Frustrated with New Acer Aspire TImeline 5810TG

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donnaz

94 posts

Master Geek

# 52429 3-Dec-2009 23:36

Today I purchased the above laptop and have been trying all night to connect to the internet using a wireless connection (my main PC has a Belkin Modem with Wireless Router). It just won't let me.

There is no 'slide switch' or anything on the computer to turn on wireless. In the little book that came with it it shows that there is a 'Communication Key' on the top that enables/disables the WLAN function... but this doesn't work if I press it....therefore no LED light shows on it

Under 'Network Adaptors' there is no option except for Atheros AR8131 PCI-E Gigabit Ethernet Controller and Bluetooth.

Be so grateful for any help

Donna

OldRepublicJedi

53 posts

Master Geek

# 279256 4-Dec-2009 11:07

Ok so according to acer it should have the following:

WLAN: Intel? Wireless WiFi Link 5100

I haven't used an acer for quite some time, so I dont know if there is an option to disable the wireless in the bios setup or not. The fact that the wireless adapater is not showing up in device manager is not a good sign.. could possible mean it's a dead wireless card. Everything you have said would indicate a hardware fault, but without looking at it can't make any guarantees! I would recommend taking it straight back to where you purchased it from!

meesham

924 posts

Ultimate Geek

Subscriber

# 279264 4-Dec-2009 11:22

I got my other half the 4810T (the 14" version), and that has the intel wireless adapter. On hers the "Communication Key" is the little orange light above the keyboard that flashes when there's wireless activity, pressing that turns the wireless on and off.

donnaz

94 posts

Master Geek

# 279458 4-Dec-2009 23:16

Took mine back to the shop today - it was faulty and I am sure they knew that when they sold it to me... what they will do for their commission! I had to go 40 minutes away to pick a replacement up from another branch! Last time I purchase from them.

donnaz

94 posts

Master Geek

# 279459 4-Dec-2009 23:16

Thank you to those who tried to help :)

OldRepublicJedi

53 posts

Master Geek

# 279466 5-Dec-2009 00:00

Glad its sorted :-)

rscole86

4354 posts

Uber Geek

Moderator

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

# 279468 5-Dec-2009 00:02

donnaz: Took mine back to the shop today - it was faulty and I am sure they knew that when they sold it to me... what they will do for their commission! I had to go 40 minutes away to pick a replacement up from another branch! Last time I purchase from them.

How do you come to that conclusion? Was the laptop opened and tested by the staff before handing it over to you?

donnaz

94 posts

Master Geek

# 279486 5-Dec-2009 07:42

I was there when he opened the package. My replacement laptop had many things different, the battery was separate, the protector was still on the power plug, there were about 6 security labels on different parts of the packaging. There wasn't an outer box (although that is a bit picky), when he showed me the screen he quickly shut it as it was all blurry. It had fingers marks all over it and he quickly mentioned it and cleaned them off. .... that is only a few I can think of. Also when I took it back, as soon as I only told him that the wireless internet wasn't working... he quickly parcelled it up and rung another shop for a replacement. Never apologised or anything. There are many other things too... if you think I am unreasonable in my assumption please tell me... I never complain about things - quite the oppositie - I usually ring shops to praise their staff... but this time I think I will ring someone about it

meesham

924 posts

Ultimate Geek

Subscriber

# 279521 5-Dec-2009 11:59

I used to work for one of the largest Acer suppliers in Western Australia, it was very rare that we would open a laptop box before we shipped it out. It does sound like they gave you either an ex-demo or one that's been returned, the inner box (not the brown one, the one with the Acer Timeline logos on it) should have had Acer "genuine" stickers over the openings.

donnaz

94 posts

Master Geek

# 279523 5-Dec-2009 12:02

There were no security/genuine stickers on it at all!

meesham

924 posts

Ultimate Geek

Subscriber

# 279529 5-Dec-2009 12:08

donnaz: There were no security/genuine stickers on it at all!

Dodgy! Care to say who the retailer was?

There's only 4 places I buy from now, Computerlounge, Ascent, Playtech and Paradigm PCs.

donnaz

94 posts

Master Geek

# 279532 5-Dec-2009 12:13

It Was Noel Leemings. :)