Solved Windows won't boot after installing Nvidia GPU drivers

[paceman04]

I am having an issue with a new build. I am running Windows 7 Pro 64 on an SSD (Crucial M500). Windows installation runs fine with no visible problems, as does installation of the motherboard drivers (Asus M5A97 R2.0). The CPU is an AMD FX-6300. After installation of drivers for my graphics card (Gigabyte Geforce GTX 760 OC Windforce Edition) windows will not boot. It gets to the logo but will not start, giving options for startup repair or start normally. Starting normally will make the screen go black (although the pc remains running). While on this black screen all computer parts seem to be running: case fans, cpu fan, power supply fan, and graphics card fans. But the mouse and keyboard connected via USB are not on. If I attempt to run startup repair it is unable to repair the computer automatically and suggests a restore pre GPU driver install. The startup repair error I get is the following:

Problem signature:
Problem event name: Startup Repair Offline
Problem signature 01: 6.1.7600.16385
Problem signature 02: 6.1.7600.16385
Problem signature 03: unknown
Problem signature 04: 0
Problem signature 05: AutoFailover
Problem signature 06: 1
Problem signature 07: BadDriver
OS Version: 6.1.7601.2.1.0.256.1
Locale ID: 1033

I can restore to before installing the drivers (and have done so 8-10 times) but anyway I try to install drivers for my graphics card this same issue is occurring. I have attempted to let windows update install them, installing them directly from the disc that came with my GPU, and also downloading and directly installing them from the Nvidia website: all netted the same results. Note that it is a different version of the drivers so I don't believe it's a case of a particular version being bad. Also note that if I run the driver update through Windows update the text in "Problem signature 07" changes to "BadPatch". I have attempted several clean installs of Windows, just to see if there was an error during installation but no luck there either. I have also triple checked every connection and everything seems to be in the right place and snug. Also have reset the cmos just to be sure that had nothing to do with it. Another side note: I do not have onboard video on my motherboard.
Any help on this is greatly appreciated, thank you.

 

[HarriePateman]

Restore to a time before the drivers were present.
Update the drivers manually but font update them to the highest version.
Can you remember what drivers you had when it was all working fine?
Rollback?

 

[paceman04]

At work currently but will attempt this when I get home. I have used several different versions of Nvidia drivers (gotten from the website, from the disc that came with my card, and also from windows update) all giving me the same bad results. It has only worked fine before installation of any drivers for the GPU.

 

[gregrocker]

System Restore to just after your Win7 install if possible.

Enable Automatically deliver drivers via Windows Update (Step 3)

Check for Windows Updates, install all Important and Optional, with requested reboots, until there are no more offered when you Check for Updates.

Then check Device Manager, import any missing drivers not supplied by Windows Updates.

Set Updates to Automatic.

Other tips are the same as here to get and keep a perfect http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html#post1839164

 

[alphanumeric]

It might not hurt to install the latest motherboard chip-set drivers before updating the video drivers. One may depend on the other.

 

[paceman04]

System Restore to just after your Win7 install if possible.

Enable Automatically deliver drivers via Windows Update (Step 3)

Check for Windows Updates, install all Important and Optional, with requested reboots, until there are no more offered when you Check for Updates.

After the first restart after getting first set of updates the same problem occurs.

 

[bigmck]

I can restore to before installing the drivers (and have done so 8-10 times) but anyway I try to install drivers for my graphics card this same issue is occurring.

Does it work before you install the graphic drivers?

 

[AddRAM]

Do you have a second pci-express slot ? Try the card there and see what happens.

 

[paceman04]

I can restore to before installing the drivers (and have done so 8-10 times) but anyway I try to install drivers for my graphics card this same issue is occurring.

Does it work before you install the graphic drivers?

Yes it does

 

[bigmck]

I can restore to before installing the drivers (and have done so 8-10 times) but anyway I try to install drivers for my graphics card this same issue is occurring.

Does it work before you install the graphic drivers?

Yes it does

If it works OK, why are you messing with it?

 

[paceman04]

Does it work before you install the graphic drivers?

Yes it does

If it works OK, why are you messing with it?

Are you suggesting I use the generic Windows video drivers? Because I'm pretty sure that's only what's on my computer that's working.

 

[gregrocker]

Always use the drivers first that Win7 provides, as the first driver-complete OS. Only import those which are missing or problematic. Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7

System Restore to the first Restore Point after install, before the Updates problem happens.

Then run for awhile to see how it functions.

Now install each driver provided in either Important or Optional Updates, with reboots, until you find the one which is failing after running for awhile.

Next install small groups of other Updates, reboot, then run for awhile again to test performance.

When you reach an Update or group that fails, report back the Update involved, or System Restore to before the group was installed and install each Update singly until you find the one which is causing the problem, report back its name and number.

In most cases, just using this Install regimen will resolve the issue with no failure caused.

 

[bigmck]

Yes it does

If it works OK, why are you messing with it?

Are you suggesting I use the generic Windows video drivers? Because I'm pretty sure that's only what's on my computer that's working.

If your PC works OK with generic drivers, just use that.

 

[paceman04]

I've tried moving the card to the other slot on my motherboard. And also downloaded and installed the most up to date chipset drivers. Same problem, black screen.

 

[gregrocker]

Are you going to even begin the steps I gave you?

Always use the drivers first that Win7 provides, as the first driver-complete OS. Only import those which are missing or problematic. Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7

System Restore to the first Restore Point after install, before the Updates problem happens.

Then run for awhile to see how it functions.

Now install each driver provided in either Important or Optional Updates, with reboots, until you find the one which is failing after running for awhile.

Next install small groups of other Updates, reboot, then run for awhile again to test performance.

When you reach an Update or group that fails, report back the Update involved, or System Restore to before the group was installed and install each Update singly until you find the one which is causing the problem, report back its name and number.

In most cases, just using this Install regimen will resolve the issue with no failure caused.

I think I've given you a dozen steps total and you've replied to maybe one. THese issues require thoroughness that misses nothing. The step skipped is often the fix.

 

[paceman04]

Are you going to even begin the steps I gave you?

Always use the drivers first that Win7 provides, as the first driver-complete OS. Only import those which are missing or problematic. Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7

System Restore to the first Restore Point after install, before the Updates problem happens.

Then run for awhile to see how it functions.

Now install each driver provided in either Important or Optional Updates, with reboots, until you find the one which is failing after running for awhile.

Next install small groups of other Updates, reboot, then run for awhile again to test performance.

When you reach an Update or group that fails, report back the Update involved, or System Restore to before the group was installed and install each Update singly until you find the one which is causing the problem, report back its name and number.

In most cases, just using this Install regimen will resolve the issue with no failure caused.

I think I've given you a dozen steps total and you've replied to maybe one. THese issues require thoroughness that misses nothing. The step skipped is often the fix.

Relax dude I don't have a lot of time on my hands to do this right now and I've been given a lot of different possible steps to try on this and other forums. I've tried some and haven't been able to get to others yet. I'm in the process of running your suggestion of update/reboot/repeat atm so I'll update when I find something. I'm running on a clean install of windows now.

 

[paceman04]

A friend let me try his card in my system and everything ran perfectly after driver install..I also put my card in one of his systems and my original problem reoccurred, so problem solved: I need a new card. Luckily newegg will replace with little hassle. Thanks everyone for the suggestions and help.

 

[gregrocker]

Glad to hear it. Let us know how it goes.