Solved Windows Display Manager insta-crash

[RylanC23]

The Specifications

Computer type: PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number: Custom Build
OS: Windows 7 Ultimate x64
CPU: i7-5820K
Motherboard: X99-A
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 2x8GB DDR4
Graphics Card(s): Either GTX 970 STRIX or GT640
Monitor(s) Displays: BenQ GL2250H
Screen Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Hard Drives: A WD10EZRX that is still trying to tell me it has 1TB of memory. Yeah yeah...
PSU: Corsair CS450M
Internet Speed: Optimistic

(Please tell me if you need anything else on this front!)


The Issue

So I'm installing a load of new components at once (a new motherboard, processor w/fan, ram sticks). I've had a lot of issues during this so far, mostly due to my own inaptitude (I am stubborn, persistent, and know how to Google), and I've finally managed to get my computer to start-up, with a freshly installed OS. Awesome, right? Wrong. As soon as the I login and the computer gets to the desktop, the Windows Display Manager crashes. Usual "X has stopped working". That, and I'm experiencing a whole host of issues related to this, mostly things like certain programs not wanting to install, ala steam. These issues may or may not be related; I wouldn't know, as I've been focussed on combating the first issue.

In any case, the issue persists whether I am using my 970 or my 640. I've updated the BIOS to the latest version, and I've even tried reinstalling Geforce Experience (though I've not tried a full reinstall of the drivers yet). Like I said, Google. But yeah, I'd really love a helping hand here guys, kinda swamped in random petty issues here, none of which I really know how to fix!

 

[RylanC23]

Update: Uninstalled my NVIDIA drivers, and I stopped getting that display crash. Reinstalled them, and it started showing up again. So it's a driver-related issue, but I still don't know how to deal with it.

 

[Brink]

Hello Rylan, and welcome to Seven Forums.

You might see if installing a different version of the NVIDIA driver may work better.

http://www.sevenforums.com/graphic-cards/602-latest-nvidia-forceware-video-drivers-windows-7-a.html

 

[RylanC23]

Hey Brink, thank you, and thank you for the response! My drivers were already up to date, but I uninstalled and reinstalled through that link anyways, just in case, but the problem still persists.

 

[Brink]

If you haven't already, try a different (older) version of the driver.

 

[RylanC23]

Okay, so I installed v347.88 of the drivers, and the display manager seems to be working upon restarting. So what now? Do I never update the drivers, or am I okay to now?

 

[Brink]

I'd use the 347.88 version until the next new one is released, then try it.

 

[RylanC23]

Okay, thank you so much for your help! You're a life-saver!

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome. Sometimes a new driver just doesn't work well for some, and we'll have to wait for the next one.