Acer Aspire TimelineX 4820TG Owners Lounge

Is there a way to disable automatic graphics switching?

 

In BIOS, you can change it from "switchable graphics" to "discrete". However, there is no option to choose only the Intel GMA HD.

Unless, someone knows a way to turn off switchable graphics in ATI Catalyst because it is not in Acer's default ATI/Intel drivers.

 

I want to keep switchable graphics enabled. I just don't want it to switch automatically when I unplug my computer. I found at least one program that gets upset when the computer switches.

 

Law school?

Bronsky

 

Ok I have a big problem and need some help. I have the i5 version bought from newegg and I can't start the os.

The computer was running slow so I restarted it and it wouldn't shutdown. So I manually shut it down using the power button and when i turned it back on a BSOD flashed very briefly(like 0.5 seconds). Then the computer restarted and said that something was wrong. I ran the Startup Diagnosis program and it found an issue but was not able to fix it. I tried recovering from the hard drive and the backup discs but they did not work. The problem was that the winload.exe file was either corrupt or missing. The reason that the recovery programs wouldn't work was displayed as an I/O device issue.

So right now im not sure what to do. I'm looking for some advice before i send it back to Acer for repair.

 

why not just reformat using a usb flash drive or download the windows 7 hp iso directly from microsoft and burn a windows 7 dvd?

 

The fastest way to do this would be to go into your BIOS and change the Graphics to "Discrete". This forces use of the graphics card at all times.

You could also try to disable the Intel display adapter in the device manager.

Maybe try changing the power profiles?

 

I would download a windows 7 iso but i think the I/O device error is from my hard drive. Not sure though so looking for some input from you techies. However i will start downloading the iso anyways.

 

i've just bought this Acer 4820TG for a week and have got a dead pixel and a stuck pixel, does anyone know about acer's dead pixel policy ?

and also i'm wondering about the battery, do i need to remove the battery when using the AC power?

 

What drivers do you use for your graphics card?
I did a fresh install of windows and updated the graphics drivers to 10.8, and lost 300 points on 3dmark06. I went from over 10100 overclocking 700/1200 on stock drivers and stock windows install to 9816 overclocking 700/1200 with updated graphics drivers and update to windows 7 professional.

 

Theres definetly a setting somewhere to do it. I just did a clean install of windows, and after updating my drivers to 10.8, i got a prompt asking if I wanted to switch graphics when I unplugged it for the first time. you chose yes or no and then had the option of selecting a box to do this everytime.
So in theory after doing a clean install you select no and select do this everytime. However that shouldnt be necessary, Im sure the setting is buried somewhere; you could try uninstalling and reinstalling the drivers to get the popup? or updating them if you have not done so..

 

Hendricson,RobsTv,Jay.... your 3dMark points are great

What is your bios and graphic driver version? At stock drivers my points was about 9300 at 650/1050; after updating bios to 1,8 and catalist 10.8 I lost 500 point, it is now about 8800... Cpu is unfortunately non o/c able...

 

Have you run the diagnostics test and checked for the "1" vs "0" in bit 6 of byte 9h? Look at the first post in this thread. http://forum.notebookreview.com/acer/513560-possibly-overclocking-unclockable-3820tg.html If you have a "0", the unit is OCable theoretically. You might have to go hunting for a clockgen that works.

Bronsky

 

I too lost some 3dmarks going to 10.8, but 10.8 allowed me to overclock the GPU higher. Net results = same 3dmark scores.

 

I havent tried overclocking past 700/1200.. maybe i will be able to and get my performance loss back..

 

just got my 3820TG with 5650 - typing this on the 3820 w/ 5470 (passing it on to the inlaws).

First thing I noticed was that the 5650 keyboard has significantly more flex in it than the 5470 keyboard, to the point of being a noticable distraction ( I am a fast peck-style typer so flex tends to get magnified.

I guess those who say it isn't a big deal are right, as are those who say it is a problem on these computers, as the model seems pretty inconsistent.

Any way to fix this?

 

In diagnostics test, I cant see the values. There is nothing on the value area, I just got once the values and check the area and it was "0" that gave me hope to be o/c able, but I tried every clockgen in both freeware, shareware versions, I have even a paid version of Setfsb, but none of them worked.

Developer or the Setfsb mailed me that itis RTMxxxx type clockgen but also none worked.

For about 3-4 days I havent tried, I can try today again, and post the results. I have read your thread even all the pages of 3820TG owners thread, but sadly couldnt find a way to o/c the cpu...

 

Some of the clockgens require an adjustment before you switch to command setting. Let's take it one step at a time. First, are there any RTM clockgens that you can setfsb without it giving you a PLL error, even if it freezes. It may be freezing becuase the settings on the slide are too low to set FSB. This may be better discussed in the other thread but let me know where you're going to post.

Bronsky

 

I will check again when I am at home, so far I remember that I have may 1 or 2 clockgen without error but couldnot change the speed. I will post the results at the "Possibly Overclocking an Unclockable 3820TG" threat. It will be better IMO... Thx by the Bronsky being so helpful. Your rep is on the way....

 

I did already upgraded the drivers. I noticed under the ATI control panel there is a tab for the switchable graphics and in that tab there is a box for settings but it is empty. From what I can find online this is where the option should be. There must be a flag somewhere where this option can be set. I wonder if the ACER power management software is interfering.

 

I messed around with it a bit longer, and figured out that if you do a restore factory defaults to your catalyst control center under preferences, it restores the check box I was talking about. However it only gives you a pop up with the choice of whether to change or not; you would get the pop up every time and could cancel the switch if you wanted but theres no way to save the settings.

 

Does anyone know of any place that has this laptop in stock? *USA*

 

I thought I read earlier in this thread that Frys in NYC has it. (nope - just checked and it is not in stock- anybody else?)

Bronsky

 

Sorry for not updating guys. I had to fly out to NorthCarolina for the weekend.
Anyhow, I got my 4820tg last Wed. before I flew out. It came in late Wed night.

The Microcenter in MI had the last 2 of this model. It took me 5 days to get an answer from the MI store, if it was an open box or not. By the time I got an answer, they had already sold one of the 2. I was pretty upset. To make matters worse, I went to talk to the Houston Microcenter store manager. She called the MI store while I stood there and waited. They informed the Houston manager that it was an open box, despite the fact that I had called them the day before to confirm it was a sealed box. Now I was pissed off. So, the MI store said they would call the Houston manager back and let her know if it was the floor display. I waited till about 7pm Thursday, and still no answer. I then called the MI store for about the 10th time since Sunday earlier that week. I had left my name and number 3 times at that store for a call back on if the 2 left were open boxes. Never heard from anyone. So anyhow, I call the MI store at 8pm EST (7pm CST) and finally get ahold of a manager. The guy was VERY rude, and refused to look at the laptop that I purchased online. I had to pay for it online, because that was the only way they would hold it for me till the Houston put in the order for transfer. So I now have PAID for the laptop, and the guy wont go over to look at it to see if it was a new one ot not. At this point I almost lost it. So the next morning, I called back the Manager of the Houston store. She was very kind and patient. I explained the phone call from the previous night, and I expessed that I wasn't,for sure I wanted to buy from Microcenter anymore. She was quick to appologize, and said she would contact me as soon as she received the laptop.
So it arrived last Wed, and she called me right away. When I went to pick it up the next day, the box had been opened. I pointed it out, and she told me that the MI store had opened it to show to a customer since they no longer had a floor display. I did not appear to have been sold, so I accepted it. When I get to the register, she calls another associate in the store with the register phone. She informed me that the price had dropped and asked me if that was ok. The laptop was now $560 instead of $700. Not sure if she did that for me because of the hassle or not, but I was happy. She also did not charge me for the $30 transfer fee. So the total ended up being $605 including tax. I was like WOW.

Sorry to vent, but I wanted to share my experience with everyone about the Microcenter in MI. I hope that is a heads up to anyone planning to buy from them. As of now, I am happy with the Microcenter in Houston, and will do business with them again.

So how bout it guys? 4820tg + i3-350 + bluetooth for $605 = good deal ?
I took it on the flight and watched 2 movies, and still had battery to spare. I averaged around 6-6.5 hrs. I also tried the Crysis demo, and the laptop handled it great.
My friend played it for about 2 hrs, and the laptop was barely warm. I experienced no throttling of the i3-350.
I am pretty happy with my purchase.

Thank you to all the good people on this forum with advice and info.

 

That was quite an adventure. You probably have the best deal yet on a Timeline but I'm not sure it was worth what you went through to get it. It reminds me of dealing with Dell Service Representatives.

Congratulations ... glad you like your notebook.

Bronsky

 

Howdy folks, first time poster here. I've been looking for a laptop for a while now and I think I've settled on the TimelineX 4820TG, but I want to be completely sure I get the very newest model, with the i5 and 5650. In particular, I want this model that Amazon just today decided would be available in 3-5 weeks:

Amazon.com: Acer Aspire TimelineX AS4820TG-7805 14-Inch HD Display Laptop - Black Brushed Aluminum: Computer & Accessories

Now, I thought the deal was the latest model just wasn't available in the US yet. But on the first post of this thread, I saw the link to Fry's and went snooping there. Although it is sold out online, I noticed that several stores near me were showing the AS4820TG-7805 as available.

Is this for real? Did Fry's really get this laptop this much in advance of Amazon? Or has this newest version of the laptop been around for a while and just sold out quickly? Thanks for the help!

 

Its been around for awhile and just sells out quickly.=]
Great laptop by the way; I purchased mine 2 weeks ago and have no regrets! Ive yet to find something I dislike about it.

 

Ok a problem has arisen that is annoying the crap out of me.

Via HDMI out to my Asus VW266H monitor, my sound snaps, crackles, and pops while I play a video.

I have narrowed down the problem and it is definitely the laptop.

I've tried everything from updating drivers, reformatting windows, etc etc... nothing seems to fix it.

Any idea what's going on?

I'd hate to have to return this notebook... everything else is perfect.

 

I'm looking into buying this laptop, but I'm sort of worried by not having a DVD-ROM. How do you experience that?

Is it too much with 9 cell battery?

Is this a PC I would buy without regrets?

Thanks.

 

^4820TG does have optical drive...

 

So it's just the 3820TG that doesn't have a drive?

 

Yup, but in exchange 3820TG has two cooling fan..

 

Drive over cooling fans, right? In other words, I should go for the 4820TG?

 

If optical driver is very crucial, then go 4820TG..

 

Dunno ... do you normally regret things. Bi-polar?

Bronsky

 

So does the 4820TG really have heat problems like some people have said?

Does playing a game like BFBC2, Mafia 2, or any other intensive game really cause the temps to go in to the mid to high 90s which could cause throttling or automatic shutdown?

 

Depends on who you ask. In a few units, the I3 version has demonstrated throttling at temps not far above 85C. But, only a few have had those problems. They are more likely associated with a poor thermal connection than a design flaw. When I put a 540M in my 3820TG, the old paste had contact with the sink/CPU/GPU on no more than 25% of the available surface. When I had to take the 540M out temporarily, it was clear that the IC Diamond that I used to install the 540M had completely covered all available surface.

Much of this is academic since Acer will no longer be offering the I3/5650 in the US anymore. A kind of admission that the cooling system was a bit inadequate for the lower thermal limits of the I3. I don't think the I5s suffer from this problem. The 460Ms seem to run fairly cool.

Bronsky

 

Does anybody know why it is so hard to get a 4820TG with an i5 and more than 320GB HDD? In Germany they are selling this model with 500GB, 640GB and 750GB. I am really tempted to buy in Germany (especially bc I will be there next week), but I just want to avoid the hassle with a new (english) OS, keyboard, power supply...

 

The ways of Acer are unknowable to us mere mortals.

Bronsky

 

itd probably cost about the same to sell the 320gb hd and pay the difference for a 500gb hd than it would be to purchase a new keyboard, powersupply/adapter.. not to mention the trouble. Hard drives are dirt cheap now a days.
Unless electronics in germany are cheaper than in the US as a whole.

 

I don't know why you would have any regrets. My wife's 4810T from last year and the 4820TG I just bought are the best laptops I have ever owned. The only downside with the 4810T is that its slow. 4820TG fixes that so no complaints from me. There really isn't any direct competition for the 4820TG.

I guess if you want a higher res display and a few more ports you could look at the HP envy 14 but it is a fair bit more $1300 I think. Also in games the higher res doesn't really help the fact that the Radeon 5650 is not that powerful. For gaming the lower res display on the ACER is probably a benefit.

 

http://www.play.com/PC/PCs/4-/15685308/Acer-Aspire-Timeline-X-AS4820TG-434G50Mn-Core-i5-430M-2-26GHz-4GB-500GB-14-inch-Windows-7-Home-Premium-64Bit-Laptop-Notebook-LX-PSG02-/Product.html?_$ja=tsid:11518|cc:|prd:15685308|cat:Computers

 

bump

plz help

 

Try different HDMI sound drivers. Mobility Radeon HD5650 has a Realtek audio chip so there are two sources for HDMI audio device- one is Catalyst package but the other one is Realtek themselves. See if ATI HDMI Audio Device 2.49 driver from their website solves your problem.

 

FYI, JR has them in stock now:
Acer Computer Aspire AS4820TG-7805 TimelineX 14" Notebook PC in PC Notebook Computers at JR.com

 

Thanks. I added the link to the first post.

 

Subtotal $770
Tax $0 (CA)
Shipping $12.77
--------------------
$782.77

- 5% Discover Cash Back

= $743.63

Hmmm, that makes me care less about minor drawbacks...

 

I'm really on the fence of getting this laptop. I do have a couple of questions before making the choice...

1. How is the build quality for this laptop? I heard reviews saying the screen & keyboard flex is quite noticeable. I want my tech to last, especially since I'm going to college next fall and I'm definitely wanting to do a little gaming, plus the small size is a definite plus as well.

2. Any major problems with this laptop? Software, glitches, and etc.

3. I have a lot of games off Steam, (L4D, L4D2, and TF2) how will this laptop fair against playing these games? I've seen some videos of the GPU in action, notably running Modern Warefare 2 reasonably on high I think...

Thanks!

 

Ok. So, I have been playing around with these different fans from Frys. I bought a couple of different sizes to see if one would fit inside the laptop, without major modifications. So far... no dice.

Smallest fan Frys carries is a 40mm x 40mm x 10mm. The 10mm high might be ok, but the 40mm x 40mm is still too big. If you take off the bottom access panel of your 4820tg, you will see a decent space between the RAM slots and the hard drive. This is where I would like to mount an extra fan. I found a 30 x 30 x 7mm fan on Directron.com for $6. It is a 5v fan that moves nearly 3CFM. I think it will fit nicely in that space. Airflow should be blowing out of the laptop case, not pulling air in.

I also have been looking for a fan that mounts inside the CD Drive bay. Maybe a squirrel cage type blower that pulls in air from the CD drive face and forces it through the inside of the laptop.
Does anything like this exist? I have tried multiple searches with no results.

 

Yep, it's a question about 3820TG, but it's sorth of the same.

How much difference is there between 450M and 460M? There is £150 difference with the exact same laptops, just with different processors and 320GB/500GB HDD.

Not sure about spending £150 more is worth it, in this case.