Acer Aspire Z5101 - Display Pixelation

Question

Hi Everyone,

After months of frustration with my Aspire all-in-one Z5101's display issues, I'm at my breaking point.  I can't seem to watch videos, or look at gifs or run two windows at the same time without the screen pixelating and in many cases freezing entirely, this started upon receipt of the computer and I didn't think much about it because it was a touch screen, but has progressively gotten worse.  The video will continue with audio, but everything else is frozen.  The only way to "fix" it is to do a hard boot and start again. I'm running Windows 7, and before you jump on the obvious, I've tried the following:

Re-installing WIndows

Re-installing display drivers

Disabling add-ons

Tried different internet browers: Chrome, Firefox.. (gasp IE)

Tried different video programs: WMP, Quicktime, DivX Player

I occasionally, but not often get the "Display Driver has stopped working and has successfully recovered"

I have an ATI Raedon HD 5570, and the most recent driver available is from 25/02/2010.

I've had "Nerds On Site" come to fix the problem, only to tell me I've already done everything they would do, and unless I want to send it back to Acer, for a minimal price of $400 I'm stuck.  My question is if anyone else has any insight or should I just give up and purchase a new computer?

Many thanks,

fireytresses.

finlux · Answer

Hello again!

I was not aware that your model had no screws to remove so that you can access the graphics card. If so, that's a bad design on Acer's behalf, usually easy to repair/upgrade.

Sorry I couldn't help you - it looks as if you may need to buy a new computer. Good luck!

fireytresses · Answer

I don't think you considered the model of my computer in your reply.  One of the statements I've heard from many technicians and other users is that the all-in-ones, and in particular the Aspire Z5101 is one of the most difficult computers to deal with.  In order to open it, I have to physically break the back off.  Even YouTube tutorials mention that the odds of getting the entire back off without some breakage is next to impossible.

If I were successful with the procedure, I've been told that the compatible graphics card itself is difficult to locate.  I've suspected for months that it's just not seated properly, but lack the nerve to break a $1,200 machine.

If you had read through my post, you would have seen that I had a local tech look at it.

Thanks for the suggestion, but it's not that easy.

finlux · Answer

Hi fireytresses!

It sounds to me as if your graphics card may be at fault. If your pc is still under warrenty, take it back to where you bought it. However, if it isn't, graphics cards are cheap enough and easy to replace.

If you're not up to replacing it, check your local tech-store who can probably supply & fit it for you - much more cheaply than the $400 Acer want to charge, and certainly cheaper than a new pc

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