Puraw said:

I reinstalled Audio Console_Realtek_1.3.179.0_W10x64 as that was uninstalled by DDU.exe

Results:

No difference in my sound quality or volume, still need to put my volume to 80% to play back a classical music MP3 file, but at least my Realtek sound system will be compatible with the new Windows 2004 feature upgrade (I hope).

Thanks

You're welcome  .

Unrelated, but check for an updated audio console in Microsoft Store (check for updates), I didn't include it because it's automatically updated from there. Its version should be 1.9.214.0. And yep, it's compatible with 2004 (it's what I'm running right now).

I have an Idea regarding listening to those files, but it may require changing the player. Because what I'm about to propose is benign, give it a try and see if there's any improvement, if there is we'll find out a similar setting for your audio player or something to keep it working for you.

Download MPC-BE (it's a video player, I'm running the current beta), once installed and opened go to View -> Options -> Audio -> Sound processing and enable auto volume control and boost. I have those settings enabled by default to be honest, and although I also use MPC-BE for audio I think there are equivalent audio options in other players. I remember XMPlayer back in the day ship with auto normalization support.



EDIT: I left the whole drivers package I'm using in my A515-54G, in case it's of any use as well: A515-54G Driver Pack

Puraw said:

@aphanic
Cannot find Realtek Audio Console version 1.9.214.0 or even any Realtek Audio app in the MSFT Store.
My Realtek Audio Console version is 6.0.8904.1/1.3.179.0. 


Note that it has the new version audio driver I just installed. Apparently you need a link from Realtek or Acer to get any Realtek Audio Console from the MSFT Store, you cannot just browse the MSFT Store for this app.

If you know how to get the Realtek link to MSFT Store let me know, there is also a version 1.9.215.0......


I have been looking at MP3 volume boosters before but never saw MPC-BE, may give that a try.

Not related but what were your issues upgrading to 2004, I have been waiting for newer INTEL GPU drivers as I fear many driver issues with 2004: I have an integrated INTEL as well as a dedicated Nvidia GPU and it takes very little to break those drivers (like Windows10 1909 Fast Startup).

My bad, I forgot about the audio console, I should have mentioned it in the initial post . When you don't install any, as soon as you're connected to the Internet Windows will install the appropriate version off its store, but it's one of those apps that don't appear when searched for them. I'll upload a bundled version of the console over here so you can give it a try, 1.9.214.0 is the one for those drivers (the're tied).

Let me know if it doesn't allow you to install it over the one you have, another option could be to uninstall that one and reinstall it from the "Owned" section of the Microsoft Store, maybe it installs 1.9.214.0 on its own (untested, I tested it on mine and that's the version it installs, but I had it previously).

As for the graphical drivers I have good news, since a couple of releases, Intel allows the installation of the drivers you can download off of their Download Center over the ones the manufacturer of the machine provides without losing customizations the manufacturer may have made. The only requirement is that the drivers provided by the manuf. have to be DCH drivers (which they are for the A515-54G). The procedure then would be as follows: Install Acer drivers -> Download regular ones from Intel's Download Center (they're also in the pack I posted) -> Install those without uninstalling the ones from Acer:

Note: Installing this Intel generic graphics driver will overwrite your computer manufacturer (OEM) customized driver. OEM drivers are handpicked and include customized features and solutions to platform-specific issues. The generic Intel driver provides users the latest and greatest feature enhancements and bug fixes that OEMs may not have customized yet to address platform-specific needs. Users can check for matching OEM versions at OEM websites.

After that, should you want/need newer drivers you can just install the ones from the Download Center. I have to say I have had good results installing the ones from the Download Center directly in this machine as well, but it's anecdotal I guess, the official way is to install first the manuf. drivers.

I'm also running the latest NVIDIA graphical drivers directly off their site (I wanted 2004's hardware based scheduling enabled), I have fast startup disabled because I dual boot, but I'll give it try and report back in case something goes wrong. However, sticking to Acer, there are newer versions available for other laptops. Like v442.62.

In any case, if you ever run into trouble regarding graphic drivers I have found DDU to be quite the tool. It will remove a botched installation and allow you to cleanly install again (it was meant for graphics as per its name, but they're expanding to audio as well).

EDIT: Fast startup seems to work fine with the drivers I have installed.

Puraw said:

That Realtek Audio Console 1.9.214.0 download went fine (I first uninstalled the old Console), how did you attach the zip file to your post (just curious)?

I just drag & dropped it but I think the icon to attach files (limited formats though) is the one 2 steps to the right of the emoji face).

Puraw said:

I don't see any difference in the new Console menus and the sound is the same, maybe a bit louder when set to "Movie".

Probably not, I think it's just a frontend to control the driver, but for some reason different versions of the driver install different versions of the UI utility. When installing from the Store there seemed to be plenty and something selected 1.9.214.0 when those drivers were installed 🤔.

Puraw said:

I don't think that the latest Intel GPU package (VGA_Intel_26.20.100.6911_W10x64) from Acer Support contains DCH drivers, I tried to install those (DCH) before from Intel Support without any luck but will download your RAR package and may try that before getting the 2004 upgrade feature. I find my screen a bit dim (live in the country on a farm) for IPS panel and that Intel UHD control panel is of no use to me.

They are, DCH releases began somewhere in the last 25.x releases and there weren't standard driver releases past that for Intel. NVIDIA still releases both versions of their drivers to this day.

Puraw said:

I am not using the Nvidia GPU at all, no apps that can use it except Edge Chromium. There was no a515-54 model on sale only 54G when I purchased my laptop in February (I am not a gamer).

I use it for some compute tasks with CUDA, but aside from that it's dormant. The integrated one from Intel, although weak compared to dedicated graphic cards is plenty enough for me too. I got mine because it was at a really good price and I was looking for a new laptop, I think some plain -54 submodels were available too, but for some reason they were the same price or more expensive, so I got this one.

Puraw said:

I would like to use Fast Startup in 2004, did you get any Event errors or warnings after a full boot later?

Visually, no problems with fast start even after a normal reboot (reboots force things to start normally if I'm not mistaken; but I didn't check the Event Viewer for errors, what should I look for?

Puraw said:

Is your Elan-MSFT Precision Touchpad also super sensitive (picking up "ghost" gestures), makes no difference setting it to low or high sensitivity?

And this is where our machines differ, maybe the screen panel is different as well (pic below). Mine is Synaptics made, I have no ghosting issues but since the hardware is different I'm of no help 🤷🏼‍♂️.

My screen is PANDA made, but I had trouble finding info on it. It doesn't seem to be fully into the IPS family, maybe VA? What I saw, but don't recall where, was that it had a pretty bad PWM flickering (as in low frequency, may induce headaches on prolonged usage) at 10% or less brightness, and an overall unimpressive max. brightness; but I tend to work indoors or with indirect sunlight so I'm fine:



I've seen A515-54Gs and A515-54s with TN panels, so we're in the lucky group. I understand using different components depending on availability or pricing at the time of manufacturing, but I think consistency on their specs and QA should be just as important. It's night and day working on TN vs IPS, and the same for gamers, TN panels with their sub-par viewing angles have much better response times.

aphanic said:

Montague1162 said:

I have the exact model laptop (purchased on 21 June 20) and problem.  You say Microsoft support solved the problem.  I have no experience in addressing hardware or software issues - where do I begin? 

Try not to post on threads that are old-ish, even if your query is related it's good netiquette to start a new one like @egydiocoelho said. If your issue doesn't get resolved with this procedure, do create a new one because more examination is needed.

Download this package and DDU, they're two self extracting files, then disconnect from the Internet and make sure your laptop doesn't connect until all is done.

Now, double click DDU and allow select things as per this picture, the computer will reboot (remember, no network for now):



After the reboot, double click the package with the Realtek drivers and go through the installation, it's "Next, next, next" so it's straightforward. Reboot again, check the audio, connect to the network.

If all is good you're done, otherwise create a new thread and link to this one stating what you have tried (the more data we have the more informed decisions we can make); hope it helps but do report back in any case.

Thanks for the input - I barely have any idea of what I'm doing.