predator helios 300 i5-8300H 8th gen (ph315-51) faulty batch?

I am seeing a lot of people complaining that they need to use battery reset (https://us.answers.acer.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/34843/~/acer-internal-battery-reset) lot of time to get this thing running. The laptop crashes randomly. After a forced shutdown, you can't see anything beyond glowing keyboard backlight.
Here are few of my observations:-

1) Looks to me like Acer has produced a faulty batch of laptops. (Just see the most recent certified purchase reviews onFlipkartt). See this as well:- https://www.acer.com/ac/en/US/search?q=ph315-51
2) Also, if you're able to get it running and update win10 to Latest April release of 1018, the onboard graphics UHD 630 drivers get screwed up and you see a complete green screen while playing any videos. (Microsoft partly to be blamed for this)
3) The BIOS of this machine is pretty latest one. So I don't think upgrading it is an option this immediately.

Motherboard
	Manufacturer	CFL
	Model	Sienta_CFS (U3E1)
	Version	V1.05
	Chipset Vendor	Intel
	Chipset Model	ID3E10
	Chipset Revision	07
	Southbridge Vendor	Intel
	Southbridge Model	IDA30D
	Southbridge Revision	10
		BIOS
			Brand	Insyde Corp.
			Version	V1.05
			Date	30-03-2018

4) I don't think this is happening with i7 8750H models, only with i5 8300H ones.

5) If you look around the internet, a lot of people are complaining same battery reset PIN method with different ACER models. Particularly the one comes with non-removal battery. God knows if ACER is capable of understanding any of these.

** Better for replacement, than to be sorry for rest of the year. Acer is pure uncooperative in this regard. ZERO care for customers.

Notes:-
For Issue 2, get latest UHD 630 drivers from here:- https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/products/126790/graphics-drivers/graphics-for-8th-generation-intel-processors/intel-uhd-graphics-630.html Date: 22-May-2018 Version: 24.20.100.6094 (Latest) OS: Windows 10, 64-bit*

Accepted answers

All comments

deepanker

I am facing the same problem with Predator Helios 300 i7 8th gen laptop as well. I hope Acer people are registering this issue. Anyways, I think replacement is the best option rn.

Marathi_Manus

Here is an example:-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEeKqSpRi18

If you look, even the POST (power on self-test) is not performed. So things are even not coming to BIOS/UEFI level here. Looks to me like a circuit that is responsible for passing current to Mboard from via battery is acting weird.

vedang55

For issue 2, acer has updated their intel vga drivers https://www.acer.com/ac/en/US/content/drivers

therealsujith

I tried to install 24.20.100.6094 version of driver but it is giving an error saying "not compatible with this machine"
i also tried to uninstall current drivers but during installation again giving me same error.
currently using apps that have green screen issues on dGPU, which is the only solution for me right now.

Marathi_Manus

Sujit,

You need to install drivers using the classic inf method. Just unzip the contents of the zip downloaded from intel site.

Here is a guide:- https://www.drivereasy.com/knowledge/2-ways-to-install-a-driver-with-no-executable-exe-file/
(in step 5 just choose UHD 630 and then browse to unzipped folder and choose the inf manually)

Hope this helps

Marathi_Manus

Update:-
BTW, I am not sure why there is windows.old folder crated on C drive if one installs all updates. This is unnecessarily consuming space on C drive. I just hate windows for same.

Hence I've installed Fedora Cinamon 28 version (with linux kernel 4.16.10) and running it now. I am just struggling with brightness control and my cinnamon is running into software rendering mode. Looks like system is running stable here.

therealsujith

Thanks for the update will try that in evening.
Please put this info in first post, so if somebody comes looking for solution it will be easy for him.

Marathi_Manus

The acer forum doesn't allow one to edit old post. LOL

MaverickNathan1

Hi. I am one of those people stuck with a faulty PH315-51 (i5-8300H - freezing problem). I will be going to a service center, so I wanted to know if anyone here has any experience with Acer servicing or how long they take or might take to get my laptop repaired or get me a new one. Any tips regarding how I should proceed about fixing this is highly appreciated.

Marathi_Manus

Here is update:-

1) I am running on Fedora Cinnamon 28 spin from last week. NO ISSUES of freezing. etc

[root@makfed28 ~]# lspci -nnk | grep VGA

00:02.0 VGA compatible controller [0300]: Intel Corporation Device [8086:3e9b]

01:00.0 VGA compatible controller [0300]: NVIDIA Corporation GP107M [GeForce GTX 1050 Ti Mobile] [10de:1c8c] (rev a1)

[root@makfed28 ~]# uname -a

Linux makfed28 4.16.11-300.fc28.x86_64 #1 SMP Tue May 22 18:29:09 UTC 2018 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux

[root@makfed28 ~]#

Here is screen shot

Trying to figure out if I can automatically switch between iGPU and dGPU.

2) Laptop seriously heats if you try to play HD videos on youtube. That another issue. I think Acer did not test these devices at all.

therealsujith said:

Thanks for the update will try that in evening.
Please put this info in first post, so if somebody comes looking for solution it will be easy for him.

Hi Sujit,

I assume things are working ok for you after you manually installed latest uhd 630 drivers from Intel website? Please confirm. I think this is the fix.

arean82

I am also having the same problem. Any suggestions on how to resolve it.

If anyone has fixed it please tell.

Mine is Predator PH315-51 which I purchased on 20 May 2018 (flipkart.com sale). I am also facing the same issue. Everything freezes and then you have to reset the battery through pinhole. Is it the problem with all the laptops of this model or are we the chosen ones!?

Any other fix for the problem?
Do anyone know when can we expect the BIOS update for the fix?
Has anyone debugged that indeed it is a BIOS issue and not Power or Memory issue?
Please! My savings of the last 6 months are going down in drain.

Poseidon0711

deepanker said:i am having same problem with my i7 8th gen.
Plus I am having an issue with WiFi too.

I am facing the same problem with Predator Helios 300 i7 8th gen laptop as well. I hope Acer people are registering this issue. Anyways, I think replacement is the best option rn.

deepanker said:

I am facing the same problem with Predator Helios 300 i7 8th gen laptop as well. I hope Acer people are registering this issue. Anyways, I think replacement is the best option rn.

therealsujith

Marathi_Manus said:

Hi Sujit,

I assume things are working ok for you after you manually installed latest uhd 630 drivers from Intel website? Please confirm. I think this is the fix.

Hi
updated the Nvidia drivers to 397.93 Release Date: Thu May 24, 2018
while using on battery laptop froze after 2 hrs of chrome and video use.
will check today if same problem occurs while connected to power outlet.

geekromi

therealsujith said:

Marathi_Manus said:

Hi Sujit,

I assume things are working ok for you after you manually installed latest uhd 630 drivers from Intel website? Please confirm. I think this is the fix.

Hi
updated the Nvidia drivers to 397.93 Release Date: Thu May 24, 2018
while using on battery laptop froze after 2 hrs of chrome and video use.
will check today if same problem occurs while connected to power outlet.

Maybe that's not the case , but the issue, happens when connected to the power brick also, or just when unplugged, and more, are you all on the build 1803?, what kind of ssd disk is built in your machine? , anyone of you has perhaps an Intel p600 ssd series? (intel ssdpekkw256g7)? that, then could be the problem.

Manny-Acer_Retired

Hello everyone,

We are sorry that you’re experiencing this black screen issue with your Predator units. We would like to thank you for reporting this and for providing us with information we can use to investigate this problem. The issue has been escalated to headquarters and is being investigated.

This topic will be updated once we have a solution for this issue.

Thanks,

Acer-Manny

Abhi18

Please fix this problem . Whatever is wrong .just do it. We gave 61000 for this thing that is not working.or else consumer court is the final place to be in.

Poseidon0711

Acer-Manny said:Acer-Manny said:

Hello everyone,

We are sorry that you’re experiencing this black screen issue with your Predator units. We would like to thank you for reporting this and for providing us with information we can use to investigate this problem. The issue has been escalated to headquarters and is being investigated.

This topic will be updated once we have a solution for this issue.

Thanks,
Acer-Manny

I am also having a WiFi problem.
Whenever I switch off or restart my laptop WiFi from settings page and taskbar disappears and I can't connect but reappears when I install the drivers.

Marathi_Manus

Acer-Manny said:

Hello everyone,

We are sorry that you’re experiencing this black screen issue with your Predator units. We would like to thank you for reporting this and for providing us with information we can use to investigate this problem. The issue has been escalated to headquarters and is being investigated.

This topic will be updated once we have a solution for this issue.

Thanks,
Acer-Manny

Hi Acer,

This is too late and too little. Ppl are frustrated here. Looks like you did not bother to test 8th gen processor laptops at all.

I've already contacted ministry of consumer affairs and talk with them is in progress .

Marathi_Manus

http://www.jagograhakjago.com/register-complaint/

Consumer Complaints 24x7 Toll Free:1800-11-4424

Make sure you register complaint against acer for this non sense. Above is link for same and this is website of ministry of consumer affairs. I spoke with one of the officers there and they are ready to help. Lets raise as many complaints as possible

Karthikn

I am also facing the screen black out issue and customer support in my region is also not responding and i think they finally want us to go to consumer court