Solved nvidia driver problem after windows 7 repair install

[gorpa]

hi not sure if this should be here or somewhere else but seems the best place. after having problems with windows explorer it was suggested that i try a repair install of windows. well it fixed windows explorer but when i was having windows reinstall updates, it failed to install nvidia drivers.

i tried d/ling the latest drivers but they failed at install as well. tried rebooting. tried using driver cleaner pro. tried cleaning the registry with ccleaner. still wont complete the install. so atm im stuck with onboard video. if someone knows what to do it would be nice because im out of ideas. thx

 

[tman69]

this link may prove useful (see the 'forums' link on the left side of webpage) try running the 'auto-detect' function

Drivers | GeForce

 

[gorpa]

thx for reply. it auto-detected the same driver i was trying to install. tried anyway but the same thing happened. right as the nvidia logo came up i get a "program has stopped working" message.

 

[tman69]

found this post--it could prove useful
http://www.sevenforums.com/graphic-cards/200003-install-failure-nvidia-drivers-2.h

here is a PDF that mentions 'disable your anti virus first;

also here is a cut/paste of the last post in that string about 'how' to install properly-see steps 4-7 (if you don't already know this):

1) Download driver program
2) Run to unpack files (default folder "C:\NVIDIA\DisplayDriver\
3) Fail initial installation, or cancel
4) Go to Control Panel -> Device Manager
5) Right-click your video card and click "Update Driver Software..."
6) Select "Browse my computer for driver software"
7) Browse to folder where you unpacked the files (ensure "Include subfolders" is checkmarked)
8) Continue with install (may take a few minutes and screen may flicker during install)
9) Restart your computer

 

[gorpa]

well my gpu doesnt appear in the device manager even though my monitor is plugged in and working (at a crappy resolution lol). i also cant seem to uninstall anything related to it. it either fails or does nothing when i try. also tried stopping antivirus already when installing.

im wondering if i should just do a fresh install of win 7. itll be a major pain but if it works. if i disconnect my extra hd when i do it and hook it back up afterwards would that keep my data on it safe? meaning it wont have to format to work after i reinstall? ive heard its supposed to not touch slave drive when you reinstall but enough ppl complain about it and i have horrible enough luck to be worried lol.

 

[samenta]

thanks for good reply

 

[tman69]

"well my gpu doesnt appear in the device manager"

so--there is nothing listed under 'display adapters'?--hmm--that's why the NVidia driver won't install.

make sure all your important data is copied to your external drive.
make sure you have ALL the drivers you'll need--either on a disk or a flash drive.
disconnect external HD.
do a fresh install--install drivers--install programs--make sure machine is functioning properly---THEN download/install windows updates (if you desire to do so).

 

[Layback Bear]

This might help. After a fresh boot install the CD/DVD that came with the video card. Most will give you options to uninstall/repair/install. If you install it will ask you a option to remove the old stuff, select yes. This is what my CD/DVD install does.

 

[gorpa]

okay some interesting developments and thanks for the help guys. after fiddleing around a bit trying to avoid clean install i decided to just do sfc scans over and over. after a reboot from that a windows critical update popped up. on reboot windows finally installed the basic nvidia drivers. not quite solved yet though because it wont let me install the new drivers for some reason. same thing it just fails install and screen goes wonky for a bit.

im going to try some of the things u suggested in a bit now that it recognizes the card but i have some errands to run. hopefully next time i post all will be well and i can mark as solved lol. thx for the help so far.

 

[Layback Bear]

When you get back let us know what driver you have and what drive is recommended and what the new driver is suppose to fix. Let us also know what brand the video card is.

 

[gorpa]

well the suggestions havent worked and im thinking about fresh installing again lol. the driver thats working is the basic windows driver installed when it detects your hardware. im trying to install the new driver as detected by the nvidia site. i had it installed before i was having problems with my pc. i want the new driver because i play games that require or simply run better with it and i want the nvidia control panel. im going to make preperations for a fresh install unless someone has a better (easier) idea.

oh and the gpu is a galaxy gtx 560

 

[Layback Bear]

If you haven't already check the Galaxy site for drivers. Sometimes they will be different than the Nvidia site. A clean fresh install is another way.

 

[gorpa]

the galaxy drivers didnt work either so i went ahead and did a clean install. now all my old windows problems are gone and i can go about acquiring new ones. thanks for the help everyone.

 

[Layback Bear]

What video card driver did you end up with after the clean install? This information might help others.

 

[gorpa]

well i turned off windows auto-update so the first driver i installed was the one i had been trying to. 301.42-desktop-win7-winvista-64bit-english-whql. the new one i dl/d from nvidia