Acer Aspire TimelineX 1830T Thread

Not everything Acer makes is crap, just most of it. The Timeline series was well designed and built last generation. That includes the 1830T. This generation, most models are throttling due to inadequite cooling. Go figure.

Bronsky

 

@Bronsky

By "most" you mean just the new TimelineX series or other Aspire and TravelMate notebooks throttle as well? I didn't pay attention to SandyBridge models

 

Bronsky, "This generation, most models are throttling due to inadequite cooling."

Can you say what "throttling" is?

 

I think that throttling is basically when he CPU underclocks to lower it's temperature.
Annoying when playing games for example, because you get less FPS all of a sudden.

 

On the TimelineX models, it seems to be a reduction of the multiplier in response to inadequate cooling of the CPU, GPU or both.

Don't kill the messenger guys ... I just call 'em as I see 'em.

Bronsky

@Downloads - it looks like the Canadian Gateway models with the I5/GT 540M have the same problem as the Timelines. I would guess that this configuration in an ultrathin 13" or 14" Acer product (with a full powered CPU) is likely to have the same issues. I would also venture a guess that, as the computer gets larger and has more airspace inside, the problem will be less dramatic.

 

If anyone can help me, I thank you a lot!
Last night I used my notebook as usual (I bought it 2 months ago). When I went to sleep I plugged the poweer cord. This morning when I tried to turn it on, the power button and the power indicator started to blink and nothing else happened. I´d like to know what´s happening since it´s my second acer computer and the last one went dead after only one year.
I look forward from hearing from you,
Carlos Motta

 

Lenovo and Apple SB machines are also throttling, it's not just Acer...

 

even the alienware m11x R3 throttles under stress... Those sandy bridges get quite hot

 

Does the 1830t have sata2 or sata3?

I'm looking at a vertex3' but dont want to spend the extra cash if it wont be any better than a vertex2.

 

Not sure of the cause, but try this quick fix,
Unplug your notebook and remove the battery.
Push the Startup button down for 20 or 30 seconds.
Plug in your notebook and start it up.
Hopefully the problem will be fixed.

Shut it down
Replace the battery.
_____________________________________________________________
Someone asked about Acer quality...
My wife and I each have an 1830T i5-430.

My wife's 1830t needed warranty repair due to a loud CPU cooling fan.
Mine needed to be returned due to a failed keyboard.

The keyboard failed because a plastic clip in the lower left corner
began to physically protrude causing uneven stress in the circuit board.
The only reason I mention this is that Acer repair
reformatted my hard drive for no apparent reason.

Not a big deal because a few months before I had installed an SSD.
And swapped in older 500GB back in before sending it to Acer.
Still, why cause such hassle when it was apparent what the problem was?

We still like our Acers as a low cost alternative
to other more expensive 11 & 12" machines.
But I am worried about when the warranty expires.

 

Nm, i found It. Sata2

One more question. Can you change the amt of video memory? How?

 

A friend just dropped off an AS1830T-66661 for a Win7 install. The notebook comes standard with Bluetooth 3.0. I've managed to update all the drivers but am having trouble with the bluetooth. In device manager I have a generic bluetooth adapter listed with a yellow exclamation mark and a Code 43 error. I disassembled the machine to have a look at the module and it is an Atheros AR5BBU12.



There are no Atheros Bluetooth drivers listed for the 1830T so I downloaded the Atheros driver for the 1830TZ. The install went ok but the driver still would not load properly. I next downloaded every Bluetooth package for both the 1830T and 1830TZ and manually tried updating the driver but every time Windows says I already have the best driver installed. Any ideas on how to resolve this problem? TIA.

Edit. Problem solved. Downloaded the Atheros package for the AS3830TG which afaik uses Bluetooth 3.0 only. Install went perfectly and driver updated fine. I guess it would be too much to ask Acer to update their driver pages.

 

Has anyone experienced problem with the Alps touchpad cursor getting stuck as the scrollbar icon? I can still click and move, it's just the icon doesn't revert back to arrow every time.

 

Weird, but try this...

Posted By Phil
Re: Acer Aspire TimelineX 1830T Thread
I'm using an updated Dell driver for the Alps touchpad now. Best one I used sofar.
download link
Dell_Multi-Touch-Touchpad_A05_R279834.exe

Works great on my i5.

 

Thanks.... my cursor icon still got stuck again though......
This R279834.exe seems to work a little better for circular scroll, getting less confused between clockwise=down and CCW=up actions.
But the horizontal scroll doesn't seem to work in firefox or chrome anymore, but still works in IE. Weird indeed.

 

Ordered another 1830T this morning. $499 plus a free Xbox 360 at the Microsoft store. Note the deal is now dead.

Edit: I hope the touchpad is better than the one my older 1830-3505

AS1830T-68U118 Aspire TimelineX 11.6" Core-i7
Intel Core i7-680UM 1.46 GHz, 11.6" LED 1366x768
4GB/500GB, WifiN, Webcam, HDMI, 6-cell (8 hrs), Bluetooth, 3.1-lbs

 

The touchpad is "usable", but I wouldn't want to use it for an extended period. I picked up a Microsoft Mobile Wireless Mouse 6000 off Buy.com for $15.

If anyone is interested, I put up a video of the SSD install on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFcMZSLQnH4

 

Are the i5 and i7 1830t models discontinued?
Can't find them on acer website anymore.
Aspire TimelineX | Product Series

 

It's amazing that Acer has simply abandoned this model. The HP DM1 (11.6") just released its refresh with an option for an I3 Sandybridge CPU and HD3000 graphics for $599. http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/08/hp-refreshes-the-pavilion-dm1-with-a-new-design-optional-intel/

 

The S3 looks cool, but I like the asus ux31. My wife has the 1830t, but Im waiting for the next models to come out.

The s3 is missing ethernet and has no usb on the side which is strange.

 

Hey has anyone tried an 1810 battery on an 1830? Some guy said he would try like hundred pages back but never updated his result. If not has anyone seen a 9 cell battery that will fit this thing? Its not fair that the 1810s are flooded with large capacity and cheap battery options and the 1830 isn't. Unless of course we can use 1810's.

 

The 1810 batteries do not fit into the 1830 models....
They are very similar in appearance but the connectors are located about an inch away horizontally
and the slide in channels are maybe 1/8" inch off vertically.

 

Any place to get a cheaper battery than?

 

Hello:

I just acquired a Acer 1830-3595 laptop from ebay. It comes with a Qualcomm 3G card. I clean installed Windows 7 64-bit, but the driver for the Qualcomm card didn't show up.

Unfortunately, this model is not listed on the Acer website, though related models like the 1830T are listed.

Does anyone know where the 64-bit Qualcomm 3G drivers are located? Thanks for your help.

 

skipperthedog

the drivers are here
Download

 

Hi - new 1830 owner. When I close the lid, the computer goes to sleep fine. When I open the lid, though - it doesn't automatically wake up. I have to press a key or the 'on' switch to wake/resume.

Is there some way to make it fully resume when opening the lid?

 

hey 1830T/TZ owners, Acer released a new BIOS (ver. 1.24) on 9/30/2011. no mention of what was added or changed however the previous BIOS (1.20)is almost a year old so probably a good time to upgrade.

 

Rule of thumb is not to upgrade BIOS unless you have issues or know the change-log and see something important there.
It won't improve your performance nor will it add any additional menus/options so unless you're really bored or have some issues that you're hoping to resolve- leave it alone.

 

Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Power Options

On the left click
"Choose what closing the lid does"
Set "Do nothing" for "When I close the lid"

BTW have anyone tried the new bios and figured out what it is good for?
Thanks.

 

I recently purchased an 1830-3595. This is the AT&T version with 3G modem but no bluetooth. I'd like to add an internal bluetooth module, but I'm not finding a lot of information on it.

I've found these two items on ebay. Has anyone done this, or know if these cards will work. I would really prefer the Bluetooth 3.0 module over the 2.1.

Thanks:
eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices

eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices

 

Why don't you get a wifi + BT 4.0 module? It's so easy to install a pci-express card like this one

 

I wouldn't- the Broadcom card in question is a very poor one stream card.
While BT may be good Wi-Fi won't be.

 

Hi, I have a new Aspire 1830-3595 but my battery only lasts about 5 hours with full charge. Is that normal? I thought it is claimed with 8 hours. Is there a difference between 1830 and 1830T? If so, what accounts for the battery life difference since I can see the hardware is the same... Please help me clear up this confusion and frustration.....

 

Manufacturers always claim something- in reality it depends on your usage pattern. When notebookcheck tested it it scored 4h 45min with Wi-Fi and 5:45 while idle, so your results seem reasonable.

 

Manufacturers measure their maximum battery times with all raidios like Wifi & BT, turned off, brightness turned all the way down, etc., and the device left in idle. 5-6 hours is normal use.

 

Hey, im late to the party but I just picked up one of these 1830t from newegg since they're on sale for $349 for the i3. Out the door with tax came out to about $380.. Anyway I was really hoping after a year that all of them would be Synaptics touchpad but I got the Alps. It was a gamble cause the touchpad was one of the most important factors for me. I sold my Macbook air for this (to save like $400) and was really hoping the touchpad would at least do 2 finger scrolling and some gestures for back/forward during browsing.

For those who had both, is the Synpatic so much better that I should return this and get a different one? How do I get gestures on the Alps? I tried to read as much as I could but 254 pages is a lot.

EDIT: Found some Dell Drivers so I configured it the 2 finger scrolling/1 finger side scrolling is prettyyyy bad. How is this on the Synaptics touchpad?

 

The Alps touchpad is terrible. I've had both.

 

Damn it....... a return process is such a hassle. Agh..

What specifically makes the Synaptic better if I may ask? Does it do 2 finger scrolling, is it more accurate? Less or more sensitive? etc.

 

All of the above.

 

Is it possible to buy Synaptic parts to swap out Alps hardware for the touchpad?

 

It has been done on my 3820TG. I sent my unit into Acer for service and it was returned with a Synaptics touchpad in place of the Alps. The manual shows that the touchpad is removable.

I think someone did it in this thread. I recall that there was a lot of complaining about the alps touchpad. The problem is that the search function is not working.

 

Ultrabooks are the thing now. My next laptop will be an X220.

 

is it possible for you to tell us the part numbers of the synaptics?

 

Just got a 1830T-68U118. Anyone know where I can get a replacement battery?

 

the HP engineers feel differently. At 7:55 in this video they talk about why it is important to update the BIOS and urge their customers to have the latest, especially for laptop.

For me, all my computers , etc have the latest BIOS in place. I've done tons of BIOS flashes at work too with no issues whatsoever.

 

My dad´s 1830T had a freezing boot issue with an Kingston SSD SV100S2/64G (with latest firmware).
The problem was after setting the AHCI mode in bios, the laptop won´t boot. Had to reset bios and use the IDE controller... after this bios update the issue is resolved...

 

Looks like Acer is about to get its clock cleaned in the 11.6" size range. http://forum.notebookreview.com/asus/621704-new-11-6-inch-sandy-bridge-asus-u24e.html#post8038390 This is the development path the 1830T should have taken.

 

Does anyone know what size screws are in the base that hold the cover over the RAM and HDD? I needed to RMA the SSD I replaced the original drive with, and have managed to strip the heads of some of the screws...

 

i also have the same question. spec wise, the battery appears to be identical for all these acer 11.6" models with capacity set at 5800mah. on the timelinex page, it's listed as rated for up to 8 hours but my machine on full charge, shows an estimate of only 4.5 hour. i know 8 hours is marketing but seems real world performance is way off. in using hwinfo, the battery is shown at only 6% wear.

 

you should be able to find some on ebay. be sure to check the capacity of the one you're getting as i notice for acer 6-cell battery, there are 2 types - one rated at 4400mah and the other at the much higher 5800mah.