I've decided post at NBF if I have any updates from Intel.

09/07/06:
Intel called this morning, the issue is now at engineering level in Taiwan headquarter. he'll call me every once a week to give me updates.

The case # I created with Intel remains open at this time.

11/30/06:

List of all graininess-free BIOS, also support Merom:

S96J/Z96J Version 1201: http://1toppc.com/Merchant2/images/N...s/S96J1201.zip
1201 Nero Image: http://1toppc.com/Merchant2/images/N...us/96J1201.nrg


You don't need bootable CD to update, thanks to Turbogear's trick.
1:Just unzip the file and place the BIOS file to your C: root directory, example C:\S96J.ROM
2: Open WinFlash and browse the BIOS file from your C:\ and click flash.
3: Windows will reboot to Aflash program in DOS mode and it'll start to flash BIOS automatically (Don't turn off the computer during BIOS flash)
4: When it's done the computer will reboot by itself and press F2 to enter BIOS when you see the Intel logo.
5 Press F10 to save and exit.


Instruction for using Nero Image files to burn a bootable CD:
1: Download NERO image file for the BIOS update.
2: Use Nero to burn the image file to the CD
3: Insert CD and when first power on the laptop press "ESC" at Intel logo screen
4: Select Optical drive at boot options screen
5: at "A:\" prompt type "Update" and press "Enter".
6: it'll automatically update the BIOS and don't turn off or reset the computer during BIOS flash.
7: screen will go back to "A:\" prompt when finish
8: restart the computer and then hold F2 to enter BIOS, press F10 to save and exit BIOS.




Nero Image file Version 1104:
http://1toppc.com/Merchant2/images/N...us/96J1104.nrg


W3J Version 209A:
http://1toppc.com/Merchant2/images/N...W3JAS_209A.zip

V1J:
http://1toppc.com/Merchant2/images/N...Asus/V1Jas.zip

F3JA:
206 Beta
http://1toppc.com/Merchant2/images/N...us/F3JA206.zip

208 Beta, this maybe the final BIOS for F3JA, confirmed by Laurent Grenet that the graininess is fixed and no other issues.
http://www.gentechpc.com/Asus/F3JA208.T00


F3JP:
http://1toppc.com/Merchant2/images/N...us/F3JP203.zip

205 (special thanks to turbogear, tested by turbogear, works great!)
http://1toppc.com/Merchant2/images/N...us/F3JP205.rar

New Version 207, confirmed fixed graininess by many other users: http://1toppc.com/Merchant2/images/N...us/F3JP207.T00

W2JB
http://1toppc.com/Merchant2/images/N...us/W2J204T.zip

A7J
http://1toppc.com/Merchant2/images/N...s/A7Jas300.zip

Use Winflash utility to flash BIOS.

Thx for doing this for us.

Hope to hear good news

You are welcome. Also thanks to Hyperluminous, the very first owner of S96J in the US who brought it to my attention.

We don't know what's gonna happen as the case still remains open, hopefully there will be a fix to all ATI X1600 graphics card.

And hopefully we wont see so much brashness towards one another like that other forum....

(Oh and Rep for Hyper, he needs it)

Does anyone know if this is a windows issue or if windows has anything to do with it? Anyone see this issue when running linux?

Intel ask me the same question, They would like to know if anyone has the same problem with Linux.

Tell them when they post some Linux drivers on their site, somebody will get back to them with the answer.

http://downloadfinder.intel.com/scri...5&submit=Go%21

I dont think thats gonna resolve much and just extend or close the issue. But suggesting them that isnt a good idea IMO.

Im gonna try and load Ubuntu tomorrrow and see.

By trying I mean *attempt*, ive never used Linux before.


*Edit - I know this is known but since Macbooks aswell are having the issue, how can it be a Windows issue?

I was being trite.
Because you can run Windows on Macs now.

The case still open, now it's at engineering level in Taiwan as I already mention before.

Asus does not directly support S96J since they sold it to Intel as a VBI program and they do have agreements, hopefully we'll hear from them sometimes soon but I do know it might take sometimes, this issue isn't as simple as the "red ghosting" issues found on Z70VA that they can just simeply replace the LCD controller chip (yes, it wasn't even the LCD, it's the controller chip).

ATI is the GPU maker, Asus has to contact ATI for the help to get the problem resolve, it might take sometimes since Asus and all of us might have to wait for ATI's solution, it's not like I open a case with Intel and they will call me back next morning and tell me: ok Ken, I found the fix of it and here is the updated driver or whatever the fix is.

I was told by Intel that it's not really their product ( which is true) so they had to pass the case to AsuMobile in Taiwan where their R&D department is (so something can be done), Intel even told me the grainness is not even that difficult to duplicate on their end, all they have to do is go to www.comcast.net and they see it, does the GPU really have problem with the hardware? I don't think so, as you mention other people does not have the same problem with Mac OX, the problem only happen on Windows and since I got your PM I called Intel this morning to let them know that, they'll pass the information to AsuMobile in Taiwan.

Microsoft did purchased one S96J from us few weeks ago, they are the deparment who works on Windows bugs that is related to hardwares and they've been purchase many hardwares from us in the past, I didn't had a chance to ask what are they working with S96J this time but I might call him tomorrow if he wants to tell me.

Please be patient , as soon as I hear from Intel I'll let you guys know.

Edit:
The problem is not S96J itself, it's all ATI Mobility X1600 notebooks with Microsoft Windows XP. More likely the solution will come from ATI and Microsoft, the evidence shows that ATI X1600 does not have grainness issue with Mac OS, blame Asus for this? I don't think so as all X1600 from other notebook manufacturers all has the same problem with Windows XP, it's more like you build a desktop using Asus MB with ATI video card, I don't think Asus will be able to provide a solution without getting the GPU maker involve, we'll just have to wait to see what their response is.
There must have some firmware issue with ATI and Microsoft in the source code that I personally don't know.

That's why I like NBF better than the "other forum".

Good to hear. Now, who do we call at Microsoft or ATI? If we leave it alone and think "the job's underway" we might never hear from those guys again...

They can't close the ticket without letting me know.
I was able to confirmed with Asus North America this afternoon that they did received the case I open with Intel, Taiwan headquarter is working on it, we both think that a VGA BIOS update might fix it.

I just received the S96J I ordered from GenTech the other day (absolutely awesome, by the way) and of course I was aware of this issue before hand. Now that I see it first hand, I can say it is not that big a deal unless you are trying to do work with non-vector graphics, or when it shows up in games and movies (night time in TES4:Oblivion looks quite grainy). Still, OF COURSE we want a fix for it (after which this will be the perfect laptop IMO). So, besides being a professional guy to deal with who has a great service, I have to also commend Ken for going to bat for basically all the Mobility x1600 users out there. Vielen dank!

I've seen a couple threads by people with Macbooks who say they see the grainy issue too. I don't think it's just a Windows problem.

Krista