MX6930 Core 2 Duo - Anyone? Anyone?

No, I'm saying that the distributions of Vista in all the "Express Upgrade" offerings from all the different companies participating in it will be 32 bit. Once you get the 32 bit version, if you want the 64 bit, you should be able to put in a request either to the OEM or to Microsoft directly and ask for the 64 bit version, and probably pay the small shipping and handling fee if requested.

At this point, probably 95-99% of the people that intend to run Vista will want the 32 bit version, so again, Microsoft and the OEMs will have to cater to the lowest common denominator meaning the 32 bit version since it's the most common of all.

Sure would be nice to get 32 and 64 bit DVDs in the box at the same time, but it's gonna be that lowest common denominator thing that'll prevent it from happening.

Like I mentioned, I doubt any of us using the "Express Upgrade" program from Gateway or any other OEM can expect to actually get our hands on our Vista DVDs until either mid to late February or possibly March. Sooner would be nice, but they're going to wait till it's released on January 30th to really get it out.

bb

 

Just thought I'd chime in after two evenings with my MX6931. Very happy with the unit... removed all the crap software and it runs great (ran great with it on, too) thanks to the 2GB RAM. The unit is sturdy and solid, and I even like the (IMO) professional look of it. Couldn't be any happier with the performance.

Unfortunately my enthusiasm, at least for the moment, is tempered because I apparently have lost a lottery I've never lost before... I've got one dead pixel (or a small piece of matter trapped in the display). It's not dead center, but it is probably about 40% of the way up from the bottom, and about 35% across from the left. Presently, I just can't stop staring at it and it's pretty annoying. I know it's something that I'm just going to have to deal with, and I'm probably bothered by it more than most would be.

Actually, the more I think about it I think it's a piece of dust or something. I tried one of those stuck pixel flasher programs... it lets you shrink the flashing area down to a pixel. When I tried to move it over the dark area, I couldn't completely envelop it and make the flashing disappear... or at least I don't think I could (at work, can't try it now). The dark area was around pixel sized it seemed, but offcenter from lining up.

 

I know it might sound silly, but have you tried thumping the LCD with a flick of a finger? Place a cloth or something over the surface and thump it directly on the area where the pixel is, or tap fairly firmly a few times. It's "fixed" more stuck or dead pixels in my experience than you might believe.

Obviously the trick is how much pressure to apply when you thump it, not enough to shatter the glass (that's quite a bit, actually, and one reason you do this with your finger and not a solid object like a pen or something similar; our fingers have a lot of "give" to them with impacts).

This has worked for me recently with two used laptops I was working on. Weeks later I asked about the pixel issues, and the owners said they'd never seen it stuck or dead again and if they did they knew what to do about it because of my instructions.

YMMV, however.

Hope you have some luck with it...

bb

 

I didn't try thumping it... I did try gently pressing the screen as I've heard that can help un-stick a pixel. Of course mine is dark (basically black) which I've heard means dead, and dead supposedly can't be fixed. I'll try when I get home.

But like I said, I'm leaning towards the foreign matter trapped under the glass because of what I explained above. Also, it's hard to be sure but when moving stuff on the screen the display just seems to be "under" the dark spot.

Despite retailers/manufacturers views on display imperfections, my friend is adamant that I at least try to exchange the notebook. I'm not sure what the response would be, but unfortunately two weeks is not a lot of time to try to "get used to it" before returning. Sure I didn't buy a $4000 LCD tv, but I still spent enough to where I feel like I should get a unit free of defects.

 

how long ago did you have it?? I used to work at Circuit City and we would exchange (if we had it in stock) a unit, very few questions asked, if it was within the 2-week period...

 

I just bought it on Tuesday night... and yes, all I would want to do is exchange, since I love the notebook.

 

hi I have the sme problem a few days ago...and did all the other people who has the same problem but was not able to fix the problem...since u are using road runner u might try to change your modem...if it is slow or has a problem that can do it....that is what i did with mine....I notice that the data light does not flash fast enough...so I took it back to the RR office and they changed it...now everything works great...hope this will help u before u change settings....good luck

 

Not sure if anyone noticed this but on BB's site they advertise they 6930 with no wireless card and the 6931 with a Intel® PRO/Wireless 3945ABG. Is it true that the 6930 has no wireless card. I'm asking because right now the only real difference I can see between the two is the 40 gig in hardrive size. I've been looking to buy a new laptop and I had narrowed my search to 6930/1, Toshiba A105-s4384 and the Sony VGN-N130G. I was already leaning towards Gateway and after reading this thread I'm pretty much sold on one of these two models. If the 6930 doesn't have an installed wireless card I'm gonna have to go and spend the extra $200 and get the bigger hardrive along with the wireless card.

Also, what is the going rate on a 2gb ram card? I'd be interested in upgrading up to the max 4gb on the 6931.

 

That is kinda stupid for Best Buy and a major booboo on that MX6930 product page.

Yes, the MX6930 comes with the Intel 3945 802.11abg wireless card, no worries there; it's the standard Centrino Duo laptop wireless card now and comes in all Centrino Duo labeled laptops by default.

The differences between the MX6930 and the MX6931 are as follows:

The MX6930 is supposed to have the T5200 Core 2 Duo processor running at 1.60 GHz on the 533 MHz Front Side Bus (FSB). The MX6931 has the T5500 Core 2 Duo processor running at 1.66 GHz on the 667 MHz FSB - meaning it's 25% faster across the board for data flowing across the FSB, which means things get done snappier.

The thing is, as already noted by at least 2 people in this thread, that they've purchased the MX6930 laptop and discovered it has/had the T5500 in it; the only reason Gateway would do such a thing is if they couldn't get enough of the T5200 processors (Intel's newest low end Core 2 Duo) to finish the 1st or 2nd production runs of the MX6930, so they started dropping T5500 processors in them because they obviously have more of them laying around. So you get an MX6930 and you may automagically get a better processor for less money, go figure - but then again, you might not. There's no way to tell such a thing without opening the box and booting into Windows where it would tell you the type of processor on the System Properties dialogue or you could perhaps run CPU-Z on it to find out what's really in there.

Another difference is the MX6930 has 1GB of RAM stock; the MX6930 has 2GB.

The final difference is the MX6930 has a 120GB 5400 rpm hard drive; the MX6931 has the 160GB 5400 rpm drive.

Cost difference is $200 (plus taxes if applicable): $799 for the MX6930, $999 for the MX6931 as of this moment as I'm typing this. Come Sunday Best Buy will probably bump the MX6931 back to retail which is $1149 unless they decide to keep it low at $999 for a while.

If you can get it, obviously I recommend the MX6931, not only so you're 100% sure of getting the T5500, but also the 2GB of RAM and the 160GB drive. Taking a chance on the MX6930 is a crapshoot - you might get the T5200 or you might get the T5500.

Either way, they're both phenomenal deals for the price and still untouched by competition for the value.

2GB PC2-4200 SODIMMs are still well into the $500+ range right now; 2x2GB of RAM for the MX6930/MX6931 would end up costing you more than the laptop itself.

Hope this helps...

bb

 

Cool, thanks for your help and the quick response. When I saw that on Bb's site about the 6930 not having a wireless card that was basically a for sure deal breaker for me. Now that I know it does have it I'm still kinda undecided but I'm thinking I'm going to go with the 6931 based on the already installed RAM.

Quick question: do either of these computers have infrared capabilities. I have a PocketPC cell phone and it's nice not having to use a cable to move files from the phone to my current laptop.

 

Nope. Nor do they offer Bluetooth capability natively. Downside of the value aspects of this line of Gateway laptops I suppose. But USB Bluetooth dongles/adapters are fairly cheap these days. As far as infrared support, it's fading fast on laptops. I never used IR in all my years of owning them, not once.

Good luck...

bb

 

I never used it till a few months ago when I bought my phone and I've had my laptop for over two years now. Funny part is that I had forgot all about the infrared. I happened to be on the computer and I set the phone down next to it and all of a sudden I heard a crazy noise (connection sound) and a pop up showed on my laptop saying that it was ready to download. I was like "oh snap, that cool as hell." lol

I currently have an HP by the way.

 

Quick question to those who own the 6930/31... I realize that it's a laptop LCD, but is your screen especially bad as far as washing out? I don't think I can find any angle where the same color at the top and bottom of the screen isn't dramatically different. I know that laptops have this problem, but mine seems especially bad.

 

It's because of the type of LCD panel that's in the MX6930/MX6931. The 15.4" 1440x900 panel in the MacBook Pro does the same thing; so do many LCD panels that are available nowadays for laptops that are not only glossy but call themselves "bright" or "brite" or some variation on the label.

Just something you get used to over time, I guess. At first it was somewhat irritating to me but now I don't even notice it anymore. Besides, I've got a 20.1" Samsung 1680x1050 LCD hooked up at the same time at home anyway. It sits over top of the MX6931 so I get dual monitor capability and a lot more desktop real estate to play with.

bb

 

Now that you mention it, I see a little wash out. Probably less than other laptops that I've used.

 

Maybe BB or someone can recommend an ideal USB hub for my 6931. I know we have four USB ports, but I'm not crazy about their location. What I had in mind was a 4 or 8-port hub with a cord just long enough to keep it hidden behind the laptop. I just don't like a forest of wires coming from the side of the machine, interfering with the mouse and even taking up desk space between me and anyone sitting in the chair on the side of my desk.
Plus I like the concept of unplugging just one plug and the power cord to quickly go mobile. A good hub is sort of a poorman's docking station.
A second part of the question is can I get a 4 or 8-port hub that gives me full 2.0 USB throughput?
I use a lot of USB gadgetery including a printer, PocketPC Phone, camera, mouse, USB storage devices, etc. I was also thinking about a USB Bluetooth gongle for VOIP, and a gongle for a wireless mouse.
2.0 thoughput only seems important for downloading a lot of pictures from my 8mp camera. Then I can always plug that directly into the Gateway. Do I really need it for the other devices?
Perhaps 2.0 is why some hubs inexplicably called "mini" and "pocket" hubs at Staples had giant transformer-type AC plugs attached to them. Noting all USB ports are already powered, I asked three salespeople why the big plugs and none could answer.
Thanks!

 

http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_Id=158910

That's what I have and I highly recommend it if adding more USB 2.0 ports is what you need. I use it for my USB wireless mouse transceiver; my 4GB SanDisk Cruzer Micro USB key that's used for ReadyBoost; my Plextor 18x external DVD burner; my HP Deskjet D1320 printer; and a 60GB laptop hard drive in a tiny external USB 2.0 case.

All devices work fine, with no issues.

One thing you need to realize about USB 2.0 is that while it theoretically has 480 Mbps (Megabits per second) of bandwidth, no one single USB device will ever use all of it. That's one reason why in testing you never see USB 2.0 transfer speeds over maybe 20-30MB/s with peaks just barely passing 30MB/s (MegaBytes per second). It simply doesn't work that way.

I had a USB 2.0 and Firewire 400 external hard drive recently and did some testing with it. The drive itself was a 300GB SATA II drive.

Using USB 2.0 in two different ways (a USB 2.0 port on the laptop, and a USB 2.0 PC card adapter with 2 ports), the transfer speeds never went over 31MB/s regardless of which port/adapter I used.

Using the Firewire 400, the transfers jumped to well into the 60MB/s range.

So, while USB 2.0 is faster than USB 1.1 is, it's still not up there with Firewire for serious speed - but it's faster than the older USB 1.1 stuff, at least.

But I'm very pleased with that Belkin 7 port USB hub I linked to above. It works great so far, no issues, and leaves me with 2 more ports on it and 3 open on the laptop itself.

Comes with its own AC adapter and that is SO necessary for so many reasons. Your question about being powered USB ports is relevant, and here's why:

While USB 2.0 ports are powered, each single port has a very tiny amount of amperage it can handle on its own to power whatever device is plugged in. With several devices requiring juice, it becomes a problem fast with too much current drain on the port. So, having a properly powered USB hub is the solution, and this Belkin one I have does it just fine.

A lot of those "micro" USB hubs simply don't do that. While USB does mean you can daisy chain devices, you can't just keep tapping onto the current and expect everything to work without issues. Most of the time you'll get a warning of some kind from Windows when the USB port complains and says "Hey, you've got too much stuff plugged in and I can't handle the juice to power them all..." or words to that effect.

I got that 7-port hub on sale at CompUSA back in early October when it had a $20 rebate on it, maybe you'll get lucky if you keep your eyes out for rebates/discounts.

Hope this helps...

bb

 

Thank you, bb!
Since this whole 6931 purchase has been driven by your posts anyway, I decided to keep a good thing going and order the Belkin 7-port USB Hub. I researched it and found a great price ($20 shipped at buy.com with google checkout, coupla bucks more at walmart.com) yet there are a few things I could not determine.
1) Is the hub itself completely hot-swappable with the PC?
I know devices going INTO the hub are. Some customer reviewer said he had to reboot his laptop when re-plugging back into the hub after moving his laptop to another area. Yet I figure he's wrong, as there is NO WAY that you bb, with multiple laptops, has a hub like that.
2) How long is the cable from the hub to the laptop?
I ask cuz I want to put it near my printer and cluster of device stands for cell, camera, etc. Its 3 or 4 feet away from my workspace. Then I have just one wire across the desk!!!
Especially if I add a wireless mouse, which is my next question!
3) Which one has good range from a tiny dongle for travel?
(I think there's a micro-version of the MS reciever plug you earlier described as having). At home, it would sit about four feet away and have to transmit through desk clutter when its plugged into the Belkin. And for road use, I'd prefer not to have a 1/2 inch or more sticking out of the laptop, like the old wireless PC card modems.
4) Which features are good to have? There are lots on the wireless mice they are selling: laser, magnifiying, tilt, four-way scrolling, five-button, programmable. Which ones do you like?
As for price, Best Buy has a well-regarded featureless one on sale for $20, the MS 3000. It has a large L-shaped gongle, though. And for $10 or $20 more I can get several items from that list. Any recommendations?
Thanks again!

 

1) Of course it is. People that complain about such devices not working when they plug them back in actually have USB issues to begin with; the hub itself is a relatively passive device.

2) It's a 3 foot cable, more than enough for nearly anyone. If you need more, go get a 6 foot cable, but the longer the cable is, the more likely possible timing issues can creep into the situation, but it depends on the devices attached. That's a long story so I won't go into it here.

3) I use the Microsoft Wireless Notebook Optical Mouse 3000 as mentioned before. Works fine for all my purposes, and offers about 2-2.5 feet of range which is just fine for me. There are tons of wireless mice available, you just have to find one you like and go for it.

4) See 3 above. Picking a mouse is a highly personal thing and I can't just say "Oh this one is the best" because that kind of claim is meaningless on many levels. The one that Best Buy has on sale is the original Wireless Notebook Optical Mouse from Microsoft - that is NOT the one you want to buy, unfortunately. That 1st generation model had a lot of issues with battery life, range, tracking, etc. It also has the much larger USB transceiver also, in that "L" shape as shown in the picture on that Best Buy page. It's $20 for a reason, meaning it's 1st generation wireless mouse technology and they need to sell 'em off. So that's not the one to get, seriously.

That is NOT the one I have - I have owned that 1st generation Microsoft wireless notebook mouse in the past, so I'm well aware of the issues with it I just mentioned: shoddy range, battery life is pretty bad (less than a week most of the time), the USB transceiver is HUGE compared to the newest version of the same mouse, tracking issues where it simply loses the mouse sometimes even when it's in range, etc.

The correct version of this mouse is the one I linked to above directly from the Microsoft site, and for some reason Best Buy doesn't even have it listed on their website anymore. What they do have listed is the 4000 model of this mice, and it looks like this pic:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...CategoryId=pcmcat23200050024&id=1122652230276

My 3000 version is exactly the same but mine lacks the tiny nub button on the left side of the mouse. Sometimes I wish it did because that button works like Back by default, and it makes browsing much easier most of the time. It also has 4-way scrolling, meaning the mouse wheel 'tilts' from side to side to scroll left and right too, another handy feature once you get used to it. The price on the 4000 is also a bit higher: $49.95, compared to the $39.95 I paid for my 3000.

But, again, choosing a mouse is totally about you since it's so personal. The only suggestion I have is read reviews, talk to people, look around, go to the store, get a feel for the mouse in your hand; if they don't have one on display, ask a salesman to open one up as a demo model and let you try it out. If they say no, take your business elsewhere.

Hope this helps...

bb

 

I just ordered my MX6930!!!

It was a bit more money than I thought I would spend on a new computer, but I wanted one (this time) that wasn't run by a hamster scampering in a wheel!

 

Maybe you'll be one of the lucky ones that gets a T5500 Core 2 Duo in it instead of the "stock" T5200. When you get it, run CPU-Z on it and let us know, will you?

Thanks!!!

bb

 

Welcome Andy!
bb: Listening carefully to you on my hunt for truly wireless desk. I know mice choice is subjective, but here's a couple of things I learned:
The MS wireless optical mouse 4000 and 5000 are on sale for the same $22 (buy.com w/google checkout).
As you noted, it appears mini-receiver equipped 4000 is 3000 with a fourth button (programmable to backpage, magnify, etc)
5000 seems to be step up with 5 programmable buttons (and some optical upgrading). Even Vista compatible (though I assume all the MS mice are, this this one just advertises it.)
Only thing is, I suspect it uses a corded little round desktop reciever, not a usb thumb-type receiver. No photos or straight dope on any site, even MS's.
For me -- a wireless desk requires 3-4 feet range on mouse (to reach the Belkin hub away from working desk surface).
Which appears to indicate the 5000 with the remote reciever works for the situation, though I give up the tiny receiver for travel.
Is that your understanding?
Or I can pay $4 more and get the Logitech 5-button LX7 with a usb thumb reciever that has a longer range. Have you ever used one?
Thanks!

 

Now Best Buy has the MX6959 for $799(with printer). The MX6959 has the T5500, but only 100GB HD, not 120GB. They must have run out of the T5200???

 

naparks: That looks like a fantastic deal, if you like Epson printers. I can't stand 'em personally, and I'll always buy HP for printers, but that's just me. But the price on that is tough to beat. I don't see anything really different from the MX6930/6931 in the specifications either aside from the RAM and hard drive size.

Happy Camper: I honestly don't know what to tell you. The 5000 is a desktop mouse, but you already knew/know that since you're gunning for an entire "wireless desktop" as it is.

I know Microsoft has a package, the 6000 something or other, with the wireless keyboard and mouse together. I saw it at Fry's recently and thought it has a great look and feel to it, but it's still not something I'd buy for myself.

I can't offer much more advice since again, a mouse and even more specifically keyboards are highly personal choices. Find something you like for the best price you can find and don't look back.

Hope this helps...

bb

 

Thanks again bb. Got the Logitech Wireless Laptop Mouse LX7 for the xtra range and five-button array. (wireless desk plus mobility!)
Also, will Vista ReadyBoost work with SD Cards or just thumb drives?

Note on prices that others may find useful: There's a deal going on with "Google Checkout" and a bunch of retailers including Buy.com (which has all the accesories you new Gateway owners may want like memory & storage, mice, etc.)
Google takes off an extra $10 for orders over $30 ($20 for anything over $50) and buy.com is apparently pricing products so customers can take advantage of it.
Many things that were in the $25 - $39 range are now priced at $30.01 (like the Belkin 7-port Hub I just got). And since buy.com is a discounter that knocks off about $10 from suggested retail anyway (plus offers free shipping on many things), you can get $50 items for about $20 shipped!

I just spent a total of $44 for two rarely-discounted things that would have cost near $100 at the big retail chains, more anywhere else.
Worth checking out.

 

Yep, ReadyBoost works with SD/MM/MemoryStick/etc, whatever can fit into that 4n1 media reader on these laptops. It will test the memory device when it's 1st inserted and if it's ReadyBoost capable, it will list that as an option.

One other method is to open Explorer and right click on the media device you have in place; on the context menu choose Properties. On the dialogue box that appears, if the ReadyBoost tab is there, it's compatible. If not, then the device/memory card doesn't meet the requirements.

bb

 

I would have to think that the chipset's max memory speed makes the 6930 technically the better value. That limitation makes the differences between the T5200 and the T5500 negligible. So basically $200 gets you an extra gig of RAM and 40 GB on the hard drive. Now we know that 1GB of ram probably shouldn't be worth $200, but the configuration of the modules in the 6930 means you have to buy 2GB worth of memory to get it to 2GB. Lots of ways to look at it.
Regarding the restore DVD... I've done it twice now, and it seems that Gateway did indeed intend to have the DVD restore the notebook to its original state, but something goes haywire just as the machine is beginning to put all of the programs back on. Mine managed to put "BigFix" on only to do a restart, after which the restore process is complete.

 

That's interesting to know.

I know there seems to be a lot of data on the restore DVD provided by Gateway that appears to be compressed files, which is what led me to believe it's the full and complete image of the entire hard drive. If you remove all the partitions from the hard drive, leaving it absolutely totally clean, then boot off that restore DVD, it will take note of it being totally bare drive and offer the option to do the "full" restore including the recovery partition...

But it doesn't do that, at least not in the 6 times I've tried it. 40 mins is a long damned time to wait to restore an "image" - if they'd used Ghost or True Image they could start us over in like 8 minutes, sooo... I wish companies would stop using these stupid no-name backup/restore programs. Bleh.

I'll look into it some more and see if there's some switch or something specific to do to do an actual "full" factory restore to the dual partition setup you have when you open the box and turn it on.

Not that I'll need such a thing, but it should do that by default. A restore DVD is more than enough space to put a full backup on for a complete bit-for-bit factory restore.

Weird...

bb

 

I will consider myself one of the "lucky ones." I was delighted to find the T5500 in my MX6930.

 

Congrats...

To everyone that posted in this thread, good luck with your machines. I've decided to delete my account here since the heavy handed mods seem to think I'm not "nice" when it comes to teaching people things they need to know.

Catch me at 64bitrocks.com sometime once the site is functional, and have fun, always...

bb

 

Hey i followed the guide on how to intergrate a SATA controller driver to the windows XP recovery disc that gateway provided and its coming up with an INF error during the text install...just wondering i probably have the wrong drivers, can anyone tell me where to locate the drivers, i made a iso dvd with what i thought was the drivers, used the sub-folder DRVS on the disc, where are the right drivers haha, i want to clear my laptop up.

 

bb no you can't go! I just bought the mx6931 while I was in Vegas last week and I just got home (SLC, UT) and unboxed it! I wanted to ask you exactly how to make the recovery dvd you were taking about? Do I use "backup" ?????
I have been reading this forum for the past 10 days trying to decide on the Gateway 6931 or not and you all convinced me---now I need help learing what to to with it--lol. You are all great! Thanks tj

Oh btw I thought you were very "nice" and and extremely helpful!!!! tj

 

Just got here, but sorry to see you gone bb, but thx for all the advice you posted here. I bought Gateway's MX6930 computer that I was interested in and checked it out online (kinda stupidly after i'd already bought it but meh). Im not all that computer techie, but it did say it was a T5200 on the box but checking the control panel after bringing it home it says it in fact is the T5500 so I guess I lucked out.

I wasnt sure earlier, but after reading through this thread I decided to go with the in store three year coverage. It seems like a lot of money being almost 1/3 of the cost of the origional notebook, but there is a lot of things that can go wrong and I had the money so why not be safer with the insurance.

So yea I guess I just made this account to thank you for helping others and thereby me here. thx again even if you dont respond or dont see this! Good luck in the future on your site.

*Edit* Im just having a little problem getting the little scroller working on the touchpad. It just doesnt work. Not sure If i have to somehow program it or what.

 

I had the same problem out of the box when using firefox. I went here: http://www.synaptics.com/ and updated the touchpad driver and all is well now.

 

Just saw this deal at my local Best Buy for $799. Cost to upgrade to 2 GB would be an additional $258. It has a 100 GB HD, 15.4, etc., etc. Opinions!

 

Speedwagon, respectfully suggest you watch for the 6930 at BB for same $799 price with a 120gb HD and likely the superior T5500 processor. The sale keeps coming back. Better yet, get the 6931 when its $999 (usually with a free bag or a printer deal - [and take the $50 off a better printer than whatever they offer for 'free']).
My thinking on the 6931 is as follows: It has a 160gb HD -- AND already has 2gb RAM. So you save money since you want a $258 upgrade, and don't have to take chances with RAM upgrade. I've had problems in the past and swear my old Dell ran half as fast with twice the memory after a pricey "guaranteed" upgrade.
I returned my 6930 and paid the extra $$ for the 6931 for that reason.
With the 6959 offer and your 2gb upgrade, you'd be paying $1057 for 60gb HD less than just getting a 6931 for $999 at BB or CC. And you KNOW it works right or its returnable without restocking fee...
And I believe you will want the 2gb RAM. My 6931 goes over the 1.5gb usage mark regularly -- and Vista Premium isn't even in the mix yet...
Good hunting!

 

Thanks for the suggestion!

 

Scrag06, I have a similar problem with the scroll section of mytouchpad. There are times when the scrolling will continue on even after I've stopped scrolling. There seems to be a delayed response. It only happens on some webpages. I'm going to fiddle with my touchpad/scrolling settings

 

I got my touchpad scroller working on my new MX6930, but the problem has evolved so to speak.

The touchpad origionally didnt work at all, but later I went into control panel into device settings tab then into the settings. There under Virtual Scrolling where the horizontal and vertical scroll tabs are, the little boxes to be checked were fadded out so I couldnt check them off. Weirdly it started working then all of a sudden, but would go off and on once in a while and I would have to go in and hope i could recheck the scroll boxes (always after a reboot). So my bro noticed whenever it worked, the Synaptics logo appeared in the bottom left icons near the clock. So we somehow got the icon to appear there on the bootup. After that everything was fine. The mouse worked. The side, and bottom (yes theres a bottom scroller if you want - its just the very bottom of the pad) scrollers worked fine.

msaunders9430 - yea scroller is pretty touchy. One quick swipe and it just keep going. Just tap anywhere on the pad to stop it. It scrolls in little ticks, each tick being a line of text. if the text or whatever on your page is larger it will scoll even faster. One way to help is to set the auto line scroll down from three to one line per scroll in one of the other mouse settings. Other than that I'm not sure.

Anywho... so my mouse was working pretty much perfectly, but I saw the driver download BullittMan posted (Thx for that lol) which I figured might let it work without needing to keep the icon up. So I downloaded it from the Gateway website and updated the driver. After that the mouse seemed to work laggy, and the computer made an annoying little noise everytime the pad was touched. I couldnt stand more than five minutes of that in a quiet room and restored the system back to before I updated the install with Windows Restore. After the restore McAffee keeps giving me this error like its trying to scan but cant really start it or finish it and wants me to reinstall it. Which I'll probably do, but it makes me mad because I paid BB like $100cdn to install McAffee properly and get rid of the junk off the new computer in the first place.

 

Wasn't the link from BullittMan to the Synaptics site, not the Gateway site? It's possible the Gateway drivers are older than what was on the laptop. The Synaptic drivers may be new. Moot point now with your reinstall.

 

Well I can't find the 6930 in BB's website anymore. The 6931 is there, but at $999.99. However, the 6959 is also there and at $799.99 on a "2 day sale" from $999.99. It has the T5500, but only 1GB of memory and a 100GB HDD. It still seemed like a good deal nonetheless so I just bought it online for pickup at the store (so that I don't find a price change when I go to the store ).

So we'll see when I pick it up tomorrow...

 

I bought the MX6931 two weeks ago from BB, got the killer deal. This is a great laptop!

Does anyone know, taken it apart yet, is it possible to upgrade the ethernet to gigabit, and how about the wireless card? think it will swappable to an N card later on? Will there be a problem with attenae? My guess is not swappable.

 

Oh, one problem, the vertical scrolling will sometimes get stuck and the screen will take off scrolling for a short period of time. I have gone through the setup for the touchpad, checked and unchecked the option for whatever that option is called and it still does it. anyone else have this problem?

 

Yea different model but same problem. The Synaptics pads suck.

 

bbz_Ghost, I think there may be a posibility of adding bluetooth to the laptop. The MX6930/31/xx has the same motherboard as the NX570XL does. http://support.gateway.com/s/Mobile/Q106/Oasis/1014078Rnv.shtml and the NX570XL supports BT and a upgraded video card. I think I'll crack open my MX6960 and see what empty sockets are on the board sometime this weekend. Looks like the video is a chip, and there's no socket, so unless someone is really dareing, it's not a easy option. But the BT is still a possibility.

 

I'd like to know what you find. I have a MX6960 myself.

 

bbz_Ghost, what was the part noumber of the memory you added? got this laptop a month ago, just want to run vista home premium easily

 

Looks like there might be a connector for the BT module under the wrist area on the front of the right side. There's a small white connector there and looks like the one for most the internal BT cables. Does anyone know where the BT is on the NX570XL? I've been searching around but cant find any info yet.... Anyone know of instructions to take it apart the laptop? I got it partly off, but ran into resistance and did'nt want to break anything.

 

You should be able to use this http://shop3.outpost.com/product/5001625

I just bought 2 of these a few weeks ago http://shop3.outpost.com/product/5045745

 

I ordered the 32 bit version of Vista, is there anything i'm missing out on?