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Users with NO issues

post #1 of 19
3/13/06 at 9:58pm
Thread Starter 
Hi guys,

I cant wait more and need to get me a new lappy and even though I have recently returned my 8204 just right out fo the box due to the numerous issues mentioned here, I still didnt find a better option.

I have a dealer, who is willing to let me open the boxe and test the system before the purchase and decide if I want it or not.

So I will be checking the date of manufacture and the issues.

IS THERE ANYBODY WHO HAS NONE OF THE COMMON ISSUES WITH 8204 MENTIONED IN THIS FORUM??

If so, what is the date of the manufacturing of the unit???

Many thankx in advance!!!!

cheers
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post #2 of 19
3/13/06 at 10:06pm
just a quick question.. how do u check the date of manufacture?

cheers!
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post #3 of 19
3/13/06 at 11:48pm
its on the bottom of the lappy
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post #4 of 19
3/14/06 at 12:28am
Well, 137, like I said, I have the gray line "issue", but I'm satisfied that it's a normal thing, and it certainly doesn't compromise my enjoyment of the 8204. I never noticed the LAN issue, but updated the intel eeprom anyway. Never heard the buzzing. No issues - manufactured 1/6 (forget the actual code for it).

Mine may be different than a lot of the others (I doubt it), but frankly I think there's a whole lot of whining going on.

- Ed
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post #5 of 19
3/14/06 at 12:29am
no, 137. And you have started numerous threads with the same response. There are only 3 build dates that I am aware of - 512 0601 0602

All of them have the screen issue. It is random within each one as to the buzzing (mine, 0601 doesn't. Many 0601 do)

I fail to see the numerous issues you mention actually
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post #6 of 19
3/14/06 at 1:46am
rb999 here is the only user we are aware of who doesnt have grey lines:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/show...t=42371&page=3
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post #7 of 19
3/14/06 at 3:41am
As above, nothing but the "grey lines" which are normal for this LCD; manufactured 0602.
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post #8 of 19
3/14/06 at 9:26am
My only issue was the acer software and they way it came configured. I tried unistalling some the "empowering" software with decent results, but i had a little too much time on my hands this past weekend and after a few hours i was in nuke and pave mode. There is nothing that comes installed that cannot be replaced by superior and in most cases free software.

My only complaint is the express card slot "blank" doesnt seem to lock in place, WTF?
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post #9 of 19
3/14/06 at 11:16am
Again I must be one of the fortunate owners of the8204:

1. no grey lines (at least that I can see)
2. no buzzing noise
3. my express card plastic insert stays in
4. brightness is what I expected (at 80% it equals my 8104 - I was very happy with it)
5. running the factory BIOS
6. I did run the eprom fix
7. build 0601

Only issue that I've found is that I must disconnect my wireless lan at my office while cabled into the office lan or I will lose connection to the server; since I rarely need to use the wireless lan this is no problem
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post #10 of 19
3/16/06 at 8:34am
rb999 has a build date 1205 (tigerdirects first batch) and appears to have no major issues.

no buzzing and no grey lines
brightness and viewing angle not great
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post #11 of 19
3/16/06 at 10:21am
I got mine yesterday so I'm still testing (build date of 0602 and came with bios 3311). So far no issues at all (fingers crossed). By mid-day I should have the ability to really test the buzz that others have mentioned. If there is other testing please let me know.
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post #12 of 19
3/16/06 at 11:27am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Webrender
I got mine yesterday so I'm still testing (build date of 0602 and came with bios 3311). So far no issues at all (fingers crossed). By mid-day I should have the ability to really test the buzz that others have mentioned. If there is other testing please let me know.

What is your screen like?? Please keep us posted with the results of the tests!

cheers
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post #13 of 19
3/16/06 at 11:37am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Webrender
I got mine yesterday so I'm still testing (build date of 0602 and came with bios 3311). So far no issues at all (fingers crossed). By mid-day I should have the ability to really test the buzz that others have mentioned. If there is other testing please let me know.
Please mention where you bought it from and if you have grey lines.
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post #14 of 19
3/17/06 at 4:18am
I have no grey lines and tried unsuccessfully to create the buzzing sound I have read so much about.

As far as screen brightness goes I flattened my drive when it arrived and installed a fresh copy of XP. From that I was able to get the screen to a point I liked (my previous laptop was a gen1 XPS that had a flat mat screen like this so it wasn't hard for me to get it to a point where I was happy). I did have a bit of an additional surprise tonight when I installed and started playing with the epower settings and realized that the monitor was at 40% brightness - I'm very happy now.

So far I have not been able to create any issues (minus not figuring out the card reader drivers yet).

I purchased mine from ZipZoomFly. Here's the catch - this was a long painful process. I ordered it on Feb 17th and I got it this week. On top of that the website told me that it shipped two weeks ago when it was backordered and during the entire time of back order they showed the laptop as being in stock. In the end I guess I was waiting for a newer build, but I didn't know it at the time all I knew was that I was a very dissatisfied customer.
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post #15 of 19
3/17/06 at 10:11am
After opening the ATI window and navigating to the car video: now if I put my ear down to near the fan side of the keyboard I can hear a faint buzzing.
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post #16 of 19
3/17/06 at 1:01pm
I have the faint buzzing noise during the car video but I have to put my ear on the keyboard to hear it. Otherwise I never notice it. I'm running the latest 3311 bios and a spyder 2 pro calibrated screen and don't have any major issues with the display although it does "fail" the grey box test. I did have a bad experience with the smartcard reader locking me out of the computer so I decided to skip that feature and just use the HDD password. And overall I love this laptop. My previous laptop was a Dell 8600 with 2gb ram and a 1920x1200 display (too small) this one is just right. I did have to apply the EPROM fix and I re-installed XP from scratch on a NTFS partition.
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post #17 of 19
3/17/06 at 3:13pm
Mark,

If the gray test is the color temperature test, you could be having the problem I discovered last night. I had originally calibrated my 8204, then lent the spyder to my son to do his CRT. Then I was unable to recalibrate after installing new drivers, nor could I calibrate another laptop. Finally noticed that the CRT baffle was still on the device instead of the LCD one. Dumb, huh?

- Ed
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post #18 of 19
3/17/06 at 5:03pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Webrender
I have no grey lines and ....
You need to look close but it would be easier if you do the test.
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post #19 of 19
3/17/06 at 5:24pm
Ed:

The test that my tm8204 fails is the one that indiekiduk is referring to. However I do not find it noticeable (especially after calibration) in normal use so although my unit has the same LCD problem as the others it really does not bother me. Luckily I only have LCD's to calibrate so I leave my Spyder in LCD mode all the time. I think this laptop ROCKS.
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