G733ZW-LL152W Fails to Boot – Request for Support

[eldo_m]

Hello,

I am experiencing a serious issue with my ASUS ROG laptop.

• Model: G733ZW-LL152W

• Serial Number: N2NRKD011547050

• Country / Region Code (CN): W8DL

• Manufacture Date (MFD):  2022-02 (February 2022)

• RAM: DDR5 Samsung M425R2GA3880-V07, Single 16 GB, 4800 MHz

The laptop suddenly failed to boot. The power turns on and the keyboard lighting is active, but it does not pass POST (Power-On Self-Test). The screen remains blank and the system does not proceed to BIOS or Windows. 

Additionally, the system fails the EC (Embedded Controller) test.

 

Could you please advise on possible solutions?

Thank you.

[Falcon2_ROG · Accepted solution]

@eldo_m 
Troubleshooting - Device Boot Failure or No Display After Boot (Black Screen)

If you have followed the above steps but the problem persists, I would suggest you bring back your laptop to our service center for further confirmation.

The following is the contact information:
https://www.asus.com/support/service-center-location 

Also you can contact the local service center for help.
The following is the contact information:
https://www.asus.com/support/CallUs# 

Sorry for any inconvenience it may be caused.

[eldo_m · Accepted solution]

Problem:
The laptop suffered a complete No-POST (Power-On Self-Test) failure immediately following a Windows Update/ASUS utility update cycle. The failure somewhat manifested as a "hard brick" (power on, black screen, no display, no BIOS access), indicating a corruption of the System BIOS/UEFI firmware.

Cause Identified:
A high probability that either the Windows Update or MyASUS App Update process attempted to auto-flash a buggy or incomplete BIOS/Firmware update, leading to an unbootable state.
Resolution Steps & Successful Recovery:
-  Initial Recovery (Successful but Unconfirmed): I employed persistence and various hardware resets (likely including prolonged power button holds/EC resets 40 seconds) over a week, which eventually allowed the corrupted firmware process (Windows Repair Update) to complete, un-bricking the device and restoring POST functionality.

Permanent Fix & Prevention:
- Manual BIOS Update: Using the MyASUS app I successfully updated the BIOS to newest Version, hoping for a clean and stable firmware installation.
- Disable Auto-Install Mechanism: In the newly updated BIOS, I confirmed the setting "Auto-install app service Mechanism" was set to Toggle Off.
- Outcome: The laptop was fully restored to working order, and critical future risks associated with buggy automated firmware and software installations were eliminated.

This morning the symptom happened again when charging but after I plugged off the charger it started fine. Problem may yet lie in the adaptor.

Anyway the system has succesfully gone through advanced recovery from a firmware-level failure.

[eldo_m · Accepted solution]

This was the real permanent solution.

No longer I wish to select to utilize the Standard (MS Hybrid) GPU Performance Mode due to the same recurring system instability.

Upon reboot, again the system consistently exhibits the same failure symptoms, including registry corruption and critical boot errors. Windows even ROG logo fails to initialize, leaving the operating environment inaccessible.

Impact:

• Reboot cycles trigger registry inconsistencies, even break some known Windows registries loose like Sound, Admin privilege, Snipping Tool, etc.

• System stability is compromised, resulting in unpredictable boot behavior.

• Windows startup failed entirely, preventing access to the OS.

Luckily as a precaution, I relied on previously created System Restore Points before attempting to activate the Standard (MS Hybrid) GPU Performance Mode. This measure allowed recovery when instability occurred.

Request:
Kindly provide recommended corrective measures or detailed instructions on whether to permanently disable this faulty performance mode or just ignore it.
This is to ensure prevention of recurring failures, particularly in cases where there's no definitive remedy yet been found.

[eldo_m · Accepted solution]

1. Open the laptop cover and either reseat the RAM modules, or swap their positions.

2. Disconnect the small battery connector.

3. Hold down the power button for 60 seconds.

4. Place the laptop upside down, as the cover not fastened, for 10–20 minutes.

5. Reconnect the small battery connector and fasten laptop cover.

6. Plug in the charger.

7. If it still doesn’t power on, try a different wall outlet.

8. The laptop should now turn on, with the battery completely drained.

[eldo_m · Accepted solution]

Another symptom reoccurred in the form of a black screen with power on and keyboard on, which made me unable to use the laptop for one day. Now I should do a CMOS reset. The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 17 G733ZW does have a CMOS/RTC battery, but unlike older laptops with a visible coin-cell (CR2032), it’s usually a small, embedded rechargeable battery or soldered component on the motherboard. It isn’t designed for easy replacement like the main battery.
By disconnecting the internal battery cable and discharging residual power, I forced the embedded RTC circuit to clear, which is why the laptop succesfully booted again.
So I resolved it by doing the following steps:

1. Disconnect all cables, including unplug the AC power cable.
2. Unscrew and open the laptop’s back cover.
3. Disconnect the small battery cable.
4. Using a stopwatch, drain residual power from the laptop CMOS by keep pressing the power button firmly within 60 seconds.
5. Put the back cover back on (without screwing it yet). While the battery cable is still disconnected, attempt to boot. Whether the Boot ROG logo briefly appears or not doesn’t matter. I press the power button on and off several times.
6. Reopen the back cover, reconnect the battery cables, and close the laptop back. Do not plug in the charger yet.
7. Leave the laptop with the reconnected batter but unplugged uncharged for 30 minutes or more (in my case, 1 hour).
8. Attempt to boot using only the residual power on the battery. It should work. Afterwards, I plug in the charger.
9. Use GHelper instead of Armoury Crate (Run on startup). Shut down all Armoury Crate services from the GHelper Extra menu. Should you want to use Armoury Crate or Aura Creator again, you can re-enable them from the same menu, just make sure to select G-Helper "Run on startup".
10. Disable Fast Startup in Control Panel → Hardware and Sound → Power Options → System Settings.
11. Disable Fast Boot in the BIOS boot menu (restart the computer and spam-press F2 repeatedly).