i-Buddie 4 Desknote Review

OrgName: Sprint PCS
OrgID: SPCS
Address: 12502 Sunrise Valley Dr
City: Reston
StateProv: VA
PostalCode: 20191
Country: US

NetRange: 68.240.0.0 - 68.247.255.255
CIDR: 68.240.0.0/13
NetName: SPRINT-WIRELESS
NetHandle: NET-68-240-0-0-1
Parent: NET-68-0-0-0-0
NetType: Direct Allocation
NameServer: OSSCDNS01.SPCSDNS.NET
NameServer: OSSCDNS02.SPCSDNS.NET
Comment: ADDRESSES WITHIN THIS BLOCK ARE NON-PORTABLE
RegDate: 2003-07-17
Updated: 2004-03-25

OrgTechHandle: DRW52-ARIN
OrgTechName: Williams, David R
OrgTechPhone: +1-913-315-4685
OrgTechEmail: (e-mail address removed)
Click to expand...
tsk tsk Dave
 
Hi All,
Has anyone fitted a 2.4a gig processor to the Ibuddy.The one im trying to get going is a 533fsb type.I see someone had a3.0 gig fitted.My one refuses to boot.I notice it says it is a 1.4v max core voltage.Is the ibuddy 1.5v?.Any way of making this processor go.
Any help would be appreciated.
Les
 
Thanks to all who have given insight on this issue. I recently had a meltdown (after a 1 1/2 year of owning this laptop) and replaced the plug with my external battery cable as described by Mandalorian. Again I experienced the same problem as the tip of the cord entering the computer proceeded to melt. I have searched for replacement power supplies but have been unable to find retailers that actually stock this item (most say discontinued or sold out). ECS has not replied to my mails and basically I have a dead computer...? Did anyone determine if it was indeed the computer or the power supply emitting too much juice that caused the cable to overheat? Also does anyone know where to buy a new powersupply? Or any other solutions? What about that class action lawsuit?
thx!
 

I think your A928 got the A928 common mainboard design problem.
It will damage the AC adapter plug and the power jack of mainboard (the pin out) after about two years, sometimes it make the mainboard defected (Can not booting up, only cooling fan runing). ECS has to replace the mainboard, but now they already sold out this which cost was about US$200. You can't only replace AC adapter plug, it will burn again if not to fix the mainboard power system.
I already found the method and have repaired a lot since last year. Some people knew me just from here. The connector does't need to be replaced to another kind (keep to use the original AC adapter), but I have to change mainboard inside structure.
I do professional job to repair laptops in Toronto.
David Cai
DC SYSTEM
Tel: (416) 788-6788, E-mail: (e-mail address removed)
Twister said:
Thanks to all who have given insight on this issue. I recently had a meltdown (after a 1 1/2 year of owning this laptop) and replaced the plug with my external battery cable as described by Mandalorian. Again I experienced the same problem as the tip of the cord entering the computer proceeded to melt. I have searched for replacement power supplies but have been unable to find retailers that actually stock this item (most say discontinued or sold out). ECS has not replied to my mails and basically I have a dead computer...? Did anyone determine if it was indeed the computer or the power supply emitting too much juice that caused the cable to overheat? Also does anyone know where to buy a new powersupply? Or any other solutions? What about that class action lawsuit?
thx!
Click to expand...
 
hi everyone. i havent been here in a long time. i'm on my second meltdown. I gave up on this dumb computer and bought a toshiba for law school and let the family use the a928 at home, but its melted again. anyway, looks like we have come a long way since I last posted, hopefully I can find a fix that I can manage to do myself? this message board is huge now, if someone cares to point me in the right direction, i would be very grateful.

i think I got ripped off by ecs, wish there was something I could do about it. every time i think about it i get really super pissed.

later
 
We also had our i-Buddie 4 A928 fixed by David Cai in Toronto. He did an outstanding job in a professional and courteous manner. He is honest,timely and very communicative as well. Mr. Cai is the man to handle any problems related to this platform. He comes highly recommended.

Regards,
Dave Galloway
Chattahoochee, FL
 
dc System YOU ROCK!!!

I had posted here many months ago with the melting cord problem with my I-Buddie A298. David responded to me and I am forever greatfull!! He not only helped me, he fixed the computer and its never worked better. If you have any of these computers ...theres no doubt we've been ripped off but why not get them fixed and David is your man....GREAT SERVICE!!! FAST,RELIABLE,INEXPENSIVE EXCELLENT!! David if you read this THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!
S
 
The Fix provided by DC SYSYEMS for my A-928 melted plug appears to be a high quality repair. Would highly recommend sending defective unit to him for repair before you attempt any repairs yourself. Very complicated dissasembly procedure, DC SYS does better work then my local repair shop for a very reasonable rate.
 
iwik said:
Hi All,
Has anyone fitted a 2.4a gig processor to the Ibuddy.The one im trying to get going is a 533fsb type.I see someone had a3.0 gig fitted.My one refuses to boot.I notice it says it is a 1.4v max core voltage.Is the ibuddy 1.5v?.Any way of making this processor go.
Any help would be appreciated.
Les
Click to expand...
You need processors with a 400mhz FSB. Also the Bus/Core ratio needs to be 1.) equal to 1/10 the final operating speed (22 Bus/Core X 100 mhz = 2.2 ghz) or 2.) close enough to increase your operating speed (133 mhz X 21 Bus/Core = 2.79 ghz) A928 allows for clock speeds of up to 150, however, 100 is recommended. A 533MHZ will not boot. A 800 2.8 GHz FSB HTT will boot, however the Bus/Core = 14, so the resulting speed = 100mhz X 14 = 1.4 ghz and a slow 1.4 at that. I clocked it up to 150 mhz, still no good.The fastest compatible Intel chip (on paper, just ordered one) is an SL7EY when it arrives i'll give an update. Should be able to get it up over 3.0 ghz

Intel® Pentium® 4 processors Return to list


Results

sSpec Number SL7EY
Processor Frequency 2.80 GHz
CPUID String 0F29h
Package Type 478 pin PPGA
Core Voltage 1.475V - 1.550V
Bus Speed 400 MHz
Thermal Guideline 68.4W
Core Stepping D1
Thermal Spec 75°C
L2 Cache Size 512 KB
Manufacturing Technology 0.13 micron
L2 Cache Speed 2.80 GHz
Bus/Core Ratio 28
Spec Update
http://developer.intel.com/design/Pentium4/documentation.htm
Product Order Codes

OEM Order Code
RK80532PC072512

Notes

These parts have following specifications: VID = 1.475, Vmax = 1.370 V, Vmin = 1.290 V, VID = 1.500, Vmax = 1.395 V, Vmin = 1.315 V and VID = 1.525, Vmax = 1.420 V, Vmin = 1.340 V, Icc_max = 55.9 A, TDP = 68.4 W, Tcase = 75 °C, Isgnt = 23.0 A.
 
Last edited:
Need some opinion

Hi guys,

At first I appologize for any inconvenience regarding with my language. I came from Indonesia, so English is not my mothertongue. Currently I'm seeking for a 2nd hand (used) laptop/desknote and I put a great interest to ECS A928 Desknote due to its low price comparing to its specification. I had come into 2 option within my maximum budget of Rp. 5.5 millions (USD 592), those are Toshiba Tecra P3-650 Mhz, Dell Latitude C600 P3-800 Mhz or ECS Desknote A928.

Indonesian current market price for this kind of ECS is USD 440, same as Dell's P3. This is really intriguing to me to choose between to ops.. buying the lower spec of Dell or higher spec ECS. FYI I'll utilize this laptop for home use, considering 12 hr of usage daily. Also I'm considering of upgradeability.

Would you like to give me some opinion :
1. Is it true that ECS use Desktop PC's peripherals (RAM, HD, Processor, VGA Card etc)? Can we simply change it by PC's peripherals to upgrade?
2. Which is the best choice? Buying P3 Dell C600 or P4 ECS?

Tnanks

Yo
 
Re: Need some opinion

ynuswantoro said:
Hi guys,

At first I appologize for any inconvenience regarding with my language. I came from Indonesia, so English is not my mothertongue. Currently I'm seeking for a 2nd hand (used) laptop/desknote and I put a great interest to ECS A928 Desknote due to its low price comparing to its specification. I had come into 2 option within my maximum budget of Rp. 5.5 millions (USD 592), those are Toshiba Tecra P3-650 Mhz, Dell Latitude C600 P3-800 Mhz or ECS Desknote A928.

Indonesian current market price for this kind of ECS is USD 440, same as Dell's P3. This is really intriguing to me to choose between to ops.. buying the lower spec of Dell or higher spec ECS. FYI I'll utilize this laptop for home use, considering 12 hr of usage daily. Also I'm considering of upgradeability.

Would you like to give me some opinion :
1. Is it true that ECS use Desktop PC's peripherals (RAM, HD, Processor, VGA Card etc)? Can we simply change it by PC's peripherals to upgrade?
2. Which is the best choice? Buying P3 Dell C600 or P4 ECS?

Tnanks

Yo
Click to expand...
All true except I don't think you can change the video card, maybe ask DC SYSTEMS that one. A good machine (I have 2) except for the melting plug problem. I have a 2.8 ghz P4 , 1 gb ram, 60 mb HDD in one and a 1.6 /256/ 20 in the other, both very solid platforms. Not much in the way of customer support though, I hear. Also run a cooling pad under them since the last meltdown. (Dude, I could have got a Dell)
 
My peg fell out as well, if theres any resolution to this matter please email me @ (e-mail address removed)

It looked EXACTLY like the picture posted earlier, the top 2 pegs in tact, the bottom fell out.
 
New chip SL7EY set clock to 107 mhz getting a snappy 3.0GHz out of my a928. been runing multiple apps for a week now with no problems.
 
Hi, All...

My A928 has performed flawlessly for more than 18 months, but recently it has started going to sleep on me all by myself. All power saving options have been turned off in XP, but the problem persists. I've checked for virusses (no probs). I've installed new drivers for the SIS650 (no help). At first I thought the 'Buddie was overheating, but temp-monitors insist that temperature is normal. Now, I suspect the 'Buddie is having power-problems.
I've read all the posts about the grounding pin coming loose, but so far mine appears attached. Could mine be a related problem and a precursor to the pin coming out...?
Luckily I'm in Taiwan, so repairs shouldn't pose too much of a problem, but I would like to have a clear idea of what the possible problems might be.

Kind regards!
 
MoShang said:
Hi, All...

My A928 has performed flawlessly for more than 18 months, but recently it has started going to sleep on me all by myself. All power saving options have been turned off in XP, but the problem persists. I've checked for virusses (no probs). I've installed new drivers for the SIS650 (no help). At first I thought the 'Buddie was overheating, but temp-monitors insist that temperature is normal. Now, I suspect the 'Buddie is having power-problems.
I've read all the posts about the grounding pin coming loose, but so far mine appears attached. Could mine be a related problem and a precursor to the pin coming out...?
Luckily I'm in Taiwan, so repairs shouldn't pose too much of a problem, but I would like to have a clear idea of what the possible problems might be.

Kind regards!
Click to expand...
As a matter of fact, I did experience this problem, not sure if related to power plug, but have not experienced it since repairs.
 
Well, the A928 is at ECS right now... NT$800 just to have a look! Hope they can resolve the problem, since it's intermittent and I couldn't demonstrate the problem to the staff at the shop where I bought it.
 
I can repair your A928 without replacing the mainboard. This is the power system problem.
Please give me e-mail (e-mail address removed)

David Cai
DC SYSTEM, Tel: (416) 788-6788

genibus said:
My peg fell out as well, if theres any resolution to this matter please email me @ (e-mail address removed)

It looked EXACTLY like the picture posted earlier, the top 2 pegs in tact, the bottom fell out.
Click to expand...
 
Here we go again gentleman and ladies. I was surffing on the internet and all of sudden the lap top died on me. I have been using it for about a year and a half since it was repaired by ECS and nnoew it is not working anymore. I will be sending it to DAvis Cai as soion as I get done with this post. I have read what he has done for other people. I hope the shipping doesn't cost me an arm and a leg.



Tom Mackey
 
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