Acer 1500 (1501/1502), regular sound dropouts& fix

Hi, we are 5 guys who have the same laptop model (3 1501LMi's and 1 1501LCi, 1 1502LMi) and have the following problem:

At 2-3 minute intervals (usually around 2:30) any audio playing through the system experiences a dropout lasting around 10-15ms. This could be audio specific, or the symptom of a more system wide pause at regular intervals.

Please note this problem can also be deliberately reproduced when using Fn+"x" key combinations.

------
Edit: *** SOLUTION FOUND *** For those who googled through here, this is the solution to the problem: remove the battery. The periodically battery status check is creating the problem.
------

Attempted solutions:

Sent laptop back for repair during which time Mainboard was replaced
Numerous Factory Restores
Numerous re-installs of WinXP Home/Pro/Win2000, adding hardware and device drivers in various different orders
Tried WinXP 64bit (beta)
Updated *all* drivers to absolute latest versions
Tried beta releases (specifically the latest Via 4-in-1)
Tried rolling back to older releases (specifically older Via 4-in1 packages)
Tried BIOS Updates

Ran speedswitch disabling application

Disabled Power Management
Disabled all visual themes in WinXP
Disabled CD Auto Insert Notification
Disabled Write Behind Caching
Shut down all non-essential background processes
Disabled unused devices
Removed all devices and device drivers *except* sound and video
Disabled Graphics Acceleration
Disabled Sound Acceleration
Tried de-installing CPU Drivers
Tried re-installing CPU Drivers (latest version)

Tried using different RAM
Tried using external audio interface via FireWire
Tried using HDD from IBM ThinkPad known to play files flawlessly (in case of possible thermal recalibration problem)
Tried running from battery
Tried running from several different mains outputs (in case of possible power surge caused by other appliances on the same circuit)
Tried letting the machine run for half an hour (also to check if problem is result of thermal recalibration period)

None of the above attempted solutions had any impact.

====================
As said, this problem occurs in 5 laptops. 1 laptop has been send for service, and the problem remained after service.

Anyone with the same laptop having the same problems?

1.
Gigabyte 7DXR+, Athlon XP 2400+, AMD cooler
512DDR Ram, 200GB + 80GB WD JB + 40GB WD BB + 40GB IBM DeathStar-ready to die (click click clicks).
DVD , CDRW, 350Watt HEC AMD approved PSU, 1000VA Mustek UPS
212G Allied Data wireless PCI adapter
Prolink PixelView PlayTV Pro card (sucks)
Soundblaster live! Value
Running XP Pro & Linux

2. Laptop
Acer Aspire 1501LMi, Athlon 64 3000+ DTR, Ati 9600 (M10), 512 DDR333, 60GB hard disk, WinXP / WinXP 64 bit beta

 

After almost 3 months, the problem seems to be finally solved. Check:

http://forums.amd.com/index.php?s=31fff997bd2cd7b2d9c4f27b942c3f17&showtopic=17630&st=140


The solution found was with the help of speedswitchxp utility and some settings this util has.

Acer I'm afraid was not helpfull at all, constantly ignoring our emails.

======== FROM the link : ======================
Here is my conclusion, after 40 minutes of working with speedswitch:

1. My settings are as said: All AllowPromotion/AllowDemotion to "NO".

2. Listening to 30 mins of music with windows media player and random visualization: no sound dropouts!

3. Listening 10 more minutes as descibed in #2, additionally running super pi and scanning the disk with adaware: no sound dropouts!

4. Cpu is throttling normally, from 797MHz, to 1797Mhz.

5. Acer special keys doesn't anymore produce a dropout! (Edit1: seems though that the effect on the animation of the mouse and of graphics, remains the same)

6. While listening to music, I also run 2 benchmarks batch files of UT2003: botmatch-anubis.bat and botmatch-citadel.bat. No dropouts (or couldn't listen to them cause the music was from ACDC )

7. Only (minor) problem: I get 2 or 3 small dropouts when I start playing the first and only the first song in windows media player. The dropouts occur in say 10 seconds at the starting of the song.

8. HD tach shows that no effect in disk performance is due to speedswitch.

9. Aquamark score stays the same (~=21950). Performance not affected by speedswitch.

==============================
1.
Gigabyte 7DXR+, Athlon XP 2400+, AMD cooler
512DDR Ram, 200GB + 80GB WD JB + 40GB WD BB + 40GB IBM DeathStar-ready to die (click click clicks).
DVD , CDRW, 350Watt HEC AMD approved PSU, 1000VA Mustek UPS
212G Allied Data wireless PCI adapter
Prolink PixelView PlayTV Pro card (sucks)
Soundblaster live! Value
Running XP Pro & Linux

2. Laptop
Acer Aspire 1501LMi, Athlon 64 3000+ DTR, Ati 9600 (M10), 512 DDR333, 60GB hard disk, WinXP / WinXP 64 bit beta

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by Venombite

 

Ariskk,

This is the exact same problem Chimp_Spanner had with this unit.

http://www.notebookreview.com/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=3638

He sent the unit in for service and the problem could not be resolved. He then got an Aspire 2012WLMi as a replacement unit to try to resolve the problem. It did, but the 1500 series seems to still have the problem. If this problem is still not 100% resolved, you may want to try the similar route Chimp_Spanner went through and possibly get a new replacement unit.

Good Luck!

-vb-

 

Hey man! That's great news! Well it is and it isn't. I really would of liked to get the 1501LCe going right - great spec'd machine. *sigh* but, guess I can't be thinking like that. I'm very happy with the laptop I have now. I guess there's no way of knowing for sure if I could be getting better performance than I am now, but I'm getting some work done at last so that's good enough for me.



www.soundclick.com/chimpspanner

http://chimpspanner.heavenlymediaservices.com

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by chimp_spanner

 

Hi I have a 1501lmi and i am happy, but cpu power control doesn't seem to work.With Ac connected cpu runs at 800Mhz.
Running on battery cpu runs at 1800

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by hneesen

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by ariskk

 

Hi!

I've been watching this forum and all your posts for a few months now - the closest thing to resemble decent technical support (and the only one to show in google). Been helpful![ ]

I finally decided to create a user and post my two cents:

I own the Aspire 1501LMi (Manufactured in June), and seem to have a rogue model...
--> If I run speedswitch i experience dropouts...
--> If I don't run speedswitch and leave as is with WinXP(SP2), all works fine, with occasional dropouts whilst changing track/intensive HDD activity/FN+"x".
--> If I run a hardware monitor, Mobile Monitor v0.3.1.0 (only one that seems to work) it's painful to listen to...

Being a sound tech., I also bought the SB Extigy, and was wondering if maybe this is why I don't experience the problems? All the above applies to when I listen through the Extigy (rarely listen to onboard sound - I like my EQ!!!) <-- either that or I've spent too much time infront of 250W Bose's and just cannot tell anymore.

If so maybe it's something to do with the way Acer wired the hardware monitoring to the "ISA" port of the motherboard. Hence maybe there's a global "clock ping" to refresh all hardware monitoring kit, and causes the ACPI to think. Well, that's my current train of thought - probably already been said or complete nonesense mind. Still, not going to give in to temptation and open it up, yet...

On a side note, I noticed ariskk mentioned that someone had tried it with Win x64 - if so, couldn't point me to where you got the drivers could you please? Winbond cardreaders, WiFi, etc...

Many thanks, and hope this is some useful input - please ask if you want to know more.

Thanks again!

P

===========================
1) Own build #xxxx
Athlon XP1900+ (Palomino)
MSI K7T266Ultra - Pro2
512 DDR266
2) Acer Aspire 1501LMi
Athlon64 XP3000+ DTR (Clawhammer)
Motherboard...
512MB DDR333 (Samsung)
3) Baked Bean Tin (work in progress)
Bits from the bin

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by pwalton134

 

cool, thanks. looks like this problem affects both Intel and AMD chipsets. I wonder if its a limitation of the smbus though, since the battery is checked through it.

 

I have also found problems/drop outs when battery status is being checked as noted in this thread:

http://www.notebookreview.com/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=10367

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by tb2496

 

Hi!

Wow! - Fastest ever response from a forum I reckon!!![ ]

Yeah - I've been messing around with my laptop, and here's the 'results':

Standard Windows boot:
--> Aspire 1501LMi; not modded bar trying to remove WinXP sticker...
--> WinXPHome(SP2) - Completely up to date
--> ~60 start-up processes, excluding SpeedSwitchXP(V1.4)
--> >200megs RAM free
--> Couple of external USB devices and secondary monitor (1280x1024); including a SoundBlaster Extigy
--> Tested using Windows Media Player 10, SB Extigy, Sennheiser eH2200 headphones; Sample was a CD album, ripped to HDD at 320kbps, known to play ok on my other PC (SB Audigy Plat.); WMP10 running the "Battery" visualisations in windowed mode.


1) No SpeedSwitchXP running, no Mobile Meter etc... - Purely Windows power management (custom power scheme):

Occasional dropout every few minutes, few milliseconds in length, unless battery removed. Seems a little more frequent when I actively query the battery, or is charging.


2) SpeedSwitchXP - ALL modes:

Dropouts every 6 seconds, few milliseconds in length, cured by removing the battery.

3) MobileMeter(V0.3.1.0):

Stutters whenever anything refreshes, ie temperatures or frequency (it's never detected my battery properly anyway) - same with or without the battery. Also stutters with all the "Fn"+"x" combos, bar volume and brightness.

I have my soundcard on a USB hub, although I seriously doubt this will affect anything - all the other devices plugged into it (HDD, Printer) are currently switched off. The only other USB devices are a webcam, and an RF mouse (both powered through the USB port). The devices on the hub, ie soundcard, printer and HDD are all self-powered, so there should be minimal drain through the port.

I'm beginning to suspect, as you have all pointed out on AMD's forum, that this may be something to do with a check signal being slow from the battery or something. Either way, I reckon this sort of traffic shouldn't really need to be handled by the CPU (after observing the CPU spikes on the AMD forum) - this sort of thing I'd expect to be handled purely by the chipset, maybe refreshing the CPU when the OS calls for it (may be the case here), in which case the problem is software of somekind. Do these problems occur in Linux? If so it's a driver/OS problem, if not we need a new BIOS flash.

It's nothing major to me, but it is annoying, seeing as thing laptop is pretty top of the range in terms of specs... embarrasing when home builds can play a sound file better lol[ ]. I also find that during multi-track recordings, and games, it will slow down for about 30secs (resulting in slow-mo gaming or stuttery sound) - I never had this before I reinstalled the OS at x-mas, so knowing me I've installed something that disagrees in the background. If you're interested - I mainly record MIDI for multitrack, and often it will stop recording in the middle of it, and I am beginning to suspect this is due to the battery now - will test sometime and verify this.

On a side note - has anyone tried this with DDR400? I also noticed you had upgraded the HDD to a 7,2kRPM drive - what model was it? I'm considering doing the same. Also considering Antec's laptop cooler.

Cheers for the XP64 drivers links - the usual haunts I guess, but much appreciated either way. I've got to wait until easter before I can reinstall linux and x64 as I'm away from home at the moment.

Many thanks for the help, and unbelieveably fast response!!! I hope anyone else with this laptop adds their findings, as the more with the problem, the greater the chance of it getting fixed. (btw - chimp_spanner - some cool tracks! My bass player keeps trying to get me to learn the synths to Dream Theater...)

If you want anymore info or tests to be run - please ask! More than willing to help (so long as the warranty isn't voided!!!)

Cheers![ ]
P

===========================
1) Own build #xxxx
Athlon XP1900+ (Palomino)
MSI K7T266Ultra - Pro2
512 DDR266
2) Acer Aspire 1501LMi
Athlon64 XP3000+ DTR (Clawhammer)
Motherboard...
512MB DDR333 (Samsung)
3) Baked Bean Tin (work in progress)
Bits from the bin - need a tin of 30cm in diameter

 

Hi
Yeah - I meant I was wondering if anyone had tried it out with DDR400 in general, it's some info I've just never been able to find, although I reckon it should work, since the memory controller is on the chip.
P

PS - I'm certain there have been no dropouts without the battery - had it going since the last post playing in the background.

===========================
1) Own build #xxxx
Athlon XP1900+ (Palomino)
MSI K7T266Ultra - Pro2
512 DDR266
2) Acer Aspire 1501LMi
Athlon64 XP3000+ DTR (Clawhammer)
Motherboard...
512MB DDR333 (Samsung)
3) Baked Bean Tin (work in progress)
Bits from the bin - need a tin of 30cm in diameter

 

the disk is a hitachi HTS726060M9AT00.

I'm sure ddr400 won't fix the problem, since it has to do with the battery hardware.

==============================
1.
Gigabyte 7DXR+, Athlon XP 2400+, AMD cooler
512DDR Ram, 200GB + 80GB WD JB + 40GB WD BB + 40GB IBM DeathStar-ready to die (click click clicks).
DVD , CDRW, 350Watt HEC AMD approved PSU, 1000VA Mustek UPS
212G Allied Data wireless PCI adapter
Prolink PixelView PlayTV Pro card (sucks)
Soundblaster live! Value
Running XP Pro & Linux

2. Laptop
Acer Aspire 1501LMi, Athlon 64 3000+ DTR, Ati 9600 (M10), 512 DDR333, 60GB hard disk, WinXP / WinXP 64 bit beta

 

pwalton134 -- same thing happens with linux as well, as noted on this page:

http://xtrinsic.com/geek/articles/acpi/known-issues-26.html#touchpad-freezes

to bad there isnt more info on that page as for the actual bios fix. I've tried searching google high and low...

 

about the 7200 disk: Here is the speed difference:

hitachi_7200rpm



toshiba_4200rpm


==============================
1.
Gigabyte 7DXR+, Athlon XP 2400+, AMD cooler
512DDR Ram, 200GB + 80GB WD JB + 40GB WD BB + 40GB IBM DeathStar-ready to die (click click clicks).
DVD , CDRW, 350Watt HEC AMD approved PSU, 1000VA Mustek UPS
212G Allied Data wireless PCI adapter
Prolink PixelView PlayTV Pro card (sucks)
Soundblaster live! Value
Running XP Pro & Linux

2. Laptop
Acer Aspire 1501LMi, Athlon 64 3000+ DTR, Ati 9600 (M10), 512 DDR333, 60GB hard disk, WinXP / WinXP 64 bit beta

 

I wonder if there could be a poll opened regarding this problem with instructions on how to duplicate it. This would give us an idea of how widespread this issue is, and if other models are affected as well.

we could also use it to get Acer's attention, if it is widespread.

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by tb2496

 

Hi!

Cheers for the HDD info - I'm certainly looking at upgrading to a 7,200RPM drive when I get back - if only to let HL2 load this century and for music creation.

Something that's been bugging me the last few days - is it the laptop or the battery that's causing the dropouts? By that I mean is it circuitry on the motherboard or the battery now? Guess it's me being hopefull it's just a replacement battery needed, although I guess the technicians at Acer are the only people capable of finding out. Plus, after numerous driver installs and software settings making slight differences, I guess it is only the motherboard at fault.

On a side note I found a motherboard utility by Acer for this laptop, although I haven't managed to get it working yet (a file I need is missing, and all the discs are at home). Here's the link anyway:

http://csd.acer.com.tw/SI/Download2.nsf/NotebookWeb?OpenView&Start=1&Count=240&Expand=6.2#6.2

I think it's just a simple diagnostics utility, but it may let you mod some of the hidden parts of the BIOS. As I say I've not managed to run it yet, so I haven't a clue what it does for certain.

Cheers![ ]
P

===========================
1) Own build #xxxx
Athlon XP1900+ (Palomino)
MSI K7T266Ultra - Pro2
512 DDR266
2) Acer Aspire 1501LMi
Athlon64 XP3000+ DTR (Clawhammer)
Motherboard...
512MB DDR333 (Samsung)
3) Baked Bean Tin (work in progress)
Bits from the bin - need a tin of 30cm in diameter

 

Hi there,

I'm also an Acer Aspire 1501LMi owner, but one without any problems. But I do have a question about this laptop and Windows XP 64-bit. Is there someone who has tested it, if so, does it work, is all hardware supported, do I need to download specific drivers and so on.

Please tell me, cause my system needs a reinstall and on the moment I'm thinking about installing WinXP64, and I don't want to reinstall it twice or more.

Thanks!!

 

Hi!

I had XP 64 running on mine during November/December (since then I wiped and reverted back for ease whilst travelling). At the time I could find most of the drivers and the laptop ran well, but I couldn't find (and as far as I know they aren't available yet) the drivers for the Broadcom 802.11b/g wireless or the card-readers. Apart from that a bit of digging around on ATI and VIA's sites should get you what you need - just select the "Win XP 64-bit" drivers - but remember most (if not all) of them are betas.

http://www.ati.com/support/drivers/winxp/radeon-xp64.html?type=xp64&prodType=graphic&prod=productsXP64driver&submit.x=7&submit.y=9&submit=GO%21

http://www.viaarena.com/default.aspx?PageID=2

That should get you started, but there were programs that didn't run (ie my firewall and anti-virus) properly for me, requiring me to buy corporate versions (guess they thought 64-bit must be a server or something). Having said that, most of my software ran properly, and in benchmarks both XP Home and XP-64 hit around 10500-11000 (3DMark01 SE) and 2600-2800 (3DMark 03).

I think all in all this is basically the same info that Ariskk posted earlier.

Be interesting to hear from you when the machine is setup again about sound dropouts, it's very faint and you have to listen quite hard for them, but it would be very interesting if there aren't any. There are no dropouts when the battery is removed (just checking lol[ ]).

Thanks for the post! [ ]

P

===========================
1) Own build #xxxx
Athlon XP1900+ (Palomino)
MSI K7T266Ultra - Pro2
512 DDR266
2) Acer Aspire 1501LMi
Athlon64 XP3000+ DTR (Clawhammer)
Motherboard...
512MB DDR333 (Samsung)
3) Baked Bean Tin (work in progress)
Bits from the bin - need a tin of 30cm in diameter

 

Hey,
I think I found a solution!
I just purchased the Acer Aspire 1501 LCi, almost on whim. Curious though, I can't find any user reviews on it. I've seen reviews for the LCe, LMi and the other one, but not this one. It seems to be between the LCe and the LMi. My previous laptop broke, so I needed one immediately for school. Long story short, some liquidator was selling it a good price and for what it offered, I couldn't pass it up. I didn't read any reviews or any user comments about this computer. And sure enough I also discovered these hangups, for watching movies and also so sound dropoffs listening to mp3s.
Anyways, I tried all the hints from this forum and amdforum, and personally for me, speedswitch did absolutely nothing. The disabling acpi, worked, but I'm not keen on that.
Anyways, for the solution, right now I'm using RMClock, I'll admit its not perfect, it may get a sound drop once in a while, but greatly reduced. But it doesn't drop off using the function X keys though. But it seems to be working well. Hope it helps.

 

Hi All,

I just found this message board while searching for a solution to a problem with my Acer Aspire 1502LMi, which sounds similar to what some of you have described (please forgive my lack of technical terminology!);

First off I just got my machine back from Acer UK's repair service after the CD/DVD drive failed. I how have a different issue with it, well it could be two but I presume they're related:

Firstly if I put a CD or DVD into the drive and close it it only spins up for a few seconds, then the drive LED goes out. I'm then unable to click on the DVD drive Icon and see the contents of the disc. I just get the hourglass cursor forever, when I double click on the drive icon then when I try to close 'my computer' I get a 'this program is not responding' warning. If I try to right click on the drive icon I sometimes get that 'choose which program to open this application with' window.

Secondly everything goes... well... 'stuttery' for want of a better word. Video and audio playback, mouse cursor, typing cursor...everything. The 'delay' is just a blip every second or so, but it's still d*mn annoying!!

Oh, I've run a full virus check with updated virus-profiles, I ran disc-defragmenter too and I still get the stutters.

Does this sound like the same problem? I'm about to remove the battery and run the machine from the AC power, although since I got it back a week ago I've been running it from the AC adaptor anyway - although with the battery installed - would that make a difference?

Thanks in advance for any help,

Harry.

 

Sorry to reply to my own post but I just tried the machine with the battery removed and I got the same problem.

I wonder if it's a bad batch of drives that's causing it maybe? Mine is a Pioneer Dvd Rw Rw8160.

Harry.

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by Harry Harris

 

Thanks ariskk, a re-install will indeed be my next step before sending it back to Acer (again!).

I'll keep everyone posted just in case someone else has a similar problem in the future.

Harry.

 

I had a problem installing the chipset drivers a few days ago (usual windows not liking me), and i found that caused quite a lot of stuttering, mainly with the audio. You could try downloading the latest drivers for the chipset and installing them - http://www.viaarena.com/default.aspx?PageID=2 . Just a thought before you re-install.

Hey Arissk - which sticks of Kingston did you use? I'm looking at doing the same.

Cheers![ ]

===========================
1) Own build #xxxx
Athlon XP1900+ (Palomino)
MSI K7T266Ultra - Pro2
512 DDR266
2) Acer Aspire 1501LMi
Athlon64 XP3000+ DTR (Clawhammer)
Motherboard...
512MB DDR333 (Samsung)
3) Baked Bean Tin (work in progress)
Bits from the bin - need a tin of 30cm in diameter

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by pwalton134

 

Hello everybody

I'm a not so proud owner of an Acer Aspire 1501LMI. I haven't yet noticed the sound problem, but I have a different kind of problem with my laptop. Major temperature problems are causing the motherboard to break. I already returned it to the Acer Belux support center 5 times. They already replaced the motherboard 4 times. They finally agreed to replace it with a new laptop with at least the same specs. I am curious what model they will send me.

I saw some people mentioning mobile meter is some previous replies and I was wondering I they could share their CPU temperatures.

On my 1501LMI, the CPU gets 65gr running Idle @ 1800Mhz. Just burning a normal CD is enough to get the CPU at 87gr.
When I'm doing some real heavy work, the temperatures gets up to 95gr. The frequency than drops to 800Mhz until the temperatues reach under 75gr.

I would appreciate it if some other 150x owners could share their temperature reading.

Many thanks in advance.

 

Hi

I get about the same readings - anything using up 100% graphics, memory and CPU send it all the way up to around 95/96C. Hence I got a laptop cooler, which, unsurprisingly, doesn't cool the CPU down much if at all when at 100%, helps keep the RAM and HDD cool and raises it off the desk a little. So far no motherboard problems though. Being sent off tomorrow to replace the CD/DVD RW which died last week mind... [ ]

===========================
1) Own build #xxxx
Athlon XP1900+ (Palomino)
MSI K7T266Ultra - Pro2
512 DDR266
2) Acer Aspire 1501LMi
Athlon64 XP3000+ DTR (Clawhammer)
Motherboard...
512MB DDR333 (Samsung)
3) Baked Bean Tin (work in progress)
Bits from the bin - need a tin of 30cm in diameter

 

Thanks for the information. Hopefully your local repair center works a little faster than the Belux one. I bought this notebook 1 year ago and I already lost it for about 3.5 months due to repairs.

 

Hi, I don't know the temperature of my processor, but it never runs that hot. I know because the processor fan stops working from time to time, and only in games the air that comes out of the vent is hot. Otherwise, the processor runs cool.

Also, I never had stability problems.

==============================
1.
Gigabyte 7DXR+, Athlon XP 2400+, AMD cooler
512DDR Ram, 200GB + 80GB WD JB + 40GB WD BB + 40GB IBM DeathStar-ready to die (click click clicks).
DVD , CDRW, 350Watt HEC AMD approved PSU, 1000VA Mustek UPS
212G Allied Data wireless PCI adapter
Prolink PixelView PlayTV Pro card (sucks)
Soundblaster live! Value
Running XP Pro & Linux

2. Laptop
Acer Aspire 1501LMi, Athlon 64 3000+ DTR, Ati 9600 (M10), 512 DDR333 (now 2x512MB Kingston), 60GB hard disk (upgraded to 7200rpm), WinXP / WinXP 64 bit beta

 

I have the 1501 LCi, seems to be the same as the LMi except I don't have a DVD burner is the only difference. So far I use two monitors on this thing, I use the catalyst 5.6 drivers. Run multiple applications as you can guess, bittorrent on constantly and soulseek, I do compression and have music on constantly. I use the notebook audigy 2zs and runs photoshop easily. I have yet to run into a heat problem. Before the fan would scream at about 56c. I took the heatsink off and applied the arctic silver 5, now it doesn't go over 45c, its great, it idles at 34c.

 

Also for those curious about the HD. Yes toshiba drives are sub par, and 4200 speed is pretty slow. I wish I had the 7200, out of my budget for the time being. I upgraded to the 5400 Fujitsu 8mb cache, their latest one. Its quiet, can't here it running. Anyways the speed improvement is great. If you read in other forums, upgrading to a 5400 you'll see the biggest difference. From a 5400 to a 7200, there is a difference, but not much, I personally have not tested this but this is what other testers have said. So if you want to upgrade the HD I recommend, but can't afford the 7200, go with the 5400 anyways.

 

Hi - I got my laptop back after 4 days (over a weekend) which was incredible, with another Pioneers DVDRW. Also upgraded the HDD to a nice Hitachi E7K60 (7,200 RPM 60 GB, 8MB Cache) and that runs nicely!

You managed to replace the heatsink compound? - I'm wondering whether to try it myself (when it's out of warranty...), although mine's been running a little cooler since being sent back (guess they dusted it...), and was wondering how easy the notebook is to get into on that front... I have plenty of experience with PCs, but notebooks are a new area for me... seeing as i use this laptop for a bit of LAN gaming I might give it a try with arctic silver...

Also, anyone experimented with DDR400 on it? i reckon it should work but I'm wondering if anyone has already upgraded with the stuff.

Cheers!
P

===========================
1) Own build #xxxx
Athlon XP1900+ (Palomino)
MSI K7T266Ultra - Pro2
512 DDR266
2) Acer Aspire 1501LMi
Athlon64 XP3000+ DTR (Clawhammer)
Motherboard...
512MB DDR333 (Samsung)
3) Baked Bean Tin (work in progress)
Bits from the bin - need a tin of 30cm in diameter

 

You can get the service manual, which describes how to open the laptop.

==============================
1.
Gigabyte 7DXR+, Athlon XP 2400+, AMD cooler
512DDR Ram, 200GB + 80GB WD JB + 40GB WD BB + 40GB IBM DeathStar-ready to die (click click clicks).
DVD , CDRW, 350Watt HEC AMD approved PSU, 1000VA Mustek UPS
212G Allied Data wireless PCI adapter
Prolink PixelView PlayTV Pro card (sucks)
Soundblaster live! Value
Running XP Pro & Linux

2. Laptop
Acer Aspire 1501LMi, Athlon 64 3000+ DTR, Ati 9600 (M10), 512 DDR333 (now 2x512MB Kingston), 60GB hard disk (upgraded to 7200rpm), WinXP / WinXP 64 bit beta

 

where I can get it? (service manual complete, not the one that I find on google, it has only chapter 5)
however, flashing new bios (not listed on the acer website) will fix these problems at all!!!!
the new bios is 1.07 instead of 1.06, it has been posted on amd forums....take a look!