Solved Help with NVidia GT650M GPU? Stopped working since antivirus scan.

[SJM78]

I wonder if someone can help. Recently my anti virus software (PC Tools antivirus free) told me I needed to restart my laptop so it could fully remove all threats from my computer. I restarted, and everything seemed fine, but now my NVidia GPU no longer works. All the programs I used to run with the NVidia now only run on the integrated graphics, even though the NVidia is still enabled and apparently working normally. I've tried uninstalling and reinstalling the antivirus software, disabling and re-enabling the NVidia GPU in device manager, checked my graphics drivers (all up to date) and even reinstalling new direct x 11 drivers from this website.

I'm not sure if going into the BIOS is an option, since there doesn't seem to be any graphics/display related options in there (I've checked already), and I'm quite frankly stumped at the moment.

My laptop specs:

Intel i7 3610QM @ 2.3ghz
NVidia GT650M
Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
6gb RAM

Sorry for the long question but I'm at a loss what to do next.

 

[mamania]

Does your antivirus have some kind of history ? It would be helpful to get names and locations of files, that were deleted. Also you should try to uninstall nvidia drivers, restart pc, then install drivers, then restart pc, and then try to play games.

 

[SJM78]

Sorry but I uninstalled the antivirus software (foolish I know now) and re-installed it, so I don't think I'll be able to retrieve the history data from before I restarted again. How do I uninstall the NVidia drivers?

 

[maxie]

Hi there ..... Whats the Model number of your Samsung Laptop ? Do you have a subscription for PC tools ?... If so when does it end ?
Also are you running any other antivirus ?

 

[SJM78]

My laptop is a series 5 NP550P7C. No I don't have a subscription, I'm using the free version of their antivirus software, and I don't have any other antivirus software.

 

[maxie]

PC Tools is no longer supported as from May 18, 2013. That being the case i would advise you to download Microsoft Security Essentials and Malwarebytes .... Uninstall PC tools and run both MSE and Malwarebytes ....... While you are doing this I will do a bit of research and get back to you with the Driver required ..... Please let me know how things go.

 

[SJM78]

Oh... I had no idea about that! I'll do as you suggest right away.

 

[maxie]

Ok no worries

 

[maxie]

Hi there .... Are you absolutely certain that your NVidia card is not working ..... The reason i ask is your system uses Optimus ... Which means it would only switch to the NVidia when needed ..... Also you stated you Updated the driver where did you get it from ?

 

[SJM78]

Yes sorry for the misunderstanding. I meant I downloaded some direct x 11 updates from the Microsoft Download center - in the event these were for the integrated GPU not the NVidia GPU. Sorry about that. Yes the NVidia GPU is inactive - I've tried playing games such as Skyrim which always auto-detect my best GPU, but now they only detect the integrated graphics and play on low graphics settings. I can't even run internet explorer with the high performance graphics anymore.

 

[maxie]

No problem how did the Scans go ?

 

[SJM78]

Problem solved. I had to download a new graphics driver from the NVidia website, but still... And is it possible the antivirus software I was using deleted part of my old graphics driver? If so how do I make sure a similar thing doesn't happen again??

 

[maxie]

Yeah i did have the Driver for you but wanted to make sure your system was clean first before giving it to you.... Always make reglular backups... Also make sure you make Recovery Discs... Glad you got it sorted any how

 

[SJM78]

Yes no problem. Thanks for your help anyway. Much appreciated.

 

[maxie]

Most welcome

 

[Faladu]

Switch anti-virus software is what I would do.

Visit av-test.org and use your judgement.

AV-TEST - The Independent IT-Security Institute: Nov/Dec 2012

MSE is not a good anti-virus either as that site will attest to.... it's free and from M$, of course it sucks, DUH!

Home users need a good firewall and anti-virus solution, I will likely be switching to BitDefender's (#1) when my #6 (WebRoot) solution runs out later in the year.
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If going for a free one, I think atm I would go with this one:

http://www.avg.com/us-en/free-antivirus-download

and Comodo's free firewall program is supposedly excellent:

http://www.comodo.com/home/internet-security/firewall.php