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General discussion

Sharp Actius AL27 notebook

Nov 19, 2004 7:25AM PST

Appreciate any input on the Sharp products that are carried online or can be seen at Sam's Clubs. There is a new product (Actius AL27) that has some attractive features especially a port for Direct HD connection to any other computer for direct file transfer or to use the laptop as an external hard drive through a USB connection. Is this feature available in any laptop through a USB to USB connection or is this indeed a new concept.
L Brown

Discussion is locked

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Re: Sharp Actius AL27 notebook
Nov 21, 2004 3:29AM PST

No it's not a new concept, you can link two computers together using a USB cable and transfer data from one to the other. The software (I believe it comes with windows under accessories) will designate one computer as a master and the other as a slave and you can use the slave computer like an external hard drive. Sharp does make it all hardware driven though so it's simple plug n play to any computer without messing with any software.

It's not the fastest laptop on the block (Pentium M) but there is definitely processing power in this Low Power AMD64 2700+ not to mention 64 bits of computing power for future encoders (DivX) and games. What's nice about the processor is it runs cool, your lap will not get into a inferno of heat like the P4.

It's all AMD/VIA so chipset drivers so installing another version of Windows or Linux is no problem. Also Ralink and SmartLink (WLAN and Modem) make drivers for older versions of Windows as well as Linux. This laptop is easy to switch to Linux from Windows.

Burner works great, no problems with CDs and is supported by Nero.

The built in WLAN has great reception, I use it upstairs, downstairs, and the basement with no problems.

Things you might want to get with this laptop:
- Burner Software
- Parallel/Serial Ports add in a usb port replicator
- Floppy drive add in a usb floppy

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Re: Sharp Actius AL27 notebook
Nov 21, 2004 4:20AM PST

I picked one up from Sam's but think I will be taking it back for the following reasons:

It comes with FAT32 and I can't get the C: drive to convert to NTFS. I've called their support number several times (1-800-237-4277)to resolve this issue. On each instance I've been told a "Product Specialist" will have to get back to me. So far, no call. It also sounds like the "Product Specialist" is only one person who is located in Chicago and the support group apparently notifies him of problems by email. They claim not to have a phone number for him where I can call.

Info with the machine says that it was designed to only run the operating system installed (XP Home) and no other system can be installed. I'm not sure what that means with regards to replacing XP-Home with XP Professional or the upcoming new MS OS but will ask if and when the specialist calls.

I haven't been able to find anyone who makes a battery for the AL-27 and when I called Sharp they gave me a telephone number that didn't work. I haven't had a problem with the battery but know that someday it will have to be replaced.

I have been impressed with the screen which is what attacted me to the machine in the first place. Also the HD feature you mentioned works well although it is a little awkward. If I keep the machine I'll probably get a copy of PC Anywhere 11 (Software Outlets.com $24.50 for CD only)

The DVD/CD writer works very well. Since this is the first DVD burner I've had I can't compare it to anything but I'm happy with it.

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Sharp Actius AL27 notebook driver support...
Nov 21, 2004 8:55AM PST

One thing I noticed is that Sharp service is about as bad as Sony's!

Yes you can run any OS from Microsoft (well 98 up) with complete driver support. The drivers on sharpsystem's site (look in the knowledge base) are compatible with XP/2000. Yes that does include PRO, this laptop was just installed with home but will even run WinXP 64. If you have Windows XP I would just format the hard drive! I completely dumped the 60G HD in favor of a 40G 7200 RPM drive because it was faster and am running Win 2000 Pro with no problems.

As far as I know about the batteries they just haven't gotten around to updating their site. They will have them up on their site soon. I want to know if they have any extended life batteries, that would be great!

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Re: Sharp Actius AL27 notebook driver support...
Nov 23, 2004 12:11AM PST

Hi, I was reading your review about the SHARP AL27 drivers but I don?t know where to find them. In case I want to change my OS XP home to Professional or the new XP 64, what should I do to find my pc drivers???
Where is the Knowledge base???
Thanks!

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Re: Sharp Actius AL27 notebook driver support...
Nov 30, 2004 9:25AM PST

For Via Drivers go here

http://www.viaarena.com/default.aspx?PageID=2

Click on the OS you want to have drivers for and Select Chipset or Platform Drivers. Via has a compatible set of drivers called Hypertension for chipsets. You will also need the Intergrated Graphics Controller, pick the one for K8M800. The sound and LAN will be for the VT8233 South Bridge. For the WLAN goto:

http://www.ralinktech.com/supp-1.htm

Click on the download for the 11g-RT2500

For the Modem click this link

http://www.smlink.com/main/index1.php?ln=en&main_id=27

For the most part that should be it for drivers.

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Re: Sharp Actius AL27 notebook
Nov 22, 2004 1:48PM PST

I reexamined this notebook and have concerns about the case. It is entirely plastic and several of the ports on the side have plastic covers with thin tags that seemingly could break off with use. Durability therefore comes into question.
LBrown

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Re: Sharp Actius AL27 notebook
Nov 22, 2004 11:15PM PST

The only flimsy port I know of is the monitor port. The modem port has a rubber cover that hold pretty well. The monitor cover won't break but it will pop out if you push down hard enough, just pop it back into it's place and it will work like normal.

The case isn't unbreakable but it's not flimsy. I can hold on edge of the bottom case and support the laptop fully open.

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Sharp Technical Support Line
Jan 13, 2005 7:11PM PST

I work for sharp on the tech support line for the notebook PC's. In regards to a product specialist callback, there is roughly 3 people in each office who take care of this, unfortunately, we are not allowed to give out a direct number for them. Im not sure which rep you spoke too, but you should be able to convert to NTFS by doing the following:

Click start
Click Run
Type in CMD
press enter

in the box that comes up, type the following:

CONVERT [driveletter]: /FS:NTFS

So, for your main drive, you would type:

CONVERT C: /FS:NTFS

It may give you an error indicating it needs to be done at next start-up, select yes, then restart the computer. After windows reloads, it will convert to NTFS.

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Question about battery for the AL 27
Mar 21, 2005 3:23PM PST

Did you ever find a battery for the Sharp AL 27 Notebook? I have been looking for one and have not had any luck.

Thanks

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PCAL27 Batteries
Mar 21, 2005 10:59PM PST

I just bought a battery for this model through 800-BE-Sharp. They sell them through the tech/operational support prompt.

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Re: Sharp Actius AL27 notebook
Nov 22, 2004 11:37AM PST

In case anyone was interested in getting a bit more speed out of this laptop you can download A64 Tweaker:

http://users.tpg.com.au/spark69/A64Tweaker/a64tweaker_V031.zip

My current values are:
Tcl=2.5
Trc=7
Trfc=21
Trcd=2
Trrd=2
Tras=5
Trp=2
Twr=2
Twtr=1
Trtw=1
Tref=200 Mhz 15.6uS
ReadWriteQueueBypass=16x
ControllerMode=64 bit
ECCMode=Disable
2T Timing=disable
BypassMax=7x
MaxAsyncLatency=4ns
ReadPreamble=2ns
IdleCycleLimit=256 clks
DynamicIdleCycleCounter=Enable
MEMCLKFrequency=200mhz
MEMCLK0=Enable
MEMCLK1=Enable
MEMCLK2=Disable
MEMCLK3=Disable

Works really good for games and other memory intensive applications. Check out the form where I found this:
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=37345&page=1&pp=25

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Sharp Actius AL27 problems with pcmcia slot and modem
Dec 22, 2004 3:11AM PST

I have purchased two Sharp Actius AL27 laptops, I formated the hard drive NTFS and did a clean install of XP pro.sp2 with all updates. Both have/had the same 2 problems, 1st: the modem won't handshake with any of the half dozen ISP's I have tried. 2nd: any card plugged into the pcmcia slot locks up the computer.
I am an IT director so I do know computers fairly well but after many hours/downloads/upgrades/configs I am unable to solve these problems. Anyone have any ideas on this?

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With just Microsoft's XP SP2 CD, the install is missing...
Dec 22, 2004 3:28AM PST

The motherboard drivers, modem drivers and what else? Sharp has to supply these or what you note will happen.

Microsoft does not supply these drivers or even worse, doesn't note it in the device properties. Neither Windows Update or the Drive Update button will cure this.

Bob

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Sharp Actius AL27 Drivers
Dec 22, 2004 4:37AM PST

I used the drivers that were supplied with the notebook (on the rescue disks that I created from it before doing the new install. I also downloaded the latest drivers from Sharps support page, did not help.

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A new install?
Dec 22, 2004 4:48AM PST

Most of call a new or clean install such that wipes out prior work.

What happens if you use the Restore CDs and run the OS that was supplied?

Again, the issue is typical of a missed driver. But some makers don't make them available or easy to find.

Bob

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With just Microsoft's XP SP2 CD, the install is missing...
Dec 22, 2004 10:54PM PST

I have one of these and a Dell. Both do not come with real XP CDs. They are image/recovery CDs. It is the way of the future I guess. All the drivers are on the knowledgebase link at www.sharpsystems.com. The manual prompts you to make recovery CDs using a utility installed on the PC for safe keeping. The drivers are in ...program files, Sharp, and in various sub directories. You can just copy those directories for safe keeping.

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DirectHD Download
Mar 23, 2005 2:06AM PST

Would some kind soul know where I could dload directHD? I blew away my recovery partition and lost all my software.


Thanks

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Sharp Actius AL27 problems with pcmcia slot and modem
Dec 22, 2004 10:50PM PST

I did an XP pro upgrade and installed SP2. I reinstalled ALL drivers from the "knowledgebase" link at www.sharpsystems.com. Everything works fine. You may need to re-do the drivers.

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Modem now working pcmcia slot still having problems
Dec 23, 2004 12:19AM PST

Took the laptop to another location and it connected to the ISP easly, can only conclude that my phone line at home is causing the modem connect problem. still having problems with pcmcia. will try the drivers from sharps web page again.

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Upgrade to XP PRO
Jan 31, 2005 1:58AM PST

Just purchased a brand new Sharp al27. I tried to upgrade to xp pro using an xp pro upgrade cd but i got the following error:

setup cannot continue because the version of windows on your computer is newver then the version on the cd.

Can you please tell me how did you upgrade to xp pro?

Thank you
mlorini@psenergy.com

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re: Upgrade to XP PRO
Feb 25, 2005 2:31AM PST

reboot your system and make sure you boot with your winxp pro cd and intsall xp pro on top of your win home.

it will remove your c:\windows and create a new one.

have fun ....

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Wait!!!
Mar 22, 2005 12:09PM PST

Make recovery CD's and be sure to load the drivers from them after the upgrade.

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Sharp Actius AL27 notebook
Feb 25, 2005 4:00AM PST

This is not the only PC with that but it is one of the very few. I have a PCMP30 with the same type of connection. It looks like a 40 gig USB drive. It is so cool. There is no software needed. The software you can install is just a password utility. I travel with mine and just connect it when I go to the office and drag my files over. Very cool!!!