Magnetic sensor/switch issue on Asus G53SW-XN1 when closing the lid

[Sadozai]

I ordered my ASUS G53SW-XN1 from newegg back in August. When it arrived it worked for the first week or so and then I powered it off and didn't use it for two weeks afterwards. But then the problem occurred that it just wouldn't power up. It was practically impossible for me to RMA it because it was out of states and had to resort to some other means. For days it lay dead and I had no idea what to do with it. Scouring the internet in desperation I came to a clue that led me to the touch pad ribbon issue. I opened it up removed it form the connector and voilà! it worked. And since then a month has passed I am using it without the touch pad, status indicator LEDs and the lid closing functionality. But I got fed up and tried to make it work cuz other than the touch pad; the status LEDs and lid closing functionality are a must.

I have tried to reconnect the ribbon and it works as long as the lid is not closed. If I close the lid while it is running the system goes to sleep or whatever option is selection in the window's power options but when I resume all the lights are lit, the keyboard illuminated and the HDD working, in shot the system keeps running but the display just vanishes, its black screen. And if I power off the system it wont power up again. Now that I have come to know and I am sure of it that it was never the touch pad ribbon problem but it is the magnetic field sensor issue. Again, I started the gruelling search on the internet and yet again I stumbled upon a solution from some fella who used some mild magnet and rubbed it at the lower right area of the touch pad where the lid magnet comes in proximity when lid gets closed and it worked for him but I am still not clear how it is done. I mean how and where exactly to rub the magnet and which type and size of magnet should specifically be used to rub it and in which state on or off to rub it and for how long and in which direction etc. Too many questions I know. But I am in a dire need of help here, remember it will be a real drudgery for me to RMA it from outside the states and will have to wait for like 2 to 3 months to get it back. Not only I'll have to spend extra bucks but also have to cope with the trepidation of getting it back dysfunctional. You never know so I want to try every other safe option before RMAing it finally.

I'll be grateful and much obliged if guys who know about it or have fixed this issue, post the steps they did to make it work or any other solution that might work. Thanks in anticipation.

[Sadozai]

[Sadozai]

I got this magnet from a PSU fan. Its easy to get hold of one or you can just look for a CPU case fan or PSU cooling fan, it is housed in the center of fan blade piece that spins. You'll have to pull it out or break it to get this magnet out. I'll suggest that if you ever happen to apply this fix, make sure the laptop is off otherwise the screen will periodically jump from displaying to shutting off (going black) as you move the magnet on the area in question. Use it for a good minute or two, its upto you whether you do it clockwise or anti-clockwise or just slide it horizontally back and forth or move it vertically up and down or a mix of the aforementioned. As far as the occurrence of problem is concerned, well that depends on a number of factors but as long as you use a relatively stronger magnet you shouldn't be worried for at least 2-3 months. As I have experienced I don't usually have to apply the magnet procedure before 2-3 months. After the expiration of this period it depends, if it bugs me I reach for a magnet and enjoy 2-3 months of peace and serenity. Having a magnet around is handy and in this case its a must have accessory. I hope this helps!

[Equinoux]

I originally tried using a fridge magnet, but I would have to swipe it every single time that I reopened my laptop for use. So, I reached over and used the much stronger magnet on my wallet's money clip. I rubbed the area for about two minutes and haven't had any problems since.

http://amzn.com/B004M6UDF0

[EdMuse]

Hey, folks -- couple of things:

I found this thread because I seem to be having the opposite problem to the OP: since opening it up to repaste the CPU and clean out the fans (not the first time I've had it open, but the first time I've had the mobo out), my G73 won't hibernate when I close the lid, although all the settings are set for it to do so. I've assured that it can hibernate from the power button, so I suspected hardware. I was surprised to find in this thread that it was a magnetic switch that did the deed, rather than a physical momentary switch, as I believe I had on my last two laptops (Toshiba crap). Unfortunately, running a magnet along the front edge of the machine didn't do it, so I suspect I haven't reconnected something, and that I'll be going inside the machine again, today.

Thought I'd mention a couple of things, though, in the interim. My machine has woven metal fabric tape all around the touchpad, grounding it to the top cover. I had all sorts of problems with the touchpad cutting out and working unpredictably, and at one point when I was under the hood, found the tape was lifting up. I taped the tape down with ordinary scotch tape, and haven't had a problem since.

About hard drives and magnets: I once dismantled an old laptop hard drive (2.5", but full height) just to see what was inside, and was surprised to find two of the strongest rare earth magnets I've ever seen in there. Put the two of them together and it took a flathead screwdriver to pry them apart. One of them is currently holding a spice rack to the side of my refrigerator. So I wouldn't worry about having a magnetically-actuated switch an inch or so from the hard drive bays.

I'll try to report back in if I can fix this problem.

[EdMuse]

Yup. forgot to plug in one plug on reassembly. Learned something that may be of value to this thread, though: on the G73, it looks like the switch is behind the screen bezel somewhere, which means the magnet is in the front edge of the case (perhaps it uses the subwoofer as the magnet?). I had no reason to remove the bezel, so I can't say exactly where it is, but there's a three lead cable that follows the path of the video cable through the left hinge, where it plugs in at the top left corner of the mobo, near the left fan connector. Given the similarities between the G73 and G53, I'd assume the design would be similar. Not positive -- having watched a couple of G53 tear down vids, I see there are no cables coming through the left hinge, and all I can see in the right hinge is the video cable, another that I assume to be the screen backlight power cable, and the wireless antenna cables. Can't see the switch cable, though, so sorry but nothing definitive.

[dstrakele]

It's good to bring this thread back to the forefront every now and then. It offers a good explanation and potential workaround for those that open the lid of their laptop and suddenly find it will not start.

[Ricko]

dstrakele wrote:
It's good to bring this thread back to the forefront every now and then. It offers a good explanation and potential workaround for those that open the lid of their laptop and suddenly find it will not start.

i agree it helped me in a big way and saved me alot of$$

[darkhalf]

Just been reading this thread (yes 5 months since last post). There is a Hall sensor in the touch pad ribbon cable and the magnet opposite in the lid. If the hall sensor is not functioning properly it may be causing issues

[dangtruong]

I tried to unplug the TP but my g74sx still wont come on. Can someone help please... :'(

Btw, i opened the metal bar with 2 button of the mouse but didn't see any switch in there. I also tried the magnet method but also no luck. Anything ideas will help please.

[sjoblom]

dangtruong wrote:
I tried to unplug the TP but my g74sx still wont come on. Can someone help please... :'(

Btw, i opened the metal bar with 2 button of the mouse but didn't see any switch in there. I also tried the magnet method but also no luck. Anything ideas will help please.

I just did this since the lid switch had got stuck in a lid closed position (= black screen) The "magnet" method was no more no good.

1. Remove the magnet in the lid.
Here is a utube movie how to open the frame around the screen. Once opened u will be able to locate the magnet somewhere under the frame around the screen.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JajGQE5OtsI
Trash that magnet that has caused so much pain 😞

2. Locate exactly on your lap top where the lid magnet was meeting the laptop upside. (Mine was on the right side, just below the "Num Lock" lights)
This requires to dissemble your lap top so you get access to the switch. Here is a utube telling how to dissemble a G73:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tp90M_N6dzs

3. When you have found the lid switch, remove the card is placed on, then "wake it up" by moving a magnet on it from every possible angle. (Thats why you should remove its card so you can really "shake it" with the magnet) Then mount the switch back to its position.
4. You can now test that the screen works before putting the laptop all together. Just start it on the battery, and you should end up with a screen showing youre in the bios setting.
5. Remove the battery, put it all together, fire it up ... and enjoy having saved at least $1000 🙂