MSI Drivers Team - Atrocious

So I've complained to MSI on multiple occasions detailing all of the issues with their drivers and their drivers team but it is like me talking to a wall so it is time for me to post this public rant maybe someone would listen.

I will no longer recommend them as strongly as I used to even though their hardware is great, having good support and somewhat updated drivers is a must especially considering the fact now that with each new Windows 10 Build many drivers don't work on the newer builds and thus need an urgent updated for the new build. (ie. Card Reader, WLAN, Bluetooth, Graphics Drives, Audio, etc.)


1) I and others have seen on many occasions where MSI would post a driver, example, MSI True Color, with the same exact version, same file size, same hashtag as the one which was posted months ago, they just post it with a different date and put it on the top to make it look like they are posting updates. This has happened numerous times so one cannot say it was a one time mistake.

In fact, this just happened AGAIN today for the second time in a row! After about 7 months, they re-released the same freakin' version, same file size, same file hashes, AGAIN!




2) With the release of the MSI GT75 Titan 8th gen, unfortunately, it was released right around the corner where Windows 10 was being updated from Redstone 3 to Redstone 4. As you know, with each build of Windows, a lot of the older drivers may or not work with the new build so it is crucial to keep the drivers updated, at least for your latest flagship models!


No, you expect your customers to do all the work themselves which I did because I know how to obtain the drivers from their manufacturer like the Aquantia AQC107 LAN Driver, Killer 1550 WLAN/Bluetooth Drivers, Realtek Card Reader drivers, just to name a few


But what about those amateur people who just buy a laptop, have Windows update automatically, only to discover that this or that doesn't work.


Especially with the Killer 1550 which is just recently launched, the initial drivers that came with it were super buggy and caused a very flaky connection so each update was crucial! There has been 5 updates since the version posted on MSI's website until now but MSI has yet to post one update. How hard is this really? you guys should have better connections with manufacturers than a simple forum enthusiast has


3) I reported to MSI on 3 different occasions, how come the Intel Rapid Storage Technology Driver for my laptop which is setup in RAID 0 is on version 16.0.1.1018 even though it is the flagship model and should be getting the latest drivers at least for a year whilst the lower end GS65 Stealth gets newer drivers like the Intel Rapid Storage Technology v16.0.2.1086??


that is just one example, the GS65 has newer Airplane Mode Driver, newer Wireless Drivers, newer Audio drivers, and the list goes on, go ahead and compare them both and you will see.



Don't tell me that these are different laptops so they will have different drivers, they share the same basic components like the RAID Drivers and Wireless drivers at least those are universal across all laptops.


4) I reported to MSI as well that when I switch Audio Profiles in Nahimic say from Movie, to Gaming, to Communication, you don't hear any difference in the audio as if Nahimic is not able to talk to the sound device and change its profile.


Well, that's because the link between Nahimic and the Audio Driver stopped working since the update to Windows 10 Redstone 4. Nothing was done regarding this so I had to search newer drivers from other MSI laptops which actually did fix the issue and now switching between the audio profiles actually works, the driver that worked is: Realtek Audio Driver v6.0.1.8437 which I found out by testing many drivers until I finally found this one from the MSI WS63 8SL download page!


Are customers supposed to do all this work to get basic functionality of their laptops?


5) Yet another issue, with the release of Windows 10 Redstone 4, nVIDIA had to release a quick update for their nVIDIA Drivers to work with Redstone 4, that is the most important driver to be updated for gamers whom this laptop is catered for yet we are still on an ancient driver from MSI that is not even compatible with the latest edition of Windows!

6) Why is that that with every MSI app install like Dragon Center for example, it re-installs the MSI Remind Manager which is to remind customers to register their laptops? That utility is already preinstalled on all new laptops and once people register it, they usually uninstall that remind manager since it's not needed. Now, with every update of any MSI app liked Dragon Center, System Control Manager, even the SteelSeries Keyboard driver, the MSI Remind Manager keeps getting reinstalled again and again. I mean how many times are people supposed to register?


What's worse now with the latest Dragon Center, the MSI Remind Manager runs as a task in the background and you cannot even uninstall it with the conventional methods since it's not even listed in the Programs anymore. Please tell them enough of this remind manager bundling it keeps popping up upon every reboot and is very annoying.


7) Since the Synaptics Touchpad Driver that was shipped with my MSI GT75 Titan laptop is already outdated, Windows update is automatically updating it to a newer version which in turn since the one on Microsoft is usually not specific to MSI and is just a generic driver that works with Synaptics touchpads, I am losing the Synaptics settings in the control panel which allow for a lot of customizations like enabling/disabling gesture controls and what not in the control panel.


Now, MSI did post a new Synaptics touchpad driver on the MSI GS65 Stealth laptop v19.5.10.132 (14.82MB) however that is just an INF driver, not the complete Synaptics driver which is usually a much bigger download, hence, again, if that driver is installed, the Synaptics touchpad settings are gone so we need the full installer of the Synaptics Touchpad driver just like the old version 19.5.10.132 was 29.22 MB (that is the size for the full installer)



so what I did is a huge favor for the MSI community by creating this thread on the Notebook review forums which has the latest drivers all test by me and working 100% ranging from the VGA, LAN (Aquantia Driver which I had to fish around from their site), Audio, even card reader drivers.


Part of the reason why I chose MSI over competitors like Clevo was that they are a big OEM and theoretically should support their laptop with at least working drivers for the latest Windows 10 Build.


Now I do understand that it is not an easy task anymore with how Microsoft change the whole architecture of Windows with every new build twice a year and it is even more difficult to support all the laptops but at least support the newer/flagship models! This is simply not acceptable


My daily job is to scan all other laptop models from MSI to fish around for newer drivers, test them, and have them listed in that thread that I mentioned.

 

And what about the touchpad? I'm a GE63 user and in the last Synaptics driver update, it doesn't work. Removes the previous and don't install any kind of control panel because a certificate error...

 

I was also mad because the absolute loss of support of the gt70 series when w10 came out. The absence of w10 drivers for gt70 still continues

Enviat des del meu SM-J510FN usant Tapatalk

 

When did you buy the GT70. I'm still in time to return my Raider

 

Uuh too much years ago haha. But it is still perfectly usable with w10.

Enviat des del meu SM-J510FN usant Tapatalk

 

Typical from MSI.
Driver support is total sh**, especially if your PC has more than 6 months...
First of all, the UI is bad, we don't even know when there is new version, they don't know how to manage versioning, they don't offer a centralised way or a batch download mode etc...
Better check manufacturer of each component.
They also don't know how to properly display nahimic and audio driver updates (but realtek is to blame as well).

 

Well, sadly, this is another example of OEMs prioritizing sales over service. Because they do not take the notebooks they sell seriously, or the customers that buy those notebooks, I find it difficult to take the notebook OEMs seriously. The reality of the situation is, laptops suck because the OEMs do not care and they all suck at their jobs. There is not even one notebook OEM that doesn't suck in more than one way. They are all a joke. The only thing they excel at is incompetence.

 

And it won’t be any better, now as Microsoft (updates) is meant to handle more of the tasks from the ODM/OEM’s. Mind you... Micro$h4ft said all hardware (notebooks new or old - hardware) will get proper updates (drivers etc). See Puke!!! Proprietary software will be a even more huge mess with the Win X services. Drivers can be found many places. Worse with the rest. From worse to even more worse if you ask me!!

 

Like it or not, this is why Apple laptops are great.

 

For once, I totally agree with you on this. You buy an Apple laptop, and it just works, no worry about drivers, EVER no matter what MacOS you update to, it all works so smoothly. Heck, even if you install Windows 7 on a Mac using Boot Camp it's way easier than trying to find drivers for new hardware laptops to work with Windows 7.

 

And, you can surf the web and read email with an overheating, throttling, wimpy piece of garbage that costs a lot more and offers nothing in return (unless you consider participation in the Apple cult ure to be of value). The reason you never have to worry about a Mac is because Apple are absolute control freaks and nobody (for the most part) can make changes to anything that the Mac-Daddy Nazis haven't approved. There is no such thing as autonomy. That's not a good way to live unless you enjoy being a yes-man that doesn't have much technical knowledge or skills relating to computers, and just roll with the flow. That's fine for the Facebook sheeple. It's not fine for PC enthusiasts, the aspiring weekend warriors, or PC gamers.

Don't let MSI being half-assed with driver support cloud your better judgment on crApple's trash. The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence when you're in a bad mood about the nonsense on your own side of the fence.

 

oh I would never settle for a McDonald's Book. I was just pointing the fact that they don't have any of the driver shenanigans which we face now with every freakin' Winblows 10 build we need new drivers as if it's an entirely new OS. I don't know who's dumbass idea was that from the Micro$haft jokers team.

 

Micro$haft is officially the nemesis of PC enthusiasts because of their boundless stupidity in the design and flawed execution of the Windoze OS X abortion. If there was ever a legitimate reason for Linux to replace Windows, we're there now. I doubt it will ever happen, but they deserve to be cast aside like a dirty diaper and left for dead because of the screwed up feces they throw our way. To call them incompetent would be far too kind for such an undeserving insane clown posse as the Redmond Retards. What they do with UWP filth and drivers is just the tip of the turd that is prairie-dogging us with v1803's crap. MSI's incompetent driver team is just another unfortunate sign of the times. We are living in our darkest days in terms of software and operating system development.

 

The only thing which keeps me from buying a Linux machine is all those games that I bought and never played. I want to play them and finish them one day to get my money's worth but as we know, Windows 7 is a dead OS (at least for new hardware) and Windows 10 is an absolute joke that makes me wanna puke when I think about the things that I have to do just to make it half usable. I have lost count of how many times I've formatted this year because of some driver issue or some major flaw that can't be fixed without a full OS reinstall.

 

I'm still using Windows 7 for new hardware. As much as they would like it to be dead, the Redmond Retards have failed to produce a product compelling enough to kill their antique OS. They have been an abject failure since the release of Windows 8. But, I get your point. If I did not care about overclocking and benching, I would have switched to Linux completely around 2015. I like gaming, too. Gaming on Linux sucks due to lack of options. Take away the gaming, overclocking and benching and that leaves nothing but web browsing, email and running Office productivity applications, and social media. I can do that with a $150 Chromebook or a $300 Dell Inspiron and toss it into a dumpster when it stops working. With that approach, there is no reason to even care about owning a computer any more. It's no longer an enjoyable endeavor or a source of entertainment and pleasure.

 

If things works, don’t fix it. And no in Hell I will support Crapple. M$ is bad, very bad... But what you talking about is a big Nope!! Trash hardware + the rest ain’t for me. No in HELL!! And Linux ain’t much better.

 

You guys are so off-the-deep-end anti-_____ (fill in the blank) - relax.

Windows 10 is awesome (did it start out that way? Absolutely not). Mac OS X is awesome. Portable PC gaming is better than ever.

On topic: yes, MSI driver management sucks. @Phoenix made a great point - if you're a noob-ish user it has to be a hair-pulling nightmare updating your new MSI gaming laptop (or any other brand, really - although my brief time with Razer was pretty pleasant, driver-wise).

 

Usually when the childish company nicknames come out it's when I stop reading the comment.

 

From a hardware perspective, sure. From a software perspective, way off base. There's tons of useful software for Mac. I much prefer development on my Mac.

 

You have to be careful not to confuse "childish" nicknames with colorful expressions of utter contempt, hatred and absolute disrespect for incompetent producers of garbage. After all, profanity is against forum rules and the use of it not as gratifying.

 

Yes. "Why not both?" is what I say. For work I use a 13" MacBook Pro and when I travel for business I bring my GS65 along with it. Hence why I want thin and light. Tried doing the 5.5lbs+ laptop thing (alongside the work laptop) and it was miserable.

For all of MSI's driver management faults, I would say they have been pretty dang good with BIOS updates to address issues.

 

I don't understand why everyone keeps on praising windows 7... yeah in the end stage it was decent but I was there when it first came out, before SP1 and I remember clearly that I bricked it completely at least 3 times by installing some drivers/updates or software on my old compaq laptop (piece of crap which overheated over 100 degrees playing wow)... I had problems with phantom icons on desktop that were impossible to delete (since they did not exist on the hdd lol), I had to use the restore points at least once every month for some update OR driver related issue.... But truth be told, I "only" had to reinstall completely like once in the 3 years the laptop was in the house. And the result of that? Way too high cpu/ram usage, several minutes to boot etc. And there were no viruses on it, simply old files from crap drivers, software, leftover registry, broken updates etc.
I'd say any OS is as good as the driver team screwing it up behind the scenes as well as your bad luck getting the wrong windows updates. My old asus laptop ran on 2012-2015 drivers the entire time through windows 8, 8.1 and finally windows 10 (up to 2017) and I never saw any driver issues like I did with both my MSI laptops. It's sad.

 

I'd say UI is a matter of taste (and I like it when set to dark scheme), forced updates can be avoided by disabling windows update in services even on home version and manually turning it on when you want (if you want) and alt-tab to desktop is sth I never used as I use the small tab in right bottom corner to access desktop... also I there is a shortcut for it (win-D) even if you don't use touchpad... on the msi it can be accessed with 3-finger swipe to the bottom. I also hated some updates on my android phones that changed the look of icons/menus etc, but in the end I just lived with it? And yeah, my samsung was forced updated to latest android, pissed me off for about exactly 2 days.
PS. with windows 10, the good thing is that when you do run windows update, you only get the latest cumulative update to install which is usually pretty quick. Not a few hundred updates like with win 7 (reason why I never really bothered to do a clean install unless absolutely necessary) ^^

 

Not correct.

Check the Windows 10 thread and I challenge anyone saying Win10 is great. Use Simplix Pack for Win7 and it will work without any garbage bloatware updates. Micro$haft added this cumulative trash to kill Win7 and 8.x with their forced updates and telemetry. Running Win8.1 since 2013, "Zero" issues except a couple of problems with the OS itself, crippled Physics score and a few here and there. Nothing showstopper like Windows 10 where you don't see the damn power control or gimped battery management. The UWP system is borked, killing off the Win32 ecosystem which means Throttlestop will sometime in the future stop working said by Unclewebb check TS thread, due to Windows moving away from the Win32. And Classic Shell developer said the same thing for the Win32.

M$ cannot kill it due to the Enterprise infrastructure, most of the legacy or old applications cannot give UWP the same power as Win32. This is WaaS model which is an aASS model spreading the virus to the Games, New GaaS - EA ( No intro needed I suppose, Ubisoft, Bethesda (Fallout 76 and Creation Club), PSN, XBoxLive (killed Halo for this garbage, due to MAU - Monthly Active Users based revenue system), The more % of people accept this abomination called Windows 10 and M$ products (Office 3 year cadence update system, major release + 10Yr support + to aaS model, forcing Office 2019 to work only on Windows10, 5 month support), it gets easier for M$ to control the world more. They stripped off Search and baked into Cortana, increasing Xbox services integration to the Windows essential components, DISM removal causes instability if you start removing too much and make it normal, the Solution - Use LTSB version of Windows 10, which is a true version of Windows 7.

About Android and Google, the worst is yet to come. The progenitor of this B$ phenomenon of Operating System dark age that Mr Fox mentioned & the User Interface change is Apple corp & the future is going to be worsened into oblivion by the 2020 Intel project of BIOS EOL. Windows 10 is make to shackle the lives of power users and forced Alpha OS - 6 Months EOL per release and 18 Mo max updates. i.e unless you run LTSB you are SOL, even with LTSB its EOL since Nvidia driver mess, and so many game related needs, It's broken by design, made for data mining and draconian agenda and this BIOS EOL will greatly assist them, for massive control castrations to the machines with more robust UEFI BIOSes by these oligarch corporations.

 

Wow man you are contradicting yourself. Windows 10 stock is garbage but you need windows 7 simplix pack to be happy? Never heard of it but I am sure as hell it has nothing to do with windows 7 in its baby days when it just got out. For hells's sake, windows 7 these days even stock has no more feature updates etc which means it will not get screwed up majorly anymore by attempted feature updates. Back in the day when it still got regular updates, those also got corrupted, refused to install, bricked the OS and caused bootloops, driver issues etc. I am not saying windows 10 is amazing and flawless but if you say windows 7 has always been a decent OS then you are very very wrong. Microsoft screwed up back then just as it does now, I owned windows 7 machines since windows 7 came out, in fact my very first laptop ran windows 7 and it was not always nice.
Yeah maybe windows 10 needs tweaks to run decent, maybe 32 bit systems are dead (I reckon people cried when DOS systems went to hell as well, same as when windows xp got nuked from support list). Just move on, do the necessary tweaks to send out as little info to microsteal as possible and live your life. No OS is good. They are all horrible and pathetic for different reasons imo, but life is too short to care about it way too much. One day we will all be monitored by implanted chips anyway, might not be for the next few hundred years but if people don't kill each other then, it will happen. Then there will be no choice but to sheep up and live or join the dark side. But I guess it sounds like scifi, so do whatever makes you happy if you think you can make a difference.

 

No M$ OS has been screwed as Win X. Now two times a year. Don't put Win 7 in this premium league @Mr. Fox

 

Lol Simplix pack is for avoiding the M$ new forced telemetry trash and be up-to date with the Win7 installation (It is still updated, until January 2020) consider it as Slipstreaming features, not to remove crap like Win10 real bloat, like Cortana, Xbox, Store etc.. and tons of Telemetry which obv is waste of time because after one update it all comes back.

Feature updates of Windows 10 vs Win7 lack of feature updates. I guess LTSB is for losers then, guess all the Enterprises and power users are .. & Surrendering ourselves for something that's gonna happen in the future, that's not going to have a positive result nor helps anyone.

We should remember how the Ngreedia GTX 970 CLA fiasco, Apple latest CLA on Battery throttle + Butterfly KB flaw. Oh the famous Ngreedia clockblock - NBR favorite topic, all of these wouldn't have been resolved, if they have been not put out in front of people & how can we forget another NBR fav MSI GPU upgrade fiasco.

 

This thread is - I don't even know what it's about anymore. Closed.

Charles