The Golden Guide to be followed while Buying the Gateway P 7811 FX...

I have started this thread because i need to know what all i need to check before getting this notebook And i know there are many more out there who are confused about what to check while getting this Amazing Notebook......

I saw some form Luscious but i thought it would help users if there was a separate thread regarding this...

I would Like E-Wrecked or Luscious any other member to post the Golden Guide regarding the things to be checked before getting this notebook...

 

make sure the s/n starts with 2888 not 2887

 

And have it opened up at Best Buy before walking out the door and run the LCD test (was posted somewhere in this forum) to check for stuck pixels as well Furmark to see if the GPU gets too hot and locks up the computer.

 

Just ran FurMark on my P-7811FX for about 300 seconds at 1440x900. Man, that thing was spewing forth some mighty hot air out of the heatsync area but it didn't lock up.

Is that good?

 

I let mine run for 6000 seconds as well as had HWMonitor run in the background to see the temps.

 

I think everyone should start a thread about the do's/dont's of buying this notebook. In fact I think it should be the first thing that everyone does when they join the community.

 

dont be an idiot like 99% of the people in this forum.

do make sure to check for any defects

 

why that? i have a great 7811fx without any errors and its sn starts with 2887.

 

For the new BIOS I think, but E-wrecked's post makes it brain-dead simple to update anyway.

 

Me too. My AC cord has a twist in it, what should I do? Should I take it back to Best Buy?

 

When I bought my P-7811FX notebook I made sure that the box was unopened and the box had no dents in it of any kind.

 

Do: Carry an umbrella if you purchase it and it's raining.

Don't: Drop it in a puddle on the way to your car.

I agree with everyone else on these threads.. Have Best Buy open it on the spot and have the Geek Squad check it out. Make sure to test screen, heck..if they let you..carry a CD with Furmark, and maybe your own personal choice programs to test on the spot(not sure if they will allow, but hell.. you ARE planning to buy it..) Just let them know you've heard of a few common, but minor issues and you'd like to make sure yours is perfect. Don't let them sucker you into the Geek Squad optimization charges though..

 

need good info too. i'm on the verge of buying in a couple of weeks. just waiting for maybe a refresh model from gateway or another company.
went to BB and they obviously hadn't heard of any problems with the lappy. the problem is, i live in a fairly hick town and i doubt these lappy's are flying off the shelves here so i might get stuck with the older model.
if i get the 2887 model, then what, just exchange right there and then, i have to give them a reason. i tried to ask the BB employee about the newer models with raid enabled and his mouth was just open the whole time.

 

Mix a nice light green salad on the keyboard while running Prime95. A cream dressing like ranch is good because it's easy to see between the keys. Mop up with some freshy crusty bread. If your computer overheats, check to be sure you have the latest bios.

Also, look at the screen from different angles to check for "ghosting," or white patches that may not be visible when seen straight on.

 

I'm writing this message with my new bought 7811-FX.... It's a great notebook, I love it... But I have one problem.. My scroll part on the tochpad doesn't work anymore. What can I do to fix this? And are there any other progs that I should install to get a better performance? I did nothing, i just installed Office 200 and 2007.

Another question: what are you running on your one x64 or 32? My one is working with 64 what are the benefits I get? Or is it better to change to 32?

Thx a lot

Liricas

 

In my opinion, 64-bit runs smoother and more reliable than 32-bit. For one, 64-bit dropped a lot of the legacy crap that we've all be dragging behind us for the last fifteen years. Why do I still need 16-bit crap? You don't.

Plus, not only that but drivers need to be signed to operate under 64-bit meaning that they tend to be tested more so than the 32-bit since in order to be signed, Microsoft needs to give you their "blessing".

Second, most malware doesn't infect 64-bit machines.

Some people claim that there are application compatibility issues on 64-bit machines. I for one haven't run into any. Maybe I'm not the one to ask but in my opinion I say to stay with 64-bit.

 

Can anyone help me with the Touchpad? Its pretty ****ty to surf without it.....

ths

LA

 

I prefer 64bit..just cause it would seem a 64bit processor should run 64bit processes. Supposedly it's a bit faster, and no questions asked it does utilize all 4GB of the ddr3 RAM. Rather than 32bit just sending one of your gigs to a swap file, or re-allocating it elsewhere where it doesn't benefit ya. The driver signing does bother me sometimes, especially with upgrading the video drivers..I can't post my 3dmark scores publicly. Hmm.. Wow, I hadn't thought about that til this very second..and it's like a freight train just hit me. I can post 3dmark's public with 32bit Vista.. found something to do with my extra HDD!

 

Have you gone into control panel, and tried the Mouse settings? Check your different tabs, and look into the "Scroll" or "Touchpad" options.. Im not on mine right now, otherwise I'd be of more assistance.

 

Montevina just came out. No refresh at this price.

For double there should be a quad core version. 174xl????

If you have $2500-3000 wait a few weeks. If not buy the 7811fx and revel in it's value.

 

For the fella having issues with his touchpad, try re-installing the drivers. You can also try the link in my sig. Works like a charm for those times you want to use a regular mouse and don't want to have to worry about disabling/enabling the touchpad

 

what i would like is maybe a 9800m gt and a more solid build quality. with all the overheating issues going on. i could spare a few hundred bucks for that. although the 7811 does look quite solid seen in person.
and i know its not just nvidia cards causing the issues. in another thread i had pointed out that i used a mt6821 with a c2d 1.6 and integrated graphics, and that thing heated up quite a bit. although it is owned by an average joe shmoe, meaning using it on the lap, on the sofa (leather, no cloth) and shutting the lid when not using. still, it heats up almost as much as my current lappie in sig., after an hour of gaming. and the palm rests get hot too, which doesn't happen on my current notebook.
so i'm thinking poor design on all current gen. gateway notebooks.

 

The build quality in my opinion is good. I would say it's more of a design issue of the bottom of the notebook seeing as some have reported that the bottom of the laptop is different from the original and allows the GPU more air, therefore, less lock ups. On normal use, my laptop runs fine. When I play games, I just use my notebook stand to raise the back of the notebook up and I'm good

 

hey guys!

i reinstalled the drivers for my touchpad, then it worked until now..... there was a box which said that windows has a problem with it and will close it....

what can i do?

thx liricas

 

Well What test is there for Dead Pixels???

And thanks for all the suggestions

 

Do a google search for Dead Pixel Buddy and throw it on a thumb drive. Best Dead Pixel tool i've ever used and it's a portable.

 

UDPixel works, too.

 

mine s/n starts with 2886... is that bad?

 

I've noticed this as well in some applications and even from web page to web page. I've also noticed that it is sensitive to where you place your finger. I get best results by making sure that the pad of my fingertip covers the entire width between the orange line on the touchpad and the right edge.

 

Are you sure it's P2886?

P2887 was the original released version and recently P2888 was a newly improved version (manufactured after 8/25/2008 I believe) with better cooling. But if it works then don't worry about it.

 

yes siiir, its on the bottom... a white sticker s/n P2886 010 ***** and yeah its strangely working fine again (no more "screen going off for 1-3sec and coming back problems").