Problem with graphics/windows/hardware?

AgedIdiot

AgedIdiot

AgedIdiot

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A few days ago composed thread ref problems I was having with sons S939 system.

Boiled down to fact that cmos battery had failed - easy to replace :D

But - although it would boot it would not get to the desktop (BSOD).

Tried repair of windows & install fresh on new (spare) drive - but still failed.

As a last resort tried running ram with a bit more volts than usual (2.9 rather than 2.85) - magic it booted fully.

Ran a few tests to realise that the ram was unstable - downclocked to 333 speed and relaxed timings to 3/5/5/5 (the supposed speed is 2/5/5/5 @400) and it's a good 'un.:D

OR I thought it was until I tried playing a game to find that the graphics are bu......

Unusual symptoms:-
1. Right clicking on desktop/ properties brings up 'Display Properties' BUT only the 'Theme' section.
2. If I change the theme then the other sections 'Desktop, Screensaver' etc appear.

Could not find the gpu drivers so decided they must have , somehow, been lost/deleted.

Installed - all looks good - the 8800gt is seen - it plays games as normal UNTIL

I re-boot - to find that the drivers have dissapeared , the right click on desktop brings up the one 'theme' box etc.
Tried 2/3 times ( & tried re-installing motherboard drivers just in case !)- no joy it keeps losing the graphics !!!

Anyone got any idea what is wrong/ going on?

Methinks it's windows but before I clean install .......

Advise appreciated - thanks
 
Update

Tried a few sets of drivers - no joy

Tried re-install service pack 3 - no joy

Last 2 sets of drivers appeared to install ok but both came up with 'Run DLL as a App has encountered a problem...'
and on latest drivers in device drivers it shows 'This devise cannot start (code10)' - Got the same entry using 186 drivers , although this was after a re-boot as initially it appeared to see it correctly.

Am fast coming to the conclusion is that my only viable option is to do clean install of windows - would prefer not to but...

Any last minute solution/thoughts ??
 
so your saying, it boots fine sometimes, but sometimes it boots without recognising the gcard?

looks like windows is getting confused, or even possible your graphics card or pcie slot is faulty? or card isnt seated properly (prob none of them but best to try anyway if your going to reinstall windows) also check the power connector.
 
afro said:
so your saying, it boots fine sometimes, but sometimes it boots without recognising the gcard?

looks like windows is getting confused, or even possible your graphics card or pcie slot is faulty? or card isnt seated properly (prob none of them but best to try anyway if your going to reinstall windows) also check the power connector.
Click to expand...

Sorry if my posts confused - The machine boots every time (now - was a problem ref ram speed/voltage which is now cured).

BUT windows cannot see the gpu - might do immediately after if I install drivers but as soon as I re-start it looses them.
It appears that the problem is linked somehow with 'DisplayProperties' which is not working correctly either.

Do believe that ,as you suggest, windows is confused - have tried the card elsewhere; no problem , have re-seated/cleaned etc; checked connector, etc - no issues.

I do believe that somewhere between cmos battery failing and finding out that it was the ram timings that were causing my problems windows has become corrupted(I recollect that I did try a repair install at one part that very nearly completed before falling over - which may be altered a few settings in windowsetc causing ....?). So in the next few days will look to do clean install etc

My thanks for the replies :)
 
Quick update.

Clean install of Windows .

All problems solved :D

Can only assume that somehow it got corrupted.

Thanks again for all help !!
 
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