The Acer Guy

While I try to get my head (and camera) around making these “How to…” videos and upload them into the all-new Acer Guy site which I’m rushing to get published, I came across this amazing site which any of you thinking of tinkering with your Aspire One should definitely bookmark.

Thanks to lornajane for bringing it to my attention in the first place and kudos to Jorge Barrera Grandon for putting it together in one, easy-to-read page.

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I’ve been trying to figure out the best way to do this and I think this is a good place to start.

Several people have suggested that the new version of TheAcerGuy have a section called “How to…” with detailed instructions on how to perform particular tasks (setting up recovery disks, installing applications on the Aspire One, etc.) with printable instructions, that sort of thing.

OK, today I had a long and very pleasant conversation with Simone and the way we see it, we have to draw a line (albeit a thin one) between what Acer can officially sanction (the How to… section) and all the other weird and wonderful tweaks that exist out there but blow your warranties out the window. (the forum section).

So where do we start? Well, I’d like you to help me draw up a list of your favourite applications that you can’t live without.

What I find happening from the many mails I’ve received asking for help is that people are buying the Aspire One and want to set it up the same way they have their laptops. That means the same programs, same plugins and because the Aspire One is not exactly a friendly environment to install new stuff on (I’m talking about Real player plugins), well, that’s where we might be able to help.

Which brings me to this list. I have a few programs that I want and need to install on my Aspire One and am going to find out whether it’s possible. If it is, I will make a video showing you how I did it so that you can do the same.

But as this is all about you and not me, I’d also like to hear about the applications you think it needs. Again, I’ll do the homework and then post the results.

Here’s my shortlist so far:

- Skype
- Vodafone Mobile Connect (3G connectivity)
- Real Player
- VLC player
- SHOUTcast broadcasting software

What do you need?

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Found this great video showing how to get into the advanced mode on the Aspire One.

Please remember these words of warning, however, as the description to the video states:

Walkthrough of how to activate the “advanced mode” in the Linpus OS on the Acer Aspire One. Proceed at your own risk, it is easy to mess up settings if you play around with them a lot!

Thanks to denial for posting the link (and for all the other tips).

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I’ve received a few mails from people who haven’t yet bought an Aspire One who are being put off by reports that the wireless connectivity is a little flaky.

In particular, the concerns regard an article posted on the Acer Aspire One User Forum.

I asked Simone for his input on the subject and his reply was:

On the one reported occasion when this happened, it was resolved by performing a Live Update, yet the forum says that after recovery with CD / USB key the system no longer sees the wireless connection or doesn’t allow it to work, so this is another issue entirely.

In any case I believe the problem will soon be brought to the attention of Acer.

For now, I can’t add much more. Here in the lab I have preload Version 1.0.3.E in Italian and have never had this problem and the 4 samples that have come and gone functioned perfectly.

I would ask, however, all clients of the Aspire One to have the following information on hand when they contact Acer:

1- BIOS version
2- Operating System version (both are in “Settings” “Information”)
3- Proof that Live update has been performed: this can be done by clicking on the search icon and entering “*.log” and then selecting “desktop”, hit “enter” or click on the icon to start searching.
On the search results page, select “file system” unless it’s not already loaded and click on “search”
Among the many files there’s one (usually the second from the top) called: installed-success.log

This file records all the updates performed by LiveUpdate and it’s EXTREMELY USEFUL for us to have a copy of this file or a copy of the content.

Important:
Some users will have found inconsistent or even different contents when comparing their Aspire One installed-success.log files to others. It all depends on what language the operating system uses and the version of the operating system used in the preload. That’s why Mr. Rossi in Italy will have one patch while Mr. White from the UK does not and vice versa.
The moral of the story: YOUR OWN PERSONAL LOG FILE IS THE ONLY ONE THAT COUNTS.

So Live Update seems to be working overtime at the moment and obviously the learning curve for perfection is pretty steep but it’s good to know that the Acer has every intention of improving this product on a daily basis. Fingers crossed this issue gets cleaned up definitively in the next few days.

For the record, both the pre-production model I “borrowed” and the one I bought have not had these problems at all. In fact, in a video I’m still editing you can see me take the Aspire One out of the box, attach the battery and cables and go online within 5 minutes.

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I’ve been getting mails from Aspire One users who are unable to log in to Messenger with their Aspire One.

I’ve asked Acer support for an explanation and there is one.

“Microsoft has changed the protocol to login to their servers and our application needs to be updated - it should be ready in the next three days. Updates will be available from the Live Update service”.

So keep your eyes open for an update, OK?

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OK. Let’s get this show on the road.

The first thing I need to clear up is my Aspire One. It hasn’t arrived and I’m not happy. Got an email from the online retailer saying that “…due to delivery delays on a national level…”, I won’t be receiving it until after the 8th August (which means the 10th at the earliest).

National level?? Ingram Micro what do you have to say for yourselves? Probably nothing as you probably don’t even track your incoming links…

So the Aspire One review will have to wait. Ho Hum…

But onto more important things:

The Acer Guy - YOUR website - is going to get a complete make-over, starting right now. I know I’ve been toying with the idea for a while and have mentioned it on more than a few occasions but this time it’s for real.

But being me, I want to do things differently. Of course I have my own agenda and things I want to see happen, but I’d REALLY love to incorporate some ideas that come from the people who use this site. The REAL Acer Guys in other words.

I mean, the idea of setting up a forum/community *IS*on the to-do list, but how should it be done? Should it be moderated (and by who?) or is setting up a “member’s section” enough to keep out the spam we’ve been seeing so much of recently?

I *LOVE* surveys (like: please rate Acer Customer Support from 1-10, or at the other end of the spectrum, Do you want an Aspire One 1-10?) but there has to be a purpose to it. Would you guys like to see something like Dell’s IdeaStorm (just for fun - not officially sanctioned remember? (yet)) or should I just stick to the classic question layout - might be a bit boring no?

How about another “How To…” section where members (you) can upload videos and instructions on how to get the best out of Acer notebooks/PCs?

The list is essentially endless as this is potentially one big blank sheet but I’m very open to suggestion. Comments welcome!

I’m also looking at getting some T-Shirts designed and will be sending them off to the most persistent contributors and reviewers (Morris, you’re top of the list).

I’ve asked the web design agency to have a go at creating a new logo but again, if any of you are expert graphic artists, well hey, I’d be honored…

Look forward to hearing your thoughts.

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OK. It happens.

Every now and then, the CineDash media console on the Aspire Gemstone Blue models freezes, turns off, refuses to work, leaves you in locked out of the car in the pouring rain… The causes are endless, but the solution is quite simple.

To reset the CineDash, remove the power cable AND the battery for more than ten seconds.

Tadaa!

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Hello everyone.

Just got back from a week’s vacation and am going through all the mail and comments to see if there’s something I really need to deal with now so that I can have an answer by tomorrow.

For those who saw it, apologies for the spam that got through. At times like these I don’t mind admitting I have an iPhone particularly as it allowed me to cancel that filth from the beach!

Got some great questions in but one really stands out. I’ve never done this before, but I just HAD to republish AJ’s mail - after all, the best eyes out there are always yours and I’m sure he won’t mind!

“Looking for a site or place to purchase a 6920 or 8920-pref. with all bells and whistles for under $1299. I’ve done some reading and these laps are the BEST out there. Any help is appreciated.”

(curious to see if any online retailers read this blog). Answers/suggestions below please.

Tomorrow - hopefully - I’ll get my Aspire One (it was delivered while I was away - DUH!) so I’ll be writing about that and I’ll also start asking for help with the Acer Guy re-vamp I’m going to commission over the next few months. Now’s your chance to design a corporate blog just the way you want it…

Right now, as I’m sure any of you with three kids will understand, I need to get some sleep.

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