharge I have an extra 4 or 5% wear.
     
  36. la_boy

    la_boy Notebook Guru

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    Yes, I have updated them all but still get this error under the device manager...

    Windows cannot load the device driver for this hardware. The driver may be corrupted or missing. (Code 39)

    Click 'Check for solutions' to send data about this device to Microsoft and to see if there is a solution available.

    When I click the check for solutions nothing is found.

    Under Driver details I have this:

    C:\Windows\system32\drivers\cdrbsdrv.sys
    C:\Windows\system32\DRIVERS\cdrom.sys
    C:\Windows\system32\pfc.sys

    Could someone check to see what they have?

    Thanks!
     
  37. la_boy

    la_boy Notebook Guru

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    Update on DVD problem. Searched microsoft and found the solution. Needed to edit the registry. Did that...rebooted and there was the drive.
     
  38. E.B.E.

    E.B.E. NBR Procrastinator

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    Maybe useful if you post the precise fix (or a link to it).

    Thanks.
     
  39. la_boy

    la_boy Notebook Guru

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  40. Matisse

    Matisse Notebook Guru

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    Did anybody knows how to undervolt my V6v? Wich values should I use from the voltage options in NHC? Also, the display on V6VA in Europe was built on IPS technology like the one in the US?
     
  41. CalebSchmerge

    CalebSchmerge Woof NBR Reviewer

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    Undervolting for the V6v would be the same as for any recent laptop. People like programs such as NHC (Notebook Hardware Control). Google for it, and there is a full guide on the forums somewhere, search for it.
     
  42. E.B.E.

    E.B.E. NBR Procrastinator

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    It's on the Guides forum (the undervolting guide)
     
  43. eslayter

    eslayter Notebook Consultant

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    Hello fellow-V6j owners...

    I've had mine for a little over a year and still really enjoy it. I have a colleague who would like to get something similar (ie similar form factor and with decent specs). I haven't been keeping up on all of the Asus models, so I look here for some help. What would be the closest equivalent to the V6j that is available now?

    Thanks,
    Erik
     
  44. riffjaff

    riffjaff Notebook Evangelist

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    From what I have read, there really isn't anything that Asus has released that follows the greatness of the V6 notebook, but any of the new V or W models come close. I would recommend either the V1S for 15.4'' or V2S for 14.1''.
     
  45. Matisse

    Matisse Notebook Guru

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    Did anyone knows where to buy an V6VA new or in very good conditions? I also post it in BTS section.Thank You!
     
  46. E.B.E.

    E.B.E. NBR Procrastinator

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    Also see the U3, I think it has a good chance of being my next notebook.

    http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=152719&page=2
     
  47. rahasyavadi

    rahasyavadi Notebook Consultant

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    ???

    I just checked again NHC's reading of battery wear, and it showed 0% wear, whereas on 06-20-2007 it showed 6% wear!

    By the way, I basically use my battery just to make sure the power does not go off if the AC connection is broken accidentally or if I need to break the AC connection for a minute or two.
     
  48. Gotei 13

    Gotei 13 Notebook Evangelist

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    that is odd. Mainly the battery would increase in wear rather than decrease. Has anyone every tried putting their battery into the freezer and seeing what happens to the battery wear?
     
  49. rahasyavadi

    rahasyavadi Notebook Consultant

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    Yes, I find it odd too.

    The 6% wear had made sense to me, because I had used the battery a lot at an astrology convention last Spring. The change back to 0% wear makes no sense to me.

    Does this battery get more youthful by hanging out with the AC connected and being topped out most of the time?
     
  50. coriolis

    coriolis Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    MY battery wear is at 10% after 2 years, not bad considering I use the batter quite often. I'd say about 50-60 discharges so far.
     
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