The Acer 5742G thread

[Th3_uN1Qu3]

I have a feeling this is going to grow long in the following years...

I traded my Lenovo V560 (i3/4GB/intel HD/250GB) for an Acer 5742G with the following specs:
Core i5 M460 2.53GHz
4GB DDR3
Mobility HD5470
WD 500GB

Nice deal, with a catch. This Acer only works when it wants to (it DOES work most of the time tho). When it fails, it shows the signs of a failed video chip. But this isn't your typical failed GPU, as i'll detail, as it can run FurMark for however long when it's good. However, it'll definitely have the same fix as your typical failed GPU. So far so good though, it only throws a hissy fit if i flex it too hard.

A closer all-round look explained everything: It's been dropped. Display has been replaced rather amateurishly (left a lot of marks on the side of the bezel), and whoever took a look at the mainboard didn't bother to reinstall a lot of screws.

Now, i'm no stranger to this model and its overheating issues due to absolutely idiotic fan management (or lack thereof, it never speeds up). I hoped i'd never see one again, and what do you know, now i own one. Once i get the GPU sorted out, it'll need quite a few things tweaked. This is the first one i see with ATi though, i only knew of the nVidia version.

Stay tuned.

[Th3_uN1Qu3]

Re: The Acer 5742G thread

An update. In case you were wondering... yeah, my lack of further activity on this topic was due to the fact that the #@*(%)@# thing decided to die on me after the GPU reflow. I just ressurected it today.

No, i didn't kill the graphics chip, i measured it and it was fine after the reflow. The thing just didn't want to turn on anymore. It charged the battery but that was it. I'd left it aside back then and tried to part it out but received no offers. I woke up early today, feeling lucky, so i thought i'd give it another shot... And guess what, it just worked. Fully assembled, it did not work again. Took the board back out and flexed it a little, it worked again...

I decided to give it some close visual inspection, and found questionable looking soldering on the KBC and a couple of the SMPS controllers. Touched those up, and it now starts reliably every time. This shows one can expect anything from a device that has been dropped, but it's nothing that sharp eyes won't spot. There are also no more graphics issues, so the reflow i did 3 weeks ago was successful. So, onwards! Expect some fan-hax soon.

[Francisco.s]

Re: The Acer 5742G thread

I traded my Lenovo V560 (i3/4GB/intel HD/250GB)

Probably you have the schematic for this Lenovo, if so, could you post a link to download it?
It would be great, I really need it.
Thanks.

[Th3_uN1Qu3]

Re: The Acer 5742G thread

I don't have the schematic for that mainboard (Wistron LA-56). However, you can find easily the schematic for LA-46, which is very very similar, and i used that in troubleshooting my V560.

[Francisco.s]

Re: The Acer 5742G thread

I don't have the schematic for that mainboard (Wistron LA-56). However, you can find easily the schematic for LA-46, which is very very similar, and i used that in troubleshooting my V560.

Thanks, I appreciated so much your answer. I know that is very similar, but bios memory circuit seems to be different, the schematic for LA-46 shows two bios, (ec-bios and main bios) but the motherboard (LA-56) has only one. (¿?)
Regards.

[Th3_uN1Qu3]

Re: The Acer 5742G thread

LA-56 has main BIOS and EC BIOS too... My Lenovo gave no signs of life when i got it, and it turned out to be a bad EC BIOS. I reflashed that and everything worked fine afterwards.

[Francisco.s]

Re: The Acer 5742G thread

LA-56 has main BIOS and EC BIOS too... My Lenovo gave no signs of life when i got it, and it turned out to be a bad EC BIOS. I reflashed that and everything worked fine afterwards.

I couldn't find it.
EC-BIOS in LA-46, is U48 (MX25L1005CMI-12G-GP(128KB)) and System BIOS Flash ROM, is U17 (SST25VF032B-80-4I-S2AF(4MB)).
Do you know the position and the name of EC-BIOS in LA-56?
Regards.

[Th3_uN1Qu3]

Re: The Acer 5742G thread

EC flash on LA56 MB is U13, PMC Pm25LD010. Near the DVD drive connector and to the lower right of the Nuvoton EC. It may be marked with a dot of paint which obscures the model number, hence why you weren't able to spot it. Edit: See here: http://www.wimsbios.com/forum/topic13739.html

[Francisco.s]

Re: The Acer 5742G thread

EC flash on LA56 MB is U13, PMC Pm25LD010. Near the DVD drive connector and to the lower right of the Nuvoton EC. It may be marked with a dot of paint which obscures the model number, hence why you weren't able to spot it. Edit: See here: http://www.wimsbios.com/forum/topic13739.html

Unfortunately, I haven't this laptop now. (it's being with me for repair for too long, trying to locate the schematic with any luck)
But I really appreciate your help.
I saw the pictures, and the motherboard are a little different. (I'm not sure if my motherboard has U13 in that position)
In case it returns back, I will check, and reprogram it. Will post the results.
Regards.

[dellxps15]

Re: The Acer 5742G thread

the unique, on an italian forum we are interested in some nb ang gpu undervolt.... what about that ?

that could make that notebook temperature lower :p

[sorinac]

Re: The Acer 5742G thread

dellxps15 yes that could lower the temp but it will also have a high risk to crash

also the last post is from 2013 and i don't think Th3_uN1Qu3 still has the machine

[Scootie]

Re: The Acer 5742G thread

I recently fixed an acer aspire 5740(maybe G)(im not sure if it's a keeper or not) which had the pch a bit shorted by a broken usb pin. I noticed that the dedicated vga still has some free slots for ram. Is it possible to add a few? Cause I have 2 broken motherboard for this laptop with plenty of ram to remove.

[dellxps15]

Re: The Acer 5742G thread

generally with ram u need to add or remove some resistor.

for sorinac, yes maybe he sold it but looking on the diagram can give a look

i have a 5740g just repaired but dunno if i can practice that undervolt... maybe if the unique give a tip on how to calculate and where to focus..

[ktmmotocross]

Re: The Acer 5742G thread

unique have already posted the calculator for undervoltage. search forum

[Th3_uN1Qu3]

Re: The Acer 5742G thread

My 5742G is still running fine and i don't feel like messing around with it. The only thing about it is that webcam doesn't work but it's a fault in the LVDS cable and i haven't found one locally last time i looked. Other than that, it's still running great.

What's funny though is that it's my secondary laptop. Guess what the primary is now.... a DV9000. . A proper DV9000. T9300 OC @ 3.06GHz, 4GB DDR2, SSD+HDD, 8600M GS and 1920x1200 matte screen. The acer unfortunately has a single link cable so i'm stuck with ordinary 1366x768... no thanks.

For sorinac: The extra VRAM can only be used if you upgrade the GPU to the HD5650 (128-bit). Yes the board can do it (look at the schematic) but you'll likely need to change some straps along with fitting the extra VRAM.

[dellxps15]

Re: The Acer 5742G thread

OT

the unique, i have a question:
i have bought a 8400gs 64bit and they sell also the 128bit but costs the double.

what is the difference ?

64bit can handle only 128mb ram and 128bit can handle 256?

isnt that related only to bus aperture and speed ?

end OT

glad to see you still have that notebook. so according to you it doesnt need undervolt?

people blame about the high temperature that this notebook run

[Th3_uN1Qu3]

Re: The Acer 5742G thread

8400M GS is 64-bit. It can handle up to 256MB VRAM. Maybe 8400GS for desktop has also 128-bit version but i don't know anything about it.

On the Acer the CPU runs hot (reaching 80C easily, and 100C after 2-3 hours) when doing intensive tasks or gaming, but it's an intel so there's no problem. Idle it runs at 45-55 which is fine.

The GPU doesn't go much over 75 in games and sits at 50-55 at the desktop. It used to run hotter when i got it because the cooler was a bit bent and it didn't make contact properly. I straightened it and used good quality paste on it (Noctua NT-H1) and it hasn't seen over 80C ever since. And it's been 1.5 years.