Unfortunately the problem isn't recent, but I guess at the time I tried a
System Restore without luck.
As a matter of fact, I though the problem might be related with the Power
Supply, and I replaced it by a Thermaltake power supply. It really solved
other issues, but not that one.
You are right when you say I should try to install another operating system,
or to make a new clean install of Windows, but I just would like to try
every other option before it.
Thank you.
"Malke" <notreally@invalid.invalid> wrote in message
news:Ofu6Ja6cHHA.4260@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
>
> Sorry, not without seeing your computer. You said you've already
> uninstalled and reinstalled the drivers (presumably you are using the
> correct ones that you got from either the device mftr.'s website or the
> OEM's site if you have that sort of machine) and you've already swapped
> out the video card for a known-working one. The only thing I don't see in
> this long thread (and admittedly I may have missed it) is where you
> answered The First Question Of Troubleshooting: what changed between the
> time things worked and the time they didn't? If you can figure out the
> answer to that, you might try a System Restore to when things worked.
>
> Otherwise I don't have any other suggestions for you since you seem to be
> resistant to at least testing with another operating system (ex. Knoppix).
> I'm sorry that I was unable to solve your issue.
>
>
> Malke
> --
> Elephant Boy Computers
> www.elephantboycomputers.com
> "Don't Panic!"
> MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User
PRB wrote:
> Unfortunately the problem isn't recent, but I guess at the time I tried a
> System Restore without luck.
> As a matter of fact, I though the problem might be related with the Power
> Supply, and I replaced it by a Thermaltake power supply. It really solved
> other issues, but not that one.
>
> You are right when you say I should try to install another operating system,
> or to make a new clean install of Windows, but I just would like to try
> every other option before it.
You don't need to install another operating system. That's the beauty of
using Knoppix. Knoppix is a Linux distro that runs from cd, so you can
test your computer without changing anything on your hard drive. Here is
a bit of information about using Knoppix:
To get Knoppix, you need a computer with a fast Internet connection and
third-party burning software. Download the Knoppix .iso and create your
bootable cd. Then boot with it.
"Malke" <notreally@invalid.invalid> wrote in message
news:eY$JzA9cHHA.2068@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>
> You don't need to install another operating system. That's the beauty of
> using Knoppix. Knoppix is a Linux distro that runs from cd, so you can
> test your computer without changing anything on your hard drive. Here is a
> bit of information about using Knoppix:
>
> To get Knoppix, you need a computer with a fast Internet connection and
> third-party burning software. Download the Knoppix .iso and create your
> bootable cd. Then boot with it.
>
> http://www.knoppix.net
>
>
> Malke
> --
> Elephant Boy Computers
> www.elephantboycomputers.com
> "Don't Panic!"
> MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User
That's OK, I don't need the images. I've seen this issue many times but
it has always meant hardware failure. Since you've apparently ruled this
out, I really am out of ideas for you except for a clean install of
Windows. I'm sorry, but there are some problems that simply can't be
solved without looking at the machine. You always have the option of
having a local computer professional take a look. Very often someone
skilled will be able to diagnose a problem hands-on when someone just
reading about it in a newsgroup will not.
I'm sorry I was unable to solve your problem and I wish you good luck.
PRB <pauloruy@hotmail.com> wrote on Sun, 1 Apr 2007:
>That's ok, I downloaded the full Knoppix DVD 4,3 GB, burnt it, and boot the
>computer from the cd.
>
>I could see there's no hardware problem, and the display was correctly
>auto-adjusted at 1280x1024 - 75 Hz.
Hi PRB
This is a long shot, but it's worth a try. . . I'm wondering if remnants
of old installs/previous drivers may be still trying to load at boot
time and causing your problem.
After you've performed your "temporary fix" and got the display working
and set as you want it (be sure Device Manager is closed at this point):
Open a Command window (Start |Run, cmd <enter>) and type:
set devmgr_ show_nonpresent_devices=1 <enter>
then type:
devmgmt.msc <enter> (Device Manager opens up)
[*Important!* Don't close the Command window yet -- the settings will
only persist while the session remains open.]
In Device Manager go to the View Menu and check Show Hidden Devices. Now
have a look and see if there are any extra, greyed-out, "ghost" entries
under Display Adapters. Also scroll down and check whether you might
have a Device Manager category for Unknown Devices (the icon is a big
yellow question mark) -- there could be graphics adapter entries in
there also. If you find any in either place, right-click and Uninstall,
then try rebooting and see if anything's changed.
If you deleted any "ghosts" but the settings are still lost on reboot,
look at the IRQ settings to see what else is using the same resources as
the video card. Perhaps you might be able to swap the other device to a
different slot and force it to use a different IRQ, or change places
with something that won't clash with the video card.
"Malke" <notreally@invalid.invalid> wrote in message
news:uyPLY0GdHHA.588@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>
> That's OK, I don't need the images. I've seen this issue many times but it
> has always meant hardware failure. Since you've apparently ruled this out,
> I really am out of ideas for you except for a clean install of Windows.
> I'm sorry, but there are some problems that simply can't be solved without
> looking at the machine. You always have the option of having a local
> computer professional take a look. Very often someone skilled will be able
> to diagnose a problem hands-on when someone just reading about it in a
> newsgroup will not.
>
> I'm sorry I was unable to solve your problem and I wish you good luck.
>
>
> Malke
> --
> Elephant Boy Computers
> www.elephantboycomputers.com
> "Don't Panic!"
> MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User
Good shot. Although it hasn't solved the problem yet, I guess it narrowed
the source of it.
I will explain what I did.
Following your recomendation I found many old hidden devices, digital
cameras, phones, printers, scanners, and even an unknow video card. Good. I
uninstalled one by one of it, and reboot the computer. No luck, I still have
the same old pproblem.
Next, I uninstalled the video cards and reboot the computer. I made a new
install of the video drivers, reboot, and no changes with the problem.
Then, using msinfo I inspected the IRQs sharing and conflicts of the
computer.
No problem at all, but the video card was sharing the IRQ 19 with an ADAPTEC
SCSI card.
Hummm, maybe I found the villain here!
I unistalled the SCSI card on the control panel, and turned it off.
Then I opened the computer case and I un******* it.
Well, I think the problem it's related with Nvidia Control Panel when
loading Windows.
When the display adapter has the question mark on Device Manager, there's no
Nvidia Control Panel icon on the Control Panel, and there's also no Nvidia
Settings icon on the Windows task bar. After the temporary fix, it show up.
See image: http://img102.imageshack.us/img102/233/snapshot9bu3.jpg
I think somehow there's a sort of conflict in the Windows start up with the
Nvidia Control Panel drivers.
Using Msinfo again, it's impressive the huge quantity of drivers Windows
loads at the start up. http://img102.imageshack.us/img102/7...pshot10cq3.jpg
Well, it's an odd situation, because I'm back to the starting point.
At least, now I'm sure where's the problem.
But is still hard to fix it definitely.
I'm opened to hear opinions.
Thanks.
"Nightowl" <owl@[127.0.0.1]> wrote in message
news:TLQIJ7dlsKEGFwgv@black.hole...
>
> This is a long shot, but it's worth a try. . . I'm wondering if remnants
> of old installs/previous drivers may be still trying to load at boot
> time and causing your problem.
>
> After you've performed your "temporary fix" and got the display working
> and set as you want it (be sure Device Manager is closed at this point):
>
> Open a Command window (Start |Run, cmd <enter>) and type:
> set devmgr_ show_nonpresent_devices=1 <enter>
> then type:
> devmgmt.msc <enter> (Device Manager opens up)
>
> [*Important!* Don't close the Command window yet -- the settings will
> only persist while the session remains open.]
>
> In Device Manager go to the View Menu and check Show Hidden Devices. Now
> have a look and see if there are any extra, greyed-out, "ghost" entries
> under Display Adapters. Also scroll down and check whether you might
> have a Device Manager category for Unknown Devices (the icon is a big
> yellow question mark) -- there could be graphics adapter entries in
> there also. If you find any in either place, right-click and Uninstall,
> then try rebooting and see if anything's changed.
>
> If you deleted any "ghosts" but the settings are still lost on reboot,
> look at the IRQ settings to see what else is using the same resources as
> the video card. Perhaps you might be able to swap the other device to a
> different slot and force it to use a different IRQ, or change places
> with something that won't clash with the video card.
>
> Good luck! Let us know how it goes.
> --
> Nightowl
I boot Windows in safe mode.
Device Manager shows the display adapter with no question mark. But it
doesn't show the monitor icon. So display is ok, but no monitor at all.
No signs of Nvidia icon on the Control Panel.
Then I uninstalled the display adapter in safe mode.
Boot Windows again, and installed the video card using the "Add a found new
hardware" auto feature, but using the drivers from a specific folder with
the latest Nvidia drivers.
New boot, and the problem is still the same.
"PRB" <pauloruy@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:eGS1PMfdHHA.1220@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
> Hi Nightowl,
>
> Good shot. Although it hasn't solved the problem yet, I guess it narrowed
> the source of it.
> I will explain what I did.
>
> Following your recomendation I found many old hidden devices, digital
> cameras, phones, printers, scanners, and even an unknow video card. Good.
> I uninstalled one by one of it, and reboot the computer. No luck, I still
> have the same old pproblem.
>
> Next, I uninstalled the video cards and reboot the computer. I made a new
> install of the video drivers, reboot, and no changes with the problem.
>
> Then, using msinfo I inspected the IRQs sharing and conflicts of the
> computer.
> No problem at all, but the video card was sharing the IRQ 19 with an
> ADAPTEC SCSI card.
> Hummm, maybe I found the villain here!
> I unistalled the SCSI card on the control panel, and turned it off.
> Then I opened the computer case and I un******* it.
>
> New boot, Windows loads, and the problem is still the same!
> Msinfo shows no problems with the devices:
> http://img102.imageshack.us/img102/3...pshot12zt5.jpg
> and
> http://img102.imageshack.us/img102/9...pshot11ps8.jpg
>
> Well, I think the problem it's related with Nvidia Control Panel when
> loading Windows.
> When the display adapter has the question mark on Device Manager, there's
> no Nvidia Control Panel icon on the Control Panel, and there's also no
> Nvidia Settings icon on the Windows task bar. After the temporary fix, it
> show up. See image:
> http://img102.imageshack.us/img102/233/snapshot9bu3.jpg
>
> I think somehow there's a sort of conflict in the Windows start up with
> the Nvidia Control Panel drivers.
> Using Msinfo again, it's impressive the huge quantity of drivers Windows
> loads at the start up.
> http://img102.imageshack.us/img102/7...pshot10cq3.jpg
>
> Well, it's an odd situation, because I'm back to the starting point.
> At least, now I'm sure where's the problem.
> But is still hard to fix it definitely.
> I'm opened to hear opinions.
>
> Thanks.
>
PRB <pauloruy@hotmail.com> wrote on Tue, 3 Apr 2007:
>Well, I think the problem it's related with Nvidia Control Panel when
>loading Windows.
>When the display adapter has the question mark on Device Manager, there's no
>Nvidia Control Panel icon on the Control Panel, and there's also no Nvidia
>Settings icon on the Windows task bar. After the temporary fix, it show up.
Hi PRB
Sorry my suggestions didn't solve the problem, but I'm glad you've
managed to discover what the problem is. . .
Earlier in the thread, you mentioned you'd tried a known-working card
from another system with the same results. Was that card an Nvidia too?
I just have a few thoughts on things to check but I'm afraid I'm only
guessing here.
In msconfig (Start | Run | msconfig <enter>) are NvCplDaemon, NvMcTray
(or NvMediaCenter) and Nwiz listed on the Startup tab? In Services
(Start | Run | services.msc <enter>) is Nvidia Display Driver Service
listed and set to Automatic? Some or all of these might not be
necessary/desirable to have running at startup once the system is
working, but I'm trying to establish whether the default settings have
been made correctly.
Did you temporarily disable your background antivirus monitor before
installing the driver? Nvidia say the driver may not configure itself
correctly if you don't. Along the same lines, I'm wondering if perhaps
you might be running an overly-protective security suite or firewall app
that is preventing the driver from loading? The full ZoneAlarm security
suite has an "OS firewall" that might do this, and McAfee is another
suspect. . .
On Nvidia's site the latest ForceWare driver I could find for your card
is 93.71. In the ForceWare Drivers section of the Nvidia forums there
are come complaints of monitors not being detected and being unable to
install monitor drivers with the 93 series drivers. Some have said
reverting to the 91.31 and 84.56 drivers solved it for them. May be
worth a try?
If none of this helps or doesn't apply, maybe the Nvidia forums at http://forums.nvidia.com might be your best bet. I wish I could help
more; do please let us know how it goes and if you find an answer.
I would like to thank you for your time and patience trying to solve my
problem.
You are very efficient and covered many possibilities along here.
"Nightowl" <owl@[127.0.0.1]> wrote in message
news:ZZwqNLFnq+EGFwhT@black.hole...
>
> Sorry my suggestions didn't solve the problem, but I'm glad you've managed
> to discover what the problem is. . .
>
> Earlier in the thread, you mentioned you'd tried a known-working card from
> another system with the same results. Was that card an Nvidia too?
Yes, it's a Geforce FX 5200.
> I just have a few thoughts on things to check but I'm afraid I'm only
> guessing here.
>
> In msconfig (Start | Run | msconfig <enter>) are NvCplDaemon, NvMcTray (or
> NvMediaCenter) and Nwiz listed on the Startup tab? In Services (Start |
> Run | services.msc <enter>) is Nvidia Display Driver Service listed and
> set to Automatic? Some or all of these might not be necessary/desirable to
> have running at startup once the system is working, but I'm trying to
> establish whether the default settings have been made correctly.
Yes, NvCplDaemon, NvMcTray and Nwiz are listed on the Startup tab.
Yes, Nvidia Display Driver Service listed and set to Automatic in Services.
> Did you temporarily disable your background antivirus monitor before
> installing the driver? Nvidia say the driver may not configure itself
> correctly if you don't. Along the same lines, I'm wondering if perhaps you
> might be running an overly-protective security suite or firewall app that
> is preventing the driver from loading? The full ZoneAlarm security suite
> has an "OS firewall" that might do this, and McAfee is another suspect. .
> .
Yes, I have installed the drivers in Safe Mode.
I just use Windows SP2 native firewall, and Symantec Corporate antivirus.
Recently I installed AVG anti-spyware but I've already had the problem with
the video drivers.
> On Nvidia's site the latest ForceWare driver I could find for your card is
> 93.71. In the ForceWare Drivers section of the Nvidia forums there are
> come complaints of monitors not being detected and being unable to install
> monitor drivers with the 93 series drivers. Some have said reverting to
> the 91.31 and 84.56 drivers solved it for them. May be worth a try?
I found the 91.31 drivers and installed but with no different result.
> If none of this helps or doesn't apply, maybe the Nvidia forums at
> http://forums.nvidia.com might be your best bet. I wish I could help more;
> do please let us know how it goes and if you find an answer.
Well, I'm a kind of frustrated with the situation, and resignate to live
with it for a while.
I'll take a breath and maybe I'll give a try at Nvidia forum later.
Re: Display Adapter Problems 
Linear Mode
