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Acer Aspire 3680 Random Freezes

post #1 of 10
3/18/07 at 1:24am
Thread Starter 
I recently purchased an Acer Aspire for ~$400 from Best Buy (512 MB Ram, CD/DVD ROM). When I first started using the computer, I noticed that some CDs and DVDs didn't play exactly right. I noticed a few crashes. I assumed this was because of the preloaded software. I tuned-up the system, removing extra software and disabling unneeded services. To help speed things up, I reduce to 16bpp color depth.

Howevewr, the computer still seems to hang from time to time. This seems to occur with CDs and DVDs created on other computers. I was wondering if anyone else had similar trouble and might be able to confirm my analysis? Can anyone suggest a remedy?

Thanks,

Z
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post #2 of 10
3/18/07 at 11:11pm
Thread Starter 
I recently noticed that a few CD errors reported in the event log. I went to Acer's website and I installed the Intel Chipset drivers:

http://www.acerpanam.com/synapse/dat...80_Chipset.zip (2/16/07)
[So far - after updating the chipset drivers - no problems - I am keeping my fingers crossed)

I also looked for other updates from:

http://www.acerpanam.com/synapse/for...erPanAm.com/us
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post #3 of 10
3/19/07 at 4:14am
Thread Starter 
Another update..

The Intel Chipset update didn't work. I still have a lot of

"An error was detected on device \Device\CdRom0 during a paging operation."
and
": The embedded controller (EC) did not respond within the specified timeout period. This may indicate that there is an error in the EC hardware or firmware or that the BIOS is accessing the EC incorrectly. You should check with your computer manufacturer for an upgraded BIOS. In some situations, this error may cause the computer to function incorrectly."

In my Event Log.

I visited:
http://www.acersupport.com/html/alldownloads.html

and noticed the cyan "Windows Vista Drivers" icon on the right hand column.
I didn't see Vista drivers previously. I updated my BIOS to the latest version.

Will report the results in a few days.
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post #4 of 10
3/26/07 at 5:58pm
Thread Starter 
My Acer 3680 is working okay now.

I updated the BIOS and then fully restored the system from the CDs.
I then removed all of the Acer programs. (Even the eRecovery management which I had to do by hand, disabling/deleting services, etc.) I left the Launch Manager. I also removed the preinstalled video drivers. I downloaded the updated card reader driver from:

http://secure3.tx.acer.com/VistaDown...cerSeries.aspx

I reseated the memory, used CCleaner, took the suggestions of SiSoft Sandra, and for now everything is working okay. I hope this helps someone else out there.

Z
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post #5 of 10
4/28/07 at 3:19pm
What operating system are you using, XP or Vista?
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post #6 of 10
5/3/07 at 10:03am
I just bought an Acer 3680-2633 from Best Buy too (ironic!) on sale. The VERY FIRST thing I did, and I recommend you do too is I crammed 2GB of PC-5300 Memory into it. Was also on sale at Best Buy for $69.99 for 1GB, so I bought 2GB - thats a killer deal for RAM, especially $69 for a Gig! That will definately prevent freezes, IMO 512MB is wayyyyyy to little to be running 1.6GHZ and Vista! How the heck would you multi-task with 512MB and vista, not to mention the Celeron? Anyways, I digress.

In the meantime I love the 3680 though. LOVE the 14.1" widescreen, very clear. Plays DVD's very nicely, not really impressed with the speakers though. They arent very loud at all compared to the Acer Travelmate I replaced. Not impressed with the Acer pre-loaded software. That battery saving program is goofy.

I didnt buy the extended service plan with Best Buy but am thinking I probably should go back and do it.
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post #7 of 10
5/3/07 at 11:03am
Quote:
Originally Posted by MichAcerBoy
I just bought an Acer 3680-2633 from Best Buy too (ironic!) on sale. The VERY FIRST thing I did, and I recommend you do too is I crammed 2GB of PC-5300 Memory into it. Was also on sale at Best Buy for $69.99 for 1GB, so I bought 2GB - thats a killer deal for RAM, especially $69 for a Gig! That will definately prevent freezes, IMO 512MB is wayyyyyy to little to be running 1.6GHZ and Vista! How the heck would you multi-task with 512MB and vista, not to mention the Celeron? Anyways, I digress. In the meantime I love the 3680 though. LOVE the 14.1" widescreen, very clear. Plays DVD's very nicely, not really impressed with the speakers though. They arent very loud at all compared to the Acer Travelmate I replaced. Not impressed with the Acer pre-loaded software. That battery saving program is goofy. I didnt buy the extended service plan with Best Buy but am thinking I probably should go back and do it.
Happy 4 u. I too just got a 3680 [ BTW: the second model number means there are slight differences in type of Celeron CPU and disk size, otherwise the mobo and subsystems are the same.] More memory always helps. Its really great in multimedia and FYI, you can speed up the machine substantially to work decently with the basic 512M RAM in Vista if you turn off the Vista interface and use the XP interface, right click desktop and choose 'personalize.' Change the 'start' interface also to XP. Select 'performance..' from Control panel, 'advanced tools' and select for optimal speed. Shut down User account controls, shut down unecessary services including the epower stuff [ just boot it when needed] and the machine sings. Of course, if they did this all before hand it wouldn't be the dog many folks think it is, but lucky for us, its why the 3680 is heavily discounted. Enjoy as I am!
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post #8 of 10
5/3/07 at 11:30am
Yeah the 2GB of memory DEFINATELY made this thing scream. Then afterwards, I find out 4gb is the maximum, heck I would've went for 4gb if I had known that, lol. (why, you ask? Anybody who knows me will tell you I always go for the "extreme")
I went to that Windows performance rating thing and it gave me a 3.0 - is that good? Before I added the memory it was a 2.0. Apparently gaming and video graphics is the lowest, at a 3.0 and thats what my score is based on. Everything else is up in the 4's.

You know the bottom line is Best Buy had 1GB of PC5300 SoDimm on sale for $69.99, regularly $149.99 and I couldnt pass up that deal!
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post #9 of 10
5/4/07 at 5:03pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by MichAcerBoy
Yeah the 2GB of memory DEFINATELY made this thing scream. Then afterwards, I find out 4gb is the maximum, heck I would've went for 4gb if I had known that, lol. (why, you ask? Anybody who knows me will tell you I always go for the "extreme") I went to that Windows performance rating thing and it gave me a 3.0 - is that good? Before I added the memory it was a 2.0. Apparently gaming and video graphics is the lowest, at a 3.0 and thats what my score is based on. Everything else is up in the 4's. You know the bottom line is Best Buy had 1GB of PC5300 SoDimm on sale for $69.99, regularly $149.99 and I couldnt pass up that deal!
3 is Good. The rating is 1-6, that most of your system is 4 is great! The overall rating puts emphasis on the weakest link, so if you have 4 4's and one 2, it may still come out 2 or 3. You must have gotten very high marks for the memory. My score is a measly 2.2, mostly because of graphics and I have 1G. The memory is shared with the graphics driver, and since the firmware doesn't have a dedicated graphics CPU to run Aero, you'll never get better than 3 on it, likely worse. Per Microsoft, you need 3 to run Aero in its most basic mode, and at least 5 for the best effect. So Windows Home Basic is pretty well matched to this machine. Its not the best for games, but otherwise it rocks for me!
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post #10 of 10
5/9/07 at 11:11pm
Heres my numbers:
Processor 3.8
Memory 4.4
Graphics 3.1
Gaming Graphics 3.0
Primary hard disk 4.9

After looking at it, I guess I have more 3's than 4's! But I think that 4.9 is pretty impressive for the hard drive. I think the highest is 5.9. Not bad for a $449 laptop.
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