3820TG Owner's Lounge - Part Two

I thimk I would rerun setup utility from bios before trying to change the battery. 2 years sounds like too short a period for a dead battery but itis a possibility and it is the most obvious source of the problem. Here is the location.

http://support.acer.com/acerpanam/M...iceGuides/SG_Aspire_3820T_3820TG_04282010.pdf

Chapter 3, Page 45 at the top (53/150)

 

Hi,
Unfortunately there is no option in the 3820TG bios 1.19.
tome

 

Thanks Bronsky.

What do you mean by "rerun setup utility from bios"?

Also, I notice that the time and date that appears when I turn on the laptop is the time that I set in the BIOS. Every time that I turn on my laptop, those are the time and date that are shown.

 

The manual has instructions on how to run the setup utility from the boot menu. It could reconfigure a corrupted CMOS.

 

What temperature is too hot for the 6550M HD?

Summer's here and I'm getting temperatures of 99°C on my GPU whilst gaming (with the notebook upright plugged into an external monitor, so plenty of circulation).

 

During gaming i had temperatures like 95-105, but after I installed gaming fan profile it's always below 85, same for CPU.

link: http://forum.notebookreview.com/acer/562576-acer-aspire-timelinex-3820tg-mods-tweaks-only-16.html#

 

I'm running this, still 90+°C sometimes. Granted ambient temps are very high as it's warm here.

 

is there any good dual band wireless card to replace with my current card?

current: Atheros AR5B93 Wireless Network Adapter

 

Intel 6200 would do fine.

 

Anybody see the leather skins for the 3820TG. If I didn't like the metal lid so much, I'd consider one these. KH Special Laptop leather Skin Fit Acer Aspire 3820TG | eBay

 

I can see the palm rest leather tacky but the lid cover could be a great addition if it was proven the edges aren't frayed much.

 

is that the best and only one that i could replace with?

 

I think the word "leather" doesn't apply to this product. And when the cover starts coming apart (and I'm pretty sure it will quickly) you are left with a ragged cover or glue residues...

 

It's a good card. You could go for an Intel 6300 but you wouldn't benefit from it unless you have a three stream router.
You could also buy Atheros-based cards that are sold as Bigfoot Killer but there are overpriced.

 

my router is on 3 stream.

hmm.. i check and found that my set (3820TG) comes with only 2 antenna and am lazy to install the wire by myself... so in this case, my only best bet is with Intel 6200 yahs?

 

Yes- 6200 would be a good choice in your case although if you're already using a three stream router you might consider buying 6300 and using it with two antennas.
You can upgrade later or simply use it in you next notebook.
6300 with two antennas connected works just like 6200.

 

thanks alot of the reply.

 

It's been a long time since my last post, but im wondering if anyone could help me with my 5650 gpu.
¨
I have tried all the drivers from the acer site, but i allways get "installation complete, warnings occurred" and then no sign of life from the 5650.

 

Remove all drivers
Reboot
Install acer driver (download from acer support site)
Reboot
Switch in "discrete" mode from bios
Install latest AMD drivers
Reboot
Switch to "switchable" mode from bios

Done

 

Catalyst 12.6 WHQL UnifL for Hybrid Graphics has been released!

Main Changelog:
– Updated ATi Driver (06/11/2012, 8.980.0.0000).
– Updated Intel HD Graphics (ver. 8.15.10.2622).
– Updated Intel HD Graphics (ver. 8.15.10.2761).
– Updated optional ATi HDMI driver (ver. 7.12.0.7708).
– Includes DSE by Default.
– Updated YaD’s UnifL Cleaner (ver. 2.1.6.0).

Minor Changelog:
– Backlight issues on newest Intel driver should now be fixed for most models.
– DSE option has been enhanced. Now you have ability to install/remove dse via new menu.
– Certificate option has been enhanced. Now you have ability to install/remove certificate via new menu.
– New CCC option `ATI OverDrive` should enabled for most laptops.
Please note: OverDrive functioning might be limited by vendor BIOS locks.

- dv6/7 registry fix: Tdr Level/Delay receives new value of `3/7`.

 

I've tried this several times, but it always seems like the acer driver fails when installing.

i was able to get my 5650 to work by installing the driver through device manager, but there is no way for me to enter catalyst controll center or accessing the intel gpu.

right now it seems like the 5650 is always active with no way to change to the intel.

 

Leshcat modded driver has a built in remover use that to remove previous installed drivers. Make sure you are on switchable mode.

 

Hi everyone,

I would like to join the community of the owners of this great notebook..
I must admit I have regretted it, that I did not get it the first time it came out..
It would have been so good to be part of all these discoveries and experiences Bronsky , Hendrickson and everyone else have had..
Nevertheless I must admit myself to be lucky enought to lay my hand on an open box, yet as resold as "new" product here in Germany.

I have had the question before on the What Notebook should I buy - if I should wait for the TB eGPU solutions. But I must admit I could have waited more longer if my old computer would not have started to die on me...

So I had to come up with a replacement, and then I stumble upon a 450 EUR offer for a new 3820tg. The machine is beautiful, and I have checked the the HDD did not even run 5 hours as I first started it up..

But this is not the reason I am writing I would like to ask for recommendations on SSD upgrade?
Taking into account the value ratios I would not go over 100 EUR for an SSD, but then the supply is limited, as a 128GB Samsung 820 and a 128 GB M4 is around this price point I would love to upgrade it with one SATA III drive, maybe I can use it later if I invest into another system, or just bring it back home to my parents, once I upgrade to quad Haswell and TB eGPU.(once the prices have come down enough to give an incentive to do so..)


I just wanted to express all my gratitudes towards you guys, you made my days..
I want to say thank you!
fm007

 

Congratulations on your 3820TG. Open box Timelines like yours are impossible to locate. That was a great find. They are even hard to find used here in the US on ebay. Even though the GPU is aging a bit, it is still competitive. In this day of ULV CPU Ultrabooks, the full power Arrandale still holds its own. I liked mine so much, I took out a 3 year extended warranty, which still has a year to go. I think I'll be keeping it that long. It's no-nonsense looks are timeless. Welcome aboard.

On the SSD, I would recommend the M4 but that's because my old M225 has performed perfectly in my 3820TG.

I haven't had to do anything to my notebook in nearly two years. I needed to return it for service once when my web cam shorted out. Service was great. My temps are starting to creep up a bit lately (idle is up to 43-45 from 35-37C), so I guess its getting to be time for a cleaning and repasting.

 

What do you guys think - is there any point in emailing the tech support and asking for graphic drivers update? The Intel 2202 build that's in the last package (not even found on the 3820tg driver page but other switchable laptop) was already a year old when it came out then, let alone now...

 

Congrats fm007.

I'm currently using a Crucial M4 256Gb on my 3820 and its flawless. Be sure to update it to the latest firmware, its very easy

 

Ahhhhahahahahaha!

 

I'll take that as a no

 

Hello,

has anyone of you replaced the glossy disp with a matt one?

 

Just got myself a Lenovo Y580 to replace the Acer 3820TG i3-370M / HD 5650. Trying to sell the Acer now... how much do you guys reckon it's worth? I cleaned out the fans regularly, there are few signs of wear on the notebook, and the keyboard is still super clean. Battery also holds near max charge (didn't use it much).

 

Can anyone tell me the going rate for a used (but well kept) 3820TG in the US? I absolutely love this laptop but I can't justify keeping it when I'm using my work laptop 90% of the time. I apologize if I'm asking in the wrong thread, for sale forums seem to be down for me right now.

EDIT: and yes I just realized I posted after someone asking the exact same thing lol

 

I have read this information before but I don't see the driver cleaner. I must be blind. I have installed the Leschat driver okay but I would like to uninstall and clean it out and reinstall if only I could figure out how to find the cleaner!

 

Never mind. I was blind. I have it all working now.

 

It's really hard to put a price on these units. On the one hand, they are unique. There were never officially sold in the US. All of the US units (except my original one) were either imported from PCHome in Taiwan or Canada. The only ones that appear on EBay are usually the HD5470 units, as most original purchasers haven't sold their's yet. On the other hand, the 3830TGs are all over the place and selling at a significant discount and the GPU on the 3820TG is starting to show its age a bit. If I had to guess, I would think $450 would be a good price, for near perfect condition. Maybe $50 more if you have an extended warranty or some significant improvement, like a backlit keyboard. The only way to tell is to put it on EBay and see what the market does. Try a starting bid of $350 with a $400-450 reserve and see what happens.

 

Good day lads, I have had a problem with my video card in 3820TG.
After a month at the service center I finally got my Laptop back, but after installing all the drivers instead of HD 6550m, it says HD 6500M/5600/5700. When I check the card with GPU-Z it shows the following:



What is interesting is that its showing Device ID: 1002 - 68C1
I googled the Device ID and it says that its for HD 5650m.
My Everest also confirms this, it says that its a 5650m when before it said that it was 6550m. Could they have put a wrong card in??? Could you guys perhaps check what Device ID does you GPU-Z give???

 

HD5650 and HD6550 is the same card- the latter is 600MHz core (instead of 550MHz) and +0.1V to keep it stable.
GPU-Z is showing 600MHz so it's 6550 alright.

 

Thanks for the tip!

 

Thank you Bronsky and do Malho, thanks for the advice for the M4...
The only drawback is that it is just a bit more expensive than the so well praised and reliable Samsung 830 128GB...
I have read the Anandtech review of it and the enormous 5W on load consumption. I know the difference would be negligible, yet the 7mm height is pushing me towards the 830- maybe a bit more future proof in terms of Ultrabook upgrade potential- assuming the ultrabook is upgradeable like the UX32VD.
Regarding the consumption, I read in the Thinkpad forum that the 830 even beats the M4 on different tests.
128GB SSD: Samsung 830 vs. Crucial M4 ---> Vergleich Stromverbrauch - Seite 5

I would get the M4 if I was exposed to the US prices, but here in Germany things are totally different, 3 EUR for a beer and 1 EUR for a Laugenbrezel.

Min2209, well I would say a lot. However, I am biased, please provide some more info on it... (years of use, wear, general condition, temps, upgrades...etc.)

I also found some time yesterday to familiarize myself with the capabilities of this beauty. It can be OC'ed like a dream.

Pushing the slider to the very end in MSI afterburner (720/1040) , and no hickup at all, I did not stress it for long (ran just 3DMark2006 twice), yet the temps are manageable for the GPU max 76 C, and the OC'ed i5 480m (Fsb 151 Mhz) 87C.
The score was an astonishing 9791.

What temps would you recommend?
I cannot wish for anything else. I think I will not OC it , I just made it out of curiosity.
Knowing the limits, and being satisfied.
I am.

 

So for the 5650m it would say 550MHz in GPU-Z, its still strange that Everest shows 5650m cause before the card replacement, Everest showed 6550m

 

It's definitely OK. I've checked a GPU-Z screenshot at notebookcheck when they reviewed 3820TG with 6550M and it has the same device ID yours does.
( Source)

 

I am having video driver issues. I having been using the modded drivers but they were giving me issues. I thought I would try unistalling the modded drivers, installing the offical Acer drivers and then try to upgrade the ATI drivers and catlyst control center to the latest ones. I used the cleaner with the modified drivers to remove the video drivers and followed the directions to reboot, install vga, and then reboot and install new drivers. I installed the official Acer ones then resarted, set the video mode to Discrete from Switchable in the BIOS and rebooted. When I rebooted I got an installing driver message and the ATI drivers were automatically reinstalled. Seemed weird but I had never done this before so maybe its normal. I installed the updated ATI driver rebooted to check everything was working and then shut down, switched to Switchable. Everything seemed to be working but the Catylyst Control Center would not open. I figured I must have done someting wrong so cleaned and tried again. This time the ATI driver would not install at all. I finally got the Acer official driver to install by restoring the computer using a restore point prior to when all this happened. So now I have the old but official driver working but I am reluctant to try to update it because of what happened last time.

By the way my machine has a 5470 card in it if that matters.

Any ideas as to what I should try to get the updated driver working (short of reinstall Windows of course - I can do that but only as a last resort).

 

Sorry to bother you Downloads again, did a 3Dmark11 test today and at the end of the test got to a page which showed that my card is 5650/5750. Is that also normal???

 

Yes

(10 chars)

 

Yes it's OK.
In the same way drivers show it to be 6500/5600/5700 series.

 

hey guys I installed latest ati driver and my screen is washout. Is there a calibration profile that can fix this?

 

Nice to see your auction going so well. If it goes much higher, I might be tempted to sell mine.

I have a profile. If you PM me an email address, I'll send it as soon as I get the chance.

 

What are your temps on 6550m on idle? For me the 60-62C is the minimum and I'm afraid it's too high.

Also I have a cool tip to help 3820TG run quiter in games:
1. open power profile, let's say "power saver"
2. "change plan settings"
3. "change advanced power settings"
4. "processor power mngmt"
5. set maximum processor state when plugged in to 90% and on battery to 20%.
Thanks to this CPU won't be running on turbo and therefore will be much cooler and it (in my case) doesn't affect framerates, because usually the GPU is the bottleneck.
This limit to 20% while on battery helps to work longer on a battery, but for more demanding tasks it's better to switch to "balanced" profile.

 

Mmm, used for 1.5 years, battery still at nearly full capacity (didn't use much), little to no signs of wear, kept very clean, fans cleaned out regularly, repasted a few months ago. Temperatures seem about the same as when new.

Haven't gotten many offers posting locally though only got people offering $300 for it...

 

Put it on EBay. Cinsun's auction is already up to $510.00 for his 3820TG.

 

I agree with Bronsky , 300$ would be a steal..
I also think that all the knowledge gathered here could be worth a fortune as well, this machine is good, as it was designed, but this community made it fantastic.

My temps are 53C on idle, 56C on youtube 720p, and 57C on 1080p.
Thanks for the advice on the CPU limit, but I tend to run CPU oriented tasks (Matlab, Stata...).
But regarding the temps, I am not the one with experience on it...