Optiplex 745 graphics problem

I'm having exactly the same issue!

Optiplex 745, Fully updated Windows XP SP3, download intel driver from dell, install, restart, windows hangs within a couple of seconds of user logging in.

If I go to safe mode or uninstall driver and boot normal problem disapears.

I've also seen another thread with someone asking dell to update this outdated intel driver.

One of my users had this same problem develop around the beginning of August.  I worked on the machine for three days before I found the solution.  The problem started with screen freezes and total machine lockups, then progressed to periodic screen blackouts / failure to finish booting, before getting to the point that every attempt to boot into regular Windows resulted in a solid or flashing block of color on the screen.

We suspected the problem was linked to the video card.  This computer had an NVIDIA GeForce 7950 installed and wasn't using the onboard video controller.  I removed the NVIDIA card at the start of troubleshooting, but the problem continued to get worse.  I thought there were driver problems, so I ran through several remove/reinstall sequences in safe mode.  The computer always booted fine in safe mode then failed in regular Windows.  The logon screen would appear, but as soon as I pressed CTRL+ALT+Delete the color blocks would appear and I'd have to reboot. 

After a few rounds of driver changes, I noticed that the machine would work fine if the Intel graphics driver was removed but then failed as soon as Windows detected the onboard video card and reinstalled the driver.  I searched online, found this thread, and saw that others had recently had this problem.

I reinstalled the NVIDIA card, went into BIOS Setup, and checked the video settings.  The system was set to AUTO video, which I suspect is the default setting.  I changed it to ONBOARD/CARD.  The name is misleading, but if you read the description of the setting it says that will disable the onboard video card and use the additional video card you have installed.

Once I changed that setting and rebooted, the computer was fine.  I updated the NVIDIA drivers, rebooted several times, and did some other work with it.  The machine is working normally once more.  The Intel graphics card doesn't appear in Windows Device Manager.

^sounds like your issue is different because we are using the onboard video card. Also our crashes comes only after the log on, not during

Anyone know how to clear out all dell drivers??

I try to install the first thing on the driver install list (DSS) and install fails with the error "application cannot be installed on this system!"

Tried the safe mode - same error. And yes I made sure I downloaded Windows XP DSS driver

I'm begging to hate dell. :emotion-12:

What drivers do you want to remove?

Video drivers.

Just to update -

1. I clean installed XP Sp3 from Dell CD (blue one)

2. I then installed drivers directly from dell.com specifically for this pc (by tag)

     A. DSS install, restart

     B. Chipset install, restart.

     C. Audio install, restart

     D. Video install (intel driver), restart ..... purple screen a few seconds after auto-login of default user (though it is different color everytime pc hangs).

Has anyone else installed an additional graphics card and disabled the onboard card in the BIOS?  I described that process in my earlier post.  If so, did it fix the problem? 

I am very interested in a solution to this problem.  Especially since 95% of all lab computers in my school district are Optiplex 745s.  I'm only seeing this problem with three workstations at the moment, but I get a little worried when my Dells start to develop board problems.  Normally I would just replace the board, but they just went out of warranty this summer.

My troubleshooting steps so far:

Wipe and reimage with a known good image (base + office).

Disabled SATA1 -reboot.  Worked for about 15 minutes then crashed again.

Booted with no USB devices plugged in (no Keyboard/mouse) system crashed after auto login.

Workstation runs great under Safe mode or VGA mode.  Obviously this is unacceptable.

I'm sure that would fix it - but buying another video card is last resort

I am very interested in a solution to this problem.  Especially since 95% of all lab computers in my school district are Optiplex 745s.  I'm only seeing this problem with three workstations at the moment, but I get a little worried when my Dells start to develop board problems.  Normally I would just replace the board, but they just went out of warranty this summer.   My troubleshooting steps so far: Wipe and reimage with a known good image (base + office). Disabled SATA1 -reboot.  Worked for about 15 minutes then crashed again. Booted with no USB devices plugged in (no Keyboard/mouse) system crashed after auto login. Workstation runs great under Safe mode or VGA mode.  Obviously this is unacceptable.

I'll try to minimize video card hardware acceleration (windows XP has that setting somewhere I remember) and see what happens tomorrow.

BTW are you also having the problem where pc crashes a few momnets after user log on in regular mode?

Within a few seconds after login, the PC will blank to a solid color screen.  No response whatsoever.

OK...  I'm sure that the second I say this out loud all of my 745s are going to start to crash, but doesn't this look like the start of the 270 issue all over again?  I'm going to contact my Dell rep.

Hello,

Our first post about this was deleted by Dell because we linked to our site.  Here is the information you need without the site link.

What we have been noticing is capacitors on the motherboard failing and causing this problem. We have been repairing many systems for the Federal Bureau of Prisons that have the exact issues you are describing that have failed caps on the board and after replacing the parts that systems work just fine with the original drivers still installed. Check you motherboards for the bad caps, you can do a google search for "Dell Optiplex 745 repair" to find many pages about this issue.

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Great stuff - thank you!

This transistor replacement fix is somewhat labor intensive, so I'll just order some cheapo low profile video cards for a fix.