Drivers, Apps, and How-to's

[JRd1st]

ROG Drivers


Chipset

New Intel Chipset INF Update Utility 9.3.0.1019 (core drivers) - Run in command line with -overall parameter
Intel Rapid Storage Technology 10.8.0.1003 - Release Notes



Keyboard

ATK Package 1.0.0014

KB Filter 1.003 x64



USB 3.0

Fresco Logic USB 3.0 v3.5.4.0



Touchpad

Sentelic Touchpad 9.1.3.5 - Recommended
Sentelic Touchpad 9.1.7.7

Synaptics 15.3.17.0 - from Asus FTP (excruciatingly slow)
Synaptics Scrybe Driver v 15.2.20 - from Synaptics



Audio

Realtek HD Audio ALC269 Drivers R2.67 Official



LAN Adapter

New Realtek 8168 LAN Driver v7.050
Atheros LAN Adapter Driver v1.0.2.43



WLAN

Atheros AR9002WB-1NG WiFi v9.2.1.470

Intel 6230 WiFi/BT Combo Card and Intel 6150 w/WIMAX (for those who replaced their Atheros WiFi/BT Adapter) - Intel WiFi 14.3.0.6



Bluetooth

Atheros 3304 7.4.0.98 Bluetooth Drivers

Intel 6230 WiFi/BT Combo Card (for those who replaced their Atheros WiFi/BT Adapter)
Intel Bluetooth 1.1.0.0



Graphics Adapter

Look HERE for the latest nVidia Graphics Drivers.

Catalyst Software Suite 11.12

Look HERE for ATI Crap Cleaner



Realtek USB 2.0 Card Reader

Driver 6.1.7600.10001





Windows 7 Home Premium w/SP1 Integrated ISO
(burn to DVD with Windows Disk Image Burner for install disk, use activation code on label under notebook)



User Manuals - for those who RTFM first. 😉

G74SX

G73SW,JW G73JH

G53SX G53JW G53SW



Asus Apps to Keep

intentionally left blank



Useful Apps

7-Zip

ABR (Activation Backup and Restore) - Info Just may save you a call to Microsoft. Be sure to download the Beta version.

CCleaner (Wait for the "Slim Build" or D/L the Installer version but don't forget to uncheck the toolbar option!!)

CPU-Z RoG 1.59 - Monitor CPU info with RoG skin

EaseUs Partition Master Home - is a ALL-IN-ONE partition solution and disk management freeware.

DPC Latency Checker - Very useful for troubleshooting lag or media dropouts

Driver Sweeper - Latest Version

GPU Tweak 2.0.3.0 - Public release. (updated by MarshallR)

HWInfo64 - Temperature Monitoring

Intel SSD Toolbox 3.0.1 - info

Media Player Classic Home Cinema

Notepad++ - Open Source source code editor and Notepad replacement

Partition Wizard Home - freeware partition manager. Allows copying (cloning) a partition to the same sized disk (must be rezized before copy operation begin). Also comes in bootable ISO version which has no limitations! .

Throttle Stop - Latest Version

Ubuntu 11.10 Bootable ISO - If you have a suspected hardware problem that doesn't involve playing games or using Skype etc, burn this iso and boot from it. Do you still have the problem? If yes, then hardware, else maybe Windows/drivers. Be sure to download the 64-bit ISO! 😄

Volumouse - to dim display without causing flickering (Read THIS Post)



Useful Links

Black Viper's Win7 Super Tweaks

Black Viper's Win7 SP1 Service Configurations



Reinstall the Chipset (Core) Drivers

1. Put the installer infinst_autol.exe into a folder
2. Using Windows Explorer click on empty space in that folder
3. Shift +Right-click that empty space then select Open command window from the menu
4. In the Command Window type infinst_autol -overall and press enter
5. Allow the installer to do it's thing.
6. Restart Windows



The Safer Method to Flash a System BIOS

1. Format a USB drive to FAT32 format.
2. Download the new BIOS and unzip it to the USB drive.
3. Remove USB drive after you're certain the file transfer is complete.
4. Restart your notebook and while the ASUS logo is on the screen press F2 or del a few times to enter the BIOS setup.
5. Find the Easy Flash Utility and insert the USB drive. Tell Easy flash where your BIOS file is then follow directions explicitely!!!
6. When your notebook restarts, enter the BIOS Setup utility again and select "Load Optimized Defaults" (I think it's f9 )
7. Save and Exit, then continue into Windows.

[JRd1st]

Right, but I'll add anything people need. Tell me a hardware ID, or driver name, or a freeware program that's useful. I want this thread to be for all ROG-ers. But you need to give me info and feedback, and you need to know what hardware your notebook uses; I don't read minds and I'm not a nanny. 😄

Thanks BrodyBoy! My Comcast is still down and using this cellphone is difficult, do I'm being a man of fewer words. Lol

[Retired]

Hi JRd1st, I'm very new here. Are those drivers (listed by you) working with a G73Sw as well? I checked the official ASUS driver download page to my notebook and I did not find them, but older versions. Does that mean that I shouldn't use those new ones or the official site is out-of-date? Thanks.

[thegreatest]

The GameFast link seems to be broken. Is it worth the download?

[mylasthope]

Thank you very much for the informative thread! Any chance there is a list of which drivers are necessary and/or recommended? I am going to perform a clean Windows 7 install using a 3.0 bootable flash drive. Since this is going to my first time (installing an ssd and moving the hdd) Thank you very much! 😮

[BrodyBoy]

mylasthope wrote:
Thank you very much for the informative thread! Any chance there is a list of which drivers are necessary and/or recommended? I am going to perform a clean Windows 7 install using a 3.0 bootable flash drive. Since this is going to my first time (installing an ssd and moving the hdd) Thank you very much! 😮

• Intel 6 Series Chipset Driver
  
• Intel RST
  
• Asus ATK package
  
• Graphics driver (check your hardware manufacturer)
  
• Realtek HD Audio driver
  
• Fresco USB 3.0 driver
  
• Touchpad driver (check your hardware manufacturer)
  
• Ethernet driver (check your hardware manufacturer)
  
• WLAN driver (check your hardware manufacturer)
  
• Bluetooth driver (if applicable & needed; check your hardware manufacturer)
  
• MultiCard Reader driver (check your hardware manufacturer)
  

[mylasthope]

BrodyBoy wrote:

• Intel 6 Series Chipset Driver
  
• Intel RST
  
• Asus ATK package
  
• Nvidia GeForce graphics driver
  
• Realtek HD Audio driver
  
• Fresco USB 3.0 driver
  
• Sentelic or Synaptics Touchpad driver (depending on which one your model has)
  
• Realtek Ethernet driver
  
• Atheros WLAN driver (or Intel if applicaable to your config)
  
• Atheros Bluetooth driver (if applicable and needed)
  
• Realtek MultiCard Reader driver
  

Thank you very much, Brody! I really appreciate it. Would you mind correcting my little plan for my Asus g53sx if necessary?

1. Make bootable Windows 7 flash drive using 16gb USB 3.0 flash drive.
2. Change boot order in Bios to usb 1st.
3. Open laptop, Install SSD, move HDD to other bay and close laptop.
4. Insert USB 3.0 flash drive into usb 3.0 slot and turn on laptop.
5. Install Windows 7 onto SSD
- http://lifehacker.com/5467758/move-the-users-directory-in-windows-7 (move users folder to HDD?)
6. Install drivers using above list/drivers cd that was included w/ laptop.
- place drivers cd into cd drive?
7. Reformat HDD using windows 7 flash drive
8. Enjoy laptop?

Also, how do I know if the following 2 drivers are needed?

Atheros WLAN driver (or Intel if applicaable to your config)

Atheros Bluetooth driver (if applicable and needed)

Also, do I find out if I have a Sentelic or Synaptics touchpad by looking at the device manger?

One more, considering purchasing a Bigfoot Killer 1102. Is this hard to install?

Sorry for all of the questions. Just want to make sure I do not screw anything up since this will be my first time doing any of this. Thank you!

[BrodyBoy]

mylasthope wrote:
Thank you very much, Brody! I really appreciate it. Would you mind correcting my little plan for my Asus g53sx if necessary?

1. Make bootable Windows 7 flash drive using 16gb USB 3.0 flash drive.
2. Change boot order in Bios to usb 1st.
3. Open laptop, Install SSD, move HDD to other bay and close laptop.
4. Insert USB 3.0 flash drive into usb 3.0 slot and turn on laptop.
5. Install Windows 7 onto SSD
6. Install drivers using above list/drivers cd that was included w/ laptop.
- place drivers cd into cd drive?
7. Reformat HDD using windows 7 flash drive
8. Enjoy laptop?

SInce you're installing a new SSD, check to see if it needs any firmware updates. If it does, do that before you start with the Windows Installer. Also, the WIndows installer can sometimes create a dual-boot set-up when it detect an installation on the other hard drive. You may want to just disconnect the cable to it while doing the install, then reconnect afterward.

Don't use the drivers CD. Download the newer, better versions.

Once you reformat your HHD, you will lose your recovery partition. If you want to save that, run the AI Recovery utility to make a set of back-up DVDs.

Also, how do I know if the following 2 drivers are needed?

Atheros WLAN driver (or Intel if applicaable to your config)

Atheros Bluetooth driver (if applicable and needed)

Also, do I find out if I have a Sentelic or Synaptics touchpad by looking at the device manger?

If the computer still has the original Asus installation on it, you can just go into Device Manager and look at the driver for the different hardware components. That will tell you who the manufacturers are. I.e., if the touchpad driver is Sentelic, you have a Sentelics TP. Same thing with your wireless network adapter.....look at the driver to see which kind you have. You need the two drivers if you have an Atheros-based card installed.

One more, considering purchasing a Bigfoot Killer 1102. Is this hard to install?

Sorry for all of the questions. Just want to make sure I do not screw anything up since this will be my first time doing any of this. Thank you!

It's not hard to swap WLAN cards, but I suggest you do that before you do the clean install.

[mylasthope]

BrodyBoy wrote:
SInce you're installing a new SSD, check to see if it needs any firmware updates. If it does, do that before you start with the Windows Installer. Also, the WIndows installer can sometimes create a dual-boot set-up when it detect an installation on the other hard drive. You may want to just disconnect the cable to it while doing the install, then reconnect afterward.

Don't use the drivers CD. Download the newer, better versions.

Once you reformat your HHD, you will lose your recovery partition. If you want to save that, run the AI Recovery utility to make a set of back-up DVDs.

If the computer still has the original Asus installation on it, you can just go into Device Manager and look at the driver for the different hardware components. That will tell you who the manufacturers are. I.e., if the touchpad driver is Sentelic, you have a Sentelics TP. Same thing with your wireless network adapter.....look at the driver to see which kind you have. You need the two drivers if you have an Atheros-based card installed.It's not hard to swap WLAN cards, but I suggest you do that before you do the clean install.

Thank you so much! You the man, Brody! Based on your advice, I may just install windows on the SSD using another laptop (one where it's a lot easier for me to install the SSD without having to remove the keyboard.)

I will also look at the device manager to see what drivers are needed.

Cheers!

[BrodyBoy]

mylasthope wrote:
Thank you so much! You the man, Brody! Based on your advice, I may just install windows on the SSD using another laptop (one where it's a lot easier for me to install the SSD without having to remove the keyboard.)

I will also look at the device manager to see what drivers are needed.

Cheers!

If the keyboard removal is anything like it is in my N73 (another model that's assembled that way), it's super easy. Just little plastic clips along one edge. On the other hand, if it's like the G73, where the keyboard is apparently "stuck" on with double-sided tape (whoever came up with THAT idea??), I can understand your reluctance. Doable, I'm sure, but not quite as easy.

Either way, SSD or HHD, your fresh Windows installation on the G53 will make it run faster and more reliably. 🙂 Let us know how it goes.

PS: I'm not sure which of my comments became a deterrent to using the SSD in your G53. That wasn't my intention. 😞

[mylasthope]

BrodyBoy wrote:
If the keyboard removal is anything like it is in my N73 (another model that's assembled that way), it's super easy. Just little plastic clips along one edge. On the other hand, if it's like the G73, where the keyboard is apparently "stuck" on with double-sided tape (whoever came up with THAT idea??), I can understand your reluctance. Doable, I'm sure, but not quite as easy.

Either way, SSD or HHD, your fresh Windows installation on the G53 will make it run faster and more reliably. 🙂 Let us know how it goes.

PS: I'm not sure which of my comments became a deterrent to using the SSD in your G53. That wasn't my intention. 😞

Haha. Brody, never meant that I wasnt going to use it in my g53. I meant that I would just install it into a different laptop (all I have to do is slide the bottom part off) to install windows onto the SSD. I would then transfer it to the g53.

Cheers and thank you for all the help!