Solved Cannot purge Windows of references to obsolete devices/drivers

[Ritjesman]

I recently upgraded my graphics card from an MSI GTX 760 to an MSI GTX 1660S (simultaneously upgrading my monitor to a 27” 1440p in case that’s salient). Device driver upgrade path for the new card was version 364.51 (GTX 760) --> 451.48 (GTX 1660S install) --> 451.67 (display problem remediation). Upgrade occurred 1 month ago.

I have been experiencing display performance issues. The guy who installed the new 1660S told me uninstalling the 760 drivers/apps was unnecessary. This morning I decided maybe that wasn’t valid advice and took the following actions:

1. Uninstalled all NVidia software via Programs &Features
2. Deleted all Registry records which had sub-records containing “NVidia”
3. Deleted the content in C:\NVIDIA
4. Renamed nvlddmkm.sys (a problematic NVidia driver) to nvlddmkm.bak in c:\windows\system 32\drivers
5. Performed Restart & machine booted fine (at 800x600 res of course)
6. “cold” boot (full shutdown then waited approx. 30 minutes before booting
7. Did a “clean install” of version 451.68 with drivers only (i.e. no “Experience”)

While the above actions significantly reduced the display performance issues [FONT=&quot]Windows performance analysis still lists two items causing sleep/standby delays:[/FONT]

• NAME: NVIDIA Windows Kernel Mode Version 451.48 || FILENAME: nvlddmkm.sys || DEVICE: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER
• NAME: NVIDIA Windows Kernel Mode Version 364.51 || FILENAME: nvlddmkm.sys || DEVICE: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 760

Neither of these combinations are found in the Registry (that I could find), Services, Programs & Features or Device Manager.


Where else could these buggers be hiding?

Thanx in advance for your time, patience, expertise and response.

 

[Snick]

Ritjesman

Have you ever used Revo Uninstaller Free?

We recommend it here on the forum!

Revo Uninstaller Freeware - Uninstall Programs - Windows 7 ...

Another OP had an issue with residuals after uninstall via Programs & Features. Uninstalling with Revo resolved the issue.

Snick

 

[samuria]

Drivers have a .inf file that tells windows the detail to load thats were it hidding

 

[Ritjesman]

TO Snick & Samuria - prompt responses very much appreciated

I'll give an uninstaller a try; will info embedded in an .inf be found by an uninstaller?

 

[samuria]

The .inf files can be separate depending how it got there some things are installed just by right click on the .inf file with no other files

 

[torchwood]

hi,

take your pick from here,

7 Ways to Detect And Remove Old, Unused or Hidden Device Drivers • Raymond.CC

its driver specific whereas Revo requires you know the program name

Roy

 

[Snick]

torchwood

Excellent tutorial Roy!

 

[Ritjesman]

Thanks to all for the help; I've now got 4 new tools in my arsenal (plus being introduced to Raymond.cc).
Been beavering with your suggestions:

1. googled "uninstallers", downloaded & tried a few and the Revo mentioned above in my opinion is indeed the best of lot. The uninstallers I tried, however, only listed applications, not drivers. (But now I've got an uninstaller tracking all future installs, so that's a plus).
2. I tried to find a Nvidia .inf but apparently Nvidia doesn't use those as I couldn't find anything in either windows\inf or windows\system32\driver store (my video card drivers downloaded from Nvidia came as a .exe file). FYI I tried editing a few inf files and they appear to be hex format.
3. downloaded DeviceRemover from the Raymond.cc site mentioned by Roy & that did the trick. The tool lists everything found in Device Manager and much more. In addition to a more complete listing the tool also provides detailed info -- including registry keys -- for each device. Invaluable for troubleshooting.
4. (I did mention 4 new tools) Whilst in DeviceRemover I found a "PS/2 keyboard" which could not be deleted via the tool. Attempts to manually delete the associated registry keys resulted in an error (attempting to update the permissions also gave an "access denied" error even with administrator privileges). Using either of 2 tools -- runassystem and PCHunter-Free (also found at Raymond.cc) -- which enable editing the registry with System privileges made deletion possible. [NOTE: after reboot the device had reappeared with identical registry contents. I'm not knowledgeable enough to know why but it's possibly coming from the motherboard?]

Marking this as Solved. Thanx again for the help.
Art