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Geek Culture / can anyone help me with an Nvidia GFX driver problem?

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Green Gandalf
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Posted: 6th Oct 2012 21:26
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I decided yesterday to update the latest Nvidia GFX drivers in the hope it would resolve a number of annoying GFX related issues.

Inevitably things didn't quite go to plan. The problems started when I left the PC for a few minutes while the drivers were being installed. When I returned I was confronted with a blank black screen. I waited several minutes in the hope that something was being updated. I eventually gave up and rebooted the machine. At first sight things were OK - but then I looked for the Nvidia Control Panel. I found it but Windows kept insisting it wasn't compatible with my system.

I then tried rolling back the drivers to an earlier version. That seemed to work. But the Nvidia Control panel still wasn't there. I then tried following Nvidia's recommendation of uninstalling the drivers followed by using a driver sweeper, etc. But now I can't install any version of the Nvidia drivers and am stuck in a basic Windows display mode. Whenever I try to run one of the Nvidia drivers I get a simple error box containing the message "%1 is not a Win32 application".

I suspect something nasty has happened somewhere. Any suggestions what to do?
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nonZero
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Posted: 6th Oct 2012 22:02
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Uh, dunno what your gfx card's problem is precisely. Here's some info:
Quote: " "%1 is not a Win32 application"."

See %1 is a variable which usually refers to the path passed to the executable. You'll see this a lot in your registry, example "C:\blah\paint.exe %1". So maybe the entry now reads "%1" instead.

In regard to the video card and etc, try this:
> Turn off your PC and remove the gfx card.
> Boot with the onboard graphics.
> Uninstall the nVidia stuff completely and any related software.
> Download CCCLeaner and run a registry check. Delete all the keys that are associated with nVidia software or drivers (and any others you know to be safe).
> Switch off your PC and install your graphics card
> Boot into your BIOS and disable your on-board graphics and ensure that the primary/only display is your graphics card's port.
> Start windows up and try running the installation again.

This basically solved a similar problem with a friend's PC. Anyway, dunno how useful any of this is. Hopefully it gets you somewhere or even fixes the problem.

Good luck

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Green Gandalf
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Posted: 7th Oct 2012 00:50 Edited at: 7th Oct 2012 00:50
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Quote: "> Turn off your PC and remove the gfx card.
> Boot with the onboard graphics.
> Uninstall the nVidia stuff completely and any related software.
> Download CCCLeaner and run a registry check. Delete all the keys that are associated with nVidia software or drivers (and any others you know to be safe).
> Switch off your PC and install your graphics card
> Boot into your BIOS and disable your on-board graphics and ensure that the primary/only display is your graphics card's port.
> Start windows up and try running the installation again."


I've tried most of those to no avail. I managed to disable my Internet connection in the process because I mistakenly disabled something called Nvidia npower. Fortunately windows was able to roll back to the previously working driver for the Ethernet connection. I'm reluctant to tamper with the registry for much the same reason. I'm also reluctant to remove the GFX card because I'm bound to break something in the process - and since Windows refuses to use it at the moment I guess it is effectively disconnected.

I tried to use the Windows built-in install procedure but it gave up after several minutes with the following error message:



I guess I'll have to call an engineer who knows what they're doing.

There are several Nvidia entries in Programs and Features which refuse to be uninstalled. They all give an error message when I click on the Uninstall/Change button and say something like



Thanks for the suggestions anyway.
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Green Gandalf
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Posted: 7th Oct 2012 21:23 Edited at: 7th Oct 2012 21:25
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@nonZero

Following your suggestions I've now removed a lot of obviously redundant driver files and registry entries and have managed to install an older version of the drivers. I now have access to the Nvidia Control Panel - but only through the Windows Control Panel/Personalise/Display Settings/Advanced route. The direct Control Panel entry still doesn't work. Anyone know how to remove that entry? My guess is that there is a registry entry or similar somewhere which is either pointing to the wrong file or perhaps just needs removing altogether. When I get the time (and patience ) I'll have another attempt at installing the latest driver.

Thanks for the nudge.
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nonZero
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Posted: 7th Oct 2012 23:10 Edited at: 7th Oct 2012 23:12
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No prob. Glad it was of use. As for the latest problem I'm gonna guess the nvidia cpl (control panel extension) itself invokes something that no longer exists. You can try having a look in your windows/system32/ folder for the .cpl file(s) relating to nVidia (nvcp or nv-some-acronym .cpl, iirc). One of them is the redundent one. Try renaming them/it to .cpl.old (one by one) and see if you can isolate it. It's a very hack 'n slash method but it may work. Usually the Properties will give you some info so that should be a clue too. Good luck on the new install when your patience returns

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Green Gandalf
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Posted: 7th Oct 2012 23:12
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Thanks. I'll try that suggestion.
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MrValentine
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Posted: 8th Oct 2012 06:15
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Did you not try the Perform a clean install tick box in the driver install?

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bitJericho
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Posted: 8th Oct 2012 13:30
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What kind of graphics card do you have? Is it actually a gtx285?

Visit my blog http://www.canales.me. Also yes I changed my name. It was time for a change.
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Green Gandalf
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Posted: 8th Oct 2012 18:46 Edited at: 8th Oct 2012 18:46
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Quote: "Did you not try the Perform a clean install tick box in the driver install?"


Yes I did.

Quote: "Is it actually a gtx285?"


Yes.

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bitJericho
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Posted: 8th Oct 2012 19:09 Edited at: 8th Oct 2012 19:10
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very odd. In all my years of having nvidia cards I've not had something like that happen. I would go into device manager, uninstall the nvidia driver there.

Then go to nvidia.com and re-download the installer. Perform a clean install and see what happens. Maybe even try the beta drivers if any and see how that goes. Make sure you choose the correct platform/hardware on the download page. Disable your antivirus altogether during the install.

Visit my blog http://www.canales.me. Also yes I changed my name. It was time for a change.
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Phaelax
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Posted: 8th Oct 2012 19:13
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This is a long shot, but try the beta drivers. It fixed a graphics issue for me with Diablo 3 whereas the RC drivers did not.

http://www.geforce.com/drivers/beta-legacy

"You're not going crazy. You're going sane in a crazy world!" ~Tick
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Green Gandalf
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Posted: 8th Oct 2012 19:43
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Quote: "Then go to nvidia.com and re-download the installer"


I've downloaded it twice already just in case - and it takes a long time with the slow broadband out here.

I'll try a new uninstall + install sequence and report back.

It's possible one of the installs got messed up because the PC crashed while it was installing. That's been happening from time to time on this PC and the cause hasn't been specifically diagnosed although the crashes seem to be GFX related. The problems tend to go away for a few days when I blow compressed air around the various components - but I've now run out of compressed air . I suspect the fans are vaccing up all the cat hair in the house and placing it on top of all sorts of contacts inside the case. That plus the damp air we have here is a bad combination apparently. Why don't PC cases have dust filters on their air intake vents?

For some odd reason the crashes are mostly associated with one particular game - Civilization IV.
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bitJericho
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Posted: 8th Oct 2012 19:57
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Quote: "That plus the damp air we have here is a bad combination apparently. Why don't PC cases have dust filters on their air intake vents?"


High end ones often do.

I'd recommend buying some aftermarket filters.

Visit my blog http://www.canales.me. Also yes I changed my name. It was time for a change.
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Green Gandalf
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Posted: 8th Oct 2012 20:35 Edited at: 8th Oct 2012 20:38
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Sounds like good advice.

Well, I'm now totally baffled.

Since my last post I've uninstalled the existing old driver - and while my back was turned Windows installed the latest driver!! At no point was I asked what sort of installation I wanted. It just did it. The only input it asked from me was an unexpected "Restart now or later" prompt. It was unexpected because I'd already restarted because of the uninstall. And, on top of that, the Nvidia Control Panel button now has the right icon and works from the Windows Control Panel.

Magic!

The only thing I recall doing differently was checking a little box shown below:



Not only has it installed apparently correctly but all sorts of things suddenly seem to work more smoothly. For example, the list of installed programs now pops up immediately whereas there had been a noticeable delay.

Sounds promising. All I have to remember now is what to do next time ...

One questions nags at me: how did windows know which driver to install and where did it find it?
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MrValentine
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Posted: 9th Oct 2012 04:47 Edited at: 9th Oct 2012 04:48
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Quote: "Why don't PC cases have dust filters on their air intake vents?"


Mine has several all over...

http://www.silverstonetek.com/raven/products/index.php?model=RV01&area=en

Like this one is where my PSU has its intakes...



And the side panel vents also have filters



Mine is this black version V2



link to the gallery page http://www.silverstonetek.com/raven/products/r-photo.php?model=RV01&area=usa

It is relatively cheap if you can still get it... it also removes most of my concerns for moist air in the room when there is any [there is some at present due to a huge hole in my livingroom>ceiling to roof] also it is totally pet friendly too! all the back panels are situated at the top and there is a vented cover..



Which protects your pets from any electrics or wiring...

I got mine while it was UK price point £140~ it has since gone up in price a little...

Perhaps consider it but be warned it is a big baby

It has 3 fanr 2 18cm fans you can see the other pics there, and one umm 12cm fan at the top as exhaust... [I have replaced mine for a more powerful fan...] the entire case is relatively silent too...

Quote: "how did windows know which driver to install and where did it find it? "


look into WHQL

But here is a specific excerpt...

Quote: "Some device drivers that have passed the WHQL tests are also made available for download using Windows Update."


Quote: "Magic!"


Precisely why I love Win7

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Green Gandalf
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Posted: 9th Oct 2012 15:14
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Thanks for those dust filter suggestions. Something to look into.

Looks like the driver WHQL thing is relevant - thanks. In this case Windows didn't do a download - that would have taken ages here. It must have used the bits I'd already tried to install. I can only guess that I'd fouled up the original attempt somehow and Windows was able to finish the job properly after I'd done some system cleaning.

Quote: "Precisely why I love Win7"


And I'm using Vista. Perhaps W7 is even more magical?
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Ortu
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Posted: 9th Oct 2012 17:43 Edited at: 9th Oct 2012 17:45
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Quote: "And I'm using Vista. Perhaps W7 is even more magical?"


As a unicorn to a donkey

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Phaelax
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Posted: 9th Oct 2012 18:14
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Quote: "Why don't PC cases have dust filters on their air intake vents?"

Mine has two filters on the front. It helps a lot, but after 3 years I still took my entire PC apart and cleaned it so it was like new again.

Lol, I love that analogy Ortu.



Some software drivers that get left behind during updates can cause strange conflicts. I find it best to always do a clean install and remove any previous trace of earlier drivers.

"You're not going crazy. You're going sane in a crazy world!" ~Tick
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Benjamin
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Posted: 9th Oct 2012 18:15
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I've had several problems with a GeForce 7500 LE (eventually the shop switched the card for an ATI) which I believe were due to overheating. Sometimes the screen would just go onto standby. Eventually when I was playing Company of Heroes the screen suddenly started darkening in certain areas and then the card eventually died.

As for dust filters on the case, that'd be pretty cool. The holes on my case are sufficiently small enough that a lot of the dust/fluff gets trapped and I can just wipe it off, but some makes it through to the main heatsink.
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bitJericho
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Posted: 9th Oct 2012 21:58
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protip, make sure you get ones that look like normal filters. Don't get those metally hole-ish ones. They work a little bit, but dust does still pass through.

Visit my blog http://www.canales.me. Also yes I changed my name. It was time for a change.
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