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).

[dstrakele]

From my understanding, the EasyFlash utility in the BIOS doesn't care about the date of the BIOS update and will thus allow backrevving.

Your GPU temps (as you realize) are not normal. I run an external monitor (an LCD TV) and remain connected to it (through VGA port) even when I'm not using it as an extended desktop. My GPU remains in a 40-43 C range during normal browsing and running my trading software.

Does your behavior change if you use IE9?

What video driver are you running currently? If your brother has the exact same machine and runs without problems, I highly recommend configuring your laptop to be like his.

What does the SpeedFan Online HDD Diagnostic Summary tell you about your 2nd HDD?

[DJSirMatthew]

dstrakele wrote:
From my understanding, the EasyFlash utility in the BIOS doesn't care about the date of the BIOS update and will thus allow backrevving.

Your GPU temps (as you realize) are not normal. I run an external monitor (an LCD TV) and remain connected to it (through VGA port) even when I'm not using it as an extended desktop. My GPU remains in a 40-43 C range during normal browsing and running my trading software.

Does your behavior change if you use IE9?

What video driver are you running currently? If your brother has the exact same machine and runs without problems, I highly recommend configuring your laptop to be like his.

What does the SpeedFan Online HDD Diagnostic Summary tell you about your 2nd HDD?

GPU now stays around 67-70 degrees but maybe he needs time to cool down (yesterday it was around 40 degrees)... IE9 doesn't change anything (temp files are also sheduled on 2nd HDD)
Video driver is now the version he's running: 259.12 (before I was on 290.53 which is a beta I think).
It isn't 100% exactly the same machine but both are G73JW-A1 , only different HDD setup and different keyboard.

Haven't found the online HDD diagnostic yet, will search further and post details once I get them...

[DJSirMatthew]

Your hard disk is a ST9500420AS with firmware 0003SDM1.
The average temperature for this hard disk is 40C (MIN=28C MAX=51C) and yours is 33C.
Your hard disk's S.M.A.R.T. attributes are now being analyzed and a full report about the reliability, health and status of your hard disk is generated:
Your hard disk is not below any attribute threshold. This is good.
Your hard disk was never below any attribute threshold. This is good.
Your hard disk is now being compared to real data used to define normal values for your specific hard disk model. This way, the analysis can automatically use proper operating ranges. The images give you an idea of how each attribute is within such range. Current and raw values are shown for easier reference for experienced users. There are 3001 hard disk models in the current archive.

Attribute Current Raw Overall
Raw Read Error Rate 114 70839143 Good
Spin Up Time 97 0 Normal
Start/Stop Count 99 1988 Normal
Reallocated Sector Count 100 0 Very good
Seek Error Rate 69 7520983 Normal
Power On Hours Count 95 4466 Watch
Warning: Power On Hours Count is below the average limits (96-100).
Spin Retry Count 100 0 Very good
Power Cycle Count 100 686 Very good
End To End Error Count 100 0 Very good
Reported Uncorrectable Errors 100 0 Very good
Command Time Out 100 1 Very good
High Fly Writes 100 0 Very good
GSense Error Rate 100 0 Very good
Power Off Retract Count 100 1 Very good
Load Cycle Count 62 77540 Watch
Warning: Load Cycle Count is below the average limits (63-100).
Hardware ECC Recovered 47 70839143 Good
Current Pending Sector 100 0 Very good
Offline Uncorrectable Sector Count 100 0 Very good
Ultra DMA CRC Error Rate 200 0 Very good
Write head 100 23780 0 1255 Very good
Total LBAs Written 100 654678730 Very good
Total LBAs Read 100 3994361305 Very good
Free fall protection 100 0 Very good

NOTE: not all warnings are reflected on fitness and performance overall values because relevancy is based upon the settings from the hard disk manufacturer who is the best entity deputed to define such relationships.

NOTE : your hard disk Power On Hours Count attribute current value (95) is below the normal range (96 - 100) reported for your specific hard disk model. Basically your hard disk was powered on for more than the maximum time the average user did. This means that either all of the reports collected are from hard disks that were not powered on for too long (this is realistic for recent models) or that your hard disk is becoming old. Usually this is not considered as a pre-failure advisory, but you should check whether you want to replace the hardware or keep an eye on its performances over time.

The overall fitness for this drive is 90%.
The overall performance for this drive is 95%.

[dstrakele]

Your HDD looks to be in good shape. I wouldn't worry about the Power On Hours Count. You are just outside the normal range. I feel it is more a reflection of the SpeedFan database records for your drive than a problem on your end.

I'd be trying your brother's video driver version to see if you can resolve your GPU overheating issue.

[DJSirMatthew]

dstrakele wrote:
Your HDD looks to be in good shape. I wouldn't worry about the Power On Hours Count. You are just outside the normal range. I feel it is more a reflection of the SpeedFan database records for your drive than a problem on your end.

I'd be trying your brother's video driver version to see if you can resolve your GPU overheating issue.

I'm currently using his driver since 6 hours but no noticeable difference, still around 70 degrees (while his is around 40 degrees).
But since "installing" the new chipset driver (just overwriting the existing ones and apparently disabling something as long as I don't reboot) there isn't a single WHEA logger event...

[dstrakele]

Too bad - 70 C isn't acceptable for just browsing. I was hoping it would keep you temps lower (but still found it hard to believe a driver change could have that much of an effect).

How long have you had this system? Could you contact the retailer and arrange an exchange for a new unit or a return?

[DJSirMatthew]

dstrakele wrote:
Too bad - 70 C isn't acceptable for just browsing. I was hoping it would keep you temps lower (but still found it hard to believe a driver change could have that much of an effect).

How long have you had this system? Could you contact the retailer and arrange an exchange for a new unit or a return?

Have the unit since December 2010. Bought it end of November on Amazon.com (US) but I live in Belgium. Apparently looking back at my purchase order, it was sold by J&R Music and Computer World.

As the laptop has 2 year worldwide guarantee, I suppose sending it to ASUS wouldn'be a problem but I don't think they will give me a new unit... maybe replace Mobo or chipset or GPU...
Hmm now it seems it only has 2 year worldwide guarantee, how can I check&be sure?

[BrodyBoy]

It does sound like a hardware device....perhaps your video card, or something else.....could be in the process of failing. If it's the video card, there will probably come a morning very soon when it stops posting completely.

Since you now know you have warranty coverage, I think it's time to take advantage of it. 😞

[dstrakele]

If you eliminate ThrottleStop, do you see any change in behavior? I think the odds are small, since you probably installed it to attempt to resolve the lockups which now appear to be the result of an overheating issue.

I think you may be in the market for a repaste: http://rog.asus.com/forum/showthread.php?946-G73JH-GPU-Overheating-Observations-and-Suggestions-(Rea...

[DJSirMatthew]

dstrakele wrote:
If you eliminate ThrottleStop, do you see any change in behavior? I think the odds are small, since you probably installed it to attempt to resolve the lockups which now appear to be the result of an overheating issue.

I think you may be in the market for a repaste: http://rog.asus.com/forum/showthread.php?946-G73JH-GPU-Overheating-Observations-and-Suggestions-(Rea...

Have eliminated Throttlestop since an hour or 4 and indeed no real chance.

On the guarantee stuff: amazon.com site says 1 year global warranty (I'm sure it said 2 years before) but asus.com global site says 2 year international warranty... Should I get in touch with ASUS helpdesk in my country to figure it out?