ACER TravelMate 8104 "Sonoma" Review - Page 9

AN ACER RESPONSE ON DISK PARTITIONS:

Grrr8t post from Treasureman here and copied in it's entirety.

Originally Posted by treasureman:
I have read through the long 8104 thread and picked up some info about the "D" partition that ships with the 8104 called AcerData. I asked Acer support about the partition and here is what they wrote:

"Thank you for contacting Acer America. The extra hard disk partition
called AcerData is included on the factory-loaded software for the purpose
of using D2D Recovery. D2D Recovery is a method of restoring the notebook
to factory configurations without using Recovery CD's. Any data on this
partition can be deleted and used to store your data or you can install
anything you wish. Or, you can get rid of the partition altogether. The
Recovery media restores the notebook to FAT32; this is by design. Acer
does not offer recovery media that formats in NTFS nor does it void the
warranty by converting to NTFS. You do not have to use the Recovery cd to
convert the file system to NTFS. For instructions on how to convert to
NTFS please refer to the Microsoft article at
http://support.microsoft.com/defaul...kb;en-us;314097. Acer does
not ship anything on the notebook that requires FAT32."

I will ask the forum the questions I asked Acer:

1. If I get rid of the D partition will I have any problem restoring with the recovery CD's?

2. If I convert the C partition to NTFS and only have this one large partition will this be a problem should I need to restore with the recovery CD's?

According to the Acer support answer above I should be able to delete the D partition and convert the remaining large C partition to NTFS and not have any problems when it comes to restoring. However in the large 8104 thread I picked up conflicting info about this in that some said that the D partition has to remain and the D also has to remain FAT32.

So I am confused, perhaps I read the thread wrong or am intrepreting Acer's answer wrong, I don't want to change my system where I can't restore with the recovery disks, but I would like to convert to NTFS and get rid of the D partition.

Any other info I should know before I proceed to delete D and convert to NTFS?

Thx. Pretty much what I did except in Step 3 I used a separate WinXP CD.

From posts scattered throughout the big 8100 thread and others, people have reported very satisfactory performance, and equal benchmarks, between the 8103 and 8104. Yes graphics should be similar. Mostly a matter of saving a buck or going for the max. You can upgrade the RAM yourself, now or later.

6-7 lbs, my understanding that includes battery and DVD. 2.86kg * 2.2lbs/kg = 6.292lbs. The entire shipping weight of my 8104 was rated at 11+ lbs. A recent primary battery (backup purchase) had a shipping weight of 3+ lbs (!?). My bathroom scale is too flaky to weigh these on, even if I hold them.

Congrats mein freund! Careful on Omegadrivers. I'm a BIG Omega fan, been using them almost exclusively on my previous laptop for 2 years, but the brand-new 5.2s did NOT play well. Couldn't get the control panel right, and did all the uninstalls, driver cleaner, etc. Went back to the stock ATI 5.3 with ATI Control Panel (not CCC, tooooooo slow to load, I tried it). Even DHmod tool wouldn't fix them. Have to check the Omega INF file again, but I don't want to spend a lot of time fiddling with his stuff to "fix" it. Bottom line the X700 should be, I think, listed as an M26 with device ID ending in 5653.

In actuality "Ich spreche kein Deutche" (spelling?), but during my travels I try to learn at least the rudimentary but polite bitte and danke in most countries I visit. Sounds like you've found all the good tweaks. That RMClock was a real find. Just look up posts by DarthAcer if you want the most accurate tech info. HL2 really shines on the 8104 but the online is too fast for me. I'm currently very addicted to World of Warcraft, which has less of a 'realilty' graphics than HL2. Which "id's newest shooter" are you referring to, the Doom3 expansion? I've sold my Doom3 and never played it on the 8104. Should I get it again?

A wise choice. Now that I'm an "adult" I can do what I wouldn't let kids do.

My 8104 ezDock review here.

Poll thread here. Scan the big 8100 thread too. DarthAcer has had many Acers. "Most" of us like the 8100s, but some people have had a variety of problems and had to RMA or exchange them a couple of times.