Screen Issues - Switch Alpha 12

bturley28
bturley28 Member Posts: 5 New User
edited November 2023 in 2018 Archives

I just bought the Switch Alpha 12 (SA5-271) from Costco about a week ago. I'm usually pretty cautious about buying tech from Costco since they seem to get tech that couldn't pass quality control at the OEM but was still good enough to sell third party. I started having screen issues almost on day one where my screen would go black except for the left side of the screen which would fill up with colored vertical lines. Also, every once and awhile, i'd get a blue screen of death with a driver error. Has anyone else had this problem, specifically with the Costco models? Is this just a driver issue or a faulty system and should I just get an exchange.

Answers

  • laurent_14
    laurent_14 ACE Posts: 10,310 Trailblazer

    Hello,

     

    Do you have this version of the Intel VGA driver?

    VGAIntelVGA Driver20.19.15.4390197.8 MB2016/06/01Download
    France
  • bturley28
    bturley28 Member Posts: 5 New User

    I'm not sure what version of HD 520 driver I had but I went ahead and downloaded the driver you provided and installed it (it actually was an older version of the driver I alread had installed on my SA12). I haven't had problems with it so far (I installed the driver this morning) so hopefully that's the solution. Thanks for the help!

  • bturley28
    bturley28 Member Posts: 5 New User

    So, I thought after a month or so I could figure out what was going on. I've updated and rolled back my HD 520 Graphics driver multiple times, but I still get this every once and awhile (picture below). I seem to get it more when watching videos or playing games, on AC or with the battery, but I have had it happen when just web surfing but it's rare. The touch-part of the screen still works when this happens but you can't really see anything. I end up having to press the power button to turn the screen off and then turn it back on. Sometimes it fixes the problem but it usually comes back and the screen craps out on me again. Is there anything I can do software wise or is this a hardware problem and should I get it exchanged? 

     

    Thanks!Screen problem.JPG

  • laurent_14
    laurent_14 ACE Posts: 10,310 Trailblazer

    Hello,

     

    Hmmm there is another Intel VGA driver:

    VGAIntelVGA Driver20.19.15.4454199.5 MB2016/08/23Download

    Do you have critical events in Event Viewer?

    You should have a DMP file located in C:\Windows\Minidump following BSOD stated in your first message.

    France
  • RandyV
    RandyV Member Posts: 39 Die Hard WiFi Icon

    IMHO - it looks like a hardware problem to me.  Persoanlly, I'd return it or send it to Acer for repair. 

     

    It's a brand new piece of hardware and you should not have those kinds of issues with it.   No manufacturer is flawless so some hardware infant mortality is going ot happen.   I bought two Alphas (one for myself and one for my wife) and aside from some wonkly behavior with the trackpad on mine, both units are perfectly stable. 

  • billsey
    billsey ACE Posts: 34,219 Trailblazer

    Looks like a likely hardware issue to me also. I've never seen anything like it on my Switch Alpha 12.

    Click on "Like" if you find my answer useful or click on "Yes" if it answers your question.
  • mromolino
    mromolino Member Posts: 14

    Tinkerer

    Don't even mess with it take it back.  Too new for that nonesense.

  • rob185
    rob185 Member Posts: 2 New User
    I bought my Switch Alpha "refurbished", and started having this problem after a couple months. Is there a solution? I think my drivers are up-to-date, so I think it is a hardware issue as well.
  • rob185
    rob185 Member Posts: 2 New User
    Here is a video of my problem:

    https://youtu.be/8zUa0z2Db8I
  • JackE
    JackE ACE Posts: 44,889 Trailblazer
    @rob185 Press and hold the power button till the machine completely shuts off. Then turn the machine back on and *immediately* press and hold the ALT key while tapping the F2 key till a recovery screen appears. Then follow the instructions as in the video below to re-set the machine to a factory fresh Win10 state. If this resolves the problem, then it's not a hardware issue but more likely a Win10 update is messing up the display. Jack E/NJ

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

    Jack E/NJ

  • hedehede81
    hedehede81 Member Posts: 16 Troubleshooter
    rob185 said:
    Here is a video of my problem:

    https://youtu.be/8zUa0z2Db8I
    that 99% looks like hardware problem to me, sorry. If I had to guess, it is either the GPU chip needs reflowing and re-pasting or the LCD connector is loose and needs re-seating.
  • AlanXtreme
    AlanXtreme Member Posts: 7 New User
    I have this problem which is the same, take a look at the picture, its an acer switch alpha 12. How can i fix this hardware issue?
  • JackE
    JackE ACE Posts: 44,889 Trailblazer
    AlanXtremeTry to HDMI out to a TV to see if you get the same screen issue. Report back. Jack E/NJ

    Jack E/NJ

  • AlanXtreme
    AlanXtreme Member Posts: 7 New User
    The screen went off and i could use the computer only at the tv with the hdmi adaptor, the screen is the problem
  • JackE
    JackE ACE Posts: 44,889 Trailblazer
    AlanXtremeThe LCD video ribbon cable probably needs to be replaced. It likely has a conductor trace break in the hinge area from opening and closing the lid too much. Google your full model number and LCD cable for vendors/sellers. Prices usually are about $30 USD or less. Jack E/NJ

    Jack E/NJ

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