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Review: 5 Years With the Asus Z71V - Page 9

post #161 of 194
8/30/08 at 3:00am
My second battery is just now refusing to charge over 62%. Oh well, it's been over 2 years since I got it replaced for free so I guess I can't complain too much.

Overall, this laptop has been rock solid. Only problem I had besides the battery was the graphics card dying, but it was under warranty so I got it replaced for free.
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post #162 of 194
9/4/08 at 10:07am
Thread Starter 
I got my computer back yesterday- it's nice to have it again! It seems my motherboard flipped out and killed my video card, so both had to be replaced. My warranty expired in April, so I had to pay for a new motherboard and video card out of pocket to the tune of $357, but it was worth it to me, since I know how my computer works and that's considerably less than it would cost to get a new notebook- heck, even the "netbooks" are more expensive than that!

More props to Rick at ISTNC for replacing the parts at his cost and trading several e-mails with me throughout the process to keep me in the loop. With so many of the 2005-era resellers now out of business and defaulting on warranties (for instance MilestonePC, c9tech, etc.), I'm very happy that Rick's not only still in business but also still treating his customers well.

I'll update the review within the next few days.
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post #163 of 194
9/5/08 at 12:15am
Great News DJ.
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post #164 of 194
9/9/08 at 2:42am

website or link to Rick @ ISTNC ?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Djembe View Post
I got my computer back yesterday- it's nice to have it again! It seems my motherboard flipped out and killed my video card, so both had to be replaced. My warranty expired in April, so I had to pay for a new motherboard and video card out of pocket to the tune of $357, but it was worth it to me, since I know how my computer works and that's considerably less than it would cost to get a new notebook- heck, even the "netbooks" are more expensive than that!

More props to Rick at ISTNC for replacing the parts at his cost and trading several e-mails with me throughout the process to keep me in the loop. With so many of the 2005-era resellers now out of business and defaulting on warranties (for instance MilestonePC, c9tech, etc.), I'm very happy that Rick's not only still in business but also still treating his customers well.

I'll update the review within the next few days.
Hey Djembe,
does Rick @ ISTNC have a website ?

also, congrats for having your laptop that long. Mine finally died after almost 6yrs (was a Sager) and ended up purchasing an Asus M50VM - B2 ...
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post #165 of 194
9/9/08 at 2:58am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by khadre View Post
Hey Djembe,
does Rick @ ISTNC have a website ?

also, congrats for having your laptop that long. Mine finally died after almost 6yrs (was a Sager) and ended up purchasing an Asus M50VM - B2 ...
www.istnc.com

Their business name used to be called Integrated Systems Technologies and it recently changed to Carolina Computing, but it's still the same site.
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post #166 of 194
9/9/08 at 3:09am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Djembe View Post
www.istnc.com

Their business name used to be called Integrated Systems Technologies and it recently changed to Carolina Computing, but it's still the same site.
Great, I check their site out. If they provide the kind of service to you like that, then that's great CS there!
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post #167 of 194
9/9/08 at 3:12am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Djembe View Post
Well, my three-year warranty officially expires Wednesday. It's funny that when I got this notebook, I'd never have imagined that I'd ever actually use 5 USB ports at the same time (external hard drive (uses 2), TV tuner, printer, and iPod), the card reader (I've used SD cards with it), or SPDIF (digital output to my Logitech Z-5500 speakers), and the only games I played with any regularity were Starcraft and Myst 3: Exile (since then, I've played several hours of Battlefield 2, Command & Conquer Generals, Battle for Middle Earth, some Sega Genesis & Sony Playstation games via emulators, Civilization 3 Complete, Half-Life 2, and most recently Guild Wars). I burned my first dual-layer DVD over two and a half years after I bought the computer, and I've even found some convenient uses for the AudioDJ buttons on the front (they're great for ejecting discs without booting up an operating system). It just goes to show that you never quite know what you'll end up using your notebook computer for and it's better to be prepared.
I agree with you on not imagining ever using 5 usb ports. I ended using all 4 usb ports fulltime on my Sager and needing a 5th for interchangeable use but had to compromise on the 4th port on that Sager.

I try to buy laptop that I can grow into (buy with more features: speed, expansion, capacity, etc).

Due to budget constraint I ended up buying the Asus M50VM-B2, only has 4 usb ports so I may need to get a usb 2.0 PC card. (which I hate to use, since the ones I have tried sucks or have issues).
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post #168 of 194
11/25/08 at 12:31pm
Hi!

Ive got a big Problem. My Notebook (Z71V) isnt working properly anymore.
Im just able to boot windows in vga mode and there appear crazy mixed signs on the screen. Even if i join the bios there are red lines everywhere.

I think my graphic card (geforce go 6600) is broken.
Maybe and hopefully im wrong. Thats why i ask you guys for help.

Anyone got a clue what this failures also can be made by?
If it is the graphic adapter. Does anyone know a small budget graphic card to replace the geforce?

Im using my z71v for three years now and never had problems. This problem occured suddenly.
Ive also tried to plug in my tft screen but the same problems occure.

Thanks for your help and greets from germany
-slashor
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post #169 of 194
11/25/08 at 8:22pm
Thread Starter 
Yup, sounds like your video card is broken. Your graphics card is made by Asus for the Z71V, so you won't find a generic one for less money. However, Asus does make 2 versions of it, one with 64 MB or VRAM and one with 128 MB of VRAM. The 64MB one is less expensive.
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post #170 of 194
11/29/08 at 6:20am
So its kind of impossible to replace it with another one like ati?
I thought this mxm port is there ro be able to change it.

So anyone got an idea how expensive an asus video card with 64mb of vram is?
I asked the distributor i bought this from. He wants to have 250€ or more.
Thats pretty expensive. I dont even think the z71v is even worth the 250€ if it would be not broken.

thanks anyway
and greets
-slash
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post #171 of 194
11/29/08 at 9:45pm
Thread Starter 
Unfortunately, the Z71V video card is not MXM compatible. There was some discussion on this back when the notebook came out, but MXM-Upgrade, the definitive source for MXM compatibility info, concluded that the Z71V doesn't qualify.

Last I checked the video card cost $200 by itself. However, computers (and presumably computer parts) tend to cost less in the US than they cost elsewhere. You can call Asus Germany and see if they would sell the part to you for less than your reseller.
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post #172 of 194
3/2/09 at 6:37pm
Thread Starter 
Review updated
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post #173 of 194
5/5/09 at 2:32am
Oh sheesh...

I totally took mine apart and lost screws to the LCD. So can't put it back together ahahah

Now that Windows 7 is out, i might try that on there to see how it performs
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post #174 of 194
5/5/09 at 12:47pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by smilepak View Post
Oh sheesh...

I totally took mine apart and lost screws to the LCD. So can't put it back together ahahah

Now that Windows 7 is out, i might try that on there to see how it performs
I stripped a screw taking it apart once and got some extras from Rick at ISTNC. I'm not sure if ProPortable's still in business, but you can check with Justin or whoever's in charge there now to see if they've got any spare screws. Alternatively, Eddie might have some.

And I've had Win 7 Beta on it since it came out (downloading the RC now). It seems to work well for the most part. The only major issues in the Beta were that it would crash when attempting to start up after standby and it made my video card run hotter when idle.
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post #175 of 194
5/6/09 at 7:33am
How Much the price?
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post #176 of 194
5/6/09 at 7:06pm
Thread Starter 
the price of the Z71V? I bought mine for $1945 in 2005.
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post #177 of 194
5/7/09 at 3:41am
Yea, that is what disappointed with the Z71v for me. Overall it was a great laptop. The LCD screen I was able to replace to a better one, but can't replace the video card. It tends to rev up with Vista each time I use the touch pad. It does get fairly hot.

I think my next would be a 13" laptop. Either Sony or Dell.
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post #178 of 194
5/7/09 at 9:51am
Quote:
Originally Posted by smilepak View Post
Yea, that is what disappointed with the Z71v for me. Overall it was a great laptop. The LCD screen I was able to replace to a better one, but can't replace the video card. It tends to rev up with Vista each time I use the touch pad. It does get fairly hot.

I think my next would be a 13" laptop. Either Sony or Dell.
Take a look at MSI EX3xx line

cheers ...
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post #179 of 194
7/8/09 at 1:30am

You talked to Rick?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Djembe View Post
I stripped a screw taking it apart once and got some extras from Rick at ISTNC.
Could you please let me know how you contacted Rick at ISTNC? When was the last time you contacted him or anyone at ISTNC? I've been trying to contact them for months with no luck. Please email me contact info if possible. thanks.
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post #180 of 194
7/11/09 at 12:13pm
Thread Starter 
I replied to your PM.

It seems like most of the 2004-2005 era whitebook resellers have either gone under or stopped selling notebooks. Last I knew, ISTNC has pretty much given up on selling notebooks and gone back to servers as their only sales.
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