2 issues with Vista and TM4102: ATI VGA crash and ePowerManagement

My first post on this site. Hope it helps me in my plight.

I did a clean install of Vista, running dual boot with XP now.

About a month ago, ATI was offering Vista drivers for laptops. Now, however, theres a notice on the site saying that support and drivers for Mobility Radeons will only be provided by the Notebook manufacturer. And Acer's driver efficiency record is less than stellar; so that's a major setback.

However, I noticed that Acer is finally providing drivers for Vista. So I downloaded them all (425 Megs in all, phew!) from here:

http://support.acer-euro.com/drivers/notebook/tm_4100_ddr2.html

Everything installed without a hitch except the upgrade patches (for apparent reasons, this being a clean vista install) and the ATI VGA driver.

The ATI VGA driver installed but when the computer restarts, I see the mouse cursor, then the screen goes black, and a corrupted red streak is visible at the top of the lcd; and after 5 more seconds, the laptop restarts itself. I had to go to safe mode, remove the drivers, and then install the old ATI supplied drivers again (which work like a charm, I must say). Can anyone shed any light on what is wrong with the Acer provided drivers bundle?

Another problem is that Acer hasn't provided an Acer ePowerManagement download module in the Acer Empowering Techonologies and Utilities section. What a bummer.

I located a standalone version of the ePowerManagement version. I can't find the url of the place I downloaded it from, but it was definitely the Acer website. This is the name of the file:

ePower v2.5.3007.exe

When I try to install it, I get the following error:

Please install Acer Empowering Technology Framework 2.5 first

I have version 2.1 installed which I downloaded from the same drivers page. I have looked far and wide, but can't find the 2.5 version. Can someone please point me in the right direction?

Last and probably least, I installed the Realtek audio drivers that were available on the drivers page and it installed but I have a Conexant soundcard and that's what displays even now in Audio Devices. What, then, is this Realtek audio driver I just installed? It didn't give any error messages during installation, and I can't find any Realtek programs in the Start Menu.

To summarize:

1. Acer ATI VGA driver causes crash (I removed all previous drivers, etc first)
2. Can't make Acer ePowerManagement work and can't find Acer Empowering 2.5
3. What is the Realtek audio driver for?

Thanks in advance! I'm looking forward to contributing to this forum too!

 

for ati driver try this one

i had download my driver from acer website but some of my games request to update the graphic driver so i go to gaming forum here and found this link

Download



i think you don't need ePower for vista bcause you have better programe that included with vista

thanks

 

Thanks for the reply!

Yes, that is the very (stable) version of the ATI graphics drivers that I am currently using.

Thanks for the link anyway.

I've heard that Vista power management features are adequate, but I still want to have more control. E.g. I should be able to switch off LAN, wireless, Bluetooth etc. from one control panel. Similarly, I want to be able to adjust CPU Speed, too. This kind of fine-tuning was available in XP, and it's only fair that Acer provide support for the same in Vista, too.

You never know, you may be able to squeeze some extra battery juice out of it.

OK, I have another question.

I did a clean Vista install so that means I've lost the preinstalled Power DVD, NTI CD/DVD maker etc. The updates provided on the Acer website, therefore, do not work. How can I migrate those programs from my XP installation (dual boot) to Vista and then update?

Thanks!

 

You can find --> windows vista basic tips troubleshooting guide and some custom changes to make windows vista work better.

Keep in mind Vista is goodd os but just need to know the better configuration and some changes needed to make vista work better.

 

Thanks for your reply.

I visited the website you mentioned. It doesn't have anything on Power Management features, although some of the other things were quite useful.

 

ok

for the empowering technology

I'll give you a link that has worked for me

you're right

i reinstall ePower but have disabled empowering start up at start up folder in start menu

but you still can change the CPU speed with windows vista

i have updated my thread just for you

Click here

 

That was a great thread you pointed me too.

I downloaded and installed Framework 2.5 and ePower Management.

When I run it, and pass my cursor over the battery icon (ePowerManagement) in the transparent E Toolbar, A red cross appears. I can't even drag it into the widget area in widge mode.

Apparently, Acer has chosen not to support older laptops.

Do you think that is the case?

I've uploaded a screenshot of the problem I'm getting.

 

You can find Windows vista troubleshooting and many other tips --> windows vista troubleshooting troubleshooting tips basic guide and some custom changes to make windows vista work better.

Keep in mind Vista is goodd os but just need to know the better configuration and some changes needed to make vista work better.