G73JW keeps locking up

[DJSirMatthew]

Hey all,

Been having this problem for a while and have been lurking for a while too, trying out the possible solutions handed by members. Basically my G73JW started locking up at completely random moments, sometimes while playing Football Manager (steam controlled game) or just when surfing the net with Google Chrome.

I did clean install, full driver update (especially the chipset one), and have throttlestop 4.00 running with C1E disabled and with other C-states at C1. But still the locks keep coming and going. Sometimes after restarting I get a message saying Windows recovered from a serious error and if I want to check online for a solution (in vain). Administrative events are riddled with the WHEA logger Event ID:17 Express PCI Root Port which seems to indicate a problem with the chipset right?

Anyone having similar issues but with a novel solution? I prefer not to RMA it.

O, the only hardware change is swapping one of the HDD (I have the non-SSD ones) with an SSD of Corsair Series 3 (Sandforce).

[DJSirMatthew]

Another lock-up, another reboot with both fans turning and for once I felt at both outlets and actually the CPU fan air was a lot warmer than the GPU side... Seriously doubting wether the whole MOBO+CPU+GPU is f*cked up...

[BrodyBoy]

DJSirMatthew wrote:
...the whole MOBO+CPU+GPU is f*cked up...

Yes, I think that's the technical description of the problem. 😉

[DJSirMatthew]

Quick question: does upgrading HDD to SSD void Asus Global Warranty (information on the web is a bit unclear)?

Or is it even allowed to sent the laptop for RMA with all HDD's removed (as the problem doesn't lay within the hard drives?)

[BrodyBoy]

DJSirMatthew wrote:
Quick question: does upgrading HDD to SSD void Asus Global Warranty (information on the web is a bit unclear)?

Or is it even allowed to sent the laptop for RMA with all HDD's removed (as the problem doesn't lay within the hard drives?)

No, it doesn't void the warranty, but you should remove the SSD before RMAing a computer to Asus. This is because the first thing they do is a factory restore. If you are SURE that your installation is good and you want to keep it, don't let Asus get their hands on it. 😉

Just be aware that they will be returning a machine known to work with a factory installation...they probably won't warrant that it will work with your installation.

I'm not sure if it's "allowed" to send it without any hard drives, but I would put one in anyway. I think Asus Service should receive it in a state that can immediately demonstrate the problem you're sending it in for, and they'll want to send it back to you in a working state. Neither of those are possible without a hard drive. (I have a variety of 2.5" HDDs I've accumulated over the years, so I'd probably just do a factory restore to one of those before sending it in.)

[DJSirMatthew]

Exactly what I planned. I pulled out the SSD, put in the original HDD, did take out the 2nd HDD as that's what holds my libraries etc. Original HDD got new clean Windows 7 install, installed all drivers as before and had 2 lockups in meantime. But CPU is now running at 39 degrees and GPU at 41... I hope the machine gets a bit more instable or they might just send it back because it "works"

[DJSirMatthew]

***UPDATE***

I RMA'ed the laptop and after a sloooooow pick-up (mainly because of snow and not so good courier service) the repair was lightning quick. 1 day it took them to repair it, so I was afraid (considering the horror stories) that they just put up the factory recovery OS and saw it booted and stayed on for a while so that's that. I was on holiday last week when it arrived (it actually arrived 2 hours after I left) so I only got to see it yesterday. Opened the box and there was the resume of the technician:
Replaced Mother Board
Replaced GPU
Updated BT, keyboard BT, Bios 205

Don't know what they mean with keyboard BT but this repair has given me lot more than I expected. Great job done ASUS! (ASUS holland repair center to be exact 😉

As I only had left in 1 HDD, they put in their own in 2nd slot and set that as boot device to run their tests, setting the log files on my HDD. In my opinion, very neat way to handle things!

Only 1 remark: when I opened the laptop to put in my SSD, the two small cables at the far left side were disconnected... probably an oversight which was easily "repaired" by myself. I think they are for the wireless card, not sure.

CLIFF NOTES: RMA ASUS rules and one happy camper here!

Now off to stress testing the system so I can be sure it works fine and thank you BrodyBoy and dstrakele!

[lvldeath]

dude,
Remove microsoft silverlight - i have no idea why but it solves the problem.

[Drago13]

I have the same model that was purchased around the same time as yours, having the same problems. Except mine has a few extra problems. I have tried everything. Your thread convinced me to try the RMA thing. I filled out the form and received a confirmation email with a case number. But havent heard anything else from them. Its been 3 days. Am I supposed to call them or what? Any help from anyone would be greatly appreciated. This is frustrating. Thanks.

[dstrakele]

Check out this thread: http://rog.asus.com/forum/showthread.php?4804-ASUS-US-amp-Canada-RMA-Guide You should receive an RMA# and instructions on how to ship your laptop to the ASUS Service Center. I recommend sending a PM to Mason@ASUS on this forum to assist you with your RMA.

[Drago13]

thanks for the quick reply, but I did fill out the RMA request online, ( one of the links in the suggested post.) and I received a case number, 3 days ago, and that was it. Havent heard anything else. Am I being impatient, or do I need to contact them further. I have been dealing with the touch pad not working for over a year, but the constant BSOD, , computer freezing, and gfx driver crashing is getting frustrating. I use my computer 4-6 ( sometimes ALOT more..) hours a day, feel naked without it. Thanks ..