8104WLMi screen flicker while charging...

I could use a little advice please;

I received my new Travelmate 8104WLMi last week. It's a nice machine in most respects, but I've just noticed that if I run off the battery for a couple of hours and then reconnect the AC/PSU the screen flickers randomly and the Power Scheme in ePowerManagement shows as DC/battery (with intermittent flicking over to AC). This continues until the battery reaches around 60% charge, then the flickering stops and the Power Scheme shows as AC/PSU.

This is my first laptop, so I want to ask here if this is "normal" or a known fault. Faulty PSU maybe?

 

its recommended that you dont connect the AC adaptor while the computer is still on. try turning it off and then plugging it in.. ppower on and see if problem still persists..

 

If it only one week old i suggest u get a replacement .the culprit is the the power adapter. Its the backlight that flickers . Try got get the replacement ASAP .

 

Thanks for the replies. The flickering was happening on a cold boot too, not good.

I contacted Acer UK and got a returns authorization (they said it's probably either the AC adapter or the charging circuitry). It's back in it's box, awaiting collecton.

I hope they can just swap the AC adapter, in all other respects it was flawless (no dead/stuck pixels etc).

Thanks again for the help guys.

 

yes, I'd read that a warranty extention was a good idea, I bought a 3 year + accidental when I ordered the machine, not registered it yet though. Luckily I reported the fault within Acer's 5-working-days-from-receipt deadline, so they should give it higher priority than a standard warranty repair. We'll see [ ]

 

Tapeworm if possible try to get 3 years exteneded warrenty Belive me else you will regret later

 

Tapeworm,

You should check this out. It relates to your post.

http://www.notebookreview.com/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=13203

It would be intresting to know if your problem of screen flicker was solved and how?

Maybe you could fill us in be adding some reply, since this would be realy valueable first hand information to collect on this problem.

Thanks,
QC

 

Same problem with my new 8104 WLmi.
I solved it removing the battery for a while.

 

It seems that this flickering/charging fault is quite common. I wonder if these problem machines are all from the same defective batch?

My 8104 is back at Acer UK, when I phoned yesterday I was told they're awaiting a "part" to repair it, so from that it seems unlikly that it's just the AC adaptor or battery (unless they've had to replace so many that they've run out [} ]). If it's not fixed by Wednesday then they're over the 72 hour deadline and should ship me a new one (if they've got any).

 

Took them 2.5 months to replace my 2026 with a 1694.....

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by Tapeworm

 

I spoke to Acer UK today and apparently their "repair in 72 hours or replace" priority service is "not guaranteed".

They claim they can't source a replacemnet 8104WLMi, so they've ordered a lower spec model to cannibalise in order to repair mine. They also can't give me a firm date for when this will happen.

The more I think about it, the less I like the idea of spending £1400+ on a brand new laptop that's had to be "repaired". If they could have sorted this quickly I wouldn't mind so much, but I'm not happy about the open-ended repair date.

I've emailed the supplier for a replacement or refund.

 

Quick update of my saga; When I called Acer to get the machine back for a replacement they told me it was under repair, so I left it with them. Got it back today, so they took about a week and a half to fix it (not as bad as I feared).

The Repair Report reads "Replaced Charger Board", and yes, it's fixed the problem [ ]. I'm quite pleased now, if I'd had it replaced and got one with dead pixels then I'd really be sulking...

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by Tapeworm

 

Hi Q, thanks. Acer's pixel policy is about average I think, but because of the resolution of the 810x their tolerence is quite high;

http://support.acer-euro.com/documents/reports/displaylcd.pdf

I suppose that given the expense of high-end LCD monitors and laptops most people expect/want the display to be perfect. I could probably tolerate a couple of dud pixels around the edges, probably wouldn't notice them much on top of the usual display crud (dust, fingerprints, sneeze spray, etc [ ]) but I work in Graphics, so maybe I'm a little pickier than some....

 

Tapeworm,

Tanks for the info.
Good Luck with your system.

QC

 

I had exactly the same problem (flickering video) with my brand new Acer 8103.
Firstly battery and adaptor were replaced but the problem remained.
Then I sent it to Acer Italy; they returned it after 3 days with "charge board replaced".
Unfortunately notebook worked just for half a day, then video started flickering again (so not lucky as Tapeworm was!).

Next Tuesday I should be given a new 8103 but after having gone through some forums (this one included) I start being in doubt which notebook I am really going to get [xx(]

As first Acer experience, not the best...

(Sorry for my english; hope you can understand...)


Leo

 

hi lan_nb, sorry to hear about your problem. Join the club.

It turns out that I was wrong, my 8104 is still flickering even with a new charger board. I assumed it was fixed because when I got it back the battery was dead flat, and when I plugged it in to charge up it charged without flickering. Since then in normal use I get flickering for the first 5/10 minutes of charging.

 

How noticeable was the flickering? Is it more subtle or pretty obvious? The first time I charged it was really noticeable, but I switched the battery and ac adapter and it seems fine now, but I am not sure cuz it seems like the screen has a weak refresh rate or something or it could be perfectly fine.

 

It's very noticable. On my machine the screen/backlight flashes between minimum brightness and the brightness level of my default battery power profile. There's about a one second interval per flash. If you run ePowerManagment (or the windows battery meter) it shows the power source as "battery" even when it's plugged in.

As I mentioned, the flashing continues for quite a while, and makes the display very uncomfortable to use. If you're just seeing a few flashes when you first plug in then I wouldn't worry about it.

 

How disheartening but at the same time comforting to hear a similar stories. I thought it was just me!
I purchased a 8104WLMi at the beginning of March. Within 9 days the flickering mentioned above had begun. And it is very noticeable. Think strobe effect in a dark cinema! It is very difficult to look at let alone work with.
I was absolutely furious considering it has taken months to decide which notebook to choose and finally this model appears to have everything and it goes wrong so quickly.
I contacted the vendor who infomred me that because it was outside their 7 days period, I would have to contact Acer udner the warranty scheme. I was not happy - customer service???

Acer informed me that I would have to package it up and have it couriered to their Repair Centre! 9 days old - to be repaired!
Great, I thought!
It was treated with urgency - but still took 10 days to return it after much chasing on my part.
Machine returned last Thursday and by Friday the flickering was back!
On the repair note, "Replaced mainboard".
That sounds pretty serious to me - IT illiterate as I am.
And it still has problems. I am now, as I type, awating a courier to collect my machine for a SECOND TIME! Unknown timescale, unknown solution. Not happy! This is not what you expect from a £1,400 machine!
Just wanted to post my thoughts so that if Acer people are reading through these, as I have advised them to do, they will see that there is a small swelling of unhappy new Acer customers!

Will post when the machine comes back, but symptahise with those that dont have another machine to work on. Fortunately most people do, but surely this shouldnt be expected when buying a new laptop?

 

Can anyone tell me if they have got their 8104 back yet and its in full working order?
Just interested to know if Acer have resolved the problem yet.

Thanks

 

As far as I know nobody seems to have had his notebook repaired successfully.
However some buyers had their notebook working perfectly from the very beginning. Therefore some (many) laptops are not defective at all.

What really sounds strange is that you did not get your laptop working though the mainboard had been replaced! I wonder: what else is a notebook but a mainboard covered by a chassis?!? What else are you supposed to replace? Too bad[xx(]

In a few hours I will have a new 8103 (replacement of the defective one): I will let you know any news (hoping good news!).

Bye

Leo

 

Hi springy, we're in exactly the same boat, my Acer is packed and waiting for the courier a second time.

I got my 8104 from acernotebooks.co.uk, and they're really not interested in accepting returns or refunds for Acer products, even though under UK law they should ("Sale Of Goods Act as ammended"). Emails to them were met with a generic "we're sorry, please contact Acer" reply, and 'phoning gets you a recorded "please see our website FAQ for returns". I chose the path of least resistance and contacted Acer for repair, but needless to say I won't be using acernotebooks.co.uk again.

I would strongly recommend that anybody thinking of getting a 8100 model should consider some of the other hi-spec sonoma models that are starting to emerge (Asus Z71v looks good), and in my opinion you should avoid acernotebooks.co.uk if you care about after-sales service or customer support (they also trade as laptopsdirect.co.uk, shoptargus.co.uk, and Easy Computers).

 

Ditto tapeworm comments above.

Laptop bought from same place. Would not recommend under any circumstances.

Pay extra and buy it elsewhere - you wont regret it!

Tapeworm... post how you get on. I will as soon as I get further updates.

There are other ways of resolving it, through credit cards/legal action but that is a last resort.

 

Latest update (in the ongoing saga)

Machine has arrived at Acer for a second time though this time will not be treated as urgently as before! I have been told that because it is a re-repair then it will be quicker than a new repair (good news apparently!) anywhere up to 10 working dasy depending on parts!!

Great! No deadline adn I just have to wait!
Top customer service Acer!

 

Same here. Machine back at Acer. Re-repair so not treated as being under "urgent warranty".

 

Diagnostic test - needs a new main board - AGAIN (Third one)!
Awaiting parts!

How many main boards do they need to replace on a brand new machine for it to work?

It stinks of bad quality control in my book.

Just an update.

 

I will send my 8104 notebook with flickering problem to Acer Italy tomorrow. The problem (in the opinion of ACER technician) should be in the power supply connection jack.
Despite my dubts, I hope so!

 

Got mine back this morning (pretty fast turn around from Acer this time - they only recieved it last Friday). New charger board fitted (second replacement). I've done two charge-ups from low battery hibernations, no sign of flickering so far. Cautiously optimistic...

 

Still waiting, they are really taking the mickey this time!

ANYONE READING THIS... DON'T BUY AN ACER!

If I had the choice again I would pay over the odds for a countre bought different brand... pick Sony, IBM anyone but ACER!

IF you think you have seen bad customer service, think again!
Acer will redfine awful customer service!
Timescales, quality, politeness are jargon terms they have never heard of!

A FURIOUS ACER (NEVER TO BE AGAIN) CUSTOMER.

Still waiting...

 

I know what you mean springy. Even though my new laptop was eventually fixed, the large number of dissatisfied Acer owners and my own experience with them has meant that I've lost confidence in the Acer brand.

I'm looking for a good flat panel monitor, it won't be an Acer...

 

hi tapeworm,

machine has finnally been picked up of the techies floor after i am sure they have being playing tennis with it!

should get it back tomorrow... we shall see..

as for a flat panel... dont even go there with ACER.

friend has just returned a new one.... customer service? shocking as ever

NICE ONE ACER!

If you are reading this ACER, you should be ASHAMED!

 

In the last two TM 8104 that i received i noticed that BOTH didn't close off the battery very well with the glider on one side. It is known that some screen flicker problems origante from power problems. So check if both sides of the battery closed well. Normally they click automatically but apparently not always.

QC

 

Hi all ... i was just about to order the TM8104 when I stumbled across this forum. Its not very encouraging to hear your experiences and I am reconsidering buying this notebook. On paper the system is outstanding but I rate tech support highly and from what I have read, ACER have to get their act sorted.

Have your issues been resolved completely? What would you comsider on par with the TM8104?

Thanks

 

Hi folks,

Can I join in the lamenting?
I've got a brand new TM8104WLMi and I have the exact same problem right out of the box.

No problems with a fully charged battery.
No problems with a mostly charged battery....
but when the battery charge is as low as 60% or lower, the screen flickers while the system finds and looses the battery altogther and the system charges extreamly slowly (~1%/hour).

The worst part is....the system won't even run on battery power at all at that point. If I remove that AC power, the system shuts down immediately.

The battery is fine and does have a usable charge
The AC adapter is fine.

There is a post where a guy is saying that it is a bad solder joint near the AC conector inside the machine.
Here's a link:
http://www.howtofixcomputers.com/bb/ftopic80258.html

He seems to have had the same problem.

Before I send mine back or tear into it.
I am waiting to find out what they said about your machine.
thanks for sharing this problem.

more soon...

 

Have had the 8103 for about two weeks now. After reading this forum did a "battery test". Ran down the battery to about 3% charge and plugged in the a/c. the only flicker problem I noticed was when the power status changed. The brightness changes and the whole screen blips (turns off and on again). This happens anytime I disconnect and reconnect to a/c irrespective of the battery charge. Other than than I have had no problems. I did speak with acer tech support and they were ready to schedule a pick to have it picked up for repairs (they were sure that this was not normal). but this is not that annoying to me so decided against sending it in.

I did this "battery test" thing about 3 times and never ran into the constant flicker problem other than what I just said. But the battery lasted me about 2.5hrs from full charge down to 3% which is kinda low for a centrino laptop

 

Mine still seems OK with the replaced charger board. I wouldn't attempt a DIY repair, you'll probably invalidate the warranty, and for the money these things cost why should you have to? Send it back to Acer or return it to the supplier. Good luck.

 

I was thinking of getting the 8103 and still am despite some minor problems.

I came across a website where the user had the same problem, contacted Acer and had his battery replaced from the original (Motorola) battery with a (Sanyo) from Acer and the flickering went away!

Check your battery mfg. then call Acer back up, it seems this is where the problem is originating.

Hope that helps.

Let us know.