Acer 5920-6864 : Add your comments here

Hi guys

I bought this lappy from walmart last week but it seems that its not a popular one out here. I am starting a new thread.
Please leave comments/suggestions/guides here.

Most of the discussion here is about the higher models of 5920 and 5920G.

 

25 view and no comments.
I guessed it right, its not a popular model.
However, I will keep looking for the posts.

To me, its a very nice laptop for the price. (see specs below, 752 dollars including tax).
Only thing I dont like is bloatware which comes with the Acer, however, I have disabled them all using spybot(system start up) and now its running very fast.(For the time being I have dell xps 1530, and I returned it because of very bad screen). Even when I compare with that, its not bad.

 

All 5920 models, please post your comments here.

 

I have 5920G with GF 8600M GT card.It's so great & i really like it.

 

I have 5920G. i have no problem with my lappy. i really like this laptop.

 

What upgrades (hardware) can we do on 5920 ?
I will appreciate the input.

Thanks

 

not popular!? It was the best bang for your buck in 2007! (HD-DVD, 8600GT etc...) for a grand!

 

I paid 752 including taxes.

 

I have the same model purchased from Wally world. I really love this laptop. It's super fast and stable! The only question I haven't been able to get an answer for is the integrated video controller. It states it has up to 350mb of shared video, but I looked in the bios and it's set at 8mb. The option is greyed out with no way to change it. I was also unable to find a setting in device manager or advanced options? My OS says It has 3 gigs of ram still available. I want to set the video to 350mb video memory, but can't find any info about the integrated graphics adapter.

 

I hope I haven't misjudged. I also have been watching this laptop for some time. Originally it was the 5920-6914 at CircuitCity for $648. I thought this was a great deal. But of course, they didn't really have them. Several weeks to order. Then I learned that the 5520-5912 is the same unit with AMD chip instead of Intel. CirCity @ $550, Walmart @ $648, but again not in stock.

The 5920 is slated for obsolete so it may never come in even if ordered. Then I found the 5920-6864 at an out of town Walmarts today, so I grabbed it for $698. The only difference that I can spot is that it comes with a 1GB and a 2GB mem so it has 3GB, as opposed to the 5920-6914, which only includes 2GB out of the box.

All of the forums and reviews that I checked over the last two weeks gave the 5920 very high marks for reliability and there were only a few complaints, and most of those were user correctable.

I have hesitated to open the box for a couple of hours in case I decided to take it back. Doing one final review of my research, I happened to come upon this forum and think this has helped me decide to keep it and open it up. I don't think I'll be sorry, but I'll be sure to post if I do find any issues, particularly if they are unresolved by Acer.

I guess this was a vent and not a question. But thanks for being there anyway.

UncaBee

 

does it do what you want ?
is it what you wanted ?
if yes and if you look after it treat it like a fragile child and it will give you years of good service.
that goes for any laptop

enjoy your new toy.

 

did you say upgrades

run pc wizard 2008, let us know on the upgrade thread (sticky at the top of page).let us know what you want to do and the upgrade lads and lassieswill swing in to action..

Welcome to the best forum on the net for laptop help and info.
Enjoy your stay

 

You cannot change the amount of pre-allocated memory (8mb). It is dynamically allocated by the Operating System as needed. The drivers for Windows Xp or Windows Vista control this. Unless you can write drivers, there is no way to allocate more memory.

 

I bought a 5920-6470. $650 after the rebate check from Circuit City, which just arrived a few days ago. I hate rebates.
Anyway, it's Centrino, so all Intel inside. I wanted that for better Linux compatibility. Have read plenty of posts on this forum that ping on Acer for sleazy build quality, so trying to be gentle with it. Also bought a stout Zero Halliburton carry case for about $100. Way more than I'd hoped to pay for a case, but probably good insurance.
The 5920's seem to be well-outfitted for the price. The only things I've decided I really don't like are the dirt-magnet keys and the SVGA port that doesn't have the threaded receptors to secure an external monitor connection.

That's a great idea, using spybot to disable startup applications. Some friends just bought an HP laptop with Vongo pre-installed. Vongo is dug in like a tick. I wonder if spybot would work for disabling that?

 

got mine back in june 2007 so it was $1200
close to top of the line then

still close to top of the line now in my opinion

 

I agree.
So far I am very happy with it. Works wonderful even though I havent done a clean install(all bloatware in it, Lazy me)

 

What is PC wizard 2008 ?

 

Hey all, just to chime into this thread about the 5920. I recently bought a 5920-6574 for $1237 CAD including tax and I am very pleased with this system.

It is priced VERY competitively for it's specs and it has no problems with the screen like the Dells. Personally, I find the design to be quite good and the media keys / web keys are actually placed well and non obtrusive.

The system runs at quite a decent temperature when using it for every day tasks. The only thing I was disappointed in when I opened the box was that there were 0 CDs/DVDs included. I was at least expecting an acer branded vista restore DVD.

Overall, I think this is a great laptop and I would recommend this to others.

Acer Aspire 5920-6574
15.4" 1280x800
Intel Core 2 Duo T8100 (2.1GHz)
3GB DDR667 Samsung (1x2GB, 1x1GB)
250GB Western Digital HDD
Nvidia 8600M GT 512MB DDR2
Windows Vista Home Premium

 

I bought mine about two weeks ago, and have not been able to install one of my home network printers. The Acer finds the network printer, but tells me that it cannot install it because there is not enough memory, and to close some programs and try again. With 3GB RAM and 2MB L2 cache, I can't believe that it's low on memory. Has anyone had a similar problem?

 

http://pc-wizard-2008.en.softonic.com/

we use it to find out what's in and going on inside your laptop and what you can upgrade.

a few of use a running an upgrade thread and we find all the info you need about how far you can go with the upgrade.

see link in my sig

 

try your virtual memory, im not to sure but i think the printer spools to the virtual memory

in xp its right click my computer>advanced tab>performance setting button>advanced tab>Virtual memory change button.
i use my D partion initial size 756mb, maximum size 1512mb.

but this keeps my printer spooling happy as i do loads of printing for a local school

 

thats interesting, i got a windows cd so i can reinstall windows. no other stuff, quite frankly i dont like other stuff.

 

Well yeah but it would've been great if it had a CD for the drivers instead of having me go to their website and download it and burn it myself.

I'm pretty sure I got all the things I'm supposed to get. The Acer laptop box was sealed within another box that was also sealed that was used for shipping.

 

@CMWelch -- you must be one in a billion, as all others that bought 5920G with Vista (as it's Vista only model, besides some optionally Linux based models in Asia) got 0 CD/DVD with operating system included.

@EZero -- before you do ANY disk formatting, fire up backup application (acer backup manager or smth) and burn few DVD's -- this way you can make restore DVD (2 in my case) and additional 1 DVD with drivers and apps.

Be sure restore DVD's are working before formatting/changing your hard drive. Restore image is pre-activated, so there should be no problem with registration.

Check forum, there are numerous threads about restore/backup solutions for 5920.

Cheers,
b.

 

I considered that and yes, this is the unit I originally researched and compared to all others and decided on. And yes, I have now opened the box and spent the last two days playing around and loading a few of my top programs for testing. I have to say that so far this unit is the cat's pajamas. Speed, functionality, it all seems to be there. And, yes, I'm very happy.

Thanks, for your encouragement, Hoggie.

 

i got a 5920, not 5920g at best buy. they only sold them for a short time and then stopped carrying them

 

FIRST 5920 PROBLEM:

Maybe I did speak too soon. This is the third day I've had my 5920-6864 out of the box. It has been working flawlessly and out-performing the scratch built P4 Franken-puter I brought to life last year.

Then out of the blue, I get this keyboard issue. Suddenly it wants to double up the letters. if I type b or n I get bn; if I type z or x, I get zx; if I type f or v I get vf; Spacebar gives me a space and a comma. Every time, doesn't matter if caps on or off, numbers on or off. Almost every key in the bottom row and space bar was afflicted.

I found a keyboard issues thread and many people had other issues but I didn't find this exact one, and that thread apparently stopped last August. I plugged in a UBS external keyboard and that worked fine, uninstalled wireless mouse, made no difference.

Starting to get frustrated. Restarted. Same thing. Then I turned it over to feel the bottom in case it might be an overheat issue. Then for no reason, I started to pat the bottom of the unit, like burping a baby, just five or six times. Flipped it back topside and everything is back to normal.

Go figure. Dust? Cat hair? Can the unit be that sensitive? After only three days? That's going to be an issue if I take it on the road and it starts doing it.

If it does it again, it's going back. Other than that, it's been great.

UncaBee

 

my aspire was very temperamental for the first couple of weeks then i noticed all the drivers where old. for some reason acer send there laptops out with old drivers. after up dating the drivers my keyboard and touchpad went back to normal.

like a child "touchy when new"

 

I ordered a 5920-6914 from Circuit City and am just waiting for delivery. Anyone know if i can play some games on it? Even old games like Warcraft III and Call of Duty 1?

 

Yes you can play games .(Only if you have 8600M GT).It even can play crysis @ 1280x800 all medium (DX9 mode)

 

Thanks for the reply BigSpin but oops! the 5920-6914 i ordered only comes with an Intel x3100. Any idea if it'd work with the older games (even in medium to low res.)? Thanks in advance!

 

I'm a 5920G owner and I love this thing! my only real complaints about it is the bit of keyboard flex on the right hand side, which I haven't noticed to impact my use at all and the fact it gets so hot on the left hand side. I do love how it's exhaust is out the back and not the side, as that can make using a mouse beside it uncomfortable...something Asus does too frequently for my taste!

some may find the placement of the USB port by the optical bay to be stupid, as it's so close that opening the drive may be interfered with due to the size of some USB devices. I find it perfect for my VX Revolution dongle tho, as it doesn't interfere with it's use. same goes for my parents with the same unit as me and their VX Nano dongle.

 

Still waiting for the arrival of my 5920-6914. Just curious though, would plugging in a mouse at the USB port near the cd tray block it's opening? Thanks in advance!

 

didnt block my cd tray, my flash drive which is wider hoever does

 

Well i guess they designed that USB outlet specifically for the mouse. Thanks!

 

Hi guys, I'm new to these forums, I found you by searching for a review of this laptop. I'm in the market for my first notebook, this one seems like the ticket.

I've searched high and low and settled on 2 GB of RAM for my price point ~$700 but this puppy has 3 off the shelf you cannot beat that. The HD space is okay although I don't need *that much* as I have a desktop with 500 GB and an external backup drive if need be.

That being said, I've been stuck using my sisters ancient Compaq M2000 for a laptop with 256 MB RAM and craptastic AMD Mobile processor this is gonna be a huge upgrade.

All the reviews I've read are positive, and it's available in limited stock at a Wal-Mart about an hour away from me! Hopefully today is the day for me.

My only questions are:

Some people have said recovery media were included. If it is great, If not is Vista's recovery utility activated so I can burn a set? I know my new HP desktop made my burn my own but I've read some system don't have that enabled.

Linux compatibility. I use Ubuntu and was wondering if the basics will work under it. Video card, wireless, etc.

Thanks,
Dan

 

will 5920g manage the 2 2GB ddr2 800MHz sodimm?

 

Hi, I have the 5920G.041 variant of this notebook. As I am in the UK this is one of many variants avalible.
I would have preferred the Nvidia 8600m GT but I am sure the GS version is more than capable for what I need it for.
I have played Toca Race Driver 3 and Call of duty 4, both look great on this notebook.
No problems as yet, very pleased. Paid £599 which seemed to be the cheapest I could find.

 

I have had an acer 5920-6313 for about 2 months now. I am very happy with it. I'm currently dual booting xp pro and ubuntu 7.10.

Ubuntu works out of the box (I was very impressed that the live CD had working wireless drivers.) the only thing I had to do was change the sound output options.

the 6313 is the best buy model with a 1.5ghz c2d and no bluetooth. I felt that vista operation was a little sluggish so I "upgraded" to xp pro (even though the 8600gt supports dx10 running any game in dx10 mode with this gpu will give crap all performance)

i've already replaced the 160GB 5400rpm HDD that came with it with a 200GB Hitachi 7200. I've also got a T8100 on the way from newegg (should be here tuesdayish).

Considering the standard price/performance as well as the ease of upgrading (there is a single panel on the bottom which is all that is needed to replace cpu, gpu, hdd, memory, or wifi card) I think that the 5920 is a great buy.

the walmart special comes with x3100 onboard gfx right? I wonder what changes were made to the mobo (does it still have an MXMII slot). That might be the ultimate upgrade.

 

It would be interesting if you could do a 'how to' when changing/upgrading parts, to give some of us a chance lol, I have never had a notebook before so I would need a guide, I have built numerous tower pc's for friends/family though.

 

I'll try to take some pics when I upgrade the cpu and post a bit of a how to. probably in krazyphires upgrade sticky.

 

Hi Folks,

Well I got my mitts on this laptop yesterday. It's awesome and actually scores better than my brand new desktop on the Vista scoring. @ GMCGEE I successfully ran the live CD and even recognized my wireless card, how cool is that!?! I cannot wait to install Ubuntu and dive right in. My only complaint is there's no restore discs and no way to make a set. I'm going to order the CD from Acer for $20, it's well worth it, this way I can play around with my partitions. Has anyone ordered these CDs? If so does it include Vista and all the drivers?

I do have one question the computer came with two partitions. One is C: and the other is D: and is labeled Data. Here's the strange thing the D: partition is empty. I'm confused because normally a partition like this is filled with restore files. I'd like to use this partition for Ubuntu. Is there any danger in wiping it out?

Thanks,
Dan

 

Guys contrary to my previous post there is a way to make restore discs.. Using Acer's eRecovery software, it walks your right though the process, mine took 2 DVDs.

I've had this laptop a little over a week and am quite impressed with it. It actually scores better than my new HP desktop on Vista's capability tests. It just works, I uninstalled most of the Acer branded stuff.

It's blazing fast compared to any other laptop I've used. I'd recommend this laptop to anyone.

Cheers,
Dan

 

Big Dan,
there is also a hidden "RECOVERY" partition, it was 9 gig on my laptop.
after making the recovery DVDs/CDs you could delete that partition if you wanted/needed the extra space... but alot of people around here have had trouble using their restore disks (some people think the problems arise from deleting that hidden partition. so if you delete it you do so at your own risk.

i myself had to get rid of VISTA so i made the restore disks and then wiped my laptop and did a fresh install of XP-sp2 retail.

 

Thanks Ozone. Out of the box the machine has 3 partitions. Roughly half the drive is C:\ another partition is almost the same size called "Recovery" and a third parition of about 4 GB that appears to be a restore partition.

I figured out that the recovery partition holds compressed files that are backed up with Acer's recovery manager, and files encrypted with Acer's encryption app (I forget the name off hand).

I removed all of Acer's reinstalled stuff like the recovery and encryption software. Then deleted the recovery partition. So far I've had no issues.

Because I have no idea what the last partition actually does, I've left it alone.

My current partitioning scheme is:

• 60 GB Vista (ntfs)
• 50 GB Ubuntu (ext3)
• 6 GB Swap (for Ubuntu)
• 4 GB Acer's mystery partition

All in all it's a great computer and runs Vista well. I've decided not to downgrade to XP as I got burnt downgrading my desktop to XP where everything worked but the DVD burner. XP would read discs but not burn them and no drivers were available for XP. Unfortunetly it was an OEM verison of XP so I cannot move it to another computer.

I have a feeling we're fighting a loosing battle by downgrading to XP as soon or later MS is going to drop support for XP as it did with the 9x branch.

 

i know what you mean about MS dropping support for XP.... i dread the day, i guess i'm gonna have to bite the bullet and go to some flavor of linux in the near future... i guess i could wipe out one of my slow desktops that i have running win98 and get myself reaquainted,, last time i was running linux the GUI versions were just comming out, so i'm sure things have changed a lot...

but this laptop will run XP pro for a few more years... i've got an older compaq presario 2700 that i may put Ubuntu on just for experimentation.

glad you hear you got those recovery disks made, hope you continue to have nothing but success and good luck in dealing with VISTA. MS will have to come pry my XP off my laptop, i'll never give it up willingly.

later,
bigozone

 

I recently bought an acer aspire 5920-6864 and I have been experiencing problems with viewing videos online. When I try to watch a video sometimes the video will play like a messed up dvd.

 

Hi Kaden,

I'm not expert but be sure to check your (Intel I assume) video driver is up to date. Also be sure the source is good, some YouTube videos look like garbage because they're poor quality in the first place then when YouTube transcodes them they often end up looking worse.

Hope it helps,
Dan