Acer Aspire TimelineX 4820TG Owners Lounge

How good is the ICD7 anyway ? Do you see any significant difference from your last pasting ?

 

with the 1.2" shim on the GPU the CPU was hitting temps of 100+ (the shim was probably too thick and it was creating a slight gap between the CPU die and the heatsink). The 0.8mm shim is working much better, the highest temp the CPU reached when playing 2 hrs of Portal to was 84 C.

 

Wow, thats pretty good. But how much better is the ICD7 compared to other pastes ?

In most new games, my temps always shows around 90C on CPU and 80C on the GPU, max. Still using that arctic silver 5.
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Strange... Just replace my old arctic silver 5 with some new one again. Temperatures dropped to 84C for the CPU and 79C for the GPU while playing Assassin's Creed Brotherhood. Before was 90C on CPU and 80C on the GPU, like I said before. Not much of a difference for the GPU though.

 

after a full hour of sc2 marines arena temps r 79/79 on a 750/1040 oc... pretty damn good

 

On my 3820TG, I saw a 10C decrease under stress.

Bronsky

 

have you tried AS5, or went straight to ICD7 ?

 

The performance difference between AS5 and ICD7 is pretty much negligible (from what I've read online), but ICD7 is non-conductive so it's not as hard to screw up something in your laptop.

How well the paste is applied to the CPU/GPU will effect how well the heat transfers, if there is an air bubble or something it will effect the heat transfer performance, so that can explain the improvement in temps.

edit: and of course the temperature of the environment will effect the CPU/GPU temps. Damn, 79 max for CPU and GPU is impressive, especially for such a high overclock (pushing my GPU past 700/1000 causes freezing in games), are you running stock cooling?

 

I've used AS Ceramic and ICD7. Better temps from ICD7. I prefer non-conductive paste.

@ cmersits - I've had 2 3820TGs and the factory paste job on both was crappy. That is probably why a repasting gets such good results.

Bronsky

 

Okay, so the clean install of Windows I gave my TimeLineX has been giving me all sorts of troubles. To try to enable the discrete graphics card, I went in the BIOS and switched the graphics to discrete. Now.... my laptop won't display any graphics. At all. I can't go in the BIOS and switch it back cause well... it won't display any graphics. Yeah....

I can hear it booting into Windows... so I'm not royally screwed. But still... This isn't too good haha

 

You can blindly reset to default settings. Here is a list of steps:
1. Get into BIOS with F2.
2. Press F9 + Enter (this will load setup defaults)
3. Press ESC + Enter + Enter (this will save the changes)
4. Your computer reboots and you are back!
This should work for 3820/4820/5820

For 4820/5820, try pressing and holding F10 as computer boots or before you turn it on. That should load default settings automatically.

 

Hmmm... I could be wrong. I was playing my game on battery/unplugged. No wonder the temps were lower than expected. You heard me wrong, CPU = 84C, GPU = 79C max. Not both = 79C. However, I did overclocked the GPU when it was running on battery. Performance is still satisfactory.

Happens to me too. When I overclocked to 700/1000 in Crysis 2, the game just crashed and freezes until I need to manually turn off the laptop by holding the power button. 650/950 seems to be stable at the moment, running at High settings, maxed resolution.

No, I'm not running on stock cooling. As you can see from my signature, I've been using the Cooler Master Ergostand.

What method do you always use to spread the compound ? I always used the spread method with a card.

 

This did work! Thank you so much! However, I'm still puzzled. Any ideas how I can successfully switch to Discrete?

 

install ur drivers in windows 1st

 

Make sure you install the AMD driver and not the (ATI or Intel seperate drivers) from the Acer website. The AMD driver is a bundled driver (ATI + Intel) which has switchable graphics and should allow you to use "discrete" graphics in the BIOS.

I have no problems switching from "switchable" to "discrete" in the BIOS.

 

The Catalyst install manager from this driver says it cannot detect my graphics card.

 

Make sure you are in "switchable" mode in BIOS and make sure all other graphic drivers are uninstalled. Windows 7 will install a generic graphics driver on a clean install of Windows; you should then be able to install the AMD driver.

 

Do I have to install all 5 of the "VGA drivers" in the list? Yesterday, the installation DID start at one point, but the screen went black, and turned it off and turned it back on, then my graphics were messed up.... installing the VGA drivers (not all 5 files though mind you) got things back to normal resolution. But now when I try to install the Catalyst drivers, I got that problem I described earlier.

(And yes, the graphics are currently set to "switchable" in the BIOS)

 

I am at work right now, so I can't download the AMD zip file. However, I believe that the zip file should have one main setup.exe file and you should just run that. After extracting the files to a folder of course.

Can you clarify what you mean by 5 VGA drivers and list them out, so I can further help you on this matter.

 

yes, the Catalyst Install manager Setup, correct? That's what I'm having issues with.
And I'm dumb, the 5 intel VGA drivers were just all the updates for the same driver it seems. So I probably need to install only the newest one.

But I'm still stuck.... I do really appreciate the help BTW. People like you who take time out of their day to help others rule.

 

Yes, the setup file is the Catalyst Install manager. It should install both the ATI and Intel graphics within the same installation. Also, it is normal for the screen to go black for several minutes and return back to normal after 5+ minutes. If the screen is still black after 5 minutes, wait another 5 minutes to make sure the installation is complete. Then hard-power off the computer with the power button and then boot back into Windows 7 (boot normally into Windows). Then try the installation again and the setup might go through or the installation could have worked already.

P.S. I have never heard of seperate Intel drivers within the AMD zip file, but maybe Acer changed that recently (Only use the setup.exe file in the main folder; ignore all other sub folders).

 

The intel drivers aren't within the AMD zip file. They're on the Drivers site on Acer's website.
The Catalyst install manager is just failing to install is all I'm saying. The installation takes about 1 minute and says the install manager is already installed. When I go to "uninstall", it says nothing is installed however. At one point the Catalyst install manager DID do something, but theres where I turned off the computer. This is where my confusion comes from.

 

Don't mess with the Intel drivers from the Acer website. These drivers are for computers with "only" Intel graphics. It will not work with switchable graphics; only use the AMD zip file. Like I said before, the AMD driver is a bundled driver with both (ATI + Intel) drivers.

With Catalyst installation, choose "custom" and install everything, even if it says install manager is already installed, you should be able install the ATI graphics driver or anything you are still missing from the installation.

Also, make sure you uninstall the ATI or Intel drivers if you installed them previously or this could conflict with this AMD driver installation.

 

Okay, I uninstalled the previous Install Manager, and the Intel Drivers. When I opened up the install manager installation, it says the install manager wasn't found. But when I install it, all it does is install a 20 mb installation manager and a 7 mb redistributable thing... I restarted the computer and switched to discrete.... no graphics were shown. The error seems to be that this isntall manager just doesn't even seem to be installing any drivers. Sigh.

 

I don't know what to say. Windows 7 should install a generic ATI driver and then you should be able to install the AMD zip file just fine. Seems like you are trying to install the AMD driver while you are on Intel graphics, which means Windows 7 might not detect the HD 5650 / 6550M in device manager and would ignore the ATI graphics driver installation all together.

Also, make sure you are doing this while your laptop is plugged in because the laptop tends to switch to Intel graphics on battery.

 

I've been having a similar problem as Spiritbeast... I ended up temporarily bricking the BIOS, too - so thanks for the blind reset method!

Difference is, i'm trying to restore the drivers to the 4820tg state (I was running the harddrive in a different computer while i waited on a new screen).

According to the device manager, the only drivers that had error symbols on them were the Broadcom (wifi) and the 5650 (intel drivers were already in place). I was able to uninstall the WLAN, and get the right driver in it's place and working... So I tried the same thing with the graphics. Uninstalled both ATI and Intel hardware, then ran the AMD VGA driver from Acer's website.

Now, here's where it gets different. I was able to install that driver all the way, and it seemed to work - until restart. The lappy clearly booted up, but after the "windows is loading" screen, the display shuts off. I tried starting it in different modes, and it WILL load up in safe mode. Switch back to regular, and no screen. No beeping or anything else, though... it's like just the screen is shut off.

I can't figure it out at this point... Any ideas? Unfortunately, i don't have an external monitor to test on...

Edit: Also pulled up an error 43 code in the event viewer... if that's of any relevance.

 

So, like an idiot I waited too long on the 4820, and my order was cancelled by Amazon due to availability. I'm super upset, because I was stoked about this laptop. I'm assuming they won't be receiving anymore, with the new models coming out, I just wonder if the 4830 price will be reasonable with the dedicated graphics card. Not to mention, when they are even coming out, I cannot find anything similar in this price range currently on Amazon.

 

Freeride600 - A code 43 in Event Viewer refers to a USB removable device that wasn't installed with the correct drivers, etc. external hard drive, usb headset, flash drive, webcam.

I don't think this is related to graphic drivers.

 

As said, I personally would not buy 4830...it will cost around 1000 USD, but the performance increase you get is too small plus I don't like the design. blue color, jeez...

 

So lame, that's what I get for procrastinating, maybe Amazon will get some 4820 stragglers in...

 

The 4830TG is still an improvement over the 4820TG in terms of specs, but if it came in all black, silver or white then it would appeal to more people and look more professional. I dislike the blue and silver color mix on the keyboard layout.

However, the new island-style keyboard looks promising and the addition of a USB 3.0 port is a plus.

Also, prices will most likely fall from $1000 to around $800-900. I believe this is what happened between early models and later models on the 4820TG.

 

Ah, ok. Like I said, I wasn't not sure if it's relevant.

Is there any specific method to uninstall drivers? I just did it through Device manager. right click>uninstall>choose to delete driver.

It worked for the wireless....

any other ideas?

 

Have you tried using Windows Update after uninstalling all the graphic drivers? That might end up installing generic drivers for the ATI graphics card and then you might be able to successfully install the AMD driver.

 

Just watch fleabay. They pop up from time to time.

 

Micro Center - Acer Aspire TimelineX AS4820TG-6847 Laptop Computer - Carbon Black LX.RE102.034

Shows them as still available for shipping from website. Might be worth a try! (link is also on first page)

 

Tried that, same results...

Without the ATI drivers, Windows remained at concluding that the best driver was installed (VGA standard or something) for both devices. Both the Intel and ATI cards showed up as a generic VGA device, but I had an 800x600 display to clear every scrap of drivers and CCC drivers.

The ATI driver package from Acer's website installs, laptop reboots, and screen still shuts off after the "windows is loading" screen. It still goes to the desktop - i was able to get itunes working from keyboard commands alone. Tried messing with windows+P or anything else I could think to make sure it wasn't registering an external monitor.

It seems like the 5650 won't hook up with the display. The drivers from AMD's website won't install because it's not active, either.

And yes, this was all on AC power.

 

I wish Acer would update their stuff on their download site. I did a fresh install and the wireless driver from their website wouldn't install. So I hooked up the old hd via usb adapter and told windows to search the old hd for the driver... it found it.

Also, i can't get Launch Manager working. I looked at the old hd and the Launch Manager version is newer then the one I downloaded from acer's website -_-

 

Will I see any increase in performance by updating to the latest Catalyst drivers? Currently they are at 11.3.

Right now I have version 10.10 installed which is an update from the original drivers. I never used the original drivers so I don't know if my version (10.10) is actually better or worse than the original...

 

Wasn't that the issue that was fixed with one of the BIOS updates? Have you tried updating the BIOS?

Also, if you want to reinstall the drivers, then do this:
1. Go to Device Manager and for each video card uninstall the driver. DO NOT FORGET to place a check mark in the box that asks you to delete the stored driver.
2. Install Guru3D - Driver Sweeper , reboot into Safe mode and run the Driver Sweeper. Let it clean all traces of ATI drivers.
3. Since you mentioned you had the old HDD, copy the video driver from the special folder on the C drive. I don't remember the name, but it should be fairly easy to find. It is about 1.4GB in size. Just find the video driver, copy it over and install it.

If that does not fix the problem, then try to do a full reinstall?

 

Thanks for the ideas. It's currently on BIOS 1.19... maybe I should reflash it and try again?

as per 1 and 2, that's what I did...

Unfortunately, for number three... I only have the one harddrive. So I don't have anything else to go back on... nor did I make backup disks when I got the lappy... so i can't do a full reinstall easily.

Although... I do have some older harddrives laying around. Would it be worth the effort to try and get Ubuntu running on one of those to test out the hardware?

Thanks again for the help!

edit: flashed to the 1.25 BIOS and tried the process again. First round got me a BSoD before ATI install completed. restored and tried again, then same problem as before.

Also looked in the dev manager in safe mode, and it says for the 5650: "this device is not using any resources because it is not functioning." gah.

 

very easy to add Bluetooth module,tested works great.
was bought on ebay:
Bluetooth 2.1 Module Acer AS4820 AS4820T Aspire 4820 | eBay
used a Broadcom 6.3.0.7300 bluetooth 3.0 last driver for 4830tg from acer web
Again 100% tested, works great!!!

Regards,
Alex.

Acer AS4820TG-6847

 

hey thanks, that's great news!

 

To All! Somebody added and tested mini PCI-e 3G modem? Any one has a wiring diagram and part list for the 4820 mother board? As i understand it is not enough just solder mini PCI-e connector,you must also add missing parts near connector+sim card slot,flat cable+connector for the flat cable on the mother board+3g antenna. Where can i find these parts? Any ideas?
Sorry for my bad english
Regards,
Alex.

 

So, I'm having a bit of an issue. I just got an ODD caddy, and stuck a 320gb in it. The issue is that the thing won't properly spin down when not in use, and no matter what I do (hdparm / CrystalDiskMark APM control) it always seems to revert itself the next time it's spun-up by the OS. My less elegant solution has been to manually spin it down with hdparm.

Is there a permanent or persistent solution for this?

 

I seemed to have lost the little rubber stub piece that goes on the bottom.

Any suggestions on finding another one? thanks

Missing one-



This is what is looks like-

 

I "lost" one too, but it was in the bottom of my backpack. I'm guessing you could buy any rubber foot that was a little too big and shave it down with a razor blade. Otherwise you could look up the part number in the 4820TG service manual

 

You know I did see it when I pulled something out of my bag and didn't recognize it and am not sure what I did with it.

Looks like this is it. I will try emailing cdsparts. Thanks!

RUBBER FOOT - REAR ZQ1 BASE FOOT
RUBBER REAR S.P
47.PSR07.003

 

Does anyone have a good recommendation on a replacement wireless card that has 5Ghz capabilities? Also if it comes with BT would be awesome? In that same order does someone have any walk through process of changing it, because when I opened it up it seemed that the antennae wires were kind of soldered to it?

I was reading that the Intel ones are the best out there?

Do you have any pictures on how it looks like? Does it look stock? I'm trying to find a HDD caddy that can be fitted with the OD faceplate without breaking anything.

 

I've got my ODD faceplate crazy glued to the caddy.... An elegant solution, you will probably not find.

 

hello i recently experience this thing: sometimes when i am using the pc for browsing or for playing games it seems that the harddrive starts (or wakes up from sleep i don't know) and i have a block of everything on the screen for a second or so. (very annoying during gaming). What might this be? And how to fix if possible?
I own a 4820tg core i5 430m ,4 GB ram, ati 5650

 

Do you have a Western Digital hard drive? If you do, go to the first post on this thread. Read the FAQ section - use quietHDD.