Problem with G73SW

[Zygomorphic]

@JT23, I created this thread for you, please post here.

EDIT: - @JT23 is having trouble posting...vBulletin issues , so I am posting what he PMs me...PMs work apparently...go figure!

[Zygomorphic]

From @JT23:

First of all, I’m a newbie in tech related stuff, so pardon my ignorance.
So, I bought a G73SW in February and everything was perfect with the laptop until some weeks ago. It started having problems while playing games, some freezes here and there.
I changed the NVidia drivers, cleaned it, etc. Sometime before I had that throttling problem, so I used Throttlestop, and then I flashed the Bios with the unofficial way to get around it (http://rog.asus.com/forum/showthread...-how-to-fix-it). No throttling problems since then. At least I can’t see that on the ThrottleStop logs.
So I decided to do a clean install of Windows 7, format and so. I did it, followed the guides, installed everything perfectly, all drivers and so. Everything was ok for a while, but then the freezing in games started again. I’m running in circles, I’ve tried I think everything. The Hard Drives are working perfectly, I tried installing in different places and the problems don’t go away.
The games start ok, then like every 20 seconds it breaks/freezes for 2 seconds. I even have the audio looping and freezing. It’s strange I think. But it’s not on every game. Like Portal 2, Left 4 Dead 2, Arkham City, have problems. Even League of Legends. But games like Killing Floor and Bulletstorm run in perfection.
The temperatures and everything look to be fine. Last week I think I discovered the problems. But I won’t make a move without advice.
I downloaded that DPC Latency checker. I tried it while gaming, or listening to music and sometimes I get brutal spikes. So I guess the problem are some drivers that are conflicting.
Check these Print Screens:
http://postimage.org/image/59b8wjsch/
http://postimage.org/image/p9s5jhqtx/
http://postimage.org/image/husups2b5/
http://postimage.org/image/5gg1qsdg5/
http://postimage.org/image/y5gfa0uv5/
Then the other problem I think I have is the Bios. It’s not updated. I have the original 205 version I think. So it might be that… I don’t to which should I update and so.
I guess these two must have something to do with it. I tried everything else. Like every Nvidia driver in existence.
Hope to get some help, thanks!
Cheers.

[Zygomorphic]

With the BIOS, take the motto: "If it ain't broke - don't fix it!" Flashing the BIOS can brick the machine, which will only compound your problems.

Dry what DPC Latency checker advised...disable wireless cards in device manager...but don't forget to turn them back on after testing! Try one thing at a time, and restore it before trying the next! By doing this, if something goes really wrong, you are only one tweak away from a known configuration. The freezing is not due to over-heating, but rather a driver issue.

[chrsplmr]

Zygo .. creative work around .. on OP .. pm only issue ... cudos bro.. Now THAT is ROG 1000%.
Members doing whatever it takes for Members ... plus the Mods/@ Asus ...

Best of Luck .. JT23 ... with ur G73 .. also, Have you checked the Stickys/Stickies (How do you spell that?).c.

[Zygomorphic]

@chrs: "stickys" S-T-I-C-K-Y-S "stickys"
teacher: incorrect, please take your seat.
@zygo: "stickies" S-T-I-C-K-I-E-S "stickies"
teacher: correct, thank you.

[chrsplmr]

Thank You: I have been wondering that for a loooooooooong time. You know how I am such a 'stickeler' for grammeric perfection ...
Why many a night I have lay awake pond'r'n just that subject...
I've learn't at the very least 'one something' every day .. Today I learned more....

And that story of a complete and happy ROG thing 'aint' go'n to bad either ..hahhaa.... thnx.z.c.

[Zygomorphic]

I've learn't at the very least 'one something' every day .. Today I learned more....

Your welcome...and I should be thanking you. I learned so much from you, the right ROG attitude and spirit...not to mention the Green Belt...sorry, couldn't resist.

[Zygomorphic]

Thanks for welcoming me! Really apreciated, it's a shame I still can't post...

So you don't advice me to update the Bios? The last version is the 212 right? If it doesn't make sense to update, I won't move a thing.

I did that DPC Check test and found the problem. It's like you said - the wireless drivers.
I did disable every one of the devices/drivers, one by one, and checked the latency, one by one. The only ones where I got big spikes after enabling them again were:

Networkd adapters:
- Atheros AR9285 Wireless Network Adapter
- Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller

So, I guess those are the problems. What should I do? Update the drivers (is so, how?)? Uninstall them?
The driver version for Atheros is:

9.2.0.496

For Realtek is:

7.46.610.2011

I also disabled "Microsoft ACPI-Compliant Control Method Battey", it didn't make that big of a difference. But I read somewhere it should be done. Not sure if true...

Thanks once again for all the help!

[Zygomorphic]

I thought the problem were the wireless drivers (I guess they still are a part of it), but from reading and reading dozens of threads I think I found another problem.

I got the spikes on the DPC Checker everytime I re-enabled or the Wireless/Ethernet or the Graphics Card. So those should be the main problem. I tried updating the drivers of each one of them, downgrading, combinations.. Still the same problem. Still got the spikes/freezes.

But from what I read there is also a common problem with other users that have these freezing issue. The Hard Drives.
As I told you, I did every check, HD Tune and so, and everything was fine. It's a firmware problem I guess.
I checked and I have those Momentus XT drives (ST95005620AS) that have many issues. With HWiNFO64 I read I had the revision SD22.

http://rog.asus.com/forum/showthread...th-G73SW/page2

This is one example, from this thread, at least two users corrected the freezing issue by upgrading the firmware to SD26. I think the last one is the SD28.

Do you think this could be the problem?
If so, how do I do this update? Don't wanna mess with this without advice.

I'm getting tired of this. =/

Thanks for all your help.

[Zygomorphic]

Chrome usage I cannot say. Try Internet Explorer (works perfectly) or Firefox (works perfectly).

With regards to the spikes freezes and Seagate Momentus, upgrade the firmware...I have one. I get a very rare freeze on occassion, and I will be looking into the Momentus drive as the culprit based upon what you say. Since you have tried the driver changes, now is the time to upgrade the drive firmware, and the computer's BIOS. Do the firmware first, then do the BIOS if nothing improves.