Acer v3 771g owners club?

Enough users here with a 17'' v3 to start an owners club?

 

waiting for this thread 4 months already

anybody knows if v3-771g supports 1866 mhz memory? (want to buy 16g of kingston HyperX KHX1866C11S3P1K2 - Kingston HyperX 8GB 1866MHz PnP Memory Kit For Notebooks - Sandy Bridge Notebooks Get HyperX Treatment - Legit Reviews )
ivy bridge should support, but anyone tried it? dont want to buy and then return, as it always troublesome

 

Dont think the motherboards chipset (HM77) or the cpu officially supports anything higher than 1600mhz, Getting 1866 would probably be overkill, unless the cas latency for its 1600mhz mode is lower than other 1600mhz chips and the price is the same or better. And I'm not sure that the latency even matters much on intel system still.

 

Im in for a users forum. any idea if the 3840qm will work in the 771g? all the research i've done suggests it will, but at $600 i dont want to guess.

 

I own a V3-771G-9829.

I tested it with another 16GB of RAM -- to make it 24GB -- the BIOS saw it, and so did Windows, although Windows being Home Premium would only be able to use 16GB; so I know it'll be able to use 32GB of RAM, but I need to find a way to be able to upgrade the OS from HPx64 to Ux64.

 

I initially didn't comment on this thread because the last post was 2-3 months ago. But I have a V3-771G 9809. I just ordered a mSATA SSD, so I will be able to see if the slot works. If it doesn't I just wasted $50, but I guess I could try returning or selling it if it doesn't work.

Next upgrade will probably be a 2.5" SSD as a boot drive even if the mSATA does work. But I will have to use another ~$30 to get the HDD Caddy. Then I will max my ram to 32GB.

Two days ago there was a deal on ADATA 2 x 8GB 1333MHz deal for $55, I wish I could have jumped on it as Newegg does not offer it currently anymore.

......................................................................................

Anyways I don't know if this laptop will allow RAM above 1600. If you buy 1866MHz or higher most likely the laptop will clock it down to 1600 automatically. Only if the memory clock settings were available to us, then we could run higher speed RAM I guess.

 

My 9829 has two HDD slots, and both have a 750GB HDD in each. I want to pull the main drive (C) and replace it with an SSD, and possibly pull the storage drive (D) and replace it with a 1TB HDD, because I think that is the biggest size that the laptop will support.

I just wish Acer would've put UEFI instead of the BIOS, as I really want to play around with it.

 

for some stupid reason, acer decided that if your v3 didnt come loaded with the UEFI bios you cant upgrade to it. it really makes no sense to me since all the v3-771g's are basically the same just configured differently. I'd like to have the UEFI to make boot times faster. but alas, that isnt going to happen unless i can find a hacked UEFI bios.

 

Surprisingly, if you go to the Support section for the V3-771G on Acer's site, and click on the BIOS tab, they've actually got two UEFIs there.

 

ya, just tried it....no go. if it doesnt come installed with the uefi bios e.g. you've got like a 1.xx version bios, it wont install. theres got to be some way to force it.

 

I just updated about an hour ago from 1.11 to 1.12, I just wish Acer would provide changelogs.

I remember coming across a site last year, but I don't remember what it was called, it was forum based, and was for BIOS hacking, so people there were modifying them, and you could also make requests if you were looking for a specific BIOS if it wasn't already on the site.

 

I'll check it out and let you know what i find.

 

Yea, I purchased the one that came with UEFI. What kind of boot times are you getting? With the 1TB HDD that came with the 771G I swear it boots to the login screen in under 20 seconds, but I have not actually timed it. I may try it tonight. It's just that i am signed into a Microsoft Account so it won't boot to the desktop/metro screen. I don't plan on upgrading to the 2.16 until I know what it upgrades, as it may screw up my chances of using a mSATA drive (who knows)

 

We can't answer your question, as we [neilisme & I] are on the BIOSed V3-771G, we can't upgrade to UEFI.

neilisme,

I found the following site, it's not the one I originally found late last year, I know this, because I tried logging into the site, the one I found last year I did register for. So, check out this site:

Bios Mods -The Best BIOS Update and Modification Source

I'll keep trying to find the one I did last year as well.

 

I upgraded to an OCZ Vertex 4. power on to logon about 10 seconds. before i upgraded, the thing was a dog. boot times over a minute. i cant understand why they would equip a decent laptop with a slow 5400rpm drive! if I could get UEFI installed, it would probably shave another 3 or 4 seconds off boot time.

 

Thanks for the reply. Mine seems to be doing better off than yours. I have Adobe CS6 Master Collections, iTunes, Dolby, Microsoft Mouse, MSI Burner, etc setup to boot up, but it still boots up to login around 15 seconds, and once I enter my login info it takes 5 seconds to boot to metro.

If you're running Windows 7 then its probably because of Windows 8. My Phenom II based computer boots under a minute and I'm only running a 7200 RPM HDD that is 6+ years old. I never knew UEFI booted that much faster than legacy bios.

After looking around online there is nearly no 2.5" 1TB HDD that is higher than 5400RPM. The fastest mechanical HDD is a 750GB 7200RPM HDD, then the hybrids. So I guess Acer had us sacrifice speed vs storage.

 

Well, it turns out there is an unlocked v1.12 BIOS on the forum I linked to, but they are being just like the asshats over on the DD-WRT forums and not telling anyone how to use it, but go figure it out for ourselves.

 

I have posted on a bunch of computer forums on the Web, asking to see if anyone can help install the 1.12 unlocked BIOS that can be found on the BIOS Mods web site, seeing as how no one on that site wants to help, so I am just waiting for answers now.

 

Fine you big moan.

Download the original BIOS program from support. Extract it with 7zip and delete it.

The extracted contents should contain an fd or rom file the same size as the hacked BIOS. Rename hacked BIOS to original and replace it. The run the extracted flash utility.

I can't cross reference this because you didn't link modded BIOS. Upload it and pm me a dl link.

Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk 2

 

I've already got the stock 1.12 installed, and yes I still have the zip of it, it contains two directories (DOS & Windows), the Windows one has the packaged installer, and the DOS one has the .FD file. The problem is, how do we get into DOS to use Fla$hIt.exe (have to use the "$" in place of the "S" because someone really needs to remove s h i t from the forum filter).

The following is what I posted to other forums:

I am looking to install the Insyde 1.12 Unlocked BIOS for my Acer Aspire V3-771G, I currently have the stock version of the Insyde 1.12 BIOS installed, so I am unsure if I can actually install what amounts to the same BIOS, although unlocked, over it.

The stock BIOS can be installed directly from within Windows and also has a DOS installer as well, but I am not sure about the unlocked BIOS. Here is a screenshot of the files within the zip file for the unlocked BIOS:



The BIOS itself can be found for download here:

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/24459764/Acer_Aspire_V3-771G_Unlocked.zip

There are no instructions in the zip archive, which I think is just stupid!

Can anyone give me an idea of how to do this, because I assume there are people here who have installed unlocked BIOS in their PCs before?

 

Did you look at this how-to?

 

Well, I posted to that thread, because what's inside the zip file may have a different method of installation, and someone -- I won't name names, but I'd much rather call that person certain names that are filtered by the forum software -- deleted my post because they are immature and don't know any better!

 

Its not stupid you just run the insydeflash.exe and that's it. That's what the stock BIOS for windows installer looks like when you extract it. Hence why there are no instructions.

Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk 2

 

It was me and I am mature enough to know how to read. One thing led to another and I read the forum rules which forbid cross-posting.
So feel free to call me any names you want- you'll be on your way out pretty soon at this rate.

BTW it's not a place to discuss moderators' actions- take it straight to the lead moderator if you have any complaints.

 

I'm jumping in this party. Just picked up a 9697 (with Core i7-2670QM) from the Acer store on eBay. $619 plus tax for quad core bliss. I live in Wichita Falls, they sent it to me from Mesquite. Won the listing at 1pm Tuesday, it was here 1pm Wednesday. By 7pm I had everything sorted out with updates and bloatware removal and transferred everything from my backup to it and was playing GTAIV on high settings. Wheeeeeeeeee!!!

So I'm accessorizing now. Got a 17.3" Rosewill laptop cooler on the way from NewEgg. Still shopping for a new backpack/shoulder bag thing since there's no way it'll fit in my Brenthaven Crossover SC that I've been using with my Extensa 5230E for the last several years. Thinking about a screen protector (to a-give a matte finish and b-protect from scratches and scuffs) and a skin of some sort since keeping that piano black clean will be unpossible. Definitely need a solid state drive. Twin 500GB 5400rpm hard drives are just dead weight in my opinion. Good news, one of the 500GB can go reside in my Extensa. The other along with the old 160GB I'll pull from the Extensa I'll keep as spares for one of the various Aspire 5733 and 5742 models my stepdaughters and mother in law use. The four of them have been through three hard drives and a dozen OS reinstalls over the past year or two. I'm sick of taking trips to Best Buy to pick up whatever $50 160GB or 250GB drives they have lying around. So far the most impressive ones pricewise are the Samsung 840 in 256GB and the Mushkin Chronos 240GB as both are fetching about $189 and are 7mm height. Airflow > no airflow.

I do have a question.

When I was playing GTAIV the computer would beep and the screen would dim to about 75% and then 50% then it would beep and go back to normal. Is this some kind of thermal event? It must be for the GPU because Core Temp reports the processor cores never exceeded 80C (thermal design limit 100C). Hence why I'm ordering a cooler (that and it makes a nice stand to angle the laptop better). But other than lowering settings, is there another way to reduce GPU load while gaming? Maybe the nVidia Control Panel can drop the clocks or something like my Catalyst Control Center can on my desktop?

 

My guess is something may be wrong with your ac adapter or the connection between that and your notebook. My laptop remembers the last screen backlight setting for both plugged in and battery use. Do when I unplug my ac adapter it beeps then lowers the brightness. Also a common thing laptops manufacturer implement is a limit to how high a backlight is when on battery.

So if something is indeed wrong with your ac adapter then the nvidia gpu would fail to obtain significant amount of power. In the worst case the laptop would switch to the integrated intel hd 4000

 

OOOOOH that makes sense. For a split second when I first got this laptop I looked at the AC adapter they sent with it. It was a regular 65W adapter just like 90% of the other laptops out there. If you look on Acer's site it says, "maximum power supply wattage 120W" and I bet what I need instead of that 65W adapter is more like a 90W or 100W adapter. What do you guys have for AC power adapters? This one is identical to the one I have for my Extensa 5230E, 19V, 3.42A, 65W. I see some different models available that put out 19V and have the 5.5x2.5 tip on them, seems there is a 120W adapter out there, puts out 19V @ 6.32A, usually listed for the monstrous Aspire 8935G. I wonder if that would be fine to use for the V3-771G?

edit: I have contacted Acer with my "proof of purchase" which is a screenshot of the eBay purchase...maybe they can help and send the right adapter

 

Yea, if you did purchase the laptop from Acer's eBay store then you should get it replaced. I just checked my ac adapter, and notebookcheck and it is indeed 120W. I don't know why they would have gave you a 65W one

 

Sure was, direct from Acer's eBay store, $619 smoking deal (plus tax). If they give me any trouble then it's only a 3 hour drive to Mesquite TX where they shipped it from. I will make that drive and exchange it if they have any available. Besides I haven't had In-N-Out or Chipotle or Del Taco since the Stock Show earlier this month, I'm due for a DFW trip.

EDIT: Acer store on eBay does not have any 120w adapters, they send out new 25w (netbooks and some 11 inch) or new 65w (other 11s and all 13 to 17 inch) adapters (LITEON brand) with everything they sell. So that's a point to pay attention to, if you're buying a laptop that has a video card in it or is one of those monster 89xx series ones, you're going to need to buy a different AC adapter. They told me to find one and send them the receipt for reimbursement. I found a ton of the things starting around $15 but none of them are UL listed (have a UL logo on them) except for a $42.99 one on eBay (item 350498060149) and I think being UL listed is important enough to pay that much for it. I don't need a firebomb and I don't need to fry my new toy. The 65w one works fine when the laptop is off, it seems to charge fully and not get too hot. But gaming on the battery is barely worth an hour. I need to be plugged in to play GTAIV, for sure. Otherwise I should be able to get 3 hours or so on the Intel graphics.

 

What does UL mean? The OEM AC Adapter that came with my 771G 9809 is a Chicony. It also does have the UL Logo along with many others. If you were able to get one of these then there should be no problem at all.

 

Underwriters Laboratories. Here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UL_(safety_organization)

 

Thanks.

If you still have not purchased a AC Adapter, the OEM 120W adapter is $39.99 on Acer Store.

 

I did not think to check the website store. They have everything, 65W, 90W, 120W, even 135W ones. Sweet! Shipping will kill me at $10 for Ground but you know, I'd rather have the 120W one FROM Acer with Acer's warranty than rely on a generic company to have made a perfectly identical power supply.

THANK YOU for posting this, this makes a heck of a lot more sense than buying on eBay or Amazon, and the price is not ridiculous at all!

 

Are these laptops equipped with SATA III speed for SSDs or has Acer put any restrictions? Thanks.

 

It has SATA III from what I can find out, the best bet is to contact Acer directly.

 

I believe it has SATA III from my memory of what Notebookcheck says, but I'm not sure about the mSATA. You should check notebookcheck.net out.

 

Thank you both, mlauzon and xKrNMBoYx.

 

So two things I really want for my V3-771G is to upgrade my screen to 1920x1080 and have backlit keyboards. Previous gen Aspire laptops, specifically the 5951/5951G and 8951/8951G had backlit keyboards. From a brief look the keyboards from the previous generation look about the same size but without the keyboard physically in my possession I have no idea. Even if I did have it in possession I would need to know if they both used same connectors and if it fit in the laptop. Anyone have one of these? I might purchase one if I see one for sale but I wouldn't install it anytime soon as this laptop seems more complicated to open than the other laptops I have messed with.

.:edit:.

Well backlit keyboards have an extra connector that usually plugs into the motherboard somewhere. I guess I'll have to see if these laptops have a connector to plug in that extra connector.

 

So I was to purchase a new Intel 520 60GB for $58. The deal is I've been looking for a 2nd Hard Drive Caddy for a few months. Sadly all of the ones I found were $30+. Good news is there are two left sold by jtec on ebay for $18.99 free shipping. Just wanted to let potential upgraders know.

 

My computer has two physical 500GB hard drives in it. I definitely want to pull one and replace it with an SSD, and possibly pull the other one as well if the SSD I get is large enough (240GB+). Right now I am debating whether it is worth holding out for a 7mm height SSD. Most are 9 to 9.5mm thick. I would think airflow would be better with a 7mm drive. Sometimes they are the same price and sometimes they are roughly $10-$15 more for the 7mm model. Anyone have any trouble using a full height 9.5mm SSD?

Right now the two lowest priced ones on NewEgg are the 250GB SanDisk Ultra Plus ($171) and the 256GB Samsung 840 ($180), both 7mm height, fairly comparable in speed and the Samsung has better reviews but less MTBF (1.5 million hours vs 2 million for the SanDisk). SanDisk is a Marvell controller and Samsung uses their own. To get this 7mm and 240-256GB size with SandForce would be a 240GB Mushkin Chronos at $190. But, I can get that in 9.5mm height for $180.

Any more insight towards these things will be appreciated.

 

No need to worry. The 2.5" HDD in the laptop is a 9.5mm version and it fits perfectly fine. Airflow shouldn't be a concern because the HDD bays are physically separated by barriers from the CPU/GPU area where air moves. From what I know all Intel SSD's are 7mm. I was surprised to see that the Intel 520 was a 7mm SSD. But they provided a adapter to make it 9.5mm.

The ending clause is the included HDD in the 771G is 9.5mm so there will be no issues with a 9.5mm SSD. 7mm wont be a problem but this is what I have noticed. You need to screw the ssd to the HDD caddy so once that is done there will be roughly 2.5mm of space between the ssd and the internal part of the laptop. Extra space means more room to wiggle which means bad for HDD due to the disks, but SSD I don't think so. Go for what is cheaper and more reliable.

On another note I filled up the other two memory slots and now have 16GB of RAM. I decided 32GB was overkill and too much money to put into a laptop that may be handed down in ~3 years.

 

Count me in...

Now the happy owner of a V3 771G (European model "53234G75", not sure about the equivalence in North America: i5-3230m, sold with 4GB PC12800 RAM, a 750GB Scorpio Blue HDD, and a low-end GeForce GPU infamously rebranded "710M").

I immediately upgraded it... As easy as opening the service cover, plugging things in, closing it. The beast now has 2x4 GB PC12800 RAM - greatly helps with the integrated graphics - and a lot of storage: 120GB µSATA Intel 525 SSD (the mSATA port #1 definitely runs at 6 GBps!) for OS & Apps, a 500GB Seagate Laptop Thin SSHD (on port #0 also at 6 GBps) for intensive datasets, and a thicker, slower 1.5TB Toshiba HDD on port #2 for everything else (it is a MQ01ABC150, 12.5mm). Kept the Pioneer ODD since it's quite ok for audio extraction.

So far I'm pleased with how that little critter runs... and surprised at how evolvable the 771 platform is. One could even dream of a 3TB notebook (500GB mSSD + 1TB standard HDD + 1.5TB thicker HDD)...

I'm considering upgrading the RAM to 2x8GB (only two slots on that model) but found conflicting info w.r.t. the maximum amount of RAM allowed. Any info about that? The chipset should theoretically cope with 32GB, crucial.com advises 16GB, and the service manual advocates only 8GB spread over the 2 slots...

On the downside: sub-par LCD (lacks contrast + would deserve calibration), fan constantly running even if rather silently, and that piano-like shiny plastic - a true nightmare with a bunch of kitties at home =)

 

Sounds good. So are you saying there are FOUR memory slots in these laptops? My desktop only has 12GB, it would be crazy to put 16GB in my laptop. I'd totally do it though.

I did finally get my 120 watt power supply from the Acer Store. Came a couple days after my order and no more beeping or dimming screen when I'm using it although I honestly haven't fired up GTAIV to test it THOROUGHLY. But, I will be doing that soon. I think I might be losing my laptop to my wife. She is ALWAYS borrowing it. Anytime she goes out to train new people it's my laptop that goes with her. At this point she needs to get her own new hotness. She has a Dell Latitude E6410 she let her oldest daughter borrow. Maybe an E6520 or E6530 would do better for her. She likes that trackpoint nub and she likes the E6xx0 series metal case.

 

I may be wrong, but I think the number of RAM slots is directly dependent on the abilities of the CPU, e.g. in the case of an i5-3rd generation dual core it can only manage two slots. At least there are only two slots in mine, even though I see on the motherboard's PCB the "tracks" for two more slots.

 

I don't have my V3-771G with me at the moment, but I can tell you that mine -- I'm in Canada -- blows your V3-771G away in the specs department. I have no idea what GPU you've got, but mine is the 640M.

Mine has 4 RAM slots, can hold a total of 32GB of RAM, but I have the i7 in mine, the only problem is Windows Home Premium can only see & use 16GB of RAM, I plan on getting my hands on Win7 Ultimate and upgrading from 8GB of RAM to 32GB.

 

GeForce 710M = renamed GT 620M, more or less. But I don't use it anyway so... who cares.

As for the RAM, I bet your i7 is quad-core so manages 4 channels.

 

Of course it's quad-core, all i7s are.

 

not the i7 3520M

 

Then it shouldn't have been called an i7!

 

hey guys, has anyone problems with temps while gaming or CPU throttling ? V3 seems to be unable to to deal with high temps.. (notebookcheck)