Acer Aspire TimelineX 4820TG Owners Lounge

Can you notify me if acer agrees to change the thermal paste ?

Thanks

 

I was thinking a crafty modder might be able to make an adapter cable to plug a PCIe 1x GPU in to the mPCIe port.

 

OH really ? That would be Awesome !!! How is he going to do it ? if its possible.

 

My new computer just came today and it has been absolutely nothing but problems. I got it up and running. I burned the back up DVDs. Then I went ahead and switched out the stock HDD for my Momentus XT. Any time I would turn it on I would see this message,
"Check cable connection..? PXE-MOF: Exiting Intel PXE ROM. No bootable device __ insert boot disk and press any key"
When I boot it with the back up disk in I get to the screen where I get to choose what restore option I want. One is a factory default restore and one is a restore with personal data taken into account. Both of those options are grayed out leaving me only able to Exit, which just restarts the computer and goes through the same endless process.

To make matters worse the stock HDD suddenly can't run Windows at all. Every time i boot it up it crashes. It takes me to a screen which lets me choose to start normally or repair the problem. If I start normally it crashes without fail and then restarts to above screen. If I choose to try to fix the problem the computer tries for about 15 minutes and then tells me that it cannot be fixed.

I'm not doing ridiculous things there. There is no reason why any of this should be so hard. Its a real bummer because I was super excited about this computer and now it is more or less a worthless scrap heap.

 

Tempest,

You sure the recovery disks burned successfully?

That error message looks normal. I get that msg too when I remove my hdd. After you choose to boot up from the cd drive tho, the options should def not be grayed out..

Where did you buy the laptop from?

RMA and exchange it. Less hassle.

 

Don't use any self made cable for thr pci-e bus. The signal is to sensitiv to create a self made cable and you have only one pci-e lan and it should only by spec 1.1.

It is a nice dream but nothing for the real life.

 

Just try a fresh windows install with a windows 7 dvd.
It could be, that the recovery CDs checks the hdd model to take care of microsofts license.

 

I was super frustrated when I first posted that. Right now I have 7 reinstalling on the stock HDD. I think that my Momentus XT HDD might be dead. That would explain why I keep getting that message despite having the HDD in.

 

I don't have a straight 7 DVD. It didn't ship with the laptop. All I have are the recovery disks I burned at the start.

 

There are a few links on the internet to get the dvd. The best sources will be links to digital river server, who sells MS Software online.

 

The cable message is unrelated ... that is a standard ethernet message. The backup problem is a bad boot sector - probably on the new drive. It happens. I would suggest just doing a clean install on the Hybrid to see if it works. All of the necessary drivers are on the Acer site. You need launch manager too.

Bronsky

 

I'm trying to figure out how to eliminate the CPU whine that occurs when the CPU goes into an idle state. I tried to disable the C4 sleep state at the setup menu on bootup, but I can't seem to figure out how to do it. I used to use RM Clock to fix the problem on an older laptop, but they don't seem to have support for windows 7, which I'm running on my 4820tg.

Anyone run into this problem and find a solution?

 

wow they increased the price, I bought same one 2 weeks ago for 1299 euro.
but with ssd and i7 It really worths.

 

OKay, having spent the last couple of days looking at laptops, I've finally decided on the 4820TG (i5-520, HD5650 version) over the envy 14, m11xr2, n82jv and lenovo y460. However, I now can't find anywhere in the UK that stocks them, and they appear to have discontinued them?

The only ones I can find for sale have the HD5470 in them, which isn't really up to scratch for me.

Can anyone suggest where I might be able to find one? Or another alternative apart from the ones I've already ruled out (unless the Y460 IS for sale in the UK, that's the only reason I didn't go for that one anyway.)?

I am off to Tottenham Court Road in London tomorrow though, hopefully someone will have one in stock there...

 

Have a look here, and deactivate the C states in the BIOS.

 

@ rozerick, if you can´t find it in the UK, importing from germany could be an option. Replacing the keyboard is fairly easy.

 

Can users post the "ATi video" Bios date and version?
You can find this by opening ATi CCC, Information Center, and Graphics Hardware.

The 4820TG I just received from Newegg has
Video Bios dated 2010/07/01
Version 012.020.000.032

The reason I ask is because the HD 5650 overclocks like mad compared to my 2 week old 3820TG. Still testing fresh out of the box with all bloatware, and already hit 10,124 3dm2k6 (Bios dedicated, ATi 10.8, stock clocked i5-460m, ATi @ 750/1200 so far). The 3820TG Video Bios is older. So perhaps there were Video Bios updates done that allow for much better overclocking in the HD5650's, and perhaps we can update our older Bios to new?

3820TG
Video Bios dated 2010/03/01
Version 012.019.000.010

Or is 10,000+ 3dm2k6 normal with the 4820TG?

 

Would the warranty still apply in the UK? And wouldn't replacing the k/b myself void it anyway?

Having just searched on google.de though, at least it's in plentiful supply- they even have 3820's with HD5650s over there, which would be even better...

 

I5-460M/HD5650 4820TG or
I3-370M/HD5650 3820TG ~ $800
120GB SSD $200
I7-620M OEM $300

Total = $1,300

Il Diavolo = $1,923 The one thing you get for the extra $600 (the price of an 1830T) is a 1 year Acer warranty D ).

That is as much as a Sony Z12 - I7-620M, 128GB SSD, GT 330M, 1600 x 900 300 nit display, 3lbs. I think I would rather have the Sony.

Bronsky

 

Do you know if the refreshes have put USB 3.0 in the systems?

 

Bronsky,
What is the launch manager? I am wondering if I am just doing something out of order. Could you tell me the steps I need to take in order to get the new HDD up and running? Just briefly.

Also, after a few experiments I can't get any computers to see the Momentus XT. When I plug it in the drivers install, but it never pops up as selectable in My Computer. Any idea why?

Goodish news. I used the recovery disks to get Windows up and running on the stock HDD. Thats something I suppose.

 

well, usually, in Europe notebook prices are higher comparing to Usa. but not that much. I would like to correct your mistakes above. I have 160gb and it costs over $400. I7-620m costs nearly $400so It makes total $1600+warranty. beside these, 1299euro makes $1790 not 1900 (according to google). Of course warranty doesnt cost 190 dollar but as I mentioned Usa is cheaper. similarly UK is more expensive than Germany and rest europe.
If I compare brands in Germany; sony costs much much more. I looked z,s,y series for 160gb i7-620m, It is over 2000euro. as we all know Lenovo is also over 2000euro or dollar.

 

what are your temps like with the 750/1200 overclock? Im thinking of doing a similar one but just worried about temps.

 

128GBs are $199 these days in the US. They perform as well, if not better than the intel X-25M. The extra 32GBs are not worth $200. The link in this thread that I was originally responding to lists the il Diavolo at $1,421.52E = $1900+ USD. You can get an OEM I7-620M on Ebay for $250. Intel Core i7-620M 2.66GHz Processor SLBPD OEM 4M CACHE - eBay (item 160489325251 end time Oct-07-10 18:11:09 PDT). While that may be a great price in Europe, I guess my point was that there were better options for US buyers.

Bronsky

 

You only need launch manager once you have your windows working. When you load drivers load that too from the Apps. It's not important here.

When you do a backup and put the hybrid drive in the Acer, what do you do next? Are you trying to restore your system on the hybrid drive or are you trying to do a clean unstall?

Bronsky

 

Thank you, it works , but not completely. How comes that acer didn't do anything to solve this problem and sell computers with this huge audio problem?

Where can I download the latest drivers that could fix this please?

 

that is a second hand one, I dont know exact price. I quickly typed in google and first result was $370. in addition, If you can configure a notebook with Cpu, I am willing to pay you $100 extra but you should give me 2 years warranty, because It is against original warranty . you are talking based on configuration but fact is specs. Sony offers similar specs one less one up, range betwenn 2000-500 dollar. 2000 is with 256gb ssd +i5 and 5000 is 512gb ssd ,i7..

 

I'm trying to use the system restore discs to install it onto my hybrid. Is it unable to do that because the hard drive is blank?

 

It's unfortunate that Acer decided not to go with a backlit keyboard on the 4820/3820, especially with how popular that option has become and how it was offered on previous incarnations. Maybe they'll change that at some point.

 

That might be the problem. The backup was done on a 320 or 500gb 5400 rpm drive and the system is trying to load that image on the hybrid. I would try a clean install with a bootable USB drive. Here is my guide for doing a clean install. http://forum.notebookreview.com/ace...rks-tweaks-mods-upgrades-162.html#post6465732 Be sure to use a 3d party program to download the Windows HP ISO. If you have already backed up the drivers and the launch manager, you can start the clean install from the instertion of the bootable USB drive.

Good luck.

Bronsky

 

i5-460m (can't overclock the CPU in this 4820TG)
750/1200
3dm2k6 10124, sm2-3857, sm3-4791, cpu-2979
cpu-86c, gpu-72c
with stock heatsink compound

i3-350m (same 4820TG, just swapped CPU's with 3820TG)
750/1200
3dm2k6 9429, sm2-3752, sm3-4650, cpu-2388
cpu-75c, gpu-87c
with apparently crap after market compound, or a bug in realtemp app

 

Do you get a PLL error when you run SETFSB?

Bronsky

 

Yes PLL error.

I also am not thrilled with having to pay for another key, so no big deal anyway. Sucks that the key I paid for to use setfsb with the 3820TG can not be used on anther laptop I own, or transferred to another laptop that I own.

After swapping CPU's, end result is that the 4820TG with stock clocked 2.26GHz i3-350m is faster in 3dm2k6 than the 3820TG running i5-460m overclocked to 3.14GHz, due to better overclocking video in the 4820TG.

Best 4820TG HD5650 with i3-350m = 9546 (stock 2.26GHz, 770/1200 video)
Best 3820TG HD5650 with i5-460m = 9510 (165fsb, 3.14GHz, 645/1100 video)
Best 3820TG HD5650 with i3-350m = 9187 (165fsb, 2.8GHz, 645/1100)

Also, comparing both CPU's tested in the 4820TG, the i3-350m runs about 10c cooler than the i5-460m when repeating same tests. EDIT: never mind, since not accurate due to i5 was using stock HS compound, while i3 used aftermarket.

 

I see, Ill have to go home and do some tests, last i checked i was close to 90 degrees when playing battlefield so ill have to double check before i overclock it. Maybe that was because the laptop was sitting on the bed.

 

Temps during gameplay are a lot hotter than you see from running 3dmark, that's why his are lower.

 

Looks like an exceptional GPU in the 4820TG. That is the highest stable memory clock I have seen.

Did you happen to check the ID on the clockgen on the 4820TG while you had it apart? My 3820TG gave a PLL error in the shareware clockgens but I was able to find a clockgen that worked. http://forum.notebookreview.com/acer/513560-possibly-overclocking-unclockable-3820tg.html There is a simple test on page 1.

Bronsky

 

Just received my Acer 4820tg and loving it! =D
I was wondering it there were any significant modifications (maybe a page with them listed, i looked and coulnt find it.. found one for 3820tg though) that people have accomplished. I saw the backlight keyboard, which is sweet.

what other mods are around so far?=]

I have the i5 460 model, can my cpu be overclocked? And can the limit on ram speed be overclocked?

I plan on switching the hard drive out with a 7200 rpm hd, ssd's are too expensive for my taste=/ any good buys/models I should look into that perform well?

 

Definitely Seagate Momentus XT...

 

Holyyyy smokes... like RobsTV, my laptops GPU overclocks like crazy too.

I get 50fps now in Starcraft 2 at High settings and textures @ 1920x1200 res .

GPU temp reached 82C after a few hours of gaming.

 

What program did you use to OC the GPU?

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/ace...rks-tweaks-mods-upgrades-116.html#post6432896

 

Can users post the "ATi video" Bios date and version?
You can find this by opening ATi CCC, Information Center, and Graphics Hardware.

The 4820TG I just received from Newegg has
Video Bios dated 2010/07/01
Version 012.020.000.032

3820TG with poor overclocking GPU shows:
Video Bios dated 2010/03/01
Version 012.019.000.010

 

Can anyone tell me what your fan speed is for this laptop ? Does it vary or remain at a stagnant speed ?

 

Fan speed varies. Runs at least 3 or 4 different speeds depending on temperatures.

 

How to check my fan speed on this machine ?

 

@RobsTV

4820TG HD5650
Video bios dated 2010/02/24
Bios version 012.020.000.001

P.S. Overclocks very well.

 

I have been looking at pictures of the 4820TG motherboard and there is a significant difference in the cooling hardware between it and my 3820TG. First, we have no heatsink on our HM55 chip. The 4820TG has a separate copper heat sink on the chip. Second, an most important, the 3820TG has a sink on the CPU that covers the large and small sink of the CPU exactly. The 4820TG has a larger sink that covers the entire area of the CPU and GPU. This diffrence may make it possible to fit an I7-740QM in the 4820TG, as its heat sink will cover the entire sink of the quad core.

I just noticed the difference. I'm not suggesting that it be done. I can imagine many issues, such as the bios and heat, but it is intersting. I7-740QM with 120GB SSD and iTB HD in the optical bay and you have a 14" mobile workstation that will hold its own with a Dell Precision.

Bronsky

 

got scared there for a second. @temp

 

How did you set your fan speed to 100% ??!! OO

and How did you overclock that high ?

 

I run my GPU at 278.5C all the time.

Bronsky