jescott418 Tracker

Re: C720 chromebook won't charge

jescott418 — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 18:41:51 GMT

Read some other posts on how Acer has already dropped the C720 2800 model and won't be re supplying. Something might be up with the quality of these Chromebooks? Just a guess right now, but I suspect some problems brewing.

Re: Acer has already discontinued the C720 2800!

jescott418 — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 18:38:52 GMT

I got a C720-2848 and for some reason it has become dog slow loading web pages. Even tried re installing Chrome OS twice with same results. I definately wonder if their is some problems with the Hazwell CPU or other hardware? I see no C720 for sale in many sites online. Just the older C710.

Re: Is there a 15" Acer Chromebook model?

jescott418 — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 18:36:07 GMT

Not really, I did see at one time HP had a 14" I believe. Toshiba will be bringing out a 13" which was intro'd at CES last week. Most are geared towards a second device and to keep price down use minimal hardware and small cheaper TN screens. Which if you expand the size you have to increase costs such as battery size, screen costs and possible better hardware. There is of course the Chromebook Pixel at 12.85" but its $1300!

Re: Where to get an OS

jescott418 — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 18:31:56 GMT

If you search the web you will find people devoted to walking you through a duel boot of Linux and Chrome OS. Its doable if you like working a bit with a terminal setup. You first have to put your Chromebook into developer mode and then follow steps to install the Linux OS. The only real issue is some experience some issues with things like WiFi, touchpad sensitivity and HDMI compatibility in Linux. Remember, a Chromebook is specifically designed to run Chrome OS.

Re: Chromebook C720 - No mobile internet connection with my usb dongle - not even recognised.

jescott418 — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 18:26:23 GMT

Not a lot of support for that kind of hardware in Chromebooks. I have heard more cellular adaptor support is coming but I have heard that for a while. Lot of dongles dont even work with Mac's so your better option is a MyFi personal Cellular device. That way you can connect your Chromebook through the WiFi portion of that adaptor.

Re: Learning to use a Chromebook

jescott418 — Mon, 13 Jan 2014 23:30:59 GMT

Find the app you want to delete. Hold two fingers on touch pad and click on app. Select Remove from Chrome. Its that simple.

Re: C720 Chromebook - wifi connection drops

jescott418 — Mon, 13 Jan 2014 23:29:19 GMT

If you truly have 75% signal I am surprised that your losing connection. I have seen signal levels vary widely from one place to another. I myself have more drops with 2.4ghz band at night when more people are using more WiFi too. Also other close routers can also interfere. I still believe this is a hardware issue with the lousy WiFi card.

Re: ACER C720 the hostile machine...

jescott418 — Mon, 13 Jan 2014 11:52:16 GMT

Chromebook's are locked devices. Everyone knows they are not meant to really be anything more. If you don't like Chromebook's then don't buy one. Especially don't buy one because you think your buying something to just install another OS on. Yea, people have managed to roughly install another linux version but not without some issues.

I look at a Chromebook as being a cheap throw away internet device. It allows a person to inexpensively buy a device that is a alternative to a cheap tablet. Nothing more and nothing less. You want to talk about glued in batteries and RAM that is not upgradable but even Apple is moving towards very limited upgrade or replacement options with their Macbooks.

This has become the way PC makers assemble PC's. 2GB of RAM for Chrome OS is plenty for most people. Yes, most likely it would be not enough for a full Linux but then again it was not designed for a full Linux or Windows OS. Why would anyone expect more from these cheap devices then what they are designed for is beyond me. If you want something better, don't expect that will come without paying more.

Re: Wireless connection randomly drops or disconnects from my chromebook

jescott418 — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 13:49:47 GMT

Chromebooks because of their hardware, poor antenna system or drivers. Have a issue where WiFi signals are reduced faster then say a Windows notebook in general. I can have almost 100% signal on my Toshiba notebook and 60% on my Acer C720 Chromebook. The kicker is that once you drop below a certain threshold you can experience disconnects. You have a couple options. Either keep you Chromebrook closer to your rotuer or add some sort of signal booster AKA range extended to make the signal stronger. Not much improvement you can do with a Chromebook as adding a USB WiFi adaptor will not be possible. That's a plausable solution for a Windows PC but not a Chromebook.

Re: chrome book 710 doesn't work

jescott418 — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 13:43:55 GMT

If you try and send email with a link the default email is gMail on a Chromebook. I will bet you use hotmail/Outlook.com as your mail provider which is web based. Unfortunately you cannot make any other mail provider the default on a Chromebook. Let's faceit, a Chromebook is dedicated to all that's Google. I use Outlook.com and basically if you want to send a link or files by way of your email. You will have to do it manually by copy and paste or save the file and send it as a attatchment. Don't even bother with the Chrome App store which has a Outlook.com app. Its basically just a quick launch that opens Outlook.com in another tab. You have to understand that Chrome Browser is really the only real app that runs on a Chromebook. Everything else runs through that. Its why it can work on even the weakest hardware. A Browser with a OS is what I call it.

Re: C720 Chromebook - wifi connection drops

jescott418 — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 17:17:18 GMT

When you make hardware at this price point some compromises can be expected. I can certainly confirm that WiFi signals are worse on a Chromebook then many PC laptops. I had a Samsung Chromebook before my Acer C720 and had plenty of WiFi disconnects. But in my opinion considering home dependant a Chromebook is on WiFi. I think I personally would have invested more in a more robust WiFi card. The problem of course is unlike a Windows PC I cannot simply buy a USB WiFi adapter to improve performance. I am stuck with whatever Acer put in these Chromebooks. I am also at the mercy of Google and the Chromium project to update the hardware drivers.

Re: Chromebook C720 - No mobile internet connection with my usb dongle - not even recognised.

jescott418 — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 13:55:22 GMT

I doubt your mobile USB device is compatible with Chrome OS. You need drivers to make that device work. Chrome OS supports basic USB devices like mice,keayboards and most storage devices. Even some USB to LAN devices. But I have yet to see a Cellular USB Modem compatible. A solution if you need cellular access is to buy a MyFi device from your cellular carrier and connect Chromebook via wifi connection.

Re: Driver issues Windows 8.1

jescott418 — Tue, 22 Oct 2013 10:49:09 GMT

Well at least now Acer has poted newer drivers. I tried them and am not sure they are better but did read AMD worked closely with Microsoft Windows team on 8.1 to improve performance. Not sure why AMD seems to be the only one I have read about with graphic and performance issues with Windows 8?? I can say after doing the update to 8.1 my Acer V5-122P A6 1450 is performing better but their is a downside as battery life has been reduced.

Windows 8.1 update battery life

jescott418 — Tue, 22 Oct 2013 10:44:51 GMT

Have a V5-122P and notice after doing the 8.1 update that battery life has been reduced. I read a couple places where AMD worked with Windows 8 team on imporving AMD's APU chips performance and I can attest that I do believe the performance is a bit better. But I guess the downside is worse battery life? Wonder if anyone else has noticed this on a AMD chip PC? Otherwise was glad to see Acer post new 8.1 drivers which I updated.

Re: Help Please!

jescott418 — Tue, 22 Oct 2013 10:39:05 GMT

This forum probably is not the best for getting answers to a repair delay. Unless your looking for others with similar problems. I can relate, I sent a Chromebook to Samsung for repairs and they lost it!! I guess somehow their third party repair center shipped it to someone else?? I can tell you that many times certain parts can be difficult to obtain. Especially if the failed part is a common one and they are waiting on improved parts to be distributed. Like a recall on a car, the part that failed most likely has to be redesigned and manufactured. Your best best is to contact support at Acer and try and get answers.

Re: Windows 8.1 FYI on drivers

jescott418 — Sun, 20 Oct 2013 23:57:10 GMT

Actually much of the problem seems to be with the AMD graphics driver being updated. Apparently Windows 8.1 updated the ATI driver. Then problems like Control Center not opening and other graphic related issues begain happening. I solved my issues by simply uninstally Catalyst in programs and restarting. The new Windows driver takes over and their is no Control Center. I guess if you want that, you can try to download the beta on AMD's site?

Driver issues Windows 8.1

jescott418 — Fri, 18 Oct 2013 13:21:03 GMT

Its becoming apparent on the Windows 8.1 forums that their is issues with AMD drivers specifically graphic drivers and Windows 8.1. I guess trying the AMD beta driver or waiting for stable driver fix is the only solutions. Its possible some of the other drivers are also facing issues with the upgrade. I have yet to see any Acer released drivers as yet??

I myself with my Acer V5 122P have noticed that Catalyst Control will not open. Some also noted the inability to get correct resolution on second monitor with AMD graphics and Windows 8.1. I am regretting already upgrading to 8.1.

Windows 8.1 FYI on drivers

jescott418 — Fri, 18 Oct 2013 13:15:26 GMT

Some issues seem to be happening with AMD video drivers and Catalyst Center opening in the Windows 8.1 update.

Much of thses problems have been minor but some like Touch Screen issues, blank screens and such are more trouble.

This goes without saying that these issues are confined to AMD products. Some fixes are trying the AMD driver from AMD own site which is a beta driver and probably has its own issues. Or waiting for a stable release driver.

Re: External Battery V5-122P

jescott418 — Fri, 18 Oct 2013 00:22:56 GMT

Well after taking mine on the road. I soon realized that battery life is not so great. I almost find it appalling because the APU from AMD uses so little power (or so they say). I am surprised that battery life is not better. A external battery option would be a welcomed addition.

Re: Acer Aspire S7-391 Windows 8.1 issus with Touch Screen and Trackpad

jescott418 — Fri, 18 Oct 2013 00:18:59 GMT

Drivers should not be a issue from 8.0 to 8.1. Its not a fundamental change in the OS. Just some added features and refreshes. Its possible some changes have affected certain aspects. I for example noticed right away my browser reduced zoom to 80% from 100% and I think its because Acer defaults the DPI settings to 125% and not 100% in order to make everything a bit bigger on the small screen. But as far as drivers if their were any required for 8.1 from Acer they will be posting them soon if not already.