Windows 7 messed up my graphics...

[Clank]

I know my GFX card is absolute rubbish, but W7 won't even let me use custom Aero themes because it claims it is so rubbish!

I've tried updating drivers but I can't seem to find out what my GFX card even is.

Could anyone help?

 

[visy199]

We should know what graphics card you have!

 

[Clank]

It says 'Standard VGA Adapter' under Device management :/

 

[pillainp]

Go here and download SIW Standalone free version. Run it and see what it says.

Let it create a system report and then post that here, so someone can have a look at it.

 

[Clank]

Is that for 64bit?

Anyways I found a similar program here are results;

 

[chev65]

Is that for 64bit?

Anyways I found a similar program here are results;

From the looks of it, Id say you are using the built in VGA on board adaptor which probably doens't have the power to use Aero.

 

[Clank]

I was running World of Warcraft on XP, surely that is more graphic intensive than a window effect?

 

[pillainp]

Do you by any chance know the name and model of your motherboard? If so please update it in your sytem specs.

Also, are you using a discrete graphics adaptor or an onboard solution?

Please try SIW. It will give you a lot more detail than what GPU-Z will.

 

[Tews]

You only have 64mb of video ram ... that is your problem..

 

[chev65]

I was running World of Warcraft on XP, surely that is more graphic intensive than a window effect?

Yes, and you were also using the card instead of the VGA adaptor in XP.

Seems to me that your working from the onboard VGA instead of the card according to GPU-Z. You need to find the drivers for your GPU. I'm not sure what model of GPU you are using is the problem. You can see that no display drivers are installed, just the VGA adaptor.

 

[Lee]

I noticed that the card you are using is only a 64 meg card. This is not enough for Aero. I realize you were running games, however, that does not equate to the Aero GUI system. You need at least a 128 meg card, and that may not be enough. Get yourself a good 256 to 512 or higher card. You will then be able to enjoy the Aero GUI and see greater screen results when playing games.

 

[holo88]

+1
the absolute minimum for aero to run (according to MS) is 128MB dedicated video ram.
if your not looking for anything "too flashy" you can pick up a card online for ~$40.
might i recommend this (granted you have a pci-e slot)

 

[stormy13]

In case anyone is interested a NV18 is nothing more than a good old (yeah right, sorry OP) GF4 MX440.

I noticed that the card you are using is only a 64 meg card. This is not enough for Aero. I realize you were running games, however, that does not equate to the Aero GUI system. You need at least a 128 meg card, and that may not be enough. Get yourself a good 256 to 512 or higher card. You will then be able to enjoy the Aero GUI and see greater screen results when playing games.

Hate to say it but for the most part any card he buys is going to be worth more than his computer is worth.

 

[dmex]

Is that for 64bit?

Anyways I found a similar program here are results;

Your running a Nvidia GPU, for starters, install the drivers

 

[Clank]

Do you by any chance know the name and model of your motherboard? If so please update it in your sytem specs.

Also, are you using a discrete graphics adaptor or an onboard solution?

Please try SIW. It will give you a lot more detail than what GPU-Z will.

Intel motherboard, not sure of make or model but got this:

I said, its telling me SIW is not a valid win32 application, is it designed for 64Bit?

You only have 64mb of video ram ... that is your problem..

Then why did it work with XP?

Yes, and you were also using the card instead of the VGA adaptor in XP.

Seems to me that your working from the onboard VGA instead of the card according to GPU-Z. You need to find the drivers for your GPU. I'm not sure what model of GPU you are using is the problem. You can see that no display drivers are installed, just the VGA adaptor.

So how on earth can I find out what it really is?

EDIT: So its an nvidia something. (below).

In case anyone is interested a NV18 is nothing more than a good old (yeah right, sorry OP) GF4 MX440.



Hate to say it but for the most part any card he buys is going to be worth more than his computer is worth.

I didn't buy this computer, I 'stole' it from uni.

Thanks for the model number or w/e.

I got an ATI Radeon 9700 Pro card if thats any good.

 

[Clank]

Looked for the drivers for GeForce 4 MX 440, not compatible with W7
(Forceware 80)

 

[stormy13]

Neither is there anything for that 9700 Pro.

 

[dmex]

I said, its telling me SIW is not a valid win32 application, is it designed for 64Bit?

Yes it is designed for 64bit, your download was probably corrupt.

Then why did it work with XP?

XP was created 10 years ago , Windows 7 was created less than 8 months ago. I'll remind you that the Windows codebase has significantly changed to match the specs of newer more powerful machines that were not available at that time.

So how on earth can I find out what it really is?

EDIT: So its an nvidia something. (below).

What was reported when you where running XP? Are you able to identify any models/serials/markings like stickers on the GPU that would help identify the card or are you able to temporarily reinstall XP onto a separate drive and install drivers there to identify the exact information with GPUZ?

I didn't buy this computer, I 'stole' it from uni.

:sarc:

Looked for the drivers for GeForce 4 MX 440, not compatible with W7
(Forceware 80)

You'll need to manually install the drivers for cards that old, You'll also need to read the Release notes of each nvidia driver before version 100.00 to find one that supports your card then use Add Hardware wizard to manually select the .inf, NVidia purposely did that to make sure your aware the card is no longer supported by them or its setup routine

 

[Clank]

Yes it is designed for 64bit, your download was probably corrupt.

XP was created 10 years ago , Windows 7 was created less than 8 months ago. I'll remind you that the Windows codebase has significantly changed to match the specs of newer more powerful machines that were not available at that time.

What was reported when you where running XP? Are you able to identify any models/serials/markings like stickers on the GPU that would help identify the card or are you able to temporarily reinstall XP onto a separate drive and install drivers there to identify the exact information with GPUZ?

:sarc:



You'll need to manually install the drivers for cards that old, You'll also need to read the Release notes of each nvidia driver before version 100.00 to find one that supports your card then use Add Hardware wizard to manually select the .inf, NVidia purposely did that to make sure your aware the card is no longer supported by them or its setup routine

The drivers did work in the end, I had to run them in compatibility mode >_>

Yes it is designed for 64bit, your download was probably corrupt

As stated about 5 times, I'm running on 32bit.