Aspire 5601 AWLMi freezing

Greetings,

I received this computer on 12/1/06. Approximately a week after I first began using it I started to notice that it would periodically freeze for a few seconds then recover itself. This freeze-up usually lasts about 5-10 seconds and occurs as frequently as every couple of minutes--though more often it's every 5-10 minutes or so, and sometimes even longer.

I wrote to Acer support, and they were kind enough to respond within a reasonable time and to suggest a fix. The solution they offered was what they called a "power reset". This involved removing the battery and holding down the power button for 30 seconds, then restarting the computer on AC power alone, then reinstalling the battery after Windows had booted up.

At first it appeared that this had solved the problem, but about 12 hours later it started freezing up again. I tried the power reset routine again, but that time it didn't seem to help at all; I think it resumed freezing almost immediately.

I wonder if anyone else has experienced this, or has any ideas what may be the cause. Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Diane

 

My Acer 5600 does the exact same thing!!!!!!

 

Hmm... I guess it's nice to know I'm not alone.

It would be nicer still if we could find a solution.

Is yours brand new too?

 

What kind of freeze is it?

Turn on the task manager so you can see if the CPU is maxed out.

Also check if the HD light is solid during the freeze.

If it's neither the CPU nor the Hard Disk it's most likely a hardware problem.

 

It is a freeze when mouse, keyboard, and speakers become unresponsive. If you are playing a song, the speakers will loop the note/tune of the time, similar to a long stutter for about 5-10 seconds. Typing on the keyboard during the freeze will yield the letters you type, BUT only after the freeze.

HD light flashes sometimes after the freeze, but not during it. Task manager maxed out only once when I tried to look at it, other times not, so I think it is inconsistent.

I actually sent this laptop in to Acer, and they did a 45-minute extreme test on it without any external devices attached, but Acer found nothing wrong. They also replaced an AC adapter.

What kind of external devices do you guys have when you use the laptop? I realize that the external mouse OR external hard drive can induce the occurrence of the freezing much more frequently.

 

Hi samvln1220,

For the most part I am not having the problem since I changed the performance profile from Maximum Performance (I think that's what it was) to Word Processing. I don't have that computer with me right now, so I'm going from memory, but I think I found the settings in Acer's ePerformance Management. That so-called Maximum Performance setting seems to be geared toward battery performance rather than processing performance. You will see if you look at it that the default setting for that profile is the lowest possible CPU speed. Switching to Word Processing boosts the CPU speed and seems to have solved the problem for me. I think I've only experienced a similar freeze-up one time since I did that a couple of weeks ago.

I also (with the help of the guy who does the computer service where I work) took the Acer ePerformance Management gizmo out of the startup routine as it seemed to be eating up a lot of resources. I think it's essentially an unnecessary add-on that was just getting in the way.

In general the computer is working much better, though I still think there's something amiss because most of the little Windows alert sounds seem elongated and quivery--not quick and precise like they should be. I just don't presently have the time or energy to pursue the problem any further for the time being. In the back of my mind, though, I keep thinking I'd like to have Acer check it out.

Hope that helps.
Diane

 

P.S. samvln1220,

I appreciate your making the effort to give a good description of the problem above. I concur that you have accurately represented the phenomenon.

Thanks,
Diane

 

With respect to external devices, most of the time when I'm using the computer I do not have any external devices connected. I only briefly attach my MP3 player (Creative Zen MicroPhoto) or camera (Canon A700) to download or upload files or images. In my experience the phenomenon was essentially the same with or without any devices connected.

 

There is no question Acer has a problem with this model, how do we get then to admit it and fix it. I have never seen a computer mouse freeze and then release. My sound loops also. Seem worse when warm.

 

Hi drradio,

I admit I've sort of given up on that problem (though a new one has cropped up--see below*). Ever since I changed the performance profile (see post #6 above from 3/1/07), it has only happened a few times--could be it was at times when the computer was on the warmer side. I'm not sure--I wasn't really paying attention.

Now, maybe giving up isn't the right thing to do, but following up on this problem has been low on my priority list so far since it causes minimal disruption in my life and I've got more important things to worry about. Nonetheless, the thought does nudge me every now and then that I should be a more responsible consumer and not just let it go. Acer should not be allowed to get away with a disfuntional product.

I'm just not sure what to do to be heard. I really don't want to spend hours on the phone with somebody in India who can't fix the problem. Nor do I want to send the computer away to Timbuktu for 8-10 weeks only to have it returned in the same condition (or worse!) As you can see, I have little to no faith that Acer would ever really care to make it right. Sadly, that's just the way of the world these days. Once they've got your money, what do they care?

This may be an entirely unfair characterization. Acer may be much more concerned than I think and I admit I've barely given them a chance to prove themselves. But I'm a weary electronics consumer having battled my way through every phase of progress; PCs, PDAs, MP3 player and now the laptop. I just don't think I've got it in me for another battle right now.

Anybody out there with a sharpened sword who'd like to try to slay this dragon?

*As for that new problem; I've noticed that three or four of my system tray icons have a running battle over which one will load into the system tray at start up. It's like there's only room for so many and they take turns on sort of a random basis. The most common combatants are the Palm HotSync Manager and the Logitech Wireless Mouse control. There are a couple others, but I can't remember what they are now. It's not that the program doesn't load--and this fact is especially noticeable with the HotSync Manager--as I can still perform a HotSync. It's just that the icon is not always in the system tray and when it's not I can't change any of the settings. Fortunately I don't neet to very often, but it's still annoying because it just isn't rignt. If I restart the computer enough times it will eventually get its turn, but that's a ridiculous solution.

I don't suppose you've noticed that one have you?

Oh, yeah--and one more thing. I'm so used to it, I almost forgot... The audio playback is really flawed. The alert sounds are slow and wavery (this is even when it's not frozen) and playing downloaded MP3 or WAV files has the same characteristic: slow, weak, choppy.

Other than that I'd say it's a great little machine! ;-)

Thanks for letting me rant.

Diane

 

In regards to the choppy audio, someone previously had the same issue and posted the solution in the forums. I don't believe it was the 56xx series, but it was definitely the 5xxx's. I think it was some sort of conflict in the hard drive controller in Windows. Do a forum search for choppy audio and it should come up.

Acer, out of all things, manages to get customer support right 75% of the time. The tech support department for US is based in Texas, and staffed with native English speakers (as in no Indians lol), not that they know much more. Their repair center is based in Temple, Texas as well, and the turn around time is about a week. Now what you have to watch out for is their retarded repair depot. If it returns to you in working condition, be glad. When the repair depot screws something up, get on the phone with tech support again and be courteous. They will usually offer overnight pickup and delivery on the second return and after the third, they will have a Senior Tech inspect the laptop before it is shipped back (I speak from experience). That said though, be prepared to spend a good 3-5 weeks without a laptop if all that happens.

Good luck

 

Hi Dianesm and all, thanks for presenting the speculations and your experiences.

Unfortunately, I am still experiencing the same problem (freezing for 5-10 seconds) after the 4th or 5th time of repair....

I just received my laptop back from the depot yesterday, and the laptop started to freeze for the first time today. I haven't had a single problem with the sound though.

Zoomastigophora is right; the tech support is located in Temple, Texas. And thanks for elaborating on the details. As for right now, the freezing problem with my laptop is escalated to the level 2 techies (2 times now), which are a level up from the basic, level 1 tech support (3 times). And of course, they obviously haven't found the problem. Interesting enough, one of the tech support guy’s laptop has the similar freezing issue!

Here’s my repair history:

1. System corruption due to CA Internet Security
Solution: Soft-loaded operating system
2. Freezing
Solution: Replaced AC adaptor; but problem unsolved
3. Freezing
Solution: Replaced new mainboard; problem unsolved
4. Freezing and later on UNBOOTABLE
Solution: Replaced new mainboard; problem still unsolved
5. Freezing and I decided to format and reinstall new copy of Media Center
Solution: Still no luck and they soft-loaded OS with Acer factory default

I have previously tried the popular DMA to PIO fix that didn’t quite work too.
For link: http://www.michna.com/kb/WxDMA.htm

This is going to be my 6th time sending it back if I call them up. I feel like giving up though. However, there’s one user who was told by Acer that the techies are replacing his laptop, but it was found out that the “new” laptop might be a refurbished.
For details: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=125381.

 

Obviously a different make and machine but can I direct you guys to have a look at our thread over on the HP forum...

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=95900&page=3&highlight=freezing

 

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http://www.dailymotion.com/jaguax/video/x2eo09_acer-freezing

 

This problem is not just related to the 5xxx series, i have a Aspire 7111WSMI, and during the second repair i borrowed a Aspire 9412WSMI, and both the machines have excact this freezing-problem. The 9412 also have another problem all the time, like the processor is very very slow. It can´t play music or vides, the sound is like jumping or freezing in milliseconds and watching a video is like jumping fotos.... bad bad bad! I´d not help me to change to the "word processing mode". Sorry for my english, but i´m from Denmark. Hope this info can help someone, and if i found out more i´ll let you know. I wont let Acer let me down!!!!

 

I´m pretty sure i found out what´s the problem. It´s the SD card reader there can´t handle the SD dummy. When you insert the black SD plastic dummy, the Texas card reader get confused and couse the temporary freezing. Try to leave the SD slot empty or with a real SD card. So far it have worked for me on the 7111WSMI, so hope this is the solution - but can it really be so simple??? Please respond if this work for you or not.
(The 9412 is still permanent slow, must be another problem)

 

^^ That doesn't work for my Acer, which is a 5601AWLMi as well.

I just reformat every time it freezes up and then it works for two weeks, then starts freezing on me again..

I'm fed up with this; Acer can't even figure out most of my problems with the laptop...