Asus G73JW Freezes after Windows 8.1 Update - Network Related

Anonymous

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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52 answers

Anonymous

2013-12-17T11:21:22+00:00

I had exactly the same problem with my G73JW. It was some time ago and im not 100% sure now but i think it was when i reinstalled the chipset driver that it finally started to work ok.

I have not had any crashes since my last post. I had to re-enable my LAN module recently, but I also installed the very outdated chipset drivers from the ASUS website - not the networking drivers, as those were already updated.

So, for those of you trying to install Windows 8.1, disable Wifi/Bluetooth/LAN in BIOS, download a copy of the Network/Chipset drivers separately, install Windows 8.1, install those drivers, re-enable everything that you need. I'm not using Bluetooth anything, so that's still disabled.

I haven't done enough testing to nail down the problem yet - if it ever happens again, I'll re-post here with whatever state my computer was in. Just happy to have a reasonably stable system again.
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Anonymous

2013-12-17T09:32:51+00:00

One last note...

Disabling NVstream.svc did help for a while but the program was not the real problem, it was just a "trigger" .The real problem is the computers Intel Wifi card which does not work well with Win 8.1.

The solution is simple. Put the computer in airplane mode which will turn the bluetooth off.

The computer has worked several days without problems since i did that.

The Windows 8.1 is really working well now and the computer is very fast. The only other mod ive done with the computer is replacing the harddrive with an SSD and put the main one as a second disc...
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Anonymous

2013-12-11T10:24:07+00:00

Problem seem to be solved!!!

After trying to disable wifi, update different drivers and so on i finally checked the log to see what caused the problem. It was a Nvidia function "Nvstreamsvc.exe" that caused it.

Since i disabled that program from the taskmanager everything has worked fine! I havent found out what its good for yet but i havent missed it so... :-)

If you how dont know how to disable NVstreamsvc.exe just google it and youll find the answer.

And for those of you having problem with the install of the Windows 8.1.

Hit F2 during startup to enter Boot menu. Lock Wifi and USB and then run the installation.

Adios!
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Anonymous

2013-12-09T13:32:49+00:00

Hello!

I had exactly the same problem with my G73JW. It was some time ago and im not 100% sure now but i think it was when i reinstalled the chipset driver that it finally started to work ok.

If you allready have solved the problem, please write about it.

I reinstalled 8.1 yesterday because i missed the speed of it and now im facing the same problem once again. Gonna try my own advice tonight and see if it works.
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Anonymous

2013-12-06T22:49:44+00:00

I have now disabled my Bluetooth adapter from the BIOS. I have not experienced a system lock up since I made this change, but it's only been about 30 minutes.

Update: I just had a crash. This was with the Bluetooth module disabled. The interesting part about this crash is that I was starting from a sleep/hibernate state - e.g. the last thing I did last night was close the lid on my laptop.

As you can see, though, this is not common. I should post a sign: It has been 13 days since my last system freeze. The symptoms are exactly the same, though: 1-3 minutes after logging in to Windows, everything freezes (fans still run) with no recovery possible aside from a hardware reboot.

It is not directly related to the sleep/hibernate state, though. I rarely take that action and it was not the cause of earlier freezes.

I have now disabled both the Bluetooth and the Lan modules in the BIOS (as suggested by other forums). We'll see.
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