Gateway EC1803h

Never mind I figured it out and no screws required. It's quite simple just press in the four tabs on top of the keyboard toward to the monitor and pull it out from the center, it will bend a bit and than pop out.

Disconnecting the ZIF cable is easier than others, just pop the tab holding the cable in place up and pull it out. Place the new keyboards ZIF cable in place and snap the tab back down.

To put the keyboard in just put the four tabs at the bottom of the keyboard in place and than snap the side and top tabs back in one by one. It works great and looks much better.

Its fine you dont like the keyboard, no use in being insulting
Kamin_Majere

 

I've had this model for about 2 weeks and I really like it. I might consider the keyboard replacement as well, but I'm getting used to this one.

I'm frustrated that there's no Bluetooth - there's a button and a switch to disable bluetooth, but the North American models don't include it...very strange! I bought a micro-bluetooth USB adapter instead and it works great, but takes up a USB port.

I've never gotten more than about 4.5 hours out of the battery but it's good enough for my purposes.

Another frustration I have is that the BIOS doesn't include an option to enable the hardware virtualization option - one of the reasons I wanted a Core 2 Solo instead of an Atom! Maybe they'll release an update someday... It does support 64-bit very well though - I have Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit (final) installed and it works great - though the suspend/hibernate mode just doesn't seem to work consistently. Maybe with more specific drivers in the future...

One small irritation I have found is that the touchpad's finish is wearing off in the center - it's shiny now instead of the flat finish that makes it easier to move your finger across it. I have cleaned it carefully but it hasn't changed at all...anybody else having that problem?

 

Did you know that the UK layout has the same keyboard configuration? The tall Enter key and the additional key between the left Shift and the Z key. Look it up on Wikipedia. You don't see them being all whiney about their keyboards!

Anyway, just bought mine last Friday, it's back on sale for a week at $449CAN at FS. I like it so far. Yep, even the bilingual keyboard too. Allows me to write those silly French words...

By the way, anyone succeeded in installing a Linux OS on it? I tried Ubuntu Netbook Remix 9.10 beta, and the bootable USB key won't load to the desktop. I get some text that Gateway's BIOS isn't recognized...

Removed the offending post, if you have a problem with something please report it.
Kamin_Majere

 

Now, to my question : Has anyone tried to connect the EC1803h to a standard TV, not a flat panel? I have bought a VGA to Svideo adapter on eBay, and I just can't get it to work. I tried updating the video drivers to the latest version, but the Intel TV Wizard just does not work.

I have to specify manually the type of connection (Svideo), and then, nothing. The wizard just stays there, and does not go to the next screen.

Would anyone care to try, if you have the means?

Thanks!

Nicolas Racine

Removed the offending post, if you have a problem with something please report it.
Kamin_Majere

 

Salut Nicolas,

I believe I have a VGA to S-Video cable lying around somewhere. If I can locate it, I'll try to connect my EC18 to my HDTV. Pity, it's an old one I bought before the advent of HDMI. Sure would have loved to connect the Gateway to my TV though its HDMI port.

Gemnoc
un autre canadien-français mal-aimé

 

That would be very nice.:yes:

Thanks a lot!

Nicolas Racine

 

Hi, can any of you speak about the sound quality of the speakers?

The msi wind 100 that i'm selling (to replace with this) has horrible squeeky speakers that are all high pitch with no lows and barely any mids... i know this is a netbook, but i'd like to be able to actually hear stuff from the speakers and not cringe in pain from the high pitch

thank you!

 

Well, as you said, it's a netbook.

However, I think the sound is quite decent. Nothing to write home about, but more than enough to watch movies and hear the dialogue withoud blood pouring out of your ears.

I used to have an Acer Aspire 8.9", and I would say the sound is similar, maybe a little better. Of course, if I need serious sound power, I will use powered speakers or headphones.

HTH

Nicolas Racine

 

thanks for the reply!

I noticed the same thing with the sticky / shiny touchpad on the display model i looked at yesterday. One of the reasons i sold my wind u100 was because it had the same problem and became a major annoyance. Whereas my 2 year old 7 lbs dell vostro 1500 has a perfectly smooth touchpad.

If i do get this laptop, i'm going to get ipod screen protectors and cut them out to the shape of the touchpad and hope they stick and don't impede sensitivity.

here's what i'm talking about, the display model's pad was much worse, but u get the idea...

 

You could always upgrade the wireless chip with one that integrates Bluetooth. I rarely use bluetooth and I have also never need to use all 3 usb ports at once. The mini usb bluetooth dongle is sufficient.

I have the same issue with the touchpad as well. Not much you can do but rub along the outside edges to even it out.

 

Play nice with others
Kamin_Majere

I have a VGA to Svideo I had bought a few years ago I used with my Dell Axim x50v. I tested it and it works fine with the Gateway. It has nothing to do with drivers or anything. As far as the computer is concerned its a VGA device. The box does all the work converting the signal and gives me a composite and s-video connection. I have no need for it anymore, I think I will put it up for sale.

 

Hey I have that same system from FS and like it. Upgraded the RAM to 4GB 800 and a OCZ vertex SSD. Also bought a bluetooth from ebay for the acer 1810t works grate. Just though I would share ho yes I also installed XP Pro on it all works grate but the brightness button.

 

For any one looking I have benn updating bios for the Gateway downloading it from acer 1410/1810 and they work grate Just updated it to 3120 FN+right and left harrow keyx now work in XP I just did a google search on acer download and selected acer aspire and model 1410 11.6" and went on the bios tab.

 

@ Nicolas

Sorry for not getting back to you earlier, I searched through my bunch of cables and adaptors, I thought I had a VGA to S-video adaptor, but apparently it is not the case.

By the way, a few days ago, the EC1803h was pulled from Future Shop's website, as well as from the few Canadian online stores that had it. FS has replaced it with the LT3114H, which has the AMD L110 CPU with ATI Radeon graphics and a 3-cell only battery. It sells for much cheaper too.

Now, Gateway's USA site lists the new EC14 series which is the same as the EC18, except it comes with dual core CULV processors.

Are we EC18 owners orphans already?

@ chrous25

Thanks, since Gateway doesn't offer BIOS updates, I was wondering if the Aspire 1410's ones would do!

 

I took a shot and it worked

 

Yeah but you could have bricked your laptop!

(I've read it happened to some Aspire 1410 owners)

 

Been a lurker on this thread since it began as I was looking to replace the MSI Wind I have had since March. I also confirm that Future Shop no longer has this netbook available (I checked with three stores last night in Calgary and NONE of the sales people knew which Gateway I was talking about). Other than the AMD & Atom powered variants for cheaper, they also have phased out most of the portables & netbooks running Vista for Windows 7 models.

I had picked up my EC1803h last weekend though as an display model for cheap as they had none brand-new in a box from FS. Except the right arrow cursor on the keyboard had broken off, they also could not locate the battery for it but I am not complaining since they sold it to me $199.99!

Replaced the smaller, slower 250GB hard drive for a faster 320GB, 7200RPM one and installed Windows 7 Pro and works great! Already ordered a replacement Acer 751 english keyboard from eBay for less than $20 and looking now to find a battery for it. I already emailed Gateway directly and awaiting a response.

Though I plan to use this as a very tiny media centre (since it has HDMI) and may not need a battery, I would like to still find one but I am having trouble locating a replacement battery for it. No listings on eBay to speak of and other than replacement batteries for the Acer Aspire 1410 I was wondering if anyone would be so kind to let me know the part # of their original Gateway battery or be able to put up some pics as what it would look like, it would be very much appreciated. I am trying to see if any of the 1410 batteries they sell on eBay would be a match and work with the EC1803h.

 

That's an awesome deal you got!

Those batteries in your eBay search won't fit. I believe they may be for the 15.6" screen version of the Aspire 1410.

Here's an exhaustive review of the EC1803h with pictures, including one of the battery:
http://www.silentpcreview.com/article974-page2.html

Let me know if you need more pictures of the battery, I'll take some of mine and post. Mine shows the same sticker, with model number UM09E31 (3ICR19/65-2).

I've read somewhere (maybe this forum?) that the Acer Aspire One 751 battery was compatible. I thought the Aspire 1410/1810T was as well, but this week I looked at the Aspire 1410 at Staples, and the casing underneath looks somewhat different from the Gateway's. Not sure if it fits, but logically it should since the Gateway's a clone, and keyboards are already shared between Gateway and Acer models 751 and 1410/1810T.

I searched for 751 batteries. They do look very similar. Model number is not the same though, UM09B31 instead of E31.
[Edit: saw another picture, there's a bump under it, the plug may fit but battery would raise the rear end of the laptop]

 

Well the EC1803h is back on FS' website, but the page says it's sold out online. There may be remaining stocks in some stores. There seem to be some left at the store I bought mine.

 

Thanks Gemnoc for steering me in the right direction, though I am almost drawn to buy an Aspire 1410 they sell at Staples (and return it the next day to see if its batteries would work with my EC1803h (since the Gateway netbook, like you said is nearly an exact replica of the 1410). I was looking at the eBay listings for 751 batteries and it looks like it may just work! Don't know which way I'll go but I may just chance it. They sell 9cell 7800mah 751 replacement batteries for less than $58 CAD shipping included which is very tempting!

Pictures of the battery would be fantastic, Gemnoc as I would be eternally grateful - thanks in advance!!

 

Hi DiRRRtyFlip,

Here are the pics. Sorry for the low light, I took them at night, and I don't have much lighting, as I don't think I'll have the time tomorrow. Man it's always difficult to take pictures of black thingies!

Anyway I think this'll give you an idea what to look for.

Also, I found a picture of the Aspire 1810t's bottom for comparison.

Although the bottom housing of the 1810t shows some differences compared to the EC1803, I'd bet it is the exact same battery (except of course the higher capacity for the 1810t). I'd suggest you ask for the 1410 battery's part number on the Acer Aspire 1410 and 1810T Timeline (single core) 11.6" Thread. Heck, someone may have already provided info on where to buy one: that thread is huge!

I'm looking to possibly buy a second battery myself, and a 9-cell one would be nice. But I'm not sure the AO751's 6-cell or 9-cell would fit: if you look at the picture on this eBay link, you'll notice the higher profile which would raise the rear end of the laptop, but also it looks like the "rail" on the side is not deep enough. I've read that this battery sticks out from the AO751's rear. The rectangular notch on the right side of the connector is not positioned correctly either.

Hope this helps!

 

The Gateway EC1803h is available again (as of 13:12 MST)!. Since I'm unable to easily find a replacement battery for my first unit, I decided to buy another one from FS online since they have a pretty good promo right now - with any purchase over $350 to $999.99, you save $20 online eCertificate # coupon20366296162102, so with FREE ground shipping - I got the netbook at $429.95 before GST.

I plan to pull the 2GB SO-DIMM from my other EC1803h, instsall it in the new one along with the Acer 751 keyboard from eBay and replace the stock 250GB for a 7200rpm Western Digital 320GB Scorpio Black (the 120GB SSDs are still a little too rich for my taste). Can't wait to install Windows 7 Pro! It should arrive Tuesday.

 

Yeah, the product page is back, but it still says it's sold out, and the OS is still Vista Home Premium.

I guess it could take a few more weeks before they get more of this model, and with Windows 7.

I'm not in a hurry to get Windows 7, I haven't even registered for it yet! I succeeded in installing Ubuntu Netbook Remix 9.10 RC "Karmic Koala" (it wouldn't boot if I didn't deactivate NCQ), I'm having fun with that, it's snappy and I like the welcome screen.

I hope we see replacement batteries for this notebook sometime soon.

 

What is everyone getting for average battery life?

With just regular web browsing I'm only getting about 4 hours or slightly less which is ok but I would definitely like it if I could get the 6 hours that some people have mentioned. This is with the screen brightness all the way low and the compute is basically out of the box new.

 

Unfortunately, FS had problems processing my credit card the day after I ordered it so I ended up canceling the purchase last week. Good thing too as I ordered one today at Canada Computers is selling a whole bunch @ $389.99 plus $6.99 shipping & tax(es)!!

They may be "refurbished" (boy, that was quick but considering that these still come with Windows Vista, who knows? It could possibly be the overstock / discontinued units left over from all the Future Shops from across Canada themselves!

 

Does anyone have any pictures of their units they'd like to share? Its quite the looker in the promotional pictures and I'd like to see more real pictures of the unit, I find it better looking than the Acer 1410/1810 it is based off of.

 

Anyone tried upgrading the HD on this? I've seen a few comments about Acer using a non-standard connection cable thats really fragile. (I seen a post about it on here on a review on newegg). I hope its not the case with the Gateway.

 

Does anyone have luck finding a battery replacement for the Gateway EC1803h?

 

Well I took the chance and I'm glad I did. Chrous25 had mentioned flashing the bios to the newest one for Acer Timeline 1410. I am running windows 7 premium and was having long boot times. After updating the bios in my Gateway EC1803h to the newest Acer bios for the 1410, my boot time for windows 7 got cut in half.

Great stuff...but do beware flashing a bios can be risky...if you aren't sure about it...don't do it. I take no responsibility...lol

Cheers,
D

 

Future Shop now has the Gateway EC1417h at $499CAN. It is similar to the EC1803h, has a more powerful SU4100 1.3GHz dual-core processor, just like the revised Acer Aspire 1410, the same 3GB or RAM and 250GB; the bummer is, it has only the 3-cell 2200mAh battery!

And of course, it comes with Windows 7 Home Premium.

Well, it looks like I was right not to wait for Win7 release to buy the EC1803h! It was a much better deal.

Of course, the EC1417h's price may come down, or a model with 6-cell battery may be available somewhere else.

Since Gateway's US site has the EC14 series, I'm pretty sure US stores will start to sell it in short time.

 

Take a look at this review which includes many pictures:

http://www.silentpcreview.com/Gateway_EC1803h_notebook

Not only is it better looking (a matter of taste, obviously ), but the Gateway's touchpad is recessed, while the Aspire 1410's is flush with the palm rest! Only the surface finish tells where the touchpad is. I'd go crazy!!!

I notice you live in Texas, the EC1803h was never available to the USA, but the EC14 series now is. I'd avoid the EC1417h (sold by FS) because of its ridiculously low-powered 3-cell battery though. I'm sure stores will start selling a 6-cell 4400mAh model sooner or later. Gateway's US site even lists a model with a 5600mAh battery, just like the one in the Aspire 1810T.

 

Yes, the Gateway variant is available here in the U.S in almost all the configurations its Acer cousin is, except the Acer has higher end models with SU7100 processors, which the Gateway do not.

 

I have one of these suckers, and i got to say i use it way more often than my 17 inch hp. It's fast and does it's job well. One of the best purchases i've made this year.

I have a question for you guys. How do you upgrade to windows 7 without a cd/dvd drive?

Gateway is currently sending me the windows 7 32bit premium dvd out to me by mail, since i bought the EC1803h way back in aug. 09 i have vista 32bit pre-installed.

So i will have the official 32bit vista 7 premium dvd. However, how do you get that onto the EC1803h with a dvd-rom? Will it work if i simply iso'd the dvd with nero, and then mount the image on the usb key? is that it?

thanks, any help would be appreciated!

hiredguns

 

//////////////////////////////////////////

I loves the laptop capabilities with a small foot print.
I fly a lot to Asia and those 13 hours trip sap my LT3108H battery. Luckily I found a manufacturer that has the same capacity battery and another with 1.7 times that capacity at 7800 mAh. That's a whopping 8 hours use I got out of the 7800 mAh battery. I carry 2 of those everytime I go to Asia. Here's in case you in the same boat (I meant plane):

http://www.solartorrent.com/eCommerce/products.asp?cat=13


Make sure you cut your nails before tapping on the diminuitive keyboard of any netbook. However, the LT3108H already have larger keyboard and screen. I looking to buy yet another netbook with laptop full features, but will compromise without a DVD drive for weigth purposes.

 

i can confirm i have flashed mine with the latest one in the bios tab of acer timeline 1410. i downloaded the 64-bit one since i put windows 7 64bit on mine. I have MULTIPLE OS - win 7, ubuntu 9.10, xp pro using grub 1.97 beta from the ubuntu install. my ubuntu 9.10 wouldnt boot after install completed, i thought ubuntu was messed up. after flashing the bios everything worked like a charm as if nothing happened?!!! also virtualization was disabled before the flash now after flash shows enabled with the securable [ http://www.grc.com/securable.htm ]

i am going to try and install virtualbox and other to see if it actually works.

i also changed the keyboard with the english acer keyboard 715 from ebay for $18cdn shipping included from a seller in hong kong.

update nov 23:
ok guys after doing the bios update like i said above, the hardware virtualization is working, i used the windows xp mode hardware assisted virtualization check tool and it showed that "your computer is configured with hardware assisted virtualization.

 

Has the EC1803 been replaced by the EC1437?

 

Great advice here!
Thanks for posting this thread and letting users know how to update thgeir BIOS.
My Windows 7 Home Premium boot time was taking way too long
(over 2 minutes)!
After flashing the BIOS from my current version 0.3 to the Timeline 1410 on Acer's site:

http://www.acer.ca/acer/service.do?...tryISOCtxParam=CA&ctx1.att21k=1&CRC=719687231

My boot time went from 2:00+ to 0:34 seconds!

I had tried all the latest updates and drivers to no avail.
Thanks again!

...voyager99

 

Hey

I ordered a replacement keyboard and i've tried removing it. I think I've pushed the tabs in but can someone give me more detailed instructions on how to pop it out?

thanks

 

Great advice here!
Thanks for posting this thread and letting users know how to update thgeir BIOS.
My Windows 7 Home Premium boot time was taking way too long
(over 2 minutes)!
After flashing the BIOS from my current version 0.3 to the Timeline 1410 on Acer's site:
my boot time now is 42 seconds..
THANK YOU

 

With regards to flashing the BIOS, do you just run the .exe from the zip file? Thanks.

 

Hi you guys have saved me buying a new HDD.
I had boot time problems, my windows 7 was booting in 3+ minutes. I updated the EC18 BIOS with the 1.3303 version of Acer 1410. And now the boot time is less than 50 seconds.

When I noticed the problem contacted Gateway about it and they gave me a program called GWSCAN and the HDD supposedly had a "sector relocation error code 0226" and they said the drive was not repairable and that I should send my notebook to repair and since I live in Guatemala I couldn't do that, I tried with an 80GB WD drive that I had and installed Windows 7 and boot time was 42 seconds so I figured Gateway guys are right.
Now I know they are wrong and I think is a BIOS-HDD-Windows 7 incompatibility of some sort since the pre-installed Windows Vista had short boot time.

I was wondering if anyone knows where to get one of those SATA to ZIF cable adapter that the HDD has, it looks very fragile and I want to have a spare just in case.

Thanks for your help,

 

You download the zip file from Acer and extract the contents. Inside there are 2 executables one 32 bit and one 64 bit you choose the one that matches the version of you windows installation.

 

so im not sure if i missed it or not but when i installed windows 7 and i recieved a error about the hard drive after starting up my machine then i should go to the acer website and download some sort of bios thing? before or after i install windows 7? because when i installed windows 7 all those hd problems came up and so i just system restored it and am currently using windows vista which sucks

 

You can upgrade your BIOS from vista or windows 7. You have to download the BIOS for the Acer Aspire 1410 the latest version is 1.3303.

This is the direct download link

Acer Aspire 1410 BIOS v.1.3303

 

An FYI to anyone else reading this thread. This works....thanks!

 

Two options:

1) Buy an external from Best buy and return it when you're done

2) Go to intowindows.com

Never tried option 2 but heard it works, i did option 1.

 

Anyone have a disassembly guide for the lcd? I don't see the typical screw covers and need to get the bezel off for some mods.

 

i bought this laptop on the weekend, its fantastic. very impressed with the su3500 and gma 4500m. at first gaming was slugish until i removed google desktop and toolbar and switched off the webcam. (and webcam toolbar) just run msconfig and disable all non microsoft apps. its truely a sweet laptop i paid 369 for a refurb i am sure i will get 3-5 yrs from it no problem.

 

Hi all - Out of curiosity, how are the longer time users of the EC1803 finding it months later? I am wavering between this unit and its super portability for the 370$+shipping and the tablet HP TC4200 for ~425$. The tablet is old in tech terms, but similar in spec to my current HP so I know it would be quality (albeit weighing in at ~5 lbs, including optical drive).

As far as crunchiest use on my part -I would like to install Adobe CS or CS4, but don't do any gaming (and yes, I know the lcd is wee for graphic art, but that's what zoom is for! )

 

Will a replacement like for an acer aspire 9 cell battery work with this gateway?