official "X205 Owner's Thread"

would all of you recommend this computer if i was looking for strictly a gaming laptop? This laptop is nice but it seems to have other features and things that i don't really need, and i was wondering if there would be a better choice for around the same price for playing dx10 and recent games? maybe something with 3 or 4 gigs of ram? Also, I need to pay for it using a monthly fee system, and do any of you have any recommendations as to the best site to order from with a good monthly payment plan? thank you

 

Is there anyway to tune the base hardware volume higher with some drivers??
I also notice the dvd movie is louder if you play with windows media rather than the toshiba one.
BTW, x205 advertised specs comes with InterVideo WinDVD 8 pre-installed - which should do a better job playing dvd, but I can't seem to find it....

 

Honestly, the recommendation depends on how much you're looking to spend. If you're looking at around the $2000 mark, it's really hard to beat the overall specs of the 9349. If you're looking for a gaming machine in the $2,500 to $3,000 mark there are much better machines to be had like the Alienware M9750.

Keep in mind I love my X205, and I use it as a gamer, 3D modeller and general movie-watching machine (I have a crapload of HD-DVDs, so the X205 is right up my alley).

It works really rather well with Oblivion, Dawn of War and Quake IV, as well as most games I've thrown at it so far. However, I don't foresee the power of the 8700M as aging well down the line - it may change as native DX10 titles come out, but those are a ways off. That doesn't mean that the system is a bad performer. Far from it! It does pretty well in almost every test, and at a good value.

Jarred Walton from Anandtech did a fantastic series of benchmarks on the X205-9359. In my opinion, you should judge the value of the laptop based on the benchmarks.

http://www.anandtech.com/mobile/showdoc.aspx?i=3085&p=3

It all depends on how you game, really. If anti-aliasing is important to you the X205 will dissapoint. If you can live without it, it's got good power. It's no pushover, but nor does it shoot fire from its cooling vents from its sheer awesome of its performance.

 

In the Toshiba DVD software, go into the audio settings and change it from 5.1 to 2.1 stereomode. For some reason, the Toshiba software defaults to 5.1 mode. Switching over effectively doubled my audio volume playing DVDs/HD DVDs.

That should help out.

 

I forgot to add... I'd suggest applying for the Toshiba credit and get it from www.toshibadirect.com. I applied for a card, got a $3,000 limit, and to be honest my credit rating isn't uber-strong.

That's how I purchased my X205.

 

Thanks. it works.

BTW, x205 advertised specs comes with InterVideo WinDVD 8 pre-installed - which should do a better job playing dvd, but I can't seem to find it....
You can find InterVideo folder pre-installed in c:\program files,
but i can't find the WinDVD 8 application??

 

Yeah, mine didn't come with either. Then again, Toshiba advertises the 9359 as coming with a 1440x900 screen, but it's actual res is 1680x1060. So I dunno.

I'd suggest calling Toshiba to ask them what's up with it, but the only time I ever had to call them I was on hold for 25 minutes. And all I wanted was an order update.

 

Maybe where you bought the system advertised that but on Toshiba's website it has the 59 res at 1680 and it doesn't mention any Intervideo 8.

Also, I believe that Toshiba brought down the price of both the 49 & 59 by $100.00

 

http://www.toshibadirect.com/td/b2c/pdet.to?seg=HHO&poid=383432&coid=-33936

It says so on Toshiba's official product page for the X205 9359. Take a look. It lists the res as 1440x900 (it's not) and that it has Intervideo WinDVD 8.

 

That has to be a misprint 'cause in that little paragraph above titled "Gamers on the Go" and in the detail specs it list the display at 1680.

I guess maybe Toshiba decided against giving us Intervideo.

 

My guess is that's the original spec sheet for the 9359, but they never updated after making changes to the stock equipment.

 

Toshiba can't just decided against giving us InterVideo WinDVD 8 if they kept advertising it in the "Software Included" section of their specs...

InterVideo WinDVD 8 is actually pre-installed in the X205,
Look into your C drive, there is a pre-installed folder called
C:\Program files\InterVideo\ with some files,
just that I can't seem to find the exe to run WinDVD 8...

 

Does anyone know if I can remove the software for that hotkey toolbar that is at the top of the screen? It's the same as the function keys so I really don't want it.

On another note, I removed the "Battle Ready" sticker. Now it looks really plain!

 

Haha - That's why I've tried to keep mine on - though one corner is peeling off and its starting to annoy me. I've seen photos of it without that sticker and it does look really plan. .

I think that silver bezel comes off as one piece.... so you could paint it or something.. though I wouldn't recommend that until your warranty is out.

On a side note - you can disable or uninstall the flashcards.

 

I'm looking to go to 4GB ram on my 9359. Toshiba shows 140 bucks for a 1GB stick but $900 for a 2GB stick. Why the huge price difference?

Crucial is less than half that for a whole 4GB kit. Even pc2-6400 is cheaper but runs at 800 instead of 667.

Can I go to another manufacturers ram w/o voiding the warranty?

Any suggestions on this or how else I might upgrade greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Rich W.

 

Flashcards...Is that what that thing is called? Thanks again mark.

My sticker wasn't on perfectly straight, so I thought I would just remove it. So disappointed.

 

When mine decides to come off I also thought about scanning it to get the dimensions... then creating some custom graphics... and then having a printing company print out a sticker sheet ..

 

Any one got a discount code that can be used for buying accessories etc of X205 from ToshibaDirect??

Thanks.

 

That's a pretty good idea. Too bad mine has all kinds of garbage on it now. Plus it's bigger than a 9x11 sheet of paper, so I can't scan it on my lil scanner.


No idea about the discount code, planet.

 

NEED HELP WITH TOSHIBA X205 PROBLEM!!!

Ok, so here's the thing. I wanted to do a clean install of vista, well

I did it but realized I didn't want to go searching for all the drivers

it required. So, I decided to restore it to the out of box factory

setting. Once it was finished installing I went to my computer and

It only displayed the C: drive and DVD: drive, the other hard disk is

missing. When I go to C: drive's properties/hardware it says that

everything is there and is working properly. But I guess what i'm

wanting to know is how do I get back to using both hard disks? Do

I reboot from a different drive or is there another way I can access

it? What I want to do is blank out both drives then restore them to

factory settings with one drive empty and the other with vista on it.

I REALLY need help with this I just got this laptop and I haven't

even been able to enjoy the benefits of owning it because i've been

racking my brain trying to figure out how to get both of my hard disks to

show up. What did I do wrong? Could someone possibly walk me through

this? Thanks in advance!

 

In the Control Panel, there is an Administrations Tools icon. Open that and click Computer. Your drives should all show up there. The one that isn't showing up may need to be added to the system. You just need to allocate the drive space by setting the partition and formatting it. It should show up. Just make sure you don't format the C: drive (if it will even let you).

 

That worked thanks for the help!! My new conflict is with the change display configuration. When I put the settings to Clone, it fits on the laptop alright but doesn't quite fit on the tv screen. It doesn't stretch to fit like the laptop does. And when I tried to configure it to Dualview all it did was show the wallpaper, nothing else. Any solutions for this as well??

 

did your X205 comes with a HDMI cable?

 

No it didn't. I'm trying to connect to the tv through s-video. I can get the desktop to show up on the tv, but the display is too big it cuts off about half of everything on each side i'm just trying to make it so it will fit on the tv screen.. is there anyway to resize the image produced on the tv?

 

Hello, I recently purchased the x205 and it has been fine...until now. Every now and then the laptop completely freezes and reboots itsself...wtf?

Is it a bios problem? If so how do I install the new one ? Flash? Thanks.

 

Did you remove or install any new applications that is conflicting?

 

i actually used the anytime DVD to clean install vista...and when it happened again with no programs installed. Seems to be a defective hard drive. Well, I'm gonna return my x205 for a new one and see how it goes.

 

If you are going to get a new one, you can first try to use the restore CD to restore everything to factory defaults - same as starting new and see if your prior clean install is indeed missing some toshiba stock drivers...

 

When browsing/playing flash website (e.g. www.broken-sword.com),
my x205 processor usage (both cores) are always close to 70-90% on both cores,
and task manager shows the system idle process just 10-20% all the while when running the flash website...
When I close the browser, the idle process come back up to 70-80%.

Is this normal?

Does the cpus always try to maximize 100% usage with what little application is running?

Or Does that means there is not cpu time left for other multi-task??
- That I should get a higher processor for x205 or add more ram, etc??

Hmm strange...a C2D 2.0GHz still not sufficient? can T7700 makes a difference?...

 

Hmm seems 8700m GT is still very buggy in running many Dx9 titles, not even "Broken sword - angels of death" from last year.
And Fps is so slow on WIC and COH in Dx10 high details even on the 163.67 driver.

Can Nvidia do something to seriously improve their firmware/drivers to our expectation of what they market the cards to be!!!

 

Did you apply the hotfixes from MS?

http://www.nvidia.com/object/windows_vista_hotfixes.html

Hope this helps.

 

Well, I just returned my X205 for a new one and everything seems great atm.

^^Thanks for the hotfix links, gonna DL those soon.

 

Yes. applied all fixes.
Can you try playing and see? my experience with these games at native resolution even on low/medium settings (not yet to mention our high expected settings...)
even simple 3d games like broken-sword.com the images keep shuttering and slow non fluid movement!!
Nvidia had better resolve what they promise 8700M GT to be high-end enthusiastic chip soon!

 

I don't have that game, sorry, can't help you but maybe someone who actully has the game will help you.

Btw I just got back from compusa and the price for X205-S9359 was $2.069!!! I was going to ask for a price match but realised I got mine 18days ago(14 days is the time limit for a price match) Darn! Oh well

 

damm price drop so much in just 2 weeks may annoys existing customers! hp compaq, thinkpad prices are more stable.

 

You say that like it's a bad thing! So you paid more than the next guy...who cares?! That is the way it is in life. Sometimes you get the deal and sometimes you don't. You still got a great computer at a good price.

The price stability you mention just means the other manufacturers are charging more longer.

 

Guys ,
I cannot see any price change in CompUSA's site . It is still listed at $2300 .
Maybe you seen at $2069 a refurb of X205-S9359 ...

 

Hi,

Not sure if your guys have checked the vista Event Viewer /logs.

I have many warnings/critical entries regarding Windows Performance everyday including:

...........
The Desktop Window Manager is experiencing heavy resource contention.
Reason : CPU resources are over-utilized.
Diagnosis : A sharp degradation in Desktop Window Manager responsiveness was observed.
..................
The Desktop Window Manager is experiencing heavy resource contention.
Reason : Graphics subsystem resources are over-utilized.
Diagnosis : A sharp degradation in Desktop Window Manager responsiveness was observed.
.............
The Desktop Window Manager is experiencing heavy resource contention.
Scenario : Video memory resources are over-utilized and there is thrashing happening as a result. Reducing number of running programs and open windows may help resolve this condition.
.................
The Desktop Window Manager is experiencing heavy resource contention.
Scenario : The Desktop Window Manager responsiveness has degraded.
..................
The Desktop Window Manager is experiencing heavy resource contention.
Reason : CPU resources are over-utilized.
Diagnosis : A sharp degradation in Desktop Window Manager responsiveness was observed.
..................

This application took longer than usual to start up, resulting in a performance degradation in the system startup process:
File Name : spoolsv.exe
Friendly Name : Spooler SubSystem App
Version : 6.0.6000.16386 (vista_rtm.061101-2205)
Total Time : 12798ms
Degradation Time : 7798ms
.....................
The Desktop Window Manager is experiencing heavy resource contention.
Scenario : The Desktop Window Manager responsiveness has degraded.
.................
This application caused a delay in the system shutdown process:
File Name : Ivpsvmgr.exe
Friendly Name : IVP Service Manager Application
Version : 3.5.3.5
Total Time : 128ms
Degradation Time : 109ms
..................
This service caused a delay in the system shutdown process:
File Name : EMDMgmt
Friendly Name : ReadyBoost Service
Version : 6.0.6000.16386 (vista_rtm.061101-2205)
Total Time : 11664ms
Degradation Time : 5135ms
.....................



IS THIS NORMAL?

Any X205 owner please help check your event logs??

(To open Event Viewer: Click the Vista Start button... In the Search box, type Event Viewer, and then, in the list of results, double-click Event Viewer.
Then Navigate to
Applications and Services Logs > Microsoft > Windows > Diagnostics-Performance > Operational.
)

Thanks!!

 

Online prices and in store prices are different. It wasn't a refurb. It was the brand new price

 

Howdy folks! Quick question: is it compatible with 5.1 surround? I got a surround system in my room and I'd love to use that one.

 

This morning at CompUSA store at Fresno , CA the price still was $2399 .
If anyone knows where the X205 S9359 is available for $2069 , please inform me . I'd like to buy it today .
Thanks

 

Check your pm

 

I got mine on Friday for the price at the one in Columbia MD

 

Seems like it got lost in the page change, would really love an answer on this one!

 

Well , at the end of the day I bought a laptop.
Since I wasn't able to find a X205-S9359 for $2069 and even not for $2200 because I am not a costco member and have to pay 5% more on their internet prices ... well ... I bought a Sony Vaio VGN-AR520 for $1399 .
I wasn't able also to spend $1900 - that is $500 more - for the X205-S4939 model that is really close to Vaio's hardware (maybe Vaio has a better dispaly )
Cheers !

 

Enjoy your new laptop my friend

 

Thanks douglaz and thanks all for your help .
I really think that Toshiba X205 is a phenomenal laptop and I am sure that all of you that you own it already know it .

 

Aside from stuter when playing HD DVD's, I like my X205-9349, I did completely took it apart though and removed the crappy mud that most manufacturers use for conductive paste and replaced it with Artic Silver for the cpu and gpu and ceramique for the memory and north bridge. I also replaced the 1.8Ghz with the T7300 2Ghz cpu and put in 2 x 160Gig HDD's and put the 120Gig HDD's in my son's laptop, but I am very happy with it so far.

 

Hi all,

Just getting a bit frustrated trying to achieve 'playable' framerates in my fav games... Bioshock and FSX.

I basically have to turn the detail down way to far (I think) to get consistent 25-30fps.

I'm talking 4x AA and AF, with 1280x800 res, not to mention turning down detail levels (to medium on average) in the games' menus.

Just loaded 163.69 driver from laptopvideo2go... helps in Bio but looks like it hurts me in FSX.

Anyone else having similartrouble with this beast....

BTW, i have Aussie spec X200... t7700, 512 8700M, 2x160GB 5400rpm etc...

 

Check your cpu usage during gameplay - does it often hits 99-100%?
I have the same problems, games fps goes to below 10 whenever cpu cores hits 100% frequently.

Looks like the 8700M GT is very buggy....very sharp decrease in performance if the graphics details in games are set higher than medium in all games i played - regardless of whether you set display resolutions to 1024x640 or 1280x800 or 1680x1050;
likely due to a lot "undue/mis-managed" resource contentions between cpu-gpu or within its internal components/pipelines when the graphic computations get complex...

(Conversely, if you set the graphics details to low, the performance shot up very sharply - regardless of high or low display resolutions!)

I reported the encountered issues to both NVidia and Toshiba.
Hopefully more people with such issues can do so, so that nVidia will take it seriously and work with Toshiba to release a patch soon.