How do I completely remove previous drivers that are hidden by Windows  


  1. Posts : 1
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #1

    How do I completely remove previous drivers that are hidden by Windows


    How to uninstall a driver completely from the Windows 7 system so that Windows 7 automatically picks up latest driver files from Internet?

    Here is a screenshot of my motherboard details.
    How do I completely remove previous drivers that are hidden by Windows-example-6.png

    Screenshot of my graphic cards details.
    How do I completely remove previous drivers that are hidden by Windows-example-7.png

    I came across the problem when I attempted to update to AMD catalyst 12.8. I have both integrated (ATi Readon HD 3000) and discrete (AMD Readon HD 6700 Series) graphics installed on my pc. After the installation of Catalyst 12.8 I received some errors.

    On my IGP the wrong display driver was installed AMD 760G. The display would not work even when I restarted the computer with just one display attached to it.

    On my dicrete graphics I received two error messages:

    1. "This device is not working properly because Windows cannot load the drivers required for this device. (Code 31)"

    When I restarted my pc I got:

    2. "Windows has stopped this device because it has reported problems. (Code 43)"

    Only one of my displays was working (the one attached to the discrete graphics) even though it was the one showing the error message. I uninstalled both drivers via Device manager but windows would reinstall them automatically and I still got the same problem.

    I figured the problem was with the Catalyst version I installed so I did a system restore. Everything was reverted back and working as usual. I decided to update the display drivers using windows via the device manager and that's how I discovered the problem.

    How do I completely remove previous drivers that are hidden by Windows-example-1.png

    When I select "Search automatically for updated software" Windows was installing an old driver from the hard drive instead of finding a new one on the internet.

    I decided to select the option "Browse my computer for driver software". I got the following window:

    How do I completely remove previous drivers that are hidden by Windows-example-2.png

    I then selected the option to pick from a list of drivers on my computer.
    I got the following window:

    How do I completely remove previous drivers that are hidden by Windows-example-3.png

    The list had all my previous drivers including the wrong driver which appeared on top. Furthermore my motherboard's chipset model is 780G not 760G.

    I tried a common method I found online to remove old drivers but it failed to locate them on the device manager even after I had edited the registry

    SET DEVMGR_SHOW_NONPRESENT_DEVICES=1

    How do I completely remove previous drivers that are hidden by Windows-example-5.png

    How can I get rid of all the old drivers including this mystery one. When I unchecked the box "Show compatible hardware" I noticed that windows has a list of all the drivers including inactive ones. Where are they located and how can one delete the unnecessary ones?

    How do I completely remove previous drivers that are hidden by Windows-example-4.png

    From the above screenshot I know that there is a newer driver on the internet that windows update should be able to locate and install. Why was it not downloading the new update? I have set it to do so? Even when using AMD's catalyst installer it refused to install the new update. My only option was to use Driver Max. How can I force windows to ignore the junk on my computer? Is there away of deleting the junk so that windows will have to look on the internet?

    Sorry it took so long to explain myself!! I appreciate any help or input on this!!
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 6,879
    Win 7 Ultimate x64
       #2

    kimgitz welcome to the Seven Forums.

    The problem is that the integrated HD 3000 has be relegated to legacy status, and as a result there is no support for it in the Catalyst 12.8. Also why the 12.6 works.

    Are you even using the onboard video? From your specs you list two monitors, which your HD 6700 (6750 or 6770) is more than capable of running both of if you have one of them connected to the onboard. Then you can just disable the onboard.

    Furthermore my motherboard's chipset model is 780G not 760G
    Actually it is the 760G,

    AMD 760G Chipset

    AMD 700 chipset series - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

    If it really was the 780G, it would have the HD 3200 on it (used to have a board with it).
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 25
    Windows 7 ultimate x64
       #3

    Download "driver fusion" software.. Its simply the best..
      My Computer


 

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