Acer Aspire V5-122P Owners' thread

I installed this 8GB RAM chip in my Asipire V5-122p: Newegg.com - PNY 8GB 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Laptop Memory Model MN8192SD3-1600-X9

Now it is only showing that I have 1.44GB of "usable" ram, although it also shows that 10GB (total) is installed. It was doing this prior to upgrading to Windows 8.1, but I have since upgraded and nothing has changed.

Is there some BIOS setting I need to tweak to get it to actually use that full 10GB of RAM?

 

I picked one of these up at Best Buy this week, and so far...meh. (though, to be fair, I paid $210... so my expectations and satisfaction-bar are pretty low)

First and foremost, I picked it up as a travel PC. I have a $1300 Samsung as my main laptop, plus a Dell Venue 8Pro as my tablet. I just needed something to go on vacations as a picture-storage device (The Samsung is 15.6", and the Dell lacks an SD card slot). Basic internet access was also a requirement.

This is, I believe, the cheapest V5 model available, as it has the A4-1250 cpu and lacks a backlit screen.

That said, this thing is SLOW. I am not sure if it is the CPU (which i expected to be somewhat underpowered), or if it's the pokey HDD. What I can say is that the 1250 is significantly slower than the Bay Trail Atom in the Venue 8 Pro. I also have an SSD that I'll be throwing in this weekend. Will post pictures and instructions. I expect it should be a pretty easy process.
Might also do some bench-marking so I can have some numbers to compare.

Does anyone know the make/model of the internal HDD?

 

First I followed this guide on youtube on how to swap the HDD for an SSD: Acer Aspire V5 122P MyDigitalSSD BP4 SSD upgrade - YouTube

Then I followed davidricardos excellent guide in this thread, on how to do a Windows 8.1 clean install: http://forum.notebookreview.com/acer/724071-acer-aspire-v5-122p-owners-thread-42.html#post9546005

Edit: At one point in the 8.1 clean install guide there is a confusing moment:

3.Next we’ll activate Windows 8.1 with your OEM Windows 8 Product Key by typing;
slmgr.vbs /ipk XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX

Jelly bean keyfinder will not give you anything called "Product key" but it will give you "CD Key" and "Product ID".
It's one of those (obviously), but I can't remember which one right now. lol

 

I thought I got rid of the image retention when they swapped out the panel. Well, turns out I was a bit too exited about it being fixed and the image retention is still there with the new panel. Must be a looooots of bad panels in that batch. Acer must have gotten these really cheap, and thought: oh well, people buying a dirt cheap machine like this ain't gonna complain anyway.
Oh, and BTW, I know they changed the panel, as the note that came back with the machine said so.

Anyways, I'm getting more and more a feeling I should try to replace this laptop in the near future. The machine still feels sluggish when browsing and doing other everyday tasks, even after the SSD upgrade and clean install. The wifi kinda sucks. I just moved into a new apartment with some problematic walls, my flat mates are all using macbook pros, and they are getting a much better signal than me. The battery life is short, and the machine is kinda noisy as well when running at 1.4Ghz.

On the positive side I still like the back-lit keyboard, the IPS display, (even if it's a bit dim) and the overall construction quality of the machine.
But, a machine bought in 2013 with an SSD installed shouldn't feel sluggish when browsing the web...IMHO

OK, rant over.

 

CD Key, I fixed it thanks.

 

Could anyone that has the A6 version of this laptop run the Passmark 8 benchmark and share your results?
I am mostly interested in how well the HD 8250 handles the DX9 and DX9 Complex test.
I currently have the A4 model and ran the bench with 4gb and 8gb ram. Little to no difference. I was getting about 32-34fps on the DX9 test and around 21-24fps on the Complex.
I am also running this on a Vertex 4 SSD with a fresh installation of Windows7. Weird thing now is Passmark wont run anymore. Crashes before it opens. Tried reinstalling, wiping the registry, complete decimation... nothin? Weird

 

I can do it with the OEM onboard 2 GB, 2+2 GB, 2+4 GB, 2+8 GB and I'm currently using a Samsung 830 256 GB SSD with Windows 8.1 Update 64-bit. I'll also lock the CPU frequency at 1.4 GHz and OC the GPU core clock to 497 MHz so that we can see what the maximum would be.

EDIT:

2+8 GB
DX9 Simple 23.8 fps
DX9 Complex 11.4 fps

 

Oh wow, that is lower than what I am getting. So I am assuming the SOC GPU performance does not solely rely on the CPU power. This is interesting given that the A4 has the 8210 and the A6 the 8250. For comparisons sake I am running a fresh install of Windows 7 and a 256gb OCZ Vertex 4. The tests were basically similar using both the stock RAM 2+2 and with a Samsung 8gb module out of my Sony flip.
Reason I am asking all this is because I was trying very hard to find the A6 Acer. I ended up returning one of the Acer A4s I bought and had to select another laptop to keep from loosing my $75 coupon from the BestBuy XP trade in. Ended up selecting the Dell i3135. Its an 11.6in touch, 4gb ram, A6-1450 with the 8210 not the 8250.
On paper the 8250 is supposedly slightly faster than the 8210 despite being the same chip. Guess it is a difference like what AMD did with the C-50 and C-60 years ago. I wonder if your 8gb ram is causing some drag in the test? Might it be possible to try again with the stock 2+2 if it is not too much trouble? Really curious as to what might be slowing it down or if it is just the fact that Windows 7 gives this little processor a little more head room.

By the way, I very much appreciate the feedback. Hopefully the Dell will perform as good or better than the A4 Acer GPU, if I ever get that laptop. Its on backorder now :/

 

No it's done by auto-detection, I had the same problem with a Kingston 2gb ddr3 changed it for a 4gb Samsung and it reported fine, I suspect it doesn't like your PNY 8gb, you could ask your supplier to change it for a different make.
.

 

Ok so did some more digging around. I can echo the problems with the RAM not showing correctly in Windows. I am on Windows 7 so take that with a grain of salt if you are on 8.
What I did:
-Fresh install of Win7
-Modified BIOS to allow advanced options (per instructions here)
-Ran Win7 just fine, and Ram was like 4gb total 3.4 usable or some jazz
-Swapped out 2gb stick for 8gb stick
-Again running Win7 just fine, RAM showing correct values
-Swapped back to the 2gb stick after running the 8gb and getting test results

Now the laptop is showing 4gb installed but only 971mb usable? Went into Virtual Memory and set Min to 16mb and Max to 256mb.
When I rebooted Windows I show 4gb installed and 1483mb usable. So the change did work, but it still is not right. It was fine before the 8gb swap, but now that I went back to the 2gb Windows has allocated something incorrectly.

Yes I went into BIOS and changed the Video RAM to 512mb. I ran it at 2gb and then 1gb for some benchmark testing when I had the 8gb installed. Also tried the reset button on the bottom (one accessible from the outside). Anyone know what the other reset button does on the inside of the laptop? It is sitting right next to the other reset button.

 

I have my left my video RAM at Auto since I have 2+8 GB. What did you notice from increasing and decreasing the set amount?
I don't know if I did something wrong but my reset button never did anything. From what I understand, it is suppose to simulate disconnecting the battery correct? Also, I think the switch next to the reset switch is some kind of "cover intrusion" safety switch. I could be wrong.

=================

Does anyone here have the Acer secondary battery? Or an aftermarket secondary battery?

My Acer secondary battery doesn't charge like I would imagine. I am not using my factory Acer AC adapter, instead I am using a 65W Acer AC adapter. My factory Acer AC adapter is still new in the box. The problem I am having is that the internal battery charges but the secondary battery does not, even after the internal battery has reached full charge. I have left the PC in sleep mode while charging and also completely shut off and the results are the same. Internal battery will fully charge while the secondary battery doesn't fully charge. I have to check my warranty on both the PC and the battery as well as try my factory Acer AC adapter to find out exactly the issue is here.

The secondary battery used to fully charge only while the PC was completely shut off. Now it doesn't and its got me concerned. I'm probably the only one with this issue and will be contacting Acer ASAP!

 

Well I finally figured out the cause behind system reserved RAM being at 2.6gb with the 2+2 installed. I thought the problem was windows so I broke down and hunted for a Win8 iso. Finally found one and burnt it to dvd. Did a complete wipe on my ssd and then installed windows fresh. After it booted I checked the RAM again. Still showing 2.6gb reserved. Installed all the drivers and multiple reboots later, still showing 2.6gb reserved.
So I decided to back track my steps to get back to [_]1. I originally had the 2+2 in the system when I bought it right? Did some testing with the stock config, then did the BIOS mod and set the vid ram to 1gb. Tested more and decided to give the 8gb stick a try. Swapped it out and tested again. This was with the vid ram still set to 1gb. Went back into BIOS and set vid ram to max at 2gb. Tested some more. No definite changes in results so I swapped back to the 2+2gb.
THIS IS WHERE THE PROBLEM STARTS
After the swap, I immediately went into BIOS on the 1st boot and changed the vid ram to 1gb. For some odd reason this threw BIOS into an unknown/unseen error. I went back into BIOS several times changing the vid ram to 2gb/1gb/512mb/256mb. The other really strange part is that every time I changed a setting in BIOS during this, when I went to save and exit BIOS would close and then hang on a blank screen. It would not boot into windows until I powered off and restarted. But if you went right back into the BIOS just after the hang, all the settings stayed the same and you could save and exit without the hang up. Then it would boot to windows. BUT! The system reserved ram stayed 2.6gb or more.

Here is what I did to fix the problem:
With the 2+2gb still installed, went into BIOS and set the vid ram to 2gb. (notice after I did this again, BIOS would hang at a black screen on every boot)
Swapped out the 2gb stick with the 8gb stick I had in before (not sure how important that it needs to be the exact module that was installed before. Might just need to be the same size ex: 8gb = 8gb)
Went into BIOS immediately after the swap and set the vid ram back to 512mb
Swapped out the 8gb back to the 2gb again
Went back into BIOS after to confirm that settings were correct
Booted into WIn8 and check the RAM
SUCCESS!!! Hardware Reserved RAM is back to 565mb checked via the Task Manager (hold: ctrl + alt + delete for those that dont know)

Have not had a chance to do any more test since I am exhausted. Took me till 4am to get this figured out.

davidricardo86: As far as the testing goes, I did not get much more than .5 fps difference with the 8gb RAM and vid ram set to 2gb. Part of this could be because the RAM is running so slow anyways that the additional limits did not increase performance due to the speed bottleneck. Really is a shame that it is stuck at 800mhz. I would like to figure out how to unlock the A4 to overclock to 1.4 like the A6 can and see it that boosts performance more. I dont see why it isnt possible.

 

What's the difference between the two below? Also, I can't get the student discount to work on the $350 one -- any ideas why? Should I go in-store?

Buy Acer Aspire V5-122P-0681 Touchscreen Laptop - Microsoft Store

Buy Acer Aspire V5-122P-0646 Touchscreen Laptop - Microsoft Store

 

The 0681 has the VGA adapter. I think it's an older model. Try live chatting to get your student discount.

 

I had been enjoying this neat notebook. Unfortunately I spilt a whole glass of beer on it last night. I first thought it was dead, but letting it dry out it seems to function Ok. I do however have a lot of very sticky keys. So I've ordered a new backlit keyboard from ebay; (my UK amazon model didn't have one as standard, but I thought it would be a nice upgrade).

I am not sure how you remove the top casing to install the new keyboard. Do I go in from the back and remove the battery and motherboard etc or can you release the plastic and trackpad cover from the top? I'd be grateful for any advice if anyone has experience of this.

 

To upgrade the thermal paste or change any of the existing part; Do i need to do anything with the battery? I know in my other laptops I would remove the battery.

 

Always remove or disconnect the battery before servicing components of a laptop.

 

Thought I read the battery couldn't be removed, guessing it can be? I don't have the laptop yet, just ordered it.

 

Yes you can. There's a connector at the bottom of the board with many wires. Don't be afraid in unplug things. Make sure you gently push the plastic connector rather than pull on the wires.

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

 

I just bought 4gb samsung 1600 low voltage and 840 pro 256gb ssd for my v5 and checking on amazon i saw that they are now selling also 1333 low voltage memories, if anyone is interested (since those are what our laptop supports) Corsair 4GB DDR3L 1333MHz: Amazon.it: Elettronica

 

Just an FYI if anyone wants a 2nd one of these laptops, the backlit keyboard version with the 1450 processor is on sale for $300 on amazon atm

Amazon.com : Acer Aspire V5-122P-0600 11.6-Inch Touchscreen Laptop (Chill Silver) : Laptop Computers : Computers & Accessories

 

I've been reading and cant seem to find an answer, can we disable UEFI on this laptop?

 

there is an option in the BIOS

 

help! I have installed windows 8.1 (and before that windows 8, both genuine) from scratch, since I have got a SSD but now there is no wifi installed, the component is listed but there are no drivers and those on the acer website aren't good. what should I do??? please help!

 

did you update to the latest bios?

 

yes, I did it already before changing the hard disk

 

what wireless card is showing?

 

it just says under "other components"->"network controller"

it is like it doesn't have the drivers

 

What card was in it before? maybe try going to card manufacturers site?

 

hey i guys i recently purchased the Aspire V5-122-0864 its the A4-1250 dual core version, i picked it on clearance for $160 at staples now with it being a dual core i wasnt expecting much just wanted it for web browsing and streaming video, now i can deal with waiting 5-10 seconds for pages too load but cant deal with the video playback, any video i try to play regardless of website(youtube, netflix,hulu) plays really choppy, its not a wifi issue because everything plays fine on my other devices (cell phone,tablet, laptop) any suggestions on how to improve video playback would be greatly appreciated, btw ive already updated to windows 8.1

 

I installed the drivers, opening manually the atheros zip file (wlan drivers only .zip) from acer support... that was painful, it is 4 in the morning in italy... good night and thanks everybody

 

there's my disk benchmark (ssd samsung 840 pro 256gb)

 

does anyone know if the hidden tab bios mod works in the latest 2.10 bios?

 

Does anyone know what components I would have to remove to change out the keyboard? There appears to be lots in the way.

 

Guys
Just a couple of quick questions: -

My V5-122P is the one without the illuminated keyboard. Would I be able to fit a lit keyboard to my notebook?

Also I am looking for more up to date drivers for my Atheros AR956x wireless adapter. Could someone point me in the right direction as to where to get them please? I am currently using 10.0.0.263

thanks

 

I'd expect you'll have remove the motherboard. Think the keyboard will be obvious to remove then.
You'll be able to get a keyboard and fit it easily enough. I expect the connector for the back light power will be on the motherboard. As for drivers, windows really should sort itself out, but acers own work fine. I doubt there will be much in the way of improvement for latest drivers.

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

 

I would try the latest AMD beta video drivers and the latest AMD chip set drivers.

After that I would download and install MSI Afterburner beta and enable unofficial over clocking. Try overclocking the iGPU as well as latest beta video driver to see if it helps.

How much RAM you got?

Yes it does, I did it when it was released some months ago.

Motherboard, battery and mostly everything else that's attached to the keyboard palmrest underside.

I don't think anyone here has done the backlit keyboard upgrade but it should be doable.

As for latest Qualcomm Atheros WLAN drivers, check www.station-drivers.com, then go to Drivers, then either WiFi WLAN Card or Wifi laptop drivers. You'll find them under Qualcomm/Atheros AR9xxx.


Sent from my XT1049 using Tapatalk

 

I have now installed a backlit keyboard in a version that didn't come with one. It is clear where to plug the power into the motherboard and it functions fine. They also seem to be quite cheap on ebay. However I don't think I would recommend this unless you have damage the original as it is attached with compression fit plastic clips and the old keyboard needs to be pulled off with brute force. My new keyboard does not now protrude from the bezel as much as it should do.

 

I was getting frustrated with some of the video performance with Flash and so I removed the Wifi/Bluetooth module (PCI-e card)...... after that, I popped in a bluetooth USB dongle with a wifi dongle also coming soon (low-profile for both).

Seems like the battery life jumped up to 6 hours according to Windows. I'll see how long that lasts, but if that BM970015 card works for video performance and the issue with wifi/bluetooth card caused the drop in battery life, this machine along with 10GB RAM and 240GB SSD upgrade I did made this machine worth using again. It seems to be running a little faster though.... much like how disabling the built in sound device improved performance on a Surface RT

 

Hi, Me again :hi2:
I hear a few of talking about the hidden section in the BIOS, what is this and how do I get into it?

Also my Installed memory is 6GB but it says only 5.45GB usable. Is this normal? I presume some of the memory is allocated to the apu.

 

Heads up guys, the Acer Aspire V5-122P-0600 with ips display and backlit keyboard is now $299 at Amazon.

 

I installed the Atheros AR9280 with Pin 20 taped, works like a charm! just gotta run my 2nd antenna now.

 

I am in the same boat you are. I have 122p-0869 and i don't know if it uses Atheros or Broadcom for wifi. I installed both drivers but it still will not recognize my wifi card. Can anyone with 122p-0869 please tell us what wifi card we have?

 

On the bottom of my v5-122p-0600 it has a regulatory sticker indicating it uses a Qualcomm Atheros WLAN card. Check that sticker.

Sent from my XT1049 using Tapatalk

 

This thing is a bargain at $299. If you want a general purpose laptop, this thing will deliver. I'd highly recommend replacing the HDD with any 120GB or 128GB SSD you can get your hands on. The CPU and system in general will bottleneck any faster SSD, but any SSD for the most part will be better than the stock HDD. That would bump the price up about another $60-$80 and technically void the warranty, but honestly I think it's worth the performance improvement.

 

I Agree with HT. Instead of buying a tablet in that price range $300-450, this Acer V5 at only $300 now is a steal and it is a real computer with real keyboard and operating system plus IPS panel.

 

If only they made it with even a 128GB SSD it would be a steal for $300.

 

Guys, what is the main pros of changing the wifi-card?

My range is abysmal compared to other modern notebooks, but other than that I haven't really noticed any wifi hiccups that I can blame on the Wifi card. Someone a few posts back talked about drastically improved battery time, but that seems a bit to good to be true.
Would changing the card improve the wireless range? I guess 5ghz would be good to have as well...

 

This Amazon deal for $299 is an absolute steal. I just ordered one today and even though it's 4 GB I can't tell if it's the one with 800 or 1066 MHz memory. I already own the other quad-core version with 6 GB from the Microsoft Store that I got for $380 a few months ago. I've been watching those two models of the V5-122P carried on MicrosoftStore.com. The 1066 MHz DDR3 went out of stock a few weeks ago. The slightly cheaper 800 MHz DDR3 model just went out of stock last week. They are both 6 GB and are installed with plain Windows 8, some very bare-bones Acer support software, and nothing else.

I take issue with the specifications stating that the monitor is an IPS monitor. I only try to buy IPS panels in laptops now that prices have come so far down. Some folks on the internet don't believe this Acer model uses an IPS panel and did some sleuthing with the PnP model identifier that suggests it is actually a very nice "TN" panel. I can't really say if it is IPS or not but it looks really nice. It has very similar characteristics to a high-quality "TN" panel on an older Acer Aspire One with the C-60 processor in it. I just wanted to add what I've found about the spectacular panel in these very inexpensive V5-122P models.


**EDIT** Now that I fixed my error of stating the memory was 1600 to the correct value of 1066 the performance difference doesn't seem that big of a deal.