Acer Aspire TimelineX 4820TG Owners Lounge

former 4820tg owner here:
I just got a vaio series s15 and I am very pleased with it. Much more powerful, better build quality, nvidia optimus, same weight(4.4lbs), and a 1080p ips display. It was a little more expensive though, 1000$.

 

made me lol.

laptop being sold 2 years later than 4820TG costing 1/3 more is better.

wow, who would have ever thought about that.

 

The U2442N has switchable graphics. Gigabyte U2442V and U2442N ultrabooks hands-on video | The Verge Probably optimus. Build quality sounds suspect. Hopefully it's only a prototype issue. The big question is whehter Gigabyte will import it into the US.

Still, my Acer keeps working perfectly and there's really nothing out there I just have to have. I thought I was going to like the Thinkpad X1C but it has no Thunderbolt port (mandatory for me as I would need an EGPU) and battery duration looks weak. The Dell XPS 14 looks nice, but it looks like its getting a GT630M GPU. The gigabyte looks okay but the keyboard flex and other build issues don't excite me. I still love my 3820TG.

 

I hope Surface ends up being great because by the time I am done with this laptop maybe I can get on the second generation hardware. Right now though this laptop with an SSD is basically as good as an ultrabook for my needs.

 

Yea, I am going on a trip soon and I was so busy with other stuff I totally forgot to order a replacement battery... grr I don't think any local stores will have one so short notice so I am going to have to deal with my currently bad battery.

 

Hi guys. I just purchased the Acer TimelineX AS4820TG-6847 on eBay. I just wanted to ask:

If I was to reinstall Windows 7 on the laptop, do I have to reinstall all the drivers and programs and stuff like that that Acer has on the laptop? I do not want to take any chances buying a laptop off eBay, and will be doing a boot and nuke then a fresh install, but I'm worried that all the special programs and stuff that Acer has, I may not find again and could ruin the laptop

Also, is there anything I definitely need to do when I get the laptop, like any tweaks or anything?

Thanks

 

There should be no issues, as long as you have a Windows 7 Home installation disk (the cd key is on the bottom of the laptop), after you do a boot and nuke you can get all of the drivers and software directly from Acer's website. Acer Support: Downloads & Support Documents - Notebook / Aspire / Aspire 4820TG

 

Here is my clean install guide for the 3820TG. http://forum.notebookreview.com/6465732-post1612.html It has instructions on how to make back up disks, which I would do as soon as you get the 4820TG. You don't need a W7 install disk, as the ISO's are available on-line. There is also a complete guide on how to do a clean install. Congratulations on your purchase and you have come to the right place. Glad to see you found this thread, there is a lot of knowledge and good people here.

 

I actually already have a Windows 7 DVD and Recovery Disk. I'll definitely look at your clean install guide/ And I will be getting clone software to image the HD rather than burning recovery disks.

Thanks for the help yesterday. This site is obviously a great place; I wish I would have found it before a month ago when I was just looking for my "new" laptop.

I just wish this Owners Lounge wasn't 500 pages... I would have tried to look through it to see if there were any essential things

 

LOL the 3820TG owners lounge is in 2 volumes and over 2500 pages. To add to the confusion, the search function doesn't work on the site. Only google to help. These 4820TG owners are very knowledgable and will be sure to give you all the pointers.

 

Yeah, I noticed that when I was looking for some stuff and all I get is "invalid search query".

I don't really forsee many problems though. I made the DBAN on my USB drive, I'll put the 20-30 drivers/apps from the website on my other USB drive just in case it doesn't recognize stuff after the install.

I think I'll just wait until after I actually get the laptop now to ask anything else

Thanks guys

 

Crap, I just skimmed through 20 or so pages of the lounge and I saw that it isn't possible to do a clean install of Windows 7 without recovery disks? I thought all I had to do was download the drivers and programs to a USB drive, do a clean install with my W7 disc and install the drivers and everything would be fine

Is this not possible?

 

It is possible to do a clean install without the recovery disks.
You might be forced to activate Windows by phone but that's about the only problem.

 

that's what I do all the time. downloaded copy of 7HP from digitalriver, made bootable usb, installed, entered serial from bottom, loaded drivers downloaded from acer's web and activated online - voila.

 

Read back 5 posts and follow the link to my clean install guide. No need to activate by phone.

 

Oh okay, sorry Bronsky I must have skipped that. I just saw on Page 300 something people saying they needed to order recovery disks to do a backup or something like that.

I do not want to do that recovery disk stuff (I make a HD image instead, and already have a W7 recovery disc on a blank CD), so that's good that I don't have to. It always seemed like such a hassle.

 

I doubt you got full win7 recovery image on CD...

 

Windows 7 Repair and Recovery CD Download | The NeoSmart Files

It isn't the complete HD backup that takes 3 DVDs to do, it's a repair disc. I don't want to do that 3 DVD backup thing anyway; instead I chose to use a HD imaging/cloning program and save the image on my external hard drive

 

It Came! It Came!

 

Congratulations.

 

Damn, I'm having a lot of problems updating the graphics drivers... nothing seems to be working! Things are already giving me a hassle...

 

I installed the 12.4 drivers from ati then after that, my integrated gpu no longer works BUT.. I still get a nice 4 hours of bat life even when im always running the ati gpu. thats with wifi+browser+photoshop open only tho. very weird, but cool. didnt know the ati gpu can work this long, just for reference, how long does the igpu usually last?

 

~7-8hrs

{ten chars}

 

Can anybody tell me how to apply thermal paste to my cpu and gpu without disassembling the entire laptop? I read that they "cheaped out" when it comes to making sure the laptop runs cool and replacing the thermal paste is a common solution that I'm seeing. CPU runs like when it has to compensate for 95C while playing games. Between hide and seek with important components and a fun time trying to update all the drivers, I'm finding this to be one of the least consumer friendly electronics I've ever bought.

Is there any quick guide that shows how to remove ALL components necessary to get to the cpu and gpu? Thanks.

Btw, I got as far as some black connector under the keyboard that seemed stuck. Not one with a blue band that flipped up to unlock... one that seemed like a normal plug that just wouldn't move.

 

Sadly you pretty much have to tear the machine all the way down to get to the CPU / GPU and the heatsink. Luckily, the factory service manual is on the first post of this thread, and it's not that tough to follow.

As always take your time and be careful.

 

Hello.
I'm about to reformat my laptop with the recovery disks that were provided to me. The problem is that the drivers in the disks are terribly out of date. Is there a list of the updated drivers anywhere and where to download them?

 

acer website.

 

you have to take it apart to gain access to heatsinks. but if you follow the disassembly guide, you'll be good.

if I can give you some advice, don't use just paste on the GPU, use a copper shim too.

 

Hello,

I have a problem with my Acer 4820TG since a long time.

When I'm on battery and getting out of standby, sometimes my keyboard and mouse are not reactive. (maybe a problem with switch of graphic and alimentation ?).

I need to put the AC Adaptater to come back to the normal reactivity.

Is there a solution to my problem ?

Thank in advance for your answers.

Serge.

 

The first thing you need to do is test the output of your battery to see if it is the cause of the problem. You could have a dead cell that prevents a stady flow of current.

 

Thanks for your help.

My battery is good. I tested the battery. The problem isn't from the hardware but more from the software I think.
I just did an update of the bios yesterday. I passed from version 1.02 to 1.25 . I will see if the problem is still here.

 

After some days of test, the update of BIOS seems to work for my previous problem.

Serge.

 

i read how to update my mobility driver from 1st page.
if i update it by download the driver by my self and install it, will it still work with the switchable driver?
still using Driver Packaging Version 8.84.7.4-110613a-120884C-Acer
so i don't know what version the catalyst installed on my 4820TG.
and whats the latest version of this mobility driver?

 

I have a problem with my acer crystal eye webcam. Its not being detected and I've tried many many uninstalls, reinstalls, driver updates, system recoveries, and System file checks.

Does anyone have anything for the webcam on the 4820tg-7805's webcam non-detection problem?

 

Post a screenshot of your device manager.

 

I had similar problem from day 1 on mine. when I install the driver, in the end I get an error (webcam not found bla bla bla)

it appears in the Device Manager though.

webcam works fine in skype and all other apps. I use 3rd party software to capture photos and videos using the camera.

strange, but I'm not bothered about that, sice it works.

 

My 3820TG had a shorted cam and it did show up on the device manager. That is why I asked. I had to have it replaced. Luckily, it was still under warranty.

 

Hello, after clean install, hw monitor does not show cpu, gpu temps. It shows only my sdd's temps. Already installed all drivers. What to do?

-well I solved. Downloaded it again and it works.

 

hi guys. im still new to this.
my agenda is that i have an 4820tg with 2gb ram. i just wanna ask if it is safe to upgrade the ram of my nb to 4gb or higher?
how many are the socket for ram?
maximum memory for upgrade?
and lastly what clock to choose 1333 or 1066 or any other mhz?

Acer Timelinex 4820TG -482G75Mnks

Thank you in advance for your reply.

 

It can handle 8 GB of ram. You can put either speed of ram in. The only thing is that 1333 ram will run at 1066 mhz but with reduced latency. Both ram slots are located under the bottom cover and easily replaced (I just upgraded my 3820tg to 8 GB).

 

thank you very much for the help.

what speed of ram did you put on yours? 1333 or 1066?
and what brand?
i like to upgrade my ram just like yours too.
mathlab is getting slow for my 2gb ram. =-(

 

Mine has 1600 ram pulled from a Dell m4600, but it only runs at 1066. I would recommend 1333 ram as it really isnt any more expensive and will run at a lower latency.

 

Hi fellow users of this Acer model,

I bought mine about 20 months ago and in the mean time has realized I want a better screen. The built-in LCD display looks too washed out and too low res for what I want to do (photo editing). Does anyone know if people have been successful in replacing the stock LCD with a better panel? Thanks!

 

I've already upgraded my ram. 1333/4g kingston. its faster than before now.
thanks for the help.

i will add another 4gb after a month to make it more faster.

With the LCD
-sorry i have no idea with it. like your idea there.

 

Someone tried putting in a 900p screen (the one in my signature), but it didn't work. Some issue with the connection/pins.

 

768p is ok I think but screen quality is quite poor, also viewing bad angles and response time is not well.

Any one tried better screen with same res. ?

 

Has anybody found a way to change the fan speed with this laptop? All I want to do is make it running max speed constantly. I don't think I can handle anymore of it's random speed changes. :\

 

4820TG owners, how is your battery life holding up? I still have estimated/calculated lifetimes of around 6-6.5 hours in my BatteryBar widget, but realistically it's a bit less. Still, overall I'm pleased. I make sure to not let the battery sit at the same charge for too long, e.g. letting it drain a little on standby over night, since I'm usually plugged in.

 

Mine hasn't changed much. I'm getting about 4 hours now, seems to be up on what it was since i changed over to SSD. Putting SSD in breathed new life into this laptop.

 

Has anyone found out if it is possible to install windows 8 final release version from MSDN with switchable graphics working?

I have installed it, it detects both cards but only the intel card works. Shame, since I don't game on this laptop anymore I don't need the AMD card for anything over than the HDMI out which I do use and love. Thinking of trying 'dedicated' graphics in the bios, but the significant hit to battery life will be upsetting.

By the way, windows 8 on the 4820 is awesomely fast. I have SSD in it, and it is faster than Windows 7, which was also lightning fast to boot/resume/do standard tasks once I switched over from the magnetic disk.