aspire 5670 complaints

after reading all the reviews i found only 3 problems
1. fat32
2. partition
3. heating

i dont even know what 1 and 2 are
can somebody tell me what it is

also do coolers work?

 

hmmm... according to webopedia

partition is (v) To divide memory or mass storage into isolated sections. In DOS systems, you can partition a disk, and each partition will behave like a separate disk drive. Partitioning is particularly useful if you run more than one operating system. For example, you might reserve one partition for Windows and another for UNIX.

In addition, partitioning on DOS and Windows machines can improve disk efficiency. This is because the FAT system used by these operating systems automatically assigns cluster size based on the disk size: the larger the disk, the larger the cluster. Unfortunately, large clusters can result in a wasted disk space, called slack space. There is an entire sector of the software industry devoted to building utilities that let you partition your hard disk.

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fat (file allocation table) is A table that the operating system uses to locate files on a disk. Due to fragmentation, a file may be divided into many sections that are scattered around the disk. The FAT keeps track of all these pieces.

In DOS systems, FATs are stored just after the boot sector.

The FAT system for older versions of Windows 95 is called FAT16, and the one for new versions of Windows 95 and Windows 98 is called FAT32.

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fat32 is A version of the file allocation table (FAT) available in Windows 95 OSR 2 and Windows 98. FAT32 increases the number of bits used to address clusters and also reduces the size of each cluster. The result is that it can support larger disks (up to 2 terabytes) and better storage efficiency (less slack space).

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Many complain about fat32 being used on a Win2000 and WinXP system because of its proneness to being snooped upon during a hijacking and hacking of a drive and it wastes hd sectors when used as the only partition of a large hd drive (40gb and up). But it has also advantages in the sense that Fat32 drives can be read by non DOS/Windows environments --i.e. Linux, Unix, Apple without additional plug-ins or utility softwares. So if you want to share the resources of a drive to a computer with a pre-Win2K or WinXP, or non-Windows environment then a FAT32 format for a drive would be useful otherwise go with the NTFS format currently employed for the Win2K and WinXP environ for added security.

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laptop coolers do work to help keep overall machine temperature at bay. however, they may be noisy, think of 3-4 fans moving at top speed at the same time, think of the air flow it creates, for sure there would be audible noise. tolerable yes, but still added noise especially in a quite environment like a classroom and during lectures.

 

As for the heating, it isn't too much of a problem. Sometimes it can get pretty toasty, but I haven't had anywhere near the head that could burn you. Also, undervolting greatly reduces the heat produced in addition to better battery life. I use RM Clock Utility and Super Pi or Prime 95. You can also try Notebook Hardware Control. I'll probably give it a try to see if I like it more. Just do a search on this forum or google and you will find all you need to know about undervolting.

 

I'm currently considering to get a 5672.
Is reformatting everything going to solve the first two problems? Acer gives you the original disc for XP and software?

As for the heat problem, I might keep my laptop on for quite a long time. Sometimes I will even leave it on overnight for downloading through p2p. Will the heat be a big concern for me? My friend usually keeps his IBM T42 on for a week without shutting down once. The Acer5672 will be fine on doing the same or not?

 

i am also looking the purchase this laptop. I would like to know where the heat can be felt during use? How the battery life is?

 

Acer DOES NOT provide you with a copy of XP... they give you the key which is attached to the bottom of your computer.
The heat issue is miniscule unless you are playing games...
But i dont see why you would buy the 5670 for playing games, it wont do you much good now and it will do nothing in a year.

Doing a fresh install is the way to go. Thats all i have to say. Download all the drivers from acer's european FTP site... and go right ahead. Format everything into NTFS and resize the partitions how you like them. Significant performance increase. Especially after all that Acer ePower garbage is gone. Completely useless mind you...

 

i totally agree that the 5670 is not a machine for serious gaming. for serious gaming within the Acer brand you have to look towards the incredibly over priced if not over-rated ferrari series.

as to formatting. if you will stick with WindowsXP go forth and re-partition, reformat to NTFS the whole drive, and do a clean install. install only the drivers and never mind the other junkware that Acer added. for the drivers you would have to pre-download them from the acer website because you would not be able to extract them from the backup installation disk that came with your system nor from the backup disk that the computer suggested that you do when you first booted and configured your machine.

most of the bundle software (including the trial utility ware --norton, mcafee) are hd space junks. better keep them away from your system. use only full pledged and licensed utilities.

 

iceman can you give me more info on that undervoltage thing? it sounds useful
dirac, many people are rebooting and installing anything nessessary from acer's website

and hey what do you mean by serious gaming?
part of the reason im getting it is because they said its got a good graphics card for gaming (radeon x1400?)

 

Undervolting does exactly what it says: it reduces the voltage supplied to the processor. All processors are run at a voltage that will work for all processors of that type. Some processors can run with 100% reliabality at voltages much lower than factory settings. By using certain programs you can (very basically) decrease the voltage applied to the computer and adjust some other useful settings. The benifit of undtervolting comes from increased battery life, significantly less heat, less noise from the fan, and possibly a laptop that lives longer. All this is possible if done correctly (and it's not that hard). Again, just search this forum or google and you will find links to the programs needed and more info. than you need.

Personally, I'm not a gamer. I've never really done any "serious gaming," but I do enjoy the occasional UT2k4 and solitare. From everything I've read about the x1400 it is a great middle ground card. That is, it is a compromise between performance, cost, and battery life. I ran 3dmark05 and got a result of 1630 which is very consistant with what others report. This is way more than I need (for now) and I get an fps of about 45 (sometimes 25 or even 80+) with all settings on high at native resolution in UT2k4. I've read about different drivers called omega drivers that will greatly increase the performance of this card to over 3000 in 3dmark05, eventually I may try these out.

Hope that helps.

 

it seems like a bad thing
ive googled, and there are things that protect from undervoltage (and overvoltage)
thanks for the advice
but i think ill get a cooler

 

Coolermaster's notebook cooler from Newegg is great. Solid aluminum construction and is quiet. Very noticeable difference. You might want to pad the front though as it scratches the front of the laptop.

 

Hey, I just reformatted and installed pro. I like the acer e programs but for some reason I cant get the ePower to install.. i get an errer after installation when i reboot.... has anyone gotten this to work?