TM2318 constant hard drive spin down issue

I just bought an Acer TM2318 laptop (P-M 1.5, widescreen) and it's got EXACTLY the same problem as this http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=2300&highlight=spin

It's driving me nuts, I've checked for an updated bios to solve the problem but it didn't help, I've emailed Acer and I got no reply, and I tried using a utility that's meant to control the power management of the hitachi drive, and it was ignored completely.

I even tried a different drive, and it did the same thing, so it must be the same issue as the laptop that above link has.

Anyone have any ideas on how I could fix this? I don't want that drive to crap out in a year because it's spun down 500,000 times.

 

Call up Acer, see what they got to say about it.

 

I think the only option you have is to ask Acer for a BIOS update. There might not be other options in this case.

 

I have a similar problem with my old Toshiba, while it's been on for a while. I already had the drive replaced (Seagate) and same issue again. I believe it may be a problem with the systemboard/drive controller on the systemboard. But since it's out of warranty, I'm just leaving it alone. Mainly happens when it's been on for a few days. Is this the same as yours, happens after it's been on for a while or immediately?

-Vb-

 

Nope it does it intermittantly, but it's most of the time, if it's plugged in and I put it on standby and wait a few mins then wake it it up it goes away till I run it on battery again. I'm pretty sure it's a bios issue, but I've talked to Acer and the monkey on the phone seemed to have no idea what I was talking about.

Venombite, how many start/stop cycles did you old drive last? My business parter and I bought two of these laptops and his is up to about 30,000 and it's 3 weeks old, mines at 5,800 because I put mine on standby when it does it. (I also don't use mine much, because of this problem.)

 

Jb,

Yeah, this seems to be more of a hardware/BIOS/OS problem since it seems to work after going into Standby. There could be a setting even in the drive's firmware that may affect the power down settings. I know Hitachi has a Features Tool that can modify the firmware settings on their drives. This allows for better PM settings and also reduced operation noise (drive acoustics). You may want to check to see if your drive manufacturer has this type of tool and see what settings your drive is set to. It could be the cause of your problems.

The Seagate I had didn't last a year before problems started, but it wasn't the drive itself. I believe it was the systemboard since the problems started again (later) after I got the new drive.

You may want to try shutting down rather then going into Standby. A user reported a problem with their system and all he did was go into Hibernation and back, never turned off the system. His issue was resolved after he did a reboot.

-Vb-

 

Well, I'm a computer technician so I know a fair bit, I've tried pretty much everything short of getting Acer to fix bios and getting the laptop replaced.
Because we have two of these laptops that both do the same thing I doubt it is a hardware issue (hence why I haven't got it replaced).

And like I said I've tried that tool (two hitachi tools infact, one, a bootable cd image, would not boot) to change the APM settings for the drive, and the one that worked was ingnored completely. I also have the drive power down in windows set to never for mains and battery.

I even tried a different drive, a 40gb toshiba, same thing.

My business partner said Acer were contacting him today regarding the problem, so hopefully they can help.

Thanks for all the ideas.

 

JB,

OK, since the problem still exists with a different HDD, it's definitely not drive related, but it's still possible it could be a problem with the systemboard (hardware, not BIOS). A design flaw could be causing this problem.

Just take a look at the Toshiba A70, a lot of lockups and rebooting without notice. It turned out to be a static problem with the top cover design. The lack of grounding in certain areas caused the problem. So for this issue, it might seem like a systemboard problem, but turned out to be a top cover grounding issue.

So on the Acer's, it's still possible the problem could be related to a design flaw rather than a BIOS issue. But I guess at this point, it's best to wait to hear back from Acer/business partner to see what Acer has to say regarding the problem. Hopefully they can get this problem fixed easily.

-Vb-

 

It could be, but because another Acer had the same issue and it was fixed with a bios update it makes me think it's that.

 

Did you ever hear back from the Acer Bus partner ? I just bought a Travel mate with the same issue. My BIOS is current, I am hoping there will be an updated soon if this is the issue. Very annoying everytime the notebook sits for more than a couple of mins.

Thanks

 

I had an issue like this once with an older Dell laptop - forget the model name. The problem was that the hard drive was not getting enough power - I couldn't really keep it on battery power because it would constantly spin down....sometimes even on AC too. Never fixed it, just got a new laptop.

It is probably a BIOS issue like everyone else says.

 

Well no we didn't, they're stuffing us around too much so today we're taking them both back and exchanging for a different model.

My advice to the guy who has the same problem: let acer know, make it very clear, because last I talked to them they claimed they knew nothing about it.

 

The fault is caused by the bias chip taking control over the hdd settings but due to a naf bias menu there is no adjustment to this setting.

Quick work around.

Boot up as normal, put machine into standy, power machine back up. Windows should then control power settings.

This works on my 2310, yes annoying but simple work round.

Mark

 

Check page 1, already mentioned that work around.

I have a 4150 (P-M 1.73, 1GB dual channel) instead now, and I'm very happy with it.