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there isn't another keyboard for the 17" model. I like the idea though. The problem with the 17s is that they look odd with a little keyboard in the middle, but it's a little squished to get the keyboard and numpad without reducing key size on some keys (arrows, right shift).

A stretched out luxurious non-numpad keyboard would be a pretty nice option on a 17" model.

just wanted to say, Ive got my new 1036 all loaded up and its running like a champ. I played Battlefront 2 on it all night, as well as the new Lord of the Rings game. Thank you Unleaded for getting this out to me in time for my flight!!!!!

Similar to mine:
MSI-1036
Memory : 2GB DDR 400 - 2 x 1GB
Processor : Turion MT-37 2.0GHz 25W - 1MB Cache
WiFi : Intel Pro Wireless 2915a/b/g
Hard Drive : 100GB 5400RPM HD - 8MB Cache
Graphics: ATI Mobility Radeon x700 w/ 256MB VRAM
Display: 17" TFT WSXGA+ (Glare Type 1680x1050) MSI-1036

I'm running XP Pro, an Oracle DB, all my Developer Tools, a few games... and it has no problems (I turn off the DB when gaming ). It puts my work machine (2.8 Ghz P4 to shame )

I must thank Coffee Shark for the review and Unleaded for the service once again. You guys can discuss who should reap the profits

PhysicsGuy,

Here's where I'm at on installing. Sorry I hadn't replied back sooner, but I've been a little preoccupied with making a new cd with catalyst.

http://forums.gentoo.org/viewtopic-t...ighlight-.html

Somebody else has gotten a new toy to play with, so at least there's some peer-to-peer support going on here. I've also been kind of documenting what I've been doing here so that I don't get lost doing it.

I do have the agere module now (have the patched version on my site) and a small how-to to fix it yourself if you want. I haven't actually tested it on the laptop yet, however, it does compile cleanly (no errors, only warnings) and can be modprobed into the system. I've only done it on my server box so far, but it does work as far as building it and modprobing it. I just want to have it included in a minimal gentoo cd so that the wired ethernet works.

I could go ahead and install gentoo via wireless, but I want the wired to work first and foremost. I'd rather not deal with doing wireless on cmd line, so I'm bashing my head against the keyboard trying to make a new bootable cd instead. I think that once I'm done, there will be others who will appreciate it.

I might be wrong on that, but I'm doing it anyways.

has anyone had any isues with the system shutting down due to heat? I was surfing around on the web last night, and the system was running a bit hot, then wham!!, it shut down on me. Can anyone recommend a monitoring ap for watching this things heat? Hopefully the one shut down didnt do any damage

Mine gets hot after going over 3 hours of work, but it has never shut down on me yet.... heat exhaust is definitely working.

Notebook Hardware Control (NHC) for monitoring http://www.pbus-167.com/chc.htm

thanks for the link, with Battlefront 2 on default settings my sytm runs an average of 85C, enough for the NHC to throw up a warning

Got network up and running on it now in Gentoo. I have some info on it here if anybody is interested.

Hmmmm.....don't know what to say. You might try PM'ing unleaded and see what he says.

Well, i think I might of found an answer. When looking for Turion temp limits, I came across this thread:
http://forums.amd.com/index.php?show...=&#entry623649

seems the guy with the 1036 was having the same problems as I, and there is a piece of plastic covering the vent.......gonna call and ask if that should be there

take it off!



If you're having problems, that is.

aye, and whats funny, is that in your pic there it shows it without. Now the system idles at about 52C light load and 64-70 heavy.

woohoo!

The definitive word back from MSI in Taiwan is that the plastic piece covering that vent is there by design for the MS-1036. The access door on the MS-1036 is also used on the MS-1035 and MS-1047 for which the vents should be open.

Apparently, in the MS-1036, the plastic piece is applied to promote better airflow WITHIN the rest of the chassis which reduces the temperature of the palmrest. The heat reduction is only supposedly on the magnitude of 3 degrees celsius, so, in my opinion (one that is shared with one of MSI technical consultants in the US), the plastic piece should be left on if you are not experiencing CPU overheating. Should the CPU overheat, however, removing the plastic vent cover will reduce your temps. Chances are, this is advisable if you have configured with an Turion ML as is the case with Sleepydidge.