Help! - I've really messed things up with my graphics card

[SkScotchegg]

Hey can you please help me out, I'm kind of scared I've done something I shouldnt have with my graphics card.

Well basically I have like 4 hard drives and windows xp as my main operating system, and I install windows vista as a secondary operating system, I installed it onto a second hard drive but on the same PC. And at start up I can choose which one I want to use...

...Well anyway I installed the windows vista ATI drivers for my x1950 and then when I went back to using xp I got a blue screen of death and couldnt get back into windows. I couldn't make out much of what it was saying, but it had ATI written all over it so I knew straight away it was something to do with my graphics card...

So now I managed to get back into windows using safe mode and uninstalled the ATI drivers on both windows xp and windows vista, and now I havent got any drivers installed, but still my graphics seem messed up and I'm getting like black bits on the screen, its really strange.

So my question is, what have I done? Is this really bad? should I not have installed two lots of differant drivers for the same graphics card on the same PC? I didnt think it would matter with it being two completly differant operating systems installed on two differant hard drives?

And is there anything I can download to make sure I have totally cleared out everything, every file that had anything to do with my graphics card. Because it still feels like its messed in some how.

And do you know if I could have caused damage to my graphics card? It isn't going to stop working is it? It's pretty new. Havent had it long, well I guess like 6 months or something, not sure.


Cheers in advance,


SkScotchegg

 

[Wingz]

doubt drivers would mess up your card, but anyways you could use Driver Cleaner which will remove the ATI drivers (http://www.softpedia.com/progDownload/Driver-Cleaner-Download-6505.html)

 

[SkScotchegg]

Thanks for that, ill try that now....

I just tried reinstalling the latest graphics drivers, restart PC, and then I got blue screen of death again saying:

Windows has been shut down to prevent damage to your system.

The problem seems to be caused by the following file ATI2dvag.

if this is the first time you have seen this stop error screen restart your computer. If this screen appears again, follow these steps:

The device driver got stuck in an infinate loop. This usually indicates a problem with the device or with the driver programming the hardware incorrectly.

Any chance anyone can help? I seriously think I have a big problem here and dont know where to start in fixing it? Do you think this is just a software problem I've caused? Should I reinstall windows all together or is there something else I can do?

Cheers in advance,


SkScotchegg

 

[SkScotchegg]

Just posting again to say that I still have the same problem, I can load XP up with no graphic drivers, but the moment I install graphic drivers and restart the PC back into xp I get a blue screen of death saying what I put above in the post above this.

This has been going on for the past 4 days now and I've been a bit busy with work so havent had time to fix the problem yet, but now thats its the weekend I am planning on fixing the problem.

The only thing I can think to do now is reinstall windows? But I hate doing that because it takes ages and I have to reinstall all my games and programs etc.

So does anyone have anymore ideas before I do that?

Please help, I am clueless.


SkScotchegg

 

[LoadsaMoney]

Did you use Driver Cleaner pro in safe mode to remove the drivers, from both Vista and XP, then trying to install them again.

 

[Mint_Sauce]

You could have a look inside the case and check for dust build up first on the gpu fan to make sure the card isn't overheating. Also, make sure it's properly seated in its slot.

If the hardware side is fine then switch it on and load up Vista, go in to your device manager (press and hold the windows key and tap pause/break key, then select device manager). Remove the graphics card and tick the box to un-install drivers.

Restart the machine, load up XP and do the same. Then restart again and load Vista, download/install the latest drivers from the official website and restart again!

Hopefully, that will sort it...

 

[Mint_Sauce]

Just found this from typing in ATI2Dvag

When you experience this problem ask yourself these questions:

1. Do I have the most recent drivers for the Intel/AMD Chipset.
Note: For example: Asus p4g8x- were shipped older drivers! If you
installed the drivers off the disk included in your bundle go to the
intel site and download the newest patch!

Most likely this will solve your issue.

2. Also, take note to be sure to uninstall your ATI drivers, and then
install the newest versions.

3. Make sure you have a Antec True Power Supply too... just because
your power source says 350 Watts...means nothing. See Tom's harware
for power supply artilces.

So basically, make sure the latest chipset drivers are installed for your motherboard. Just go to the manufacturers website and download the chipset drivers/install.

 

[SkeeterUK]

If its a x1950pro card dont use the 7.8 or 7.9 drivers as they mess up the desktop. Well the 7.8 did for me, and ati did warn of this in their latest driver online readme thing for drivers. Im on 7.7 i think and there fine. Whereas with 7.8 i had problems with the icons on desktop being really weird.

 

[SkScotchegg]

Thanks allot for you help all, I've finally sorted it out. It seems as if the 7.8 drivers and 7.9 drivers dont work on my x1950 pro, like what "SkeeterPS" said, so am going to use 7.7 untill new drivers come out. Thanks for your help guys. This was so annoying I dont understand why they release dodgy drivers that dont work.

Thanks again, appretiate your help.


SkScotchegg