Acer Aspire Timeline Owner's Lounge

If it's not the fan I don't really know what it is. I think this is variable depending on your hard disk, but my hard disk doesn't seem to make much noise. As for the fan, (3810T) it is active most of the time.

A question guys, if I clean install Windows 7, will the hidden recovery partition be wiped out?

 

when you install win 7 you can choose install it in the ACER partition. If you do this, the hidden recovery partition will still work after win 7 installation.

 

still waything for agps as the gtm382 a got today is doa
Any way Photo's

 

I bought an external DVD burner for my 3810T to burn some factory default discs.

I just want to ask, are these factory default discs are for use by Acer eRecovery, either before Windows starts (Alt + F10) or by Acer eRecovery program inside Windows?

They are not for use before Windows starts by the regular 'Repair my computer' function as per normal recovery discs?

 

I did not know there was a problem with the bios, so why the fix, anybody know why?

Looks like a new bios.

"Corrects BIOS kernel code. 1.33 3.4 MB 2010/02/11"

 

Hello I've a 4810tg with su3500 cpu. Su3500 cpu's performance is very very disappointing. I wonder whether I can replace su3500 with su9400. Some people around me claim that the cpu on timeline series doesn't have pins and soldered on the motherboard. İs that true? If anyone answers I'll be pleased. Thanks for your answers.

 

I believe the people are correct. Your only option is to buy a new Timeline with a SU9400.

I use a SU3500 myself, and I find the performance to be perfectly fine. But then, I really only do basic productivity tasks on the machine, such as word, as well as some music, videos and simple Internet browsing.

-----

Another question guys. Thanks for helping answer my previous questions before I installed Windows 7.

I have now clean installed Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit and have put back some of the programs I had under Vista. However, using the Acer upgrade kit and using the drivers and applications disc I burnt before I installed Windows 7, I can't install back the program 'Acer eRecovery Management'.

Does anyone know where I can find the program? Acer's own website doesn't have it.

 

Ummmmm.....I may be wrong but eRecovery Management relies on a designated partition that contained information for the recovery of the original OS. When u did your clean install, you probably erased hat designated partition and also definitely erased all specific files which were stored on the 'c' drive.

Oh and...love this system with SU9400 and ssd.

 

How quiet is your notebook with the 1.17 BIOS? I recently flashed my 3810T from 1.04 all the way to 1.20 to enable hardware virtualization and maybe have some other optimizations, but the fan noise on 1.20 is really annoying. With the old BIOS, on battey power the fan only started if the notebook got too hot and was dead silent the rest of the time. With 1.20, it doesnÄt make any difference if the notebook runs on battery or AC power.

How is the behaviour in 1.17?

Another question regarding flashing backwards using Windows... that's the same level of risk like normal BIOS flashing in Windows, right? So, should be no problem with a clean installation.

 

Timeline 3810T Battery DEAD issue.....

Mine suddenly died on me 1 month ago after about 7mo of use. Had it replaced since my 3810T was still under warranty. The battery was still in good shape, 8hrs of use no problem. But I thought maybe it's a freak thing.

But today, a buddy of mine called me to say that his 3810T battery suddenly died on him too, about 6mo old..... hmmmm coincidence? Or do we see a pattern here.

I hardly ever use my timeline since I have 3 other notebooks. So I doubt it's due to overuse... Could it be a BIOS problem? I think I was on 1.17 when the battery died on me. I'm on 1.20 right now. Now I'm afraid of another design flaw of the 3810T. Anyone else know this happening to the 3810 series?

 

Tocharius, I think that you can just flash back by changing the platform file. However, like all changes in the BIOS, it is risky and more riskier in Windows than in DOS. After I sent my 3810 for the microphone cable recall fix, they changed the BIOS to 1.20. I would prefer that they didn't change the BIOS, but I don't think I want to risk bricking the machine.

tamrac, I haven't had such an issue, nor have I heard about such an issue. So you're saying that before it died, the battery was fine, as in it did not progressively get less and less battery life until it died?

 

Yup, battery was still churning out 8hrs+. And I only use my 3810T very sparingly, I'm very sure I hardly scratched the battery cycle limit....

 

My battery seems to have lost one cell or part of it, it never charges more than 89%.
When I opened a call with Acer they said the battery was older than 6 months and that warranty for that part was over...
Anyway, even with 89% it still lasts more than 6 hours so I'm fine with it.
I use this laptop extensively.

 

Hi,

Most of you seems to have plugged in Option GTM382 for your 3g WWAN Mod. Any1 using Sierra MC8780? Is it compatiable to 3810TG? How is the signal with the antenna that comes with it? I am getting mine from ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com.sg/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280461570149&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

 

Catalyst 10.3pre (8.71) leaked (Win7/Vista)

http://rapidshare.com/files/352918301/ATI_Win7_Vista_Catalyst10.3_Preview.exe.html
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=Q8L4MGNP
http://hotfile.com/dl/29235215/9c44939/ATI_Win7_Vista_Catalyst10.3_Preview.exe.html

 

Hello,
How does this new drive behaves? Does it fix the suspend issue? Does it affects power consuption?

Thank you!

 

Driver behaves nicely, though suspend issue is still there.
Power consumption is same. But finally I can play Dirt 2.

 

Hi

Could I ask for some advice please?

I may be about to get a 3810TG which comes with Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit, presumably an OEM version. However, I have a legitimate Windows 7 Ultimate retail version DVD (also 64bit) and product key. How can I upgrade the original OS to Ultimate retail? Can I just install the retail version over the OEM and put in my new product key? I do not want to do a clean install as I would rather keep all the installed drivers etc and not have to download and reinstall them.

Can anyone advise?

TIA

norm

 

ISSUE RESOLVED BY BIOS UPDATE 1.17!!! I purchased a Aspire 3810TZ in July '09 in Canada which did not turn on reliably; at power-on the BIOS POST would either hang indefinitely (with or without the F2 prompt), hang for one minute before booting, or rarely, boot normally. BIOS was 1.08, and it was not fixed with BIOS 1.10. It appears to be fixed in 1.17 (after 7 months of pain!).

I had problems at first with an intermittent failure to respond at all to the power switch; this was resolved with "help" from tech support who gave me a procedure to take out the battery and hold down the power switch. This messing around made me miss the deadline to return the defective laptop to the store - big mistake! (I think this is a common Acer problem, as the procedure was recommended by 2 Acer support reps and a UK acer retailer.) Having resolved this symptom I then saw the symptoms first mentioned above.

I can report on several issues with Acer tech support. First, the BIOS versions are not documented, the support reps will not discuss the updates and the Acer web page warns against installing them! This is very strange as it makes it difficult for customers to fix their own computers.

Secondly, in Canada all tech support calls are routed to India, where first level support is blocked by an aggressive and buggy voice response system that likes to hang up on you; once your patience is tested and you are through, they follow a script and cannot discuss basic technical issues. It can take multiple calls to get an RMA number even if your laptop is really defective and you are a computer engineer.

Thirdly, tech support in France is highly unhelpful; regardless they need a whole month to handle the microphone-shorting recall. Who has a month that they can be without their laptop?! The "Acer Travellers' Warranty" sounded great but it didn't do me any good. It's only valid if you are traveling less than 3 months at a time, but if it takes a month for repair while you are in the destination country that doesn't really leave you with a laptop during your trip!

Well, it is a good price. Test the heck out of it while you can return it. Better yet, buy two and hope that one works! It's a very nicely loaded and designed system otherwise!

 

EDIT : FILES ARE IDENTICAL

A new patched/corrected bios for my 5810t v1.33 again, what are Acer playing at?

 

Hi All,

I've modded BIOS 1.20 for acer 3810 with unlocked Power and Advanced menus. Does somebody need it?

Some photos:




Duplicated headers are needed to display additional data.

 

Will this allow you to overclock you processor is so.

Any chance of doing it for the 5810T

 

There are no options for overclocking processor there. You can use OC_RTM875T tool to do so directly from windows.
SetupUtility module appears the same in all timeline models, but I've not found a way to replace only this module.

 

Cool, thanks. Post a download link bro.... I'm gonna give it a try.

 

Here is it:
http://letitbit.net/download/0595.0a4805073c202ec517071045e/BIOS_ACER_1.20_patched.zip.html

Just flash it to unlock most BIOS options such as per port USB and PCI Express control, advanced video and CPU settings, UEFI Boot option.

Switchable graphics will be configured to use Intel Only card on 3810TG by default. This avoid situation when both intel and ati consume power after wakeup from S3 in Win7. Also you will be able to switch to ATI Only

Don't use 'Load Setup Defaults' to prevent settings disappearing

 

ummm....how about a download service free of charge?

 

Use the "free" tab (upper right side)...

 

Can you show us what's under your modded Video Configuration area? I'm hoping we can control the PWM.

Oh, nvm, it's for the 3810. I don't suppose you have one for the 1410?

 

Holy crap, that's impressive. How did you do that? Is it possible to unlock tm4810tzg 1.31 bios aswell?

 

Yes, this is possible for other timeline models too. SetupUtiity module is the same anywhere. I've used EzH2O to open BIOS file and WinHex to change some bytes in RAM. I've changed FormSets names Advanced -> Main, Power -> Security to display them. Also I've changed Access Level to highest to display all features.

 

I have installed this modded bios on my Acer 3810TZ but i dont see the new menu.
What's the matter ?

 

Do you see double main and security strings at the top?

 

no slic seems in your patched bios so i couldnt add slic 2.1 with PhoenixTool.exe. Can you add acer slic 2.1 to patched bios?

 

Most unlocked version of BIOS: http://letitbit.net/download/8462.88514967cf725b5a582481996/dumped.fd.html

It is bug in Phoenix tool. Yes, there is version with slic2.1 I'll upload it later

 

No i see nothing...only the "normal strings" no double

 

Hello,
I have the same problem here. I updated via InsideFlash. Sould I've done another way?

Thank you!

 

I have another noob question... what is the slic 2.1 patch for?
Thnks

 

That's odd. What about this http://go.notebookreview.com/?id=52...8462.88514967cf725b5a582481996/dumped.fd.html ? I tested BIOS only on my 3810tg but as I know there is no difference between these models.

 

Bro, it works for me. Thanks a bunch, this is a great contribution! I especially like the Intel-only graphics mode for my 3810TG. Finally I can use Sleep and the latest Intel drivers!

 

@ advan20092

Could you please make an unlocked version of the as1410 BIOS??
I'd do it myself if i had the expertise....

 

Been using the modded BIOS with Intel-only graphics for a while. In this mode the HDMI port does not work. Probably a limitation of the TG models (HDMI only works for ATI graphics).

 

@advan20092

Hey thanks for your modded BIOS.
I have question about this. When i have AC plugged in the fan is running all the time. Is it possible to change this behaviour with bios modding? Could you explain how to do it?

Bye

 

I think it is. In the Advanced CPU Settings menu (right at the bottom), there is a setting that controls the Fan On temperature and Thermal Throttling temperature. Try increasing the Fan On temperature and see if it helps.

 

Unfortunately the settings doesn't affect the behavoiur of the fan. With AC power attached it runs all the time. That sux..

But thanks for the try

 

Does anybody know if the ATI HD 4330 is a separate mxm type card or is it integrated into the motherboard , thought it has a dedicated gpu and memory.

Thanks.

 

That's OK.
I've not found solution for fan problem yet. It is 'feature' of 1.20 BIOS. I've decompiled ACPI DSDT table but not found anything relative to fan speed. It seems there is special module (EFI app) in BIOS - Ichisi which control power options and fan speeds but I don't know how to decrease fan speed there.

 

May be when I'll have a free time...

 

Yes, confirm, I have the same problem. On 3810T all looks fine

 

I'm not very into these things but thats what i heard/read somewhere else. That the fan control is not ACPI confrom.. I hope that someone will find out howto mod the fan control ;-)

Another question:
Does anybody know where the original 3G antenna is placed inside the notebook(and what kind of)? I bought this ( http://bit.ly/boO8uS) and it works well but im not very happy with the radio reception since i placed this antenna from the picture directly above the card.

Thanks in adanvce
Greetz

 

Hey all you timeline owners. I've used 1 acer laptop before and it had terrible build quality and failed a few times. And Acer isn't neccessarily a brand built on reliabilty and quality.

But I'm quite interested in their new 3820 product and was wondering how the quality is for the timeline series. I've looked at the 3810 in person and it seemed pretty sturdy and creak free but those who have owned it for longer, what are your impressions?

And is there a way to get longer warranty?