~ Asus F8 Owners' Lounge ~

I'm going for the F8VA-C1 for my second laptop....anyone here have that model and care to comment? It's for work, and my strategy games (that's all I do any more)

 

Doesn't make sense to me as a second notebook. That's going to end up as your main notebook.

The F8VA-C1 will be as fast, if not faster than your C90S(the 9500m GS is faster than the C90S 8600m GT, I had a C90 as well unless you don't remember ).
I went the exact same route 4 months ago, and I found that I didn't use the C90 as much anymore. Screen size was never an issue since I hook it up to an external monitor when at home, if on the go well the 14" was much easier to lug around.

If you go F8VA, I can forsee you selling the c90s. If your not looking to replace it and need something that's portable to go to work with, then get something along the 10"-13.3" range...

 

Hi guys, i don't mean to divert the thread but what kind of software do you guys use to interface with your bluetooth devices? I tried installing BlueSoleil but it keeps coming up with a message saying that no bluetooth devices are found.

I don't want to use microsoft's bluetooth management system because it's very confusing and it keeps asking for installation CDs that BlueSoleil doesn't require.

Any ideas/helpful suggestions guys?

 

Proud owner of a F8Va-b1 here. Just decided to chime in.

 

Hmmm and also, do the montevinas have THAT much of an advantage over the penryns? i'm an F8SN-C1 owner here. I seem to think that i got a better deal with my 2.5Ghz and slightly bigger HDD

 

There are certain upgrades:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montevina#Montevina_platform_.282008.29

for instance, WiFi, DDR2-800 and DDR3 (slot not yet available on current ASUS laptops), support for Turbo Memory 2 (which according to information from members on this forum does improve performance significantly, unlike the first version).

Not all the first computers from the Montevina take advantage of all the upgrades, though. For instance, some ASUS notebooks even though having the slot for TM2 do not work with it.

By the way, Montevina still uses Penryn. Montevina is the platform, Penryn is the CPU; your F9S is using the Santa Rosa platform, which is the predecessor of Montevina; and also uses Penryn.

 

i see i see... thanks for the info Ebe! lol im a total noob when it comes to laptops ><

so...has anyone managed to figure out the bluetooth problem yet?

 

Here is an excellent thread discussing these things:

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=446019

The wikipedia page I linked above is also quite informative.

I don't know about the Bluetooth issue (I don't use Bluetooth much...).

 

Hey all,

I am having trouble with the wireless on my F8VA-b1.
I downgraded to XP and installed the Atheros AR928X Wireless lan driver that ken from gentech recommended. The wireless works great when the laptop is plugged in, but when it is running on battery, the wireless gets slower and slower over time, often eventually giving a "limited or no connectivity" message. the moment I plug the laptop back in everything is great.

I tried deactivating Power4Gear, but am still getting the problem.

Someone suggested switching to intel drivers (the button that switches wireless on and off does not work) but the laptop won't seem to accept the intel drivers from the ASUS website. I'm not sure how to proceed. Any suggestions would be much appreciated!

 

I haven't had that problem (or at least, haven't noticed it)

The wireless button doesn't work for me either. I'm on XP SP3.

 

After reading positive reviews I decided to purchase an Asus F8VA-B1...I bought one a little over a month ago. Since then I've experienced the following issues:

The wireless keeps dropping every few seconds and the wireless in Expressgate won't work at all.

On a few occasions the volume button in the task bar will not work, neither will FN 11 & 12. After a restart everything goes back to normal.

The fan is loud and sometimes makes a weird noise. I thought this was normal until the laptop started to shutdown on it's own. Also on a few occasions when I tried to start the laptop it would start-up and then shutdown within 10 seconds.

The hard drive makes an annoying "clicking" sound. Not sure if this is normal.

The burner often gives me a "error failed" message.

I find the volume on the laptop not up to par with other laptops.

I called ASUS and yesterday they sent FEDEX to pick up the computer. I have to admit they have decent customer service. Let's hope they fix the laptop properly. I guess I'll just have to wait and see. So far I'm not too happy...hopefully things will change.

I'll keep you posted.

 

I'd really appreciate it if someone with working wireless on the F8-va with XP could let me know what driver they are using. thanks so much!

 

I recently purchased a F8P-2 laptop and didn't enjoy the loud fan noises Vista caused. When I installed Ubuntu the system rarely overheated causing problems people are mentioning. For all the people having problems with Vista, either install Ubuntu or dualboot with a windows OS.

bluetooth support works seamlessly in Ubuntu just go under System -> Preferences -> Bluetooth

here's a link to dual booting in either Linux or the Windows OS using
Grug Loader.

http://www.hezardastan.org/breezy_xp_dualboot/en/

Aside from that my laptop broke recently, so I called Asus support in Canada.
The whole process took less than 4 days thanks to Asus shipping both ways with Fedex without any shipping charges. Luckily my Laptop was still under Warranty and Asus kept all my files intact.As mentioned the support from this company was very prompt.

 

Discusted with Asus support UK.
I have disk read error suddenly and contacted Asus. The lady emailed me form to pick up for repair. She said I emailed wrong serial number so got correct on from battery sent it . Never heard since from them. Sent three more emails to the lady at support direct. Not a dickybird.
Someone said probably hard drive as I did Seagate harddrive image doagnosis and same problem. Not very computer tech but managed to do this.

I have over a year and half warranty left on it what is the good of that?

Anyone can recommend a good harddrive but not Seagate? don't fancy getting another of those.
Thanks

 

one of mine came off and was promptly lost, any suggestions on where to get a replacement?

 

Sending it to ASUS was the best thing. Looks like you got a lemon.

Forget emails, call. ASUS UK are renowned for long turnaround times and have a lot of bad feedback. Hopefully with your laptop it'll work out better...

As to a good HDD, I think a good option now are the 320GB HDDs. Any manufacturer will do. If you wish more details, you should check reviews -- there is little difference between nowadays' HDDs from the same generation.

ASUS eStore, perhaps.

 

F8SN-B1 - cannot recognize DVD drive

Hi,

this is my first post...
I bought my Asus F8SN-B1 back in March this year.. have used the DVD drive to play music and games for a while. Then I stopped for a few months until recently I found out my computer cannot recognize my DVD drive.

I inserted a CD in the drive, it spinned for a while then nothing really happened.... I checked Windows Explorer and did not see my dvd drive at all. Is my laptop having some problems....?


need help! I hate my F8.... even Internal Explorer 7 is driving me nuts! It doesn't respond when I web browsing.. it crashes all the time. I wonder if it's Vista or IE or Asus problem.

 

Does your DVD drive appear under device manager?

 

just checked.. this is what I saw:

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.

 

Well try "update driver" and let it search for one automatically, either locally or on the web, with Microsoft. It should find a correct driver.

Otherwise, remove the driver entirely ("Uninstall device"), and then let it auto-discover.

Post back if this doesn't fix the issue.

 

how to auto-discover after I clicked Uninstall?

 

Reboot the computer, it should either automatically install it in the background, or else prompt you for a driver, in which case let it automatically install/connect to Microsoft for a driver.

 

Hi E.B.E. - I just followed what you said.. didn't work.


"Device driver software was not successfully installed

Please consult with your device manufactuere for assistance getting this device installed.

TTSTcorp CDDVDW TS-L632H ATA Device Failed"

I did a search in Google. Will the instruction here help?

http://www.vistaheads.com/forums/mi...198593-help-tsstcorp-dvd-rw-ts-l632h-ata.html

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/929461

 

Yes, at least the first one might help. At least it doesn't hurt to try.

What if you manually click "Update driver"?

This starts to look more and more like the hardware itself is failing. Just a question, does the computer boot from CDs/DVDs? Make sure that you have a bootable disk, insert it, reboot, and press ESC at the ASUS splashscreen. Then select the optical drive unit from the ensuing popup menu.

If the computer doesn't read/boot from the disk, then it's very likely the hardware itself is faulty.

 

Hi, thinking bout getting an Asus F8vr in white or blue. I'm concerned with the glossy finish on the lid. Is this 'infusion' finish really scratch resistant? I mean will just the act of wiping it with a cloth to clean it cause fine/light scratches? I had a HP dv b4 and just maintaining it was a great hassle because of the fingerprints on the gloss. Before long it had lots of very fine scratches all over even though I was using micro fiber.

That's why I'm thinking of getting white so it'll hide the smudges.

 

I just ordered a new F8Va. I've read the battery doesn't last much, so I want to buy a second battery... can anyone here please tell me what code or p/n the F8Va battery has?

Thanks.

 

I'm not sure what the part numbers are, but you can try contact the Asus estore for laptop parts.

 

The F8 series is not listed there, maybe the N80 battery will work?

 

anyone trying out W7 on their F8SV? Any problems? Im running it on an old Acer and am tempted to try it on the Asus too

 

Here's a white battery: http://estore.asus.com/shop/item.asp?itemid=4147

 

The N80 / A8 Battery works. It's the same battery.

http://estore.asus.com/shop/item.asp?itemid=3271

 

I'm running it on my F8Sa. It works fine. Only thing that needs drivers/applications is the fingerprint reader. And maybe the camera.

 

The computer already arrived like 2 weeks ago, so I got the P/N, but thanks for all the replies.

So far I'm very pleased with the computer, the only real complain I got is the position of the Fn and Ctrl keys, and that there's no BIOS option to switch them. Also, it is really a fingerprint magnet.

 

The fn button position is a habitual thing. For me, it's natural for it to be where it is.

 

I own a F8VA-B1

I remember reading that the GPU (ATI 3650) runs at two different clock speeds, idle and gaming (or other strenuous activities). Does anybody know how this happens (for example, what triggers the switch)

I'm currently running Windows 7 64 Bit and i've monitored that clocks stay constant at 297.0 (core) and 198.0 (memory) even when i play games like Dawn of War Soulstorm.

anybody know any reasons why it stays at the idle clocks?

 

This functionality is overseen by the ATI Catalyst control center. The pre-beta drivers for W7 you get through Windows update doesn't include CCC, so you'll either have to install Vista drivers modfied for mobile use, a.k.a. using mobility modder, or getting the prebeta package from ATI.

However, whem I tried to install any of those versions, they crashed and burned for me. That may be because I tried using the compability function (don't remember why), and that crashes everytime I use it on W7.

You could just do what I do on both Vista and W7: Do a manual Underclock, then restore it to default or overclocked states when gaming, either by automatic 3d-detection or choosing yourself. I use AtiTool, and have 4 profiles: Underclocked (c:125/m:100 MHz), the driver underclock (c:250/m:200 MHz), default (c:500/m: 400 MHz) and overclocked (c:500/m:500 MHz).

 

fabarati - thanks for the reply

i'm currently using ATI's preview driver which does include CCC. When i had Vista, i never saw these options in CCC, it just happened (when i monitored the clocks).

So since you seem to have got it to work, what did you mean by "manual underclock"...when i was on Vista...catalyst 8.12 didn't work with ATI (or at least for me)...so what drivers are you using that is compatible with ATITool.

Thanks again.

I also flashed my Bios to 208...would that effect anything?

 

The function you want to find for the drivers handling them is called Powerplay.

With manual underclock, I mean that i've set the clock speeds of the GPU at the lowest stable setting and kept them there.

AtiTool is compatible with all present drivers.

Just for the record: I have a F8Sa, with a HD2600.

 

farabati, I know most people prefer the Ctrl and Fn key where they are, but it is a personal chioce after all. My previous computer (Compal HEL80) had the option to switch the keys in the BIOS.

Are you running a 64bit OS? With XP64 or Vista64 AtiTool does not work, maybe t doesn't support the HD3650?

 

Hi all, this is my first post here, i hope i can get some help...

The story:

Like a year ago i bought an asus F8SV, T7500, 2G, GF8600GT(256). From the beginning in several games (gtr evolution, test drive unlimited) i had the "Display driver stopped working...." error.
In that time i was using the shipped nvidia driver (101.XX if i recall it correctly). I was thinking that it is a driver issue, so i started to search for a better driver.. Tried the 174.74(did the same) some early 169.xx drivers, they also did did the same. After several attempts i found a driver which was fine (167.62). It was an asus g1 driver, but it worked well until i decided to reinstall windows. Since then, GTR evolution is giving me the error like in every 10 minutes. Sometimes even the textures are misplaced and screen lags like hell, but if i alt+tab than go back to game it's fine for a while but i can expect the "display driver..." error very soon). I have to mention tho that in several cases i can finish whole races without the error, but it seems completely random tho

Tried like 50+ drivers, all are the same. Interesting but CS1.6 does the same thing, but it is happening much less frequently (like once in 2 hours). Did several windows installs (clean), tried on Vista 64, nothing works. I have to tell, that other games run fine (i can play cod4 or l4d for hours without any problem).

I started to check temps and other stuff and found out, that it seems like to be heat related.... (maybe i'm wrong). What is common in CS1.6 and GTR evo, that they are not so hard on cpu. While playing GTR evo, my cpu is only utilized around 60-70%, and the fan is only on middle speed. My gpu temps are around 82-85 (C).
Just for info, GPU temps are @ lowish 60's when Idle, so the cooling should be fine. In other games, like cod4 or l4d which are hard on the cpu also, the fan is constantly on the highest rpm. Did not check the gpu temps, but i think they should be somewhere around low 80's. I had cleaned the vents several days before, so dust is not an issue.

My questions are: Did somebody had the same or similar problem. Is this a hardware problem? Should i contact an asus service?
Can anyone recommend me a good, stable nvidia driver with low temps?

Thank you for the answers.

Szabi

 

If it happens with a lot of drivers and after clean installs of the OS, it may indeed be hardware related. I assume you are not overclocking your GPU (or CPU), right?

Those temps are not extremely large, I think they should be ok.

 

No, i'm not overclocking.

 

I have an F8va-b1. I am using XP SP3. I have experienced problems with my wireless dropping out also.

These steps have solved my problem. (Still not 100% but up to about 85%)

Get a different driver for your Atheros AR928X Wireless lan adapter.
GenTech's guide has a link to a list of various drivers.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=272679#winxp

I am currently using: Atheros_v7.6.1.150 driver. (Not using an INF file - Going to try it out soon) I tired out about 4 different drivers and them seemed to work the best.

Step 2: Network Connections > Wireless > Properties >

Click the "Configure" button next to the Atheros Adapter name.

Advanced > Power Save Mode >

Set it to "off" hit OK

Step 3: If necessary - Take off the Panel covering the HD. (Front left)

Underneath it is the actual adapter. There should be TWO cables connected to it. Make sure they are secure etc..


If anyone has any info about using the INF with the drivers for the adapter let me know. I am looking for some info about a good configuration.

 

So I had my F8VA for 6 months now and I've just recently found someone else with the same laptop but somethings strange so I want to confirm it with you guys.

When you close the the F8VA does it make a clicking sound?

How loud does the fan get under "Fully On" because compared to my friend their transition from Normal > Fully On is just a slight increase in noise and I mean very slight...but my Normal > Fully On seems like a big transition the fan runs VERY loud.

After running World of Warcraft for 10 mintues CPUID says...

CPU: 55C
GPU: 146C

hmm...after eading what i just typed maybe somethings wrong with a sensor...

 

I think the GPU would melt at that temperature; I think the readings are wrong. Can you get readings with a newer version of CPUID, or even better with other software? (GPUZ, Everest, RivaTuner etc.)

 

Hi all!

owner of a nice Asus F8Va for few months now. All in all, I'm quite pleased with that laptop, I run Windows Vista on it and after some tweaks the OS is fairly usable on it.

But I have one really annoying trouble with it: the FAN is almost ALWAYS on! It's like someone is using a vacuum cleaner in my room every day.

I even noticed that the computer sometimes shuts down on itself when it gets too hot, mainly when I try to run some 3D game like Second Life.

The fan starts running even when I just start Firefox and iTunes in the background to have some music. My main softwares are Firefox, iTunes, OpenOffice. Nothing "huge" runs on that computer, I don't understand why it makes so much noise every day... with 4 Gbytes RAM! I guess the culprid is the nasty ATI Radeon HD 3650 card... I recently updated the drivers for the graphic card and some other things (last drivers found on http://support.asus.com), but it didn't fix the fan noise.

I'm fond of ASUS computers, I had some of them before (S6J, W1000N, Eee 901, etc.) and it's the first time I own such a noisy one...

I don't understand what the problem is: is it Vista related? Is it the ATI driver? Something in the services messing with the temperature?

Thanks for your help! I'm so pissed off with that noisy fan right now that I'm already considering buying a new laptop!

Regards from Paris

Greguti

 

It's an Asus Bios thing. Like the crappy batterylife.

 

thanks for the opinion, but do you know any way to fix it??? I updated my BIOS to the last one (F8VaAS.209) few weeks ago and I noticed some improvement. Sometimes the laptop is "quiet", I only hear some background noise from the hard drive. But as soon as I start iTunes or OpenOffice, here it goes again...

Regards

Greguti

 

Hey I don't know if this will help but my F8VA had a problem that sounds similar to yours.

I would turn it on it would be quiet...the second I did something like play a simple flash game online or watch a youtube video the fan would speed up and it was really loud to the point where I got really pissed off at it too I wanted to rip the fan out...>_>, sometimes it would even shut down.

What are your idle/load temperatures? Because my laptop had a problem with the Thermal Module and was reading the temperatures wrong because it said my laptop GPU was about 80C idle and 140C...and it obviously was not..140...sent it in got the module replaced and bam! fan is quiet now...

 

Hi all,

I think I found a way to fix this fan noise: in the BIOS, there's an option somewhere to enable/disable some motherboard temperature tool, I don't recall the exact name, something like "advanced motherboard temperature control" or something. I disabled it (press F2 when you start your computer to access the BIOS, the option is at the bottom of the second or third tab).

Since then, the computer is far more quiet. I still hear the fan from time to time, but it sounds normal. I even noticed that I have another fan running in the background, less noisy but always on. I guess the graphic card fan is now quiet, but there is another, smaller fan, that runs almost always, related to the hard drive... Anyway it's far more usable now, and I don't want to get rid of my laptop anymore

I'm impatient to grab an ISO of the new Ubuntu in order to try it on this laptop and check the way it manages the fans!

Regards

Greg from Paris