Asus G73JW Freezes after Windows 8.1 Update - Network Related

Anonymous
2013-11-19T13:41:57+00:00

Quick background.  I had trouble installing the Windows 8.1 update - it continually crashed on installation.  I contacted Microsoft Support and they directed me to this site: http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/windows/en-US/1e1adbc5-b78e-4b2a-9661-4139d13cc7d3/0xc1900101-0x30018-error-during-update-restore-win8?forum=w8itproinstall

In the end, I was able to install Windows 8.1 by disabling all of my onboard devices (audio, networking, etc).  When I re-enabled them, I found that the computer would crash anywhere between 0 - 2 minutes after logging in.  I assumed a driver issue and, in those 2 minutes, was able to update each driver via Device Manager (requiring several reboots).

Everything worked fine for a few days.  Now, the computer has started to freeze again.  Disabling the built-in networking solves the problem, but I would obviously like to access the internet.  On top of that, it's inconsistent.  Once the freezing starts, I *must* disable networking via BIOS.  But then if I re-enable networking, it doesn't automatically lead to a freeze - I'm writing this post from the troubled computer right now.

I've confirmed that it's related to the network card because I tried a dozen things, but it kept on freezing.  Disabled the network and boom - freezing is gone.

I don't know how long I'll have a grace period.  If I only need to disable the networking once a week, I can live with that.

Thoughts?  Drivers are updated.  The install is as clean as possible since doing the update required me to wipe my system.

I'm certain that going back to 8.0 will solve the problem, but I like to keep my system current.

Hardware: Asus G73JW Laptop with Qualcomm Atheros AR9285 Wireless (as reported by Device Manager)

Thanks!

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Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Performance and system failures

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  1. Anonymous
    2017-04-29T22:19:21+00:00

    The following procedure had halped to improve the operation of my G73JW-3DE running Windows 10:

    Download the display driver provided by ASUS for the G73JW.  Unzip the archive and open an Adminstrator Prompt in the VGA_nVidia_Win7_64_Z817129616\Display.Driver folder.

    Perform the following command from the Administrator command prompt:

    expand nvlddmkm.sy_ nvlddmkm.sys

    Copy the nvlddmkm.sys file to the Windows system driver folder with the following command:

    cp nvlddmkm.sys %SystemRoot%/system32/drivers

    This driver file is not normally provided with standard Nvidia driver updates; probably because it is tweaked by the laptop manufacturer.

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  2. Anonymous
    2015-09-19T10:19:30+00:00

    Hey guys, struggled with this issue on my G73JW. 

    Went straight form Win7 64 to Win10 64. 

    Sleeping seemed to be fine, but hibernation and reboot would result in either BSOD, machine_check_error, just hard freeze during start up, or hard freeze 1 minute in. 

    So far, I just updated the ATK Drivers and have seen great results. Multiple reboots, no issues, however this is only day 1. 

    To quote the ASUS site:

    To avoid displaying OSD abnormally due to compatibility issue after upgrade to Windows 10, please update ATKPackage to v1.0.0038 or above.

    Link for the lazy:

    http://www.asus.com/support/Download/3/516/0/5/iDj76sQprYFuQe5J/45/

    Good luck!

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  3. Anonymous
    2015-08-19T22:02:30+00:00

    Thank you so much for posting this! I have two of these laptops and upgraded both to W10. Ironically, the laptop that gave me more headaches on W8/8.1 has had zero issues on W10 while the one that had only minor issues with W8/8.1 has been hard freezing constantly. During boot, at the login screen, within 5 seconds of getting to the desktop...Completely unusable!

    I followed your method and disabled the same devices in BIOS as I wasn't using them either and while it has only been 30 minutes, that's already a new record for not freezing, by about 27 minutes. I was able to login, install the latest NVIDIA drivers, the latest cumulative update, reboot, login again...All flawlessly! Here's to hoping this has corrected things once and for all :)

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  4. Anonymous
    2015-08-19T12:12:04+00:00

    Hi everyone,

    I came across this thread a few weeks ago when my G73JW started freezing after upgrading to Windows 10. Here's my full experience:

    • My laptop came with W7 and ran well.
    • When W8.1 came out I upgraded and immediately started getting the freezes. I didn't know what it was and after many failed attempts including replacing the hard-drive (won't bore you with the details) I ended up downgrading back to W7.
    • Computer ran well again after the downgrade.
    • I upgraded to W10 when it came out. The computer ran well for about a week and then I started getting the freezes. An online search brought me to this thread, which I read in it's entirety.
    • I chose to disable Ethernet LAN (I only use wifi), Bluetooth (I don't use it), and mousepad (I use a mouse) in the BIOS as my solution. I felt this was the fastest and less complicated route (it took me about 30 seconds to disable all three).
    • Computer has been running Windows 10 Pro exceedingly well again for almost two weeks. No freezes.

    Hope this helps someone. And, I cannot thank you guys enough for the incredibly valuable information in this thread! You all saved me from having to go buy a new laptop.

    Jose

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  5. Anonymous
    2015-07-29T22:28:36+00:00

    I started this issue long, long ago.  I haven't tried everything in this thread because my solution worked for me: disabling wired ethernet in the BIOS.  I never have a problem while that is disabled and I always run wireless.  Last month, I needed wired for something and reenabled and.....freeze.  Within 60 seconds.  Disabled again and all good.  So, for me, that clinches it: hardware or driver related for wired ethernet.  I have not tried the suggested driver changes in this thread, but I suspect that is where the true solution lies.

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