I have a Predator X32 FP. How do I check the firmware version and how long does it take to update?

Reseil · March 2023

I recently purchased a Predator X32 FP. I've read that in order to bring all the functionality, I need to update the firmware. How do I check what version is factory installed and how long does the update process take?

Is there a way to update the firmware online or do I need to use the offline method?

JackE · March 2023

To check version, try this

Turn monitor off.
Press & hold the empowering button + Power button.
Release the power button when the desktop appears
Then immediately release & press the empowering button again.
The firmware version shoulld be at the bottom of the screen.

The latest version, 2.00.010 can be found at this link. However, a firmware update is not recommended unless you find an issue that can't first be resolved by using the OSD or the Acer Display Widget.

Reseil · March 2023

I found that article, but it was dated 2019.

What exactly is the “empowering button?" It's not labeled in the manual and there are 4 buttons besides power.

I read that 2.0 fw has a fix to the HDR settings, so that's a must.

JackE · March 2023

Try joystick+power instead. Another user reported that increasing the BlackBoost should help overcome some brightness issues among others at this link. I'm not sure if he's tried the 2.00.010 update yet.

Acer X32 FP, all problems and firmware issues recap.

sblantipodi

Mar 8, 2023

Hi all,
I open this thread to recap all the problems and firmware issues that plagues this monitor.
I use a colorimeter i1 Display Pro for color accurate work,
I love the monitor, the panel is extremely color accurate, it's incredibly fast, no ghosting/blur during games,
HDR is super bright with no major blooming or aloing when adaptive dimming is enabled, games looks WOW!
it's not a 1000+ zones monitor but FALD works flawlessly with its 512 zone, much better than what I excpected.
For this reasons I choosed to not return the monitor even if it has some flaws that I hope that Acer will address with a firmware update (using latest 010 firmware here).
HDR does not kick in automatically when enabling HDR in Windows, you need to enable HDR on OSD too.
Adaptive dimming darken greyscales a bit too much on SDR contents, it's not something that bad but it is a bit too aggressive.
Overdrive can't be disabled when Variable Refresh Rate is Active (Freesync Premium PRO), this is a non sense. Overdrive even in normal mode creates a bit of overshoot on white background with black text, this is annoying so I prefer to disable it when working. To disable overdrive I need to disable Freesync too.
If I enable “Refresh Rate Num” while playing a game in HDR, the monitor reset to user mode.
Acer Display Widget software lacks the ability to enable/disable adaptive dimming.
Acer Display Widget is broken when working on RGB Gain, For example, if I set R=50,G=49,B=49 in Acer Display Widget, monitor uses R=49,G=48,B=46.
Acer Display Widget lacks the ability to set the RGB Bias.
For all this reasons, to fully enjoy the monitor

I prefer to work with this settings:
- “User mode” with a calibrated profile
- “Overdrive” disabled, I don't want overshoot on whitebackground with black text while working.
- “Adaptive dimming” disabled, I prefer better uniformity while doing color accurate work and local dimming darken SDR contents too much.

and I prefer to consume video contents and videogames with this settings:
- “HDR mode”
- “Overdrive” enabled, in games there is no visible overshoot so overdrive is welcome here.
- “Adaptive dimming” enabled, in games and videos Adaptive dimming is simply super uber awesome.
With all this issues switching from my “work settings” to my “game settings” requires a very boring process.
To switch from “work settings” to “game settings” I need to do the following.

- Enable HDR in Windows
- Enable HDR in monitor's OSD
- Enable Adaptive Dimming in OSD
- Enable Freesync (that automatically enables overdrive) in OSD

to switch to work settings I need to do the inverse process.

All this things should be controllable with Acer Display Widget with one click but it's not possible at the moment.

I hope that Acer will fix all this issues. Monitor is awesome and all this issue are not a real deal breaker for me but I would prefer if such an expensive monitor would be more “refined”.
I hope that someone in Acer will read this.

Reseil · March 2023

I started the fw update to 2.0 and during the 2nd part of the process it did not complete correctly and hung up. Powered it down and checked the fw version as 2.00, but no change to the OSD options. The factory screen also had a 3302FW: 20221212 085925 line to it, so maybe the fw did not flash correctly? Is there any harm in trying to reflash?

The date of the 2.0 fw is Jan of this year, so maybe the flash failed?

JackE · March 2023

The factory screen also had a 3302FW: 20221212

This suggests that you have a newer version already installed since the Jan 2023 version actually seems to be the Nov 22 version 20221130 according to the PDFs. I suggest not pressing your luck with the firmware and try to make the BlackBoost OSD etc or Acer Display Widget adjustments. If you're still not satisfied, I advise returning to the vendor as defective for a refund or exchange on another monitor.

Reseil · March 2023

OK. I was on v 1.0 fw, so I dl'd the 2.0 fw. I followed the process exactly. This was the first time I'd had a device do a 2 part flash, and I've flashed my share of fw's before. The first part went flawlessly, but when I had to start the 2nd part of the process, unplugging power and plugging it back in, the flash “picked up” where it left off, or so I thought. It went for 45 minutes, so I figured it was hung.

Powered off, back on and it worked, so good start. Did the factory screen and the following popped up:

MST9U14RV4

Panel: M320QAN028

FW: v02.00.010

Checksum: 292F

Model Name: X32 FP

3302FW: 20221212 085925

Now flashing the fw seems to have made no difference and there are no “new features" in the OSD, so I question if I somehow interrupted the process after 45 minutes?

The version # makes it seem like the flash was successful. but what does 3302FW mean? 20221212 is not the date of the 2.0 fw, it's dated Jan of this year. Should I try flashing it again? I tried calling the support line to see if they knew anything, but I got the typical agent. She didn't even know there was fw for monitors.

There is no noticeable difference and the OSD doesn't seem to have changed. Is there any harm in trying to re-flash? I would like it to complete in the way the instructions say, that after second part “finishes completely, it will go to the factory screen," which it never did.

billsey · March 2023

2022 12 12 is likely the build date, Jan 23 is likely when it was released.

JackE · March 2023

Should I try flashing it again?»»Is there any harm in trying to re-flash?»»

If it was mine, no. As suggested earlier, messing with firmware can brick the system. Try to make changes with the BlackBoost OSD etc or Acer Display Widget adjustments. If you're not satisfied, return the machine to the vendor as defective for a refund or exchange.