Acer 8935g - Using Wrong Display Adapter

munkyjim - I installed a second drive without the adapter, it seems to hold in quite well due to the pad on the base plate.

Blue alert - the screen is average at best. It is bright but the contrast is poor and it is incredibly reflective.

 

Thanks, but if I got the 8930, would I be getting a better screen. Or do the two have the same?

 

(I've read the thread, but can only express my question in basic terms!)

I'd also like to ask - if I may - about the Windows 7 driver siutuation. I trust that Acer will make sure there are good to go drivers when 7 is officially released, but I was wondering... is this problem with switching because the 8935 has an ATI card inside (instead of a Geforce?). So excuse the simpleton question, but would the 8930 (with a Geforce) be immune to this problem?

 

They will have hybrid driver ready.
If not you can try to run Vista Drivers in Win7 in compatibility mode.

 

I would love to buy this laptop. It's great value for money when compared to the Dell equivalent in terms of processing power (although I'm not sure about such a low clocked Quad core).

But this driver problem is a red light. Does Acer realise what a serious problem this is? Nobody who is aware of this problem is going to buy this computer if they have any sense.

Basically it can only use Acer provided Win 7 drivers - being reliant upon a manufacturer which doesn't have a great support record would be a crazy decision (I've been burned by the nForce debacle and am not going to make the same mistake twice).

 

The ATI/Intel Graphics card problem has not got anything to do with the graphics card drivers, they have to do with the Acer PowerSmart Manager.

 

What are the implications of that for solving the problem?

 

Is there available an explanation as to why the laptop switches between ATI and Intel gfx? Just so I can understand.

 

The intel graphics are for green mode (battery saving mode uses much less power)

 

Should I get it, I only plan on using it on mains power... so I wouldn't need to switch to 'green mode'. Is the switch an automatic thing - or can it be disabled so that the ATI is the only gfx the laptop uses?

 

It is a button, you can choose when you want to use the ati or the intel gfx. If you dont want to use intel thenjust leave it swiched to the ati.

Though I leave mine switched to the intel and switch it to ati when i want to game. Not only does it save power but it also produces less heat (not that this is a hot running laptop, its actually the coolest running laptop i have owned)

 

Look guys, this is a pretty serious problem - if it is true as suggested that buyers of this laptop are going to be tied in to oem drivers.

What is the current state of this problem as far as Acer is concerned?

The current situation is that this laptop - despite its impressive hardware spes - cannot be recommended to anyone other than those willing to stick with XP and Vista.

Is there an official response from Acer? Can anyone here use their credentials to get a response?

This whole think stinks of the nForce/Vista fiasco. At least in that case M$ (how likely was that) has mustered drivers that allow the old mobos to work.

 

As I've said twice on this thread already, it hasn't got anything to do with drivers.

Windows 7 hasn't been released to Retail yet, and Acer doesn't sell any laptops with it, and won't be until October 22. If the problem still occurs then, then you have a case to answer. Until then, you're going to have to put up and shut up.

 

Sorry for the offtopic.

Can someone of you be kind enough to upload his vBIOS. Thank you

 

This worked perfectly with the Acer drivers for Vista 64 thanks for the heads up!!

 

Have taken delivery of an 8935g. All is fine, save for a very high pitched whistle eminating from the left-hand side of the unit. If I put my ear right up close to the unit I reckon it's coming from underneath the Back-up / Bluetooth / WLAN buttons. It does seem to be variable in when it occurs, but doesn't seem to be related to usage patterns.

I'm 29, and can hear the noise, but have put it to the test with some older people who cannot hear it. So it's a bit of a tricky one to get to the bottom of.

I wondered if it has anything to do with the AC supply - as the adapter (the 'brick') is making a very peculiar buzzing sound (which is audible to all). I'm going to get Acer to replace the adapter as I'm worried it might not be doing the laptop any favours. I've never experienced an adapter making such a sound before (on any electrical item).

Does anyone know what the problem might be? Could the worrying buzzing from the adapter be causing power difficulties (and thus cause a whistle from within the laptop itself)... or might there be a more serious problem?


EDIT: Have tried running the laptop off the battery alone, and the high pitch whistle is still present. Something wrong inside then?


SECOND EDIT: I reckon it's got something to do with the graphics (both the Intel and ATI). If I listen carefully, the sound can be made to correspond with images on the screen. For example, if I scroll down a webpage, the sound 'breaks' in the same pattern as my scrolls. It's odd.

 

can anyone tell me the exact spec of the mobility radeon 4670xt thats inside the 8935g? Specifically i'd like to know if it has gddr3 or ddr3/2 ram and what are the default clocks of this card. Also, has anyone tried overclocking their 4670xt?

 

Hi All,

Mayby a stupid question from Amsterdam:
How do i upgrade from the installed x32 vista too x64 windows 7?

I have deleted my harddisk and merged it too 1 partition.
I installed the recovery x32 vista dvd and tried to upgrade too win7 x64 ultimate version. Now the install menu tells me that i'm not running the right version to upgrade.

When i format the harddisk and try too install win7 x64 ultimate the pioneer dvd player says it can't install!

Please is here someone here who can tell this despergirl a step-for-step fixing solution?

Many thanks in advance,
Have a nice day.

Rebecca Verhoog

 

It isn't an uncommon problem with laptops.

It happens because when the cpu is "downclocked" (because the PC doesn't need all the cpu power).

There are fixes for it including:

1) http://cpu.rightmark.org/products/rmclock.shtml

2) Turning off USB root hub power saving options

Battery life will take a hit but as this is essentially a non battery desktop replacement PC I don't suppose that matters.

 

I've taken a chance and sent the unit back for a replacement. Before I try messing with RMClock I want to see if I can strike lucky with a new unit.

However I did notice that, when I took a look in RMClock - that the options in Advanced CPU Settings - were all greyed out (Chipset type unknown). All the solutions offered using RMClock were therefore unavailable to me.



EDIT: Does anyone else have this problem with their 8935G? I hope it's not a problem this model has in general.

 

It's clearly a potential problem with this particular range of Acer laptop and it would be luck as to whether or not you get one that doesn't make the noise -maybe even subtle component position in the case is a factor.

Some people can't hear the noise by the way (dogs and babies always pick it up!)

It is a known problem with some other laptops - especially some desktop replacement PCs which need efficient cooling (not just fans but more subtle power control). I heard the "problem" today in PC World on a HP HDX laptop. It wouldn't have bothered me at all but I do think, now that I am older, my hearing isn't quite as sensitive to high pitch noises as it was (some people in their 30s and early 40s can't hear it at all).

I wouldn't worry about it too much unless it really is causing your physical or psychological pain. It can't be worse than a desktop PC.

Unless you are willing to pay stupid money for an under specced Mac laptop(without even the prospect of Blu-ray) you aren't going to get the sort of components that neutralise this problem. The other PC option would be Vaio which is an inceredibly well built PC (probably a better built computer than the Mac Pro) - but there's a reason why an Acer equivalent Vaio costs twice as much for the same processor, memory and other core specs.

In short you get what you pay for and the raw specs with the Acer 8935 range more than make up for the invisible quality issues. The Acer 8935 specs are getting a bit tired now though - the ATI graphics card isn't as attractive as it was 5 months ago.

Did you try disabling USB ports that aren't being used?

 

Hello, I have been reading about this problem for quite some time and would like to take part in this discussion.

I have been fighting with my 8935G Vista driver updates for 3 days now and found out following things.

This card 4670 in 8935g does NOT work with any ATI/AMD commercial drivers converted to mobility drivers with mobility modder. I have also tried to convert new CL/CW inf files to match the content of original acer drivers, but I cannot seem to get 4670 running. It only flashes and then computer changes to Integrated Intel due to error (43 or 44)

So there is also really a problem with updating drivers for this laptops 4670

 

After some search, this is what I got (If it's helping some of you !):
The very new beta drivers are working fine (9.9 if I remember, just see on the ati website).
The problem is with a software wich is not given in the Windows 7 section of the Acer website (For now...). This software just take the control of the 2 videocards (Intel and ATI) and offering the choice on one of the two.
Now, the solution to working with it :
I'm using another power button when I want to play with the ATI, it's the button in the upper-right corner of the keyboard, at the left of the Hold one.
This button just run the computer with the ATI only.
When I want to use my computer in a normal way, I'm using the classical Power Button.
Try to install the drivers in the ATI configuration (left to the Hold button).
If you don't get a regular screen with the classical powerbutton (just a black one), don't panic :
It's just the screen that don't recognize the resolution, so :
- When you heard the windows sound, tape your password and Enter
- Push the Windows button, the right arrow and finally Enter (It will shutdown the computer).
- Switch on another time the computer with the regular Power button, and hold the F8 key.
- On the menu, select the 640x480 resolution line.
- You can see the Windows screen now
- Just go back to the regular resolution : 1920x1080.

The next time, you'll run the computer, it will run with a working screen !

Just a last word : try to fully switch off the computer in the ATI mode, when you're done, don't hibernate it. Sometimes it goes again on the black screen.
In the regular way (Intel card), you can hibernate him, it will running well after. It's working for me for two months now !

Few ! End of transmission and don't be angry with my bad english, I'm just a french user !

 

Well we are with release drivers that do not work wow what a surprise lol oh well back to the 2 button boot method this is absurd especially since they are selling this with the windows upgrade to 7 plan, get you act together Acer

 

I was allergic to Vista so I downgraded quickly as soon as i lost the ATI switching ability for whatever reason. It didnt recognize half the buttons in XP so I was left waiting for Win7 thinking it will solve all my problems. Boy was i wrong.

Truth be told its a powerful model, but it seems a sloppy work and quick put together from Acer. I had no lucky with Support, I had no way to return it. I resorted even as far as completely ripping it apart thinking some reed switch mechanism failure or jammed Video cable.

So after some time of desperation and hair loss, i had solution, much like described on posts above. I registered for this sole purpose in hopes It would make someones life easier.

The problem As laptop has 2 switches, in my instance IF YOU USE THE LEFT SWITCH to turn the PC OFF! Then after that pressing RIGHT switch (that runs with ATI ) will result in BLACK SCREEN BOOT UP.
Now this may be purely my side of things as i have done a lot to that laptop with updating bios, peaking inside etc.

Solution. In whatever mode (right or left button ) boot your PC up to ANY windows and let the operation system TURN IT OFF. --- YOU CAN NOT TURN YOUR PC OFF using the a POWER BUTTON.

After that for whatever reason the ATI right side button works leaving me to wonder there is some switching/toggling problems going on with the standard power switch.

Maybe helpful . I was hopeless in trying to set up a way for notebook to use EXTERNAL monitor with ATI acceleration. IF you use VGA cables and have booted up in INTEL mode, forget it, most likely wont work.
HDMI port is sitting directly in ATI CARD however, by using HDMI -> DVI switch I was able to output image to external Monitor with ATI acceleration. Everything looks beautiful, no weird artifacts as sometimes seen on ATI accelerated notebook display.

- I tested everything with XP and Win7.

I truly hope it helped someone and would like to thank posts above me. GL all.

 

By Black Screen on boot up do you mean including the BIOS? My 8935G is back with Acer for a Warranty repair for this exact problem. First the ATI Card went, and then a few days later the Intel one.

It boots normally, get the Windows Sounds and all, but there's no display. How do you shut it down from Windows without being able to see what you're doing?

 

including Bios, everything is black when you boot with ATI not just in windows( I never found anyone writing about this happening before OS ). Never the less it does boot up and you can hear Windows startup and see HD light blinking/working.

You are to memorize keys, something like CTRL+ALT+DEL 3x TAB ENTER should shut win 7 down.

Still i understand this is no solution and if anyone truly has an answer, well appreciated.

 

jst registered to tell you guys acer released the dertek launcher in applications .

download ati driver from acer site

download the dertek launcher from acer site

install both

now you can have the catalyst ati and switch graphic card by:

either press on powersmart button and it will prompt you to change graphic card

OR

right click on desktop and press switchable graphics and choose high performance card.


enjoy....


tested on win 7 ultimate 64x and 32x

 

Hey Ahassouna.

I'm looking on the Acer driver section on the website.. I've selected Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit for the OS of my laptop but I don't see the DERTEK LAUNCHER in the application site.

Could you tell me how I can get to this?

Thanks.

 

Basically the fix is this:

download

http://global-download.acer.com/GDF...ep3=Aspire 8935G&OS=712&LC=en&BC=Acer&SC=PA_7

and

http://global-download.acer.com/GDF...ep3=Aspire 8935G&OS=712&LC=en&BC=Acer&SC=PA_7

install them and both cards/modes work fine in Windows 7 x86

 

whell i own that crap called 8935g and what tyyko said didn t work with me... in fact after instaling the ati driver and rebooting etc...tha powersave button worked but only for intel graphic,because ati wasn't found anywhere....(including devise manager) and generaly the powersave buton works after pressing with intel,but when you hit it to go to ati the black screen appears.... i dont know what to do....)anyone found out anything anywhere?????plzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

 

I had the same problem before, I started the computer in safe mode and removed all the display drivers (including intel) from the machine. After that I started computer normallly and re-installed the drivers.

Note that those drivers only work for windows 7, not for vista!

Hope this helps

 

Hello,

Sorry for bringing up an old post, but i feel that there are quite a few people owning the 8935G that are still running into a brick wall trying to get their video cards to work using windows 7.

What exacly is it i need to do (after installing windows 7) to make sure i'm able to run both intel and ati cards the way they should (like they did on the acer install with vista).

Whenever i install the w7 drivers from the acer site, the screen drops black - any reboot results in the same problem. the ONLY way for me to actually get back in windows is by going into save mode and shutting down the actual ATI card trough device manager. For some VERY STRANGE reason that way it actually does reboot using the ATI card allowing me to run heavy applications / games.

I'd like to thank all previouse posts they helped me a fair bit, how-ever im still not able to use my w7 upgrade on my newly purchased laptop (/wrists)

Thanks in advance!

 

Hi, after some readings of this topic, it's working (thank you) !
(I've downloaded and installed the Launch manager before everything else.)
-First of all, remove the intel graphic card driver in the normal (Intel) way (with the Power Button used to switch on the Acer).
-Power Off the computer.
-Use the another power button, in the upper-right corner of the keyboard, at the left of the Hold one, to switch on the ATI mode.
-Remove all existing ati driver with the driver wich is given in the Acer website (it'll prompt to you if you want to install or remove a driver).
-When it's done, install this Acer's ATI driver (remember, in the ATI mode !).
-Switch off the computer.
-Use the classical power button, et voilà !
Now, you have exactly the same computer like it was with Vista and the switchable graphics, but in Windows 7 !
Now, no need to play with any buttons, just the regular power one !
PS : I've took a look in the Acer's ATI downloaded driver, and I've found somme Intel items in it. My conclusion : The Ati Driver just took the best of the two worlds !
Again, thanks a lot guys !

 

didn't work for me....aggggg!!!!the button near the hold you mean tha power which converts ati to intel and the other way around....?

 

Yes, I've forgotten something, I've installed the very last Bios (I don't know if it's relevant).
So, this my way :
- Last Bios and launch manager first
- Removing Intel graphic driver in normal mode
- Booting with ATI mode (near the hold button)
- Remove entirely ATI driver
- Installing the Acer's ATI one, in ATI mode (to avoid the weird screen during installation)
- Switching Off
- Powering with the regular power button (ex-intel Mode)
- Let the computer detect a new graphic adapter and install the ATI one.
- Enjoying this Acer with Seven and ATI card !

 

I went through and followed your instructions and the ATI card is at least now recognized as a device in the device manager when I boot using the Power Button.

However, the Intel graphics adapter is still the one being used. When I run the Windows performance test, the numbers drop, etc.

Any idea how to switch switch the card being used now that they are both recognized?

 

hello. i have the following problem. i've updated the bios (latest version 3207)of my 8935 and after that i've lost the capability to see my POST screen. with this i wasn't able to see my windows loading screen as well.i was able to hear after a while, when the computer was logging in windows 7 ( my OS ), the windows sound.
it doesn't matter with what video card i boot up with, i can't use my display at all. but when i enter windows the display turns on and works just fine.
after a while i struggle to put back the original bios (3107 or on the Acer support website is 3109 which is actually 3107). it used to work with both video cards. now with the original bios i still have the same problems.
if i do hook up an external display i can see the POST screen, windows loading screen etc.
also what i need to add that when in windows the default video card it's ati. but if i use the right side button - green button - the laptop's display turns off and i can see the image only if i hook the external display.

what should i do so i can fix my problem ???
i just don't want to send the laptop to support since i know i'm going to have to wait for a very long time to fix the problem ( if they'll be able to fix it ).

 

how did you fix your problem ?

 

If your screen is blank and stays blank then I am guessing that you may have disabled the graphics card. I tried disabling the Intel graphics completely to force the laptop to use the ATI card and the blank black screen is all I got (using either the power button or mutlimedia book buttons).

I'm not sure why but I suspect that by default, the laptop always boots using the Intel card then swaps to ATI card. If you are using an extra monitor you then could get the screen there because for the second monitor it will use the ATI card.

I haven't checked the bios to see if there is a setting there to fix this - I got tired of playing with it. I don't hold much hope with Acer support (even if you ship it to them). They seem to be as dumb as a brick. I am on my 5th Acer laptop since August. I originally bought an 8730 but found out that Acer's spec was wrong from what they have posted on their website (and every retailers website). The memory was slower than advertised and the max resolution was lower (1685 X 945 instead of 1920 X 1080). They sent me a couple replacements thinking it was a one-off problem but they were all the same. Acer fixed their spec on the memory but still believe that the resolution is correct and wanted me to ship all 3 laptops to them to fix the problem (I returned them to the point of purchase instead).

I have also had a couple of 8935g's and they have their bugs too. Has anyone else tried partitioning the hard drive in Vista? I partitioned then as soon as I reboot the partition changes to an EISA partition which is protected and not visible in Vista. Acer support says they do not support partitioning the hard drive.

Sorry for the ramble. If you have no video display (because you disabled the video card) then you should reboot and keep pressing F8. This will bring you to a screen where you can choose to boot up in low resolution mode and re-enable the video card.

 

how can i contact you so i can explain it better what's my problem ? it seems you kind of know what i need would appreciate if you could help me. thanx in advance

 

Hi guys,

I installed Windows 7 and had the same issue, I managed to get both graphics cards installed with all drivers showing but I don't know how to get ATi to be the default? It always wants to use the Inter graphics? I take it this is the issue you guys are all having? Has anyone managed to solve it yet. I am working on it as best I can if I find anything I'll let you guys know.

Cheers
H

 

It was already solved about 5 pages back. Install the graphics drivers and launch manager application you get from support.acer.com

 

Hi mate, I tried this, but thanks for the reply. I tried the below, it might help some people.

1. Download the following file - VGA ATi, make sure its the 173mb file version 8.64.4 http://www.acer.co.uk/acer/service.do?LanguageISOCtxParam=en&miu10einu24.current.attN2B2F2EEF=3734&sp=page15e&ctx2.c2att1=17&miu10ekcond13.attN2B2F2EEF=3734&CountryISOCtxParam=UK&ctx1.att21k=1&CRC=3713735360
2. Uninstall both graphics cards through device manager
3. Restart the computer and both graphics cards will attempt to download the drivers automatically, the intel graphics card normally installs and becomes default
4. Restart the computer and check the device manager, the ATi card should now have a conflict showing
5. Install the downloaded Acer driver and restart when asked (the screen may display the windows background for a few mins dont worry be patient)
6. Restart when asked
7. When the computer has successfully booted up your ATi card should be the default thanks to the catalyst control centre.

Let me know how this goes?

Cheers
H

 

what do i have to do if i can't see the POST screen ? basically i can't see anything with the Intel GPU not even when i log in windows ( i know i get logged in because of the start sounds ) but if i connect an external display it works . meanwhile the ATI GPU is working fine but still i can't see the POST screen but after i log in windows , the laptop's display turns on and i can use the ATI. trying to switch from ATI to Intel GPUs will turn off my display. what should i do guys ?

 

Hi mate, the best thing to do is shut the computer down and then start it up, the minute it starts up keep tapping on the F8 key until you have a menu. From the menui choose 'Safe Mode', from here you should be able to follow my above steps.

Let me know if this helps.

Cheers
H

 

I hope Scorpion2001 got his problems sorted out.

I haven't updated my driver to the 8.64.4 version (and am deciding if that is something I want to do). For those that have done this and the ATI card is now the default, is there an easy way to switch back to using the Intel card (aside from reinstalling drivers). I want the functionality of being able to switch between the two cards.

Ideally the switching is suppose to happen by pressing the PowerSmart button but it doesn't look like there is a Windows 7 version of this software available. I'm guessing that the updated graphics driver doesn't include functionality to allow the switch. Can you confirm this?

 

Umm, mine is working fine, even the switching button, using the drivers from Acer's site, and the Launch Manager, also from Acer's site.

 

Hi mate, yeah using my instructions above allow the use of the power button so you can switch between the 2 cards when you need to.

Cheers
H

 

Okay thanks, I will give it a go then.