Acer Swft 3 SF315-51 Intel UHD 620 Driver Update Issue

Enamur
Enamur Member Posts: 19 Troubleshooter
edited November 2023 in 2018 Archives
Hello,
the issue actually started once the Windows 10 Summer Update (Build 1803) was installed on my system. Everything went fine until the very last moment when Windows could not install the UHD620 driver properly. As a result, it got itself an exclamatory mark in the device manager (error code: 43) and display brightness could not be adjusted. Reverting back to UHD 620 version 22.20.16.4691 gets everything okay. This version is the latest from Acer according to their support page  while the latest from Intel is 24.20.100.6194.
I, however tried to get the latest driver installed into the system using "have disk"method etc. It either stopped the installation saying "you have the latest update" or ended up with an error code: 43.
But the real issue was not that.
Turns out the UHD 620 Driver that is built into our system is Acer customized which means installing a driver direct from Intel should not be a wise move.

Then I contacted Acer directly through e-mail support asking for a driver update for Swift 3. At first they could not understand it properly. After elaborating it this is what they have to say this:

Two months gone since then. It is really sad to see that the customized softwares are being delayed this far by a manufacturer like Acer. I first took it to acer community, then emailed them and no driver update from them to this not so old device. It is a 8th gen Kaby Lake- R PC. it should have the latest Intel UHD Display driver update. I came to learn HP's ENVY x360 also has customized UHD 620 driver but it seems they already have driver update for 1803 Build. So why not Acer?

Answers

  • JackE
    JackE ACE Posts: 44,890 Trailblazer
    >>>Reverting back to UHD 620 version 22.20.16.4691 gets everything okay.>>>

    I'm confused too. Is everything working OK with 4691 under 1803 or not OK? Jack E/NJ

    Jack E/NJ

  • Enamur
    Enamur Member Posts: 19 Troubleshooter
    Yes. Everything works fine with 4691. If you try installing an update directly from intel (no matter whatever method you choose) it either stops updating or ends up in error code 43. If it ends up in error code 43 that means although the update is installed it doesnt work as intended. Then, scan for hardware changes/roll back to previous driver/uninstall the device driver automatically goes back to 4691 which is listed as the latest Intel GPU Update on Swift 3's support site which is wayy old by now.
  • JackE
    JackE ACE Posts: 44,890 Trailblazer
    >>>Yes. Everything works fine with 4691>>>

    I'm still confused. What is the technical reason you're trying to install the generic Intel GPU driver version update? What technical issue & problem is it supposed to fix or advantage is it supposed to confer upon the ACER-specific Intel GPU driver version? Generic driver updates are aimed at issues that may or may not be present in machines from different manufacturers like ACER, Dell, ASUS, HP. Unless you specifically know what problem the update is supposed to fix, then don't try to fix a problem that's not apparent. Jack E/NJ

    Jack E/NJ

  • Enamur
    Enamur Member Posts: 19 Troubleshooter
    Okay, first of all, you clearly did not get what my post is intended here. What I did in the past is not important. Before trying the generic software update I was completely unaware of the fact that this machine from Acer has customized GPU driver. I update the other drivers like Wifi, BT, and such using the Intel Driver and Support Assistant on a regular basis and they update themselves just fine. So, when I tried updating the GPU and it failed that's the point where I came to learn the case was not the same with the Integrated GPU. A bit of research on the Web made me understand it's better to keep the GPU driver with the latest that the manufacturer made/worked on it. 
    This is not like I grab each and every generic Integrated GPU update whenever a new one comes and try to install to see if that works. If a certain sofware/device driver is customized then it is wise to let the manufacturer update that. What is not wise or not expected from the Manufacturer is they sit idle, do nothing when each and every major Windows Update comes (Summer, Fall ect) with updated GPU. They are supposed to work on the major build's driver update and release their customized ones. I learnt many manufacturers wont bother updating the GPU's driver in accordance with Windows' releases. That is why I thought I should visit the community to discuss the situation with a hope that Acer might listen to people who owns this specific machine that are stuck with a GPU driver that is already a year's old.
  • JackE
    JackE ACE Posts: 44,890 Trailblazer
    >>>This is not like I grab each and every generic Integrated GPU update whenever a new one comes and try to install to see if that works. >>> I learnt many manufacturers wont bother updating the GPU's driver in accordance with Windows' releases.>>>

    OK, but many folks do. Even every single ACER specific update on machines that seem to be working perfectly. Because they're erroneously assuming every update must better or addressing a problem their machines don't have.

    On the 2nd point, Microsoft's new and unimproved lifecycle policies with rapid-fire heavy-handed major releases are almost like entirely new versions of Windows only with much shorter maintenance support than in previous Windows versions -- typically only 12-18mos. This is creating driver & firmware havoc in relatively new machines shipping with earlier major Win10 releases. Under the old Winver system, we're probably up to Win15 by now with 1803 with Microsoft support for it ending next year. https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/13853/windows-lifecycle-fact-sheet  This new Microsoft lifecycle policy, if unchanged within the next year or so, might be the open window of opportunity for an alternative GUI to finally break the PC status quo.

    Jack E/NJ 

    Jack E/NJ

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