Today my cousin sent me an Acer notebook and ask me to check it because it is too slow and often not responding. I found that the system was in complete mess with too many security and registry optimizer program. So I decide to install windows 7 32-bit (fresh install) since it only have 2GB of RAM. I choose windows 7 over XP and Vista because she used to work with windows 7.
Important Notes:
- Acer Officially provide support for Windows XP (32./64-bit) , Windows Vista (32/64-bit) and Windows 7 (32/64-bit) for this model (Acer Aspire 4736z).
- Please Install according to order Given.
- Install all drivers (please read note first! if available)
- Recommended Operating system , Windows XP (SP1, SP2, SP3 all version), Windows 7 32/64-bit Ultimate or Professional (SP1).
- Compatibility : Compatible with Windows XP/Vista/7/8 and 8.1.
- Windows 8 Users! : If you don;t want to re-install the drivers in windows 8/8.1, please do not fresh install but upgrade from windows 7 to Windows 8/8.1.
- Windows 8 Users! If fresh Installation you are advised to only install chipset/graphic and audio drivers. (Because other driver automatically installed)
- Windows 7/8/8.1 Users : If you run automatic updates, it will automatically install : Wireless, LAN, Chipset, Graphic, so you don;t have to download and re-install the drivers.
Drivers
Chipset:Intel Chipset Installation utility (4 Series and ICH9 Chipset)
Windows XP (32/64-bit) : Download
Windows Vista (32/64-bit) : Download
Windows 7 (32/64-bit) : Download
Windows 8/8.1 (32/64-bit) : use windows Automatic updates or download latest driver from Intel
Audio:Realtek High Definition Audio Drivers
Windows XP (32/64-bit) : Download
Windows Vista (32/64-bit) : Download
Windows 7 (32/64-bit) : Download
Latest Drivers (Windows XP/Vista/7/8/8.1) : Download
Graphic Driver Notes:There are 3 available graphic drivers for this model, Choose 1 base on your specification. You will have either Nvidia or Intel graphic. You can identify which graphic your notebook have by looking at the sticker located at the right below the keyboard. For Intel it will show Intel 4500GMA and vice versa.
1 - Graphic
Mobile Intel(R) 45 Express Chipset Family WHQL(4500)
Windows XP (32-bit) : Download
Windows XP (64-bit) : Download
Windows Vista (32-bit) : Download
Windows Vista (64-bit) : Download
Windows 7 (32/64-bit) : Download
Windows 8/8.1 (32/64-bit) : Install windows 7 drivers (set compatibility to windows 7)
2- Graphic
Nvidia GeForce G 105 M Graphic Driver
Windows XP (32-bit) : Download
Windows XP (64-bit) : Download
Windows Vista (32-bit) : Download
Windows Vista (64-bit) : Download
Windows 7 (32/64-bit) : Download
Windows 8/8.1 (32-bit) : Download
Windows 8/8.1 (64-bit) : Download
3- Graphic
Nvidia Graphic Driver for N10MGE1 (this version made specifically for win 7 only)
Windows 7 (32/64-bit) : Download
Webcam/Camera Driver Notes:There are 2 webcam drivers available, choose 1 only and you can choose base on your own choice. Each driver and software will show different compatibility and performance, so you can uninstall and re-install the other webcam to test which perform better. The driver files also will install Acer crystal eye webcam software. After installation the shortcut for webcam can be found by click start - (all) program - Acer Crystal eye webcam (click on the folder and you will see the shortcut to Acer crystal eye webcam).
Camera
Chicony Camera Driver and Software
Windows XP (32-bit) : Download
Windows XP (64-bit) : Use Vista or XP 32-bit Driver
Windows Vista (32/64-bit) : Download
Windows 7 (32-bit) : Download
Windows 7 (64-bit) : Download
Windows 8/8.1 (32/64-bit) : Install windows 7 drivers (set compatibility to windows 7)
Camera
Suyin Camera Driver and Software
Windows XP (32-bit) :Download
Windows XP (64-bit) : Use Vista or XP 32-bit Driver
Windows Vista (32/64-bit) : Download
Windows 7 (32-bit) : Download
Windows 7 (64-bit) : Download
Windows 8/8.1 (32/64-bit) : Install windows 7 drivers (set compatibility to windows 7)
Card reader Notes:Choose 1 base on your specification, Realtek or Jmicron Carf Reader driver, If you don;t know which to install test which work for you and uninstall the wrong driver from the control panel. There are no problems if you install both driver at once, it just you will have unnecessary files which use small portion of your disk space.
Card Reader
Jmicron JMB385 Card Reader Driver
Windows XP (32/64-bit) : Download
Windows Vista (32/64-bit) : Download
Windows 7 (32/64-bit) : Download
Windows 8/8.1 (32/64-bit) : Install windows 7 drivers (set compatibility to windows 7)
Card Reader
Realtek USB 2.0 Card Reader Driver
Windows XP (32/64-bit) : Download
Windows Vista (32/64-bit) : Download
Windows 7 (32/64-bit) : Download
Latest: Windows XP/Vista/7/8/8.1 : Download
Touchpad Driver Notes:Install both driver -
Alps Touchpad Driver
Windows XP/Vista (32/64-bit) : Download
Windows 7 (32/64-bit) : Download
Windows 8/8.1 :Windows 8/8.1 (32/64-bit) : Install windows 7 drivers
Synaptic
Synaptic Touchpad Driver
Windows XP/Vista (32/64-bit) : Download
Windows 7 (32/64-bit) : Download
Windows 8/8.1 (32/64-bit) : Download
LAN -EthernetAtheros AR8131 Family Ethernet Controller
Windows XP (32/64-bit) : Download
Windows Vista (32/64-bit) : Download
Windows 7 (32/64-bit) : Download
Windows 8/8.1 (32/64-bit) : Download
SATAIntel Matrix Storage @ Intel Rapid Storage Driver
(Include Serial ATA controller)
Windows XP (32/64-bit) : Download
Windows Vista (32/64-bit) : Download
Windows 7 (32/64-bit) : Download
Windows 8/8.1 (32/64-bit) :Download (select SetupRST) (fl6fpy is for SATA only)
FingerprintAuthentec Fingerprint Driver
Windows XP/Vista (32/64-bit) : Download
Windows 7 (32/64-bit) : Download
Windows 8/8.1 (Use Microsoft automatic Updates)
ModemAgere Systems HDA Modem
*certain model have conexant driver, so choose conexant if Agere modem installation failed.
Windows XP (32/64-bit) : Download | Conexant
Windows Vista (32/64-bit) : Download | Conexant
Windows 7/8/8.1 (32/64-bit) : Automatic
BluetoothBroadcom 2045 and 2046 Bluetooth Driver
Windows XP (32-bit) : Download
Windows XP (64-bit) : Download
Windows Vista (32/64-bit) : Download
Windows 7 (32/64-bit) : Download
Windows 8/8.1 : Download
Wireless Notes:
There are 4 applicable wireless Drivers, for windows Vista/7/8/8.1 the drivers automatically installed. You can install the drivers here which version is newer. For windows XP user you need to select base on your specification or test which work for you. Installing wrong driver will not harm your system and it will prompt no device detected because the driver will not automatically installed.
Wireless
Atheros AR928X Wireless Network Adapter
Windows XP/Vista (32/64-bit) : Download
Windows 7 (32/64-bit) : Download
Windows 7/8/8.1 (32/64-bit) : Automatic
Wireless
Intel Wireless LAN Driver (Condor Peak)
Windows XP (32/64-bit) : Download
Windows Vista (32/64-bit) : Download
Windows 7 (32/64-bit) : Download
Windows 7/8/8.1 (32/64-bit) : Automatic
Wireless
Intel Wireless LAN Driver (5100/5300/5150/5350)
Windows XP (32/64-bit) : Install using condor peak driver
Windows Vista (32/64-bit) : Install using condor peak driver
Windows 7 (32/64-bit) : Download
Windows 7/8/8.1 (32/64-bit) : Automatic
Wireless
Broadcom Wireless Driver
Windows XP (32/64-bit) : Download
Windows Vista/7 (32/64-bit) : Download
Windows 7/8/8.1 (32/64-bit) : Automatic
Wireless
Ralink Wireless Drivers
Windows XP (32/64-bit) : Not package for windows XP/Must choose either Atheros/broadcom/intel
Windows Vista (32/64-bit) : Download
Windows 7 (32/64-bit) : Download
Latest Driver windows XP/Vista/7/8/8.1 : Download from mediatek.
Applications :
Dritek Launch Manager SoftwareThis software will enable the button function at the right corner of your keyboard.
Windows XP (32/64-bit) : Download
Windows Vista (32/64-bit) : Download
Windows 7 (32/64-bit) : Download
Windows 8/8.1 :Windows 8/8.1 (32/64-bit) : Install windows 7 drivers
Application :Acer eRecovery Management Application
(Only applies for Vista)
Windows Vista (32/64-bit) : Download
Application : Acer Updater
Only for Windows 7
Windows 7 (32/64-bit) : Download
Additional Information
Do I need to install all drivers?Windows Xp : yes
Windows Vista : Yes
Windows 7/8/8.1 : yes
*Please read note becuase there are certain drivers have more than 1 drivers choices, you need to install it base on the note given.
Where is the driver version?Just look at the download link, it contain the driver version with OS compatibility.
Ralink merged with mediatek on January 7th 2013, so you will need to download from mediatek support if you are using ralink wireless for the latest drivers. You also can choose to stick with current drivers because updating to the latest drivers only show slight improvement.
Latest Drivers for your graphic is available on Nvidia and Intel site or just run windows automatic updates.
Do let me know if you have problems installing the drivers.
