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

Dritek Launch Manager, it is listed at the Acer suppport page.

 

Make a backup disk before you fresh install. All of the original drivers and programs like launch manager, bluetooth, etc, will be in one folder and all the crap ware will be in another. It is really easy that way.

Bronsky

 

Hm, I think I got that installed, I'm gonna go and see if it's the right version, and try to mess with settings.

I made the eRecovery 3 DVDs factory settings backup. Didn't bother to see what's in there, but if the programs are really clustered together in folders then it's awesome!

 

Rodgau is near "Frankfurt (Main)". The parcel could be send by air post or by ship ...

 

And missing the driver dvd.

 

It is on the "backup and driver recovery disk". Take a look.

Bronsky

 

PM me your email address and I'll send you the whole folder.

 

Is there a nice filehoster to put the "Application und Driver" DVD online?

I don't like Rapidshare.

 

Thanks, had a feeling it could only be done in the registry.

 

Oh, it's true, the eRecovery had some option to burn a Driver and Applications DVD, but for some reason it always said it was incomplete and didn't really copy much.

I've installed the Launch Manager now, I'd forgotten I had the wrong version that couldn't install . I think I'm not missing anything but SATA II right now, but it seems there's some hardware lock on that ( and I can't figure what, sadly ).

@Just_a_Nick, thanks for the tip

 

At least mine is. And now I know I am not alone with a 'fake-looking' AC

 

have u upped ur unboxing video by any chance? i haven't read every post

 

My daughter is working on it.

 

Bronsky, have you figure out if we can swap out screens yet? And what are compatible?

 

That's pretty far down the list. I'm loading my work software on now. I'll be testing this unit out for a week or so and then looking at the CPU and KB power.

I have a couple of thoughts for the KB power already. Right next to the KB ribbon socket is a coupling with tape over it marked MB. And there is a nice accessible plug on the right side. I have to figure out what these are. I also like the idea of the PCIe +3.3V suggested by Ponjornoh23.

One thing at a time.

Bronsky

Although I have to say, I am pleased with the display. When I have time, would like to calibrate it.

Edit: The jack in the first picture is the touchpad. The one in the second pic is the mike plug. That might be promising.

 

From your progress, it makes me seriously wants to put my keyboard order on hold. I mean, if your backlit mod is successful, I might actually go that route.

Also, I'm requesting some opinion on SSD. Should I get the OCZ Vertex 2 E 120gb or go for something cheaper?

P.S. As much as I don't mind the lower resolution screen, I still prefer a higher resolution one.

 

I've only owned Intel and now Crucial SSDs, so I can't be much help there. I have a 160GB X25-M in my desktop, a 40GB X25-V in my 1410T and the Crucial in the 3820TG.

 

Have you got a list of display with a higher solution?

@Bronsky Can you add the pictures in a high resolution version?

 

Well its been a hard and long wait. This would have been the perfect machine for me. Sadly it was not meant to be. I live in Canada and i have lost the patience to wait any longer. Dam you Acer....do you have a heart so cold? I have decided on the Lenovo Ideapad y460. A little bigger, hotter and a lot of crapware but alas....

3820gt.... maybe we shall meet in the future, after a refresh or two.

Good luck to all with their laptop ventures. Fel out.

 

By the way Bronsky, did you do a clean install?

If so, do the Fn + arrow keys (left and right, the ones that control the backlight) work? Those are the two that I haven't got to work yet, I'll need to figure this out I guess :\

 

@Bronsky

Step 8. Did you select USB HDD in the boot order?

 

Yes I did a clean install and yes they work. I think reloading all the drivers from the DRV folder on the backup disk is critical to make the computer work as if factory.

@mobe - yep

PS ... I still hate this touchpad.

 

Bronsky, what a fantastic guide and insight into everything you've done. That will help people out incredibly.

 

Can you be a little bit more specific on this? I like the touch pad on my 4820TG, but I didn't like the touch pad on the 5740G.

 

I think I'm so used to having the split keys on the edge of my 1410T that I can't get used to having to get to the extreme end of the single bar to make it work easily. I use my index finger to move and my thumb to press. It's akward on the 3820TG. A minor bich.

Bronsky

 

Ah, you can still configure your touch-pad so you can just left-click and right-click on the pad instead of using the buttons.

Just go to the Synaptics settings, it should be under "touch-pad areas" .

I'm gonna go check if I have any drivers folder in those DVDs, but it's really quite weird that it's the only Fn function not working .

 

Oh. I understand what you mean. The 5740G also had a single touch pad button, but it was so tough to press down. When I moved on to the 4820TG, the single touch pad button was so gentle to press down. I guess our situations are different.

 

I have the DVD if you want me to email you the subdirectories.

 

If you don't mind to send anything that could be relevant driver-wise, you already got my mail account .

I'm just copying some backup I did earlier, will try to mess with it right after.

 

Bronsky, is it possible to back up the drivers onto a USB instead of a DVD?

 

I'll send it all, if you don't mind, I'll wait til tomorrow. I have an early day.

@mnx1024. I don't really know. I would doubt it becuase the program only gives you an option for a DVD. I spent about 20 min trying to get it to burn a CD till I figured it was telling me that I needed a DVD.

Bronsky

 

I did a search on this thread and saw your results and I went *phew*! I got 1799 and I was like ?? Then I tested on my quad-core desktop PC with Sapphire HD 5770 Vapor X and I still get only 2000+. So I was wondering how the F does one get 8000???

I am guessing the low results are due to the HDD, as both my systems have mechanical ones. Could anyone with SSD do the benchmark? TIA!

 

Install Virtual Burner like Virtual CD. Then you can burn the "DVD" to .iso or something else and move that to USB-stick and mount it after reinstall

That's how I did those backup/restore/driver dvd's yesterday.

 

I try to make wifi off at startup in the same way "wifi always on=1 to 0" but seems not to work. Any suggestion?

 

Acer goes to work:

Not much time to enjoy its new home. Acer went to work today. Seems to fit perfectly on my desk. The display is nearly perfect size. We'll see if I need anything larger when I start preparing presentations.

The display seems fine to me ... I don't understand the reviewers. I would like to see the Envy in person to compare it to. Now that I'm actually working on it, the keyboard seems fine. It is clearly better than the little 11.6" I have been working on for the past 4 months.

 

and its spotless without the sticker

 

The display has contrast ratio of only 140:1 Have you tried watching movies on it yet? at 140:1 black should look grayish really wish I can get this in the U.S., but I settled for the 4820tg anyways...

 

Yea. I hate leaving any of that stuff on. I'm leaving the plastic on around the display and keyboard until I'm finished running power to the Backlit KB and upgrading the CPU.

@all - BTW, has everyone upgraded the bios?

Bronsky

 

You should have the last one. 1.13

 

@Bronsky, Like I said too the display isn't as bad as everyone likes to make out it is. I didn't understand the reviews either. Unless a pre release unit they reviewed had a different LCD. That I would understand.

@Lao3hero

My benchmark was with a OCZ vertex SSD. Sqaure soft have a super unrealistic benchmark rating system and the games 3d engine is poorly optimized. Who can get 8000+ points would have to have the fastest GPU and CPU in the world...

 

Any idea when the 3820TG hits the USA?

 

@ Hendrickson

Do you think this laptop or any laptop with this video card will be able to handle FF 14 as the benchmark has show poor results. It says on FF 14 website that the GPU they recommend is ATI 2900 series w/ 512ram or greater... Isnt this card much better even if it is a Moblie card?

 

Yes its alot more powerful that a ATI 2900. The benchmark ran between 30-40 fps so its playable. As I said its horrifyingly optimized. I think they have no idea what the requirements are based on their benchmark. Its waaaay off.

 

Thanks Hendrickson, If Bing offer another 30% off i may get the HP envy 14 since the 3820tg is not here in the USA and i hear the 4820tg only has 1 fan (May have heat problems). Just want to make sure it can handle this game before i purchase.

 

Hey Hendrickson. I was thinking that US buyers of a 3820TG from Computeruniverse might have a hard time finding the write up that I did on the "German Option" (don't know if you saw it but it's post #1613). Give some thought to wheter or not you want to link it to the first page.

Is anybody updating the Intel drivers for the GPU? Maybe a link to that as well would be nice (they have that in the 1410T tweaks). Thanks.

One more thing. The microphone jack is near the right side of the notebook and might make a good power source. My concern is that when you plug a head set in, it might cut power to the mic. That might cut power to the KB. Anybody know how this works?

Did you sober up yet? Spain looked like bedlam on the TV.

Bronsky

 

there have been a discussion about the Benchmark, afaik, it's just a benchmark, live game play is gonna be difference in terms of perfomance

 

Is it possible to find a 3820 model with mobility 5650 in Canada?

 

You really should try searching the thread before asking the same quesiton that has been asked over and over. But, no.

Bronsky

 

Sorry...
Actually i read this thread from beginning, and i was just wondering maybe other shops are offering a model with HD 5650. However i think the best model in Canada is with HD 5470...