Msi Ms-1221

Any more info/reviews of this model available, namely any heat or noise issues?

 

This model is now available in the original silver/black. and now pink, blue, and green..............

 

I can't find the white one, though


Noclue4uhere
Can you verify that the Ms-1222 supports up to 4GB of ram? The manual for the Ms-1222/PR210 says that it can take 4GB of ram, but all of the MSI websites and retailers list 2GB max.

Under the list of bios updates, there is an update for the MS-1221/PR200 that supports 4GB. The MS-1222 has no such update.

 

There is no white, only:
grey/black, pink, blue, and green. the 1222 does support 4GB of memory.

 

I recently purchased the MSI 1221. I got an Intel Core 2 Duo 7500, Intel 3945 wireless card, 120 gb hard drive and 2 gb of ram for it. It is all working well and I am very, very satisfied. The one issue I am having is the built in camera. I installed Win XP SP2, and I can't find drivers for the camera.

Anyone know where I can get drivers for the built in camera?

 

same vista drivers are working for me also in xp sp2 (32bit),

Bison_Camera_Vista32_NB.zip

 

I was gonna buy one of these, but I just discovered that it doesn't even have a firewire port. How does a company include an HDMI port but no firewire??

 

Just ordered one, in wasabi green. Ugly, but the cheapest option here in NL. Plan to use it for 720p/1080 playback. Hope this works.

 

Does anyone know if and how I can get the digital audio from this laptop to my home cinema set? I can connect the TV through HDMI, but the tv does not have a digital out to my home cinema... I hope the pr200 does have a separate digital audi out... Otherwise I probably have to but a pcexpress audio card?

 

Connect the HDMI to your home theatre first, or on some models the audio out jack is digital out also.


Click on the audio manager in the tray by the clock, when it opens it will tell you if you have available S/PDIF (digital output) available at the audio jack.

 

Thanx, this put me in the right direction! The digital output is there is the audio manager, but is only enabled when there really is a connector in the headphone connector. I first tried an electrical one (coax), but no luck, allthough I could enable the digital out. Then, when I removed the plug, I saw a small red light, and concluded it must be an optical out. Ordered this connector, which I will try this weekend!

 

That is the exact connector you need, but make sure it comes with the optical cable or it will be useless. All the optical cables i have purchased have come with these aux ends.

 

Allready had a optical cable lying around, that's why a got an adaptor. Works like a charm thanx again.

 

Ok, I'm looking at upgrading the cpu (merom, i it really a s478?) and memory. Anybody done this? Any tips how to go about? Reason is cpu's are getting affordable, and memory is incredibly cheap, and my t5250 is not capable of playing back hd 1080 content with media player classic. 720p is no problem.
/Edit: saw that memory upgrade is not possible, since 2 GB is the max....

 

4GB is the max on this model and not 2. This uses socket "P". You can use T7100, T7250, T7300, T7500, T7700, Or T7800 processors in this model.............

 

Are you sure about the 4GB? On the msi-page ( http://global.msi.com.tw/index.php?...1208&maincat_no=135&cat2_no=270&cat3_no=#menu) it states System Memory
512MB/1GB (DDR2 533/667) , Max:2 GB. Manual states the same...

How can I get to the cpu?

/Edit, what the heck..
Had to destroy the 2 ‘Warranty sticker void if tampered’ (they cover screws) but opened it up. Took 5 screws to remove, slide up 0,5cm and lift the cover. Pics for those who are interested:
http://miloman.nl/pr200/pr200-ins1.jpg
http://miloman.nl/pr200/pr200-ins2.jpg
http://miloman.nl/pr200/pr200-ins3.jpg
http://miloman.nl/pr200/pr200-ins4.jpg
http://miloman.nl/pr200/pr200-ins5.jpg
Heatsink and cpu seem not too hard to remove, held by a few (4) screws. Big screw above the socket is the one to release the cpu I guess.
Bottom right is the DVD, bottom left is the 2nd mini pci slot. This is the slot that could hold the intel turbo memory. I think I’ll give it a go as it is not to expensive here in Holland.
The grey wire is the antenna lead for an optional DVB-receiver as far as I can tell. The agere modem is covered with a white ‘made in China’ sticker.
Battery is the blue thing, wrapped in plastic hanging loose.
Take care!

/Edit2: last question: at the back, bottom there is a small cover. Any ideas what could be put in here? Looks like there are 8 electrical contacts:
http://miloman.nl/pr200/pr200-klepje.jpg

 

Positive about the 4GB (you may have to reflash the bios to support 4gb), that small door may be for some type of IR device. Not sure.

 

I want to take some parts I have, the T5600 chip, a 250 SATA HD, 2 * 1gb DDR2 mem chips, so basically the makings decent laptop. But every unit I see is 800mhz, and states they are compatible with the T7*** series.

Can someone recommend a good unit that will take this mem, chip and HD, and a site that has it in stock. Prefer, 12 inch or 13.3, and 14 if it a a really nice barebone. I'd like to keep cost of the barebone around $700. Please point me in the right direction, as I'd like to turn the m1210 over to the wife and get working on my new lappy right after the New Year .

 

My pr200 has a T5250, so a 666 Mhz fsb. Bios version 1.30.

 

Digging in a bit deeper in as to which processor it will hve to be, I found out there are FCBGA and FCPGA (micro) versions of the T7... procs. I presume I have to get an FC PGA version. Can anybod confirm this?

 

That small door is for simcard. In april/may during a preview on some chinese site it was shown to have 3G/UMTS capability also. not sure if they are selling in any region with 3G card.

 

Got a problem,

I just got a WM3945ABG card and it only has 2 connectors. 1 is aux and the other is n-u or something. So would anyone know which wires to use or not to use? does it even mater?

Thanks for the time

 

The 1221 notebook antennas are tagged 1, 2, 3.

for the 3945 card; 1 goes to main, 2 goes to aux, and 3 is not used.

 

anyone has the disassembly guide for this laptop(ms-1221/PR200) , i started having problems with the display which dims/increases the brightness particularly when i move the screen lid, so i think the problem is related to cable or the LCD connectors but dont know if on motherboard or near LCD,

any suggestions ? thx

 

Today completed the upgrade of my pr200 YA-edition (T5250, 2GB). Now running a T7700 and 4GB of memory (shows 'only' 3063MB because of Vista 32bit). Changed the 5400 rpm WD drive by 7200 rmp 16MB buffer Hitachi 7K200 drive of the same size (160GB). Cooling is no problem the cooler can handle this cpu (temp go as high as 80 celcius under stresstest).
Pic of the T7700 and cooler construction: http://miloman.nl/pr200/pr200-ins6.jpg
Noclue4uhere thanks for the help on the 4GB: strange that MSI doesn't bother to update the max on their site.... Or might this be due to the vista 32bits limitations.

 

Can anyone help me put this thing together? This is my first barebone laptop and I can't even get the thing to turn on. The power button lights up for a second and then nothing. The fan doesn't turn on nor does the display. I have all the components hooked up, but I don't believe the CPU is in correctly. Is the screw lock supposed to be opened or closed when installed? I had it fully opened when I put the CPU in and then tightened it slightly to secure it in the socket. However now it just sits in the middle much closer to open. Is this correct?

I will post pics if necessary. I just don't want to break anything if I haven't already. The notebook came with no instructions on this, I was surprised.

EDIT: Nevermind, I got it going. I finally grew some nuts and just turned it all the way to closed. Thanks everyone, and thank you for the assembly picture miloman.

 

hey SlyMaelstrom,
what is your cpu?

I'm planning to get this laptop on Monday, does anyone know what other cpu's are supported? besides T7xxx and pen dual core T2330 1.6ghz,T2310 1.4ghz??
I think it'll shipped w/ bios 3.33 (for winXP).

My last resort would be T2330 1.6ghz, but i'm really looking forward to a core2duo, preferrably a 1.66-1.7 ghz.........my current laptop w/ duo core t2050 1.6ghz is MORE than enough for my use...but I noticed that a dell inspiron 1520 w/ a 1.66 is "snappy" at bestbuy.

Does anyone know if the 1221 supports the following:
Core 2 Duo T5250 1500 2048 667
Core 2 Duo T5450 1667 2048 667
Core 2 Duo T5270 1400 2048 800
Core 2 Duo T5470 1600 2048 800

Thanks

ps the laptop will be used exclusively for web browsing and playing w/ diff distros and connecting to my hdtv (that's why i'm choosing this over the s37e 13.3").

one more thing, i'm keeping this at approx. $830ish (very doable)...beyond that a T61 14.1 for another 100 is way better deal, esp. w/ 20% off coupon

 

miloman,

w/ your previous T5250, how's the fan noise? does the fan stay on all the time? In a quite room, can you hear the fan noise at light-mid load?

Thanks...I'm planning to the T5250 or slightly higher...r u going to ebay it?
and does the new bios, in your case, 1.33 support your old t5250? (assuming your already upgraded from 1.30 to 1.33).

 

I think it makes a little more noise now with the T7700 than with the T5250. T7700 Cores are now 42/48 celcius, and the fan is running at a medium speed. Can remember the exact noise with the T5250, sorry... Might also be that I have to re-apply the artic silver 5. I used maybe a bit to much, but I wasn't sure wether the heak sink is exactly parralel to the surfuce of the proc so I used a little bit more than with a desktop proc.

The proc is for sale now here in Holland, asking 70 euro's. Dont have a clue if that's a fair price. Mail me if interessted!

 

I Ebay'd my T7500 and got it for only $185 with shipping. That's over $50 under the retail price, so Ebay seems to be the way to go with processors if you're patient.

 

"I think it makes a little more noise now with the T7700 than with the T5250. T7700 Cores are now 42/48 celcius, and the fan is running at a medium speed."

...so I think T7100 would be the sweet spot for me, could get it for appox. $90ish from ebay...not in a hurry to get it though.

So from what you said, I'll just assume that the fan runs all the time...that's a concern since I wanted this laptop to be virtually silent. For example, my current HP dv2700t w/ x2 tl-62 2.1ghz the fan never ever shuts down, and in a quite room, it gets very annoying considering my 3rd laptop, a 5yr old compaq presario 2500 w/ 2.8 ghz P4 knows how to shut down the fan once in a while (yeah, it's old, but I'm using it as my workhorse downloader)

 

or Core 2 Duo T5450 1.66ghz but lower bus speed

 

or a pen dual core 1.6ghz...

 

after searching for about 3 days, and deciding betwn s37e and msi1221, I decided that hdmi option was better than the s37e's shiny white exterior.

I got a pretty good deals from thenerds:

$589.37+2.99ship(this wkend only)+3.99rush -10discount(FEB10)+no tax = $586.35

well, thanks for the info on fan noise.

ps there's one at 566 but the tax and shipping kills it.

 

Prices over there make us very yealous here in the EU.... I paid 900 euro (about USD 1300) for my YA-edition (T5250). When shipping from the US to the EU our customs will add a lot of charges unfortunately. I really don't understand why the difference should be this big...

 

well it's a barebone: missing cpu, wifi, and hdd

(already got a spare hdd, ordered a pro wireless abg for $22.44)

so in that respect, you probably got a good deal w/ your ya edition.

 

got mine today

everything looks good, solid all around, except for the dvdrw area where the plastic gives a little bit, it's expected, though.

the silver paint looks good and durable, and a little nice touch is the strip of mash aluminum where the power button and other buttons are located.

well, the only nitpick is the advertised height measurement:
.63-.1.16"; actual: .8-1.25" not measuring the "legs"

so far so good, my cpu should arrive tomorrow.

 

one more thing, the laptop is heavy w/ the 8 cell, heavy enough that you could fully open the lid w/ one hand.

*it "feels" heavy compared to my current HP dv2000 14.1" 5.29lbs...MSI 12.1" is approx. 4.5lbs....could be that the weight is too concentrated at the back half of the notebook.

 

Finally got my cpu, 1.66 c2d.

Just WOW, this laptop run cool....it's been on for 6 straight hrs. now (this is from winXP SP1 install to SP2, to drivers, utilities, config., etc). and the bottom is barely warm, the palm rest is still cool.

Two negatives: the fan is at constant-on, the good is it's barely audible
the bezel is a bit big, seems like it could accom. a 13.3".

oh well, I'm happy with it, alot lighter than my 5.3lbs HP dv2718us 14.1"

 

also, contrary to pop. belief,
MS didn't give me a hassle by installing a previously installed WinXP SP1 from my 2003 laptop....just install winxp, validate online fail-->call MS-->MS give code to change product key--->total time: 5min.

 

Help, anyone knows how to update the bios for a barebone?
Current ver. is 2.xxxx, and LiveUpdate3 doesn't seem to download the updated ver. 3.33.
I don't have a floppy drive, and the downloaded a1221IMS.333 doesn't have something like setup.exe, etc.....

 

You need to boot dos from a cd/dvd or usb-stick.... Try google, this is not as simple as it looks if you don't have ms-dos anymore...
Looks like a strange version though: MSI website shows only version 1.33 for Vista and 3.33 for XP.

 

There are 3 files in the zip, a1221IMS.333, flash.bat, AFU408_D.EXE.

You need to create either a bootable floppy or a cd. boot from either and then run "flash.bat" at the prompt.

If you do not have an external floppy go here and it explains how to create a bootable bios flash cd and inject the 3 files:

http://bootdisk.com/

 

thanks Noclue,

I'm planning to try it out this summer (when I have more free time).

Well, I'm just so glad that I chose the c2d T5450 1.66ghz, my laptop is barely warm...I'm even more excited that the Sony SZ 13.3" at Frys is really hot on its underside (running T8100 2.4ghz)....

The only downside is that liveupdate from MSI doesn't support barebones, i.e. we have to manually update it ourselves.

 

So does anybody know for sure if the PR200 supports 4GB of memory? And how much of a difference would an upgrade to a 7200RPM disk make? And why are you upgrading the cpu to 2GHz? Is 1.5Ghz core2 not comfortable? I'm thinking of buying the PR200 1.5Ghz as a second system for email, browsing, music listening, podcast listening, some movies, trying out new linux distros and just being able to do all of this wherever I am (garden, school, at a friends place).

 

Positive about the 4GB, only windows vista 32 uses 'only' 3062MB. Did this upgrade because memory was rediciously cheap in NL, and I needed to open it anyhow.
The T5250 was not enough for HD (H.264 1080p) content: gave freezes and sound stuttering. T7700 does the job, although the onboard video is barely sufficient.... But quality is superb on my hd-ready tv!
And since the HD is always the bottleneck, I just exchanged it. Not a very big diffence though. Same reason I use raptor's in my desktops as OS and program disks.

 

...73 procs...

 

Ferd,

PR200 or MSI 1221 barebone...you could get a barebone and spend less than an hour putting it together.
1.5ghz is perfect for your usage....don't worry too much about the cpu since it can very easily upgraded a year from now, esp. w/ new cpu coming out, you can get your generation cpu for cheap next year.....and unless you expect to die soon , what's the hurry, it's only your second computer, not your primary one. Just a thought.

 

Hail vista Oh well, it's good for the economy...

 

Just found out that my BIOS is up to date: SMBIOS 2.4, BIOS V3.3,
checked it w/ "dmidecode" in linux console/terminal, which is a great way to find out who actually make the world's laptops, exp: Sony is made by Asus.....

info here:
http://tuxmobil.org/laptop_oem.html

Ms 1221 is actually made by MSI (I thought MSI was just a reseller/OEM).

Good info.