New Graphics card, Windows 10 <Not happy!>

Pendragon

New member
Last week I ordered a new graphics card, a nVidia 980 Ti from overclockers.co.uk

The green logo light up and the fans span but no output to the monitor. I was expecting an issue or two with drivers and such but I couldn't even get into the BIOS!

It never got to the point of booting Windows for drivers to become a problem.

I spoke to Overclockers and they suggested I send it back to be tested. The RMA process was painless enough. It arrived back with them yesterday and I have just gotten off the phone with them now. There is nothing wrong with the card! This is a Windows 10 issue...

When you install Windows 10 it writes to your UEFI and it's this that locks the hardware config down. So the answer would be to clear the CMOS and clean install Windows or at least boot from the install media and attempt to "repair" the install. This is speculation at this point but it could be a way to resolve the issue of the UEFI locking the hardware out.

Then there is the issue of the licence. When installing Windows 10 your key is injected into the UEFI. As you have just cleared the CMOS this key has been lost. Fingers crossed a quick call to MS will resolve this.

Thing is this a lot of extra steps with a few "if's" along the way. It makes upgrading your graphics card a much trickier proposition.

When talking to the tech at overclockers it was something they were aware of and he said that they should have a addressed within 48 hours.
 
Disable UEFI and put the motherboard back to legacy mode and all of your issues will evaporate dude.

I do miss the Alienware logos on boot but I can easily live without it...
 
This is what I hope to do, even so it's something that should be put out there as inexperienced users will find confusing. When I spoke to Overclockers they were aware of an issue but did not have an answer.

Since my first post I have received an email from them saying no fault found and they are returning the card to me. I called and was fobbed off with a lame answer. "We just sell the hardware" and I guess I can understand that. It's still not at all helpful. After some discussion he reminded me that there is a 14 day return on items bought online. All in all not the greatest customer service experience. Basically you are on your own, figure it out or return the card...

I should get the card back in a few days, I'll clear the CMOS and go from there. Fingers crossed booting from the Windows 10 install media it will detect the previous install and "repair" the OS. There there is the fun and games of phoning Microsoft to sort out the authentication problem.
 
Updated the BIOS and now Windows 10 is not activated, Grrrr....

This is infuriating! The Store says that my copy is genuine but Activation say's not activated.

Error code: 0xC004C003 "Activation server has determined that specific product has been blocked"
 
Ok I have spent some time chatting to some guy at MS support. I'll never get used to someone controlling my PC lol.

The solution he came up with is clean install Windows 7, upgrade to Windows 10 again... This is a pain in the bum but it will give me the opportunity to install my new graphics card under Windows 7. Get it all running right and then upgrade again to Windows 10.


I feel there there are lessons to be learnt here. Flashing a BIOS is a pain in the bum if you are on Windows 10. Upgrading a graphics card "can" be a pain too.

For the BIOS flash I think the trick it to grab you key somehow and write it down. I think it can be found even if Windows doesn't want you to see it.

If they want me to install Linux on my main rig this type of thing will get to do it...

19:26 Remote Control started by A.j..

19:41 A.j.: this is your key Windows 7 Home Premium OEM:NONSLP
19:41 A.j.: 8/31/2010 2:05:16 AM
19:41 A.j.: right?
19:42 Stephen: I think so
19:43 Stephen: I bought Windows 7 when I built my PC
19:43 A.j.: do you still have the dvd?
19:43 Stephen: Yes
19:43 A.j.: installer?
19:43 A.j.: good
19:43 A.j.: 2 options
19:43 A.j.: rollback
19:44 A.j.: and install windows 10
19:44 A.j.: 2nd reinstall windows 7 then install 10
19:44 Stephen: I thought that would be the best way
19:45 Stephen: I just hoped that you could do something with the current install.
19:45 Stephen: Will Windows 10 authenticat if it's installed again on windows 7 as it's been done before?
19:46 A.j.: we need to fix the old os and install the windows 10
19:47 A.j.: well your key is still windows 7 so i cant fix this on the current install
19:48 Stephen: Ok so if I clean install Windows 7, then upgrade to Windows 10. and this will work? given that this has been done before?
19:48 A.j.: yup
19:49 Stephen: OK that is a pain in the bum but doable...
19:49 Stephen: I was upgrading my BIOS because I was having issues installing a new graphics card. This will sort both problems.
19:50 A.j.: yes your right
19:50 Stephen: OK thank you for your time...
19:50 A.j.: no problem have a great day
19:50 Stephen: Good bye...
19:51 A.j.: bye

19:51 A.j. has ended the session.
19:51 Remote Control by A.j. stopped.
 
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