Windows 7: Can't delete default vga driver - can't install new one

I just installed the Win 7 RTM. It installed a default Nvidia driver for my GTX 260. I can not install my own (latest) Nvidia driver. It always installs the default upon reboot. Driver Sweeper did not help.

In the RTM, I find no option to delete the prior driver like I used when I had the RC installed.

Can someone tell me how to "get rid" of the default driver so I can install the latest and greatest from Nvidia?

No un-install driver in device manager? try booting into safe mode (F8) so the driver isnt loaded and kill it there. then install yours and re-boot.

Let us know how it turns out

Ken

I use add-remove programs for that which is in the control panel. I don't get the default driver installing anymore with the RTM. I also use driver sweeper after uninstalling the driver.

Wow, this is getting interesting.

When I boot into Safe Mode, the default driver actually reinstalls - right there in Safe Mode!!!

And - there is absolutely no entry in Add/Remove Programs that represents the Nvidia driver for me to uninstall!

I think I will have to do what ZigZag did. Boot into Safe Mode, uninstall the device, run Driver Sweeper and then install the new driver right then and there in Safe Mode.

A friend suggested installing the new Nvidia driver over the default one, then uninstalling and using Driver Sweeper to clean up that mess and then hopefully, Win 7 would not install its default driver.

I don't get it - why the obstinance on 7's part?

Try my method on disabling default vga driver

Install 855GM Series Video Driver on Windows 7 - Tutorial

Follow instructions and instead of my driver use yours.

If for some reason after you install your driver and it does show exclamation mark '!' in device manager that driver is not acceptable by Windows 7. You will have to find another driver (prior revisions etc)

My method disables Default VGA Driver and you should be able to install any other video driver.

Tell me how it went.

Lexxion

Lexxion, I tried your method and it did not work. Even tho I put the 'X' in vgapnp.sys, Win 7 was still able to install the default vga driver - no problem.

The only time I get a checkbox that says "delete old driver" is when I'm uninstalling Nvidia's driver - not the M$ default one.

So far, the only way I can get an Nvidia driver installed is to simply install it over the default driver. I can't even go into Safe Mode, uninstall the default driver, run Driver Sweeper and then attempt to install the Nvidia driver - the Nvidia driver will not install in Safe Mode. It says its not the right driver for my hardware.

In normal mode, the Nvidia drivers installs just fine.

I googled this problem and all the answers are the same - the ones that don't work.

Hmm... Did you follow each step? A lot of people here were able to disable vgapnp.sys. If it installed it back I would check that file again (after you said it installed it again) to see if your X still exists. You have to follow the steps carefully in order to disable that file.

Before I found a way to edit that file I tried things where I would be able to edit it but on the restart it would revert back to original.

Before you begin make sure you follow ALL of my steps exactly. You should start with only Standard VGA adapter (installed) as the default driver and and 'video controller' with exclamation mark.

Please edit vgapnp.sys file again with my method, and when you restart check that file again to see if X still exists.

Thanks

Yes, the 'X' is still in that file.

You said "standard VGA adapter". That's not what 7 installs for me. It installs an Nvidia driver and it calls my card the Nvidia GTX 260 which is exactly what it is.

Is there some way for me to get it to install it as a "standard VGA adapter"?

oh I got it now I think....

Lets see.

Remove the X in the vgapnp.sys to bring it back to working state.

Whatever NVidia driver it is using do this:

1. Go to Device Manager -> Dislpay Adapters
2. Right-click on the nvidia card driver that Windows 7 installed -> Properties->Driver->Driver Details
3. Look for the file with extension '.sys'. It should point to c:\windows\system32\drivers' path
4. Follow the steps and edit THAT file with the same method as in my tutorial.

Your step 1 will be to start with default Windows 7 nvidia drivers installed. Then you will edit the file, unistall those drivers and on the restart it should not install it so you should be able to install your own drivers.


Tell me the results.

Thanks

That did not work either. I did the edit as you said. After uninstalling M$' driver, I rebooted. It hung in the "Welcome" screen a long time and then said "you need to reboot for these changes to take effect"...before the desktop even came up. Upon reboot, the M$ default driver was there, installed.