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ASUS G60vx help needed

txsizzler

txsizzler

[H]ard|Gawd
Joined
Feb 17, 2012
Messages
1,570
Okay, a few weeks ago, I acquired a G60vx for $200. It came in good condition, with system discs, and what not. Here is a quick rundown of the specs:

- Intel P7450 processor
- GTX 260M graphics (112 core)
- 4gb DDR2 memory
- 320gb hard drive (Seagate Momentus 7200rpm)
- Windows 7 64bit Home Premium

Anyhow, the problem I am having, is that the computer will freeze and random times, but almost ALWAYS will end up freezing. Most times, it will freeze when first booted, at Post, right after post at times, when loading up Windows, and sometimes while in Windows. It doesn't matter if the laptop has been on for awhile, or just booted up after sitting for a few days.

The things I have tried thus far:
- Doing memory tests on the ram (no problems found)
- Removing ram, and trying each individually
- Reloading Windows 7 multiple times
- Bought another hard drive, loaded Windows 7 up on it
- Have BIOS set back to Default. Also updated BIOS to latest version after still having problems

For the life of me, I cannot figure out what else could be wrong. Any help would be appreciated!

Also, one other thing. Whenever I am finally able to get into the desktop, whenever I go into Control Panel, Windows Explorer will crash. Every time. Any thoughts?
 
Both hard drives have tested good; I bought the other just to make sure. While the laptop gets warm, it doesn't go over 90 at idle (hot Asus gaming laptops are the norm, I hear). And besides, it shouldn't freeze up on POST when it hasn't even been turned on for a few days, should it?
 
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Update: ran Memtest86 (used Windows Memory Diagnostic prior), and 1 error was found after running for 2.5 hrs. Swapped ram with an Toshiba I have that has DDR2 ram (3gb), and ran Memtest again for almost 3 hours. No problems found this time.

Still having issues with Windows 7 freezing up at the splash screen, so tomorrow I will try to reload the o/s, but sometimes it will get me to the desktop. So, I will try to reinstall Windows tomorrow. I also did the cooling mod on the case where the fake speaker is at (will try to post pics tomorrow), and the laptop feels like it's running MUCH cooler!! I will be trying different things to see if I still get freezes at POST as well.

I figure if it still freezes at POST, then I might have a bad CPU or GPU? I will reapply thermal paste before jumping to those conclusions, though.
 
Update: Got Win 7 installed last night, no freezes. Played around with it some, then shut it down. Then, this morning, tried booting it back up. Freeze after freeze. Right from before the computer can even POST, to the Windows 7 Splash screen. The CPU is running cool, yet freezes constantly.

I don't have any thermal paste (ordered some AS5 from the Egg), but I went ahead and took the processor out to make sure it looked ok (which it did). I will have to wait to reseat the CPU until the paste gets here. Curious though; what are the symptoms of CPU failure? I am wondering if this may be what is happening??
 
07/25 update:
Well, stopped by Radio Shack today, and believe it or not, they carry the Artic Silver 5 thermal compound! So, being the impatient guy I am, I went ahead and shelled out $11.99 + tax for it, bought some 91% isoproypl alcohol from CVS, and went to scrubbing off the old thermal paste from the CPU, chipset, and GPU. Applied the AS5, put everything back together, and the first thing that happens when booting up the computer?? Make a guess...

Freeze on the ASUS splash screen. Rebooted. Freeze with just a blinking dash. Rebooted. Made it to the Windows 7 splash screen, and froze. Rebooted. Made it just past POST, froze. Finally made it into Windows 7 desktop for all of 20 seconds, and go figure... it froze again! All I could do was LOL. After all this, the CPU didn't even feel warm. Go figure.

So, I am thinking now its either the CPU dying, or something is up with the mobo (although the mobo looks really good, as in no bulging capacitors, or anything seemingly wrong). Any thoughts??
 
Well, decided to try a new processor, thinking it may have been a defective P7450. Put in a T9600. Used AS5 thermal paste. Powered up laptop, and was still hanging/freezing in the same areas. Checked the BIOS settings, the T9600 2.8ghz was found fine, no problems there.

Anyhow, I noticed over by the memory slots, there was a piece of black foam that appears to have lost some of its adhesion, and was partly laying on the mobo. I lifted it up, started the computer (restarted a few times), and noticed alot less freezes (although there was still a couple). I went ahead and yanked the foam out completely, and the computer still hangs some, but not NEAR as much.

I noticed on the foam piece, that part of it was melted. Could this be related to the freezes encountered? On the mobo, where the piece was found, that there is some crud from the foam baked in. Could this still be causing my few freezes I am still encountering?
 
Another question: can a SODIMM memory slot go bad on the mobo? Maybe something is wrong with the pins on one of the slots?
 
Honestly it just sounds like that laptop has a bad mobo. It probably isn't worth fixing.
 
I've seen this on several different laptops that use the Nvidia video chip. Nvidia in my opinion since GeForce Go7600 have had issues with overheating. Yes they are the best video chips by far, beats ATI in tests after tests. I prefer ATI or well now AMD ATI video chips on laptops. They tend to have less of a problem than Nvidia.

I have an Asus G73JH, it's a beast of a laptop but great for gaming. The temp runs on full load about 83 deg C, in idle mode runs 63 deg C.

On most laptops they tie (one copper heatsink pipe) the heatsink to both the CPU and GPU for cooling. My Asus G73JH does not which was a selling point for me. If the GPU gets up to or pass 90 deg C mark, you’re going have issues. Damage to the CPU is possible, damage to the chipsets is possible, and damage to the motherboard is also possible.

Common fix is to add another copper plate or heatsink pad, a dot of paste. More paste does not equal more cooling. Add a resistor to the cooling fan to keep it running constantly. Depends on the fan type but usually when I do this it's between 20 ohms to 35 ohms. Play with the value for best cooling results. A cooling pad would also be a good idea.
 
Since removing the SODIMM memory from #1 slot, and just using #2, I have had zero problems with the freezing issue. I know it wasn't a heat problem, as it would freeze immediately upon booting, even being off for several days. I tried swapping memory, but its just a bad SODIMM slot. Whats weird about it, though, is that if I can make it into the BIOS when I use that slot (and thats a BIG if), it does read the memory in it. But, no matter what ram I put into there, it will freeze soon enough, again.

I know you can cut the blue wire on the plug in for the fan, which will make the fan run constantly at full speed. I have yet to do that. The fan automatically kicks on at 90C, and drops it to 80C, where it will kick off again. The CPU always stays under 45C when idiling, and under 55C under full load. I have yet to find a program that will allow me to manually run the fan (I have tried Speedfan, RivaTuner, among others). I may try adding another copper plate to the GPU, in effect doubling up on them.
 
Try to inspect the bad ram slot for dust or debri and see if it can be cleaned. Mobo for this is $99 on ebay.
 
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I have used compressed air to clean the slot to no avail. Would like to wipe with alcohol, not sure what kind of cleaning tip I can use, though.
 
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