2013 Archives

[jescott418]

Its becoming apparent on the Windows 8.1 forums that their is issues with AMD drivers specifically graphic drivers and Windows 8.1. I guess trying the AMD beta driver or waiting for stable driver fix is the only solutions. Its possible some of the other drivers are also facing issues with the upgrade. I have yet to see any Acer released drivers as yet??

I myself with my Acer V5 122P have noticed that Catalyst Control will not open. Some also noted the inability to get correct resolution on second monitor with AMD graphics and Windows 8.1. I am regretting already upgrading to 8.1.

[drampuria]

I am facing similar issues with my Z3-605 AIO PC having AMD HD 8670 card. The Catalyst wont open and Graphics switching wont work. Initially, it even caused the Black Screen after installing Windows 8.1 and only after restarting in Safe mode and disabling the Card the issue was resolved.

Now Windows 8.1 is identifying the card as HD 8600M and has installed an old driver dated 11th February. At least the PC is booting normally now.

Request Acer to provide proper working graphics with Windows 8.1. Have already tried the latest AMD graphics from their website but it does not work.

[Acer-Tommy]

Please be aware, as stated in the first post, that it is an AMD issue with the graphics drivers.

Acer does not write the drivers, AMD does.

We are waiting expectantly with you for improved driver support for AMD cards.

[drampuria]

Dear Tommy,

Thanks for your reply. I want to point out 2 things with respect to your response:

1. As a AIO provider, I believe it is the overall responsibility of Acer to co-ordinate with the OEMs for the latest drivers and make the same available on Acer website for download. This is because as ACER AIO PC Buyers, we will always check the ACER Website for the latest drivers. We do not want to risk downloading the drivers from individual OEM websites in case it does not work. We trust Acer website as that gives us 100% assurance that the driver will work with our hardware.

2. In case of my AIO model Z3-605, the AMD Model is HD 8670A. This particular model has no driver available from AMD website. The driver installed before update to Windows 8.1 was the driver provided on Acer Support website as indicated in the snapshot below. As you can see, the driver is dated 29/04/2013. I had not updated this driver because AMD Auto-detect does not recognize the Graphic card in the AIO PC, and I cannot manually download any updated driver from AMD Website because there is none for the model HD 8670A. I would appreciate if you could provide me the link for any latest AMD Driver which is suitable for my AIO PC. It does not matter whether it is Acer or AMD website. I just want to make sure the driver is for my Card model!!

[Ajw]

Will acer list the new driver on their website once it becomes available, my z3 605 is now only useable in safe mode

[drampuria]

hi AJW, when in safe mode, disable the intel hd 4000 graphics from device manager. then restart normally. you wont get the blue screen but your functionality will be reduced with resp3ct to the graphics. then in normal mode, download and reinstall the old acer drivers available on acer website for the amd card. also install the latest drivers fron intel website for hd 4000. then restart the pc. now the graphics will work normally, but catalyst will not open, and graphics switching wont work.

[Acer-Tommy]

Windows 8.1 drivers are posted for the Aspire Z3-605.

Please let us know if these take care of the issues that you are experiencing.

[drampuria]

Hi Tommy!

I had tried those drivers 2 days back itself. They do not address the problem which is because of AMD Drivers. The Intel graphics work fine with Intel website driver, and that is newer than Acer website drivers. The AMD Drivers are outdated on both AMD and Acer website. They do not work with Windows 8.1 at least on the Aspire Z3-605. The Catalyst software wont open, and the graphcis switching wont work. It is as good as leaving the AMD card disabled and running on Intel graphics. Instead, I have reinstalled Windows 8 to enjoy the AMD switchable graphics. I will wait till Acer releases updated AMD graphics drivers for Windows 8.1. Lenovo & Asus have already released their customized AMD Graphics, and the same are working fine on my other Laptops/AIOs. In any case, Windows 8.1 isn't worth sacrifcing the AMD graphics card

Thanks for all your help anyways.

[jescott418]

Well at least now Acer has poted newer drivers. I tried them and am not sure they are better but did read AMD worked closely with Microsoft Windows team on 8.1 to improve performance. Not sure why AMD seems to be the only one I have read about with graphic and performance issues with Windows 8?? I can say after doing the update to 8.1 my Acer V5-122P A6 1450 is performing better but their is a downside as battery life has been reduced. 

[saltj]

I am having the same issues with my Aspire S7 391 laptop.  Can't use the extended monitor.  Also can't use the track pad.  This really is unacceptable.  How could Acer not either be ready for the new release, or at least warn us not to update until they were.   

My questions:

- Are the drivers on the Acer driver page for 8.1 updated so they will allow me to use the external monitor?  Seems not.

- Are the drivers on that page updated so I can use my track pad again?  Seems not?

- Other issues I haven't discovered yet?

When I called support, they recommended I go back to 8.0.  Is that the current recommendation?  If so, is there a way I can do it without having to reinstall all of my software?  If not, I'm going to be VERY disappointed in Acer.  

Jim