Acer TimelineX 3820TG Owners Lounge. Info, benchmarks, tweaks, mods and upgrades

Yea, just look for a BT sticker on the bottom. Or check the specs that come with the label on the side of the box, if there's a BT module it should say there.

Alternatively, look for a BT logo on the keyboard (probably Fn + F3) and turn it on. If you don't turn it on, Windows won't even recognize it as disable, it'll be just as it never were there in the first place.

 

i jumped the gun and ordered a 3820t (i3, integrated graphics) for $650 canadian dollars! i think it's a good deal, it's selling for 699 USD in the states.

 

Is TG over here my friend

 

The power brick/adapter weights 1/2 the weight of the notebook.

 

Anybody figured out how to have bluetooth come on automatically at start up? I always have to use fn-f3 to turn it on. I'm using 3820tg as a desktop replacement for now and have a bluetooth keyboard.

Also, how do I open that 5 in 1 card reader slot? (never mind, figured that one out.)

 

How much better is that Seagate Momentus XT compared to the regular drive that was in there? Bronsky, I see you've upgraded. Is it worth it, in your opinion?

 

I am so spoiled by SSD. Can't live without them.

 

Haha, I see that... damn. but these non-value branded SSDs are so expensive...

 

For those getting German units and performing a clean install, the ABR method did not work for me. For some reason, ABR would not back up the digital signature. When I went to reload after the clean install, it could not find the OEM digital certificate. Be careful if you use this method and check it before you start the clean install (especially if you are using the original hard drive).

I had to manually load the product ID and certificate. I have always used the ABR methods and had never done the other method. It took forever to figure it out but I have my Home Premium activated without having to to the phone activation.

Now I can start loading drivers. If you do a backup before you start, all of the drivers you need are on the backup CD. Some of these are not on the Acer site. The ATI, Realtec and Synaptics - you can use the most recent ones.

I offically hate the touchpad on the 3820TG. It's my only real complaint so far.

Bronksy

 

Bronsky,
if I were to do a clean install using Windows 7 Professional and my own license, would I still need to do this?

 

Bronsky, why do you hate the touch pad? Mind explaining what the ABR method is? I'm not too good with abbreviations.

 

If you have a retail Win 7 Pro - then no. You only have to reload the digital certificate if you are clean installing an OEM version.

Bronsky

@MNX1024 - probably because I loved the one on my Acer 1410T. I like the split keys and I like them at the end of the palm rest. The single bar I don't like. I tend to actuate the key wtih my thumb.

ABR is the name of a beta program that automatically extracts your own computer's digital signature and OEM certificate. After the clean install, you just automatically reinstall and your system is activated the same way as when it left the factory. It seemed not to work on my computer.

WOW this SSD is fast.

 

When you say the touch-pad, do you mean the button? If it's like the 4810TG one is a bit stiff, I don't mind it being 1 button but it's a bit too stiff for my taste, need to click with some force.

Time to develop my thumb muscles, I guess

 

Bronsky, forgot to ask you this. Does computeruniverse actually use DHL to ship the laptop? From what I can see, the tracking information pops up on their website, but not DHL's.

 

It is DHL post. Not DHL express. You can track from DHL post but the information you get on teh site is teh same as you will see on the post. It sucks. You have no idea where your package is most of the time.

 

Yea - its the button i hate. Too stiff and you have to get all the way to one side to easily activate it.

 

Yeah, I've just realized it after doing random stuff on the German DHL site, lol.

Maybe I can demand some longitude and latitude positioning data from them.

Anyway, yea, after a quick google search, still no idea what you mean by "ABR method".

Looks like computeruniverse just got the refresh of the 3820TG(I assume it's a refresh).

 

Did you get that 128GB Crucial C300 SSD? There's a 64GB one due out soon for $149CAD that I might consider. Is 64GB enough though? Hmm.

 

@Bron, check your PM box

 

Yep. It seems a lot faster than the Intel in my 1410T. That is only an X25-V.

Since I use it for work and load a lot of large GIS images to edit and display, I would justify it to myself. SSD got a 7.3 rating in Windows performance. The ram only got a 5.9? Is that right?

Okay. Drivers all loaded and windows update complete. Time to start tuning and testing soon. Can major surgery be far behind?

 

Dude I don't think I've ever known someone to put as much effort into modding a laptop as you, Hendrickson, and others on here.

Many things in life are uncertain, but one that is certain is the love for a good laptop.

 

I still don't understand Hendrickson and Bron's motivation to modify a $1000 laptop, and not just opting for a diff brand that wouldn't need to be modified at all. I'll never understand it, I guess. Kinda like not understanding why there's rice/beaned up cars here in SoCal. I mean, why not just spend 35k and get a LanEvo, or 90k for a Skyline that you'll never have to mod?

 

The price is irrelevant when a comparable laptop doesn't exist. The closest to this would be the M11x and the Sony Z, but the M11x looks flashy and has a much slower processor, while the Z's low clocked 330M can't compare either.

 

^Exactly. Nothing in this size/form factor that compared to this little machine. I personally dont like the CULV Alienwares and the Vaio is ridiculously expensive!

Besides, even if you get a Skyline theres a lot of modding to do. I know one owner personally and just a reflash of the CPU gives a whole bunch of extra horsepower

 

lol wow... then you never will

 

While I somewhat second your sentiments, I also understand their being at the apex of Maslow's hierarchy of needs It makes life more fun too

 

Ya, I'm very mod-shy. Closest I'd ever get is upgrading the RAM, which I never did as a poor college student. Might not even do it now, considering how 4gb is overkill for my needs.

Thanks for your input guys. I'm going to bed now, it's 11:46pm.

 

Bronsky: Belated congratulations!

To any of my fellow Canadians who have ordered from computeruniverse:
Has anyone in Canada actually received your machine yet? I ask because I have had some troubling updates to my tracking information. As of today it says:

12.07.10 17:57 h Saulheim Shipment was processed at destination sorting hub.​

Sounds like cause for celebration, but the location is still "Saulheim", which is the same as the location it started from. And the Product/Service has mysteriously changed to "DHL PAKET / WELTPAKET Returns". Did DHL actually receive my laptop, let it sit for 18 days, and is now returning it without any attempt at delivery & without notifying me? My knowledge of DHL leaves no room for surprise, but still...

Somebody tell me it ain't so :/

 

Yup, the 3820TG is truly in a class of its own.

Too damn bad Acer doesn't want my money.

 

Does all 3820TG's come with HIPRO 90W ACs? I'm looking forward to buy an additional one and was wondering what options I have.

 

You have to change the registery key
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Dritek\LManager\Settings\Bluetooth]
"Bluetooth Always On"="0" to "1".

Just press the start button end enter regedit for the registery editor.

Press on the plastic card and it will come out. Now you are able to put the other card in.

 

Is it me or the shipping process is faster than Bronsky?

13.07.10 09:30 Order Data for this shipment was submitted electronically to DHL by sender.
12.07.10 18:23 Shipment in transportation to destination country.
12.07.10 18:23 International shipment was processed at export sorting hub.
12.07.10 18:23 Shipment in transportation to destination country.
13.07.10 11:29 Shipment in transportation to destination country.
13.07.10 11:29 Shipment in transportation to destination country.

This is only the second day since it was supposedly shipped. Funny thing is though, their updates seems jumbled up.

 

Bronskies package has missed the first ship

 

You should see what I'm doing to an old trimaran. I've grafted a 54HP jet ski engine in the rear to give it more power and to permit it to be beachable.

And here is a desktop that I built.

It's a kind of illness.

Bronsky

 

I think you're right. It seems that your package did not sit for a week like mine did at the Frankfurt departure hub. Great news. The SS Rotterdam must have been in port.

Bronsky

@LVLVIER - I would call them and find out what is going on. There is also a tracer form you can fill out for international packages. I hope that didn't happen to you.

 

OMG now we know you ARE insane!

 

Hi everyone:

So DHL did actually return my shipment to computeruniverse (!!). I've contacted them and we're trying to determine why. Why this took almost three weeks I have no clue. I was tempted to just cancel the order, but I thought for the sake of the other Canadian guys in this thread I should at least find out what is going on.

I'll keep you posted...

 

I think maybe contact local post office and local DHL office will be better

 

Guys, is there any chance for finding an additional SATA connector on the motherboard, which we could use (even if it needs soldering)? Lack of any kind of fast connection to HDD's is why I am still hesitating buying this laptop. The Envy 14 has eSATA, but it's about 2x the price in Europe than a 3820TG.

I think by finding a spare connector on the MB and modding a cable to the opening of the card reader might give it an external SATA port.

 

thatta be cool...

 

I am only speculating, but I would be surprised if the 3820tg and the 4820tg didn't share the same mainboard design to save money and simplify the supply line - after all they have identical feature sets, the only differences are add ons like the 1x vs 2x coolers and the optical.

If that's true (and it seems likely to me), then the sata port for the optical disk drive should be free. Like you mention though, it may not have a header soldered on it.

 

In terms of computer, that's not too insane. This is what you call insane:

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b19/SeiroKun/computer/DSC00600.jpg

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b19/SeiroKun/computer/DSC00597.jpg

Still a work in progress due to lack of funding

If I had a boat, I'd probably be like Bronsky and start doing things to it. I guess in terms of vehicle, I'm currently messing around with my Bike(bicycle ).

 

Oh, that would be awesome. Do you have any pictures of the motherboards in 3820TG vs 4820TG? Bronsky, when you are in the middle of a dissection, could you please take a high resolution picture of your one?

How is the card reader connected internally? Is it through IDE or USB? And the Bluetooth, is it Mini-PCIe?

 

The card reader is usb , the bt should also be usb.

 

So the only chance is a not soldered 2nd SATA port, or a non soldered mini-PCIe port for the 3G modem?

 

OMG that sucks!! I hope this information is wrong and that it's sitting in a local warehouse ready for you to pickup.

 

OMG DUDE! I feel terrible for you. I know how tough it is to wait and you unit seemed so close. At the very least, they should overnight one to you via FedEx or at least offer to do so. I wonder if it could be something to do with customs? It was at the delivery hub!!

Wish there was something I could do to help.

Bronsky

 

Don't know about the SATA stuff, but I saw the pin headers for the 3G modem when I replaced my HDD... happy soldering

@Bronsky: did you consider to use the PCIe +3.3V for your keyboard mod?

 

By the way, does anyone know what's the software that makes the OSD's for when we switch BT on \ off, WLan on \ off, volume, etc?

It'd be cool to do a fresh install keeping all that stuff.

 

my status:

02.07.10 17:06 Order Data for this shipment was submitted electronically to DHL by sender.
02.07.10 18:30 Shipment was processed at parcel sorting hub.
02.07.10 23:31 International shipment was processed at export sorting hub.
13.07.10 16:33 Shipment was processed at parcel sorting hub.
13.07.10 20:33 The shipment was processed at departure sorting hub.
14.07.10 00:41 Shipment was processed at destination sorting hub


seems like laptop still in Germany,

I have to check the status everyday, once the status change, I have to find local DHL store to dig out