Asus G53Jw

This is a compatibility guide to running Linux with the Asus G53Jw laptop.

This page is just for discussing using Linux on the Asus G53Jw. For a general discussion about this laptop you can visit the Asus G53Jw page on LapWik.

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For full specifications see the Asus G53Jw specifications page.

Works on Ubuntu 11.04 but does not work on Ubuntu 10.10 out of the box.

Add pci=nomsi to /etc/default/grub :

GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet splash pci=nomsi"

Update grub :

sudo update-grub

Ubuntu 11.10 AMD64 with the pci=nomsi:

• I don't have any USB 3.0 devices to test with. My USB 2.0 devices do work in the USB 3.0 port now, tested a mouse and a harddrive, although working fine, both seem a little strange. Some error messages in dmesg with the harddrive.

Ubuntu 10.10 AMD64 users (assuming without the pci=nomsi):

• Attempting to plug any device into the USB 3.0 port disables all USB ports. About one minute after unplugging the device from the 3.0 port normal function returns to the 2.0 ports.
• I have used USB 2.0 devices in the USB 3.0 port without problems most of the time. I do not experience the above issue. However, I have experienced a total system lock-up with frozen screen and blinking capslock indicator light which felt related to me plugging a USB 2.0 drive into the 3.0 port while having a file transfer operation occurring with a device on a USB 2.0 port. I don't have any USB 3.0 devices to test with. dmesg says: usb3: No SuperSpeed endpoint companion for config 1 interface 0 altsetting 0 ep 129: using minimum values

The Backlit Keyboard did not work 100% out-of-the-box in Ubuntu 10.10 AMD64. It works 100% with the Asus Keyboard Backlight package, even adjusting the brightness with the FN + F3/F4 keys works great!
https://launchpad.net/asus-keyboard-backlight

Suspend (sleep) did not work out-of-the-box in Ubuntu 10.10 AMD64 or Ubuntu 11.04. Create two files to fix.
Reference: http://ubuntuforums.org/showpost.php?p=9180298

/etc/pm/config.d/usb3-suspend-workaround :

SUSPEND_MODULES="xhci_hcd"

/etc/pm/sleep.d/20_custom-ehci_hcd :

#!/bin/bash
# Fixes for ASUS G53JW
 
EHCI_DEVICES="0000:00:1a.0 0000:00:1d.0"
 
case "${1}" in
	hibernate|suspend)
		# Unbind ehci_hcd devices
		for x in $EHCI_DEVICES
		do
			echo -n "$x" | tee /sys/bus/pci/drivers/ehci_hcd/unbind
		done
		;;
	resume|thaw)
		# Bind ehci_hcd devices
		for x in $EHCI_DEVICES
		do
			echo -n "$x" | tee /sys/bus/pci/drivers/ehci_hcd/bind
		done
		;;
esac

Make it executable:

sudo chmod 755 /etc/pm/sleep.d/20_custom-ehci_hcd

Hibernate (suspend to disk) did not work for me in Ubuntu 10.10 AMD64 even with the Suspend Fix. The laptop powers off but gets hung part way thru the startup process when powering back on. I have to reboot with CTRL-ALT-DEL and boot into Ubuntu without restoring from the suspend.

• Have been using Ubuntu 10.10 AMD64 for 1 month, system is very stable. Card reader not working but only tested using 2GB SD card. After upgrading to the 260.19.06 Nvidia Proprietary Drivers using the Ubuntu update manager some minor visual errors are present on the top 1/4 of the screen. Battery time is very good even with the screen back light locked at 100%
• Have also been using Ubuntu 10.10 AMD64 for 1 month. I also use Gentoo. I am very excited about this laptop, it has been a very solid and stable computer. Not Working: screen brightness adjusting and hibernate (suspend to disk).

Stephen Michaels
Xendarboh