Vortex Laptop: Utility Updates after Upgrading to Windows 10 (from 8.1)

[Annaisha]

Hi!

I just updated my Vortex Laptop from Windows 8.1 to Windows 10.

I am worried that my harware utilities might not be optimized for the new operating system. How do I check the current version numbers of the hardware utilities, and how do I check the latest version numbers? I already downloaded all the latest utilities from my Downloads (Windows 10) page, but I have no idea how to compare the versions. The latest utilities are:

1: 01Chipset_W10.zip (20-08-2015 | 2.68mb)
2: 01WLAN_Optional_W10.zip (20-08-2015 | 537.32mb)
3: 02Finger_Optional_W10.zip (20-08-2015 | 47.59mb)
4: 02Video_W10.zip (20-08-2015 | 825.83mb)
5: 03Lan_W10.zip (20-08-2015 | 9.37mb)
6: 03SBX_Optional_W10.zip (20-08-2015 | 293.45mb)
7: 04CReader_W10.zip (20-08-2015 | 12.38mb)
8: 05IR_Storage_Optional_W10.zip (20-08-2015 | 11.41mb)
9: 05Touchpad_W10.zip (20-08-2015 | 79.88mb)
10: 06Airplane_W10.zip (20-08-2015 | 3.78mb)
11: 07Hotkey_W10.zip (20-08-2015 | 204.61mb)
12: 08IME_W10.zip (20-08-2015 | 21.02mb)
13: 09Audio_W10.zip (20-08-2015 | 279.21mb)
14: RAID_Optional_W10.zip (20-08-2015 | 1.11mb)

Opening the zip files, many don't have a version number in a txt file, and like I said, I don't know how to check my current utility versions.

Also, if some of these are in need of an update, do I uninstall the old utlility versions first, or do I just install over them?

Thanks for any help you can give


Just in case it helps, these are the old utlities that I have installed when I originally set up the computer (exluding some of the optional ones, don't remember which):

1: 01_Airplane_W81.zip (16-04-2014 | 8.84mb)
2: 01_BT_Intel_Optional_W81.zip (16-04-2014 | 224.42mb)
3: 01_BT_Realtek_Optional_W81.zip (16-04-2014 | 60.83mb)
4: 02_Audio_W81.zip (16-04-2014 | 196.31mb)
5: 02_WLAN_7260_Optional_W81.zip (16-04-2014 | 300.47mb)
6: 02_WLAN_N1202_Optional_W81.zip (16-04-2014 | 317.42mb)
7: 02_WLAN_Realtek_Optional_W81.zip (16-04-2014 | 43.70mb)
8: 03_Chipset_W81.zip (16-04-2014 | 5.36mb)
9: 03_Fingerprint_Optional_W81.zip (20-11-2014 | 40.14mb)
10: 03_SBX_Vortex_15_Optional_W81.zip (21-10-2014 | 73.32mb)
11: 03_SBX_Vortex_17LE_Optional_W81.zip (21-10-2014 | 73.32mb)
12: 03_SBX_Vortex_17_Optional_W81.zip (21-10-2014 | 73.32mb)
13: 04_CReader_W81.zip (16-04-2014 | 10.39mb)
14: 04_IR_Start_Optional_W81.zip (16-04-2014 | 2.02mb)
15: 05_Hotkey_W81.zip (16-04-2014 | 17.43mb)
16: 05_IR_Storage_Optional_W81.zip (16-04-2014 | 16.22mb)
17: 06_IME_W81.zip (16-04-2014 | 39.83mb)
18: 06_RAID_Optional_W81.zip (16-04-2014 | 0.35mb)
19: 07_LAN_W81.zip (16-04-2014 | 5.76mb)
20: 08_TPM_Optional_W81.zip (16-04-2014 | 75.39mb)
21: 08_Touchpad_W81.zip (16-04-2014 | 77.54mb)
22: 09_VGA_AMD_W81.zip (16-04-2014 | 282.26mb)
23: 09_VGA_Intel_W81.zip (16-04-2014 | 144.84mb)
24: 09_VGA_NVIDIA_W81.zip (16-04-2014 | 354.48mb)

 

[ubuysa]

Those are not utilities they are drivers. In my experience of Windows 10 it's best to let Windows update install all the required drivers, you only need to install drivers manually if Windows Update misses any.

Incidentally, as long as everything is working fine then drivers do not need updating, you only need to update drivers if you have a problem with a device or if you need extra functionality provided by the new driver. Otherwise leave them alone.

 

[SpyderTracks]

You'll need to install hotkey (control center) and sbx studio, as they will have been uninstalled during the upgrade. Check also that insyde airplane is still installed, you may also need to reinstall that.

Really though, once you've done the upgrade you should do a full reinstall from scratch as the upgrade causes long term issues.

 

[Annaisha]

You'll need to install hotkey (control center) and sbx studio, as they will have been uninstalled during the upgrade. Check also that insyde airplane is still installed, you may also need to reinstall that.

Really though, once you've done the upgrade you should do a full reinstall from scratch as the upgrade causes long term issues.

Thanks for the reply!

Is Hotkey the software that enables computer specific keyboard shortcuts, like Fn+Esc and Fn+Any F key? Because I can totally use those shortcut commands. The Realtek HD task bar icon software also survived the upgrade. Is that what sbx audio is?

Question about full reinstall: Can I really do a clean install of Windows 10 when I only have the license for the original Windows 8.1 that came with my computer? Does the Microsoft database remember my computer being eligible for Windows 10 even now, after the free upgrade isn't available anymore?

 

[SpyderTracks]

Thanks for the reply!

Is Hotkey the software that enables computer specific keyboard shortcuts, like Fn+Esc and Fn+Any F key? Because I can totally use those shortcut commands. The Realtek HD task bar icon software also survived the upgrade. Is that what sbx audio is?

Question about full reinstall: Can I really do a clean install of Windows 10 when I only have the license for the original Windows 8.1 that came with my computer? Does the Microsoft database remember my computer being eligible for Windows 10 even now, after the free upgrade isn't available anymore?

If you're on win 10 now your key is essentially now a win 10 key. You have 30 days to revert in which case it goes back to an 8 key. After that if you don't revert it becomes a win 10 key for good and you'd have to buy a new license to go back to win 8.

If you can use shortcuts that suggests hotkey is still installed. It will be in running programs so you can check to be sure.

Sbx is soundblaster audio which is an audio package to maximise the sound from the Realtek driver, makes for a much better overall sound.

 

[Annaisha]

Got it, thank you!

One more question: The Sound Blaster Zip contains four folders, each with similiar looking content and a setup.exe file. From which folder should I run the setup: 150, 157, 170, or 177? I have no idea what those numbers refer to.

 

[SpyderTracks]

Got it, thank you!

One more question: The Sound Blaster Zip contains four folders, each with similiar looking content and a setup.exe file. From which folder should I run the setup: 150, 157, 170, or 177? I have no idea what those numbers refer to.

That's based on you chassis model number (Clevo chassis), so it's 150 for the vortex iv 15" and 170 for the 17", I guess the other 2 are for a newer vortex model? May want clarification on that. The vortex iv models are definitely right as I use the 170 install folder for my 17 inch.

 

[Annaisha]

That's based on you chassis model number (Clevo chassis), so it's 150 for the vortex iv 15" and 170 for the 17", I guess the other 2 are for a newer vortex model? May want clarification on that. The vortex iv models are definitely right as I use the 170 install folder for my 17 inch.

Okay, thanks! I guess I'll use the 170 then, as my Chassis is a 2 year old 17.3" Vortex.

 

[SpyderTracks]

Okay, thanks! I guess I'll use the 170 then, as my Chassis is a 2 year old 17.3" Vortex.

That's right then, same model as mine, the p170sm-a (that's the Clevo model number)