Driver issues, Aspire 8935G & ATI HD4670

Hi folks,

It's been a while since I've been on here, thankfully it looks like still a busy community though.
Anyhow, I've just recently acquired the Q9000 powered variant of the 8935G, plopped my SSD into it and installed Win7 X64.

It's mostly running like a charm, except Windows update (but WSUS offline deals with that) and getting the drivers for the ATI graphics card to behave.
It's been so long since I've done a clean install of this system that I've forgotten just how dire the old drivers were. The most recent drivers from Acer support generates a BSOD from atikmpag.sys, and the most recent legacy drivers direct from AMD generates a BSOD from atikmdag.sys.

I've updated the BIOS to the latest, everything else seems to be behaving nicely, I just need to get the ATI card to work. Any help, tricks or advice greatly welcomed.
Thanks.

Or as an alternative, would I do better sourcing something like a FirePro M4000, installing and using that?
Fewer driver issues, improved performance?

 

Hello greenawj.

I've had the same problem and it appeared to be the video card itself. I got it replaced by warranty but after a month or two BSODs appeared again. The 4670 seams to be heavily factory-overclocked - i've even used amdgpuclock tool to lower the frequencies - i got BSODs less frequent, but they still were there. Now, don't get me wrong - i can't tell for sure, but i've installed an ATI 6770m (red board color) instead of 4670 - and no BSODs since =) Two months for now, hope that'll stay that way =)

P.S. i can't tell which card is better - 6770 or FirePro, sorry =(

 

Hi Kostyarik,

I'd never considered it to be the board at fault, TBH, as I know ATI had a reputation for terrible drivers. The board being overclocked is also new to me.

It's good to know the 6770m will go in, but is the colour of the board important? All I can find are blue coloured, these are no good for me then?

Thanks for the info though

 

For the red - i've read somwhere on this forum that you don't need to flash vbios for this card to boot the 8935g laptop and it appeared to be true. I can't tell for blue. I've got mine on aliexpress if you find this useful =)

 

I've done some more reading on the subject, and the thing about red, green, blue boards I understand now.

I've ordered a 6770m red board from aliexpress too, the seller has been in touch to check it's the right part, etc.
I think I've seen your feedback review too.

Just have to wait until it arrives, then I'll do a strip down, clean and install the new card and see how it goes.
Fingers crossed.

 

You might, i left feedback for that one =)
Good luck!