Acer TravelMate 8100!!! - Page 77

The performance gained from a 100GB/5400 to a 60GB/7200 is minimal (higher arial density on the 100GB) and definately is not worth it (especially at the current inflated price for the 60GB)

I don't think so. The maximum capacity of 7200 drive currently is only 60 GB. I prefer 100 GB with 5400 rpm.

Besides, there is a thread discussing the performance between 5400 rpm drive and 7200 rpm drive. It's not much.

They are selling this computer, but they don't allow people to look on the computer before purchase - it's not displayed in the store

I Agree, the space is way worth the difference in speed, I put the 7200's in my 8000 series Acers and didn't see much gain from the stock 4200's - They would load large programs a little faster , like Doom 3 but it was only by a few seconds and I couldnt dectect any other gains.

I guess if I did not need the space I might want the 7200 rpm drives - but as it is now I wished I had a 250 GB instead of a 100

Then the only hope is if CompUSA (Chicago ave. at Rush st.) will get one and put it on display. They usually have on display everything they carry

I put the 7k60 in my 8103 and I have the 100 gig/5400 connected to the 8103 via external enclosure.

I checked at CompUSA but they are not selling it

Hi,

This may have been covered earlier but could someone enlighten me as to how I can get my wireless microsoft BT keyboard and mouse to use the acer 8103 transceiver instead of the microsoft one they are curently using. The microsoft dongle is big and ugly and i want it off the laptop and use the laptop's inbuilt BT.

thanks much
vgo

I'm using the MS BT mouse with the 8104 with no problems. All I have to do is turn on the computer and it works. First time setup would make you search for the keyboard and mouse with the BT setup routine. After that, i'm guessing that as long as the kb and mouse are turned on, the 8104 will recognize them when you startup/turn on BT with the button and you'll be on your way.

One thing though : make sure you have Service Pack 2 installed. It is necessary for BT devices.

EDIT: Also, download and install Microsoft's Intellipoint/Intellitype 5.2 software from MS's site. That will allow you to program the mouse buttons and use the other features of the keyboard.

Hi,

Thanks for the info.I have XP Pro....will that be any problem? Is there a SP2 for XP Pro? Presently the KB and the mouse work with the MS BT receiver. If I pull the MS receiver off the laptop doest recognise the KB and the mouse. I'll try it a couple more times just in case. Is there any BIOS settings I need to change?

vgo

new bios update

looks like there is a new bios update to the 8100 series posted on the acer taiwanese website ..

http://csd.acer.com.tw/SI/Download2....pand=57.1#57.1

i wouldn't try it myself since i dont have any problems with my 8104 but i wonder what this bios fixes..

EDIT: TRY AT YOUR OWN RISK! Since this is not posted on any Acer US or Europe support pages, it MAY cause major problems.

I guess I am not a lucky Acer 8104. I am gonna request for an RMA and send mine back for a refund. WHy? It is extremely sluggish. However, that's probably only in my case because i find the CPU running 99 all the time when i run winamp 5.0 and above. Also, the laptop is letting out a static noise like if you are using a cell phone and u walk next to a TV. THe AC adapter also has sounds. I've learned from people around the forum that the AC adapter shouldn't let out any sounds or moving particles. And the laptop is not smooth when i run programs or simple Aol Instant Messenger. I constantly get delays as if the harddrive is spinning and then it stops to check and spins again. That's the feeling im getting. And I installed a Nushield on this thing. Now i got my money wasted cuz i will have to take it off and it is gonna get call crumbled up. Bah! The speakers are not the best in the world either. I thought for $2200, at least u can get some bass into the speakers. I can say the laptop is packed with some powerful stuff like the CPU. HOwever, it is crippled by a 5400 RPM harddrive which should be at least 7200 RPM and the speakers make it worse. Anyways, sorry if i am offending someone who thinks this laptop blows any laptop out there right now. If someone had any experience with RMAing this laptop to PCNATION, what is the process?

well.. i've tried to flash with that version but it says that it is the same version i have already installed... so i gues they were just late with putting int online..

Interesting. What country are you in? The US model I have has BIOS version 3C11, and the one posted is 3C17. Definitely newer.

Now that makes me thinking if all the problems people have with TM8104 are because they have newer BIOS version

My 8104 ezDock review here.

Nice review, I was looking at one as I used to have PR with all my previous laptops. But I decided against it as my printer is now on the network and Blutooth connects to my mouse and keyboard. so the only thing that I have to plug in is the Video and power. I may look at it again when Expresscard becomes available and I see something I want.

i'm from austria and got my notebook from germany in march. have had none of the described problems yet - so - new bios shouldn't be the problem... the only thing is - my harddrive runs a little hot (usually above 42 C° without a lot to do) and it is not as quiet as i thought it would be...

hmm my 8104 is from germany too, but I have the 3c11 version like all the other people around.....

EDIT: If anyone finds a changelog on that bios revision, please let us know

That probably means that 3C17 comes in a sort of a "second wave" of laptops, first being a small one to probe the market.

I flashed 3C17 from the link above just for the kicks. So far, so good. Have not noticed any "improvements". But then the fixes are typically so low-level that we cannot notice them unless we had a particular problem that was fixed.

I expect that 3C17 will soon appear on European Acer ftp site. Then we "might" see changelog packed with DOS version of BIOS flash.

Hi,

Have you guys managed to install setpoint for Logitech® MX™900 Bluetooth® Optical Mouse? I dont use the docking receiver, only the built in Bluetooth. Lappy works great with mouse, but when I try to install Setpoint, it(setpoint) doesnt recognize my mouse - though lappy still does.

Maybe I should try the mouseware drivers instead.

Anyone using MX900 with tm8103/8104, with built in bluetooth and has managed to install logitech mousedrivers. I'd really like to configure my buttons =)

cheers,
Ouzo