I just downloaded and installed the latest Nvidia nForce Drivers (see attachment) and have encountered a minor problem, i.e. when I reboot my video reverts to 640 x 480 resolution. I can change it back to 1024 x 768 but it goes back to 640 x 480 on each reboot

There was a minor glitch on the install when it asked if I wanted to reboot and I chose Yes, but the intallation hadn't quite finished. I ran the install program again and let it overwrite everything and it completed without mishap,... except for the resolution problem.

I did a backup of my system prior to installing the drivers (I'm learning).

Is there a method of keeping the higher resolution or should I reinstall the system backup and start over? Maybe reinstall video drivers? Everything else seems to be working well.

Attachment #1, (jpg file)

It's up to you: do the benefits of the new drivers outweigh the nuisance of screenres change at every reboot? {If you don't reboot too often, that might not be much of an issue, don't know}. Is there really a visible improvement or benefit to the new drivers? Were there any problems or issues with the old drivers? If the old drivers worked fine: hey, you know the saying: "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" ?? It's up to you, of course!

Well, I tried reinstalling my video driver; no help. Restored my backup and reinstalled the new Nvidia drivers; no help. Still have to reset my resolution and refresh rate on each boot up. So far, the advantage is quicker booting, less the time for resetting resolution and refresh rate. I'll live with it for the time being, and consult with Nvidia tech support on Monday.

I use Nvidia and the last drivers I downloaded were dated Dec.9, 2003

http://www.nvidia.com/object/winxp_2k_53.03

Thanks, Mize. I'll give it a try.

Edit> Tried it, but no joy,... same problem. I have an ATI 9000 Pro video card and when I rebooted, Windows just reinstalled my ATI drivers. Here's my system:

AMD Athlon XP 2600+ with 512 MB RAM
Windows XP Pro Ver 2002, Service pack 1
ATI Sapphire Radeon 9000 Atlantis Pro
NVIDIA nForce Audio Codec Interface
NVIDIA nForce MCP Audio Processing Unit
ViewSonic E70fb monitor

BTW, here is the source for my driver download:
http://www.nvidia.com/object/sysutility_1.0

Those aren't NForce drivers. Those are tweaking tools to help overclock or underclock your NForce based computer. Here are the latest NForce drivers:

http://www.nvidia.com/object/nforce_udp_winxp_3.13

I would skip the tweaking tools unless you are serious about over or underclocking your system (why you would want to underclock, I don't know).

- Jeff

My bad on the link to the driver

I clicked the wrong one sorry

Doc, I removed the previous NForce drivers and installed the ones from your link, however on checking the drivers in System Properties, I find that I am back to the same ones I identify in my initial post, i.e.:



The problem of booting into 640 x 480 remains.

I sent an email to ASUS requesting support on this issue.

What if you restore your backup and keep the drivers you've got?

Let me ask, is your computer working ok with the existing drivers (from the backup of the system)? If so, leave it alone. You've got the latest drivers anyway.

- Jeff

Actually Jeff, the drivers in my backup are a bit older than the ones shown in my first post and go back to 2002. There IS a slight improvement in performance with the current setup and I'm hoping that ASUS can come up with a suggestion. Otherwise, I may just revert to the backup.
For the most part, I run my system 24/7 and only reboot when installing new drivers,.... over and over and over.

>Thanks, Mize. I'll give it a try.
>
>Edit> Tried it, but no joy,... same problem. I have an ATI
>9000 Pro video card and when I rebooted, Windows just
>reinstalled my ATI drivers. Here's my system:
>
>AMD Athlon XP 2600+ with 512 MB RAM
>Windows XP Pro Ver 2002, Service pack 1
>ATI Sapphire Radeon 9000 Atlantis Pro
>NVIDIA nForce Audio Codec Interface
>NVIDIA nForce MCP Audio Processing Unit
>ViewSonic E70fb monitor
>
>BTW, here is the source for my driver download:
>http://www.nvidia.com/object/sysutility_1.0

Sorry, but, maybe I am just missing something here...

You say you have the new Nvidia drivers?

Your card though, is an ATi. A 9000 pro no less. Why would you even think about installing a Nvidia driver on an ATi card?

And, what would Asus have to do with an ATi card?

Again, please forgive me if I am missing something here.

Bobbo has an Nvidia NForce based motherboard. He isn't working with the latest Nvidia video drivers. He is working with the Nvidia motherboard drivers.

- Jeff

Ah, I thought it was something I was "missing".

Regardless, clearly, these are impacting on the ATi drivers.
Perhaps, a search for any nv*. would turn something up.
As well, remove all ATi driver remanents as well.

I do now, that some of the recent Nvidia graphics, drivers have corrupted shell32.dll, and some cause the monitor to "flicker" when the desktop loads.

Even though these are not graphics drivers, clearly, there are some common dll's. It is these, that are more than likely having the affect.

Used to be, that if you had this card, you got these drivers. Now, with Nvidia, if you have this type, (ie GeForce) you get the same driver for ALL Geforce cards (I understand that bobbo isn't speaking of graphics cards here, just illustrating an example).

It certainly isn't that one driver is for all cards, but, one installer.

So... it Nvidia may be moving this way for other drivers as well.

Thought I had it. I removed the Radeon video adapters in Device Mangler and when I rebooted, my screen resolution was back to my original settings of 1024 x 768, then Windows found the Radeon video and restored the drivers automatically. When I next rebooted, I was back to 640 x480. . I'm sure this has something to do with the ATI drivers, but I don't know what the solution is if the drivers are automatically found and restored. I checked the ATI download site, and my drivers are the latest available.

Edit> There is an nVidia driver update in Windows Update (See attachment) but I remember getting into trouble with that before.



Edit> I just installed the nVidia driver update from Windows Update, and it went through without a problem, except that the resolution problem still exists.

Attachment #1, (jpg file)

I think your problem is that windows is still trying to load up old drivers. I would head over to C:\Windows\System32\Drivers and make sure you have the following two files in there:

nv_agp.sys (version 4.12.1.334)

ati2mtag.sys (version 6.14.10.6414)


I had this problem once before, and it was a real mess. I ended getting pissed off and uninstalling RivaTuner, the Nvidia Drivers, and the ATI drivers and starting from scratch. I have a GA-7NNXP, it's an Nforce2 Ultra 400 so it uses the same motherboard and video drivers that you use, I'm going to try and recreate the problem you are having tonight.

EDIT: That will have to be TOMORROW night, I just remembered that Virtual Dub is going to be converting a movie for the next 5 hours. Let me know if you get a response or resolution from either Asus or Nvidia or ATI.

Doc,
I have nv_agp.sys (version 4.12.1.334)
but ati2mtag.sys is version 6.14.10.6404

Edit> Doc, I found the ATI Catalyst with ati2mtag.sys (version 6.14.10.6414), and installed it. but the problem remains.

Alright, I'll be doing some testing later on tonight.

Did you get an email back from any of those support people?

No response from either ASUS or ATI so far.

OK, here's what I did and the results:

1. Uninstalled Nvidia Nforce Drivers from control panel

2. Uninstalled ATI Drivers using the remove function from control panel

3. Clicked on Add/Remove for ATI CP and Drivers (just to remove them from Add/Remove, as the installer will remove them from the system but not from the A/R list)

4. Reboot

5. Allow install of PCI to PCI Bridge and all that stuff, but cancel out install of SM Bus (IF you get it, not sure if you have a SM controller on that board)

5. Reboot

6. Auto-detection of ATI Primary and Secondary display drivers

7. Reboot

8. Install Nforce Drivers (you MUST overwrite all files if prompted)

9. DO NOT REBOOT!!!

10. Install Catalyst Drivers (25.9 MB package from ATI, you MUST overwrite all files if prompted)

11. Reboot

12. Select new resolution and refresh rate.

13. Reboot

14. Reset Refresh Rate (yes, again)

15. Reboot

16. Listen to Jungle Boogie while you celebrate.

If these instructions don't work or if you run into questions, let me know. I wasn't able to fully replicate the error, but I may be able to force it.

Doc,
I followed your step by step instructions and have recovered my sound. However when I got to step #10 and started installing the Catalyst drivers, the installation stopped and stated that I had to have a VGA driver installed before it could continue. I went to Control Panel/Add hardware but the only selection provided was ATI Rage drivers,... no VGA. I was forced to reboot, contrary to your step #9, and I'm back to 640 x 480 res at 60 HZ refresh.

Your efforts in my behalf are much appreciated and I'm convinced that this problem can be solved.

Did step 6 actually occur? Windows should have automatically loaded drivers for your video card. I'm also curious as to what the deal is with ATI RAGE drivers being installed, do you have some other PCI video card installed already?

Edit: You may want go go ahead and start from step one again, this time select "no" when it asks if you want to reboot after installation of the Nforce drivers, then going and doing a standard restart. That may solve your problem, but I'm not sure.

I didn't see any activity regarding step 6, Auto-detection of ATI Primary and Secondary display drivers. I just now checked Add/Remove and do not see ATI CP and drivers even though Sapphire Radeon 9000 Pro and Sapphire Radeon 9000 Pro-Secondary appear in my Device Manager. That's puzzling. I will remove them in Device Manager and then I'll try running the 25.9 Catalyst Drivers Package again and see what happens.

Edit> OK, I removed the Radeon display adapters in Device Manager, rebooted, ran the 25.9 Catalyst Drivers Package and rebooted and my video came up at 1024 x 768. Rebooted again and came up 640 x 480. I'll keep trying. I've been at this most of the day and I'm beat, so I'll resume tomorrow and try running doctormidnight's series again.

Well, would ya lookie here, looks like I've managed to get myself exactly to where you are. I happened to reboot, and sure enough got the old 640 x 480. I confirmed by rebooting twice, so at the very least I have managed to recreate the symptoms.

Now I just have to find a solution.

Attachment #1, (gif file)

Doc, are you going to share just how you managed to screw up your computer so that it behaves just like mine??

The effort you have expended regarding this problem shows that your dedication to helping people like me is truly amazing.

I must add that Allyn has also given me tremendous help via email.

Not a clue, I just happened to need to reboot becaue I just got my new license for NOD32, and away she went. I'm working on it for now, and won't giving up until late tonight. You can always email me if you want, or give me a call at home any time before 12AM Pacific Time. Send a PM to get my number, I don't want Allyn calling me and doing that heavy breathing stuff he's into

Sssssssssssssssssssssss.........
Ssssssssssssssssssssssss.........
Ssssssssssssssssssssss.........

I love it!!! Quality technical support with a sense of humor. This place is great!!

Now I'm just getting pissed off, I'm probably going to stay up all night. I've tried all sorts of stuff, including Voodoo curses.

Doc, are you familiar with Driver Cleaner? Allyn gave me this link:
Driver Cleaner, available from www.driverheaven.net. I downloaded it and ran it, but my inexperience with it caused me to lose my sound, as mentioned in an earlier post. Be sure to carefully read the readme file that comes with it.

Yeah, but I don't use the Nvidia audio drivers because I have an Audigy 2. I'll give it a whirl again, see what happens.

Alright, here's a possible solution. This is a long list of instructions, so read over it a few times. The driver versions are older by ONE release, so it shouldn't be much of a problem. While I suspect that the problem lies with the Nvidia drivers, I'm not entirely sure, so don't attempt to use any other ones for the time being. Files below assume you are using WinXP with Service Pack 1 or 2 Beta.

1. Download the following and put them into a folder on the desktop:

Nvidia Nforce Drivers Version 2.45 for WinXP

ATI Catalyst 3.10 for WinXP Single Bundle

2. While in "normal" Windows, uninstall the ATI and Nvidia software IN THAT ORDER. Make absolutely sure that you have removed all of the entries from Add/Remove program.

3. Boot into Safe Mode

4. Run Driver Cleaner for both ATI and Nvidia. Ensure that you have deleted the folders at C:\ATI (delete them in reverse order if necessary, i.e., delete the "support" folder and then the "ATI" folder) and the folders in C:\Nvidia

5. Reboot into Safe Mode again.

6. Install the Nvidia Nforce Drivers. When prompted to restart, select NO.

7. Reboot manually into Safe Mode. Allow Windows to continue installation of any Nvidia or VGA components.

8. Reboot into NORMAL MODE. Install ATI drivers, DO NOT attempt a "custom" install!!

9. Reboot into normal mode. Allow Windows to configure any settings. If a reboot is suggested, Reboot.

10. Adjust video properties to your liking.

11. Reboot.

12. If this doesn't work, shoot self in foot and start over.

DocMidnight and Boobo:

I don't know if this would help you but there are some unofficial Nvidia NForce "remix" drivers (basically a mix of individual drivers released in various official Nvidia NForce releases, in an attempt to provide the best performance) out there made by some hard working individuals. I use a remix made by a person who has the handle "Morpheus1." He has a remix that does not have any Nvidia display drivers in them (I use an ATI Radeon All-in-Wonder card). The Nvidia display driver included in the official Nvidia drivers may be what is conflicting with your ATI drivers. Here is a link to the NForcers forum of the posting of Morpheus's lastest remix drivers. Give them a try.

http://www.nforcershq.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=39866

Click on the link that reads:

Morpheusware Remix with abit leaked 4.08 drivers english only fastest benchmarks

DocMidnight, since you are using a Sound Blaster Audigy2 (I am also), use an RAR program to unpack the files from the exe file you download. Then delete the AudioDrv and AudioUtl folders that are extracted so the audio drivers aren't installed.

- Jeff

I might try those out. Hell, I'm using a modified BIOS for my motherboard and for my video card, might as well start using modified drivers too

Hey Doc Midnight! I am just curious. How do you have 0 PCI slots used if you are using a Creative Sound Blaster Audigy2?

Hmmmmmmmmmmm?

- Jeff

Hah, I never even noticed that I still have that. Guess I'll have to join a new club.

FWIW - I just loaded the Morpheus nVida drivers and they work great. My on-board sound never sounded better. Just thought I'd let everyone know that they work OK with my ATI card

....George

MB: GB-7NNXP
Processor: AMD Barton 2500
Memory: 1024MB(2@512 MB)
Graphics Bord: ATI Radion 9800 AIW

Thanks George, bobbo and I were discussing that on the phone and I cautioned him against doing anything since I hadn't tried them yet.

However, it's good to know that they work, since the biggest difference between the 2.45 Nforce drivers and the 3.whatever is the audio drivers.


I bet bobbo is sitting there with his wife screaming "check me out, I'm rebooting and it's keeping its resolution!" while she just kind of nods and walks away. Well, that's what my wife does.

George,

Glad you were able to use these with good results!

Cheers

- Jeff

Yea Jeff, thanks for that link I sure wish Bobbo had had the same luck as I did! I'll bet he gets it figured out though!

... George

Doc, I din't have any luck with the links your posted, the first one

"Nvidia Nforce Drivers Version 2.45 for WinXP" takes me to the most current Nforce drivers, and the second one

"ATI Catalyst 3.10 for WinXP Single Bundle" gets a Page Cannot be Displayed message.

What do you think of the remix bundle that Jeff suggests? I downloaded it but haven't done anything with it as yet.

I'm not ready to try your latest 12 step process until I'm clear regarding the versions you suggest.

Hmm, they do appear to be weird.

For the Nvidia drivers, just go to http://www.nvidia.com/object/nforce_udp_winxp_3.13 and look over at the left. You should see a link labeled "Windows XP/2000 Unified Driver Archive". Click on that and you can download the 2.45 version.

As far as the ATI drivers go, just right click on the link and select "save as", that should do it.


I'm a little hesitant to say anything about the other drivers because I haven't tested them.

OK Doc, I have them now and will run your 12 step set of directions soon.

I would replace step 1 with "drink screwdriver" and move everything else down a step.

Hey bobbo, I'm gonna be gone for the rest of the evening, so if you run into any issues post here instead of calling, as I probably will not be able to answer.

I just had a very pleasant interruption,... my two grandsons came over for dinner while my daughter and her husband went out to dinner. I'm going to have fun with them and will proceed with this tomorrow when there's no distraction.

YAHOOOO!!! :7 :7 :7 :7 :7 :7 :7 :7 Doc, I would never have figured it out without your 12 step procedure in a million years.

Excellent!!!

Hat's off to DM for his perseverance and dedication - you da man

Hip-Hip-Hooray---Docmidnight for el presidenta.

LilJoe

All right! Buy the man a keg!

Allyn, Your contribution to this thread was equally valuable. I'm indebted to both you and Doc.

Well, now that you mention it, I do have this rather lengthy prison sentence coming up. You wanna clear that debt up and take my place?

OOPS! I'll send you a cake with a file in it

Glad you got it figured out Boobo. Sorry I wasn't of much help (if any). But the important thing is, the problem is solved. Great work DocMidnight.

- Jeff

Now that my system is operating properly, (for the most part) I made a full backup of my primary partition. After doing that, I did some experimentation and installed the Morpheus nVida drivers, ignoring all the warnings that the drivers weren't certified, and rebooted. I ran into the same problem that I encountered and mentioned in an earlier post, i.e. the boot sequence never made it into Windows; it just cycled to the Window splash screen and then rebooted over and over again. I restored my backup (Acronis TI) and tried the newest Nvidia package, but encountered the same boot recycle problem. Restored the backup again and found that the nForce Control Panel was missing so I restored the Nvidia drivers from the original NVIDIAnForce2 disk that came with the motherboard. Everything works, and I have come full circle to where I started.

I will start a new thread to discuss what I referred to above when I stated that "operating properly, (for the most part)"

Bobbo, have you tried reinstalling the ATI drivers "after" installing the updated nVidia drivers? (you might have done this, but I couldn't readily find it in this long thread) I am using an ATI All-In-Wonder AGP card in my nVidia MB (Gigabyte), and I initially had to reinstall the ATI package after upgrading the drivers for the board; but I haven't had to do it on subsequent updates(?) "Just a thought!" ... George