Asus G53JW - working great! (was "horrible feedback at boot")

System: ASUS G53JW, i7 740QM, 8GB RAM, GTX460M

-- OS X 10.6.6, installed using Nawcom ModCD (most recent as of 2/15/2011)
-- mach_kernel, tonymacx86 Nvidia drivers
-- Booting via chain0 (pulled from Chameleon RC5r678_Trunk668), using Win7 bootloader with boot.ini ([boot loader] timeout=30 default=multi(0)disk(1) - OSx86 boot.ini chain0 (paste bin.com/auQTph1n))
-- lspci: 00:00.0 Host bridge: Intel Corporation Core Proces (paste bin.com/uJLK4fqQ)

Kernel flags (mach_kernel) -
<string>busratio=13 cpus=8 -v</string>

VoodooHDA.kext.2.7.2-10.6 - modify Info.plist with the following:

<key>iGain</key>
<string>0</string>
<key>iMix</key>
<string>80</string>
<key>Mic</key>
<string>0</string>

As far as wifi, I was able to get something basic going. I can connect to unsecured networks, but no WPA.

/System/Library/Extensions/IO80211Family.kext/Contents/PlugIns/AirPortAtheros21.kext/Contents - add the following:

<string>pci168c,2b</string>
<string>pci168c,002b</string>

(I later ordered a AR5B93 from Ebay for $6 and it works perfectly.)

The laptop has a UVC Webcam (04F2:B1BB), but had no luck getting it working: Asus G53JW UVC Webcam (04F2:B1BB) - no image, just black box - InsanelyMac Forum (bit .ly/eROOcd)

Between kext installs/edit, I ended up having to use the following utility:
Kext Utility x64 for SnowLeopard (update) - Downloads - Kexts.com (k exts.com/view/129-kext_u..._(update).html)

Also, when something went wrong, I would boot into single user mode:

-v cpus=8 busratio=13 arch=i386

And on every boot (while making changes) would use `-f` to force the caches to refresh.

It's from Newegg.

It came with an AR5B95 (VID 0x168C, PID 0x002B) half mini PCI-E.

I didn't have to modify the BIOS to get the existing card or new card to work under OS X

My boot.ini: paste bin.com/auQTph1n

[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(1)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
C:\chain0="Mac OS X"

My smbios.plist:

paste bin.com/yTmUY7dm

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN"
"www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd">
<plist version="1.0">
<dict>
 <key>SMbiosvendor</key>
 <string>Apple Inc.</string>
 <key>SMbiosversion</key>
 <string>MP31.006C.B05 (EFI 1.3)</string>
 <key>SMbiosdate</key>
 <string>04/01/2008</string>
 <key>SMboardmanufacturer</key>
 <string>Apple Computer, Inc.</string>
 <key>SMboardproduct</key>
 <string>Mac-F4208DC8</string>
 <key>SMfamily</key>
 <string>MacPro</string>
 <key>SMmanufacturer</key>
 <string>Apple Inc.</string>
 <key>SMproductname</key>
 <string>MacPro3,1</string>
 <key>SMserial</key>
 <string>W88033AKY51</string>
 <key>SMsystemversion</key>
 <string>1.0</string>
 <key>SMUUID</key>
 <string>00000000-0000-1000-8000-000000000000</string>
 <key>SMmemtype</key>
 <string>24</string>
 <key>SMmemspeed</key>
 <string>1333</string>
 <key>SMexternalclock</key>
 <string>133</string>
 <key>SMmaximalclock</key>
 <string>1730</string>
</dict>
</plist>

@macwynnDo you have issues with this? When you boot do you have to turn it on yourself or does it work without actually hitting Fn F2 like three times? I put in a Broadcom card and it works great ONE TIME when loading a web page and then the second one it loses connection never to get it back. I have to take the G73 apart again to remove the…

I've been incredibly happy with the AR5B93 I ordered from Ebay. No hiccups - in fact, Windows 7 even picked up the card without drivers.

It works in 64-bit as well - otherwise I wouldn't be able to use all 8GB RAM.

Ditch the AR5B95 - it's an awful card, regardless of OS.

@macwynnOh ok the 5b93 is the one. Can you please upload the kexts/info somewhere where I can be happy too? MW

My AR5B93 worked out of the box. It's detected as an Airport.

The only remaining issue is getting Sleep working properly. Someone posted a DSDT based on the files I dumped from the laptop, but I haven't had a free moment to test since last week.

http://www.insanelymac.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=25… ↗

@macwynnand I want native non-Voodoo audio

VoodooHDA (audio) can be a bit flaky at times. Perhaps 3/10 boots, I kernel panic (at boot) due to VoodooHDA.

@jm77My AR5B93 worked out of the box. It's detected as an Airport.

Just FYI - I based my purchasing decision on the following:

Broadcom BCM94312HMG
Atheros AR5B91
Atheros AR5B93
Broadcom BCM94322HM8L
Atheros AR5BHB92
Atheros AR5BXB61
Atheros AR5BXB92

I don't recall where I found this list, but this is a list of cards that are supposedly detected out of the box as Airport cards (OOB support).

Try plugging in your headphones into your microphone port. I had something similar happen to me and that stopped the noise. Also, why are you using the legacy kernel? You should be able to use the vanilla one.

out of curiosity, where did you purchase said laptop?

and what kind of wireless card is in it? half-height or full? Also did you have to modify the bios to get a new card to work?

Your AR5B95 and the G73 WiFi Switch

Do you have issues with this? When you boot do you have to turn it on yourself or does it work without actually hitting Fn F2 like three times? I put in a Broadcom card and it works great ONE TIME when loading a web page and then the second one it loses connection never to get it back.

I have to take the G73 apart again to remove the Broadcom and put something else in but haven't been able to find a good half height mini PCI-E n card that works well in 64 bit mode.

Does your AR5B95 work in 64? Mine is an AzureWave AR5B95 Half mini. I couldn't get it to work at all in 64...

macwynn

@jm77I've been incredibly happy with the AR5B93 I ordered from Ebay. No hiccups - in fact, Windows 7 even picked up the card without drivers. It works in 64-bit as well - otherwise I wouldn't be able to use all 8GB RAM. Ditch the AR5B95 - it's an awful card, regardless of OS.

Oh ok the 5b93 is the one. Can you please upload the kexts/info somewhere where I can be happy too?

MW

Thanks for the info jm77. I am thrilled with the G73 but just have to get a WiFi card still (in between a return/deciding which to get) and I want native non-Voodoo audio but otherwise I love my Hac as much as my MB Pro. Well almost as much…

Chris