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Acer TM 8100 BIOS version...could this be the problem?

Poll Results: Which BIOS version do you have on your Acer TM 8103/4 and how does your laptop run?

 
  • 52% (24)
    BIOS version 3c17, and I have had few, if any, problems
  • 10% (5)
    BIOS version 3c17, and this flickering/stuttering/etc. is pissing me off
  • 15% (7)
    BIOS version 3c11, and I have had few, if any, problems
  • 0% (0)
    BIOS version 3c11, and I hate this flickering/stuttering/etc.!
  • 15% (7)
    Some other version with few, if any, problems
  • 6% (3)
    Some other version with problems galore
46 Total Votes  
post #1 of 51
4/12/05 at 7:27pm
Thread Starter 
Ok, after reading pretty much everything possible about this machine it's obvious that judging from the last poll, there are many with problems but far more with none. Now that it's been established that there are (at least) two BIOS versions (3c11 and 3c17) that have been released, there's been some speculation that the flickering and such that has been experienced by some may be associated with one of the versions. I own an 8104, and for the most part my machine is perfect. No flickering, lagging, skipping, or lockups, and my BIOS version is 3c17. Hopefully enough people will fill this out to see if there's any correlation...or maybe it will fall flat because people might have replaced their faulty machines.

However, if there is a correlation, then maybe we can pinpoint the source of the problem for many with the laptop and maybe clear some of the bad air that's been associated with it. It's worth a shot!

To check your current BIOS version, open up Acer eManager. Click on Acer eSetting, then System Information. BIOS is one of the options, and when you click on it the version comes up.

Oh, and if you have BIOS version 3c11, you can download the 3c17 version here.
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post #2 of 51
4/12/05 at 10:11pm
Running 3C17 with no flickering or lockups whatsoever .. its been running quite good. Although i still seem to get the annoying buzzing sound when plugged in AC but its really low .. and i dont bother with it at all..

Overall, a really fast and powerful machine..

Oh and btw airscottie, the link u posted isnt workin.. here's the working one..

8100 3C17 BIOS

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post #3 of 51
4/13/05 at 1:08am
Thread Starter 
Thanks awachi, the link's been fixed.
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post #4 of 51
4/13/05 at 2:50am
I have no major problems with my computer. I am using the latest bios, 3C17 and its dated 1/27/05
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post #5 of 51
4/13/05 at 11:41am
Ok, I had 3C11 when I bought mine. No problems whatsoever.

A couple of days ago I saw a post about 3C17 and decided to give it a whirl. At first it seemed fine. Then I gave it a bit more to do. The result of about a day of testing? 3C17 sucks big time for me! Just a bit more load and fan spins like crazy. Had several spontaneous reboots out of whack (at 59-60*C) while playing World of Warcraft.

Back to 3C11, and laptop is quiet and stable again. Go figure!

Edit: It is possible that what I had to do with 3C17 is to play with some switches in RMClock (turn off that switch to use HLT, maybe something else). But I don't really want to try since 3C11 appears to work fine.
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post #6 of 51
4/13/05 at 5:43pm
Hrm. 3C17 on mine...no problems, no lockups, no flicker, no stutter...uh, some dead pixels but that's not related to the BIOS. As for temps...I routinely get up to and sustain 70 degree Celsuis while gaming without it crashing or doing anything else strange.

Oliver
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post #7 of 51
4/13/05 at 7:40pm
Had 3C11 on mine stock and have had no problems, Flash to 3C17 and so far so good. In fact my 3DMark05 score may have gone up a bit.
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post #8 of 51
4/13/05 at 11:53pm

3C17 for me

3C17 for me, no problems so far other than cpu temps seeming to be quite high all the time.
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post #9 of 51
4/14/05 at 5:02am
just installed 3C19 and no problems yet - no impovements up to now either tough - i'll keep reporting.
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post #10 of 51
4/14/05 at 10:27am
Thread Starter 
3c19 huh...where did you find that?
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post #11 of 51
4/14/05 at 11:22am
Quote:
Originally Posted by airscottie
3c19 huh...where did you find that?
Same place as 3C17 http://csd.acer.com.tw/SI/Download2....1?OpenDocument

They sure put out new versions fast

And there is change history for this version

P.S. And I like the driver name in the readme on the site.
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post #12 of 51
4/14/05 at 10:16pm

Ver 3C19 here - Vid game problem (WoW)

Ver 3C19

I got my 8104 literally yesterday, and have had the same problems as DarthAcer. I've played World of Warcraft for about 10-15 minutes twice so far, and each time: completely shuts down *instantly*. No lag, no error msg - just a thunderbolt insta-shutdown.

At first I freaked out thinking it was some horrible system error, but when I powered back on, there were no issues from Windows claiming improper shutdown or anything of the sort. No event log showing memory dump reboot or anything of the sort. It's completely baffling, and I wonder if it's heat related, because I have noticed that my particular 8104 does get warmer than I was prepared for (and I have been reading posts regarding warmth on the top of the laptop, and have no problem with it) because the bottom seems to be getting fairly warm too. Anyone else with 3c19 (patched or from factory - please state which if it makes a diff).

Also, considering my 8104 came w/3c19 stock, what do you think the risks are for downgrading to an older BIOS ver (specifically looking at DarthAcer's post).
Edit: Legibility/Awful grammar.
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post #13 of 51
4/14/05 at 11:46pm
Some other things that might be important when reporting BIOS version. Since some of us have power related issues with certain BIOS versions, it is important to check details on your battery and processor at least. I wonder if we might have different stepping/microcode and that makes al the difference in whether processor "likes" the BIOS. My Dothan is stepping B2, for instance.
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post #14 of 51
4/14/05 at 11:57pm
How would I check what the "stepping" is on my laptop? Additionally, what do you mean by "stepping"?

EDIT: Also, how would I go about getting bios ver 3c11, and what are the potential issues in downgrading from my stock 3c19?
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post #15 of 51
4/21/05 at 4:31pm
is there any way for someone to custom hack their own bios to enable features that are normally locked... like overclocking the cpu?
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post #16 of 51
4/21/05 at 5:56pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by acouch21
is there any way for someone to custom hack their own bios to enable features that are normally locked... like overclocking the cpu?
I can understand overclocking CPU on desktop where you can provide adequate cooling. But hacking BIOS to do it on laptop You probably really don't care for the money you spent for your laptop
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post #17 of 51
4/21/05 at 7:22pm
Thread Starter 
Although there probably hasn't been enough response to this to draw any kind of real conclusions, it's looking like the BIOS version isn't the issue. I flashed to 3c19 a few days ago, and it seems to be running just fine. Also, it looks like not many people are having trouble anymore, except with their service. Either the duds have been weeded out or a lot of people have given up on the machine, haha. All I know is, my laptop is running great, and I'm a very satisfied customer.
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post #18 of 51
4/22/05 at 12:00pm
I'm debating trying out 3c17 or 3c19 again, to see if maybe WoW will stop blacking out and shutting down the computer randomly. Everything's been great with 3c11, but I've been having issues with it coming out of Standby. Anyone else seen issues with this? I remember someone in another post mentioned it, but I haven't searched all the threads yet.

Thanks!
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post #19 of 51
4/22/05 at 1:28pm
Where can one find the 3c11 bios files?

I'm running fine with 3C19. No problems in WoW, EQ or EQ2 using the most recent Unian catalyst 5.3 drivers. My 8104 shipped with 3C17.

I finally got around to doing a clean install of XPSP2 on my 8104 and it really seems must faster now. Boot times are in the 20second range compared to the 60+ seconds the stock load took. All in all, I am very pleased with my 8104.
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post #20 of 51
4/22/05 at 2:20pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by katorga
Where can one find the 3c11 bios files?

I'm running fine with 3C19. No problems in WoW, EQ or EQ2 using the most recent Unian catalyst 5.3 drivers. My 8104 shipped with 3C17.

I finally got around to doing a clean install of XPSP2 on my 8104 and it really seems must faster now. Boot times are in the 20second range compared to the 60+ seconds the stock load took. All in all, I am very pleased with my 8104.
Hey Katorga: How did your clean install of XP-pro w/SP2 go? I've been considering doing that b/c I've always liked working from a clean system. However, this is my first laptop, and am worried about whether or note WinXP will have the best/current drivers that my manufacturer had installed.

Also, where did you find the Unian Catalyst drivers, and how much of a difference did they make over the stock setup? I've read that the vid card in my laptop (Travelmate 8104) has its memory underclocked, probably for heat/energy issues, and was wondering if the catalyst drivers would fix that automatically or if i'd have to "overclock" back up to ATI's stock memory speed frequency.

Thanks!

Edit: RE: Ver 3c11 BIOS - The very kind and informative DarthAcer sent me them. His system came with 3c11 stock, and when he tried the 3c17 upgrade, WinPhlash backed up his 3c11 bios and he sent me that file which worked fine for me. I haven't really had any issues with 3c11, but 3c19 was causing random crashes in WoW which have since stopped, as well as my fan not running so erratically.
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