Solved Graphics card not found after W7 reinstall.

[dezmaas]

Hi,

I have just reinstalled windows 7 on my Sony Vaio VGN-FZ21E. Since the install my Nvidia GeForce 8400M GT graphics card is not detected.

I cannot see it in device manager and when I try to install the Nvidia drivers, it says there was no card detected.

It has worked fine for 2 years until the W7 reinstall.

*I have a dual boot system with Ubuntu and Ubuntu detects the card just fine.

Can anyone help?

 

[whest]

Did you install the vista driver from the sony site if so it would also need the registry patch - its most likely the video card driver & apparently the vista driver is suggested on the via site - check these links they may help -

VAIO : Sony Europe

VAIO Support Europe


VAIO : Sony Europe

If your vista driver wont install if you want to give it a try do this :
To install a driver/program in compatibility mode - right click the setup.exe file - click properties - click compatibility - check run in compatibility with vista - check run as administrator - leave the rest blank. Start setup.exe and install.

Latest driver can be found here : Drivers - Download NVIDIA Drivers

 

[bobkn]

It seems to be a common problem with laptops: the maker uses a custom device ID for their onboard graphics, so a generic installer (www.nvidia.com) doesn't recognize the device.

If your laptop has Vista drivers, try them.

Once those are installed, you may be able to use the drivers from nVidia as an upgrade.

If memory serves, that's what I did with my cheap Compaq notebook, which has 8200M graphics.

 

[dezmaas]

I installed the driver and it works, thanks!

 

[dezmaas]

An update to this. I'm now installed Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit and the same problem has returned, however this time the Vista driver from Sony won't work, presumably as it's 32 bit. Is there anything else I can do?

 

[seavixen32]

According to Sony Support, your computer uses Windows Vista 32-bit.

Sony : VAIO VGN-FZ21E drivers | Download drivers and updates for VGN-FZ21E

That being the case, you can't use 32-bit drivers on a 64-bit system.

If you want to upgrade to Windows 7 you need to use the 32-bit version - the Vista 32-bit drivers from Sony should then install correctly.

 

[dezmaas]

cheers, sorted.

 

[seavixen32]

You're very welcome.

Thanks for the update.