How to add Bluetooth to your Timeline 3810T and other interesting tidbits with the machine

http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/8710/photo0030f.jpg

That is my slot with some residual glue under it where i removed the tape covering the hole.

If i put my sim in it would just fall through. Is this 3g operable?

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynMltgL4mNY

Theres the video I made of it working in a 3810T.

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icase for ur own privacy/security I'd censor the numbers on ur SIM

 

Interesting. My 3810T already came with Bluetooth integrated. I just use my Samsung Instinct to connect as a data modem using Bluetooth to connect. In fact, I'm at the airport using my unlimited Data plan from Sprint to type this post. No extra $60/month just for 3G connection. It's all part of Sprint's all Voice/Data plan. No I don't work for Sprint, just the cheapest I've been able to find for everything I use. $110 / month for 2 phones 1500 minutes, unlimited data and text messaging.

 

To whoever installed that Broadcom HD decoder, how does it work? For the price, I would definitely consider getting one to try it out. I'm going to try and get my hands on one of those for free though...I'm an intern at Broadcom for the summer

 

well back to wwan... i have an OPTION 378 HSDPA modem... i install the globetrotter connect and it says RADIO IS OFF.. if i make hardware diagnostics... its there...

 

Same here... My 3810T has built in bluetooth as well....

 

My 3810TG-354G50n also came with BT

Could some of you share your experiences with 3G modem installations - which ones are successfully working in this lapppy, and which are not ?

 

That SIM hasn't been used/worked in about 5 years. I don't know why I keep it around. I've been on Verizon for the past few years, just an old SIM i had laying around.

 

is it necesary to have an gsm antena?? i have an option gtm378 hsdpa card

 

Its preferrable, but you can try without it if the network coverage is good, or otherwise "borrow" one of antenna cables from your wifi card

please report if the card is recognized by OS when inserted in slot.

 

Success with this card and antenna http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-UNLOCKED-HP-HS2300-SIERRA-MC8775-WWAN-antenna_W0QQitemZ320390107005QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item4a98bd0f7d&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

put antenna right under the 3g card because of the short cable, and reception is good / average. Or try another position and let me know which one is the best!

installed with drivers:

ftp://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp36501-37000/sp36889.exe

http://www.sierrawireless.com/resources/software/watcher/Build2258/Watcher_Generic.msi

you put 3G on with wifi button -> keep pressing the button -> 3G on + Wifi on / Wifi on + 3G off / Wifi off + 3G on / Wifi off 3G off. When the 3G is on the led turns green instead of orange (wifi only)

well?

 

my network is not recognized... only other, so i guess 9i need that antenna...

ill try to borrow a cable and check

under xp and 7 i have to install drivers

 

So, what is the result?

 

has anyone tried installing a mini pci-e ssd card in the second mini pci-e slot?
Does it work? can you install windows on it?

 

Hi. My Timeline is arriving in a few days, and I just wanted to know if anyone's tested the spare Slim SATA below the Mini PCIe?

 

Hi,

No one in this thread has tested it yet. Slim SATA port ruins everything, since there are some small form factor drives but with ordinary SATA connections.

 

Well, I guess we'll find out soon enough. I just bought that version for the 3810T. When it gets here (and I find a few minutes to disassemble and install) I'll let you know how it goes!

Any word on adding an extra SSD into the mix? That would be exactly what I wanted.

Also, what do you guys mean by "Wifi button"? I have a bluetooth button, but not a Wifi button. I also have a canadian (US-Intl) Keyboard so I thought that might be the problem.

 

Hello,

Well, where as Bluetooth button is Fn+F3 and it is a key on the keyboard, Wi-Fi button ( in fact a Wi-Fi kill switch) is placed near the right speaker and it is not a real button. Instead Acer placed three touch-sensitive buttons near the right speaker. From left to right, Wi-Fi kill switch, back-up quick access button and power-saver button. Between these and right speaker there is HDD activity LED.

(cropped from icase81's picture)​

When Wi-Fi is active, this glows in orange; when kill switch it is activated it stops glowing. I think this kill switch also incorporates with any HSDPA (mobile broadband whatever) modem; I mean it also kills the connection when Wi-Fi is deactivated.

 

Thanks for the great answer. That certainly clears up a lot!

 

Well I emailed them to find out when/where these pSSDs will be available. That will be the icing on the cake for me. What a great little laptop. Definitely the best purchased I've made in a long time.

 

Great find, zuhuratbaba.

Vihsadas, please send word if you hear from SanDisk.

 

Hi, I also installed the gtm378 pci card with antenna. But I have a very poor signal. How have I to install the antenna ?

 

Hello,

Thanks for the kind appreciation. But we have an issue: Empty SATA port on 3810XX is slim SATA, but that drive is not. I am not sure if it will fit with a converter on. I made a estimation/calculation with sizes and remaining area and found that drive just fits there nip and tuck.

 

Hi

I've installed a Option gtm378 and I have a very poor signal. What kind of antennas have you used ? And where have you installed it ?

Regards
Michael

 

i have that one too... had to order a gsm antenna...

 

Hey there,

There's a contest going on: http://www.acer8hourcontest.com/ My country is not eligible, but some of you may be living in the US and may want to join it.

FYI

 

I have heard nothing back from Sandisk, but the word on the internet is that these pSSD should already be available somewhere.

 

http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/21/toshiba-announces-first-ssd-drives-using-new-mini-sata-interface/
http://news.prnewswire.com/ViewContent.aspx?ACCT=109&STORY=/www/story/09-21-2009/0005097642&EDATE=

 

Today I got my gsm antenna, but when I put the antenna under the keyboard the signal is very poor again. Where do you have installed the antenna ? Behind the display ?

 

Hi

Where do you have installed the antenna ? I have a very poor signal with my option gtm378 and I installed the antenna under the keyboard.

Regards
Michaek

 

1) you should connect BOTH (main & aux) antennas for optimum performance
2) if you have only one, ensure that you connect it to the out marked as "main" or "A", and not as "aux" or "B"
3) Personally I'm using GTM380 in 3810TG and I've put with main antenna near the second (non-connected) sata. It's between card reader and 2usb slots. And I've put an auxiliary antenna under touchpad, close to the AC/charging LEDs

My question to you: are you able to turn your GTM378 off with wifi switch?
Mine is always on, not depending on what i'm selecting from the menu...

 

Has anyone opened his Travelmate 8371? Is there also a free SATA port?

 

Anybody measured the available space in the second sata conector? These pSSD Half-Slim cards apparently measure 1.18 in. x 0.19 in. x 2 in. (54mm x 4 mm x 39mm), at least those are the specs for the Toshiba model shown in this picture


http://hothardware.com/News/Toshiba-Intros-30GB62GB-mSATA-And-HalfSlim-SSD-Drives/

 

Unfortunately, I don't think that anyone has been able to get a hold of one of these pSSDs for our purposes, let alone measure it. I've been harassing Sandisk to tell me where I can get one of these retail, but I haven't gotten any response. Let me know if you find out anything. I'm delaying installing my bluetooth adapter until I know whether or not we can do the pSSD thing or not.

 

Hi maxim_fr

Yes, I could switch off the gtm378 with the wireless button. When I use the button I get 4 options to choose. O.K. I try to put the antennas to the same location how yours. Thanks for your reply !

Regards
Michael

 

Is this the one?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320390107005&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

It took me a while to find the sim slot - it's covered by shiny black tape in my 3810T. This is the only internal 3G WWAN I could find which comes with any sort of aerial - are they hard to get hold of or something?

 

has anyone tried converting the mSATA interface to some sort of eSATA slot? (Powered eSATA would be even better)

 

Hi guys
I installed my bluetooth module http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ACER-Bluetoot...Computing_LaptopAccess_RL?hash=item518d499a16

and HP HS2300 SIERRA MC8775 WWAN http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320390107005&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

I had a couple of setbacks opening the case and installing the cards - it's trickier than it looks to pry the keyboard off and I couldn't do it without sustaing minor damage to the plastic above the F8 key. I'd suggest using a plastic or wooden stick to press down the clip and either a dentist's hook or a nylon iPod opener to lever it out.

The other problem I came up against was the small console ribbon cable top middle. I pulled it out easily enough but because I've got non-delicate fingers I accidentally pulled the plastic retainer off. It took me a while to figure out how it worked but eventually it went back on and clamped the cable firmly in place. I was a bit worried I'd borked the whole operation but was OK!

If you're only installing the WWAN module there's no need to open the bottom of the case! It slots in easily on the mini-PCIE socket - I had to rob a screw from the Wi-Fi module but they only need one each. There's only one aerial connector on the sierra module and the antenna fits neatly over the top (I'll post a photo if anyone's interested).

The bluetooth module was also very easy to fit - there's no mistaking where it goes, the lead only fits one way in the socket and clicks securely home. I'll post a pic if anyone's interested but it's not a lot different to the one posted by icase81 (nb 8 wires not 4).

I had a few problems installing drivers until I realised I had to switch bluetooth on using Fn+F3 d'Oh!

Finally many thanks to icase81 for starting this thread.

 

Hi,
I'm interested to mod my timeline 3810T with a 3G module.
I found here a lot of info about. Tkanks for that !!!

I have found the module SIERRAMC8780 (with a download speed of 7.2 Mbps).

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/unlocked-Sierra-MC8780-7-2-Mbps-HSUPA-GPS-not-mc8775_W0QQitemZ320434062357QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item4a9b5bc415

This module seems have 2 antennas.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Antenna-cable-for-MC8700-MC8790-MC8780-MC8775-Card_W0QQitemZ230382753942QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item35a3e1d896

So, I have a couple of questions.

Is the module compatible with timeline?
Can I fit he 2 antennas in notebook? and where can I put them?
This module (MC8780) seems be compatible with Win7.
Any info about the compatibility of SIERRA MC8775 with Win7?

Thanks a lot for your answers and.... sorry for my english.

 

Hi guys and gals,

Anyone with 3G modem using 64-bit Win7? I have a strange problem with Acer's keyboard Launcher: when it's installed, I just cannot toggle wifi & 3G on or off !

In bundled Vista everything is Ok, i.e. wireless button shows 4 choices in horizontal menu, etc. and wireless switching actually works. The same menu appears in WIN7 x64 but unfortunatly it didnt work. When I'm uninstalling the launcher, button toggles like 2 positions "all off" and "all on".

P.S. I've tried Option's GlobeTrotter GTM380 and GTM382 modules.

 

Same Pain here.

3810T, Windows 7 x64 with GTM382 & Antenna, driver of x64 from Option.

It show "Radio is OFF" in the GlobeTrotter Connect

 

would have bought sierra if sierra is 7.2, GTM382 is 7.2 but now regretted. spent plentiful hours but not able to solve the "Radio is OFF" problem, any would have successful with the same configuration?

 

@ultracy:

did w7 found the card? if not, just tape pin20 - it will work.

 

hi buddy yes, w7 found the card, driver installed and it appears in device manager. however what do you mean by tape pin20? do you mean block it?

 

I have a similar problem with Win 7 64bit - the card was recognised straight away and drivers installed. All drivers are good in Device Manager. I installed the generic sierra wireless watcher software but when it runs it says "no device detected".

Not quite sure why this should be - any help gratefully received!

 

I have tried the same thing too. unfortunately GTM382 is Option instead of Sierra, tried with no luck.

 

For sierra mc8775 use http://www.sierrawireless.com/support/show_support_and_downloads.aspx?id=20,6,1,1

Unfortunately now I've detected the card the signal is so weak I can't connect!

I'm using this antenna... http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320390107005&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

As can be seen in the pic, there is only one antenna connector.

 

Just uninstall keyboard Launcher, reboot, press wireleess key twice and it will work!
However, its not a permanent solution - I'm really missing other features of Launcher...

 

It WORKS..... I have spent 4 hours in troubleshooting it and i get nothing done. Just uninstall the launcher and it works immediately. Thank you buddy