[Help] Can't detect graphics card or install drivers

syalam · 21 Oct 2011

Hi,
(sorry, but this needs a bit of background)

I've been using a custom PC since June, picked the parts, got it put together in a shop. Recently, I've been having occasional BSODs and a message that says "PFN_LIST_CORRUPT". After the latest BSOD and reboot, my PC couldn't detect the GTX560 graphics card (from Palit) in device manager. Under display adapters it shows "Standard VGA Graphics Adapter" instead of the gtx560.

I tried to update the driver with the latest download from Nvidia (version 280.26), but when I try to it informs me "This graphics driver could not find compatible graphics hardware". I've reinstalled windows 7 and the drivers for Ethernet, motherboard, chipset, etc., but I've still got the same problem when trying to install the graphics driver.

When I open the "Properties" window of the "Standard VGA Graphics Adapter" in device manager, under details->hardware ids the following information is shown:
PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_1209&SUBSYS_00000000&REV_A1
PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_1209&SUBSYS_00000000
PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_1209&REV_A1
PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_1209
PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_1209&CC_030000
PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_1209&CC_0300

Any help?

TVeblen · 22 Oct 2011

Hello syalam. Welcome to the Forum.

Have you made any changes or added any new hardware to your system around the time this error began to appear?

That VEN is nVidia, but the DEV is a Fast Ethernet Controller.
It could be that Windows has mixed up the registry folder for the device, or the plug and play feature in the video cards firmware could be corrupted, or there is another corruption in the system.

You can try reinstalling the video card clean:

Be sure you have the most current known good driver downloaded.
Create a System Restore Point.
Now go into Windows Explorer and in the C: drive find the nVidia folder (inside will be Drivers > your driver version) and delete it (the whole folder).
Go into Start > Control Panel > Remove a Program and uninstall all programs for the video card. Do PhysX and Stereoscopic 3D first, then the driver. The control panel will uninstall with the driver.
Shut down computer, wait 30 seconds, and then boot the computer.
When it reaches the desktop Windows will find new hardware and will install it's own WDDM1.1 driver. Let it. You will be asked to restart. Do it.
Once back on the desktop you can now install the nVidia driver package for your card.

Try that and see if it works. That PFN_LIST_CORRUPT error can be caused by other bad drivers too, and by bad RAM. But lets check that video card installation first.

Maguscreed · 22 Oct 2011

I would reset the bios for good measure too.

syalam · 22 Oct 2011

Thanks, TVeblen,

I've tried your advice to make a clean install of the card, but no dice. I deleted the NVidia folder, but couldn't find any trace of related programs like PhysX or the drivers in control panel or anywhere else (see screenshot). I reinstalled windows on the same partition earlier, so I don't think they're on the computer.

When I rebooted, windows didn't find any new hardware and install it's own driver. I tried running the NVidia installer, but windows still only shows the "standard VGA graphics adapter" in device manager, so that didn't work. Since I reinstalled windows, the computer is still going through the phase where windows seems to be finding new updates with every other boot; I'm not sure if this may be a problem.

One thing to note that I didn't mention earlier: I brought it back to the shop a few days earlier. When I collected it the guy booted it up for me and the card was detected under device manager. He also claimed to have performed a memory test and that the memory is clean. But when I brought it back and booted up, the card wasn't found under device manager anymore. I opened up the case earlier today to check if the card is physically loose. It seems okay, but then I may not be right, so I'll try and post a photo tomorrow.

TVeblen · 22 Oct 2011

I like the idea of resetting the BIOS. Go into your BIOS settings and go to the EXIT tab and choose "Reset BIOS Defaults", or similar language.

Two other possible solutions you could try:

1- run a Repair Install to try and correct the driver errors. Something smells like the guy you dropped this thing off to played the computer version of "52 card pick-up". A Repair install may set this right: Repair Install . Be sure to read all those warnings in that Tutorial.

2- Update the video cards firmware (Video card BIOS): HOWTO: nVidia BIOS Flashing - Overclock.net - Overclocking.net . That may correct why the card is not recognized and being seen as a Ethernet Controller - which is the actual cause of your issue - but the issue is "Why?".

Which one of these you try first is up to you. I might try the firmware update first myself.

And we can't overlook the possibility that the video card is no good. That would also explain it.

Maguscreed · 22 Oct 2011

I'm not clear on something, are you getting your current display via a built in graphics device?
What company is that device by?
Have you disabled it completely before installing the upgraded card?
This could simply be a hardware conflict on the motherboard.
Windows 7 doesn't like 2 different graphics devices under certain circumstances.
Though this problem has been greatly reduced after more recent updates.

TVeblen · 22 Oct 2011

+1^

syalam · 23 Oct 2011

@ Maguscreed

I think the current display is from a built in graphics device, as I don't think I have any other graphics hardware. Under device manager-> Computer it lists ACPI x64-based PC. I'm using a Gigabyte P67A-UD3-B3 motherboard (Model Name GA-P67A-UD3-B3, IntelP67/rev1.1) and a i5-2400 lga1155 processor.

I've reset the BIOS (use optimized defaults) and I'm going to try the repair install now. I'm not too sure about the procedure for flashing the NVIDIA BIOS (and I can only use a DVD or usb flash drive), could you please advise? Thanks.

Maguscreed · 23 Oct 2011

Okay that motherboard does not have a built in graphics so you are using the card.

If reformatting doesn't fix your problem, I would start taking steps to rma the card.
Unless you are not meeting the power requirements of the card, the card itself would appear to be bad.

syalam · 23 Oct 2011

I've done a repair install of Windows 7, but it still doesn't detect the card. I think it reinstalls the drivers for the card though, because in C the NVIDIA folder is created again, and the latest driver (280.26) is there.

Any advice/tips for flashing the card's BIOS (I don't want to brick it)? If that doesn't work out too I'll take it back to the shop (good thing it's still under warranty)