LAN problem with TM8204

Mine is fixed using the afforementioned driver from my previous post. Have not had the issue reoccur since rebooting after installing it.

 

Yes.This is resolve problem. Thank you.

 

Just got two from (CostCentral), first one out of the box has this problem, the driver posted by Mark Feuer fixed the problem. Thanks Mark. Will update on the second unit, but sounds like purely software.

Update on the second unit, same problem, same fix. Sorry to the folks who sent back their units.

 

DOH!!! I sent mine back!!! heheh at least it looks like we have this issues solved...Thanks for all the input and thanks mark for finding the ever elusive driver!

 

Shame on Acer!

Waiting for my xchange unit..
will update once i get it next week..

 

seems they yanked that driver....

 

If you look at the file dates, it looks like they posted a EEPROM update for the NIC. Possibly to get it to work with the newer driver that shipped with the unit. I for now am not brave enough to test it on my unit. any takers?

 

Hmmm.. it was still there like 12 hours ago!!
Why did they yank it??

 

HMmm.. which file is it??
I actually mirrored the entire folder last sunday nite..

 

This is utility only and EEPROM structure description without new EEPROM data. It can be read or write EEPROM. Be careful because EEPROM have MAC address and other very impotant and INDIVIDUAL information. Don't try to copy it from one to another.
I think that it has been posted for testers who have this problem and work with Acer on it.

 

I actually have the driver saved on my desktop at the moment, it is a 85mb file so it is a wee to big to email. If someone has a site where I can u/l it to I would be glad to do it.

 

The official fix will be a EEPROM update and should be out soon. Just wait a bit. The older version driver was pulled because it's not 100% effective and may still have problem when transferring really large files.

 

Well the choice between 2 non-working laptops and something that isn't 100% effective is a clear one. That said, I've transferred 1GB plus files without error.

 

It's pretty F*cked up that a US$2400 lappy is giving this kinda
sh*t problems out of the box at factory settings?

Anyone for a Class action suit??

I mean, after paying so much, we get this kind of crap..
it's abit untolerable for me..

I would have gotten a cheapo Compaq that'd have worked right out of the box!

 

Well, it's partly Intel's fault, they release a new driver and said that it's compatible with all current chip including the ones used in the Acer but it actually doesn't not as it calls for a few features that's not present in the Acer units. But I agree that they should have done a bit more testing instead on trusting Intel ;-)

 

Add another reason for Intel to be on the sh**list, it appears the wireless driver isn't compatible with the newer MIMO wifi base stations when using WPA encyption.

Since I have other units connecting to the MIMO station, it would narrow down the issue to the 3945 ABG chipset.

You can read more here: http://www.linksysinfo.org/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=56364#56364


Booo Intel.

 

Ya, I'm having the same connectivity problem. I posted here about it http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=40162

This is my second unit and it suffers from the same issue as the first one that i had replaced because of this. Just after power up or restart, i can't connect, (sometimes though it works fine) BUT.. After i restart i find that if i close the lid and let it go into standby even for a few seconds, and wake it up, it works perfectly.
I don't think its a hardware issue, so i've just installed all my apps and need to get using it and i'll deal with this issue later after there is a solution for it.

 

Got back my exchanged unit..

SAME freaking problem!

But i rolled back the intel driver using those that makr provided,
and now everything works..

Stupid Acer + Intel..

No official fix yet for this prob i presume?

 

Intel have deliver a firmware update over the weekend and it's now being tested internally (guess they learned their lesson) should be released in a couple days.

 

Hmm.. i received the intel_Eeprom.zip from a Acer support rep in Singapore.
Told me to try to apply the flash as it shld fix the prob.
Problem is, i can't run it as it say no supported network adapters found!

 

Did you revert to the factory driver before trying to apply the flash? Just a thought.

 

That's what the Acer Rep told me to try..
will probably give it a go tml..
kinda busy today and tired too..

 

hmm... i just put in an order for an 8200 at cdw, wonder if this problem would still occur in the machine i get (hope its not a returned machine from one of u guys >.> ), if so can some one please send me the temporary "fix"... thanx in advance.
any word on when the official patch will be out? --- nemmy

 

Just got mine from CDW today ... same problem :-(

 

Just spoke with Acer tech support (800-816-2237), they have never heard of this issue. I described it, they took the info down and asked me to send them links to this thread which I did. They said that the support in singapore is totally separate from panam. Guess I'm not sure where most of you posting are from but I'm in California. I hope that eeprom fix works and will work on my version of the notebook!

 

That is BS, I reported this to Acer PanAm over a week ago. I made sure to get a Support Reference Number to make sure they had it documented. Plus they (Acer Europe) took off the precurser driver that did not have this issue from their FTP site. So it kinda ticks me off. My offer of posting the driver is still valid if someone will provide a public download of the driver. It is 85mb so I only want to post it once.

 

does everyones Hibernate work properly?

 

yeah, wasn't happy with Acer's answer. But on a positive note, I brought the issue up to my CDW rep. Right away he sent me to CDW tech support and they are looking into it. He also contacted their Acer rep (kudos for CDW) Acer acknowledged there was an issue and said they have a solution but it's "not user friendly" and that they are working on a more user friendly solution. My CDW rep said he would be notified when Acer has the fix ready. Too bad they didn't say what the fix was ... I'd take the unfriendly fix right now.

 

@frosty : so this is basically a software issue? theres nothing wrong with the hardware?

 

nemmy, I don't think it's a hardware issue. They didn't say what the fix was exactly. Best info I have is Wiz33 referencing a intel eeprom fix and phiberx about to try the eeprom fix. Mark Feuer also says an older driver fixed the issue ... although may be no 100% from what I've been reading. I'll post back when I hear anything.

I'm actually increasing my C partition (reducing D) and converting to NTFS right now. Hopefully this will go smoothly!

 

Thanks for the fix - closing the lid ! I've been trying everything for the last week with no success. Had all the symptoms described in this thread. Couldn't understand how I could occasionally get connected for a few seconds. Assumed it must be an intermittent fault with the NIC. Acer support in the UK seems to be an answerphone - in an empty building. I've emailed their UK support centre but no reply yet. I guess they will issue a fix at some point - but at least I can use my new machine now. Thanks everyone.

 

I've juz tried the eeprom fix, it works!
check out the detailed thread in the Acer Forum..
THere's a link to notebookforum.com with more details..

 

can u give us the link to the acer forum? thanx

 

EVERYONE -- IMPORTANT INFO REGARDING ACER TM8204 NIC...YOU CAN RESOLVE ISSUE AND KEEP YOUR LAPTOP:
thought I'd post this since I've spent the better part of my day resolving
it. Very frustrating to pull a new laptop out of the box and not have it
working.

Hardware: Acer 8204WLMi, Intel 945PM Chipset, Intel PRO/1000 PM Ethernet


Problem: Ethernet connection drops randomly and intermitently. The driver
constantly restarts itself (Event ID: 42 from source e1express). This means
that the network connection stalls, sometimes causing the entire system to
stall.


Root Cause: Bad eeprom on the NIC from Intel


Solution:


1. Download intel_eeprom.zip from
ftp://ftp.support.acer-euro.com/notebook/travelmate_8200/driver/
2. Extract into c:\windows\system32\drivers, start Command Prompt
3. Run eeupdatew32 /BUS=3 /DEV=00 /DATA TEKOA_A3.txt
4. Reboot
5. Enjoy and be happy

 

The procedure:

Solution:

1. Download intel_eeprom.zip from
ftp://ftp.support.acer-euro.com/note...e_8200/driver/
2. Extract into c:\windows\system32\drivers, start Command Prompt
3. Run eeupdatew32 /BUS=3 /DEV=00 /DATA TEKOA_A3.txt
4. Reboot
5. Enjoy and be happy

Works fine for me. Step 2a - You need to run the install.bat first.

 

What Acer forum?

 

Can someone host this file again?

it no longer appears on the FTP Site.

I have started to get this problem late last week while at work (use wireless at home). tis weird, as i've been using this laptop for a good 2 weeks now with zero problems

So far I have lost my wired connection:

Friday - 6 time or so in the span of 3 hours.
Today - twice in 2 hours.

Extremely frustrating when you have many rdc sessions open and they all die!

Thanks!

oh, btw: my build date is 04/06

 

I was having a really bad day of network troubles and remembered someone had a fix and found this site. Couldn't find the EEPROM file either. Called ACER tech support, got in right away. Anyway, the guy said they used to have the file online, and then said let me find out what happened to it. We he came back he said it was a Return Repair problem. I'm not happy about that but I want it fixed, so tomorrow FedEx comes to claim it, supposed to get it back in 7-10 days. Oh well, good thing I'm not going out of town on business.

 

I found a copy of the eprom, but as your guy said, it did NOT help me.

I called Acer and got a case number, which i forwarded to my Vendor. As my laptop is less then 1 month old, i'm hoping they will just exchange it.

With any luck I won't have the same problem!!

good luck with yours!

Jeff

edit: ncix will not take the laptop back

I'm going to reformat again tonight reverting back to 100% orginal acer stuff and do some testing tomorrow. If it still happens then i'm gonna use my case number from acer and send it back to them.

 

Well, got my laptop back and it wasn't fixed like they said. So back in it goes.

Works fine on my lan but keeps resetting when accessing the internet.

This is sooo frustrating!

 

Got my laptop back. They replaced the main board and now it is working.

B

 

Could someone please, please, please upload or pm the file intel_eeprom.zip mentioned in this thread? Acer must have removed it from their FTP site.

 

I recently found this fix on CNET's review site, and seems well documented. I don't personally have a TM8204 to test it on, so enjoy those of you who do. Given AS IS, I make no guarantees whether it will make things better or worse.

Problem: Ethernet connection drops randomly and intermitently. The driver
constantly restarts itself (Event ID: 42 from source e1express). This means
that the network connection stalls, sometimes causing the entire system to
stall.


Root Cause: Bad eeprom on the NIC from Intel


Solution:


1. Download intel_eeprom.zip from
ftp://ftp.support.acer-euro.com/notebook/travelmate_8200/driver/
2. Extract into c:\windows\system32\drivers, start Command Prompt
3. Run eeupdatew32 /BUS=3 /DEV=00 /DATA TEKOA_A3.txt
4. Reboot
5. Enjoy and be happy


******DIFFERENT FIX, NOT AS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED*************

http://www.acerpanam.com/synapse/fo....com&siteid=7117&words=all&keywords=&areaid=2)