Acer Aspire 5740G Owners Lounge

anyone wanna post some pics and do a review on youtube.

 

Found one place selling the model I wanted (Core i3, HD 5650) in the UK, and called about stock. Was told it was expected in March... after being expected in February, and January. The rep couldn't give me any further details. I'm currently a willing customer, but who knows when/if it's happening.

 

Laptops Direct ?

 

I've been shopping for a new lappie for 3 months and finally pulled the trigger for 5740G from CompUSA. Delivered today @ 1pm PST. I raced home from work and opened my box all excited to start my new laptop life....

1. First time it started to load windows, it just stalled. Screen was off with no HD activity. Power cycled and windows completed installation.

2. Cannot connect to my Wireless network. I've rebooted the router, refreshed the DSL lease. Removed and reinstalled the device and downloaded the drivers over again and reinstalled. It will not connect.

3. On a whim I wanted to check the BIOS... Hit F2 to enter <SETUP> *Hits F2* Loading Windows 7..... So it looks like my F2 key is busted.

Looks like I'm going to have to limp along with a fried video card and a bad stick of ram on my current lappie. I am so disappointed.

Anyone have any ideas here? I feel like I covered all my bases, but maybe not.

 

Why don't you try and restore the system completely. Maybe something broke during the initial installation.

About the f2 key, i think if you contact support services they'll have it replaced.

 

I know it's kinda stupid question but F2 doesn't work in Windows either i.e. Fn +F2 combo?
My be you just timed it wrong- I accessed the BIOS on the second try because I was a bit too slow with hitting F2 on the first try

 

yes i had this same problem when installing the ssd and trying to get into bios, you just gotta spam it from when you press the power button. i don't have the laptop with me as it's the DTR but which function is fn+f2?

first off congrats on purchase esecially since it is sold out everywhere(here where i am) and that i am currently getting offers from alot of people to buy mine

#1 - restore to factory defaults (if you can still make the recovery discs, make them now!) this will fix any issues that may have occured with the interrupted first use installation

#2 - if you scroll back a few pages this wireless issue may have something to do with mcafee/avast, user Zstriker might have better insight into it. In any case the restore to default might even fix it.(or a bad mcafee install?) not to think your a noob, but did you ensure the wireless button was lit?(on)

#3 - spam f2 once you press power, this has happned to me a few times on other laptops i wait but the POST on this bios seems very fast

you didn't mention any video issues other than you think its fried? any reasons why? and if the ram was faulty,usually you would be getting bsods, is this happening? maybe with the restore all these issues would be moot.

in any case, if nothing helps after troubleshooting, exchange it! unfortunately not all units are made the same and a few will get past QC

 

must see this regarding ur pink dot problem . My laptop got these the same day i bought and according to acer service center its a dead on arrival laptop . I am getting a new one from acer in place of this but 20 days already passed and they are telling its their fault not to give me and i will have to wait more 2 weeks .

http://www.techenclave.com/laptops/acer-5740g-issues-must-see-160704.html

 

Ever since I installed a new driver my dots are gone.

 

Update on my Assassin's creed problem: I have installed the 10.3 catalyst drivers Download linked and the problem took about 1 minute (a bit longer than normal) but still crashed with Powerplay on. I got discouraged and didn't continue testing. I'll next try it with Powerplay off and then install the new audio driver if powerplay didn't fix it.

Thanks for the help Download.

 

Oh as for some specs on thing thing: I downloaded Just Cause 2 demo yesterday and ran the benchmark included with the demo (i know, a benchmark with a demo, isn't that sweet?) and it did pretty well.

I didn't write down the settings but it was 1680x1050, 16x antisopotric filtering or whatever its called, 4x AA, high settings on 75% of stuff, low object detail, high water detail, detailed shadows unchecked. etc. dont remember it all and it averaged ~22 fps. Not bad. It peaked at about 30 and had short bursts of 17 or so.

 

I just ran the Batman Arkham Asylum benchmark and I got
Min 36 fps
Max 75 fps
Avg 57 fps

Very High Settings, No VSync in 1366x768
No AA was enabled. I read somewhere that forcing it through Catalyst Center takes a big hit in performance.

But I have a question. Has anyone tried taking a screenshot in Batman:AA? I press Print Screen, try to paste the screenie in paint, and I end up with just a black screen.

EDIT:: Downloads tipped me on Fraps and I was able to get a screenshot with Fraps

 

Could you please run it at 1366x768 all high and no AA, no AF.
Thanks in advance.

EDIT: BTW Screenshot with the results would be nice.

 

Anybody looking for this laptop in the UK like I was its back in stock at SimplyAcer and LaptopDirect

 

@InstantOatmeal
I got my new 5740G-434G50Mn just a few days back and I face the same problem as you- the pink dots all over the screen.. It initially scared the crap outta me cuz i thought the piece had some manufacturing defect... I hope it doesn't affect the life of the laptop screen..

I updated my BIOS too...and installed the new catalyst. i can't figure out what's causing it. it doesn't even necessarily happen when doing something graphics intensive...infact, it never happens when i'm playing a game(NFS MW,etc.)...just happens when i'm doing something light and when it feels like it. seems to a problem that cud be solved by turning off the powerplay.i'll try and post again.. also in my case, the pink dots stay there... until i do something like win+d or refresh the screen...

beats me!!!

 

After reading through this thread a couple times, I initially felt that any pink dots meant 100% hardware issue. Typically any sort of artifacting like that implies something is either overheating, faulty, or burnt. The problem is that most of you guys report fairly good temperatures, or artifacting only occurs in 2D situations (and not in 3D games). This still could point to an issue with the hardware, but it seems more and more likely it is an issue with WDDM1.1 and the GPU.

Theoretically, if one were to completely wipe the system and install a non-oem copy of Win7, then install GPU drivers straight from the 10.3a (or 10.3) download off AMD's website, this would provide more evidence that points one way or the other. It would be my hope that a completely fresh system with 10.3 drivers directly from ATI would exhibit none of these issues.

One of my biggest questions to those who have upgraded to 10.3 but still see dots or artifacting: Did you uninstall all previous ATI drivers from the system, disable automatic driver installation, reboot, and then install the new drivers from ATI? Installing over the old driver can be somewhat haphazard, something those of us who used to frequently install modded Nvidia drivers got used to over the years.

EDIT: Also, downloads, do you think that this issue may have something to do with the fact that the i5 chips have built in integrated graphics? I'm actually not sure if these i4 and i5 chips in this model all have integrated Intel HD (although I was under the impression that all these chips had Intel HD built in). Could there be some kind of conflict occuring between the i5 and the ATI GPU? Is there any sort of option in the BIOS that allows for switching or disabling one or the other?

 

Still out of stock from what i can see ?

 

The version I'm interested in (Radeon 5650 graphics) is currently out-of-stock at both Laptops Direct and Dabs (only two major retailers I've seen with it).

 

Hi guys,
im interested in this notebook, cuz for the price, there's nohting better.

got one question though - the 5740g doesnt have Firewire or eSATA, just the USB 2.0. How do you guys solve the problem of data-transfer to external SATA drives? is there any other way, besides the relatively slower USB 2.0?

i'm asking cuz i would swap a 60GB SSD in and keep the 5400rpm 500GB externally, where i'd store large files and gigs of multimedia, so as to by-pass the SSD totally. eSATA would be the easiest way... thus my question.

thanks for help!

callix

 

by using the usb2.0 there is no other option, unless you burn to disc or transfer through a shared connection (via ethernet connection > router).
if you plan on transferring large files might want to look at other laptop options, the missing ports (firewire +esata) are the big reason this unit is at such a great price-performance ratio.


for those of you looking for this puppy in canada(they do international shipping too!) NCIX.com has two in stock, their page isn't updated but i called and they do have two in stock and one openbox no more coming so get it whiel it's there

 

I've been looking at the 6395 with the i5-520M. It's pretty much the only model I can find from a reputable dealer for under $800.

First off, has anyone experienced the artifacting that has been reported here with that model? Second, does it support Hyper-Threading and 1066MHz DDR3 memory? I always thought it did, and most sites confirm that. I only have a doubt because someone showed my this link.

 

Just an update- I haven't seen any artifacts in 2-3 days. I've been playing Sims 3 for hours at a time, sometimes while browsing the web. Haven't had any troubles whatsoever. Doesn't make much since but I'm happy.

 

whats your driver version ?

 

OK. I'm gonna need some cooperation on this one.
Could you please post a GPU-Z screenshot or just copy paste your video BIOS version?
Since it looks like these pink dots appear when Powerplay changes clocks while in 2D mode could you please go to CCC and change Poweplay settings like this:
1. Maximize battery life for "plugged in" profile. This will limit make the GPU run at 100MHz/150MHz but limit the clocks to 300MHz/300MHz when they go up.
It's not for gaming though- the benefit is the clocks do not change constantly when using DXVA for example from 100/150 to 550/740 then to 450/150 and 150/750 and so on- weird combinations.
2. Disable Powerplay completely by unchecking "enable powerplay" in CCC.
This will make the GPU run at 550/750 constantly so it's not really a solution but it's just for testing.
If it's fine that way- download AMD GPU Clock (link in first post of the thread) and set the clocks manually to 100MHz core and 150MHz VRAM.
This way you achieve 2D clocks with Powerplay disabled. If it works this way that means the problem is not the card or memory but probably video BIOS that has voltage settings for different Powerplay speed-steps and these do not fit all the memory chips used with the GPU.

Well unfortunately Acer made that decision for us. Intel HD built in the CPU is disabled and there is no option in BIOS to enable it. It would be a solution to the pink dots problem as ATI card works fine with 3D clocks and Intel card would work only with 2D clocks thus kinda solving the pink dots problem without having to run ATI card at 3D clocks all the time.
As I already wrote I suspect this problem is caused by or connected to voltage settings for VRAM. I'm pretty sure different units use different memory chips as they overclock differently while the ATI chip itself overclocks more or less the same for everybody. I don't believe ATI chip is faulty- it's not that complicated to make 40nm chip with only 400 cores and other laptops that use this chips and desktop version had not caused any problems that I'm aware of.
Acer Aspire 7740G got a video BIOS update on the 12 of January six days prior to 5740G BIOS being released (with no VBIOS change though)

 

Oh great!! i just put down a 2000rps deposit on this laptop but am being told it will take at least 2 weeks b4 i get one....and now it seems like 50% of the ppl who get one have pink dot problems.

Should i cancel and get the sony vaoi EB16 FG which i was going to get originally?? or do you think this is solvable problem and not hardware failiure across the board.
I only chose this as i am getting a laptop for gaming(anyone in india up for company of heroes/dawn of war2?) and want to play all my games at native res. and the sony has a very nice 1080p screen but also the slightly weaker i3-330 proc.....but now im thinking i might just settle for a superior quality manufacturer with better after service etc. and avoid the headache everyone seems to be getting with these machines( i have ordered the i5-430 with 1gb 5650 radeon part no. pmbXXXX.177)

 

Actually there are two people with GPU problem here including one that started the original thread on other forum (that problem had been different though).
We're talking mainly about this matter so it may seem like it's sth global but it's not- we're just trying to help. There are also two people with the problem supposedly fixed by driver update.
BTW Sony Vaio EB1S has the HD5650 core clocked at 450MHz instead of 550MHz so if EB16 is the same (and it probably is as Sony is notorious with downclocking) I wouldn't buy one.
Sony makes slick thin notebooks at the expense of cooling system so they are forced to downloclock. I run my HD5650 at 670MHz for gaming (additional 120MHz over default) while Sony does at 450MHz (you lose 100MHz compared to default and 240MHz compared to me!)
So keep it cool- you are unlikely to experience any problems with GPU that are not driver related.

 

Is it supposed to turn on the fan when the cpu cores reach ~30 °C, all the time? And cools down to ~25 °C - fan goes off. And then heats up to ~30 °C so the fan comes on again. So there it goes, on/off/on/off/on/off while doing not much else than surfing the web. It drives me crazy! Thinking about returning it because of this.

 

( 1200 usd )

or

( 1000 usd )


Which one should i choose?

the i5 is with ddr2 but the i3 is with ddr3.. so i have no clue ... But the i5 has better graphics card.. helpz meh .

 

It has to be a typo- there is no known 5740G with DDR2.
Apart from that i5 with 5650 would be way faster than i3 with 5470 even if the former had been equipped with DDR3.

I don't think your temperature readings are correct. What app do you use for that?
Anyway apart from the actual values it seems correct- cooling system in this notebook is made like that to keep it cool at all times. The other possibility would be keeping the fan off and letting the notebook to warm up and then running the fan on at faster speed to cool it down.
The way it's done makes more sense to me- yeah it switches on/off quite often but the notebook is cool and quiet thanks to low speed fan. I don't mind that and I think you will get used to this soon but that's your call.

 

Ok.. i will contact them .. Ill ask to drop the price for me.. because i found the mistake.. LOL ..

 

BTW I don't know where do you live but 1200 USD is quite expensive. It costs less than 700 USD in the US and some 1000 USD in Europe.

 

Yeah i live in Europe and its pretty expensive :/ .

Bargain price: ~1200 usd
Real Price: ~1700 usd

So its worth it...



Also saw that it costs around 1000 usd in amazon.co.uk but England is far away from my country and the warranty would be mess. Send to UK and wait until they receive it.Then wait until they fix it... wait until they send it and wait until i receive it . Takes a lot of time.

 

Speedfan - http://www.almico.com/speedfan.php
Temp seems correct to me when the only thing I do is to use Firefox with no plugins.

Cool - I agree, but quiet? Don't think so... i've been trying to find fan controlling apps out there, but no luck. It seems like it's set too kick in too early, using 0-2% cpu makes the fan turn on - it's just laughable.

 

Well it's subjective- in my opinion it's quiet
As for temperatures- no way in hell any running CPU can -with a small cooling system- achieve the temperatures you mentioned. It's barely few degrees higher than room temperature.
Use RealTemp, HWMonitor or Everest to see the correct values.

 

Folks,

is ~$765 shipped still considered a good deal for 5470G-6979? I'm about to pull the trigger on it...

 

It looks fine if you're in the US and looks goddamn great for us Europeans...

 

Hell yeah.. Its still very cheap.

 

Thanks, just ordered it.

 

mk, thanks for the reply.

I was able to create the Acer restore disks and performed the restore after my post. That seemed to have solved my F2 key issue (PEBCAK). The Post is very fast and you have to hit that sucker as soon as the Acer logo screen comes up or you've missed it.

Thank you for being thorough, but yes the Wireless card is active and enabled. I can seen different networks in my neighborhood. I can even connect to the router and input the WPA key. After that it MAY even connect. It eventually drops and ususally doesn't connect at all. Windows tells me my AP is faulty, but that is not posible as I have 1 other laptop and 3 other devices actively connected to it. I've also made sure it was not a case of wireless interference and turned all of them off for testing.

As of now I have wiped clean and installed a copy of Win7 Pro from scratch. I downloaded all of the drivers independantly and installed them in the correct manner. My wireless issues persist. I am going to try one other thing and that is to check any information regarding this card and my router... there may be a known issue, but I don't hold out much hope.

 

might wanna try at swapping your acer wireless card out for one from your other laptop and put it into there to ensure it isn't a card compatibility issue, and since they will be open throw the one in the acer onto the other laptop. restart and see if you get connectivity issues. i actually upgraded mine to an Intel 6200 wifi card. from there you can either look for a newer (or older) driver for the acer wifi, call tech support ask to replace the card, OR do what i did and upgrade the wifi to a 6200/5300 or 5100 for 40usd or less shipped on ebay

 

Hi guys.

I was fixed on Acer 5740G, but today I begun considering buying 5740DG model. It's about 120$ pricier than a G model and I wanted to ask you: is it worth getting it? Does this technology really work? Is coating visible during normal work or when not using 3D effect? Are there any negatives connected with using 5740DG in comparison to G model. Well except the price of course.

I'd be very,very grateful if someone with an actuall DG model could state his opinion. Or anyone who have seen it in action. Thank you in advance.

 

Haha.. i got the price down to 960 USD from 1200 usd.. They thanked me for finding the mistake.. thanks to you .

Im gonna buy this definetly...

 

Good job man. That price is much better- just about what I paid.

 

Hmm.. seems like the pink dot problems is serious..

Link: Techenclave

Gee, i don't even know if i should buy it tomorrow :/ .

 

It's the same link all over again and it is one gentleman who is also present at this forum and wrote several posts in the other thread concerning this problem.
The source of the problem is now used as a proof that the problem is global

 

Aww... okay then ... Even if i will get pink dot problem, i hope to get replacement too ...

 

even if you did get the pink dot problem, do what he didn't do and update to the 10.3 drivers

 

Exactly. After I did correctly, no more dots

Also: Look at this thread http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=6083768#post6083768

I'd consider it a must see for anyone with the 5740

 

BTW InstantOatmeal did artifacts on your computer look like those in techenclave link or rather like single pink pixels?


As for the Realtek driver downgrade- I wouldn’t do it. In the same post you point to the fact that video driver update solved your problems and hint towards downgrading your sound driver.
Realtek has good driver support (regular updates) but poor release notes (usually “customizations” is all they write)- the problem is these customizations mean changes that resolve certain problem for certain audio codec.
The gentlemen who started the disable-the-beep thread has 5740 with integrated graphics so he doesn’t care about games – we do, so you gotta decide what’s more important.
I agree the beep is too loud but how often do you plug and unplug your notebook? Is it worth potential trouble that old drivers can cause?

 

So downloads what is your opinion on the laptop after using it for how long? One and a half month?