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Topic Starter
vytalibus
I just "upgraded" my display driver for my NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT (version of driver is 197.77), and now most of the games don't work graphic-wise. Team Fortress 2 has missing graphics and that annoying black-screen flicker from time to time, and Left 4 Dead 2 is just very laggy (probably because the game can't take the graphics or something). Take note that these games used to work perfectly before the upgrade (which was stupid for me to do in the first place, having no reason to upgrade at all).

I can't roll my display driver back to the previous version for some reason, so I'm stuck with this driver. I've tried installing outdated versions of the driver, to no avail.

I checked the graphics card inside my CPU. It's dusty, but it's inserted properly. I'm thinking it's not hardware.

Any thoughts? Specs in the screenshot below

anonymous_old
Uninstall the driver, and any software which came with it. Then install a version you know works.
Topic Starter
vytalibus

strager wrote:

Uninstall the driver, and any software which came with it. Then install a version you know works.
That's the problem. I don't know which version would work.

CD for the graphic card's missing, so getting it from there isn't an option.

Hara and Tippy told me to do a sweep of the driver before installing another one. Will this work? I'll try.
Topic Starter
vytalibus
UPDATE: Tried sweeping the driver "leftovers" away in Safe Mode and reinstalled the driver. No luck.

Sweeper reveals five files that can't seem to be removed, yet has something to do with the driver.
Neo Adonis
Recovery System Utility can solve the problem (?)
Xanek
Ph0X
197.77 is NOT for your gpu. Can't believe no one has said this already

go here:
http://www.nvidia.com/Download/Find.aspx?lang=en-us
put 7 series and 7300GT

Newest 197 non-beta driver for you is 197.45 (197.57 if you want to go beta)

You can also go in the 256 branch if you want, but I haven't read much about that yet. Not sure if it adds anything for your gpu.

use this in safemode to clean up before installing new stuff
http://downloads.guru3d.com/Guru3D---Dr ... d1655.html
there should actually be full instructions that comes with the program actually
Topic Starter
vytalibus

Ph0X wrote:

197.77 is NOT for your gpu. Can't believe no one has said this already

go here:
http://www.nvidia.com/Download/Find.aspx?lang=en-us
put 7 series and 7300GT

Newest 197 non-beta driver for you is 197.45 (197.57 if you want to go beta)

You can also go in the 256 branch if you want, but I haven't read much about that yet. Not sure if it adds anything for your gpu.

use this in safemode to clean up before installing new stuff
http://downloads.guru3d.com/Guru3D---Dr ... d1655.html
there should actually be full instructions that comes with the program actually
Tried both 197.45 and 257.21 (which has just been released today, that silly NVIDIA). Still a bust.

I'm thinking about buying myself a new graphics card instead. As in my screenshot, the bus is PCI Express x16 (not sure if I'm reading it right). I haven't checked about the power supply, which I will do tomorrow when I have the free time to open my CPU and check for it.

Any suggestions? Some told me I should get Radeon 5770 or GeForce 9300 GT. Any comments about these?

EDIT: After a long talk with Ketchup, I'm convinced that I have to upgrade my single-core processor as well. Wow. It's probably better that I buy myself a new gear instead.
Ph0X

vytalibus wrote:

open my CPU and check for it.
wat

vytalibus wrote:

Some told me I should get Radeon 5770 or GeForce 9300 GT
wat

Just try fixing this. It's not worth "upgrading" a single core. You'll be cpu blocked anyways.
But yes, if you have a money, just go for a whole new build.
anonymous_old

Ph0X wrote:

197.77 is NOT for your gpu. Can't believe no one has said this already
Blah blah blah. =]

Ph0X wrote:

vytalibus wrote:

open my CPU and check for it.
wat
s/CPU/computer/

Ph0X wrote:

vytalibus wrote:

Some told me I should get Radeon 5770 or GeForce 9300 GT
wat
^

Ph0X wrote:

Just try fixing this. It's not worth "upgrading" a single core. You'll be cpu blocked anyways.
But yes, if you have a money, just go for a whole new build.
^

Try running a disc check and memory check (memtest86+) to make sure the rest of your is okay. Weird things can happen if either of these components aren't working right.

Also scan for viruses. Sometimes they prevent you from deleting stuff.

http://www.tweakguides.com/NVFORCE_3.html See "Old Driver Removal".
Topic Starter
vytalibus
Someone told me I should be checking my power supply before I install a new video card, but that's probably null now that I've decided to upgrade the processor instead. Shit's oooooooooooooold.

I'll scan my computer for viruses. My computer's riddled with them, that I know, but they're all quarantined.

I've done a disk check yesterday. No errors found.

Haven't done a memory check. I'll do that.

Some information...

Motherboard: MSI MS-7260 1.0
Bus Clock: 200 MHz
Processor: 1.80 gigahertz AMD Athlon 64
64 kilobyte primary memory cache
512 kilobyte secondary memory cache
64-bit ready
Ph0X

strager wrote:

http://www.tweakguides.com/NVFORCE_3.html See "Old Driver Removal".

Ph0X wrote:

use this in safemode to clean up before installing new stuff
http://downloads.guru3d.com/Guru3D---Dr ... d1655.html
there should actually be full instructions that comes with the program actually

Also, why would you need a new PSU. We already went over this. Upgrading is not worth it.
And I doubt a single driver updating would break his memory and stuff
anonymous_old

Ph0X wrote:

strager wrote:

http://www.tweakguides.com/NVFORCE_3.html See "Old Driver Removal".

Ph0X wrote:

use this in safemode to clean up before installing new stuff
http://downloads.guru3d.com/Guru3D---Dr ... d1655.html
there should actually be full instructions that comes with the program actually
Wups?

Ph0X wrote:

And I doubt a single driver updating would break his memory and stuff
Could have been an existing memory problem which just recently decided to show up. It happens.
Topic Starter
vytalibus
Memtest86+ done. No errors, which means it's not the RAM.

Also, about the PSU upgrade, I am planning on having an almost-full upgrade for this computer, and I want to prepare for it. Might even have to get a new motherboard if needed be, which would suck since I'll have a lot of work in my hands.

But yeah, focusing on this problem first. The PSU upgrade would be an immediate second goal for me though, along with a processor upgrade.

Back to the problem, is it safe to assume that NVidia has officially screwed me up with their infamous line of "updated" drivers and that I should get a new video card instead? I see no other way, unless it's a motherboard problem.
Ph0X
You can download as old as drivers as you want on their site if you want to try.

PSU upgrade is not guarantied to fixed the problem.

Don't "fully" upgrade this computer, it still works fine except for gaming right? Just let someone else use it or sell it and just build a fresh new computer.

Check the Derekku thread, they built a decent computer with 400-500$.
Although, if you want a gaming rig, it might go up to 600-700, but it's still really cheap.
Topic Starter
vytalibus

Ph0X wrote:

You can download as old as drivers as you want on their site if you want to try.

PSU upgrade is not guarantied to fixed the problem.

Don't "fully" upgrade this computer, it still works fine except for gaming right? Just let someone else use it or sell it and just build a fresh new computer.

Check the Derekku thread, they built a decent computer with 400-500$.
Although, if you want a gaming rig, it might go up to 600-700, but it's still really cheap.
I can't afford a complete set yet, and I want to keep this computer for at least two more years. After that, I'll just salvage the RAM and video card for the next set.

But yeah, it's probably not wise for me to put a lot of new upgrades to this very old computer.

In a semi-related note, is it really helpful to have TONS of FPS? I find anything higher than 30 rather redundant.
anonymous_old

vytalibus wrote:

In a semi-related note, is it really helpful to have TONS of FPS? I find anything higher than 30 rather redundant.
I'd say have at least double your refresh rate (typically 60) for a smooth gaming experience. That's what I've observed, at least.
Topic Starter
vytalibus
I installed a Radeon HD 5670, and after installing everything from the CD that came with it, I'm getting BSoDs!

The blue screen appears during startup. Some guides say it could be a power supply problem, but I checked it and I have 480W which is quite enough compared to the 400W minimum.

HELP!

EDIT: Safe mode works. Is this more software-related?
I do see some hardwares that aren't installed for some reason when in Safe Mode, though my CD doesn't cover them. I'll clarify about this later on after checking for hardware issues.

"Found new Hardware":
Microsoft UAA Bus Driver for High Definition Audio
Other PCI Bridge Device

EDIT: A simple reinstalling removes the BSoD.
Topic Starter
vytalibus
Been testing out the new video card, and I'm rather disappointed.

Every game I tested (TF2, L4D2, heck even Second Life) just hangs after a few minutes, then the computer restarts. I am confused as to what might've caused this.

Any help? Note that I'm using Radeon HD 5670, and that I've only installed the driver from the CD just in case. Also note that I have MSI MS-7260 1.0, and that I connected the video card to its PCI-Express x16 slot (which is the requirements mentioned in the box, so yeah).
Derekku
Freezing/restarting is usually caused by overheating. =x
Topic Starter
vytalibus

Derekku Chan wrote:

Freezing/restarting is usually caused by overheating. =x
So what does this mean? Overclocking? Fans not working?

I don't know how to avoid overheating.

EDIT: Okay, I do remember a time when we might've installed some of the fans the wrong way when we were still messing around with the computer during the GeForce 7300 GT problem. I'll look into that and see how they're supposed to be installed.

EDIT2: Well this is kind of giving me a bad vibe:

anonymous_old
I don't see a GPU thingy there.

Download GPU-Z and see temps.
Topic Starter
vytalibus
This is during idle, since I can't take one during a game without crashing:



EDIT: I checked the CPU. I have one fan by the lower front, and two by the top rear. Lower front is blowing inward, while top rear is blowing outward.
anonymous_old
Can you play your game windowed and keep GPU-Z in the back?

Also, please stop calling a computer a CPU.
Topic Starter
vytalibus

strager wrote:

Can you play your game windowed and keep GPU-Z in the back?

Also, please stop calling a computer a CPU.
Sorry. Went into a school where they kept calling it a CPU. Old habits die hard.

I can't even access the game option without the game crashing.
anonymous_old

vytalibus wrote:

I can't even access the game option without the game crashing.
Try hooking up a second monitor, if available.
Topic Starter
vytalibus

strager wrote:

vytalibus wrote:

I can't even access the game option without the game crashing.
Try hooking up a second monitor, if available.
Impossible. No second monitor around here, and even with that, I don't know how.

EDIT: Reverted back to previous video card. This computer's busted.
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