Acer 6920G, Windows 7 Experience

Thought I'd put my experience with the Window 7 Beta on my Acer Aspire 6920G, for those considering it but not sure whether it works etc.

Installation: Installation went smooth, picked up alot of things out of the box, but for the things it doesn't, you can use the backup feature on the vista partition to create a disc with all the drivers etc. on

Drivers: Well there are some you'll have to get yourself, e.g. Graphics Card drivers, I've got the HD3650 flavour of machine and my drivers are found here: http://support.ati.com/ics/support/default.asp?deptID=894&task=knowledge&questionID=39069

Another driver that didn't work, and the one from the drivers disc doesn't either is the SD Card reader, however you can get the drivers direct from JMicron here: http://www.jmicron.com/Driver.htm go into the ftp ( there's a link towards the end of the text) and get the driver for the JMB38X not 36X, this driver works a charm.

I can't speak for ExpressCard devices as I don't use them myself.

Sound works out of the box.

Even after installing the drivers for it the webcam refuses to work.

With the drivers from the driver disc created in Vista, bluetooth works.

Experience so far: Well it's been smooth, very smooth. Something that has always thought like an after thought in windows, side docking, works really well now and can really help make it feel like you have more vertical space, it may feel strange at first but on a widescreen monitor give it some time and you'll be a fan, for those not sure what I mean refer to this: http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/8301/sidedockvu9.png

The battery life seems to have been given a little nudge in the right direction, however now when you click the taskbar icon of the battery they inexplicably decided to only show two options at a time, meaning that quite often to change from high performance to power saver you have to open a separate window and choose it manually. It also seems to not pick up when you move from AC Powered to Battery, eg. if I'm running off of the mains and switch to battery powered it will stay in high performance mode.

Wireless seems easier, not sure if it actually is, but to me setting up and connecting too a network seemed nicer and neater than it did in Vista.

Of course there are some black areas, such as program compatibility but there's not much here. Microsoft seem to have done as much as possible to make people forget about the Vista compatibility woes.

That's my first little insight, I'm sure there will be more, and I hope someone found this helpful.

 

I also had a problem with the webcam...but then when I try it in Vista it still doesn't work (says webcam not found). It was working before....However, I don't know if this is a hardware issue or software, as I have dropped the laptop a short distance (it actually fell off the couch). Also, the card reader had some issues but seems sorted now, I think everything connects through USB so it might be that? Anyone got any ideas?

 

I'm still curious if anyone else knows about the Crystal Eye issue...

 

I've tried Windows 7 on my 6920, camera was working out of the box...

 

To be honest, all of my hardware worked with Windows 7 ... I didn't even have to get drivers for some.

 

OK that's odd, I went to open the webcam program from acer and it said "camera no found" (typo =D), I then went to open it again and now it works, how strange.

 

Well I don't know whats wrong with my webcam. It must be a hardware issue as it doesn't work in XP, Vista or Windows 7, but I don't know how to fix it. Where would it connect in the laptop? Someone said that if you pushed to the right of the webcam, it would 'snap' into place but that doesn't seem to be the problem. I have tried to take it apart but I don't know where all the screws are in this laptop so I actually couldn't take the base off. Any ideas?

 

I just installed the Windows 7 beta build 7000 downloaded from Microsoft, and it runs smoothly and found most drivers by itself. In fact I just ran Windows Update and it found drivers for the Atheros LAN, nVidia GeForce 9500M (v7.15.11.7431) and updated others.

I haven't installed any drivers myself, except that I tried inserting an SD-card, and it didn't install correctly, so I followed mc6415's advice and installed the driver from here, and it worked perfectly:
ftp://driver.jmicron.com.tw/jmb38x/XP_Vista/

I have three "Unknown Devices" in Device Mangler, and I guess they are Bluetooth, FingerPrint-thingy and modem. (I'm not gonna need any one of them, so I'll leave them uninstalled.)

So my questions are:
---
1) In order to get the subwoofer and complete soundexperience to work, what drivers and/or software do I need to install? (Because the driver for the soundcard installed by Windows only give me two speakers, no sub or surround or anything.)

2) What are the latest GeForce-drivers I can install on this specific machine and Windows 7?

3) How do I make it so that when I'm maneuvering around on a drive in Explorer with the arrow-buttons, the content on the right side automatically shows what is in the folder i've selected on the left side? At the moment I have to press "Enter" everytime to update it on the right side, and it's really annoying...

4) How do I permanently disable CD/DVD-burning in Explorer? I use CDBurnerXP for that, I don't need it enabled in Windows.

5) Can I play Blu-Ray discs without installing Acer software?

6) How do I disable all filetypes in Windows Media Player? I hate it and want it to disappear. (There isn't any option in the software to select or deselect filetypes, I think...)

Any answers or other experiences? Would be great to hear how others are doing.

 

Might be able to help you with a couple of things, but not all of them.

Does your system have realtek sound, if so, I found the latest drivers from realtek solved my sound issues on my 5920. I've uploaded them to megaupload as the realtek site is not good for downloads, they are HERE. When i tried the Acer dirvers, they refused to install. If your still having issues, have a look at this thread about getting realtek sound to work in Win7, might help:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=342497

To disable the file type association with WMP, go to control panel, Autoplay. You can select file associations here.

 

I didn't manage to make my camera work since I've removed the stock windows, also camera not found-problem, though it shows nicely in the device manager (vista x64). I will get back here when I install win7

 

anyone have fingerprint working in the correct direction in windows 7? lol

 

Couldn't get the fingerprint reader to work for me, so I tried doing what you said and swiped in the opposite direction and it worked first time, that's an odd one.

 

do u have any figures in regards to battery life?

 

Hi Guys,

Wonder if you can help me

I have a acer 6920G Gemstone, I have installed windows 7 beta but cannot get the touch panel or the empowering technologies button to work at all.

any advice apreciated.

thanks in advance
Rebel

 

1. Realtek drivers - use the ones that Acer have on their FTP
2. 179.48 - Vista drivers can be installed on Win7 w/o problems.
5. Well, you can use CyberLink or ArcSoft.

@Rebel: Get the Launch Manager from the Acer FTP. It controls the CineDash and such.

 

hi guys, can you say if you are using 64 or 32 bit versions as driver solutions will be different

 

Well, all three drivers in my post - Realtek Sound, Nvidia Graphics, and Dritek Launch Manager - are available in both 32- and 64-bit flavours.

 

thanks for the reply m8,

I have installed the empowering technologies framework and the launch manager (Kilimanjaro.LaunchManager.03.13.2008.v2.0.00 (Vista))

but when i run the exe to install the launch manager it tells me "operating system is not supported" i then install it using recomended settings but touch controls still don't work.

any other tips?

 

apologies for reviving an old thread, but did anyone ever find a fix to the crystaleye issue?

 

Hi all...
Just read all the posts and most were REALLY helpfull, THANKS...None the less i still have one problem... i just can't get the little thinguy on the left of the laptop to work... the touch pad that can be used to control sound and stuff... anyone came across this as well? any solutions available?

Thanks in advance...

 

The CineDash is controlled by the Launch Manager, and I'm surprised it's not installing. Try running the installer in compatibility mode for Windows Vista - right-click on the setup.exe, click Properties, go to the Compatibility tab, and tick the box for Compatibility Mode.

 

Can someone confirm if the modem works on 7 or not? Its working on vista 32bit but not on my business 64bit version so I wonder if it works on 7 or not(64bit ofc).

 

Actually, I want to ask that AS 6920G have built-in modem?
If I plug a phone wire into AS 6920G, can I use the built-in modem to connect to my internet(broadband however it is slowest broadband in the world) directly? I mean without another external modem with a internet wire plug into the laptop.

 

It's not a broadband modem, only a 56K one.

 

I need the modem for work and I'd really appreciate a confirmation if it works or not

 

hello

my sidepannel did not work corectly
this is how it worked for me on my 6920g
first installed LAUNCHMANAGER: V3.0.04
did not work?
then i installed the old version v2.0.00 without uninstalling v3.0.4
now everything is working..
and in programs it say v3.0.4 is installed...
hope the rest of the program updates will come soon..
got a few of the old ones running
gridvista
mobility center
edatasecurity v3.0.3065
epower v3.0.3015
esetting v3.0.3010
etf v3.0.3005
but not all...
can,t get erecovery 3.0.3014 to work..

got everything to work now...
cinedash
webcam
finger print..
realtek audio
bluetooth
tv tuner
touchpad
cardreader..

 

These software are not needed. They're wasting HDD spaces, wasting processor speed, wasting Memory and make your laptop slower.
Just get rid of those bloatware.
Vista's drivers/application/software will work on Windows 7. Don't worry.

 

Now that Windows 7 is out anyone gotten every thing working? I do not want to start the process yet but seeing how people are doing. I have a 64-Bit version of Win 7 Ultimate I can use if all is good.

 

I've been able to get everything working that I need on a regular basis. Just make those Acer eRecovery DVDs and have a backup of your entire system in case things don't go as you planned.

 

Hi,I installed Win7 on my 6920g with the 9500mGS video card.However after installing all the drivers and software the computer tends to hang every now and than.Could it be the video driver?

 

@riderxps That happened to me too. What I did was install the most recent driver of NVIDIA: 186.03_notebook_win7_32bit_international_whql but now for some reason i can't install Intel VGA Chip UMA from the driver CD. Says computer doesn't meet the requirements. yet it worked in vista ARGH

Not to mention I can't play Blu-ray anymore from the Acer Arcade deluxe (<- that thing really has a lot of fail: error when updating ) Says some sort of error message. (I unistalled it so i can't access it right now.)

For anyone having problems with the launch manager, all you got to do is change the compatibility to windows vista of the setup properties and install.

 

You guys??
Since you have installed the dedicated Nvidia GPU. The Intel VGA will auto-uninstall or disabled by itself. So, you can't have both running together.
Currently, the latest version forceware is 186.81 WHQL in Nvidia Official website.
While, I am using 186.82 WHQL from LV2G website.

 

Thanks guys, will try getting the latest drivers from Nvidia.
Cheers

 

Oh ok. Makes sense. So i don't need to worry about that. Thx Silver. But what about playing blu-ray? Does anyone here got their Arcade deluxe to play Blu ray?

 

I did have the BD ROM and I can play Blu Ray Discs with Arcade Deluxe.
If not mistaken, Driver with WHQL Certified allows to play Blu Ray Discs. However, there's(non-WHQL Drivers) exceptional as well.

 

Dyn@sty, if you've got an Aspire 6920G, you should NOT be installing the "Intel VGA Chip UMA" drivers. Those are for the Intel GMA X3100 on the 6920 - your 6920G doesn't have it.

 

icic. It's just that it was included in the driver cd that i got with my 6920g and I thought that was the reason why i can't play BD on acer arcade deluxe.

 

So how do I know if my driver (which?) is WHQL certified?

 

Go to Nvidia Website and find your Driver I guess. It is 186.81(WHQL) currently.
It is safest and easiest to use the Nvidia Forceware from the Nvidia website itself. Moreover, the drivers they provided are usually standard(won't be very bad).
However, 186.81(WHQL) works sucks for me. So, I choose 186.82(WHQL) which can't be downloaded from Nvidia Website currently as my Driver.

Press Start(bottom-left) and type-in dxdiag and press Enter.
A thing will appear. If you're using 64bit OS, there will be a button for you to enter 64bit dxdiag mode.
If you doesn't, then, just straight away find the Display tab. Check the information stated there. You will get to see it.

 

Guys,
if you happen to get the computer hanging/freeze from time to time after installing win7, you might like to check out this intel iastor problem and do this.
open up regedit, go to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\iaStor and rename 'Parameters' to 'Parameters.bad'

This solve the freezing problem I had on vista as well when I first bought the laptop.

 

Hit the Start button, then type "dxdiag" minus the quotes. Let it connect to the internet to verify your driver's WHQL certificate (if there is one), and then bounce over to the Display page. The Nvidia driver version is the last five digits of the driver version shown in dxdiag. For example, mine is 8.16.1 1.8681, or 186.81.
Strangely, my WHQL field shows as n/a. So just look up your driver version on a site like LaptopVideo2Go or Google.

 

You need to run 64bit Dxdiag. Then, the n/a will become WHQL.
I hope it solves your problem.

 

Can anybody give me a link on a working launch manager? I've downloaded countless versions, they say i have a wrong platform (Windows 7)
Thnx

 

Are you installing in Compatibility Mode for Vista SP2?

 

Hey TehSuigi (or anyone else running Win 7 64-bit on their 6920G), did all the Vista 64 drivers work just fine for Win7 64? Any issues since you started using Win7 or have come up since then?

The only reason I'm still hesitant about switching to Win7 is because I have made a nice slim Vista with VLite and I didn't know how the compatibility was with 7, especially with programs such as RMClock and undervolting (I hope I can keep my undervolt at the very least). Also, what Acer software (and version) have you guys loaded? How is battery life?

If you guys are all running things fine and liking it more than Vista, I'll probably switch to Win7 Ultimate 64-bit when I head home for Christmas!

 

1)VLited Vista might face issues with Windows Updates
2)Windows 7 contains algorithmic improvements not in Vista

 

I dled Vista SP2 (via TechNet) and added all the required hotfixes/patches using WUD (Windows Updates Downloader) to make a new tweaked Vista Ultimate 64 ISO every 6 months. I've never had issues with Windows Updater. But I did some work for MS and got Windows 7 Ultimate for free. I'm aware of the advancements of Windows 7 but I just wanted to make sure it had no compatibility issues before I installed it since 10 months of the year I'm in school 5,000km away from home and it would be a pain if something went wrong all the way over here without having another computer as backup

 

Most importantly Microsoft didn't change the driver framework for Windows 7 so everything should work.
Your OEM should offer Windows 7 drivers.
To be safe download drivers from the device manufacturer if available in case OEM drivers are buggy.

 

My AS6920G just back to Windows Vista 64bit again.
Because Windows 7 is giving me FREEZING issue once in a while and is random.
Rolling back to Vista because of that.
But my Desktop is fine with Windows 7.

 

i had a freezing issue too, but it went away after intalling 'intel matrix storage manager'