FarFarAway
New member
Just thought I'd write a quick summary of what to do if you have video card problems seeing as a lot of people ask what to do.
I hope people read this and take this action BEFORE posting on :anisx: about their graphics card problems.
1st Step
Do you have an ATI or an Nvidia card?
Got to: Start>Run>Type "dxdiag" (no quote marks)
This should give you a bit of information about what you have. SiSoft Sandra Download link gives you loads of system information too so download and use that if your still unsure.
Its worth noting down what drivers you have with your card too. Nvidia ones are called Forceware and the version number looks like (e.g): 81.95. The ATI drivers are called catalysts drivers and look like (e.g.) 5.13
Once you've sorted this then on to the next step:
The next step
Download the latest graphics card drivers from either Nvidia's website or ATI's website.
Nvidia's are Here. Go to graphics drivers and usually GForce and TNT and then select your OS.
ATi's are a little more complicated but generally select your video card and OS and get the drivers from here
Get driver Cleaner
Driver Cleaner can be got from Here. Install the program but do not run it in normal windows mode.
Now: uninstall
Now you've got the latest and greatest ready for installation: Uninstall the old drivers using start>control panekl>add/remove software>nvidia graphics card drivers (or ATI graphics drivers)
Reboot as requested
Before you get to Windows and just after POST (this is using XP) press F8 to get to the advanced startup mode of Win XP. Go to "Safe mode"
Run driver cleaner and carefully select the drivers you want to clean. For nvidia use "nvidia" for ATI graphics drivers use "ATI"
Once this is done reboot into Windows
Install new drivers
Easy as that - install new drivers.
Reboot
Resize and check Resolution settings
Once again just as it says. Resize screen size and check that you've put it to highest native res, or how you like it.
Check for further problems
Run several games and tests like RTHDRIBL as well as ATI Tools
Make sure there is no artifacting on screen like "snow" effects, "lines across play" or "stretching" of pixels
Still having problems
Next try the chipset drivers.
Go to whatever chipset manufactorer you have nvidia NF4 Here
Download latest chipset drivers for your motherboard
Uninstall and run driver cleaner again
Follow the steps above as you would but make sure you uninstall both graphics AND chipset drivers before rebooting into safe mode and running driver cleaner. Driver cleaner cleans chipset drivers as well as sound drivers so carefully select the correct ones.
Running driver cleaner is necessary, especially if you were ruinning old or beta drivers.
Reboot and Install chipset drivers
Yep do that. The reboot again and install graphics card drivers. If you are using Nvidia NF4 chipset drivers do NOT use Nvidia Network monitor/Firewall AT ALL. THIS PROGRAM IS NOT VERY GOOD. You have been warned.
Do the tests Again
Repeat stability tests as above
STILL having problems
Don't give up yet.
Go to: start>run>Type "dxdiag" (no quote marks)
Check the "DirectXFiles" Page and the "Display" page. run relevent diplay tests to see if there is a DirectX conflict.
If there IS a DirectX conflict
Insert you XP CD and run the system restore (making sure you back up your files first. If this is a bit too much you can always think if there was a time when a game "told" you to install DirectX 7/8/9.xx etc and restore to before this point.
If not then do a system restore.
Download and run DirectX 9.0c from that link from Microsofts website.
Please note that you should install DirectX before installing new graphics drivers, as this may cause conflict.
Still having a problem??
One last thing:
Got to Start>Control panel>system>Hardware>Device Manager>Display Adaptors>Properties>Resources. Check the "IRQ" that the card is assigned. Check thoroughly through your device manager to make sure that you don't have any IRQ resource-sharing conflicts.
This has happened to me before - Sound Cards or Network Devices are the most common to do an "IRQ-Battle" with a Graphics Card.
If you do think that some sharing or conflict is occurring: these can be "Reserved" in the BIOS settings. I won't go into that here, but This google search will give you some clues.
STILL having problems??
OK by this point maybe its time to give up
If your card is still in Warranty then contact the suppliers (Hint: BFG and XFX do lifetime warranty's)
If not then test the card in another machine, as well as testing another card in your machine (if possible) to make sure your PC is ok
If your card appears to be screwed, buy a new one I'm afraid. If it seems to be good in another machine: Post on OC3D and we'll try our very utmost to help you.
Things to Note
Graphics Cards, especially if you've upgraded a pre-built system, need good CLEAN power. If you have a very weak PSU then most likely this is at fault.
Please do not complain if :anisx: members point to that as the fault of the problem as we've seen time and time again that a bad PSU will screw up any system
When posting on :anisx: after following these steps: please point out that you have done everything in this guide - or members can and WILL suggest these steps to you. Please also post FULL system specs (remember SiSoft Sandra I told you about....you get the point)
If you haven't done all the above then you only have yourself to blame.
:anisx: does not accept any blame for users not following this guide correctly or for what it will deem "user error". These are basic easy steps so basically - we will not accept responsibility for ANYTHING....EVER.
ill use it if i need it