Netbook freezes randomly

I think it could be the LCD it interfaces with everything and that is where we see the freeze
as a point I once let mine run the battery down until it went into hibernate to see if it saved the document
and it did so i think the OS is still running behind the LCD freeze
can anyone verify.
Pdam

 

The LCD does not interface to anything - only one way communication. I simply cannot believe that LCD has anything to do with the freezing problem. Also when the shit freezes, the HDD indicator also stops flashing, that is, nothing is running "behind" the screen.

 

This is crazy. The LCD has nothing to do with it. The OP clearly stated that Acer replaced the LCD because they saw gray horizontal lines. He nor Acer never said that it had anything to do with the Freezing issue. That was all speculation and conclusions jumped to by subsequent posters. Clearly, the units that have been repaired successfully, including one of mine have had the motherboard replaced.

Lance
http://www.lancemoreland.com

 

Lancemoreland >> I totally agree!

 

ok, after this repair, anyone can recomend a motherboard and a HDD for the AO751H to change?

because have problems about compatibilitym, HDD not so, but the motherboard, wich is recomended and good for the Netbook?

 

I think you're being mislead

Replacing the motherboard will most likely fix your 751, but this has to be done by Acer's service department. The only motherboard that can be used for this (without simultaneously replacing most other parts, that is) is the Intel US15W board specifically designed for the 751.

I'm fairly certain that there's no need to replace the HDD.

 

Both the CPU and GPU can reach critical temperatures in a matter of seconds. Badly designed Flash ads (i.e. most of them) and scrolling text boxes both put high demands on both units, for example. It's up to the cooling system to catch up and cool these chips down before they reach a critical level. Unfortunately, a defect in the chip can reduce this level below the cooling system's programmed temperature limits. This is why many have found the "fan control" utility stops the freezing, as it reduces these limits below the defective chip's critical level.

 

I agree. Let me refrase. I am also running the "fan control" utility and it is at least not the chips that are monitored by this system that is hot. Or the program returns low temperatures also when the system freezes (below 40 celcius)

 

I'm an idiot and didn't research this machine before buying one for my wife for xmas. Sure enough, it freezes frequently. Even with a new Win7 install.
So, the question I'm faced with...
Is it worth it to send it back to Acer for 'repair' or should I return this p.o.s. to B&H and get the AOD250?
I really like this model (screen size, keyboard, etc), and would rather keep it, but not if it's going to be a huge headache to get it fixed.
Has Acer been able to successfully fix this problem for people recently, or is it still a crap-shoot? Thanks in advance for your comments/feedback.

 

Hi to everyone,
I write from Italy and I'm experiencing your same problems with AO751. No software trick was able to fix the freezing problem and so I have to contact the technical service. However, I would like to try a 2GB RAM module. Could you kindly indicate me the technical details of a 2GB RAM module compatible with machine? In your experience, is there a RAM brand which is most suitable with this netbook?

Thank you!

 

I don't know if I am lucky or I managed to fix the problem, but I cannot reproduce the freezing problem even when I playback videos or use the Google Earth application. What I did was to use the AA1FanControl with Fan On @ 60C and Fan Off @ 50C. No changes in hardware or software occurred in the meantime.

I don't know, it may be a good coincidence. In the meantime I received a very polite reply to my email from Acer, asking for the serial number of my netbook in order to take the proper actions. I will inform them as soon as possible of the new situation, as I do not plan to start sending them my netbook while they try to replace all hardware in order to fix the problem.

I use Windows 7 Professional, if that matters

 

Pytheas, could you please tell what BIOS version you use? Because, as i mentioned before, aa1 won't work on my netbook with 3210 bios and windows 7 ultimate for no reason. And i'd really like it to work, because it seemed to reduce the frequency of the freeze

 

Hi,
I'm using 3210 version and AA1 doesn't seem to work. In order to check the behavior of the netbook as a function of the temperature, I put it on an external chassis provided of additional fans. It seems that the freezing frequency is reduced, but at best I experienced one freeze each hour.

I tried to find software similar to AA1 but unfortunately I find no alternative to AA1. So, did anyone find something to replace AA1?

Thank you.

 

The only real fix is to replace the motherboard, but since this is expensive Acer will attempt to fix it through other means. This means a few back-and-forth trips to the repair center. This company has a quality-control issue. It is a nice computer, but I'd recommend replacing it with something else from another company to avoid the headaches.

 

Unfortunately, the effectiveness of temperature control depends on the severity of the defect. It sounds like your computer is too far gone for this to work. Return it to the store or exercise the warrantee.

 

I have updated the BIOS to version 3210 before using the AA1 Fan Control v1.6 (http://www.computentsystems.de/aceraspireonefancontrol/) and I haven't face any problem. I am using windows 7 Pro and the latest version of the Intel GMA500 drivers from Intel's website.

What exactly do you mean by the utility not working with 3210 BIOS? It doesn't run at all or you don't see any difference in the usage of the fan?

 

Hi,

Good news:

My 751h was frozing randomly 2 or 3 times per day. Tired of that I returned to acer technical service using as intermediary the shop where I bought it. In one week I had it again in my hands. In one week I haven't had any problem with it.

They replaced the motherboard. The hard disk is the same. They haven't touch it. It has the same data before sending it.

So my recommendation is to send it to the technical service and request to change the mother board as it seems the solution.

 

mine is on it's second go-round at the repair facility. They replaced the motherboard and hard drive the first time. It was ok for awhile, then started the same old stuff again, freezing up with 5 minutes of turning it on..

I don't think they really know what is wrong with these. I think this model is just a lemon. I think as owners of these computers we should file a class action suit against Acer because I think they knew early on these computers were junk.....

 

Hello everyone, new member, new 751 user.............

Soon as I fired up my 751 yesterday for the first time I upgraded the bios to the latest version from the shipped 3204 to 3210 (new is better right?)......had the first 'freeze' within a couple of hours on XP.

Fresh install of XP, same thing........acronis backup........fresh install of win 7, same thing!

Had a couple of 1GB Ram stick's so tried those (Hynix first)....locked up with 10 mins then again & again & again every few minutes.

Changed to another (generic) 1GB stick I had laying around........the 751 locked up even more frequently....grhhh.

Reverted back to the supplied 1GB Samsung stick...........no lockup for a couple of hours then brhhhh, freeze!

Thought long & hard, read some posts, lates drivers and some not so latest......then took the plunge to revert the BIOS *back* to the very first version (earlier than the one that came supplied)....so, currently have the original 1GB Samsung ram, Windows 7 & a few drivers from the Acer site and..... BIOS version 3202! running, and.....so far....so good!!! 12 hours solid all sorts of tests (video, flash, surfing etc) and it's perfect.....installed AA1 Fan Control too but I don't really think that has any effect but does keep the system cool so all good.

Of course this may change at any moment but I know something for sure.....which memory stick used is a major issue (as per earlier threads) and it seems so far the BIOS may also have something to do with this problem (hope so)......I will of course keep you updated and will of course, albeit sadly eat my own words if the damn thing locks up again!

Shame becasue, after some tweaks it's a lovely nippy little netbook.

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EDIT

Forgot to mention, when running 3202 the clock speed reverts back to 1.2Ghz......using setfsb on start up to run @ the CPU's native 1.33Ghz......no lock ups/freeze
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If I recall, the BIOS upgrades solved some performance issues, among other things. Acer never releases WHAT these BIOS upgrades actually do. So, your choice is either running with the freezes or having the netbook run at partial capacity.

Frankly, I think that the flaw is present with ANY motherboard for this computer. It just needs the right set of conditions to set up the freezing problem. The lockup occurs quite randomly on my computer. Sometimes, it is once a day; sometimes, it is once an hour or more. There is no rhyme or reason to it. I don't have to be pushing the computer. Even when sitting idle, I've seen it freeze completely.

james31554 is right, maybe a class action lawsuit is something to consider. Acer doesn't appear to be addressing the problem. They certainly don't appear to know what the solution is and are probably hoping that we will just go away. I wonder if Consumerist would be interested in this issue. Has anyone sent them a link to this forum topic?