Desktop Windows Manager stopped working after restart, other problems

blue4fun said:

Lee said:

Restore to the point prior to updating the Video Card Driver. . .:)

Well, it was a while ago, and the restore points don't go back that far even when I checked the "Show more restore points" box. I realize now that I probably should've acted on this sooner, but it wasn't such a problem as it is now.

Then Restore to the point prior to installing the Critical Update to see if that fixes the problem.

So, what I'm getting from everyone is that the problem was where I was getting my driver. Since I was getting it from the wrong place, the driver was not the right one for my video card. From reading everyone's posts, I understand that the solution is to do a system restore to the point before the Critical Update mentioned before and then do a clean install of the video card driver. Ailenware only provides Nvidia and ATI Tech. video card drivers, so I'm assuming I need to go to the Dell website for drivers. Is this correct?

EDIT: Well, my NVIDIA driver needs to be updated, too. The notification took me to the website and exact driver, so I think I don't need to worry about that. But, should I do a clean install with this driver too?

Why don't you System Restore to before the Intel driver was installed, then run all Important and Optional WIndows Updates, after enabling Automatically get recommended drivers and updates for your hardware (Step 3).

See if that provides the latest drivers.

Do you have Nvidia display chip onboard and an Intel video card? Which is being used? That's the one you want the driver for. The other one should be disabled in BIOS setup or Device Manager.

gregrocker said:

Why don't you System Restore to before the Intel driver was installed, then run all Important and Optional WIndows Updates, after enabling Automatically get recommended drivers and updates for your hardware (Step 3).

See if that provides the latest drivers.

Do you have Nvidia display chip onboard and an Intel video card? Which is being used? That's the one you want the driver for. The other one should be disabled in BIOS setup or Device Manager.

It doesn't show a restore point from before the driver was installed, even when the "Show more restore points" box was checked. Unless there's a way to go back farther in restore points, I think I can only restore to the Critical Update.

I'm not sure about that. The dxdiag report says I have an Intel video card, but the NVIDIA Control Panel and other NVIDIA files were factory installed and I have been getting updates whenever the driver need updates. I have no clue which is being used either.

Look in the Device Manager under Display drivers. What's listed?

You might have an Nvidia chipset but an Intel Display driver.

If the Critical Update is the only restore point and that's when the problem began, then System Restore and run all of your Windows Updates. Remember to enable Automatically get recommended drivers and updates for your hardware (Step 3).

gregrocker said:

Look in the Device Manager under Display drivers. What's listed?

You might have an Nvidia chipset but an Intel Display driver.

If the Critical Update is the only restore point and that's when the problem began, then System Restore and run all of your Windows Updates. Remember to enable Automatically get recommended drivers and updates for your hardware (Step 3).

Both Intel HD Graphics 4000 and NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M are listed. The Critical Update was on the day the problem came up again, but earlier in the day. If I restore there will it not fix the problem?

Have you operated with both of these Display devices all along? Isn't one an onboard chip and the other a card? Which is the one you wish to use? There should only be one, which is usually selected in BIOS setup.

gregrocker said:

Have you operated with both of these Display devices all along? Isn't one an onboard chip and the other a card? Which is the one you wish to use? There should only be one, which is usually selected in BIOS setup.

Sorry, I have no idea if I've operated with both of them or whether one's a chip or a card. I don't really care which one I use, but if had to choose, I'd choose the NVIDIA card. How do I get to the BIOS setup to see which one is selected?