ACER Aspire M3450 desktop and windows 10 help

pennahunter
pennahunter Member Posts: 9

Tinkerer
edited November 2023 in 2019 Archives
Hi,
I am a home user and I have a real workhorse of a desktop that I don't want to part with. It's an ACER Aspire m3450 with 3.10 gigahertz AMD FX -8120 Eight-Core
processor and 12196 Megabytes Usable Installed Memory.  It came with Windows 7 and I upgraded to the free Windows 10 in June of 2016.
It seems that every time MS comes out with a significant update my system will crash during the update.  Most of the time it will freeze on the update screen after a restart.  I have been able to restore the system to a previous image when this happens.  The current version of Win 10 on my system is v1607.  Recently MS came out with their v1703 and 1709 Fall updates and just as before, my system froze during the update.  After working with MS tech's (tier 2 at times) it was determined that my m3450 does not have the proper drivers to install and run Windows 10, especially v1709.  I see that ACER only providers Win 7 and Win 8.0 drivers for my m3450.  Why won't ACER provide Win 10 drivers for my desktop?  Is there anywhere else I can get the drivers I need?  I was on the phone with MS on five different occasions sometimes for hours trying to resolve the update issue and then I was told it is because ACER won't provide the drivers???  Are there any solutions? 
I have disabled all windows updates in the future in my v1607 for now.  Trouble is MS defender will not update definitions either. 

I am new to this forum so please bear with me if I don't do something right.  
Jim

Comments

  • philetus
    philetus ACE Posts: 4,759 Pathfinder
    I doubt if the M3450 is going to be updated for Windows 10. If you are having too much trouble with Win 10, you might want to go back to Win 8 or 8.1.


  • BobbyG
    BobbyG Member Posts: 4 New User
    I have the same issue with AM3900G-U3802   Intel E5000 Pentium and Intel GMA X4500 onboard graphics. It is irritating especially since I have a Dell laptop that is almost 15 years old that took the 1709 update just fine. Acer should bring these drivers up to date. If they don't, I won't be buying another Acer.
  • pennahunter
    pennahunter Member Posts: 9

    Tinkerer
    Hi BobbyG,
      YES, I agree.....   I bought my system because I have purchased two laptops and three desktops over the last 18 years for my family, all ACER machines and they all were reliable.  I also feel that ACER should provide the proper drivers for my machine to run Windows 10 v 1709.  I bought my system because I thought it would last a long time for me without too many problems but I guess I was wrong.  I will also be looking at a different manufacturer for my next desktop.
    One that has a good track record with both hardware durability and software compatibility.  Read the blogs and feedbacks to make my decision.
    Happy New Year to all! 2018
    Jim
      
  • pennahunter
    pennahunter Member Posts: 9

    Tinkerer
    Hello philetus,
    Thank you for the reply.  OK on no updates/drivers but I really feel that ACER should be obligated to provide the proper drivers for Windows 10.
    I have Windows 10 v1607 running now but had to stop the Windows update process by installing a small batch file at startup.  This however also stops Defender from updating its virus/spyware definitions.  I am currently using a trial version of VIPRE and Malwarebytes to protect my machine.  I will either pay for the complete versions or move onto AVIRA or AVAST when they expire.  Eventually I will need to decide which Antivirus/antispyware software to settle with.  I could go back to Windows 7 and use MSE or Defender.  It may be the better thing to do anyway since I can't get drivers. 
    MS website Lifecycle page shows Windows 7 SP1 to end support January 2020  Windows 10 end of support October 2026.
    Best regards,
    Jim  
  • pennahunter
    pennahunter Member Posts: 9

    Tinkerer
    One more comment......  Does anyone else feel like one of the sheep being led to either a slaughter house or the so called "greener grass" in the next field over the fence?  Between the manufacturers and Microsoft we are forced to accept the "new technology" that is coming our way.  For one instance, If I want to keep my home computer system running smoothly and capable of accepting the newest updates, I must purchase a new computer every five years or so because it becomes obsolete due to the lack of support from the manufacturer and the forced updates from MS.  MS is trying to get everyone to keep up with the "new technology" and "APPS" so that everything is about sharing and interaction between your home computer, your phone, your tablet, even your car.  They don't care if all you want to do with your home system is send and receive email and surf the internet and do it safely using a good antivirus/antispyware/malware program.  I feel this way due to my experiences with computers and MS, especially over the last 10 years. 
    Thanks to all that read this and thanks to those that left the reposes to my problems with my system.
    Best regards,
    Jim   
  • JackE
    JackE ACE Posts: 44,889 Trailblazer
    edited December 2017
    I doubt any of the major hardware mfrs are at all happy with the significant Win10 policy changes and automatic updates from earlier Windows versions. Many of these Win10 updates are compromising, and in some cases crippling, relatively new machines, even those that came from the factory with earlier Win10 versions. Some of these rapid-fire Win10 updates, with effectively no user control over being automatically downloaded and installed, are almost like totally new versions of Windows but still carry the Win10 banner. How long will this situation last? I don't know but I suspect not too long. Meanwhile, if I had made the mistake of downgrading a Win7 or Win8.1 machine from any mfr to Win10, I'd be upgrading it back to Win7 or Win8.1 as soon as possible if at all possible. Jack E/NJ       

    Jack E/NJ

  • pennahunter
    pennahunter Member Posts: 9

    Tinkerer
    Hi JackE,
         Thanks for your response.  I hope the holidays were good for you.
    Although I have invested hours and hours and many phone calls to attempt fixing my system and Windows 10 over the last year and a half, I will probably look into going back to Windows 7.  I'll do a system image backup first, just in case.  

         I don't understand why ACER can't provide the drivers needed to run Windows 10.  They provide them for other systems but mine happens to be not on their list for an update.  I am really upset with MS  because of their forced updates but I am also upset with ACER for not providing the drivers.  The two work hand-in-hand when it comes to the consumer experience.  I am really amazed that someone has not yet filed a C A L S against MS for literally destroying so many consumers systems with their jam it down your throat actions.  I think the people that own/run retail computer sales/repair stores are very happy.  How much money has MS caused the consumer to spend, either repairing their systems or causing the consumer to become frustrated enough to buy a new system.  Sometimes I think they believe that everyone that owns a computer should know how to trouble shoot everything from hardware to software so when they (MS) make a mistake the consumer should be able to figure out how to fix it.  MS also seems to think that everyone wants all those bells and whistles they are providing in their complete software reconstruction quarterly updates.  Well, if we don't want it, that's tuff I guess.  We're getting it anyway even if it does crash my system. 

         Thanks for listening to my rants :#  Have a great day
    Best regards,
    Jim
  • clshaifer
    clshaifer Member Posts: 3 New User

    Ok.  I have been dealing with this now for months.  I have an Acer Aspire AM3420-UR20P, AMD Quad-Core A10-5700 APU with AMD Radeon HD (7660D + 7470) Dual Graphics (2GB VGA Memory, 12 GB DDR3 memory, 2TB Hard Drive.  It came preloaded with Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit.


    So I was waiting eagerly to get the much talked about Windows 10 ever since I heard about it, but I waited to hear feedback from others before jumping in.  So I wait a while and after some time of hearing the good, the bad and the ugly, I made the decision to go ahead and download it.   It seemed to work good other than I now had several programs which I had to run in "made for previous version of Windows" mode.  Then I realized my card readers no longer worked.  I checked this community and then to support who offered no help other than "..... maybe my computer was not compatible and I might want to consider changing back to Windows 7....."  No longer an option.  I had already gotten new programs because they would not work with Windows 10.  

    So I even tried a USB card reader to try that and still nothing seemed to work.  I resorted to emailing the photos I wanted to myself, or burning the images to another flash drive on an old computer to then download them from the USB drive to the Windows 10 computer.  A BIG pain in the tail.  

    So it seems each time I have gotten a message in 2017 saying that Windows 10 had a new update ready to install, I would have problems again.  Either it would get so far through the update and then either freeze up  or it would freeze up during the restart.  I worked with this until I was sick of using my computer.  I THOUGHT I was finally through most of this and just was not ever gonna get through this update.  So I get in one day and my computer is locked up again, and the update had tried to install and locked up again.  This time with various messages saying all sorts of things.......  Boot Drive Missing,   Critical Process died,  IQRL Problem, Use System Restore to Fix problem........  A different problem each time.  

    So I bought more than one "Fix-It" program which did not work, spent a lot of time on the phone with Microsoft support who basically ended up telling me to download the ISO file (AGAIN) which I did not need them to tell me.  I had already done this and used over a dozen blank DVDs burning this already.  I thought they had me burning something that would already have the updates on them and would solve my problem.  Meanwhile I had to use an old computer running Vista to check email and the whole time it's telling me I need to get the latest update, Windows 10 to work faster......

    Windows 10 does have some great features, IF I COULD GET THEM TO WORK.

    If this had been a business computer, not sure what I would have done.


    I even installed a new 500 GB hard drive to use as the boot drive and then installed Windows 10 from iso and it locks up when it tries to install fall update 1709.  I was hoping to try to be able to access my 2TB hard drive after booting from the new drive once I had it to where it had a clean install and was fully updated.  (I disconnected the 2TB hard drive first.) Same thing with the new hard drive.  Stuck when it tries to update.

     As most of you have stated above, I think Acer should provide the drivers needed to run Windows 10, or at the very least, they should have warned us all that Windows 10 would not work on our computers, BEFORE we got it and ran into these problems and spent countless hours trying to fix something that we can not fix because we can't get updated drivers.

    I really like my Acer product, but not this part of it!

    OK, SO WHAT DO I DO TO OVERCOME THESE ISSUES? 

  • JackE
    JackE ACE Posts: 44,889 Trailblazer
    edited February 2018
    >>>I think Acer should provide the drivers needed to run Windows 10>>>
    The new supershort Win10  lifecycle policies make this kinda hard for any mfr to do. See why---->   https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/13853/windows-lifecycle-fact-sheet 

    >>> I might want to consider changing back to Windows 7....."  No longer an option.>>>
    Why not? At least you'd have some OS stability for the next 2 years with Win7 instead of the next few months with Win10. By then, we might all have more attractive OS platforms to choose from.

    Jack E/NJ



    Jack E/NJ

  • pennahunter
    pennahunter Member Posts: 9

    Tinkerer
    JackE said:
    >>>I think Acer should provide the drivers needed to run Windows 10>>>
    The new supershort Win10  lifecycle policies make this kinda hard for any mfr to do. See why---->   https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/13853/windows-lifecycle-fact-sheet 

    >>> I might want to consider changing back to Windows 7....."  No longer an option.>>>
    Why not? At least you'd have some OS stability for the next 2 years with Win7 instead of the next few months with Win10. By then, we might all have more attractive OS platforms to choose from.

    Jack E/NJ



    Hi again,
    Yes I understand how MS is handling lifecycles and I do not agree with it.  I believe that once the consumer has paid their (in some cases) hard earned money for something, it should work at least until there is a hardware failure, of which should be repairable.  If not then a new system may be valid.  MS forces the consumer into the need to purchase a new system and/or OS.  Without the manufacturer to back up a new OS by providing new drivers for the consumers hardware the manufacturer is also forcing the consumer into the need for a NEW system.  This is OK with the consumer that must have the 'latest and greatest' and has an endless supply of revenue to get it; monthly, yearly, etc.  Most people are in a different category.     

    I still have a computer running Win XP and do not have too many problems with it.  There are some web sites that are "not compatible"(?) with XP but I am not having that problem (yet) with the sites I access for my Amateur Radio hobby.  I interface that computer with my transceivers via RS232 and USB for control and internet access.    

    I am still plugging away with Win 10 v1607.  Every-time I boot up my system I must get into the task manager and stop the Windows update service and end the Windows 10 update assistant process task.  I have uninstalled the Win 10 update assistant program several times but somehow every time I use the computer the program re-installs. It seems determined to update my system to v 1709.  As you know, V1709 update crashes my system.

    Yes, I will eventually get tired of what I am doing and must find the time to go back to Win 7.  In 2 years  I may or may not be interested in a new platform.  It depends on whether or not I have a hardware failure by then. I have over a grand in this system and plan to get my monies worth out of it.  I just have to stay ahead of MS and their tactics. It would really help if ACER provided Win 10 drivers but I guess this squeaky wheel isn't loud enough to get the grease.
    Best regards,
    Jim
  • JackE
    JackE ACE Posts: 44,889 Trailblazer
    Upgrading back to Win7 may only take a few hours if Win10 left the hidden recovery partition intact. Jack E/NJ

    Jack E/NJ

  • Nww7gFAf
    Nww7gFAf Member Posts: 7

    Tinkerer
    I have an acer aspire m3450-u30p desktop and can install windows 10 any flavor with a fresh install and it works great without installing any new drivers. it's not the drivers it's the bios that stops it from updating and acer won't fix it.
  • Nww7gFAf
    Nww7gFAf Member Posts: 7

    Tinkerer
    Your acer only freezes up on the second boot.
  • pennahunter
    pennahunter Member Posts: 9

    Tinkerer
    Not sure who left the last two posts, both dated May 1.  Clicking on the green smiley face gets me to my profile.  Do we have a hacker?

    Well guys, I am totally screwed.  My Win 7 backup file has disappeared due to a MS update squeezing an expiration date on it.  Funny but I could have done the switch month's after I DOWNGRADED to Win 10 from Win 7.  Now I don't have the option.  I also cannot download a Win 7 ISO from MS because MS says I must contact ACER for other recovery options.  MY KEY on the WIN 7 sticker from ACER on the side of the m3450 is NOT VALID for permission to download the Win 7 ISO.  I called MS and told them I wanted to stop the WIN 10 update assistant because my system crashes after a try to update to v1709.  The MICROSOFT tech on the phone said "that's TOUGH!", I am stuck with it.  I MUST update from v1607 to 1709.  I couldn't believe my ears.  He literally yelled "that's tough".  He also suggested that I was welcome to try any legal actions I like.  Yeah, they have billions.

    SO, there it is people.  MS has grown too big for their britches and MS WILL DICTATE TO US CONSUMERS THE WAY OUR COMPUTERS WILL OPERATE FOR NOW ON.  It dose not matter if you want the new apps and connections with everyone in the world or not.  Your gonna get them anyway and you better like it! 

    I think it's time for a different desktop/laptop operating system.  How about some of you computer science wiz kids developing something new and better than Windows, give MS a run for it.  You know, cassettes blew 8 tracks outta the water and then CD's, MP3's, etc.  VHS triumphed the video movie market until the DVD and now there's internet video streaming.     
    DOS - Apple - Windows - Linux - ??? NEXT PLEASE

    This is my last post on this issue.  So if you see any more impostor posts, possibly using the green smiley face, it's not me.  HMMMM I wonder .....
    NAH, couldn't be.
    Y'all have a great day now, ya hear ?


  • JackE
    JackE ACE Posts: 44,889 Trailblazer
    edited May 2018
    Like I said In Feb, upgrading back to Win7 may only take a few hours if Win10 left the Win7 hidden recovery partition intact. The way you check that out is to first F2 into the BIOS menu to make sure D2D recovery is enabled. Then F10 to save settings and exit. Reboot and immediately pressed and hold the ALT key while tapping the F10 key. A recovery screen should appear from the hidden ACER Win7 recovery partition. Just follow directions to re-set the system to factory fresh Win7. Then you'll be able to re-do all the Win7 maintenance updates and continue to do so till 2020. As you already know, Win10 is only good till the next major update or until it disables your machine. If Win10 wiped your hidden ACER Win7 recovery partition --- which it has a reputation for doing so you're locked in --- you may still be able to get the original ACER-specific Win7 recovery media (usb stick or odd disc) for the ACER store https://store.acer.com/en-us/extended/recovery/ . Less than $50. If still run out of luck, well then, you can do what I did. Cinnamon-flavored Linux Mint 18.3. Can set it up so you'd be hard pressed to tell the look, feel and operational difference between it's gui and Win7. Jack E/NJ 

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmVT0Z9r6_Q


    Jack E/NJ

  • pennahunter
    pennahunter Member Posts: 9

    Tinkerer
    I know I said it was my last post but I must thank Jack E. for all his responses.

    Thanks Jack E.,
    Win10 wiped my hidden ACER Win7 recovery partition.
    Your Linux suggestion looks very interesting.
    If you don't mind, I may someday have to pick your brain some more on the subject.
    Curious if it will run some of the software I have.
    Thanks again 
  • JackE
    JackE ACE Posts: 44,889 Trailblazer
    Depends on the Windows software. Many will install and run just fine under Linux' Windows compatibility mode just like you need to do sometimes with Win10 when trying to install and run software originally designed to run under WinXP, Win7 or Win8.1. I rarely have to resort to Windows any more, especially for MSOffice stuff, since many Linux office suites (I use LibreOffice suite) have caught up and even surpassed it. Check https://www.winehq.org/ and its app data base to see which your Windows software will run under compatibility mode. Jack E/NJ 


    Jack E/NJ

  • clshaifer
    clshaifer Member Posts: 3 New User
    OK. So are all of us using Acer computer ers AM3420 just stuck with a computer that is basically useless since updating to Windows 10?  I have spent months trying to FIX this and just when I think I make a little headway, here comes another Windows update, and I'm right back to having a non-bootable computer.  I had already installed a new hard drive and connected the original 2TB drive with a USB connection to get my data, but then had to spend many hours reinstalling my programs and still have not finished.  Then I get the updated and basically wasted all that time and an right back to having something sit on my desk taking up room.
    Has ANYONE found a fix to this problem with these computers not working with Windows 10?  I really liked my ACER, but the problems are something I just can't deal with much longer.
    HELP!!
  • JackE
    JackE ACE Posts: 44,889 Trailblazer
    clshaifer You probably would've been better off staying with Win8x that has extended support till 2023. Major Win10update support typically ends about 18 mos after release. The latest 1809 ends about a year from now. Each new major Win10update is almost like an entirely new Windows version that even relatively new machines often have problems with.  https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/13853/windows-lifecycle-fact-sheet  Jack E/NJ

    Jack E/NJ

  • WebPolice
    WebPolice Member Posts: 1 New User
    edited April 2019
    I know this is an old thread, but I have the same motherboard running similar hardware.  I am running win 10 1809 just fine. For the onboard video I just used the 64 bit win 7 or 8 drivers with my win 10 install and they work just fine.  Download the lastest amd 8.981.0.0000  driver from the Acer support page and install it.

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