installing Windows 10 without having the drivers - Predator Helios 300 (G3-572

XdxD
XdxD Member Posts: 1,581 Community Aficionado WiFi Icon
edited September 2021 in Predator Laptops
Many a times our PC just crashes and we are left with nothing but to clean install it with Windows 10 ISO. After installing it, then you may find that the drivers are not present and you forgot to download them as well. (Most of the time, the network drivers install automatically if every Windows 10 service is running as they should. This guide is for exceptional cases.) Here's a handy guide for all Acer users that will allow you to install your drivers without having to download most essential of them. There's a hidden OEM folder in C Drive of all Acer laptops. you can use that to install your network drivers, Predator Sense, Office Trial (if included), and some other things like the Firefox tuned for Acer.

I used my Predator Helios 300 (G3-572) for the following pictures of my OEM folder.

1. Go to C Drive and on View tab, select the check box saying Hidden Items. You will notice new folders coming into view.


2. Go to the OEM -> Preload folder.


3. For the apps that came with your Predator, go to APP folder and install what you want. (Not everything will be available though, only the necessary ones.) Here's what my APP folder shows:


4. For the essential drivers (i.e. Wi-Fi and Ethernet), go to Autorun -> DRV and install the ones provided there. For me, it contains Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and LAN drivers.


Install them and now you can download the other drivers using your preferred internet connection from support site. Predator Sense can be found in Preload -> Autorun -> APP.
Some extra OEM settings are also there but I couldn't figure out how to use them. You may tinker with them only if you really need to.

Hope this guide helps whenever you require it 😁!

//Edited the content to add model name.​

Trying to do my best here - Your happy Predator owner =)!

Answers

  • xapim
    xapim ACE Posts: 7,257 Pathfinder
    XdxD Great guide but i would like to add that this should be used (copied to another driver either internal or external/usb) before you format the windows using the windows usb drive because after you format it without backing up the oem folder previously it will format everything in the drive when the windows clean installs via usb drive anyway im just stating that the folder should be backed up before proceeding to a clean install out of Acer recovery (also backing up the drive into another to keep the acer recovery partition should be done by those who might still want to go back to stock) as i said the drive will be completely formatted including all acer app and recovery partition and my advice as always its better safe than sorry :) 


    https://www.userbenchmark.com/UserRun/11532543

    UserBenchmarks: Game 43%, Desk 61%, Work 40%
    CPU: Intel Core i5-7300HQ - 63.5%
    GPU: Nvidia GTX 1050-Ti (Mobile) - 41.9%
    SSD: WDC WDS200T2B0B-00YS70 2TB - 71.4%
    HDD: WD WD10SPZX-00HKTT0 1TB - 93.7%
    RAM: Kingston HyperX DDR4 2666 C15 2x16GB - 76.8%
    MBD: Acer Predator G3-572

    I'm not an Acer employee. (just here to help in the best way i can)
    If my answer fixed you issue please accept it for any other users who search for it would find it quickly thanks :)
    If you want to learn more about undervolting/optimizing windows join the Predator fb group and youtube channel:

    Owner/Admin (HOTEL HERO/Red-Sand/Opoka Opoka)
    https://www.facebook.com/groups/PredatorHelios300
    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNJwGUHxSJ8FKqAhnOqQuAw
    Acer support:
    https://www.acer.com/ac/en/US/content/service-contact
    http://www.acer.com/worldwide/support/  


  • XdxD
    XdxD Member Posts: 1,581 Community Aficionado WiFi Icon
    xapim said:
    XdxD Great guide but i would like to add that this should be used (copied to another driver either internal or external/usb) before you format the windows using the windows usb drive because after you format it without backing up the oem folder previously it will format everything in the drive when the windows clean installs via usb drive anyway im just stating that the folder should be backed up before proceeding to a clean install out of Acer recovery (also backing up the drive into another to keep the acer recovery partition should be done by those who might still want to go back to stock) as i said the drive will be completely formatted including all acer app and recovery partition and my advice as always its better safe than sorry :) 
    The stock recovery drive I created using Acer Care Center never worked for me. That's why am happy with my clean installed 1903. Also I have done 2 complete clean installs, yet this OEM folder stays there. May be it is somehow protected by Acer.
    Trying to do my best here - Your happy Predator owner =)!
  • xapim
    xapim ACE Posts: 7,257 Pathfinder
    edited August 2019
    I didnt created any stock recover i cloned the drive have the original 128gb m.2 ssd in a 2.5" sata enclosure adapter ready to boot if something happens :)


    https://www.userbenchmark.com/UserRun/11532543

    UserBenchmarks: Game 43%, Desk 61%, Work 40%
    CPU: Intel Core i5-7300HQ - 63.5%
    GPU: Nvidia GTX 1050-Ti (Mobile) - 41.9%
    SSD: WDC WDS200T2B0B-00YS70 2TB - 71.4%
    HDD: WD WD10SPZX-00HKTT0 1TB - 93.7%
    RAM: Kingston HyperX DDR4 2666 C15 2x16GB - 76.8%
    MBD: Acer Predator G3-572

    I'm not an Acer employee. (just here to help in the best way i can)
    If my answer fixed you issue please accept it for any other users who search for it would find it quickly thanks :)
    If you want to learn more about undervolting/optimizing windows join the Predator fb group and youtube channel:

    Owner/Admin (HOTEL HERO/Red-Sand/Opoka Opoka)
    https://www.facebook.com/groups/PredatorHelios300
    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNJwGUHxSJ8FKqAhnOqQuAw
    Acer support:
    https://www.acer.com/ac/en/US/content/service-contact
    http://www.acer.com/worldwide/support/  


  • Razamax
    Razamax Member Posts: 45 Devotee WiFi Icon

    Thanks for the guide, you can also copy the drivers repository folder present in windows to a different partition and then install all your current drivers by pointing to this folder when checking for driver update through the Device Manager.

    That folder is located in:

    C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository


    XdxD said:

    Also I have done 2 complete clean installs, yet this OEM folder stays there. May be it is somehow protected by Acer.

    When you say clean install, did you format your current partition? Because if you did, then no folder would have survived on that partition.



  • xapim
    xapim ACE Posts: 7,257 Pathfinder
    edited August 2019
    Razamax said:

    Thanks for the guide, you can also copy the drivers repository folder present in windows to a different partition and then install all your current drivers by pointing to this folder when checking for driver update through the Device Manager.

    That folder is located in:

    C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository


    XdxD said:

    Also I have done 2 complete clean installs, yet this OEM folder stays there. May be it is somehow protected by Acer.

    When you say clean install, did you format your current partition? Because if you did, then no folder would have survived on that partition.



    @razamax yes exactly what i stated above :) preferably copy it to another drive because probably if you clean install via stock factory reset all partitions will be reset to a single one  :)


    https://www.userbenchmark.com/UserRun/11532543

    UserBenchmarks: Game 43%, Desk 61%, Work 40%
    CPU: Intel Core i5-7300HQ - 63.5%
    GPU: Nvidia GTX 1050-Ti (Mobile) - 41.9%
    SSD: WDC WDS200T2B0B-00YS70 2TB - 71.4%
    HDD: WD WD10SPZX-00HKTT0 1TB - 93.7%
    RAM: Kingston HyperX DDR4 2666 C15 2x16GB - 76.8%
    MBD: Acer Predator G3-572

    I'm not an Acer employee. (just here to help in the best way i can)
    If my answer fixed you issue please accept it for any other users who search for it would find it quickly thanks :)
    If you want to learn more about undervolting/optimizing windows join the Predator fb group and youtube channel:

    Owner/Admin (HOTEL HERO/Red-Sand/Opoka Opoka)
    https://www.facebook.com/groups/PredatorHelios300
    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNJwGUHxSJ8FKqAhnOqQuAw
    Acer support:
    https://www.acer.com/ac/en/US/content/service-contact
    http://www.acer.com/worldwide/support/  


  • XdxD
    XdxD Member Posts: 1,581 Community Aficionado WiFi Icon
    edited August 2019
    Razamax said:

    Thanks for the guide, you can also copy the drivers repository folder present in windows to a different partition and then install all your current drivers by pointing to this folder when checking for driver update through the Device Manager.

    That folder is located in:

    C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository


    XdxD said:

    Also I have done 2 complete clean installs, yet this OEM folder stays there. May be it is somehow protected by Acer.

    When you say clean install, did you format your current partition? Because if you did, then no folder would have survived on that partition.



    Yup, I indeed did a clean install using the ISO. When it asked me to clean all the drives, I had selected yes.
    Trying to do my best here - Your happy Predator owner =)!
  • XdxD
    XdxD Member Posts: 1,581 Community Aficionado WiFi Icon
    Check this out @xapim & @Razamax.
    Trying to do my best here - Your happy Predator owner =)!
  • xapim
    xapim ACE Posts: 7,257 Pathfinder
    Humm that's interesting 👍


    https://www.userbenchmark.com/UserRun/11532543

    UserBenchmarks: Game 43%, Desk 61%, Work 40%
    CPU: Intel Core i5-7300HQ - 63.5%
    GPU: Nvidia GTX 1050-Ti (Mobile) - 41.9%
    SSD: WDC WDS200T2B0B-00YS70 2TB - 71.4%
    HDD: WD WD10SPZX-00HKTT0 1TB - 93.7%
    RAM: Kingston HyperX DDR4 2666 C15 2x16GB - 76.8%
    MBD: Acer Predator G3-572

    I'm not an Acer employee. (just here to help in the best way i can)
    If my answer fixed you issue please accept it for any other users who search for it would find it quickly thanks :)
    If you want to learn more about undervolting/optimizing windows join the Predator fb group and youtube channel:

    Owner/Admin (HOTEL HERO/Red-Sand/Opoka Opoka)
    https://www.facebook.com/groups/PredatorHelios300
    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNJwGUHxSJ8FKqAhnOqQuAw
    Acer support:
    https://www.acer.com/ac/en/US/content/service-contact
    http://www.acer.com/worldwide/support/  


  • UncleReggie
    UncleReggie Member Posts: 6

    Tinkerer

    This gives me hope. I'm in a situation where the Acer Care Center created recovery USB left me in an incomplete state and the computer will not boot. I'll be doing this in a few hours and I'll report back if the results are the same for me. I've got a PH317-52.
  • XdxD
    XdxD Member Posts: 1,581 Community Aficionado WiFi Icon
    edited August 2019
    This gives me hope. I'm in a situation where the Acer Care Center created recovery USB left me in an incomplete state and the computer will not boot. I'll be doing this in a few hours and I'll report back if the results are the same for me. I've got a PH317-52.
    Awaiting for your result 😁! Btw, since your PC still has Acer customised Windows 10, try the Alt+F10 method.

    Trying to do my best here - Your happy Predator owner =)!
  • UncleReggie
    UncleReggie Member Posts: 6

    Tinkerer

    XdxD said:
    This gives me hope. I'm in a situation where the Acer Care Center created recovery USB left me in an incomplete state and the computer will not boot. I'll be doing this in a few hours and I'll report back if the results are the same for me. I've got a PH317-52.
    Awaiting for your result 😁! Btw, since your PC still has Acer customised Windows 10, try the Alt+F10 method.

    I did not have the "secret" persisting folder on my clean install. I was forced to do a clean install because Alt+F10 didn't work for me the first time and then the ACC recovery media is what borked my system. I bit the bullet and ordered the eRecovery USB stick from the Acer store. 

    Installing the software packages from the Acer support website did not allow Predator Sense to run either. 
  • XdxD
    XdxD Member Posts: 1,581 Community Aficionado WiFi Icon
    edited August 2019
    That's quite strange. I mean I did clean installation 2 times and every Acer program available works fine for me. Did you get the error message of unsupported model while installing your Predator Sense?
    Btw, how much did it cost for the eRecovery USB stick from Acer? It is available for USA only, that's why I am asking about it.
    Trying to do my best here - Your happy Predator owner =)!
  • UncleReggie
    UncleReggie Member Posts: 6

    Tinkerer

    XdxD said:
    That's quite strange. I mean I did clean installation 2 times and every Acer program available works fine for me. Did you get the error message of unsupported model while installing your Predator Sense?
    Btw, how much did it cost for the eRecovery USB stick from Acer? It is available for USA only, that's why I am asking about it.
    It allowed me to install the service, but it doesn't give me the app in the Start menu. 

    The USB stick was $45 USD for the PH317-52. I can't imagine it's different for other Predator models. 
  • XdxD
    XdxD Member Posts: 1,581 Community Aficionado WiFi Icon
    XdxD said:
    That's quite strange. I mean I did clean installation 2 times and every Acer program available works fine for me. Did you get the error message of unsupported model while installing your Predator Sense?
    Btw, how much did it cost for the eRecovery USB stick from Acer? It is available for USA only, that's why I am asking about it.
    It allowed me to install the service, but it doesn't give me the app in the Start menu. 

    The USB stick was $45 USD for the PH317-52. I can't imagine it's different for other Predator models. 
    In Predator Sense's folder, an app of size 100MB+ is present. You had to just launch it for PS icon to appear.
    Trying to do my best here - Your happy Predator owner =)!
  • xapim
    xapim ACE Posts: 7,257 Pathfinder
    The ps exe for the new blue ui it's inside the folder program files/windows apps (you have to take ownership of the folder in order to access it and show hidden files/folder as its hidden) but the ps app should show in apps after installed 


    https://www.userbenchmark.com/UserRun/11532543

    UserBenchmarks: Game 43%, Desk 61%, Work 40%
    CPU: Intel Core i5-7300HQ - 63.5%
    GPU: Nvidia GTX 1050-Ti (Mobile) - 41.9%
    SSD: WDC WDS200T2B0B-00YS70 2TB - 71.4%
    HDD: WD WD10SPZX-00HKTT0 1TB - 93.7%
    RAM: Kingston HyperX DDR4 2666 C15 2x16GB - 76.8%
    MBD: Acer Predator G3-572

    I'm not an Acer employee. (just here to help in the best way i can)
    If my answer fixed you issue please accept it for any other users who search for it would find it quickly thanks :)
    If you want to learn more about undervolting/optimizing windows join the Predator fb group and youtube channel:

    Owner/Admin (HOTEL HERO/Red-Sand/Opoka Opoka)
    https://www.facebook.com/groups/PredatorHelios300
    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNJwGUHxSJ8FKqAhnOqQuAw
    Acer support:
    https://www.acer.com/ac/en/US/content/service-contact
    http://www.acer.com/worldwide/support/  


  • XdxD
    XdxD Member Posts: 1,581 Community Aficionado WiFi Icon
    xapim said:
    The ps exe for the new blue ui it's inside the folder program files/windows apps (you have to take ownership of the folder in order to access it and show hidden files/folder as its hidden) but the ps app should show in apps after installed 
    Only on 1809...On 1903, it works without any hindrance.
    Trying to do my best here - Your happy Predator owner =)!
  • UncleReggie
    UncleReggie Member Posts: 6

    Tinkerer

    I had to take ownership of the folder in order to look inside. There was no PS folder inside. The installer for the service didn't yield any errors. I'm just gonna wait for my eRecovery drive to be able to use PS again. The computer boots, that's more than it did yesterday afternoon. 
  • Lmsoares1976
    Lmsoares1976 Member Posts: 3 New User
    Hi Guys I was following this thread, becouse i am facing some issues like this. Thats my problem:
    I was facing some video crashes... So i decided to upgrade my bios with 2.04 (new update). Of course it did not work for me. 
    So i decided to made an clean install (ISO), and alt+f10. My system waked up. but when i try to install official drivers, the system says to me, that those drivers are not compatible with my Computer.

    tks for the help....

    I was reading to downgrade BIOS, but it is not recommended.... I Hope someone could help me.

    My config:
    Helios Predator 300 PH315-53
    I7-10750h 2,6GHz
    16gb
    RTX 2070 Max-Q