Issue with the Win8 64bit driver for the Acer B326HUL monitor.

Brcobrem

Hi Acer,

 

Environment: The B326HUL monitor is connected via the Dual-link DVI cable that came with the monitor. It is connected to a "EVGA 512-P3-N973-TR GeForce 9800 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express" card. It is displaying at the recommended 2560x1440 reslution.

 

Currently the monitor is seen by Device Manager as "Generic PnP Monitor" using Microsoft 6/21/2006 driver v6.2.9200. So I downloaded your "Monitor_Acer_1.0_W8x64W8x86W7x64W7x86_A.zip" driver for that monitor running on Win8 64bit.

 

When I try to install that driver via the inf file, I get:

Install Error (dialog box) : "A problem was encountered attempting to add the driver to the store."

 

I also tried to install the driver via Device Manager via updaing the Generic PnP monitor, and also deleting that generic monitor and doing an "Install Legacy" device where I pointed the install directly at the inf. 

 

Can you please verify that this driver is actually valid for the Win8 64bit environment?

 

Regards . . .

Ryanrr

I can advise if the monitor is functioning, then a driver is not needed. Most monitors are Plug n Play and do not require a driver, especially in Windows 7 or Windows 8.

 

As for installing the .inf file, make sure you have extracted the files from the zip folder first to a location on your desktop or another folder. Also make sure you have admin rights when trying to install the setup file.

Brcobrem

Hi Acer-Ryan,

 

Thank you for your reply. Actually, I do want the "driver" to work. If you notice in the zip, it contains the color correction (ie. ICM) file.

 

I confirmed with your tech support there was a problem with both the 32 bit driver and 64 bit Windows 8 drivers that were available on the download site at the time of my OP.

 

Although I have not tested, the corrected 32bit driver is now available.

 

Today I see that there is an updated 64bit Win8 driver. I just tested it and unfortunately the 64bit inf does not work (even as a "legacy" install). That said, I took the time to more fully examine the "driver" package. Basically, the only thing meaningful in there is the ICM file. ICMs can be installed manually and associated with the "Generic PnP Monitor". Here's a link to describe that procedure: http://www.7tutorials.com/how-install-color-profile .

 

Hope that helps others.

 

Regards . . .

 

Brcobrem

Here's a little heads-up on using the ICM file I pulled out of the recent "driver". I found this out during some testing yesterday :

Some Windows Programs that do not implement 'color correction", like Windows Live Photo Gallery and Internet Explorer before IE9, will not display colors correctly. You will notice that pictures in those programs have a strong red / pink/ purple hue.

Here's some resources:

1. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-vista/color-management-settings-frequently-asked-questions

 

2. The Help in Control Panel | Color Management

3. http://epaperpress.com/monitorcal/profile.html

4. http://www.color.org/version4html.xalter

5. http://www.color.org/faqs.xalter#p9

Here's a pic of the setup I chose:



Note that you will get the 1st Profile when you use the Advanced tab in Color management and do a "Calibrate Display". When I calibrated, I needed to bump up the gamma just a little bit. The Brightness via the monitor's physical buttons made no sense at all, so I left it at 90% (my preference). The Contrast was ok at the default 50%. The "grey" calibration was ok with R, G and B all at 100%.

If you then go back into Color management, set the B326HUL as default, and do another Calibrate, you will first get this:



After this calibration, you will now have "sRGB display  profile...icc" as the default prfile. Notice the "icc" file type. (Based on my research icc have the same content as icm). You will now notice that Windows Live Photo Gallery nows displays colors correctly without the red / pink/ purple hue. (That's becuase B326HUL is no longer the default).

If you get things screwed up and want to revert to the original Color Management setup, exit Color Management, go to "C:\Windows\System32\spool\drivers\color" and delete the profile(s) that you created with only today's date on them.

This topic is stretching the limitations of my knowledge on the topic. If anyone else wants to chime in with their expertise, it will be appreciated.

Regards . . .