New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

A64 Multitasking

post #1 of 17
8/25/04 at 6:02am
Thread Starter 
Could it be that the A64 isn't that good in multitasking, or is it just an impression I have

I have the feeling that the centrino's are faster when working with multiple applications open, dunno, ....
Reply
Reply
post #2 of 17
8/25/04 at 6:19am
you just need to exchange your unit, it seems buggy an hot

demand a new unit
Reply
Reply
post #3 of 17
8/25/04 at 11:14am
Thread Starter 
maybe I'll reinstall it first and see how it works after that.

I would like to try out XP 64bit but it's available only in English, could it harm if I install that with on top my French software like Office, Roxio, Studio9, etc... ?

I have this feeling that it cause conflicts ?
Reply
Reply
post #4 of 17
8/25/04 at 11:41am
I suggest that you get a standard Windows XP install CD (instead of the Acer ones) and do a clean install of Windows (use the serial key at the base of the unit) and install the following up-to-date drivers:

1. AMD Athlon 64 processor driver:
http://www.amd.com/us-en/Processors/...1_9706,00.html

2. VIA Hyperion 4in1 chipset drivers:
http://www.viaarena.com/?PageID=403

3. ATI Mobility Radeon 9700 display driver (Omega Drivers):
http://www.omegadrivers.net/ati.php

4. Realtek AC97 audio driver:
http://www.realtek.com.tw/downloads/...&Software=True

5. Broadcom NetXtreme Gigabit Ethernet (BCM57xx) driver:
http://www.broadcom.com/drivers/downloaddrivers.php

6. Synaptics Touchpad driver:
http://www.synaptics.com/support/downloads.cfm#drivers

If you need more drivers, then check the Acer system CD that comes with the unit.

After installation also make sure that you've properly enabled PowerNow! in the power management control panel in Windows XP. The Power Schemes tab can be found in the Power Options Properties panel that is accessible via the control panel window. You should select the "Portable/Laptop" power scheme to properly enable the PowerNow! performance on-demand control.

If you still experience any problems after this your unit must be defective and should be replaced.
Reply
Reply
post #5 of 17
8/25/04 at 12:07pm
Is there actually a "PowerNow!" button or tab option in the Power Management section? I have the Portable/Laptop scheme selected, but I see no "PowerNow!" option: I assume this is internal?

Also, my system (Presario R3240 w/ Athlon AMD 64 3200+) reads 797 MHz. I understand that it "should" read this unless my laptop is under a heavy load?

Thanks.
Reply
Reply
post #6 of 17
8/25/04 at 12:13pm
Thread Starter 
I guess it's internal, there is nothing either in mine.
Reply
Reply
post #7 of 17
8/25/04 at 12:23pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks Snorre for the drivers list, downloading them right now to my external disk and them of to a new install.

Happy enough we all love computers otherwise this must be a pain for somebody else, reinstalling their machines over and over until they have the perfect installation.
Reply
Reply
post #8 of 17
8/25/04 at 12:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ozone
Is there actually a "PowerNow!" button or tab option in the Power Management section?
No, after installing the AMD Athlon 64 processor driver you simply select the "Portable/laptop" power scheme under Power Options in the control panel to enable PowerNow. To make sure that PowerNow! is properly enabled you should run AMD's PowerNow! Dashboard that you can download from here:
http://www.amd.com/images/PowerNowDashboard_setup.zip

Quote:
Originally Posted by ozone
I have the Portable/Laptop scheme selected, but I see no "PowerNow!" option: I assume this is internal?
Correct, once you install the AMD Athlon 64 processor driver PowerNow! support should be available in Windows XP.

Quote:
Originally Posted by ozone
Also, my system (Presario R3240 w/ Athlon AMD 64 3200+) reads 797 MHz. I understand that it "should" read this unless my laptop is under a heavy load?
PowerNow! means performance on demand, dynamically adjusting clock frequency and voltage of the processor in the background depending on the workload. With light load it will run at 800MHz and at heavy load it will run at maximum frequency, and something in-between during normal load.

For more details I suggest you look at this:
http://www.amd.com/us-en/Processors/...%5E964,00.html
http://www.amd.com/us-en/assets/cont...Power_Now2.pdf
Quote:
How Does AMD PowerNow! Technology Work ?

The premise behind AMD PowerNow! technology is a very simple one. Some applications require less processing power than others. Word processing, for example, consumes relatively few processor cycles, but if you run photo editing or other media-rich applications on the same system, more processor cycles will be required for responsive performance.

AMD PowerNow! technology controls your notebook’s level of processor performance automatically, dynamically adjusting the operating frequency and voltage many times per second, according to the task at hand. When an application does not require full performance, significant amounts of power can be saved. However, the processor can “instantaneously” respond to increased workloads, allowing the system to deliver a responsive and rewarding computing experience.

The only difference the user will see on most applications is significantly longer battery life. Performance will still be responsive, with maximum processor performance being delivered when required, and automatic power savings when possible. AMD PowerNow! technology even has benefits when you are working at your desk with the notebook on AC power, since the system will typically run cooler and quieter.
Reply
Reply
post #9 of 17
8/25/04 at 12:44pm
I personally don't like the Omega drivers. There are issues with overlays I think. The fullscreen WinAmp and WMP screensavers don't display or display incorrectly sometimes. I love to sit and watch the purdy colors.
Reply
Reply
post #10 of 17
8/25/04 at 12:50pm
Ferrari3200: Omega Drivers are the only ones that can be installed directly on a laptop without any hassles, but feel free to tell people here about the alternatives. That said, the latest Omega Drivers work great for me
Reply
Reply
post #11 of 17
8/25/04 at 12:54pm
Snorre - any newer drvers for the wireless card? or just the CD'd drivers? I plan on doing a fresh install soon when SP2 is broadly released.
Reply
Reply
post #12 of 17
8/25/04 at 12:58pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by snorre
Ferrari3200: Omega Drivers are the only ones that can be installed directly on a laptop without any hassles, but feel free to tell people here about the alternatives

I just use the ones on the CD's. I'd rather use the Omega's though, maybe the newest version displays the purdy colors just fine. (I tried 1 or 2 versions ago) I'll try them again next format. For my gaming needs (N64, GBA, and CPS2 emulation) both drivers are fine.
Reply
Reply
post #13 of 17
8/25/04 at 1:03pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ferrari3200
Snorre - any newer drvers for the wireless card? or just the CD'd drivers? I plan on doing a fresh install soon when SP2 is broadly released.
You can try the latest Broadcom BCM4401 drivers here that should be compatible:
http://www.broadcom.com/drivers/downloaddrivers.php

Btw, with SP2 you don't need to install any Bluetooth driver since it's now built-in. To avoid any problems with SP2 I recommend that you read this:
http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=17782
Reply
Reply
post #14 of 17
8/25/04 at 1:09pm
sweet, never heard that. thanks for the link
Reply
Reply
post #15 of 17
8/25/04 at 3:04pm
Aces Hardware actually had an article up awhile ago where they compare multitasking between diffrent CPUs. The Athlon 64 actually multitasked alittle better than P4 and HT in many tests untill you opened an huge amount of applications the HT was alittle better. Any modern computer should have no problem multitasking, not sure about celleron though.
Reply
Reply
post #16 of 17
8/25/04 at 6:53pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Phantom
I would like to try out XP 64bit but it's available only in English, could it harm if I install that with on top my French software like Office, Roxio, Studio9, etc... ?

I have this feeling that it cause conflicts ?
You can install apps in whatever language you like, the GUI is just an interface to the coding underneath which is still all written in your same VB or C++ or whatever. The system doesn't distinguish between english or French, all it knows are 1s & 0s; it'll just show you whatever characters the coding is telling it to show you.
Reply
Reply
post #17 of 17
8/26/04 at 4:31am
Thread Starter 
Thanks a lot for the help on that

It looks logic whar you're saying but you never know with MS

I used to have some minor bugs with Win98 in English and Office 95 in French, some confirmation boxes used to be in both languages likes YES and NON or OUI and NO

I'll install it on my other HD and test it out, if it works I'll reformat my main HD but now I'm first trying to get all my drivers together for 64bit, I'll post the links and a quick review when it's up and running.
Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Notebook Forums - General