The official P-7811FX lounge

how about using system restore ?
thats exactly what its for

 

Blasphemy right? I mean...I think that resolution is just wicked. But I also think it is putting quite a bit of stress on the 9800m gt when running the latest graphic monsters.

I do not like drifting away from native resolution, but sometimes I think I would prefer the extra frames gained when doing so.

Anybody have any tips on how to deal with this? Is there a way to perhaps keep the screen from scaling and to use black bars or something? I may be thinking too much into this, but I'm still within my 14 days, so naturally.

 

Why would there be black bars? Use 1440x900 or 1680x1050 if your playing a game that is graphics intensive.

 

It's not the 9800m GT, it's the 9800m GTS.

 

Because I do not like the look of a scaled LCD image, its very noticeable to me once compared to native resolution.

 

pfffss ive been playing on lowe res than the native all my life... dont notice anything different... i think that is really really overrated... thats my opinion anyway

 

I swear I must be the complete opposite of color blind...because my eyes pick up on the color difference real fast.

I swear...once I discovered that digital vibrance stuff...it was almost orgasmic for the peepers.

 

well... it must be the same for me as the blind ppl... u really dont miss stuff u never had.. since ive played on lower res alllll my life.. i dont notice anithing

 

I'm wondering if it's the internet-because whenever it's crashed I was usually trying to download something.

I did give my laptop a bit of a slap one time in the network-cardial region...

I might see about turning the networking off and that could at least give me a little time to do a system restore or something like that.

I do remember now that I installed Blue Shift: Unlocked and the special High Def pack for Half-Life maybe this morning, perhaps last night-I can't quite remember. I don't see how that could be causing my laptop to act this way, though...

 

Not sure if it was here or elsewhere..but I heard about the WIFI being an issue.. that if left connected for extended periods it would BSOD the rig. Sorry if this is something you already looked into.

 

Oh, it's not BSOD now, it's freakin' gone-I can't use it anymore without the thing flippin' out on me-I have no idea how to fix it, if it's some kind of driver issue well I can't download a new driver because I can't connect to the internet-of course I could download it on my desktop and put it on a flash drive or some such thing I guess-but really what's the point-I only spent $100 freakin' bucks on a wireless networking device, and a bunch of money to create the ultimate gaming set up when I can't access any of my Steam games.

Yes, I think the only solution now is just to sue everyone, everyone who had any hand in causing this situation to happen.

I could send this off to Geek Squad, but that would cost money which I won't have until freakin' next friday-and my parents may or may not fork me a loan in the meantime, especially when they're convinced it's the reason I've been two to three minutes late for work this past week-I think it also has to do with the fact that I need to get there two hours earlier than I've gotten used to over the summer. Sorry for getting off-track again I'm just angry and frustrated as all get-out and I want a solution NOW.

I used System Restore and the problem's still there, in fact it's practically worse if anything. I'd exchange for another laptop or completely reformat but I've got some much stuff on the hard drives I'd have to go through an extensive backing-up process or something first which could end up being a waste of DVD-Rs if there ends up being a simple solution to the whole thing.

As far as the BSODs, it's not the time so much as the strain I think, and it's also somewhat random. But I've left the thing on overnight with a moderate number of downloads running and it's never BSOD'd over night-so I think it's okay to keep it connected, you just need to watch out and maybe make sure you're not downloading too much stuff at once.

Update: I'm both relieved and even more concerned now to learn it's an issue both online and offline, I tried to launch Windows Media Player Classic and it caused the same issue. So I either didn't restore far back enough, which seems unlikely as I didn't really have much trouble until around maybe 9am this morning, it's influenced by something that System Restore couldn't delete, or that it is in fact a hardware issue and I'll need to return the unit-although if it has nothing to do with the hard drives it would be nice if they'd switch them over for me, preferably free of charge because of the "inconvenience". Yeah, fat chance of that happening...

How the hell do I run this memtest I keep hearing about? I went to the boot menu and there was nothing I could see like that in there.

 

Go to BB and exchange it for a working one. You'll have to demonstrate the problem in front of a Geek Squad person and present your receipt. That's it.

 

I'm not bashing Gateway. But do we need a score card? How many people are on their FIRST 7811FX, SECOND, THIRD?

It's probably not truly as many as it feels when reading around the forum. Sometimes we read the same guy with the same problem over and over on several threads ... no offense meant to any individual ... problems are frustrating and it's reasonable to post while trying to fix things.

Do the experienced members feel the failure rates are about average for other Gateway releases?

 

Yeah, but what about the hard drives? I have Microsoft Office, Nero 8, and Photoshop CS3 all installed on the main hard drive-and I'm not sure exactly what I'd have to do in reinstalling them on a new one-especially since there's a pretty stringent activation process and everything...

Update: I used Safe Mode and the media player opened fine-which may mean it has something to do with something that is not loaded in Safe Mode, maybe it IS a software issue, which would be good-that is, if anyone here had any clue what the exact issue would be.

 

I'm on #2..first one BSOD several times and I returned 2nd day.. this one was very stable until last night. I left it on the internet to upload a 700mb file to server, and woke up this morning to a BSOD recovery Vista report. I've had it one week today. I'm looking to get rid of it anyhow and gonna go high-line, but it is disheartening(real word?) to see so many similar problems in the first 2 weeks of release. I have a feeling it is a problem with the power supply, gpu, or RAM. Im gonna drop in my other 4gb of ram just to check for any further issues. If anyone finds out what ACPI zones tzs0 and tzs1 are..then please let me know. They're monitored for temp by HWMonitor, and normally are consistent within a couple degrees of CPU temps. However, when I OC the video card and undervolt the CPU, tzs1 tends to get *extremely* hot..98c. It won't affect the computer while the CPU is undervolted, but if I just OC the GPU and no undervolt then it will reset computer. This may be a faulty system for everyone that stresses the computer for extended periods. If anyone else if having BSOD, please download HWMonitor and log your temps to see if there is any corolation(Sp?)

Oh, and this is my first Gateway.. but looks as tho may be my last. Great computer if you dont mind crappy phone and web support. This thing has been out almost a month and there are still *no* drivers available. The rep said they should be out Sept 10th-14th, but uhh.. what about the people having issues now? Thanks Acer, go back overseas. If I wanted a crap acer, I would have spent $700. No offense *pats laptop*- please don't blue screen me

 

I've done a clean boot and same problems, it seems problems are only absent from safe mode, and that's not exactly the best mode to be in all the time.

I still wonder to some extent if it IS a software issue, because that would mean if I carry over the hard drives it may carry over the issues...

Plus there's still the issue of whether or not BB would transfer over the hard drives free of charge-I still haven't managed to remove the main hard drive myself...

 

It takes less than one minute with phillips head screw driver. look on bottom side of your comp, the panel closest to you has 4 screws..loosen, remove cover, slide out hard drive using black plastic tab that's tucked under the HD cover. Done. Im sure the BB people would let you install that HD in the second bay(same place, empty slot) of the new computer, then just boot to windows and transfer files to new computer. If not, they're @$$holes and ya should go down the street to your other BB

Oh, and safe mode allows you to boot using the least resources, and the necessary drivers only.. which is why you wont experience issues.

 

Syn, you are, unfortunately, correct. There has just been one problem right after the other with the 7811FX launch and it's getting a bit on the ridiculous side. I had absolutely ZERO issues with my 6860 when I bought it and most who bought the previous gens(6831, 6860, etc) had little to no issues either. I'm thinking GW may have dropped the ball on this one. Which sucks, because I was starting to recommend the 7811 to all my friends and now, who knows if they'll get a bum unit or not. Hopefully somebody higher-up sees all the trouble and does something quickly. Otherwise I see this supposed "God-send" going down hill qith a quickness.

 

Oh..easy solve, sorry i didnt think of it before. Run vista, hit start button and type in without quotations "compmgmt.msc"
then in left window go to storage, disk management. select your primary HD and right click it..then shrink volume. select new size, leaving enough room to creat new backup partition. then in the newly created empty space format a new ntfs partition, you may have to create or resize that half of the HD. Then you have 2 partitions, send your important crap to second half(d: or e: whatever you created) then use your restore disk to reinstall all drivers and windows without formatting or deleting(merge?) on original c: drive. This is the short explanation, if you follow it you will figure it out.

Or hell, just do the last part anyhow..it shouldnt affect your currently installed programs.

 

Upcoming sale almost had me. Now I'm spooked. Give up $200 savings until things settle out OR risk $1250 for a pig in a poke?

 

I think you should go for it, especially at that sale price. There are lots of people running with 0 problems too, and worst comes to worst, you trade it in for a new one after a day or two.

 

Well the Pig In A Poke sent the Griswolds to Europe, so you never can tell.

On a serious note, there's still plenty who've had no issues with their machines whatsoever. You generally tend to hear many more complaints than you do kudos. I'd say it's still worth a try. But it, of course, isn't my money.

 

Oh, I know how to take off the cover, I just don't know how the hell to remove the first hard drive. I might go with the parition advice though or something and reformat.

 

I live 75 miles from BB. If I return it 4 times ... 75 x 2 x 4 = 600 miles. @15 miles per gallon if tail wind (3/4 ton pickup) = 40 gals. x $3.50 (if lucky) = $150
So I still have $50 for Heath Ledger's masseuse to remove "bubbles" from the screen.

Maybe I'll go for it. How long do these sales last?

 

or you could just pull real gently on the sides of the hard drive cage.

 

Not denying there are some shakedown issues out there, but two things merit consideration. one this is one of the premier forums for the 7811 so any issues will be quickly spotlighted, then the banter flies, and two, people usually write in to discuss their frustrations, oops I didnt know I needed that file, and prepurchase doubts and questions - not many write in to say how perfect their new life is with their 7811.

Going on record to say my current unit (first replacement) is nothing but miles of smiles.

 

You know... People who most likely have problems with the 7811 FX would use Google and try to find if there are other people out there with the same problems. Usually, this thread or the site would be in the top 5 links, which leads to a high concentration of people having issues with the laptops posting their negative experiences with the laptop.

A loud minority =/= Stability and performance of 7811 FX.

 

I really notice going to non-native resolutions on LCD's as well. Some look close to perfect while most just look blurry around the edges. I've noticed this with every LCD I've ever used, which is quite a few...

 

Yeah but with 1920x1200 you have to determine what you hate more. A "slight" blur around the edges or choppy game play if you aren't getting enough FPS

I would probably play at 1680 x 1050 and increase my FPS... of course i enjoy my 1440x900 for gaming. I just wish i had 1920x1200 for everything else, i would love to be able to look at side by side docs and what not

 

On a completely off topic side note: BestBuy has removed the Toshiba x305-q701 from their website..entirely. Not sure why, but I can assume the 7811FX had something to do with it.

 

Those who have been waiting for this thing to go on sale, the wait may be over-although I'm not entirely sure if it's this model I'm seeing in the ad it looks a lot like it. You can also get a free PC game with it-if I end up returning my laptop I wonder if I'd get discounted on the replacement and get that free game out of it.

 

Run the game Windowed instead of full screen: as far as the game and vid card are concerned that will be native resolution, whatever you pick, no?

 

yup...its already been confirmed that the 7811 fx is going on sale for 1249 starting sunday.

 

Sales Circular dot com says it's so.
http://www.salescircular.com/mn/computer/laptpp.shtml

 

^ Topic states all.. this is the first Laptop I've ever owned but when my disk drive is all the way out.. it sure is flimsy. Feels like I'm going to break it. =X

 

exactly, people come to this forum for 90% for help, we see the worst of the worst and the horror stories, etc. I bet this counts for about 5% of people that own this laptop maybe.

 

kudos to that narsnail! 5% is good enough for me. hopefully this is really the case.

 

I think the 1920 res is not a good thing for gaming on a laptop and a 17" LCD in particular.

How many 17" LCD is even about 1280x1024.

I understand the hi-res is mostly to stay competitive with other notebook makers offering this res. It will hurt gaming performance overall and even older games will look bad because some games are limited to lower resolutions.

Try playing Starcraft or Warcraft III for instance.

I would much prefer they offered the 1440x900 LED screen than 1920x1200 LCD.

 

I mentioned that in my first impressions thread.
You have just have to support it with one hand while you're pushing the DVD onto the spindle. For me it's second nature at this point.

 

I think it's great for graphic design work..... I don't use it on that res normally though. Just for graphic work

 

1920 x 1200 isn't really about being competitive... its a REALLY goo resolution for a screen. I very much prefer it when working as i can scan multiple documents and have them readable or have more than one full sized application open due to all of the spare real estate.

I just prefer 1440x900 for gaming as it puts alot less stress on the GPU (thus higher frame rate) and as you generally cant change text size in games 1920x1200 is almost unreadable in some games.

If anyone with a 7811 wants to trade screens though i would be more than happy to swap my 1440x900 for the 1920x1200. I dont mind slight blurring in non-native resolution

 

Not disputing the facts that 1920 res is useful for other applications. The FX is mainly advertised as a gaming notebook, many other competitors are sporting 1920res such as the XPS and Sagers. A real hardcore gamer would rather sacrifice lower res to gain maximimum framerate and performance.

I have a nice 30" LCD to do 1920x1200 and I don't have to squint my eyes looking at it compared to the 17" LCD here.

Ideally I think a 17" LCD should not have a 1920res LCD for gaming, lowering the res is ugly.

 

Yeah, as you explained, it's the "two-handed" technique.

 

Well, I bought mine on 8/17 - exactly two weeks ago, still on the 14-day return period. I'll be taking the receipt in tomorrow and asking for the $200 off. I've done this before at BB, but never on a laptop.

Link to BB's Price Matching policy.

 

I bought a new P=7811FX and it is a solid performer. However, their is no option for raid and when I put the second hard drive there still is no option for raid. It does recognize the second hard drive but no raid only ACHI and IDE options in the BIOS. Gateway support is absolutely horrible. They refer you to a pay as you go third party for this question. They don't have a clue what's going on. If anyone know how, I'm really interested.

 

there is a thread about the no raid in the 7811fx.
search it

 

Yep, been talked to death ... No RAID ATM.

 

I bought one today, it was the last one at the closest bestbuy near my house.
It came out to 1560 but I was told to return on Sunday and receive $200 dollars back, i'm gonna try and see if they will include the free game as well.

I have yet to install any games as I was removing bloatware (did not want to wipe the system "yet") and setting up certain apps I use.

Keyboard takes some getting used to, mainly the fn/crtl (left side) area is where i'm getting but for some reason I can't middle click on anything like my XPS.

 

the fact about screen is contrast ratio is more important than pure resolution,
a screen with 600: 1 contrast ratio 1440x900 res definately provides better pix quality than 1920x1200 but 300:1 contrast. same applies to cameras.

btw, how do u overclock pcs, both desktop & laptop, do u need to change motherboard, reset bios, how to control heat related problems?

 

I bought mine on the 17th too, how do I go about getting this refund? I bought it online if that helps. Thanks.