G53 SX Power jack - LOOSE PART - Help, please!

[BrodyBoy]

I don't have the necessary tools to do that, let alone the knowledge... In fact, I have no tools and no knowledge of electronics.

I'm not worried about the data (it's all backed up externally, or at least the important stuff), it's the actual disks I'm worried about. They wouldn't take them or replace them, would they?

No, they won't confiscate or replace them. But I think they do routinely perform a factory restore on the boot drive. Since this is just a hardware repair, and they're not messing with software, perhaps you could include a note asking them to not do that unless it's absolutely necessary.

[Phate18]

Update: The laptop came back from RMA in about 7 days, they replaced the motherboard and charging works fine now.

However, the keyboard is no longer illuminated and the F3 and F4 keys don't work anymore (in regards to increasing/decreasing the luminosity of keyboard lighting). All other F-key functions seem to work. Any idea why this might have happened? Thanks!

[BrodyBoy]

Update: The laptop came back from RMA in about 7 days, they replaced the motherboard and charging works fine now.

However, the keyboard is no longer illuminated and the F3 and F4 keys don't work anymore (in regards to increasing/decreasing the luminosity of keyboard lighting). All other F-key functions seem to work. Any idea why this might have happened? Thanks!

Did they do a factory restore on your software installation?

Try a repair installation of the ATK package.

[Phate18]

No, the system is just the way it was when I sent it off, I included a note asking them not to wipe my drives unless completely necessary.

Do you mean this http://dlcdnet.asus.com/pub/ASUS/nb/...64_Z100014.zip ?

[BrodyBoy]

No, the system is just the way it was when I sent it off, I included a note asking them not to wipe my drives unless completely necessary.

Do you mean this http://dlcdnet.asus.com/pub/ASUS/nb/...64_Z100014.zip ?

Yes, that's the latest ATK Package that's usually recommended for the most recent G-series.

If you are not using that one already, un-install the current ATK Package and reboot before you install the new one.

If you already have v.1.0.0014 installed, you do a repair installation in Control Panel.

[Phate18]

I installed v 14 and rebooted, but the issue persists. I also installed the KB filter driver recommended in the driver thread, but I don't think that has anything to do with keyboard backlighting.

Any other possible cause?

[dstrakele]

Does the keyboard illuminate briefly when you boot the system? It should flash. If it doesn't, try entering the BIOS (press F2 at the ASUS splash screen) then Load Optimized Defaults (F9) and Save & Exit.

If that fails, unplug the notebook and remove the power adapter and battery and any attached peripherals (mouse, USB HDD, USB keyboard). Press the Power On button and hold for 30 seconds. Then attach the power adapter, plug in, and boot the system.

If this fails, the power cable to the keyboard backlights may be disconnected, not connected properly, or is faulty. My guess is they forgot to connect the keyboard backlight cable after replacing your motherboard (or accidently damaged the cable connector when removing it).

[Phate18]

No, I remember it doing that before the RMA. Now it doesn't.

[dstrakele]

Try the recommendations I added to my previous post. I think they have a low probability of success, but it's worth eliminating any possibilities before you disassemble the laptop or send it back in RMA.

The backlights MUST flash briefly at bootup - even if they are disabled in Windows.

[Phate18]

Okay, thanks! I'll give those a go.

Although, if it was simply the case that there is no power coming to the lights, wouldn't the system still show the icon when I press the lighting bbuttons (F3 F4) ? Wouldn't it still try to regulate it, even though there'd of course be no change in the lights?