Acer Timeline Ultra m5?

[Hurricane350]

Well, what you describe never happened to me. However, I never restored, I did a clean install and then I installed - manually - the drivers and software I liked. I did had Windows 7 install media at hand. If you don't, check out this post Blowing away bloatware: a guide to reinstalling Windows on a new PC | Ars Technica where you can find LEGAL links to Windows 7 install media. Just use the Windows 7 license that came with the M5.

I also removed the mSATA, and set the computer to NO paging file.

Ok, finally back after a lot of testing and I am right back where I started...

So first I tested the memory with memtest and it passed fine. I then proceeded to try and reset all cables and made sure there was no bent pins and all was good. My problem still persisted

I then downloaded my fresh copy of Win7 (thanks smerdk) and just left the msata alone. At least I think it did? It worked beautifully for a week! I could power off, sleep, hibernate, no problem...

I then downloaded the Intel Rapid Start stuff from Acer's download page. I first watched the video on the earlier pages and went thru the steps to partition the msata, then install the Intel rapid start. The next day I'm back to resetting my batt almost every time... I really wish I tried after I set up the hibernation partition but before I installed the Intel stuff.

Anyways, I have everything right where I want it, but unfortunately my problem of the power button just flashing the lights and doing nothing is back. I uninstalled the Intel stuff, but my problem is still here.. I think I am going to have to physically take out the msata .

Anyone have any suggestions before I do this? I really don't want to...
What exactly does the paging file do? Should I delete that? Can I? Should I try deleting the msata partition? Can I? Sorry for the questions, I just don't know what to do and I really love this computer but having to reset the battery every time sucks.

Also, I noticed that when I am dealing with this issue, even when it does turn on, there is a delay from when the keys light up till I see the Acer logo, like a good 5 seconds. Is this normal?

Ok, I took a video of what is happening, hopefully someone can help me as I really love this computer but obvisouly can't reset it everytime!

TimelineU M5 boot problems - YouTube

[smerdk]

Hurricane350 - Check your private messages.

For everyone else, there is someone selling a 481TG compatible matte screen protector on the bay, but it's too expensive (30 dollars).

[Turbide]

From the manual it seems the hdd connector is located under the mobo, which is why I couldn't find it the first time I opened up the Acer. Good news is that the connector on the mobo seems close enough, so hopefully I don't need to disassemble the whole thing. Though I truly doubt that Acer has hidden the cable under the board for my convenience, seems I'll probably need to purchase a 50.RZCN2.003 cable; I don't even know where to start looking, any suggestions?

Found one here, but they list also list "The minimum order value is 112.88 USD + VAT (139.97 USD)" . Could possibly check out another battery just for future purposes, never mind they're $227.14 usd.

Hi Logged, I would like to do the same thing, add a second SSD drive. Did you have a succes? The cable is really there under the board?

[Logged]

Hi Logged, I would like to do the same thing, add a second SSD drive. Did you have a succes? The cable is really there under the board?

No luck finding the cable for sale, and I haven't tampered with my m5 by opening it for awhile to check if there is something under, sorry. I've been enjoying using this great machine, disregarding the storage capacity that I forgot all about it. I might get around to checking again sometime this week.

[nicksti]

What would be a reasonable competitor to the M5?

[vacaloca]

I then downloaded my fresh copy of Win7 (thanks smerdk) and just left the msata alone. At least I think it did? It worked beautifully for a week! I could power off, sleep, hibernate, no problem...

I then downloaded the Intel Rapid Start stuff from Acer's download page. I first watched the video on the earlier pages and went thru the steps to partition the msata, then install the Intel rapid start. The next day I'm back to resetting my batt almost every time.

Seems like you diagnosed your problem already -- It looks like it points to the MSATA SSD being bad, especially if you went a week without accessing it and you had no issues.

Disable Intel Rapid Start -- there is a GUI tool that lets you do it in one of the directories under the installation directory where you clicked the setup file. Uninstall it after. If you see that everything works fine again, I'd be pretty sure the SSD is bad since that is where the information gets stored after sleep for (x) number of minutes.

What exactly does the paging file do? Should I delete that? Can I? Should I try deleting the msata partition? Can I?

The paging file is usually in %SYSTEMROOT%\pagefile.sys, and is usually the size of ~100% of your installed RAM. It is used for caching/paging frequently used data/virtual memory. It can be disabled via Control Panel -> System -> Advanced System Settings -> Advanced tab -> Settings button -> Advanced Tab -> Virtual Memory change button -> No paging file, and reboot. Disabling the page file will probably not fix your issue, but you can certainly do it, it won't cause any harm.

Leaving the MSATA partition intact after you disable/uninstall Intel Rapid Start should cause no issues, as it will not be accessed anymore. If the MSATA SSD shorted/fried itself for some reason, you might still encounter the boot problem even after disabling/uninstalling Rapid Start functionality. In that case, removing the MSATA SSD should completely cure the bootup problem needing to reset your battery.

The hibernation file in %SYSTEMROOT%\hiberfil.sys is not related to Intel Rapid Start, that is just for regular hibernation function. You can turn that feature off with an elevated command prompt and typing: "powercfg -h off" without the quotes. This shouldn't need to be disabled nor should it fix the problem, though, but definitely can be done as well without any effects other than not being able to use hibernation.

If you are still within your return period, a wise idea would be to return it while you can, and claim the MSATA SSD is defective because of the issues you're experiencing if the troubleshooting points to it -- ie, the problem is resolved when you disable/uninstall Rapid Start and remove MSATA SSD.

Doing a return now would make a lot more sense than sending it in for warranty and being without a laptop for a while. You can also try to convince the Acer techs that the MSATA SSD is the issue and see if they send you just the MSATA SSD part so you can replace it yourself if your usual 30 days for return are up, depending on where you purchased it.

[landsome]

What would be a reasonable competitor to the M5?

The Gigabyte U2442N, assuming it's available in your region.

Review Gigabyte U2442N Notebook - Notebookcheck.net Reviews

A bit better even, with the right config, due to higher res matte screen, higher GPU clock, and perhaps also build.

[downloads]

Build quality is not a strong point of Gigabyte notebooks- to say the least.
At least that was the case so far.

[landsome]

Build quality is not a strong point of Gigabyte notebooks- to say the least.

Same with Acer, in fact.

[Bronsky]

Same with Acer, in fact.

The Timeline series is very well built. I loved my Acer 3820TG and it was as solid as a rock.