« IMSI/Design first to adapt CAD to finger-based tablets | Main | In upFront.eZine this week: Autodesk talks to us about the HSMworks acquisition »

Jan 27, 2013

Comments

Adil

I am looking for a motherboard fit this model from the computer and do not know what is appropriate to have a
Can you tell me about the panel suitable

Ralph Grabowski

Sorry, I cannot help you in finding a replacement motherboard. Perhaps you can get help from forums for Acer users or motherboard tinkerers.

Greg

Have you been able to determine what special connector is needed to install the optional graphics card?

Ron

I know this is an older post but maybe someone can advise me as to whether this uses a laptop 2.5" Sata HD or a 3.5" Sata HD. Not able to find any info anywhere on this. Need info before I open the back up.

Ralph Grabowski

The model I have uses a 3.5" drive, so there was lots of room to place the 2.5" SSD.

Remember that SSDs don't need to be securely bolted down, like hard disk drives, because they have no moving parts needing protection!

Ron

Thanks for your response Ralph. Really helps.

Chong

can used m.2 SSD?

Ralph Grabowski

No, M.2 SSDs cannot be used in this model of computer. It uses the SATA interface.

Joe Johnson

Hey Ralph I know it has been a while since this was posted, but I recently started trying to upgrade my aspire zs600 and I wanted to know what can be installed in that pci slot, and whether or not it is an express slot. If my question is confusing at all I am extremely new at this.

Ralph Grabowski

I suppose you can install anything you want in the spare PCI slot -- solid state drive, graphics board... It just needs to meet the specs of the slot, and the physical constraints inside the case.

Samantha Perry

Hello Ralph, sorry to bother you but i have been having trouble with my aspire zs600 i have taken it apart and im not sure but it may be a power port issue, or ultimatley the mother board. Unfortunatley i cannot find ANY pictures of the power port to comPARE and see if mine is in need of replacement. Could you snap a shot of the power port on this model and post or share it with me?

James Bentley

Hi,
Thank you! Your blog has helped! Now have 8GB of RAM. Would you happen to know if a video card can be added to this computer?

Ralph Grabowski

There is an empty PCI slot, and so a board could be plugged in there

James Bentley

Thank you Ralph,
Sorry, I meant to ask can you add a graphics card? or is it the problem the same as your previous answer.

Ralph Grabowski

For a graphics board, there is the problem of the cable connection to the monitor part of the all-in-one computer, as well as there being enough room to fit a a graphics board, which can be quite large.

For my use of this computer (casual CAD, video editing) the built-in graphics are sufficient, I find.

Calvin

You do nit need to connect anything to the graphics card. It 's output is looped back through the PCIe-slot. Just took one apart yesterday that had the graphics card inside.

Ralph Grabowski

Thank you for figuring that one out!

Noel

Hi, Calvin and everyone.

Really, no cable needed for the graphics card?

My ZS600 originally had no graphics card. Just integrated GPU. One day, it just refused to boot up. The blue LED indicator in the power button lights up when pressed but all I get is blank screen. No BIOS/UEFI. No boot beep either.

So, I bought a buy new RAM (mainly for speed, not for fix), replaced spinning disk with SSD, drain the power (longest was like 2 days completely unplugged, even without the CMOS battery), BIOS jumper reset and unplugged everything from motherboard.

I finally tried the PCIE route. Bought a low profile ASUS Radeon R5 230 (the only card I could buy in town). I had to remove the bracket for it to fit. Same problem.

Looped an HDMI cable from the graphics card to the HDMI In of the board. Then I heard the boot up beep again after a long time. Did some power draining and jumper resets again and toggling between PC Mode and HDMI In, finally got to BIOS and now I'm typing this from my revived ZS600.

Summary: The PCIe stand-alone (no HDMI cable) did not work for me.

1. You think my integrated GPU's busted?
2. Is there a motherboard jumper that forces it to use the the PCIe? Searched every page of BIOS interface - nothing!

Thanks in advance!

Ralph Grabowski

You have done a good job fixing your system, and I agree that it is bizarre that graphics internal to the CPU would stop working.

josu

is posible to add more then 8gb?
is posible to use a vga with more processor using pci slot or minicard 2 slot?

Ralph Grabowski

No, you cannot add more than 8GB. The motherboard limits the maximum amount of RAM.

As for using a VGA with more processor using pci slot or minicard 2 slot, I have no idea!

Borricua

Hi everyone. I got 16gb on my zs600 running Windows 10 and a1t SSD. All good here

Austin Cooper

My Acer ZS600 PC started beeping last night, When I search on Internet I found that my Ram is gone, Then when I tried to replace ram on motherboard, My PC was not booting up. Then Finally I came across your post and this post really helped me out.

Gary

Borricua, Will 16GB work with Windows 8.1? I really hate Windows 10 and would like to keep our Aspire ZS600 with Windows 8.1.

I used this web site to successfully upgrade the PC to 8GB. What brand and part number of RAM did you use?

outlook error 701

The mother board has a spare PCI slot (at the bottom of the photo), and I suspect that this is where the nVidia graphics board would go. I haven't investigated what kind of special connector would be needed to connect it to the built-in LCD screen; maybe another time.

Billy Miller

My ZS600 had a failing hard drive, and with only 4GB of Ram, it was a slug running Windows 10.

I found this thread, and Borricua's post encouraged me to try 16GB despite everything else stating 8Gb was the max.

I pulled the newest BIOS I could find from Acers website which was P11.B0

https://www.acer.com/ac/en/US/content/support-product/4531?b=1

I swapped the dying drive out for a 4TB Western Digital Re drive I had spare, re-installed windows and flashed the bios. No issues there. Then I swapped out the old ram for 2 sticks of Crucial 8GB, crossed my fingers and restarted.

The verdict: 16GB worked.

now to see what I can do with the pci slot.

Ralph Grabowski

I find the 8GB i sufficient for my purposes, but it is good to know that we could bring the computer up to 16GB, as you found!

James Bentley

Hi,
I put my GTX1060 into my Acer ZS600 all-in-one using an independent power supply with an adapter and I it works!! Except there is no sound. The GPU is connected with a HDMI from GPU back to the ZS600 HDMI in port. The device manager does not show sound in the NVidia driver in the “sound, video and game controllers” but is recognized the” display adapters”. This PC has two project displays “PC screen” and “Secondary screen” one is for the internal Intel graphic and the other for HDMI with GPU. I have tried using driver soft wear but no luck. Is there a way to get the sound working with GPU attached, would like to know is this is possible.

Monkeyboy

HI i have the similer problem but with gt 1030. i have it looped from the pci card out to back of the hdmi port I have tryed to use a bluetooth speaker and that worked for me some times by tricking the main screen 1 intel sound to play on screen 2 gt 1030 screen using the bluetooth speaker but on some start ups it doesnt work so for that solution i just have to keep switching to and from screen 1 and 2 to intel gpu screen back to the gt 1030 screen to get it to work in games. its a faf but i would also like a fix if there is one. ive also tryed to make main screen as (1.2) to get sound before using a bootooth speaker but trying to run some games just doesnt do sound on loading up but going back in windows display manger after quiting the game switching back to 2 and then back to 1 fixes the sound some times again not a permanent fix.

James Bentley

Thank for the info, I found tow other solutions

1- using the s/pdif port in back with external speakers and this adapter
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B07XMLGXFD/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

2- using the HDMI out port in back with external speakers and this adapter
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00YMN9VV0/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

option one seems to have less performance to system.

Monkeyboy

Thanks i will try option 2 as yes i experienced system lag and hanging when web browsing at times when trying to use internal speakers switching back from screens 1 / 2. Ive only managed so far to get 2x4gb sticks to work in the system. would like 16gb in total 👍. also just upgraded the power supply from the 130 to 180 watts so im now trying to find a 75 watt card to fit inside. i see there is a gtx 1650 LP card but i think its just to thick of a card to fit but if anyone has made this happen let me know. I've tried a sata ssd as well were there is a spare sata port but didn't even pick up in device manager 😒

Monkeyboy

Hi thanks James option 2 worked out great i bought this one links below. doesnt require usb to power the audio witch works well, and its just about the size of normal usb stick. one thing windows says now is that its using the intel gpu for sound as i have both nvidia and intel control panel in the windows tray. so... so far so good at the moment i would of never of thought of this so this is such a great find. thanks. p.s would like to have 16gb ram and finding the right memory modules.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HDMI-to-VGA-Male-Female-Adapter-Converter-with-3-5mm-Audio-for-Laptop-PC-DVD/362562571483?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

Mack

I have a ZS600 with a GT 630 card. Replaced with a Zotac GT 1030 using a HDMI cable. No sound coming out. Thinking it might be HDMI IN ports with oxidised contacts as it's not used for a long time, i carefully fold a fine grit sandpaper into a toothpick-shape and cleaned the contacts. Now there's audio but from audio jacks, not from it's speakers! Might wanna try that.

Also there's a HDMI to mPCIe cable thats worth to try as there's a spare slot. I'm looking into drivers for the igpu/nvidia switch without using HDMI cable, same in laptop as AIOs is very similar to laptops.

Monkeyboy

Hi Mack yea i tryed to mess around with laptop nvidia drivers a while ago to make an external gpu to work on the laptops own display i could never get it to work properly. The card would always be in device manger but windows would say this device can not start as its using other resources or missing drivers. I only got as far as adding the external gpu (gtx 960) i was using at the time into the (nvidia laptop drivers). i think that nvidia laptop drivers had the internal display line in the drivers. another thing i did do was to take out some of the system memory that free up system resources to get the card working using the laptop own display. maybe there is more lines to add in the nvidia laptops drivers to free up resources? maybe some of this might help not sure. about the mPCIe did you try this hdmi? as i tryed to use a msata ssd in there but i guess it isn't wired up to do sata.

Dgooddd

My acer aspire z600g has 6 beeps on startup any solutions?

cochorol

Hey! by any chance do you know what is the replacement part for the harddrive? thanks in advance

Ralph Grabowski

You can replace the hard drive with any modern drive, 3.5".

Laura

Hello Ralph! I wanted to install more RAM on my ZS600 but know absolutely nothing about computers. Have never tried anything like this before. Would you recommend I just look for an expert? Quarantine has us on lockdown and I would prefer to give it a go. You’re instructions make it look less intimidating but I’m still scared I might completely mess my computer up. Any input is appreciated. Thanks!

Ralph Grabowski

The only intimidating part is taking apart the computer. Inserting the RAM modules is simple: just make sure they click into place.

Tom

Hello. I just followed your steps and thought everything was installed correctly. When I went to turn the computer on it started beeping and wouldn't go past a black screen. Did I do something wrong? The only thing I did differently was switch the existing RAM with the new one and put the original card in the extra slot. The card I bought wouldn't snap in because of that little white thing above the extra slot. Should I not have done that?

Ralph Grabowski

The beeping means the computer cannot access memory. 


The memory cards must be exactly snapped into place. Sometimes this takes two or three tries, I have found.

Branislav B

Hey. This seems like the most updated thread regarding this chassis. I have tried to update the internal HDD with SSD. It booted fine with SSD, then i switched it around 2 more times and suddenly i have no POST, no beep, nothing. Blue led behind power button was working when it happened, but now even that doesnt work. Pc powers up, and just runs, when i turn it down with holding power button it powers on after few seconds again, cpu fan spinning at max. I consider pretty skillful in pc building but im lost with this one.

damso

Bonjour ralph ont m’a ajouter 4 gigas et ce matin quand j’allume le pc j’ai un bip et ecran noir je voulais savoir pourquoi?

[Translation: Hello ralph have me added 4 gigabytes and this morning when I turn on the pc I have a beep and black screen I wanted to know why? ]

Ralph Grabowski

My guess is that the memory modules are not properly seated. Sometimes, it can look like the memory module is properly inserted, but is not -- even being out by 1mm at one end makes the difference.

Remove the memory modules you added, then add them in one at a time. Here are some tips for what to look for:
1. Insert one.
2. Listen for the clicks as it snaps into place.
3. Look at the metal tab at each end, and ensure that it is fully seated.
4. Look along the bottom edge of the memory module to check that it is parallel to the slot.

Try booting again, with the case of the computer open, in case you still need to adjust things.

Gaston

Hi everyone, your info has helped me a lot to upgrade my zs600 with RAM and SSD. But now i want to know just one more... The processor my Acer has is i5 3330S with 65W TDP, i know i can upgrade with an i7 3770S that has the same TDP but if i want instead the I7 3770 which has a TDP of 77W and on intel's specs chart on the web says that 3770S can reach up to 65° and 3770 to 105° It may cause damage to the motherboard or the entire pc if i use the 3770?? Because i cant find 3770s anywhere and i already have a 3770 waiting. Your info Will help me a lot

Matthew

Hi Gaston. So I have the basic model of the zs600 that came with the intel Pentium or Celeron. I have tried the 3570 and 3770 (non s) and the standard power supply did struggle, So I upgraded from the 130 watts to a 180 watts power supply. Just remember to always use good thermal paste and you should be golden 👍. only limiting factor for me is only having 8gb or memory. If anyone knows witch brand of ram sticks are needed to get 16gb would be helpful.

Dean Harries

The highest card you can get for these now is a gtx 1650ti with no power connectors,I had a 1050ti in there a few years back and it ran like dream despite it having a intel pentium g2030 dual core processor, i upgraded to a i5 3470( could be a 3470s I’m not sure) made it much better, ive got a 480gb ssd on the way with a supplied kit that comes with a sata power splitter to power a hdd and an ssd so that should bring it back to life! I’ve had it since 2012 I believe! The screen is broken though not physically but mechanically, it’s flickering pink and is totally unusable but it works just fine in the back of the cup board on a external monitor, I’ve also got a different cpu fan. overclocking my gpu drastically increased my performance in games despite not being able to increase the power draw to the card so keep that in mind if you ever need that little bit more FPS for the game to run smoothly, just focus on keeping there card cool, I’ve used room fans in the past when trying to over lock and Maximise quality in games.I’ve always loved this pc for how good it’s been to me, it’s been through hell and back and it’s still alive and kicking.I’m looking to go 16gbs of ram I’m not too sure some people have said it works some people don’t, I’m already on p11.b0 bios and I have been for a few years, any thoughts?

Matthew

Hi dean nice to share 👍 I still think this is a great all in one computer to mess around with even today, with an i7 3770 im using at the moment a Gt 1030 gddr5 version of the card and wanting to upgrade to a 1650ti. Did you managed fit in the 1650ti in there? im looking to buy one, and i know they take up 2 pci lanes in a pc. maybe the heat shield on the zs600 doesn't fit after putting the card in. also great idea there to make an extra hdd or ssd work in the system again expanding this wonderful machine life, it was the first mod that i did back then
Does any one know witch type / manufacture of ram sticks that work to make 16gb

Cody

Any sodim laptop ram should work in it. I changed it out with a Crucial 16GB kit and it works great. I am also on the p11.b0 bios and I have not run into any issues.

Gris

Hello I recently upgraded to 16gb of ram, but when I tried to turn it on it kept beeping and just showed a black screen with the blue light.

Ralph Grabowski

My first suggestion is to open up the computer and then take out the RAM modules and reseat them. Sometimes it can be tricky to insert them fully.

After reseating them, examine the RAM modules to see whether the bottoms of them are parallel to the RAM slots.

Gris

I removed the RAM moduels and they fit perfectly in the RAM slots but it continues to beep and not turn on.

Ralph Grabowski

Next thing I would try is remove the RAM modules you added, and then see if the computer boots.

Gerald Talbot

I have a 4gb ram, can I add a 8gb ram or does it have to be 2 x 4gb ram? Is it possible to have a 4gb ram and an 8gb ram together to equal to 12gb ram?

Ralph Grabowski

You can try it out and see what happens. It will not hurt the computer.

TO

Hello.'
can used m.2 SSD?

TO


Hello
Can used msata SSD?

Ralph Grabowski


An M.2 SSD can be used, if you add an adaoter between the Acer's drive connector and the M.2 drive.

Jan

Just bought a ZS600 Touch but when pressing the power switch it won"t start but gives constant series of 6 beeps. After several (2 - 12) series the system suddenly starts up and works fine untill powered down. Formally the 6 beeps are not documented but at several forums it is decribed as: Keyboard controller BAT command failed (mean the super I/O controller is defective). Some persons stated that one should replace the motherboard.
I find it strange that the system eventually boots giving me the impression that it could be a failing capacitor or so. I've visually inspected the MB but see no signs of any bad capacitor or so.
Anyone having a suggestion what I could try?

Ralph Grabowski

Here is an article on hardware fixes for the keyboard 6-beep error:
https://www.lifewire.com/how-to-fix-the-a20-error-2622943

An alternative might to be use a keyboard that plugs into a USB port, or a Bluetooth keyboard that need no wires at all.

Matthew

Hi Ralph. Is the adapter a pci express to m.2? As ive just ordered one from amazon here in the uk about 12 pounds for a full length nvme drive to fit into thanks.

Ralph Grabowski

I am unsure of which adapter you are speaking of. This computer does not have M.2 socket, just a regular SATA port.

Matthee

Hi again I've tryed a msata ssd card into the extra slot on the motherboard just under the sata data cables but nothing showing up in disk manager in windoes. So I don't think that port is wired up to do sata data and maybe only wired up to do pcie so that's my thought mini pcie to m.2 port adapter to make a nvme card work. What adapter are you using?

Ralph Grabowski

Sorry, but I don't know enough of the technical details to help you out. It is an older PC, and so might not have some of the interfaces we today take for granted.

Matthew

Hi ralph so i bought a Mini PCI-E to M.2 M Key Adapter Mini PCIExpress to NVME SSD Converter for the mini card slot on the motherboard and put in a nvme drive and it works👍 down side you dont get the the full speeds of the nvme drive as its mini sata witch i guess is running at maybe 1 or 2x pci but its something to consider for those who want this type of storage in this wonder old machine.hope this has helped.

Ralph Grabowski

Very cool that you tried it! 

Nicke

FWIW, I just upgraded my ZS600 / Windows 10 with a Quadro P1000 graphics card. It's compact and has a TDP of 47W.

My setup:
1. I installed the card and its driver (without a PCI bracket).
2. I installed a cable from the card to the external HDMI-in port (slighly messy).
3. I disabled "Intel HD Graphics" in device manager as both seemed to be running initially, one on each input.
4. I set Windows to duplicate display #2 on both screens (internal and HDMI).

This way I get sound and accelerated graphics, and I don't need to toggle between screens manually.

I'm happy with this and it was easier than expected. Vsync probably doesn't work, but this isn't really a gaming machine.

Verify your Comment

Previewing your Comment

This is only a preview. Your comment has not yet been posted.

Working...
Your comment could not be posted. Error type:
Your comment has been saved. Comments are moderated and will not appear until approved by the author. Post another comment

The letters and numbers you entered did not match the image. Please try again.

As a final step before posting your comment, enter the letters and numbers you see in the image below. This prevents automated programs from posting comments.

Having trouble reading this image? View an alternate.

Working...

Post a comment

Comments are moderated, and will not appear until the author has approved them.

Your Information

(Name is required. Email address will not be displayed with the comment.)

Advertisements


Search This Blog


  •  

Translate

Thank you for visiting!