Got TM 8204: Clean Install Info, Drivers, NTFS, etc

[artem1985il]

I just got my 8204 and I would like to do a clean install of Win XP Pro and switch the file system to NTFS.

When I did a clean install on my 5720 (sending it back), it did not give me an option to format the HDD in FAT32, so will there be an option for a NTFS format on the Acer?

Acer did not include a driver CD with the notebook nor do they have anything posted online for the 8204 yet. Can I use most of the drivers from the 8100? Where can I get the chipset driver for the 8204? Which drivers are required for the comp to work properly?

I will post a review later this week, but I already miss my 5720...

Thanks for the help!

[andy318]

I just did a fresh install on my 8204 today. Before doing that, the first thing i did was burn a copy of the rescue DVD. There is an Acer Management program that asks you to do this when you configure your laptop for the first time.
So far, i have had no use of that DVD i burnt (though its still something you want to have). I already had a WinXP Pro CD so i booted the laptop using that and got the option to repartition the hard disk and choose FAT32 or NTFS for those partitions.
I also downloaded all the drivers (including chipset) from here - http://support.acer-euro.com/drivers/notebook/tm_8200.html and copied them to a CD before starting a clean install.
Got everything up and running, except for the wireless LAN and Bluetooth which i haven't got a chance to do yet. But its definitely much more responsive now.

[artem1985il]

Perfect! thanx fr the info

[PorschePRH]

Getting ready to do a fresh install of the 5670 with xp pro considering all the problems i am having.

Is there any order that you need to follow for the installation of the drivers?

[PorschePRH]

Wow, so much for dual processor cores...

I am copying files to an external hard drive through a PCMCI adapter preparing for the massive re-load, and I can barely type or move the mouse while that is going on! You would think there would be some space cpu to handle the laptop keyboard and mousepad.... I am not even using a connected mouse/keyboard...

[scoobedo]

It's all marketing. see what is going on with Acer's 8204 Ram troubles. it seems the majority of people in this forum does not mind to be ripped off. they paid 2500.00 for the laptop and they are ready to pay another 500.00 extra for 667 Ram that it was supposed to be "the" new selling point of these notebooks. I purchased a Fujitsu N6410 and expect to receive it with the advertising Ram, if not it goes back where it came from.
salut!

[wynand32]

While the RAM situation is certainly disappointing, I would hardly characterize the 667MHz RAM being "the" selling point of the notebooks. To me, it's the Centrino Duo T2500, the ATI X1600, the integrated Bluetooth, the integrated 1.3mp Webcam, the Expresscard slot, the 4 USB ports, the Firewire port, the DVI port, the S/Video port, the 9-cell battery, etc., etc.

I'm going to hold my reseller responsible for what they sold me. But, I don't think this is the worst issue I've ever run across and it could certainly be an innocent mistake. And, I've yet to see someone express a willingness to "pay another 500.0 extra for 667 Ram."

[PorschePRH]

It's all marketing. see what is going on with Acer's 8204 Ram troubles. it seems the majority of people in this forum does not mind to be ripped off. they paid 2500.00 for the laptop and they are ready to pay another 500.00 extra for 667 Ram that it was supposed to be "the" new selling point of these notebooks. I purchased a Fujitsu N6410 and expect to receive it with the advertising Ram, if not it goes back where it came from.
salut!


Hey at least I only got fleeced for $1300 (not factoring in $400 of additional goodies that I value)!

I am typing on my 2 year old originally $600 laptop that still works like a champ while my Acer 5670 one does who-knows-what reinstalling itself.

The 5670 is an amazing deal on paper. If I can just get the S/W to work I will will be happy.

I considered heavily the Fujitsu, but it was flimsy and was missing a lot of features...

[scoobedo]

You're right! The Fujitsu is not a gamer's laptop and cannot compare to Acer's specs. But as a general DTR has some good things, including a great screen. This laptop was purchased for my daughter, altough I'll use it. I am in the market for a second one, and I am favouring either the McBook or HP ZV8000 series. Unless Acer comes clean, I'll think to get one.

[ocean158]

So should I do an OS reinstall when I get my 8204? I want to set up a dual boot as well XP/Linux. Any ideas? i guess I need to reinstall XP and then install partition magic then create a linux partition. Anyone have experience on this?

[efalis]

I tried a Linux install last week. There are some issues:

1. Need to initially boot with noacpi and nopnp. There are fixes for this described at http://www.linux-on-laptops.com/acer.html . See the article on installing on the 8104.

2. The ATI proprietary drivers don't yet support the X1600.

3. The wireless and lan weren't supported on kernel 2.6.11. I haven't tried 2.6.15 yet due to screwing up my upgrade. If you have an older PC Card for LAN you can use that get yourself up and running.

I expect it won't really be ready for prime-time for a few months wrt Linux.

I did not reinstall XP, not seeing any particular reason to. I did use PM to set up the partitions I wanted for the Linux install.

- Ed

[ocean158]

Thanks!