Beginner guide/tips for taking care of Acer Nitro 5? AN515-55-53AG

Hello Acer Community,

I recently bought an Acer Nitro 5 (AN515-55-53AG). As this is my first gaming laptop, and will also be using it for graduate school work, I was hoping to get some insight on how to best care for the laptop. If anyone could explain or link me to other references, I would greatly appreciate it. Some of the concerns I have are regarding updates. For example, when I first bought this laptop, 2 weeks in I got a notification that I should restart my computer to install a windows update. After doing so, I got a blue screen which I couldn't fix. I was able to get a replacement and want to avoid any such situations that might cause problems with my laptop.
How can I tell if a windows update is compatible with my computer?
Should I always update my computer whenever notified to do so?
I understand that I can also update the nvidia and intel processor drivers. Whats the best place to do so? Should I update these drivers?
Should I look to buy thermal paste to replace the one that came with the laptop?
Would you guys recommend I use the Norton antivirus or Trend micro antivirus?
I read that the killer control center software that came with the laptop might be considered bloatware and went to install the drivers only suite, was this advisable?

I'm sorry if my questions seem silly but I honestly just want to take care of my laptop and have been reading a lot of different opinions on these matters. I greatly appreciate any input that you may provide regarding subjects like these (:

Thread was edited to add model number to the title

Accepted answers

StevenGen

Your Nitro 5 AN515-55-53AG is nothing complicated. I don’t know what update that you updated to? As the Win-10 version 2004 and OS build 19041.450 (which is the latest) is a very reliable and consistent OP system, haven’t had any problems with any BSOD’s and as a mater of a fact I haven’t had many BSOD’s (maybe 2-3 ever) since Win-10 was released! This is very unusual for a brand new laptop to give you a BSOD at its first update? Tell us what win-10 update was it that gave you the blue screen?

As far as your questions are concerned:

Windows update will only notify you of the latest Win-10 appropriate updates and to thir software and hardware that you have installed and its in your laptop, don’t prematurely update to other drivers let windows update do that automatically to your system. It’s the safest way if you are not experienced and can’t fix/remedy problems with drivers and hardware issues.
With the Intel and NVIDIA drivers they will be automatically and appropriately updated by windows update. If you want to? You can download the "Intel® Driver & Support Assistant" and let that see and advise you of all update needs e.g. chipset, audio, graphics drivers for Intel and the nvidia gpu. Btw, the NVIDIA driver "Control Panel" for gpu’s settings need to be setup to their full potential through setting and there are some expertise needed.
The thermal paste and glu/cpu fan cleaning should only be repasted and done when needed and done by someone that has done this before as prematurely opening your laptop could cause you problems and could stop your laptop from working and/or void your warranty, if done before thw 12 months, be careful, get Acer to do that.
With "Anti-Virus" I only use the internal and provided “Windows Security” and a free anti virus like Avast, this has worked for me for years without any threats and/or problems btw, this is only my opinion). All these virus software(s) are just not needed as windows has the tools and has provided most of the tools that they have.
With the “Killer” download only the "Drivers Only Suite" keep your driver(s) always to their simplest and to its minimum form(s) is the best practice. When reinstalling any WiFi/BT software always uninstall the old driver before you install the new and make sure that after reboot the WiFi/BT is active, if its not then make sure that you press either the F3 key or the F3 + Fn keys to activate the WiFi/BT functions, if the WiFi/BT is not activated.

My advice is “keep it simple” and don’t complicate your software with bloatware and unnecessary stuff, as that will keep your system operating perfectly, I’ve been doing it for many years with very minimal problems and great windows operating successes!

All comments

StevenGen

Your Nitro 5 AN515-55-53AG is nothing complicated. I don’t know what update that you updated to? As the Win-10 version 2004 and OS build 19041.450 (which is the latest) is a very reliable and consistent OP system, haven’t had any problems with any BSOD’s and as a mater of a fact I haven’t had many BSOD’s (maybe 2-3 ever) since Win-10 was released! This is very unusual for a brand new laptop to give you a BSOD at its first update? Tell us what win-10 update was it that gave you the blue screen?

As far as your questions are concerned:

Windows update will only notify you of the latest Win-10 appropriate updates and to thir software and hardware that you have installed and its in your laptop, don’t prematurely update to other drivers let windows update do that automatically to your system. It’s the safest way if you are not experienced and can’t fix/remedy problems with drivers and hardware issues.
With the Intel and NVIDIA drivers they will be automatically and appropriately updated by windows update. If you want to? You can download the "Intel® Driver & Support Assistant" and let that see and advise you of all update needs e.g. chipset, audio, graphics drivers for Intel and the nvidia gpu. Btw, the NVIDIA driver "Control Panel" for gpu’s settings need to be setup to their full potential through setting and there are some expertise needed.
The thermal paste and glu/cpu fan cleaning should only be repasted and done when needed and done by someone that has done this before as prematurely opening your laptop could cause you problems and could stop your laptop from working and/or void your warranty, if done before thw 12 months, be careful, get Acer to do that.
With "Anti-Virus" I only use the internal and provided “Windows Security” and a free anti virus like Avast, this has worked for me for years without any threats and/or problems btw, this is only my opinion). All these virus software(s) are just not needed as windows has the tools and has provided most of the tools that they have.
With the “Killer” download only the "Drivers Only Suite" keep your driver(s) always to their simplest and to its minimum form(s) is the best practice. When reinstalling any WiFi/BT software always uninstall the old driver before you install the new and make sure that after reboot the WiFi/BT is active, if its not then make sure that you press either the F3 key or the F3 + Fn keys to activate the WiFi/BT functions, if the WiFi/BT is not activated.

My advice is “keep it simple” and don’t complicate your software with bloatware and unnecessary stuff, as that will keep your system operating perfectly, I’ve been doing it for many years with very minimal problems and great windows operating successes!

Twibz

Hello @StevenGen, thank you for your reply. It is helpful and reassuring that you took the time and provided valuable information.

You asked about what windows update I gave to the laptop. I am unsure about what the update is called, however I tried downloading it again and got another blue screen. Thankfully the windows diagnostics and repair were able to boot my laptop properly, but I found that my laptop now wasn't playing any audio at all. I was able to use a restore point to get my laptop to a point before I downloaded and installed the updates. Apparently, these new windows updates are giving blue screens and bugs with other drivers to many people. I'd like to warn others about these updates as well.

StevenGen

What is the version and OS build of your Win-10?

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6029997/uploads/editor/0o/ir01sqvsyh16.jpg

This is the latest Win-10 Pro as of 17th Aug 2020

Twibz

Hello @StevenGen,
I am running Win 10 Home Version 10.0.18363 Build 18363

I believe the update my laptop is trying to do is a security update KB4556799, however I am unsure how to check what update my laptop is trying to do without resuming automatic updates and installing the problematic update.

StevenGen

The version/OS build that you gave is not correct? To do that go to left side of task bar WIN logo click > Settings > System > About > then see Specifications. Because "Win 10 Home Version 10.0.18363 Build 18363” is not right?

If the update is "KB4556799" then you must be running Win-10 Home either version1903 or 1909 and OS build xxxxx.xxx whatever? Anyway, update to the latest Win-10 version 2004 because you are not running the latest version (which is the one above) by going to here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10 then download the "Windows 10 May 2020 Update" Update now and let the update tool go through its update steps until you have updated to version 2004 OS build 'whatever'? As it won't be like the one that I have 19041.450, to get that OS build you have to get it through "Windows Update" simple!

Twibz

@StevenGen

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6029997/uploads/editor/mq/9ddkgi66i9cr.png

StevenGen

Yes, your have version 1909 OS build 18363.720 which is the last OS build of version 1909 which was the August 11, 2020—KB4565351 (OS Builds 18362.1016 and 18363.1016).

As i've suggested above, update to the NEW version 2004 that will come with OS build June 9, 2020—KB4557957 (OS Build 19041.329) and then get "Windows Update" and/or you can update yourself to the latest OS build August 11, 2020—KB4566782 (OS Build 19041.450) simple, as this will fix your problem(s). Try that first.

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