Fresh Installation of Win 8.1 on Iconia W4-820

The answer of my question is:

Windows 8.1 with Bing, OEM (32-bit)

With the right version everything passes well and the result is flying & more responsible system without *****. In the installation process there are some important steps:

   1) Download the latest BIOS version 1.16, which includes in the same package all required drivers

   2) Update the system using the setup.exe file. Before that close all opened applications.

   3) Charge fully the battery

   4) Connect an external USB hub with its own external power adapter and attached:

            - Keyboard

            - Mouse

        Note:

             The reason is that on boot and Windows setup there is no available Bluetooth driver.

             The same goes for the touch screen.

   5) Enter the system setup and set the BIOS/UEFI parameters:

           - Enable key F12

           - Disable Secure Boot

   6) Prepare the bootable USB flash with the OS (I used DISKPART)

   7) Boot from USB using F12 to choose the boot drive on start

   8) The disk layout should be GPT because we have the beloved UEFI *****

         Note:

            Here I can explain in details my disk layout scheme and how it was created using DISKPART

            during the OS setup stage. BTW this was the most important part for me, because we have

            a small system drive, soldered on the motherboard (not user replaceable) and filled with *****.

            If I had the opportunity to use a MBR scheme with legacy BIOS then I would install Windows on

            one partition without losing valuable disk space for UEFI.

   9) After the OS installation follows Acer’s Catch 22. Ha-ha, it’s funny!

        How to be installed Acer’s drivers requiring a tablet on AC power with not working touch screen and

        without Bluetooth driver. In my case I used Remote Desktop, be aware that the one from XP is not supported.

        If you don’t have a second system then you should use a scheduled administrative installation. Also you can

        build a USB Charge/Sync Y-cable if you know how and have time.

 10) After Drivers installation you will see the beauty of Iconia W4.

After the OS & Drivers installation follows OS optimization & Applications settings for gaining additional speed & lower use of RAM & CPU resources.

This final step(s) I will describe – the next time.

I will post also pictures of my workplace with a Slim Bluetooth Mouse & 11.1” Keyboard and Stand with Variable Angle. I’m using a perfectly attached Matte Screen Protector which makes W4 great for work at spots with bright or artificial light(s).

I forgot to mention that I have 256 GB SD card that works perfectly on W4.

Be prepared for a lot of pictures.

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Edit: May 16, 2015

Here is the list with my Iconia W4-820 accessories staff and related links

• Slim Bluetooth Mouse ~ $8
• Small 11.1 inch Bluetooth Keyboard ~ $12
• Data Sync/Charge Hub (not tested yet) ~ $12
• Matte Screen Protectors ~ $7
• Case with Hard Edges (frame) ~ $12
• Leather Bag ~ $70
• Stand (Prepara) ~ $25
• Magnifier 10x ~ $4

… and for those who are interesting from UEFI here it is the link to a good description:

• UEFI Secure Boot in Windows 8.1

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Iconia W4 by my taste

1. Legacy BIOS Support
2. RAM 4 GB (Supported at the moment)
3. mSATA SSD interface for the internal storage
4. Two USB 3.0 interfaces – one on bottom, another on top and both with locations close to the corners
5. Only one Front Quality Camera
6. Bootable SD slot with the speed at USB 3.0 at least
7. Strong Metal Back Cover for Stable construction with micro holes for better passive cooling and performance
8. OEM OS installation media

@Plastixx
Hey Plastixx,

Thanks for sharing with me your experience about the subject!

I have next questions to you and will be happy to see your answers:

1. Do you know from where Mark Wilson takes your Product Key?
2. Can you post the link on Microsoft site where you can download for free MSDN version of Win 8.1?
3. What makes you to think that using DISKPART for making a bootable USB flash drive instead of Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool is not legal?
4. Do you know what is the difference between a bootable USB and the ISO file of the same OS?

From your point of view probably my approach is complicated and I can understand that. It’s the way of the system administrator. Let me be more specific – using third party tools for tasks where we already have system ones is a bad practice. Of course there are some suite exceptions …

JFYI the Product Key we can extract with a simple script at command prompt. In my case I am using RWEverything (one of those exceptions ) because you can check out if your PK is embedded in your BIOS or not. BTW this tool has unique features that are useful for watching and/or changing some systems behaviors like system fan(s) policy in e.g.
I can say it in another way – where is the location of the embedded PK in your system?

Regarding to MSDN version of Win 8.1 as far as I know it cannot be downloaded without a subscription. That’s why I said that I prefer to have the OEM version of my installed OS as a part of the tablet package.

As far as Novicorp WinToFlash it was piece of ***** two years ago when I spend time to test it by a request of a friend of mine. The application failed miserably at fairly simple task such as making a bootable 32GB USB flash drive while there were a lot of free tools in Linux and Windows that was doing the same without a problem.

I am little bit surprised that you didn’t mention the free good and open source tool Rufus. I know the author and its coding stile which is very decent and can be used as a manual about the topic how to make a bootable USB flash from OS ISO file. You can compile Rufus from source using MinGW or Visual C.

DISKPART is the OS tool for disk management in Win OSes. It’s good as interactive and script tool. If you take a look at your Acer’s System Factory Backup you will see the script file that Acer use to restore your OS and DISKPART is there. Here it is one rhetoric question: Why Acer makes only a bootable USB and not ISO file or bootable DVDs for OS Factory Default Backup?

You are taking unnecessary risk installing drivers in the way you described. First, the file with the drivers as I said in previous post contains the BIOS too. Installation works in this way:

1. Install Iconia W4 Drivers
2. Reboot System
3. Check device BIOS version and if it’s older that available in the driver package follow automatic BIOS update

Now let assume that you battery is close to 5% of its capacity and you start drivers update. If power failed in the time of BIOS update then you almost 100% will brick your system and then you should call Acer support. That why is the good Acer’s remind about the power and I agree with them. You should always to be on AC power before drivers/BIOS updates.

The purpose of my posts is to be useful for those who want to learn more about their system and how to perform some difficult task professionally.

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Do I Need a Screen Protector?

Definitely, I need a screen protector in 3 reasons:

• Reduced reflection
• Better screen touch without sticking fingers
• Protect screen from scratches

I bought the next two quality brands for me - iLLumiShield and SuperShieldz. I love the matte screens and that’s why the matte screen protectors are the choice. Click over the pictures for the hi-res version:

Click here for Hi-Resolution Picture

Click here for Hi-Resolution Picture

I’ve tried the both filters and I like more the one of SuperShieldz. It’s perfect with its matte surface and the feeling when I use my fingers (greasy skin) is awesome. No mirror effect, no finger traces on the display, clean vision, it’s a pleasure to touch the screen!

The iLLumiShield is very close/similar to the original glossy screen compared to SuperShieldz. Its matte surface is good. The protector is perfectly cut and fit to the screen frame like no other. Probably has better scratch resistance and clarity. It seems to me that it’s thicker than SuperShieldz’s one. No doubt – top quality protector! Tomorrow I’ll post a picture of my Iconia W4 with this protector. BTW my wife likes iLLumiShield more.

Soon I will test theirs scratch resistance using pens with a metal net instead a rubber end.

There is a secret how to put properly a protector over the display. I’m not following the manufacturer instructions. Here is the trick:

Requirements:

• 3 clean microfiber cloths – one for cleaning, one to take the excess water and the last to keep safe the screen protector from scratch when using credit card to pull out bubbles and water
• Glass of distilled water
• A drop of soap
• Screen protector

Actions:

1. wash your hands with soap
2. grab a wet microfiber cloth with a little soap (one drop, no more) and clean the screen carefully until there are not dust or traces. You should have a perfectly clean mirror from any angles.
3. pour distilled water into a glass
4. put your fingers into the water. They should be always wet when you are touching the filter!
5. put some drop of water over the display only with wet fingers (flick your fingers) without touch it, keep safe the tablet’s windows key! Then again put your fingers in the water
6. With wet fingers remove both protectors/covers (top/bottom, for iLLumiShield only bottom) of the filter and put some water drops on it using your wet fingers without to touch it. The drops should be on the protector’s side which will be attached to the display.
7. Attach the wet protector with its proper side to the display. Don’t worry if it’s not perfectly fit. When your hands are free then with the second cloth carefully take the extra water from the protector edges. After that you can freely slide and properly adjust the protector and its holes over the display frame, camera and light sensor.
8. Wrap the one side of a credit card with the 3rd cloth and start from the middle of the display to pull out the bubbles with one hand. With other hand and the second cloth take the extra water from the edges where are power and volume buttons, microphone, SD card slot and connectors when you are going in that direction. Don’t be afraid if protector is misplaced then just use your hands to slide it in the right direction.
9. If you see some dust particle between the display and its protector then put fingers in the water and pull the protector side where the particle is. It will be visible and use a finger to pull it out. Then put back the protector and start again with the card to pull out the bubbles.
10. when you are ready and the protector is perfectly attached then left it for 12 hours. In this period of time the rest water will be evaporated.

That’s it!

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Edit: May 19, 2015

Here you have 4 hi-resolution pictures of the tablet with iLLumiShield & SuperShieldz protectors. The condition in which I took the images wasn’t good for the camera and the difference between our two brands is not so clear.

iLLumiShield
As I said it is very close to the glossy than a matte screen and that’s why I don’t like it. You can see the traces of my fingers after touching the screen to close two windows. The laser cut edges are extremely clean and precise.

.

Click over the Picture for Hi-Resolution

SuperShieldz
This is the real ultimate matte protector with perfect fingerprints resistance. I forgot to mention that two of the protectors were with 0.2 mm bigger on its left (upper) to right (down) diagonal. I cut the left upper angle with scissors and protector fit perfectly. Without this trimming the left & right edges touch the display frame where should be a small gap ~ 0.1/0.2 mm.

Click over the Picture for Hi-Resolution

Note:
Every protector can be removed and used again after wash with water and soap. For its removal use a sticking tape or better a piece of old protector.

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Some words about peripherals on the pictures

The keyboard size is perfect for a mobile user. Not big and very convenient for typing with my not small fingers. The power comes from 2 pieces AAA batteries. In my case I’m using Sanyo (Panasonic) Eneloop Rechargeable Accumulators more than 10 years. This is the best accumulator in the world!

I’ve tried smaller 8” keyboards which look good but they are fragile, difficult to type and have embedded Lithium-ion battery.

The mouse is good too with its 2 pieces AAA battery and 3 buttons, wheel (act as button too). The small button over the top is for changing between the 3 DPI sensitivity modes (the highest is 1600 dpi).

The pen is a part of the stand. It’s heavy a little bit thick with solid rubber end.

@Plastixx

Hey Plastixx,

Thanks for the good words, your answers and clarification!

I’m glad that you are trying to help and posting here!

We are thinking in the same direction. The optimal performance and stability of my systems is goal number one. It’s a dream for me to turn on the new tablet/laptop and just to start using the beauty. I fully agree with you about the OS clean installation. This is the only way to have a clean system ready for optimization and drivers installation.

When the storage space is limited and every bit counts (I like this attitude) there are some things we can do:

1. If it’s possible use 32-bit OS and applications. Preferred without integrated IE & WMP!
2. Strip unused OS components from the original media (.iso file). There are free and commercial approaches as WinReducer, Microsoft’s Windows Embedded.
3. Compress the biggest application .EXE files from “Program Files” using UPX compressor where it’s possible
4. You can use NTFS compression but it’s complicated for SSDs and needs additional special care
5. Choose carefully your applications without duplicated functionality. This is a really difficult task! In e.g. I’m using PotPlayer to play all media and nothing else.

I’m using the original default OS configuration to check out if all hardware components work properly. It’s up to you to use or not Acer’s Backup Types. I don’t like Acer approach to do it with unclear descriptions and missing important details about the actions. I will be surprised if it works when you need it after entirely wiped drive or a specific case on the EFI systems where they can get corrupted and unbootable. Unfortunately I don’t have free time to test it or intention to use it. In my 25 years practice I did it only once - by user request.

Regarding to the battery power and BIOS update I will tell you what happened once with me. I had a laptop with battery charged at 100%, attached AC power too. I boot off the system from a DVD and new BIOS version inside. When I started the update procedure suddenly the electricity stopped. The system logic switched to the internal power and 5 seconds later the laptop was turned off on the middle of the BIOS update. When electricity came back the system was completely dead. I had the knowledge and the right equipment to reflash the BIOS. In the end the system was up and running again. The cause for this extremely rare incident was not properly working motherboard power logic.

Sometimes we crash, ha ha, !

You are absolutely right that the simple and fastest problem solution is the best one!

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Edit: May 19, 2015

I forgot to tell you that I have intention to install win 8.1 on preformatted system partition with exFAT file system. On UEFI boot model this will accelerate I/O disk operations, will decrease CPU load (no NTFS security) and in the end the system will be faster.

I will do that in the next week.

Is the Acer’s Created Factory Default Backup Works?

One of the first and most important steps on every my new preinstalled systems is the creations and testing of the Factory Default Image (Backup). It is important because gives you the opportunity to restore OS installation in a state “Out of the Box”.

Of course I’ve made the Factory Default Backup of my Iconia W4-820 using Acer Recovery Management. As a backup media I used an ADATA 16 GB USB Flash Memory Stick. The Acer’s Backup Application formatted the flash drive with FAT32 file system and makes it bootable with the System Recovery Image on it. The size of system data is almost 6 GB.

After the Backup creation I wiped the entire drive with all partitions and data on it including All Secure Boot Setting into BIOS settings. Then using the key F12 I booted from the USB flash drive. It’s about 12 min. later I had the original OS in a “Out of the Box” state.

Here I can say only one – “Thank you Acer!”

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What about if you want to transfer the backup on another flash/disk drive, or just to make an archive of the backup? How to keep backup bootable?

First it’s safe to delete the folder “System Volume Information” on backup USB flash drive. Then you can copy all files where you want or create an archive with them. Now you have the required data for the OS restoration where you want.

When you want to restore the OS in “Out of the Box” state then we will need a bootable media with the OS backup data on it. Here are the steps to achieve our goal:

     1) Format and Make a bootable drive

     2) Copy backup OS data to the formatted drive

Step #1:

   This is the same procedure as a preparation of bootable drive for Win 8.1 OS installation. Used tool is the system one DISKPART and I assume that the new drive will be second for the system. In this case disk #1 (in e.g. 8 GB USB flash stick) and disk #0 is the system internal drive. Now run as Administrator the Command Prompt and enter the commands:

  Note: All previous data on the drive will be destroyed! 

1. diskpart
2. list disk
3. select disk 1
4. list disk
5. list partition
6. clean
7. create partition primary
8. list partition
9. select partition 1
10. active
11. format fs=fat32 label="Iconia_W4" quick
12. assign letter=f
13. exit

Step #2:

   Copy/Extract all OS backup data into root folder on the formatted drive. You should see it as Drive F: in the Windows Explorer.

Now you have a bootable drive that will be able to restore your OS in state “Out of the Box”.

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Next I will explain in details how to set up a disk layout that uses effectively the internal SSD drive and OS configuration for Optimal Performance.

Hey Cory,

Thanks for the warm words!

I realize that my actions are outside of Acer’s Support and you are right about that. I will show how my Iconia was configured for optimal performance and longer span life beyond Acer’s warranty.

Thanks for the kudos!

Best Regards,

Duhai

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Some Details about Capacitive Pens

The pens types are behave differently on a capacitive screen and their flawless control depends on the tip’s structure, shape and size including the display surface. I will use as an example the pens from the picture with my Iconia W4-820-2435 for a test.

… and a closer look to the tips:

When I’m using a pen I prefer the gentle way where I can slide it over the screen with a small pressure and almost without resistance from the display surface. The same goes for touching the screen. The good tip for me is the one when it is over an icon touching display there is no OS response. If I press firmly a little bit then action is happened.

I was very surprised by the results of my test conducted with the original unprotected screen and when it was protected.

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Pen      Original Screen    iLLumiShield     SuperShieldz

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 #1            good                 acceptable         poorly

 #5            perfectly           good                  poorly

 #9            poorly               acceptable         perfectly

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The “Bargains Depot” pens have the best quality except the rubber 4.5 mm tip which wasn’t good for me and my screen protector.

The “mesh” pens are impressive on the original screen but the tip is bulky.

So at the end the best pen for me is the pen #9. It was one of 10 pens in different colors from a package at price of $1 for 10 pcs. In this case the cheapest pen wins in the functionality class.

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AC Adapter 5V/3A

I bought two spare AC adapters for my Iconia respectively 5V/2A and 5V/3A with not detachable cable and Micro USB connector. There was an unpleasant surprise to find out that the one at 3A can’t charge the tablet. Here is the picture:

The Delta adapter is the original one in the middle.

When I have free time I will measure the voltage of the patient.